Chadders

Of course they would. Do you think NOBODY would have said, why didn't McNeill take it he was on a hat-trick? Some have even made that point already.

I don't agree with it always being the nominated taker. I think it's whoever feels best equipped at that moment in time. There can be all sorts of reasons why and I really doubt that any team says the nominated player must always take the penalty. I'm sure the nominated player is usually best equipped, but not always.On occasion it might be best for someone else to take it. Kicking up massive fuss because Bannan didn't take this one is stupid. McNeill is a professional and is perfectly capable of scoring a pen. As others have said, anyone can miss a pen. Imagine of Baz has taken it and missed - many people on here would be moaning saying why didn't they let McNeill take it, he was confident and on a trick etc. Let's not get all stressed about this. It's done now.

Dunno. Nuhiu hat trick vs Forestieri

Oh fer

Fair enough - thanks. Actually I think I remember seeing that now. It certainly wouldn’t surprise me if he was bidding, but people have been speculating about him since before The Guardian piece. Even without it we’d probably still be assuming he’s involved. I was just making the point that things are being done behind closed doors, as much as possible anyway, so we won’t really know one way or the other. The only thing we’re going to be sure of is that the winning bidder was part of the process, unless any of the other bidders actually come out and tell us directly.

I know we keep hearing Ashley mentioned but is there actually anything definitively showing he's interested? McEvoy apparently has been to the ground and people have seen him. Not even sure personally if that's true or not. But Ashley? I've seen nothing except repeats of media reporting 'Ashley reportedly interested' without any primary source. I might have missed summat but I don't think I have. In fact I haven't seen any evidence of anyone specific showing proof of funds or bidding - which is the way it should be. I'm not suggesting no one is interested of course, but there's no evidence of any specific people or groups. The people wo have bid could be absolutely anyone (except the Walton family of course who have been ruled out).

And they replied 'Gimme the f*ckin' trillions!" :

Here we go...

I see there’s German interest.

Same ref today as it happens…

For the loser now will be later to win. For the Times They Are A-Changin’ WAWAW

I think they really are worried. They’ve had a pretty good run of things over the last few years but are in real danger of going in the direction we did 25 years ago. If we do get a really wealthy and ambitious owner and start on a stadium build it will absolutely flatten them. I know how I would feel if the roles were reversed. I don’t have any sympathy though. We’ve had some really awful times since 2000 while they laughed at us. It doesn’t matter what happens today for The Times They Are A-Changin’

Any owner who wants to fully realise their ambition to make Wednesday a Premier League team has to build a new stadium. I love Hillsborough for various reasons but it’s not good enough for the PL. In fact if we were to have a quick revival and get back up there in say 5 years we are going to struggle with attendances. A PL Wednesday are certainly capable of 40k+ and the owners might be thinking even more in time as youngsters start gravitating away from the swill. I think they will have to spend a lot on Hillsborough to begin with though as it would probably be 2035 earliest before a new stadium might be ready. No wonder potential new owners are already asking questions. Things need to start happening soon. I know there was a rumour that questions were being asked months ago, when the club was still ‘up for sale’ but that might be codswallop.

Normally I’m nervous for these games - even living away from the city I still really feel it when we lose to them. Mind you, we’ve been underdogs for years now so there’s been no shame in it. But today I’m pretty relaxed. A win would obviously be superb but if we can just avoid getting hammered I’ll be happy enough. If Cooper is fit enough, which it sounds like he is, I’d play him. He knows what he’s doing. Good luck to the lads, and I hope everyone that’s going has a good time - especially all those billionaire bidders! I hope there’s some blurry images to scrutinise later. WAWAW

Oh blimey Metal Gear! I need to dig that out again!

There's got to be a billioanire named Fox hasn't there?

I'm with you on this. I don't know who is bidding either and in the context of the situation we have no idea what people have been told, or what they've been told to say. Or not to say. If the Waltons were involved, Rob Staton could simply turn around later and say, "Of course I knew they were involved but I was asked to keep a lid on it (for this, that or the other reason). I'm sure you all understand why now". No one is going to blame him for that are they, when we have the Waltons in charge? And maybe his X is 'my views are my own' I don't know, I'm not on it. The Star isn't qute so categorical in its article earlier. It distances the Waltons but doesn't totally dismiss the link. Obviously I'm not saying this is what is actually happening, but it just shows how it could play out and why I'm sure a lot of people still think it's possible. There's certainly no animosity towards the local media (or KW for sure). They have their jobs to do and sometimes it might mean being economical with the truth. I would love it to be W-P but I'd be delighted with any new owner who creates anything like the optimism and excitement that they would. I'm sure there could be many potential owners that fit that description. WAWAW

I hope he has a couple of pints before he starts yapping.

Yeah I agree. But as one or two others have said, if they had never been mentioned I would never even have heard of them. Yeah I've heard of Walmart but but not the Walton family or their wealth. Consequently there will be pleanty of other billionaires I haven't heard of that I'm sure could do a great job at Wednesday. Fertitta was another one I'd never heard of but we all got excited about him too. I wonder if he's involved. Shall I ask Rob?

Yeah, sorry I wasn’t replying directly to your comment - just adding to the discussion. Good points, yes. It should be a recommended course of action. I know what you mean but I must admit I find myself doing the same thing! I’m finding the whole thing very entertaining, but I’m not getting too hung up on it. Not long to go and all will be revealed!

It’s certainly possible that more than one group has spoken with the council. It would make sense for anyone seriously interested to have discussed the stadium and training ground redevelopment issues with the relevant people, even if just to get a handle on the scale of what’s required.

That badge looks like Picasso designed it

Exactly what I was thinking. What we assume we would get from the Waltons can still be offered by others. Yes it would make headline news if they bought us and admittedly I’d love it for the high it would give us all, but at the end of the day, that’s not what’s important. I’m sure they would make very good owners but it’s you say, if others are planning for a new stadium it sounds like they know what they are trying to achieve with the club.

It's in the Stefan Borson thread.

Bizzle says they're still in for us.