Could the Friedkins be in by Christmas?

If our new American Jewish owner is in place by that night, I'm gonna set the whole menorah ablaze with candles. Blue ones.

There's a wide open Premier League out there, just look at the sides in the Top 6.

We need to stop this relegated-related shit and start joining the party.

Apart from our neighbours and maybe Chelsea, the league isn't all that this season.

Getting back to The Friedkin Group takeover, the sooner the better so that we have the chance to add some backbone (as stated by another) and, hopefully a player who can feed our striker(s) during the January window.

UTFT.

I'm still convinced Masters and Co will delay this, out of spite, until the transfer window is either closed or, almost closed.

A quarter of a century that has seen Everton slowly falling from the top table needs to start being addressed. Although it's going to take time to rid ourselves of the nepotism that has enshrouded every single bit of fabric right throughout our club, hopefully we are getting in professionals to start what I'm sure will be a slow transformation.

I'd love us to rise from the ashes, like the Phoenix from the flames, because I've witnessed it before and it's incredible! But if I'm being honest (and repetitive, I know), just give us hard-nosed professional people who know how to get us competing and also how to run a successful football club.

I personally couldn't care less about the new owner's nationality or religion, but if that's what gets you excited Mike, then get your blue candles out and have a blast.

Some fans seem to be expecting a splurge in the transfer market in January but, as pointed out in the article, the constraints imposed by PSR will limit what can be done.

I'm not getting too excited until it's done, but boy do I wish it could have been wrapped up in time to get Ruud van Nistelroy in.

A much older Vardy is performing again, and that's what we need. A manager who knows the importance of attacking and goals.

I think he bought the club on Christmas Eve 1999. I seem to remember the Echo describing it as a great Christmas present for Evertonians.

25 years later, at long last, we have reached the beginning of the end of his appalling legacy.

Let's get it done. We can't predict, but it can be a new blue dawn and we start being run like a professional organisation rather than what we've been subject to for the past few decades.

As far as I understand, we're just waiting on the Premier League???

I wouldn't put it past Masters but, if I was Friedkin, I would have a quiet word in his shell-like to let him know that, if it's delayed in anyway, then he will have the biggest thorn in his side from this point on.

ontest everything, give nothing... Jeez I can be bloody-minded when I want to be, why aren't more men like that? Oh wait, that's woke isn't it? Is it? A bloke called woke.

Stand your ground and hold your nerve, as they say. Don't give an inch.

Does anyone know if Friedkin got big sponsorship, perhaps for the new stadium, how that would affect our ability to spend in January and avoid PSR penalties? I mean, it seems like that would impact… but I don't know.

In a way, I can understand it: he's trying to protect the Premier League brand (and his gravy train) by removing us, and the dull non-football that Dyche serves up.

Masters is not going to delay anything out of spite; enough of these conspiracy theories — it's ridiculous.

As you said yourself, it's been 2 months and any delay has been down to the said parties unravelling the shit sandwich that has been left from the Kenwright era onwards.

Does The Friedkin Group change the manager and with whom? January is a difficult time to come into a new club for owners and managers. How long would it take a new manager to come in and access players and maybe change style?

Not easy to implement when placed where we are in the league. I just wish Friedkin all the very best and hope he is more successful than our last 2 owners.

It depends on our current PSR position.

If it's not good, any additional sponsorship money may simply have to be used to make us PSR-compliant for this year. If we're currently in a good place with respect to PSR, then additional sponsorship could allow us to bring in new players in January.

Of course that raises the question of how The Friedkin Group see Dyche's and Thelwell's futures at Everton.

Hopefully we'll be aiming for this level of professionalism and excellence, seeing improvement over time. Fingers crossed.

This thread was tailor-made to talk about our hopes and aspirations for the future…

But the spectre of Christmas past still haunts so many of us.

On the 31 December 2021, Newcastle Utd were 2nd from bottom of the league with 11 points from 19 games. They'd recently been taken over by the Arabs.

With a few astute buys in January, they started to storm up the table eventually finishing 11th with 49 points.

Hopefully we can replicate this if the right people can be put into place., It's a big 'if', I know, but if they can, then I'm sure we can as well!

As long as they don't use the connections with one of our sponsors, Red Bull. Can you imagine the Red Bull Arena?

I'm sure they've got something in mind.

I've been thinking, whether it's purchasing with membership or renewing season tickets, it will be odd. as we don't know the lay of the land. I know everything is unobstructed, but to start with we'll have to get used to the stadium.

At Goodison, we know just about every seat and stand.

Anyway, as Bob Dylan sang, the times they are a changing'.

I feel optimistic about this takeover. I think it's going to shake the club up from top to bottom, which some may not be comfortable with, but it is overdue.

If they can instil that culture quickly, then I'm happy.

Logic, anybody? Dyche is the problem so remove Everton! Bizarre!

The new guys are in the "believe it when I see it" box at the moment; the fear is they don't understand the magnitude of the task and more worryingly lack the funds to deliver. Jim Ratcliffe at Man Utd is already getting pelters for not delivering 5 minutes into the job and I can see it happening here if miracles don't appear.

But, hey ho they can't be as bad as Moshiri. Can they??

I imagine it's a process thing and nothing to do with personalities.

What will Dyche's position be? Like Lyndon said in the article, the Wolves result, and the postponement of the derby, have fortunately for Dyche, bought him more time. The remaining December fixtures we are not expected to win either, but hard-fought draws could result in another stay of execution.

January Transfer Windows are never a good time to buy or sell players, so I don't expect too much activity there. Another dilemma – should Dyche be given a bit longer, can he be trusted to make the right decisions to bring in one or two, to not only steady the ship, but improve it? That is, also assuming, he has a say in it!

Whilst many of us, myself included, are optimistic and will be glad to see the end of the Moshiri era, there are two angles, which I respect.

Change always brings uncertainty. There are no guarantees.

But we need change. We can't continue with the status quo that has caused us so much emotional angst over the years.

Let's embrace it.

Do you really think they'd want to sack Dyche right away having just completed a complex corporate takeover of a debt-ridden asset? If that was the case, you'd have to assume they've been monitoring and quietly interviewing potential candidates before the takeover is confirmed. Hmmm, not sure about that.

And by the way, the new owners have also got to appoint a whole new Board; therefore, I would have thought the overhaul of the footballing side might wait a little longer and would be overseen by that very same new Board which isn't actually in place yet.

Unless of course you're advocating a return to Moshiri's style of ownership where he takes a punt – in this case, Friedkin takes a punt – on random managers, regardless of what the rest of the Executive and management team thinks, thereby cutting their legs off. That's worked out well for us, hasn't it?

If I was in Friedkin's shoes, I'd be hoping Dyche did enough to keep his job while I got on with the rest of the Board and management changeover. I'd then take my time and allow the new Board to interview and recommend an appointment to me in the summer. That's how successful football clubs seem to work these days.

If we're in the Bottom 3 and our form continues to nosedive, then all bets are off, but I wouldn't be recommending a hire-and-fire policy be implemented by a brand new owner who knows nothing about football and very little about Everton. That's what Moshiri used to do.

Just saying.

I've also heard that everyone will have to reapply for their jobs, rather like Man Utd did. This would include Thelwell, but realistically nobody really knows how true this is because Friedkin keeps things close to his chest.

But my guess is this isn't a "We've taken over now; let's take stock and work out what we want to do". TFG will have been planning for months and will already know who they want to bring in, will have done all necessary interviews, and have people in place from Week 1.

If Dyche isn't sacked Week 1, therefore, he will be given time and presumably money in January to see what he can do. I don't like that, but I'll back the new owners until they do something wrong. 😂

I'd be very surprised if TFG haven't already got a new CEO, board and manager lined up.

You don't think they've just been sitting around waiting for the Premier League approval before they do anything, do you?

Exactly. Why would Masters want Everton gone?

A founding member of the Premier League, a huge fanatical fan base with worldwide appeal, moving into one of the best stadiums in the land, two huge derbies every year against one of the Sky darlings.

No, he would much prefer the likes of Bournemouth, Brentford gone instead, no disrespect, but with very limited marketing and brand appeal. If he could choose then I'm sure the two above would be replaced by Sunderland and Leeds in a heartbeat.

Any hardships we are encountering on the way here is down to the mismanagement of the club — not wacky conspiracy theories.

I can't quite go along with your defence of Masters and the Premier League saving us from 777 Partners; they were under scrutiny then, and deemed to be unsuitable as their alleged assets were fabricated and possibly from nefarious means.

Moshiri got into bed with them, presumably after 'pillow talk' that he, and he alone, would do okay out of the dodgy deal! He didn't care about Everton or where the money (if there was any) was coming from – as long as he was okay.

I further state that, had he not done so, we would not be in the situation we are in now!

They haven't appointed a new Board and CEO yet because the deal isn't ratified. They may have taken some steps, I've no idea.

Who would appoint the new manager then if there's no Board or CEO?

You can't understand, Brent, you can only observe.

Stu @38,

Exactly mate, if the 777 Partners deal had been allowed to go through, then we'd all be blaming the authorities now for permitting it.

I think we need to remember that we as a club signed up to PSR and it was our doughnuts that fell foul of it. The Premier League were under pressure from the government around football regulation, any notion that Masters wants a club like Everton gone to protect the brand is absolute nonsense.

I don't blame him for leaving Everton when you look at the array of honours he went on to win, but it got me thinking about the slimy way Everton went about selling him, and all to keep that clever, stagnant, non-playing individual in charge of our club.

The past 30 years have been soul-destroying, just like it's been soul-destroying waiting for someone… anyone (hopefully soon TFG will get the go-ahead) to rid us of the curse.

But anyone who thinks it is going to be easy getting rid of the ineptitude and the nepotism just doesn't understand how much damage has been done to our once great club over these soul-destroying years.

I'd love to be more positive but, even when this deal is finally done, the most important thing is Everton becoming ultra-professional, with the past 20 years being the ultimate reminder of how not to do things.

I honestly can't believe people believe the Premier Legue and Masters want to relegate us!! Why?

We broke the rules, have been punished for it, end of. I was more worried about Dyche relegating us until we stuffed Wolves.

Looking back, the club helped villainise Rooney to deflect from their own decision. Sneakily done so that the supporters would take it out on the player.

He was always going to move on to greater things, but we may have got a few years out of him.

In his recent interview, he was told the club were selling him to Chelsea. He decided that, if the club wanted to sell him, he would choose. Good on him.

Secondly, although the change will be welcome, we have to manage our expectations. As you say, there is no magic wand to undo decades of standing still and falling behind.

But it will give us optimism that the culture of the club will be changed.

I was too.

In reality, I think if we were to beat Forest at the end of the year then we will still be 5 points ahead of the Bottom 3.

Let's not forget the absolutely massive help he was in hindering the takeover of the club by 777 Partners. It is terrifying to think what shape the club would be in had that deal gone through. Would we still be a club even?

Reflect on the fact that there has been nothing from the Premier League, the Friedkins or the Club and you will quickly realise that, in effect, nothing has changed since the joint statement from Friedkin and Chong quite some time ago. Not a peep from the Premier League which isn't surprising given their record.

Therefore everyone is still guessing. With all good fortune, the guesses won't be far off the mark this time but they are still guesses.

A bit like those who guess the line-up on match day. Those who guess what the score will be.

We don't know what is going on. But it doesn't stop debate and discussion.

Yeah, they won a trophy, but West Ham won it too and look at them now. Roma are in the bottom half of the table and fans are basically going on strike including walkouts.

The fans biggest complaint seems to be that Freidkin doesn't understand the club. We can only hope that his involvement with Everton will lead to better times but that is not at all certain taking Roma's current predicament into account.

Everton's issues won't be solved overnight, but we need to at least halt the slide on and off the pitch, and hope that we begin to take steps in a more positive direction. TFG are the only interested party to have at least some access to money and hopefully the ability to start healing the self-inflicted wounds of the last decade.

I have a bit of a different take on that.

I think there is the potential that Roma ends up acting as a bit of a soundbite and that he learns from the mistakes he makes there, as a good business should do, and doesn't repeat them at Everton.

My personal opinion: I expect Dyche to be gone after the next couple of games.

Another point to factor in here which makes sense is for a new manager to be appointed in January. Preparation and planning for the summer around identifying players and renewal of player contracts should be underway once the manager is in.

We'll have the transition to the new stadium in the summer. I can't see the Friedkins doing the above as well as appointing the manager in the summer. That just screams of chaos.

Brian #24 and Kunal #26, my guess is that any decision about Dyche's immediate future has already been made. Either the Friedkins have already picked a manager to replace him before the January window (rumor: Sarri), or they've decided to leave him in place at least through the window to see what he can do with reinforcements. We have no way of knowing which, but we'll find out soon.

Dave #51, I am fully confident in the Friedkins' ability to put Everton back on a solid financial footing. They are wildly successful businessmen, not self-funded showbiz producers, or sidecars for oligarchs. Their massive fortune is their own and they owe nothing to anybody. They have never speculated or had a failed business venture. And they put Roma back on its feet with tremendous efficiency after buying it out of impending bankruptcy.

Now, please note I do not conflate business solidity with success on the pitch, which can be impacted by factors having nothing to do with finances. The current problems at Roma began when the manager De Rossi couldn't get along with the CEO Souloukou and gave the owners a her-or-me ultimatum.

They chose her, she sacked De Rossi, the Roma ultras threatened to kill her, and she quit. The subsequent chaos -- difficult CEO transition, wrong new manager, poor results -- was predictable, but I'm not sure you can blame the Friedkins for all of that.

As for what the Roma ultras think, given their history of violence and threats. I couldn't care less. Their latest banner across from the Roma training ground calls the players, coaches and club officials "all pieces of shit and traitors", which I'd consider a massive overreaction to falling from 6th to 11th in the table. If I was a core Roma veteran like Mancini or Cristante, I'd be tempted to tell the Ultras to go to hell. Our fan base is of a different character.

I think the Friedkins will be immediately great for Everton the club, and over time for Everton the team as well, but the latter will require patience. Fortunately we have a whole lot of that.

"You can't understand Brent, you can only observe".

I see what you mean, Nigel!

I didn't think so.

Probably the most balanced post on this thread.

They will come in and start work on the club structure. I've no doubt they have already been doing that in the background. Having probably assessed the club already, they will have their own ideas.

We're going to have to wait for the on-the-pitch side to catch up.

The big question is what they decide on the manager.

I will thank Usmanov and I will raise a glass to the people of KEIOC because, instead of slowly dying in Knowsley, Everton will hopefully start to begin to rise again, just like our wonderful stadium has risen out of the water.

His crime was hiring Benitez. That poisoned the well.

Tony, fair enough, but while it was certainly Usmanov's money that got things rolling, it was Moshiri who hired Meis and helmed the project through to completion (according to Meis himself).

Moshiri may be leaving behind a financial disaster and a badly damaged team, but he's also leaving us an edifice your grandchildren will take pride in for the rest of their lives.

By the way, changing manager should be achievable in the summer. Moving stadiums shouldn't be so complicated as long as the new one's ready, I'm confident it will be. They've had plenty of time.

I'm not advocating for Dyche, but if he survives until summer, it means that we'll have dodged the relegation bullet again.

If it were to be made public that Kenwright had lost a deal due to his own demands to be left in situ, then that would have been an impossible situation for Kenwright with just about everyone, fans especially.

That's why I think it was Moshiri's and Usmanovs' biggest crime. If the deal was only signed on the proviso that Kenwright be left alone, then that should have been made public rather than being perceived subsequently as a careless decision by a non-businessman.

I looked at that WhatsApp that I mentored earlier on today on this thread and the memory of Rooney going enabling Kenwright to stay on brought back so many horrible memories of a man that cursed my football club with countless lies and so many false pretences.

If that's not a crime against Evertonians, I don't know what is, although I agree with you about Benitez, especially when you consider how much he was given to spend.

I just hope you're correct about these Friedkins, Mike, because through these very dark hours I find it incredible that Everton are still in the top league, and believe this is only possible because of how much our football club means to its fans.

My favourite line out of any song:

You did not desert me
My brothers in arms

Evertonians!

They have been dark times for over 30 years. Three last-day escapes from the drop and one that we bought breathing space before going down to the Emirates for a spanking.

Hopefully for your kids, this will see a new dawn. I want the young supporters to witness a team that competes and not just in the odd one or two matches.

Anyone on here who seriously thinks that Masters and the North Wharf Road crew will actively try to delay our sale and / or scupper it need to be committed, locked up, or have their head put in a wobbling machine.

I'm just waiting for our resident professor of conspiracy theory – Sean Kearns – to pop on to remind us that he thinks that the Premier League are going to sacrifice Everton and gift us to the Championship to make up for the unfairness in the distribution of income between leagues.

Especially when you consider the narratives that started doing the rounds during this disastrous era in our once distinguished history.

You're right, when you look back over the past few years, it's a miracle we're still up, and the new stadium is another miracle. In a way, we're both blessed and cursed.

I'm glad you mentioned your son. Whenever TW folks talk about Goodison and family, I think of yours, with whom I watched the game on my last trip over, and how long it's been since you and they and your dad had anything to celebrate. I hope the Abrahams clan has much to be happy about in the next few years.

The narcissist would never have sold the club. He was in his opinion more important for the club's future than our Wayne. On top of this, there was no one available to buy us who was stupid enough to allow this warped human being to stay in charge, as that was the most important factor if ever he sold us.

Usmanov has been nothing but silent, Mike, which makes me feel that he wasn't bothered by the terms of the deal and with what has since happened to the oligarchs; even though he's lost a fortune, it probably ended up still being a very wise or lucky choice.

Looking at Man Utd now reminds me of what Bill Kenwright did on a much smaller scale with regard to the stagnation of Everton Football Club.

Best of the rest, with an average Premier League position of 7th over many seasons, and with no real interest in the cups, he was still sitting on a goldmine, considering his initial disputed investment.

Again, I hope you're correct with regard to celebrating, Mike. I've just received a birthday present for a tour around Goodison Park, with my 6-month-old grandson, but I've asked my son to put it off until March, because the baby will be 9 months old by then!

Usmanov had no option but silence. He wasn't supposed to be a part of the deal, even though everybody assumed correctly that he was Moshiri's silent partner -- and in the middle of everything he was sanctioned and stripped of assets. I doubt he'll ever say a word in public again. About anything.

In low winter sunlight, both looked magnificent, Royal Navy flagship and flagship stadium…

That said, anyone (almost anyone, 777 was a bullet dodged) would be preferable to Moshiri because he has long since checked out and left us in stasis which, given time, could quite easily destroy us which is why I get jumpy at the lack of clear evidence of progress and I fear for us if this drags on into next year. Even just having active leadership will shift the dynamic a little in our favour.

What concerns me more in terms of prospects beyond that is how the deal is structured. There is precious little information on this. I had hoped we would be left mostly debt free but £600M is mentioned above. If that is at 8% or even 10%, that is most if not all of the additional stadium revenue sidelined, which means in P&S terms, we are not much further forward in refreshing an ageing and low-quality squad. I thought the idea was to capitalise most, if not all of that? Will we ever actually find out?

On another note... I was just watching the Mister Drone footage of the new stadium and had a horrible thought that they might put a statue of Kenwright on one of those plinths they just built on the fan plaza.

Could be another Saddam moment.

I don't think there is any guilt attached, mate. It just saddens me that the mismanagement of our club had had such a profound effect on you and so many others. It's difficult to take in just how many things have gone wrong at this club since the days when we were considered elite.

Me and my mates grew up watching beautiful football being played in front of the most knowledgeable and passionate crowd. It seems really ridiculous to say it now, but, to a man, we thought it would never end. We actually believed we would spend the rest of our days watching players of the calibre of Young and Ball putting lesser clubs – like Liverpool and Man Utd – to the sword.

We have to believe we can climb back up the ladder and if we need to remind ourselves what is possible, we only have to look at the likes of Man City and Chelsea and to a lesser extent Aston Villa. These clubs did not rise by hanging on to memories of Ken Bates, Peter Swales and deadly Doug Ellis. They left the past behind and focused on the future. That's what we must do, mate.

Think about bringing that beautiful grandson of yours to the match when he's old enough. He's the future. He might be only 6 months old, but he is already more interesting than a catalogue of arl Bill Kenwright stories.

Then we will have great fun pulling it down, Jamie.

When we do, I will probably be worse with regards my feelings towards Kenwright though, Colin. It's just the way I am sometimes because I hate injustice and, let's face it, one of the biggest injustices of my lifetime is how that deceitful, stagnating fraud was allowed to split the fan base.

You don't win without being united, so if the Friedkins want to change our name to Everton United, I'm willing to accept anything, just as long as we get complete professionalism!!

It's why I switch off when I hear some pine for the Moyes years Tony. I got frustrated by them. Yes, we played European football and got to a FA Cup final, but we never really competed and there was always a narrative of lowering expectations.

James @81. I had a thought as to whether there would be a conflict of interest with Roma. But I doubt it. Like Moshiri, Friedkin will be a distant power, although I think we'll see a bit more of him.

But unlike Moshiri, he will surely put his own competent people in place at both clubs.

I hope we arrange a pre-season friendly as a curtain raiser for Bramley Moore Dock. And it will be interesting when we meet in a competitive European fixture.

While we all want to see Everton back were they used to be, but as the Saudis are finding out at Newcastle you can have all the money in the World but PSR wont let you spend it. Both of the clubs who are owned by nation states were trying to get the rest of the Premier League to agree to allow associated companies sponsor clubs. But unlike the rest of the league who would have to get genuine investors to sponsor them, maybe the 2 nation state owned clubs would have companies from their countries putting in money that the state could reimburse them.
So for us to be back competing at the top we need to attract the best youngsters to our academies which is difficult given how much the top clubs pay these young players. We cant compete with the top clubs in the transfer market so we have to be a bit more savvy when bringing players in, and for a few years we will have to follow the Brighton model of buy cheap sell very expensively.

Whilst new owners will hopefully bring improvement, even if just running the club in a more professional manner, I’m not holding my breath for a top 6 finish anytime soon. A lot of well run and well funded teams in the league (and the championship) so it’s not an automatic. The squad needs drastic improvement, which will take time (and money).

Get the deal done, hopefully bring in new players in Jan (FB, RM, striker) and possibly let one or two go (Beto?) and take it from there. I’d still like to see a manager change if only not to waste the January window. If Dyches contract isn’t going to be extended in the summer then may as well put the new man in now (unless not available for a reasonable price). Even if we get no points the next 3 games, I can’t see us going down. Likes of S’ton and Ipswich are not going to stay up without a miracle and Wolves need a manager change asap.

I think we’ll be lucky to get 2 points from the next 3 games, likely 1 or 0. On paper though, probably not far from expectations anyway. Forest won’t be a walk in the park either. Yes it sounds defeatist but the next 3 games are free hits effectively so losing them isn’t going to be a surprise. Man Utd and Leicester already pulled the cords, why not us.

First TFG need to come in - maybe change the manage after the Bournemouth game as there’s a gap till the next league match. (I’d assume we’ll have enough for Peterborough!)

As for Dyche he will still be in situ in January and transfers have already been done in the Summer to cover the eventualities of anyone leaving.The only possible activity in January is the sale of players and if that happens things might change, but I doubt it.

Comparison with Roma need to be heavy weighed.The only relevant one is the Friedkin Group do not communicate their business thoughts.

Thanks mate!

I have the same impression of Man United.Everton five years behind.

All clubs with quasi interest free loans will see loans converted to equity. Those that don't, will see notional interest added to psr. It's a nonsense, but there you go.

Or give it to Bainsey. Has he got his coaching badges yet?

Patterson also available for loan apparently.

I hear Liverpudlians criticising their owners because they don’t spend money like City, but I’d sooner have complete professionalism if I’m being honest mate, because I believe if Everton get that, I’m certain the fans will pull us over the line and we will at least start winning the odd trophy once again?

It will most likely be a foreign coach and a foreign DoF.

No club will be able to spend like City, and Chelsea before them. Those days are gone.

Can we just move on from the ghost of Christmas past? We want to move forwards, not backwards. Change, not repetition of some pretty dark days as an Evertonian.

The new owners will have their own ideas anyway. It won't be in our hands.

Does anyone out there really think that failed managers, who happened to once wear an Everton shirt, are capable of that?

This re boot will take time as the ship was badly holed in multiple places!

Rome was not built in a day and we are more Gaza than anything else at the moment.

Interesting point.It may be that Moshiri was prempting the loan conversion judgement by the Premier League.

If Juve can be stripped and demoted in their pomp why not City. They’ll bounce back a few seasons later anyway and would be great revenue for the lower league clubs they’ll need to play.

Would be hilarious seeing them away to the likes of Alderhshot and Southend.

Question is, would 4 get relegated or only 3 (including city)? May only end up being 19th and 20th going down. Better for us (just in case).

Stop this nonsense regarding Ferguson, Unsworth and Moyes.

Top players that have leagues and European cup, look so out of sorts.

Forwards, not backwards.

That is probably the reason for Man City's drop in performance. It could also explain Everton's drop in performance after repeated seasons of relegation battles.

I personally am not expecting much movement in January. To me, the biggest challenge faces us in the summer window with the number of players out of contract, or loanees returning to their parent clubs, all of which will weaken an already poor squad.

That's a fair number of Premier League ready players to replace and settle into the squad in pre-season if indeed we have much to spend in the summer without being forced to sell Branthwaite, Pickford etc.

That of course could be against a backdrop of a totally new management and recruitment team, who have had relatively little time to assess the squad's shortcomings and identify possible incoming.

There may be light at the end of the tunnel with regard to financial security but it's a hell of a long tunnel. I know Pantomime season is approaching but I'm afraid TFG don't have a magic wand.

Sorry to be so cheerful with Christmas approaching, but it's the only thing that keeps me going!

This Friday...the 13th?

I think that's more of a leak than a rumour.

Well, that's a fucking first!

Anyway, any day the thing is announced is a great day.

Stu, with so many leaving, we'll have a big wedge available on the wage bill to sign players in the summer. Most of the ones going won't be missed anyway.

Friedkin got premier league approval today. Hold up with Jenny Seagrave being awkward over Kenwright's shares because of bad blood with the club but should be sorted out. Could be announced on Friday. George Downing and Andy Bell non-executive directors. Thelwell staying tool end of the season. Dyche been told they don't like his style of football. Keane could be going back to Burnley. Club would be debt free. Massive £200M sponsorship deal for the new stadium

20:05

Bell and Downing will be non-executive. directors; Thelwell staying ‘til the end of the season. Dyche has been told they don't like his style of football.

Keane could be going back to Burnley, and there's a massive £200M sponsorship deal for the new stadium.

The only thing that sounded strange was that the deal was being held up with Jenny Seagrove being awkward over Kenwright's shares because of bad blood with the club but that should be sorted out.

My mate can be a wind-up merchant but is always very serious over Everton, be nice if it was true!

Ah fuck it — I'm going to believe it anyway, just because I want to!

The Knights Templar. For the Templars, their end began in the early morning hours of Friday, 13 October 1307. It's an interesting story to look up. It's been seen as an unlucky date since then.

I'll see some of you there, either Euston, Kings Cross, whatever pub we manage to find near the stadium or on the concourse.

Looks like it's finally happening blues.

Let's take the shackles off.

Friday the 13th was the day the Knights Templar were rounded up.

Feels a bit like someone who just couldn't resist going too far.

Friedkin didn't get to where he is by being ordinary, making uninspiring decisions. I'd be excited if it is true?

But, there again, I thought we would beat the RS in a canter, in the recently postponed derby.

It came up on your mother's phone from Jimmy Woods.

I'm part of Jimmy's group who get his words of wisdom(?) on football and politics, and as I've never had a mobile phone it goes on your mam's, clever eh!

I would guess it is Jenny Seagrove being awkward about handing over all required club documentation which might actually reveal what has being going on at the club for years.

Covering Kenwright's tracks – A great title for a book!

My first born was born on Friday 13th Oct, at 13.07pm according to Clatterbridge hospital, or to that, I have only ever been to Scotland on business but a visit to no 2 son in Edinburgh gave chance to see Roslyn castle, as featured in the DaVinci code, very interesting history, the family have Templar roots St Lairs, on walking past the private cemetery, usually locked, I gazed in and wandered, my son asked me were I was going..I replied, to my grave over there, pointing... (remember, never been there before) walking over to a grave I had pointed out I stared down to look at the inscription...Christine Foster.. I landed on my backside with a thump..I still have the Pic to prove it.. there's more but I don't want to end up as a BBQ like the unfortunate Templars..

It's this which, for me, throws doubt on the veracity of the rumour.

Answers on a postcard!

She'd surely have no influence on something she doesn't own.

So with Moshiri's and BK/Jenny, I make that 95.4%. Who owns the rest??

She wasn't the one in the Boys Pen worshipping the Cannonball Kid, was she?

Christine, you'll start the statue debate and set hairs raising!!

However, being pedantic, should not only Friday 13th in October be bad? So, actually the whole Friday 13th on any other month is just another day? (Btw occurs in October about once every 8 years…).

I can sleep easier now if it's announced this Friday – I am still a bit suspicious of the number 13 though. I remember I had my absolute worst game of football wearing the 13 shirt once at school – three of us got subbed off at HT, 0-5 down. With us off the pitch final score was 5-5! I refused to wear 13 again.

Mostly fans who own a few shares each. You can buy/sell them. There's an auction every 3-6 months and last price was ~£3½k/share.

Well, here's hoping for decision / statement on Friday and then into the build up for Arsenal away.

Probably more than he deserves.

When I purchased mine, there were 35,000 shares and under Moshiri that increased to 135,000. The unit price did not drop as we might have expected, in fact it has risen to its current level of £3k to £3½k (as others have stated).

I would expect that unit price to fall somewhat if TFG issue more shares but a new issue may not be available to the public. I think there will still be scarcity value for supporters who buy a share or two for sentimental reasons.

The Jenny Seagrove story, well non-story, is just that I believe.

Her 1.3% would have no bearing or influence on the sale.

Actually Friedkin were OK with this until Jenny was recently spotted coming out of Liverpool One shopping centre clutching a ouija board.

Jenny's in a very strong position.

Brendan @155, I don't know if you are being serious about Bill's shares, but I can't see that being correct. Well done if it's a leg-pull.

Allen #153, yes I'm sentimental, but I still wouldn't have invested if I didn't expect the value to rise. However, Bloomberg reports TFG talking to JP Morgan about a debt sale to restructure that £660M in current loans, so dilution is certainly possible.

Brendan, you have an interesting sense of humor. (Sorry, humour.)

Some days ago, Colin Chong wrote to all shareholders saying we should expect to receive a formal letter asking us to approve the sale (or not). This is simply a legal requirement and obviously will have no bearing on the sale.

When Moshiri came in, he did not attempt to buy out the small shareholders. I guess TFG will do likewise, given that there seems to be no advantage in their doing so.

Maybe he left them to Everton in the Community as he loved Everton FC so much — more than any other Everton supporter.

Or he might have left them to Moshiri as a thank you gift for buying Everton FC off him and making him a very rich man!

Keeping a couple for sentimental reasons now. Framed on the wall.

Obviously his mates, Green et al, Miss Dynamite et al all did very well too. Non-stop corruption at every level.

Talking of corruption. I thought the Qatar World Cup decision was bad but this latest Saudi decision is even worse.
There's going to be a lot of "brown envelopes" zooming around soon.

Compared to FIFA and UEFA, Masters and his Premier League sidekicks are amateurs. If you have time have a look at the make up of the FIFA council members. Well represented from football bastions such as Bahrain, Vanuatu, Turks and Caicos Islands, Fiji etc

Next thing you know, Paula Vennells will be asked to be the government's new Football Regulator, supported by that bastard Phil Shiner as her legal advisor.

Should I take offence (sorry, offense) at that comment?

But don't be surprised (if things don't go well after the Friedkin takeover) if that sort of crap doesn't actually gain traction on ToffeeWeb.

However Raymond, I'm a glass half full guy so I'm hopeful of progress under the new owners and expect a new era of enlightenment and tolerance to seize ToffeeWeb moving forward.

A veritable "Renaissance" if you will

Surely it's not difficult if you're a man whose glass is always half full!

It's a bit difficult when you keep moving the goal posts. Initially it was "one good thing"... then "some of the good things" and now "all the good things".

Belated birthday wishes mate...

Then onto Arsenal. Get the Stars and Stripes out!!

Most importantly, I think several wise men have sorted our meeting point out!!

Much as we moved away from the Blue Bill fantasy, as we moved into the Moshiri generation, it was clear that Billy Boy remained a truly blue fan. Yes, he made really good dosh in the sell-out to Moshiri but he was always a true blue supporter. The problem was that he didn't have a clue (along with Moshiri) as to how to run a major football club!

Hopefully, the Friedkins do!

He's not the only one!

I would genuinely never go and watch Everton again if the devil or the Lord, promised me my pact would make our team start winning again, and although I would miss not being part of it, knowing the joy that thousands of Evertonians were getting would make me the happiest toffee, in the land.

Given a choice between Kenwright or Wayne Rooney, it’s clear there would only be one Evertonian, on the planet who would have chosen Bill Kenwright, and this tells me that whilst he might have loved Everton, he never had the best interests of Evertonians at heart.

Let’s just hurry up and get him off that timeline because he never once added anything positive once it was put up around our once beautiful stadium, although I believe he definitely gave us a curse.

Thank you Brendan, and I didn’t expect an answer to my initial pleading anyway, mate!

"I know it's not a Catholic Church, but let's hope there is white smoke rising from St Luke's tomorrow and the dawn of a new era".

That could mean we'd signed a new goalkeeper – paradoxically, a Nick of all things!

Would you sell Pickford and buy Pope?

The latter would be "Saturday" for my time zone.

Yes he got a stadium built but he was utterly reckless and nearly took us under. I want shot of the fool and when that is done I don't want to hear about either of them again. They are both a stain on our history.

They are the past, we need to be in the present in order to build a future. In order to drag us from the past we need owners who know how to build, to wipe slates clean, to have a vision and adhere to that, most importantly, to change culture.

New season, new stadium, new owners and a new manager. Its an amazing project for the right DOF and manager. Whilst I would be very happy to keep Thelwell, I think we should go all out for Ashworth, save him moving his kids from their nice Cheshire home and schools!

Or have people taken a couple of rumours and run with them?

So it might be today… or it might not.

How on earth can we live with such uncertainty?

Otherwise, it's the New Year.

Thelwell brilliant? How?

Brilliant in that he hasn't plugged the obvious gaps in our team?

He's spent a huge part of our limited budget, however the payments are structured, on a player that Dyche won't play. This is even more unforgivable given some of the difficult circumstances I think you would be eluding to.

He's enabled the worst football in all 4 leagues - which is nothing to do with budget.

Imo he is just another symptom of the larger endemic problem that needs to be completely cleared out.

The club needs a colonic irrigation to completely clear out all the old shite and start afresh. Thelwell is part of the problem.

Just relax, stop worrying and fretting about it; if it happens, it happens; if not then you can start worrying and fretting.

Forget it for now and get your Christmas tree up and get those presents wrapped up for your loved ones.

I don't want anything for all the unpaid work I've done for you this year, by the way, so there is one worry you can forget about!

Yes, I'd love the deal to be done right now, but I'm not the one putting pen to paper.

I'm off to Ladbrokes.

Having said that, it looks highly likely that it will be announced next week

Stu @182, what was he supposed to plug the gaps with exactly? He performed miracles to get in what he did on what he has been given to work with, i'm not saying he has been perfect, i am saying he's had such a difficult job and he has wheeled and dealed to keep us afloat. He deserves his shot, i just really like what Ashworth did at Brighton.

One good thing I like about them is that, on the surface at least, we've not heard a dicky bird from them. No doubt we'll get their spin and PR bullshit when it's officially announced but, until then, I applaud them for their professionalism and conduct thus far.

A massive diversion from the 777 mob and Textor.

In the end, he made himself a lot of money while keeping the club he professed to love and could not afford on the steps of the poor house. I really despise the man.

Welcome to the Freidkins – they should be very clear that, from Day One, that this club requires excellence and that this is the new culture.

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Happy Christmas everyone! 💪🏽