The exact nature of the problem is unlikely ever to come to light owing to the confidentiality clause and although there are the usual suspects who claim to "know" what is holding it all up, the fact is nobody really does know other than Michael Knighton and John Courtenay themselves. Our manager has already got fed up and has threatened to resign. What the effect has been on the players, we don't know for sure. The disappointing result at Lincoln suggests they might have become unsettled due to all the speculation. Roddy Collins's future is tied to the takeover going through. He says he will resign if it doesn't but the day when we know one way or the other can surely not be far away now. Even Mr Knighton can't leave this unresolved forever and it appears the Courtenay/Collins axis is forcing him to come to some decision as soon as possible. Supporters of the club have seen it all before and there was widespread scepticism, some might say cynicism, once all these "legal delays" started to dog the whole business. Unfortunately, due to the confidentiality clauses, all we have now is a series of unfounded rumours and rampant speculation. Neither camp wants to leak anything out which might scupper the whole process and it appears Knighton has become paranoid about Courtenay's media profile as well as some of the manager's reported comments. There are those who believe Knighton won't sell or can't sell and that all these bids and the ensuing negotiations are just a scam. I have to say I've never really believed that. I do think Knighton wants to sell, in the right circumstances. He drives a very hard bargain and he's clearly a very difficult guy to deal with. Getting straight answers out of him is not easy. Many people have already tried and failed to tie him down to a deal. Courtenay may well have taken advice from some of them and he seems to have got the general idea that you have to show extraordinary patience to get anything out of this man. Patience is not a trait you would associate with Roddy Collins and there have probably been times when he'd wished his friend and fellow Irishman would clam up for the sake of Knighton's fragile ego if nothing else. Anyway, if you assume that nothing will ever be straightforward or happen quickly or painlessly in the world of Knighton/CUFC, we are still on course for a deal and until we hear otherwise it would probably be wise to remain positive. Our league status is pretty much assured. I have never seen a side in as desperate a position as Halifax recover before. Ten points adrift at time of writing indicate only a miracle can now save them. They would have to take something like 20 points from their remaining nine games to have a realistic chance of survival and that looks to be well beyond them. I have to say that I thought they'd bought wisely in the summer and had them down to be one of the most improved sides this season. How wrong can you be? Football is never predictable and I suppose we'll have to remember that as the days wind down on the deadline for this takeover. |
