CONFIMRED

[Snowflake Royal]

I think everyone is anticipating one last deadline shift to 4th May - with the provisio that if it isn't sorted and we make the play-offs, then we will not be able to compete (unless there is a legally binding document confirming the deal is done but not fully signed/ratified).

With Couhig back on the scene I could see it being extended to after the POs, wouldn’t have said so with the unknown Platek still the prospective buyer

Not sure. Let's say we win the play offs and the deal falls through, what then? The runners up could go up but what an anti climatic way to do it instead of winning at Wembley.

Much easier just to give our spot to 7th and stay clear of any potential mess, especially when they have clear grounds to do this.

Long odds we'd win, so the risk is low and easy solution is losers go up. I'm sure that club and those fans won't mind

[mikey_1871]

Yes, I dont see them not letting us in the playoffs if we finished 6th and the deal has not gone through by the end of the season.

Provided the deal is still 'progressing' of course.

[WestYorksRoyal]

In his media offensive, Couhig clearly implied he has the power to force a deal through if it can't be agreed on amicable/commercially terms.

I wonder how much weight that has behind the scenes. Is Dai on a timer to agree a deal before Couhig goes nuclear? And if so, how would the EFL act if we're going through court cases and appeals to determine who is the owner?

[Sutekh]

Let’s just call it a day and get on with the phoenix club.

[Hound]

Yes, I dont see them not letting us in the playoffs if we finished 6th and the deal has not gone through by the end of the season.

Provided the deal is still 'progressing' of course.

They could potentially use the play offs as leverage to speed up the deal. Personally i don’t think they’d let us take part - the strain on the Reading fans of winning the play offs only to then be booted out of the league - that would be immense

And being as Dai pulled the plug last minute last time out then I’m not sure there’s any stage of the deal before it’s fully complete where you’d trust him to keep his word

[Mr Angry]

I can envisage the following:

- Couhig unable to do the deal by 22nd, but close enough for the EFL to give an extension to May 4th
- Reading get to Play-Offs
- Deal getting even closer by May 4th; further and final extension by EFL until after the end of the Play Offs
- Reading win play-offs
- Dai pulls out of the deal, demanding more money because we are now a Championship club.
- Couhig walks away
- EFL kick us out of the League; defeated team in Play Offs go up to Championship instead

[Stranded]

I can envisage the following:

- Couhig unable to do the deal by 22nd, but close enough for the EFL to give an extension to May 4th
- Reading get to Play-Offs
- Deal getting even closer by May 4th; further and final extension by EFL until after the end of the Play Offs
- Reading win play-offs
- Dai pulls out of the deal, demanding more money because we are now a Championship club.
- Couhig walks away
- EFL kick us out of the League; defeated team in Play Offs go up to Championship instead

It is this sort of scenario, however unlikely, that the EFL will want to avoid - they will use any leverage they have, which is essentially the play-offs and or league status to get it done.

A situation as above would be their worst nightmare given they are extending deadlines.

[Brogue]

winding up order against us has been dropped

[Hound]

I can envisage the following:

- Couhig unable to do the deal by 22nd, but close enough for the EFL to give an extension to May 4th
- Reading get to Play-Offs
- Deal getting even closer by May 4th; further and final extension by EFL until after the end of the Play Offs
- Reading win play-offs
- Dai pulls out of the deal, demanding more money because we are now a Championship club.
- Couhig walks away
- EFL kick us out of the League; defeated team in Play Offs go up to Championship instead

It is this sort of scenario, however unlikely, that the EFL will want to avoid - they will use any leverage they have, which is essentially the play-offs and or league status to get it done.

A situation as above would be their worst nightmare given they are extending deadlines.

Yes, I’m sure this situation is very much in their minds and won’t let it happen

[Mr Angry]

winding up order against us has been dropped

That was the one from the agent?

If so, someone has paid what they were owed; that has to be a positive.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

I can envisage the following:

- Couhig unable to do the deal by 22nd, but close enough for the EFL to give an extension to May 4th
- Reading get to Play-Offs
- Deal getting even closer by May 4th; further and final extension by EFL until after the end of the Play Offs
- Reading win play-offs
- Dai pulls out of the deal, demanding more money because we are now a Championship club.
- Couhig walks away
- EFL kick us out of the League; defeated team in Play Offs go up to Championship instead

It is this sort of scenario, however unlikely, that the EFL will want to avoid - they will use any leverage they have, which is essentially the play-offs and or league status to get it done.

A situation as above would be their worst nightmare given they are extending deadlines.

Agree - a deal could well be progressing and all diligence done etc but as everyone including the EFL well knows its not done until Dai signs.

I suspect, given what's likely riding on the Rovers game at the bottom of the table, an extension will be granted until the end of the normal season and worded as a final extension.

[Sutekh]

winding up order against us has been dropped

That’s the agent one - suggests that someone has got round to paying their bill. Might be a positive sign that RC is nearing completion. But until Dai remembers where he put his pen and how to spell his name I shall remain

[morganb]

winding up order against us has been dropped

That’s the agent one - suggests that someone has got round to paying their bill. Might be a positive sign that RC is nearing completion. But until Dai remembers where he put his pen and how to spell his name I shall remain

Assuming this deal works in a similar way to Transfer Deadline Day then hopefully Couhig and Dai's fax machines are well stocked with ink and paper too

[SouthDownsRoyal]

Yes, I dont see them not letting us in the playoffs if we finished 6th and the deal has not gone through by the end of the season.

Provided the deal is still 'progressing' of course.

They could potentially use the play offs as leverage to speed up the deal. Personally i don’t think they’d let us take part - the strain on the Reading fans of winning the play offs only to then be booted out of the league - that would be immense

And being as Dai pulled the plug last minute last time out then I’m not sure there’s any stage of the deal before it’s fully complete where you’d trust him to keep his word

You suggest the EFL care about Reading fans emotions?

[WestYorksRoyal]

I can envisage the following:

- Couhig unable to do the deal by 22nd, but close enough for the EFL to give an extension to May 4th
- Reading get to Play-Offs
- Deal getting even closer by May 4th; further and final extension by EFL until after the end of the Play Offs
- Reading win play-offs
- Dai pulls out of the deal, demanding more money because we are now a Championship club.
- Couhig walks away
- EFL kick us out of the League; defeated team in Play Offs go up to Championship instead

It is this sort of scenario, however unlikely, that the EFL will want to avoid - they will use any leverage they have, which is essentially the play-offs and or league status to get it done.

A situation as above would be their worst nightmare given they are extending deadlines.

Agree - a deal could well be progressing and all diligence done etc but as everyone including the EFL well knows its not done until Dai signs.

I suspect, given what's likely riding on the Rovers game at the bottom of the table, an extension will be granted until the end of the normal season and worded as a final extension.

Agree the Rovers fixture has to happen, far too much riding on it at the bottom not to. So that's already an extra week.

[Mid Sussex Royal]

Huang is saying we've requested an extension until 6th May.

[Hound]

Yes, I dont see them not letting us in the playoffs if we finished 6th and the deal has not gone through by the end of the season.

Provided the deal is still 'progressing' of course.

They could potentially use the play offs as leverage to speed up the deal. Personally i don’t think they’d let us take part - the strain on the Reading fans of winning the play offs only to then be booted out of the league - that would be immense

And being as Dai pulled the plug last minute last time out then I’m not sure there’s any stage of the deal before it’s fully complete where you’d trust him to keep his word

You suggest the EFL care about Reading fans emotions?

Well they’d also look ridiculous for allowing it to happen

[Uke]

winding up order against us has been dropped

That’s the agent one - suggests that someone has got round to paying their bill. Might be a positive sign that RC is nearing completion. But until Dai remembers where he put his pen and how to spell his name I shall remain

Assuming this deal works in a similar way to Transfer Deadline Day then hopefully Couhig and Dai's fax machines are well stocked with ink and paper too

Hoping they both have DocuSign accounts

[Millsy]

Getting my jokes ready. Bring it on!

[The Royal Forester]

I can envisage the following:

- Couhig unable to do the deal by 22nd, but close enough for the EFL to give an extension to May 4th
- Reading get to Play-Offs
- Deal getting even closer by May 4th; further and final extension by EFL until after the end of the Play Offs
- Reading win play-offs
- Dai pulls out of the deal, demanding more money because we are now a Championship club.
- Couhig walks away
- EFL kick us out of the League; defeated team in Play Offs go up to Championship instead

I don't think that the losers of the final would be promoted. The simplest and less likely to cause a storm is for the Championship's 22nd. team to stay up and so on to League 2/National League. However, If the club is granted an extension, I wouldn't be surprised if it was for one game only. This would solve possible problems.

1) The relegation issue would sort itself out.

2) The last game against Barnsley would be "suspended", but having no time in which it can be played Barnsley would be awarded a 3--0 victory. This would only affect the League positions of very few clubs, with no effect on promotion or relegation.

3) The lack of three points could keep us out of the playoffs, if not seventh place team will be in the playoffs

4) No final game at the SCL, which if it went ahead would be liable to be troublesome, to say the least, if there is any chance of the club folding during the summer.