After a long wait, we are finally here. The talking stops on Tuesday and the live, televised action finally begins. How will it end up?
Background The first fixture of the season every year can set the scene for the rest of the following season and beyond. This year it's no exception. The result on Tuesday will go a long way to dictate how Charlton will finish.
In an unusual format, we start with a match-up on neutral territory, with the winners facing a further contest against a competitor given a bye to the next round; and the winner of that due to face another bye recipient. Addicks fans unable to travel will be able to watch online.
Line-ups
This first-round match throws up a lot of questions about tactics and plans, but one thing we can be sure of, while the home team will be aiming to attack as much as possible, both sides will be relying heavily on their defence.
Tactics The home side will be looking to dominate proceedings.
Whether they succeed or not depends on how well they can present their case. Elliott will need to show paperwork that definitively and clearly demonstrates his claim against Panorama Magic. Specifically, he will need to demonstrate that there is an agreement in place, and has been executed, that Panorama Magic have provided an irrevocable undertaking to sell their shares in ESI to him. He does not need to show the same in respect of Southall's shares - these will be dragged along should Panorama Magic's shares be sold.
That undertaking may have a clause with regards to Elliott (and, possibly, others) requiring to demonstrate they have passed, or will pass the EFL's Owners' and Directors' Test. Elliott has failed this test, but there is an appeal outstanding.
Prediction There are at least three possible results if the match goes ahead.
- The judge finds for Elliot, setting out an injunction, preventing the sale of ESI to any third party, and giving him an immediate, exclusive, time-limited opportunity to negotiate the purchase of ESI from Panorama Magic.
- The judge finds for Elliot, setting out an injunction, preventing the sale of ESI to any third party, and giving him an immediate, exclusive, time-limited opportunity to negotiate the purchase of ESI from Panorama Magic, contingent on passing the EFL OADT.
- The judge finds against Elliot and the injunction is not put in place.
What next?
The winner of round one is likely to face TS in the next round; and the winner of that, likely to face RD in the final.
Over to you What do you think will happen? How will you be following proceedings?
(Oh yes, one other thing: Charlton also have a football team. They're playing on Tuesday as well).
Comments
All will go swimmingly until the legal equivalent of time added on and we'll lose in 90 + 8
Elliott's withdrawn already.
Pools panel result.
We walk away with the result we want and Sandgaard is found out the back of the court torching a Millwall shirt whilst being ushered into his limo by his entourage.
He can be heard shouting "I'm coming for you Duchatelet!" as the car drives off.
Relegating the scum, taking full control
(someone wanted something more pessimistic right?)
Elliot is last seen being bundled into a car by 3 heavy set men armed with baseball bats......
"Tell Dodger it was nothing personal....I always liked him....."
Panorama Magic?
Thats the only bit that worries me
Hopefully the judge will look at the EFL's conditions and basically say that even he can see that they'll reject the appeal