I haven't read it, don't have/want a Times subscription. Hardy's actually an Ashley mouthpiece so - sadly - it's probably accurate.
We all know it. We'll get comfortably beaten by Arsenal, there'll be no change (though I can't wait to see what kind of crazy, randomised bullshit tactics Bruce puts out). We'll lose another few, no change. Whilst there's a point between us and third bottom, there will be nothing. Ashley is going to wait this out til the last possible second (which we all know is about four weeks too late) before acting.
He wants all of this to be someone else's problem. I want someone related to a takeover - if it's real - to be on the phone to Ashley saying "you do realise I'm not going to buy a ****ing club in the Championship, you fat-headed moron?"