Alan Biggs regarding Sheffield Wednesday, a very significant summer, and how they ought to be getting ready for the upcoming campaign
Nothing beats a little belt and braces, even as we all continue to hold our breath. Like the transfer budget, for example, that threatened species.
Just think of all the benefits it has over an owner telling a manager to “find players you want and I’ll try to support you.” If you don’t know how much the club can afford to spend, how can you know which players you want? Without knowing your resources, how do you allocate them?
The longer-term success of Sheffield Wednesday’s managers, including Danny Rohl, depends, in my opinion, on finding a solution to this dilemma. You can’t just make it up as you go along or piece it together. A well-thought-out plan should be used in this situation. Though it’s obvious that they haven’t under this regime previously, let’s hope Wednesday has one.
Most importantly, it also cuts to players quitting. Knowing your spending limit will help you offload in a way that balances the numbers. Sounds like common sense, but in this age of underachievement, there hasn’t been much evidence of it in Wednesday’s operations. Even if Rohl decides to stay, that needs to change if the team is to advance.
We are no closer to knowing for sure how things will turn out, which may depend on interest from other clubs both domestically and overseas, as I write this in order to meet a deadline of Tuesday afternoon. This might also influence some players’ decisions regarding contract offers. Apparently, Josh Windass is one of them.
I commend the club for taking the decision to retain the core group, even though the manager was noticeably absent from the announcement. As previously stated, I believe that having a better working style and being ready to work with Dejphon Chansiri will be just as crucial as, if not more so than, obtaining a new contract and funding for signings. For the benefit of the team and its supporters, all we can do is hope that these problems are resolved.
I’m constantly reminded of the benefit of the proverb “possession is nine tenths of the law.” However, it is unlikely to succeed unless Rohl stays because he is genuinely content and not because of hindrances. This is a great opportunity that shouldn’t be passed up.
