On Thursday it was reported that both Barry Bannan and Fernando Forestieri were now being tracked by a number of Championship sides.
The Star namechecked last season’s relegated Premier League side Stoke City with a particular interest in Forestieri, whilst Middlesbrough and Birmingham City were keen on Bannan.
The report wasn’t panic stations, it was more precautionary given both players are two of our highest earners and Wednesday have already indicated an intention to trim the wage bill this year for a safer financial footing.
It also didn’t suggest expressions of interest were in for the players or that the club was actively tempted to cash in and had lost sight of what matters to fans – on-pitch performances and results.
Each play their own part hugely in that and did so last year in a disappointing 15th place finish in the second tier.
There were some grumbles on Twitter given the ‘none story’ nature of the piece, but bottom line today in the media is everyone has bills to pay and targets to meet so positing the possibility of solving our financial ills by maximising these two sales as a discussion point is fair game in reality.
Especially when real news is thin on the ground.
That’s how most took it, but clearly, it’s an option that should remain off the table whilst there are other ways of solving financial problems. We can address that whilst continuing to be a threat in 2018/19 and looking for on-pitch improvements.
No way can we get rid of FF & BB, they changed what was a terrible season and we finished strong. I have to agree with that list of players, just think we’ll have problems shifting some of ‘em.
— Mad Wednesdayite (@MadWednesdayite) June 14, 2018
Saying that, I’d love to see it work for Rhodes… A full season with Jos the boss, might just change his stumbling SWFC career with some good additions that suit his style of play. It’s just not quite working for him, gutted!
— Mad Wednesdayite (@MadWednesdayite) June 14, 2018
Rhodes is, of course, the tricky one, he just doesn’t seem to have found his feet with us or Middlesbrough – much in the way Rudy Gestede hasn’t since their partnership came to an end, but everyone knows exactly what he’s capable of given his time at Blackburn and Huddersfield.
Tapping into that would make a significant difference to our chances across a campaign but his style of play just doesn’t seem to match our preferred style of play.
High prices but keep big names , im sure people voted for that in the survey , selling our best players whilst keeping ticket prices high won’t go down very well at all #swfc
— steven gregory (@steven_swfc70) June 14, 2018
The range of reactions did spread further though, some couldn’t see the clubs named as having a genuine interest at the fees required to tempt a sale. Others thought it might make sense to cash in now and avoid the risk of values dropping or the dreaded Bosman Ruling.
Money talks at the end of the day. Those 3 are our 3 most valuable players. Doubt the sale of Westy would make much difference in the whole FFP thing
— Brickers ?? (@andybwd) June 14, 2018
I think we all agree there a list of a few names we’d all like to shift, but in reality, it’s gonna be near impossible to do that. I’m not gonna name them on here. No other clubs will take on their contracts. Defo can’t see Bannan to Brum tho. They overspent last year.
— Brickers ?? (@andybwd) June 14, 2018
I fear with forrestieri more then any other player tbh
— dale willett (@dalewillett26) June 14, 2018
I guess it’s a case of balance the books now, pretty much write off our chances, or do it next season, but their values will be lower. The prospect of Bannan leaving for free at the end of next season makes me feel ill
— Brickers ?? (@andybwd) June 14, 2018
The chairman can do one if we sell our best players,we are not paying top price for everything to watch a mediocre mid table side
— Steve beer (@Shandybeer) June 14, 2018
Chansiri has always said he wouldn’t sell our best players? So why would we now now? Is happy to be a bottom half championship side, cos that’s what we will be if we lose those 2
— jon sissons (@jonsissons85) June 14, 2018
If we need to trim the wage bill we need to “somehow” get rid of fletcher, boyd, Jones and dare I say it Westwood. Abdi is going which is a start. I’d consider selling forestieri for the right price but not bannan.
— Andrew Gardner (@AndyJGard) June 14, 2018
Either way, there are a number of players we can look to move on to improve our off pitch position, whilst targetting a much better season in the Championship and those players should be the focus and will hopefully continue to be so.
