It’s true that Sheffield Wednesday has a large number of players without contracts this summer, as raised by Barry Bannan.
Danny Rohl and his Sheffield Wednesday team deserve a great deal of respect for where they are in the standings, with survival a real possibility, following an extremely poor start to the season.
Everyone must be pulling in the same direction during the Owls’ crucial last five games of the season as they attempt to hold onto their championship status.
The number of players on the team who have summer contract expirations is one possible source of distraction for Wednesday.
Even if a player’s level drops by 1%, it might still matter when you’re struggling to stay up and need all the little things to go your way. We would never suggest that any members of the group won’t be totally dedicated during the run-in.
One player with an uncertain future is skipper Barry Bannan, who has been open about the possibility that he may be playing his last games for a team that holds a special place in his heart.
Crucially, though, Bannan acknowledged that his teammates weren’t in a “nice situation,” and after discussing it with them, he pushed the team to make sure they don’t find themselves in a similar predicament in the future.
Some fans might find that difficult to accept, but for everyone with a job, it can be challenging to not know where you will be in a few months.
Furthermore, the players will understand full well that a move to League One will have a huge financial impact on the team, thus it could be necessary for them to stay in the second division in order for them to secure new contracts.
Some would argue that’s a good thing because it implies they will be giving their all during the run-in to keep Wednesday up and to earn an extension.
Yet, it can also add pressure to an already tense position. At this time of the season, you want players playing at their best level, and some may not be able to find their form, knowing how much is at stake from a personal perspective. It can be an unwelcome distraction.
Sheffield Wednesday’s summer plans
Of course, clubs up and down the country will have players running out of contract, but the issue for Wednesday is the number they have.
Right now, they obviously can’t enter discussions with players, because there’s so much uncertainty.
The financial implications of relegation are clear, and there will also be doubts about the future of Rohl if the Yorkshire side finish in the bottom three.
Yet, no matter what happens, it seems Wednesday are going to have some massive decisions to make, and in an ideal world it would be Rohl leading the rebuild.
The German boss has worked wonders at Hillsborough, and his connection with the fans is something that Wednesday will hope to develop in the years to come. In a time of crisis due to some decisions by owner Dejphon Chansiri, Rohl has offered hope for a brighter future.
So, we will wait to see how the season plays out, but, moving forward, Bannan’s words of warning must be listened to.
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