Sheffield Wednesday seem to be edging towards a really crucial summer, with plenty of change in the air.
For Sheffield Wednesday, the summer ahead looks set to be a testing one.
There’s the potential for change both on and off the pitch with a horde of players out of contract at Hillsborough in the summer, and the potential for relegation threatening another backroom mix up.
Danny Rohl has earned his stripes in his few months at Sheffield Wednesday and if the Owls go down, he’ll no doubt have a few suitors from the second tier or from teams in Europe.
But journalist Alan Biggs wants controversial and under-fire owner Dejphon Chansiri to do his utmost to keep Rohl at the club.
Alan Biggs urges Dejphon Chansiri to back Danny Rohl this summer
It’s a view shared by the overwhelming majority of Sheffield Wednesday fans; Rohl needs to be kept happy, as he’s the one saving grace for the club this season.
Rohl is an asset to Sheffield Wednesday and few would blame him if he chose to move on in the summer if the Owls go down.
But writing in his latest column for The Star, Biggs has urged Chansiri and whoever else is part of the Sheffield Wednesday hierarchy to back Rohl in the coming summer, regardless of what division the club is playing in.
Biggs wrote:
“One thing I certainly don’t believe should apply is pressure on his job if the Owls drop. A far bigger worry in either event would be Rohl feeling he would be better off elsewhere. So what needs communicating strongly, right to the top, is the widespread agreement among supporters, from immediately following his employment, that Rohl would be backed by them whether the club stayed up or not.”
Summer clear-out is perfect chance to reset and regather
Sheffield Wednesday’s wage bill has been, over the past few years, reportedly high, and a big strain on Chansiri’s pocket.
But the summer sees a lot of first-team players out of contract and a lot of possibly high-earning players like Liam Palmer, Barry Bannan, Josh Windass, and Dominic Iorfa among others.
Whilst Bannan and maybe a couple of others will no doubt be kept on, Chansiri and Wednesday may have to bite the bullet and let many of them go, then be hard at work in the transfer market bringing in free agents and loan players.
But where possible, Chansiri needs to give Rohl some spending money; not only does it need to happen for the sake of the playing squad but to also show Rohl that Chansiri does have a vision for the club.
That is of course, if Chansiri does actually have a vision and a plan in mind. But one thing seems certain and that is; if Sheffield Wednesday go down this season, release the bulk of their players and then lose Rohl as well, the club would be in deep, deep waters.