Sheffield Wednesday appears to be approaching a very important summer with a lot of change in the air.
The summer that lies ahead of Sheffield Wednesday appears to be a trying 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
The vast majority of Sheffield Wednesday supporters agree that Rohl must be kept satisfied because he is the team’s lone bright spot this season.
Few would blame Rohl for choosing to leave Sheffield Wednesday in the summer if the Owls lose since he is a valuable addition to the team.
However, Biggs has asked Chansiri and everyone else in the Sheffield Wednesday management to support Rohl in the upcoming summer, regardless of the division the team is playing in, in his most recent column for The Star.
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
Over the past few years, Sheffield Wednesday’s pay cost has reportedly been considerable, placing a significant financial burden on Chansiri.
However, a number of first-team players, including Josh Windass, Dominic Iorfa, Liam Palmer, and Barry Bannan, are out of contract in the summer, and there are also a number of players who may be highly paid.
While Bannan and perhaps a few others will undoubtedly be retained, Chansiri and Wednesday may need to swallow their pride and let go of a number of players before working tirelessly to bring in free agents and loan players via the summer window.
However, Chansiri should, wherever feasible, provide Rohl with some spending money. This is necessary not only for the sake of the playing team but also to demonstrate to Rohl that Chansiri does have a plan for the team.
Of course, that assumes Chansiri genuinely has a goal and a strategy in mind. However, one thing is for certain: Sheffield Wednesday will be in serious trouble if they lose Rohl and lose the majority of their players this season.
