Finance expert makes his feelings clear about ‘really positive’ Sheffield Wednesday news
Sheffield Wednesday are now in a stronger position to agree a takeover deal following the latest developments at Hillsborough.
That is according to football finance expert Dr Dan Plumley who has exclusively told Football Insider his verdict after it was reported Sheffield Wednesday will start on zero points next season, and that a fee restriction placed on the club will end in January.
Sheffield Wednesday were hit with a further six-point deduction earlier this month, after the club went into administration under former owner Dejphon Chansiri.
Former Newcastle owner Mike Ashley is interested in taking over Sheffield Wednesday, with up to six bidders in the mix to rescue the Championship club.
New owners can ‘wipe the slate clean’ at Sheffield Wednesday
Speaking exclusively to Football Insider, Plumley believes that it is only good news for the club’s next owners that they can start on a level playing field next season.
“I think this is a really positive bit of news,” Plumley said.
“You’re basically saying now, and the EFL has made noises to suggest as much that they’re not going to be chasing the club for any further points deductions.
“As you say, if fee restrictions are lifted, you know, that gives the new owners and prospective owners a chance to come in and, you know, wipe the slate clean again and build from a fraction.
“Even with 10, even with 12 points, the club was likely to get relegated. So it doesn’t matter now how many points, you know, you hit with between what happened then and what happens towards the end of the season, because relegation was likely to happen regardless.
“So having all those points deductions in that season enables you to start fresh in league one next season, but with zero points, which is, you know, as I say, for most fans, I think they take positives out of that.“
Bids over £30million should be enough to buy Sheffield Wednesday, with prospective owners having already been shown around Hillsborough.
League One ‘not easy’ for Sheffield Wednesday
Sheffield Wednesday are currently bottom the Championship with minus-nine points and are almost certain to be playing in League One next season.
Plumley believes that it will not be a given for the club to bounce straight back to the second tier.
“It’s still not easy, and the squad needs work. Everything else needs work,” Plumley stated.
“It’s not you know, there’s no given that even talking now that if you were in League One next season it’s easy to get out of.
“But, certainly, starting on zero points will is a bonus because, yeah, you don’t want to be chasing your tail with points deductions at the start of a new season, before a ball’s even been kicked.”