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O'Brien exit as Owls boss releases seven



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Published Date:
14 May 2008
WEDNESDAY are releasing Burton O'Brien and Rob Burch in a seven-player clear-out that will help to pave the way for new signings this summer.
The others not being offered new contracts are senior men Lee Bullen and Ronnie Wallwork, and youngsters Dave McClements, James Kay and Jason Bradley.

Sean McAllister is being offered a new deal as are young pros Liam McMenamin and Luke Boden.

Academy scholars Sam Liversidge and Aaron Jameson have been invited to join the professional ranks.

Manager Brian Laws has been given the go-ahead to bring in two or three new players this summer. His priority is likely to be centre midfield.

O'Brien, signed on a free from Livingston three years ago, made 28 starts and seven appearances as a sub last season, and Burch was on the bench as No 2 keeper.

Laws admitted: "I'd have loved to have kept Rob Burch; he's been an influence in keeping Lee Grant on his toes, and we wanted two good keepers, pushing each other. But Rob has progressed so well that he wants first-team football as well, and we have Richard O'Donnell coming through; if we kept Rob it would hold up Richard's progress.

"We've also had to make decisions of people like Burton O'Brien and Rob Burch to release some money to strengthen in other ways.

"The board have made money available for wages for two or three players; I also have to help by allowing one or two players out.

"Money is still very tight. We all know we have to work within the current parameters until things change; the club are actively seeking new investment.

"In the meantime, we have to work with what we have. With the players who will be coming back from injuries, it will be like having several new signings."

It was already known that the Owls would release club captain Bullen, and the exit of Wallwork is not a surprise as he was signed only on a short-term contract after Yoann Folly's departure to Plymouth.

Laws said: "I'd like to place on record my thanks to the players who are being released, for giving everything to try to help the club stay in the Championship."

The offer to McAllister is recognition of the first-team breakthrough he made towards the end of the season.

What do you think? Post your comments below.

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The full article contains 460 words and appears in Sheffield Star newspaper.
Page 1 of 1

  • Last Updated: 14 May 2008 12:25 PM
  • Source: Sheffield Star
  • Location: Sheffield
 
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1

maygurney owl,

sheff 14/05/2008 08:57:45
here we go no money so just who are we going to sign then.were is the take over ?????????????????????????? god help us yet again
2

Smudgie,

Sheffield 14/05/2008 09:29:29
patience is a virtue
3

Martowl,

Crewe 14/05/2008 10:03:51
Quality rather than quantity has to be the way to go. If releasing seven average/fringe players allows Laws to bring in 2/3 better quality players, then so be it. That way, if a takeover does go ahead, the club will not be stuck with a group average players under contract but surplus to requirements. If a takeover does not go ahead, then with 2/3 quality players in they should still have a good squad. And if the injury jinx strikes again, there should be something left in the kitty to pay the wages of a couple of loan players.
4

oz_owl,

14/05/2008 10:33:42
We have to assume that the takeover will not take place and plan accordingly - which means bringing youngsters through and trying to be clever in the transfer market. No point complaining about lack of money etc, etc, that's just how things are and we have to accept it.
Not sorry to see any of the released players going, and it's great to see McAllister being rewarded for his performances. Hopefully Laws can bring in a couple of central midfielders who can pass the ball, either permanently or on loan. We're not far away from having a team good enough to challenge higher up the league but we've just got to be patient.
5

,

14/05/2008 10:44:50
Comment Reported Unsuitable By User
6

Big Maz,

14/05/2008 10:48:45
LEE LEE LEE BULLEN! Thank you on behalf of thousands of owls fans!

7

oggyowl,

Sheffield 14/05/2008 11:03:27
I would have offered Burton O'Brien another year. He was a revelation when he got his chance half way through the season though he did seem to get complacent and drop off when there was no one challenging for a place.
Good to see Sean McAllister getting a new deal, another revelation this year and he turned the game when he came on against Norwich. We need more like him that will run all day. Just hoping that Laws will not waste money offering deals to Bolder and especially Kavanagh who did not do nearly enough in his second spell.
The main thing we need for next season is to make sure we keep hold of all of the first choice back four and get the quality we've got back to full fitness because it wouldn't have gone down to the wire if we'd have had Sodje and Simek in the side over the last couple of months.
8

Barnmeg1,

uk 14/05/2008 11:04:48
oh we have released 2 reserve players, who will sign for sheffield wednesday, we will be strugglin again next season, i want 2 know where the money has gone from the sales of bougerra and brunt, 5 million pounds, plus 2 summers money of season ticket sales, and were still in debt of 27 million, figures dont add up, think some1's getting their money mixed up with the clubs money.
9

horlicks,

WORKSOP 14/05/2008 11:21:54
so thats it.brian laws can bring in 2 or 3 players during the close season,will they be better than the ones he brought in last season,richard hinds,jeffers,esajas,clarke,johnson,loanees wallwork showunmi,not players that would really get you on the edge of your seat.either someone comes in with proper cash not monopaly money or its another season of doom and gloom.we need some quality players not the usual has beens and the ones nobody else wants because we dont pay decent wages.
10

King Reid,

Manchester 14/05/2008 11:42:23
Making sure McAllister signs up should be our number one priority. His youth and energetic performances bode well for years to come. The problem is who to play alongside him in the middle.

It's true Kavanagh was much poorer in his second spell and would cost a lot in wages. And Bolder was as indifferent as Wallwork was poor.

Whoever we get needs to have 'an old head on their shoulders'. Our back 5 may have incredible potential but they are young and need someone with experience in front of them.
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