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SMITH ON SOCCER - Lost Lee a sign of dark times at Hillsboro'
ALAN Irvine is an honourable man.
Talented, full-on keen and likeable he is undoubtedly a manager who can take Sheffield Wednesday forward.
If they let him.
In the interview printed below this column he speaks positively about the club, its directors and absolves them from any commercial chicanery in the sale of goalkeeper Lee Grant for 1million to Burnley this week.
I'm not sure that the fans will be so understanding.
Grant was the club's best player last season but 1million is a lot of money for a League One player - especially for a club that has a somewhat pressing 500,000 inland revenue matter to attend to.
Many clubs would have found the offer irresistible but what's the point of bringing in a million quid and losing your main man - other than survival? What kind of message does that send out to the wider world?
Round here we know that the club and the taxman are playing a game of fiscal hide-and-seek, but to players, fans and other clubs around the country what registers is desperation.
'Get a bill, sell a player' has a ring of Mr Micawber about it that appears to indicate the club is living hand to mouth.
The further away from Sheffield you get the worse that impression becomes.
Something's NOT bound to turn up.
This summer has seen some excellent signings. To bring in players of the quality of Teale and Morrison is great business and despite pre-season mediocrity the foundations are there for the team to do well.
What they don't need is to start selling-off the staff before a blow is struck.
There are still a lot of financial hard knocks to come at Hillsborough and a deal to bring investment into the club is long overdue.
It seems the longer the club waits the smaller the offers become.
Sales like Grant's that in other circumstances would be seen as good business, now carry with them a whiff of doom.
Shame about Maradona losing his job as Argentine boss. He was one of the World Cup's few characters and, slightly barmy though he may be, he livens things up.
No doubt there'll be more from him yet.
Got a view? Leave a comment below.
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Weather for Sheffield
Saturday 26 May 2012
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