Alan Biggs: The fears and opportunities of Sheffield Wednesday's summer ahead

Another huge problem for Sheffield Wednesday, let there be no doubt. But also an opportunity maybe?

It can be either, depending on how it is handled and how far resources to keep the better ones, and add to them, will stretch.

What’s paramount for the club and the players concerned is that the Owls stay in the Championship. That’s essential for the best interests of all parties and I think we have mostly seen that reflected on the field, though not in the latter part of a midweek defeat at Stoke that makes Saturday’s visit of fellow strugglers Birmingham a truly vital game.

This predicament also explains why it is next to impossible for the club to tie up new deals in these circumstances or for the players to accept.

While there is legitimate questioning of the hierarchy for allowing this state of drift - and the impending departure of Liam Shaw to Celtic is particularly regrettable - the reality is that this entire season has only been about staying up.

It began on minus 12 points and even when six were given back on appeal, patchy form could not encourage anything higher.

How much will Celtic pay Sheffield Wednesday for Liam Shaw and how is it calculated? Your questions answered

This may actually have been one of the factors, if far from the only one, that cost Garry Monk his job in that his sights remained fixed on survival while a push up the table was being asked from above.

The Tony Pulis episode which followed can only be reflected on with a verdict of misadventure for all concerned.

Which leads on to a situation where the management and the squad, as an entire collective, is in a state of flux.

A massive problem if the wrong turns are taken. A huge opportunity given a firm and prudent sense of direction.

Indeed, a reset moment for Wednesday as a club. Few at any level ever have an opportunity to fashion their future to this extent because contracts can lock in a state of inertia.

This has been an impasse at Hillsborough previously. Now there is a freedom to act on all fronts.

However, as before, you have to know your status before you can plan anything at all.

Neil Thompson opens up on talks with 'frustrated' Josh Windass

Take Barry Bannan. Having reportedly agreed a new deal “in principle”, will he actually sign it before the outcome is known?

If he does, it would surely have a release. He’s a top player in the Championship who it’s hard to foresee dropping into League One, for all his admirable loyalty and good intentions.

Equally, the Owls could scarcely finalise a deal for Bannan without inserting wage reduction clauses for relegation.

These sort of considerations will apply throughout the squad.

Overall, it’s a chance to flatten the wage bill and make it more manageable at a tough time for owners.

However, Wednesday will need a clear strategy for the future, whichever division they are in next season.

For the best coverage of Sheffield Wednesday subscribe to The Star for as little as £1 a month for two months. All the details on how to sign up are HERE