Takeover talk, Barry Bannan and more - The Wednesday Word LIVE

The Wednesday Word is here, and for this episode founder, Joe Crann, went live to chat all about the project and why it's been set up. He also tooks questions on the current state of play at Sheffield Wednesday as the takeover talk continues, as well as Barry Bannan and much more. It was recorded before the Stoke City clash.

Transcript

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Hello and welcome to the first live version of the Wednesday Word. First up, before I get started, I have to say a massive thank you to every single person that subscribed. It was a little bit of a leap of faith from my side. I wasn't sure how it was going to work out, wasn't sure how people were going to respond to me starting up my own thing, but to have over 1,200 subscribers in the first 24 hours or so is absolutely mind-blowing. So yeah, thank you so much to everybody. Please send me your questions. Let me know what you got going on. If you've got anything to ask, I'll happily try and help out. Suppose we'll crack straight on with um thanks very much, Matt. So good luck with the message there. Um yeah, the the latest on Sheffield Wednesday had a long piece out yesterday on the status quo. There's also some some really good bits from my uh former colleague Alex Miller that came out today. There's lots going on with Sheffield Wednesday. David Storch is in town. Uh understanding is is Michael Storch and Tom Coston are not there yet, but um, you know, not sure what the plan is there with with those two. But yeah, David Storch is in town, as reported by Alex. Uh he had a meeting with with staff members today. There's lots happening, lots being said behind the scenes about what they want to do. I think one of the big things is that they are they've sort of got these non-negotiables that they are um they're not prepared to shift on. One of those being safety, which is really good to hear that there's a lot of work they want to do inside the the training ground. Obviously at Hillsborough, we've had a lot said about Hillsborough and the work that needs doing there. You know, none of it is is a surprise. There's been lots of problems with asbestos, you know, that's that's got to be fixed. And you know, they they put that into their into their original agreement with the administrators that that would be fixed as part of that. So yeah, there's there's there's I think that they are trying to take the right steps in what they're doing. You you think it's uh with Wednesday and the work that needs to be done at this football club, it would be very easy to get some you know quick wins. And yes, they they want to do that, but they're also uh they're not prepared to to sacrifice the longer term stuff. You know, they they they will be going down the um, I suppose down the nostalgic route. You know, there's been talk of the old owl coming back, you know, possible kit changes, like like Alex said in one of his stories. There's a lot of little bits like that they're trying to get sorted, but uh they also want to make sure that the squad is sustainable, that there's more money being spent in the stadium, that the match they experience is better. All these things are big priorities for them. Um, you know, that the there's a question here uh about what needs to be done on the academy to make it to keep it at Cat 2. Uh that is, I'd have to send you a link to that. Um uh Jake, that is there's there's some specific bits that they have to do. Um it's it's basically a checklist. And I and I think that they the the guys, if they do it, if they they do get the club, which is a big if at this point, you know, I think there's it's very easy to get carried away when you know, like when David is saying the things he's doing. Say, sorry, saying the things he's saying, that he's uh he's talking a very good game. It's really exciting to hear about the stuff that they're they're working on that that they're trying to do. Um, but this is not a done deal yet, not by any stretch. So Wednesday are in a position where they need to um still get this all wrapped up. It's it's yeah, I think with this, it's we we've got to keep waiting. Uh, and and it's not probably no what not what everybody wants to hear. Um, I think some people have maybe thought that it's a little bit closer than it is because of the things that they're doing, but ultimately a rise are just trying to do their due diligence, they're trying to be proactive. They've been trying to be proactive the whole way through this, which I think is a credit to them and the way they want to work. Um, but yeah, in terms of the academy, they are trying to keep it um cat two rather than dropping down to cat three. Cat three is a is a nightmare um in terms of player attention and all that kind of thing. But cat one is a different beast. Wednesday, maybe in the future we'll see cat one, but yeah, that's not anything we'll be we'll be seeing anytime soon. Um but yeah, so go head over to the Wednesday Word, you'll find loads of stuff on there um that we've put up already. So talking about the the work that the Rise want to do if if, and we will keep saying if they come in. Um there's a question there from Matt on thoughts on the Bannon story. So yeah, that was uh a story we got out today. I was going to go and touch on that anyway. Barry Bannon, I think Wednesday fans would welcome him back with with open arms. You know, Barry left under very difficult circumstances. I think everyone saw with the the emotions behind his his exit, how he felt about the whole thing. Um you know, he's he's on the the brink of pushing, well, he's pushing for promotion with Millwall. Obviously, a lot has been said about the the way that he left and why he left. It was all in the midst of the the James Board situation. There was he he wasn't able to get any sort of uh guarantees about the future, and and that was a a big part of why what happened happened. Look, let's not get carried away. The story editor today is internal conversations have taken place regarding the prospect of bringing Barry Bannon back to Sheffield Wednesday. That doesn't mean that Barry's coming back, that doesn't mean that there's been contact, that none of that. It's just a case of they've spoken about whether it would be possible um and if it's something they should be doing. As my own personal opinions, um, there's a comment from Ben there, uh, 20 goals assists last time in League One. Honestly, Barry Baron in League One's a bit of a cheat code. I think there's a lot said about his age. Uh for me, it makes no odds. I think when you're that good at football, when you when you're technically as gifted as what Barry is, I don't think that really makes a difference. We we saw firsthand as Wednesday ice, didn't we? We saw how good Baz was in in League One, in both seasons, you know, but especially in the in the promotion season. And and Wednesday are in a situation where there's going to be an entire overhaul at the side. And I get the idea that people want to go younger and you know to have a whole clean slate. But I I don't think you can do that entirely. I still think you need experience. I still think you need uh a core of players that can um can keep you ticking over it in that sense. And I think that's why you know there's a lot been said about Jamal Lowe and the fact that his contract has been um I say it's it's not really been extended. The way it has basically what's happened is there was a clause in his his contract that if he played X amount of games, made X amount of appearances, that that would automatically roll over, and that's what's happened. So Jamal does have a another year on his Wednesday contract. Another story with uh on Liam Cooper, he's uh another player that Wednesday sort of would like to keep next season. Again, he's a little bit older, but I think what's impressed with with Liam is his leadership and and the way that he has adapted to the situation. There's also a lot to be said for the fact that he didn't have a pre-season. He came into Wednesday with effectively cold legs and was asked to do too much too soon. And I think with a full pre-season, there is um there's hope that that will change. You know, there's hope that that he will be able to get himself where he needs to be. He's he's not a player, he's he's not a player that has been particularly injury prone. You know, his time at Wednesday's been tough, but I do think there are extension circumstances on that front. So yeah, I think a lot has been said about Jamal, about Barry, about Liam and the ages, but I I do think there will be a lot of of youth, of exuberance that comes in next season. We don't know what form that looks like yet, because obviously there's a lot being spoken about with the EFL and the situation there. So we don't know how Wednesday are able to sign and what they're able to sign, but I do think there'll be a lot of of youth that comes in. I think we'll probably looking at you know quite a few players that are supposed in the middle as well, you know, players who've got a bit of experience but have got a maybe a potential sell-on and a bit more space for for growth. And I think that is the um that that's the key. Wednesday need you know, tiers of of players if they if they're gonna get this turnaround right. So, yeah, on that front, I do think that the it there is merit in in all three of those players. Um, obviously Jamal is as things stand here next season. Liam Cooper's a contract conversation that needs to be had, and and and Barry is someone else's player. So they're all still uh those two, sorry, are still very much moving parts. Um got a question, uh, a question here from from Price. What's the issue with the takeover? Both you and Miller, so you're much more cautious. I think to be honest, mate, it's more down to not wanting to get hopes up. Uh, I don't I can obviously speak for myself. I have heard nothing over the last few days that would suggest anything that's gone wrong or anything like that. I I just think we're we're both very wary of saying things that allude to the fact that it's further down the line than it is. You know, I don't think that what Wednesday fans need right now is is false hope. Um, and that is that's kind of where we're at. I think we are in a position where we want to tell you where things are, give you the updates that we can, but also reiterate the fact that this is not done yet, that there are still moving parts, that there are still uh things going on that need to be sorted out. And I think yeah, there's a message there from from Tom saying temporary own expectations. And I think that's right. You know, there's a lot to be excited about um based on what we've heard and uh from the the storch bid. I do think there's a lot to be excited about, but it is still potential. And as long as it's potential, I think we'll um we'll keep saying it like that. I don't think anybody needs a situation where we're getting ahead of ourselves and therefore making other people get ahead of themselves as as well. Um really nice message there from from Tom saying, really enjoying the new style content, Joe. Interview with Henrik in particular is potentially the best media we've seen in recent times. That's very kind of you, mate. Uh it was really nice chatting to Henrik in that kind of environment. We've done, we've we've spoken to Henrik so many times, and I think because of the situation Wednesday in, so many of the interviews are just quite sad and demoralizing for him as much as for everybody else watching. Um, so I wanted to talk about him a little bit, about his the his his style and how he wants to work. And I thought it was really interesting, you know, the fact that he's he's he's going to League One games, he's watching, he's got everybody watching League One games, trying to prepare for next season. Uh, I thought there was a one of the things that really stuck out for me about Henrik's interview was the fact that he said we need to accept where we are. And I think that's really quite poignant about Wednesday's situation at the moment. Moving down to League One, we have we are there is so still so much up in the air about where Wednesday are at next season, about what is possible, what isn't possible. They can only control what they control, what they can control, sorry. And that and one of those things is is accepting where they're at and accepting what they need to do. You know, if you haven't watched the interview I did with Penrick, I I would you know employ you to go watch it if you uh if you feel that way inclined, just because he he's a really interesting man, you know, he's with his Red Bull background and the the way that he has sort of kept people's heads up this season, I think is is a massive credit to him. And I do think he deserves a fair crack. You know, he's he's been in a situation where the the world has been against him, he's been in an impossible place with Wednesday, and I think he's earned the right to you know have a real go at it with a real team around him and and about the preseason and you know all that kind of stuff, and without the everything else, the weight that has been sort of hung around the neck of Sheffield Wednesday recently. So yeah, I do think that that Henrix uh he's he's a man that does deserve a chance now. Um, and yeah, his interview is is really really interesting. He talks about the the style of play and how that'll have to change. He talks about the importance of set piece in League One and the way that they're going to recruit to reflect that. And yeah, just a really, really interesting bloke. Um another question here about um about Bannon and whether it suggests that restrictions uh could be changed. Honestly, the restriction side of things right now, it's it's a bit of a minefield. And I think, again, it would be probably probably misguided of me to sort of say what what I think will and won't happen, because that can be misconstrued as as having uh inside information which I don't have. You know, the the they are we're effectively in a situation now where the minus 15, the wage cap monthly, the well, wage cap per player, the the wage cap per season, and the the minor the transfer fee restriction are all still there. There is hope that they you know one all some, you know that they are I think that they will be appealed, I think they will be discussed, but as right now, I don't think anything is guaranteed and nothing is finalised. So Wednesday are um still under those until you know until anything changes on that front. And I think we will only really find that out when this this takeover, if this takeover gets finalised. Um, another question from Jake there. Um of all the lads in the under-21s who um sorry, who who do we rate at the under 21s? Um the 21s are in a difficult space at the moment. They, you know, I think if you look through the Wednesday Academy right now, there's so many players playing above where they should be playing. You know, they are um there's 16s and 15s and the 18s, and there's 18s and the 21s, and obviously we've seen a lot of the 21 21s up in the the senior side that have been fast tracked through for you know the because of the situation that we find ourselves. Um there's also uh I think a lot of changes coming this summer. There's there's a lot of players there that are coming to the end of their scholarships, there's players that are coming to the end of their contracts. You know, I did some stories over the last couple of weeks that I think of the 18s that are sort of finishing their scholarships. I know Kaelin Hatfield and Aidan Sopala are two that they'd really like to keep on board. But with the 21s, it becomes a bit more difficult because again, the club don't really know what they're working with. So, you know, Ernie Ernie Weaver's got a year option, George Brown's got a year option, Sean Fassier's got a contract, Jarvis Launton hasn't got a contract, but they can't really do anything on on those matters just because we don't have an owner. Um so there's no one really there to sign those off at the minute and and be involved in those conversations. So um yeah, I think we we'll we'll see a summer of change at all levels at Sheffield Wednesday. And I think one of the big the big things from this season is there's there's been a lot of those youngsters that have proven they can step up. And I think you look at you know, Ernie Winnie's back fit, George, Jarvis, Sean, they're all players that that can be a real um a real asset to Sheffield Wednesday in League One, and that's it's nice to know that they're there, I think. Um just looking at some other questions. Um we've got what we got here. Um some really nice stuff. Uh what with the the Wednesday in the the Red Bull system, I I don't know if I don't know if if he with with Henrik if he was if he's in a position where he would like to impose the entire Red Bull system on Sheffield Wednesday. But I do think that the question there from Daz is whether it'd be sort of implemented through all the teams. I do think that's something that Wednesday do need to make sure they do, regardless of whether it's the full Red Bull system or you know, whatever style they do choose to implement. Um I know that it was the case with with Wednesday management in the past, you know, when when Darren Moore, for instance, was was playing with a with a back three, that was sort of moved down the levels as well. So yeah, I think Wednesday need to play with an identity, and that is something that Henrik's spoken about. He's spoken about the idea of of a Sheffield Wednesday identity and that that being something that that passes down throughout the club. And you know, it that helps, doesn't it? You know, when you're pulling a youngster that that's um bid in the 18s or been in the 21s and moving them up to the the next level, you are able to um to slot in a lot a lot more simply than if they're all playing different formations and different styles. And um, yeah, I think that comes down to your recruitment and your your recruitment of youngsters as well as first team players. So yeah, I think that is definitely something that that Henrik will will look to do. Um, but I'm not sure it will be a sort of cut and dried, this is the Red Bull system, and this is how we're gonna play. Um got some got some messages here. We've got one here saying, Um, wishing all the best. Thank you very much. Um, feeling positive about the future. Uh yes, I think. Um obviously, like I say, uh I won't be counting any chickens in this. Uh you know, we've we've all done that before. Um, but I do feel like there is real progress being made. Um question there about what the major overhook major hurdle that they overcame in the meeting. Um, that was my understanding is that that was just uh things that were can't really say too much, but things that were seen as being immovable becoming a little bit more movable. And I think that was a was a big big step. Um, there was also the the element of uh again, as as Alex reported, there was the the element of the the deposit became non-refundable after a certain date. And I think that wasn't what the major hurdle was, but that did feel like a moment from a fan perspective, from a journalistic perspective. But looking in, once that that moment has passed by and they can no longer pull out and get their money back, that does feel like a sort of a turning, a turning point moment. Um, another question there from Tom about a sporting director. Uh yes, I think that they they are the sort of positions Wednesday will be looking for if this ownership does take over. You know, I think sporting directors, CEOs, I do know that they are in a position where they're looking to, well, not looking, they they've been in conversations about the the executive positions and and who would go in there. I think they they'd like to be in a position to have all those guys ready, ready to go when when if the announcement is is done of a takeover, they want everybody in situ. And I think that you know that's the that's the way to go. We we I don't think we know exactly how the setup is going to be um and what roles and what I suppose names these guys are gonna be given, but there is a definite hope of you know pushing this this team into the into the future after living in in a very strange time under Chancery where it was you know just a situation where he was the man and he chose everything and dictated everything. And yeah, it doesn't seem like that will be the doesn't yeah, it doesn't seem like that'll be the case with with these guys. Um are we beating Stoke? Uh unlikely, I I think um not to be negative. I'd I'd love to you know report on a whim for a change, it feels like it's been forever and a day. But I think Wednesday are in a difficult position at the moment, you know, with everything going on, everything hanging over their heads. The that's even the still the uncertainty of what's happening at Wednesday, it's not something that's easy to deal with. I like I say I'd love to see us beat stoke, I just think it might be a bit tough. I think we're all just waiting for the end of the season now, aren't we? Then it's uh it's been a long old slug, this one. Um before I take any more questions, I just while I've got you all watching, I want to sort of chat to you about the Wednesday word and why I started it up. Um, and the the main answer is is for you guys. Uh I I'm I'm a Chevy Wednesday fan myself, and I feel like I wanted to create a space that was made for Wednesday Arts by a Wednesday i and I I I'm looking to go more long format, more you know, I I want to do interviews, I want to write long reads about the academy and you know make sure people are up to date with with Wednesday ladies. And I think with with this, I I am I'm in a position to be able to go, you know, quality over quantity. I I don't have a I'm not gonna set myself a story count. I I can spend time working on the stuff that I I think you will like and that I think I would like if I was you know a fan and and not writing it. I am I'm hoping that that is gonna be the case. And and one thing I would say is that you know I'm I'm charging a fiver a month for for the service, and and obviously the main benefit to that is you can see the you know the paid articles on on the website, which I hope you like by the way. Um it's I speaking personally, I think it's it's it's nice to have such a clean website, there's no pop-ups, there's no ads, you know, having to deal with any of that. Um but yeah, um I'm I wanted to create a space where people could go and and they could find that stuff. And yes, the the paid stuff is that is the main thing there, but but basically you're that fiver is paying for all of this. You know, this is this is my entire baby. I am the one who's running this whole thing. I'm live streaming this, but I'm also writing the articles and creating the social media and clipping up the videos. So this is all all me. So if you're paying a fiver, yes, you're getting the benefit of being able to read those paper articles, but you're also helping to fund this entire project. And what I wanted to do was I wanted to create a Wednesday space for everybody. So if you just want to watch Wednesday video. You can do that if you want to just check out social media graphics and get a quick, you know, flash of where things are at. If you want to check out TikTok, you can. It's all there. But I'm also bringing match reports back because you know we we haven't done them for a while. And I know that it is something that people want to read. So they they will be on, they won't be behind a paywall. Whether, like I say, I think whether you want to spend hours of your day reading about Wednesday or you want to spend five minutes getting up to date with what's happening, that's what I'm going for. Um, and and I think that that's why you know I for me, I'm I'm blown away by the response. I think that you are um you just the Wednesday fans are the most amazing. If the way that people have got behind this, you know, this is my my personal thing, but I I've seen the way that you guys have got behind the team, the club, and and everything. And I'm yeah, I just consider myself to be very privileged to be a Wednesday. There's been times where I've not not thanked my dad and my grandmad for that, but that there's you know the way that you guys have responded to this has been honestly like very, very humbling. I consider myself to be very lucky. Um yeah, if you've got any more questions about the website, if you've got any more questions about um what's happening on with Wednesday at the moment, I'll do my best to answer them. Um I'm not gonna read out all all the the really lovely messages here because that feels a bit sycophantic. Um, but thank you, all of you um that are sending uh sending these through. Uh there's a question here about the takeover timing. Um, can we see it in the next in the next weeks? Look, I I think the they've not made any secret of the fact that they'd like to try and wrap things up um towards the end of the season. They want to have a real a real swing at the at the transfer window and get ahead of that. And obviously, if they are the earlier they're in, the earlier they can make the decisions on transfers, that they can start the work, they can you know start sorting out new contracts and and all that kind of stuff. And I think it is very much the the earlier the better. Um I think that they're hopeful, you know. As I as I said, I think the end of the season, you know, that that how nice would it be if that last game of the season was was the day that they were able to walk in as owners and greet the the crowd and all that kind of stuff, it would be AB Ace, and to have Hillsburgh rocking for you know for that after such a miserable season would be would be absolutely brilliant. So yeah, there's no there's no promises. Like I say, there's still a lot of hurdles to to leap over. We're not really in a position to be saying anything is definitely happening, um, but it it does feel like there's been a a lot of progress made, and I and I I like that um I like that everyone seems to be a bit more grounded this time. Um, you know, and I say that from the potential owners and from the way that the fans have have reacted to it as well. I do like the fact there's been no mention of we're going back to the Premier League immediately because you know that is, I suppose it's an easy trap to fall into, and Wednesday don't really need that right now. Um Wednesday needs realism uh and they need going back to what Henrik said in his his interview, we need to be in a position where we accept where we are as a football club, and I think when when that happens, you can uh yeah, we can we can we can be a little bit more positive about the future. We've got Alex Miller dipping into the the the content that have you sorted a morning line. I think that message, if I look through all the messages on my phone, I think have you sorted a morning line is the most shared message that I have shared with anybody, let alone just between me and Alex. Uh mission mate, it's only been a day. I'm I'm tired already. Um question here about Pierce Charles and Rangers. Yeah, I have seen that. Um obviously the link with Rangers is nothing new. Danny knows all about what Pierce is about. Henrik said today in the um in his press conference that they were, you know, they were going to be doing everything that they could to keep Pierce around. Personal opinion, I think it's gonna be tough. You know, that the sort of clubs that are going to be interested in Pierce, you know, that the way he's played for Wednesday, the the way he's played for Northern Ireland, the social media videos that do the rounds every now and again don't help us either. Uh he's the sort of player that with his skill set is is is very, very desirable. And I and I don't think that Rangers will be the only team that are keeping uh an eye on a very talented Piers Charles. I think that the right now he's he's Wednesday's biggest asset financially. You know, he's the he's the one that is holds the most value of of all the Wednesday players, and I would imagine that Wednesday's resolve, shall we say, is gonna be uh is gonna be tested over the the next few months. Um question here from D Stones 92. Um, how difficult has it been reporting on Wednesday this season? Yeah, it's been miserable. Uh I think if I if I've not had Alex to moan to um as much as I have, I'm not sure I'd have survived because it has been really hard. Um as a I think anyone that's involved with this football club, you know, it gets into your it gets into your into your bones as Alex can attest to. Um, you know, for me as a Wednesday fan, that there was there were times when I was like, you know you really have to pull it back um and and remind yourself that you're a professional and you can't just go doing an angry type piece, hit piece on the people that you're annoyed at. Um but yeah, no, it's not been much fun. I think the games going the way that they have as well has not helped, you know, going into matches and watching the team and seeing them do so well for periods that knowing that ultimately they're gonna run out of steam and um yeah, uh they're just not going to see it out. That that's been quite quite hard. Um but yeah, I think having having this going now with with the Substack and being able to work things my own ways is is a nice little boost for me towards the end of the season on a personal level. And hopefully there's some nice things to write about in the in the coming weeks. Um, question from Matt about the the content is it available anywhere else but Substack? Uh no, not at the moment. Um look, you can find on on the Twitter page, on Facebook, on Instagram, you know, there will be graphics being shared that I'll for you a little sort of snippet into what's happening. But for the the the actual articles themselves, um, yeah, you're gonna have to have to go to Substack for that. Uh, I'll be doing wrap-ups and shorts and things like that on YouTube, so you can keep an eye on here if you want updates in that way. But yeah, for the most part, it is going to be uh gonna be on on Substack. Um question, is it now all with the EFL IFR or is it still two-way dialogue questions? This is just a constant conversation, basically. Um, this is a constant uh ongoing process, I think is probably the best way to put it. And and I think it will be it will remain that way until it is finalized again. If it is finalized, um someone says there, I get PTSD if they'd mentioned the Premier, yeah. We've uh we've heard enough of that. We don't need any more of that. Um pre-season, Corona Miller. We'll we'll see. We'll see where it is. Um I mean, I'd pre-season, especially the Germany one. Me and Alex had an absolute ball that trip, and I would I would absolutely love it if we were able to do that again. But we we will see where Wednesday end up, what's feasible, what's not feasible. Um, yeah, that feels like an age away. So we'll yeah, we'll have to wait and wait and see with that one. Um the question here about the Costa, I presume you mean Daniel Costa and the and the youngsters. Um, yeah, there was a lot of talk about him. You know, some Premier League clubs were reportedly looking at him at one point. He's had a bit of a rough time with injuries, so he's been in and out of the squad. Uh, I think we'll be at a better eye, a better idea of of where he's at in his future. Um, I suppose in a in a in a week or so, a couple of weeks when these kids are told that their time has come to an end at Wednesday or they've been offered new contracts, scholarships, all that kind of thing. Um will the Wednesday Word have an app? Um, no, but Substack does have an app, so you can check it out on there if you want. You know, that's that is one way of of I suppose staying up to date via your phone. You can you can do it on there. Um but yeah, I think on that note, I will while we'll wrap things up. It's been it's been really good chatting to you all on this first Wednesday live. We'll be doing a few more of these. Um we'll be having you know interviews. I think hopefully every couple of weeks, we'll be doing interviews with you know players, ex-players, um famous faces, all that kind of stuff. Um, so yeah, you're I again I just want to stress how much your support is appreciated. You are generally the best fan base in the world, and I'm lucky to be part of you. So thanks very much for watching. Uh, check out the Wednesday Word, check out all the socials, and I'll see you very soon. Cheers.