Sheffield Wednesday transfers and updates as preseason begins - The Wednesday Word LIVE

Join The Wednesday Word's Joe Crann as he discusses all of the latest transfer happenings in a special live Q&A from YouTube. 

Transcript

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But here we are. Yes, live on the Wednesday Word show. I'm here to answer your questions as much as I possibly can. Yeah, there's a lot going on at Sheffield Wednesday. It's been a very, very busy period. Feels like there was a little bit of a calm before the storm, and now things are starting to get going. Lots of stuff happening, I say, on and off the pitch. And yeah, thought I'd jump on, do a live with you guys, answer as many uh any questions, as many questions as I can. Um I did ask over on the Wednesday words uh on the substack. So the subscribers over there are going to get to go first. I'll answer them and then I'll open up the floor to everybody else who wants to join in the party. Um, so yeah, the first question we have here is from Stephen Walker. Um it's about a player that we have seen uh he's not quite left yet, but um Svanta Ingleson. Uh he has been uh I suppose a deal's been agreed, I think is the way we'll we'll stick for it for now. Um a deal has been agreed with Stoke City, said that it could be it worth in excess of a million pounds. How that actually plays out, we'll have to wait and see. You know, it could be a case of there's bits and bats uh that are in addition with you know clauses, sell-ons, all that kind of business. Um, but the question was uh what was the main reason, reason for Svanti moving on? Look, the main reason that we were told, um, sort of having spoken to a few different people, is that he wants to play championship football. You know, he was obviously a big player for Wednesday last season. He uh was a crucial part of that Wednesday, um, impressed a lot of people. And there's you know, there was no shortage of interest with Svanta. Obviously, the club exercised their option with him. They tried to get a new contract sorted, that didn't happen. And I think what they've done is is something that Chancellor failed to do so often was be proactive, can't get a contract done, you know, sell the player, make some money, and you move on. Obviously, it's a shame with Svanta because he's very, very well liked, he's a great player, um, great engine on him, and yeah, really, really good work ethic and attitude. So he will be missed at Wednesday. Um, I do expect that deal to go through. Um, I saw a piece from Alex Miller at the start today saying that personal terms had been agreed on that, um, on that front. So that's you know no surprise. I think when a deal gets done in that sense, especially when it's a jump-up divisions, it's probably quite easy to get the deal done. So, yeah, while we've had no official confirmation just yet, that one should get done relatively quickly, I think. Um, another question from Stephen saying, Is there any more work at the stadium being done? There's there's loads. Uh obviously, we're being kept at arm's length because there's a lot of work going on there. I need your hard hats if you're gonna get inside. I don't know exactly uh sort of where they're at with various different things, so I'm not gonna uh pretend to know more than I do. I just know that there is a lot going on. Obviously, they're the they're working on the Hurstie Social now, the Quicksil room, all that kind of stuff to improve the premium matchday experience. So that's all happening at the moment as well. But yeah, lots of work at Hillsborough, but I'm not gonna be able to really go into details, unfortunately. Uh so sorry about that, Stephen. Um, and then a last one from him saying, which potential signing do you think will stand out? Um I'm I'm interested to see what Slattery does. Uh he obviously he's leaving Motherwell as a free agent. I think you only have to go and look at the the way that Motherwell's fans have responded to him leaving when that got announced uh a little while ago. You see the clubs that have sort of been linked with him at different parts as well. But with Svante going, um, you know, you're looking for someone with a little bit of legs in the middle, and I think you know Slattery's a really interesting player that that could be a potentially very, very good signing for Sheffield Wednesday. But there's just you know, there's some just really interesting names being linked. I think Ricardo Santos obviously he had his injury issues before, but seeing Ricardo Santos in in League One last time we were down there when he was at Bolton, he was an absolute monster. Um one, you know, I think he was in the team of the season that season, and he is just an absolute giant of a player. So that could be interesting, but yeah, I think Slattery is the one for me for now, anyway, that I think I'm most uh most excited about. Um, a question from Adrian Smith Will Arise be bringing Wednesday ladies into the family officially? Um I actually went down to to see Wednesday ladies a little earlier this week. I did a couple of interviews with some of their long-standing players, um, Jess Bertles and Jody Stanzel. They'll be on the YouTube at some point in the not so distant future. Um, there's been a little bit of talk on Wednesday ladies. Obviously, we know how big football is in America and um well, how big women's football is in America, should I say, um, and I think that that it could be potentially something to look at. I know there's been sort of conversations behind the scenes, but I also think that right now Wednesday have got so much on their plate. You know, Arise and the consortium that have taken over, the people that are involved with, you know, David Bruce and all these guys have got so much on their plates and they're spinning so many plates. Um, I think it's something that might be looked at, but I'm I'm not really expecting anything sort of right now. I don't think it's going to be imminent. But personally, I I'd love to see them, um, even if it's you know just a case of helping out, you know, the the Wednesday ladies, they they buy all their own kits, they you can only afford to get them every two years, they pay subs, like you know, any sort of help that they can get, I know would be massively, massively appreciated by um by them. Um a question from Stuart Hodkinson saying, How many players do you think still think we need and where a lot? I think is the short answer. Um yeah, look, I th I I think you know, by the time this this transfer window's done, I think Wednesday could be pushing 20 players signed. I think that's the scale of the rebuild that's needed at Sheffield Wednesday this summer. There are a a lot of um a lot of positions that need fill in. It's going to be interesting to see, and it actually leads on to a second question from from Stuart saying what would you do with the younger players? And I think that is a is a really interesting question because Wednesday in a situation where so many of their young boys played last season when they were you know maybe maybe shouldn't have, they weren't quite at that level yet. And I think we could be a situation where we see a lot of those boys go out on loan potentially. Um, I'm not sure. You know, I I think of somebody like um Gabriela Tugbayo, who with Liam Cooper re signing with Desharma Bernard getting fit again with um Ricardo Santos coming in, you know, he's probably falling down the pecking order a little bit. And I and I think that players like him, um and and some of the other the other young lads who uh you know had had to just step up last season, I think we might see some of those loaned out because I think it's quite difficult for them to then drop down to the 21s. You don't really want to take that step having played you know senior professional football. Um but yeah, in terms of the question on how many and where, I think look, the defence if um if if the defence gets if the signings get made now, um you know, still swing calls, obviously Ricardo Sans has come in, Liam Cooper's re-signed, trying to get um sorry, trying to get Tao Adramola back. So, you know, the the they're doing a lot of work in in the defence, and yeah, I think you always say, you know, attackers win your games and defenders win your titles, and I think that's obviously what the what we've seen so far is these these youngsters who are um sorry, these new signings that are coming in that will bolster that back line, and then hopefully we'll see a little bit, um, a little bit of progress further up the pitch as well. Um, but yeah, I think in terms of where I think a striker is an absolute must. Wednesday need a striker. You know, we saw what Michael Smith did in the impact he had the last time Wednesday were in League One, same with Lee Gregory, those sort of players uh are what we need. But yeah, I think uh for now the defence looks pretty good. Couple more centre mid uh centre midfielders, you know, a few wide players. Depends on who leaves as well. I think we're gonna be seeing Jan Valerie leaving, possibly gonna see uh Olaf Kabachski leaving. Um hopefully, you know. I think someone's asked a question about Piers Charles. He's another player we might see leaving at some point, so that adds another player onto the list of what's needed because then you're looking for a goalkeeper as well, but I'll touch on that a little bit later. Um, got a question from DDJD saying, is it likely that Charles goes this window? Be done nicely. I I'm not sure, I think likely, but I'm only saying likely because of how good he is. I don't know at this point, I don't think there's been any official offers made. I know Wednesday uh would love to try and get Pierce down on a new contract, but he's having a little bit of extra time off at the moment because you know he was away with had a long season, was away with Northern Ireland. So when everyone else has come back in for testing, um Pierce has has had a little bit of extended leave. So uh we might, I suppose we might hear a little bit more about that going forward. Um, but yeah, it's uh I think with Pierce, we'll have to wait and see. Um, I think the concern from Pierce's side potentially would be what a season in League One might do to his career. You know, he's he's not a League One goalkeeper, the type of football that he plays isn't League One style. Um so yeah, I think we've got we've heard of teams like Strasbourg interested, there's been talk of Manchester City even. Um I if I was a betting man, I I would you know I think I would I would be surprised if if Piers Charles was still at Wednesday become the end of the coming end of the transfer window. But yeah, what we will have to see. I I think you know he's he's he's happy at Wednesday, you know. He it's not like he's itching to leave the the club or anything like that, but you know, it might be a case of of a career decision, you know, in in that sense, it's the best thing for him to to move on. And obviously he will uh he's Wednesday's best asset financially. He he's worth the most of any player in Wednesday's side, and there is that it'd be bittersweet, but there is that you know that plus side of if he was to go, is that it'd be a big chunk of money that came into the club as well. Question from Stephen Lund saying now we have a preponderance of set. That's a great word, by the way. Preponderance of centre backs. Uh, what does it mean for Ernie Weaver and Dishon Bernard's recovery? Um, I think everything's on track. You know, Ernie's was a little bit ahead of Dish. Um, I'm not sure Dish is going to be ready for like the first game of the season. Um, you know, he might he might miss those those first couple of games later in Orient, Bradford City. Um, but I I think that they will take the time with with Dish. And the nice thing is they do have um a few centre back options now, and I think early doors we might see um potentially Cooper starting, Ricardo Santos. Um, and Ernie's an interesting one because obviously Ernie was another one that was sort of thrust into the line last season. Um, I'm not sure where Henrik sees him in terms of on the list of um in the pecking order now that new signs are being made. So we'll have to wait on seeing on Ernie. But I in terms of their recovery and their fitness, I uh I understand that everything is on track. Uh and yeah, they they they're just progressing nicely. I think, especially with dishes, they're not going to take any chances when you've been out as long as he has. Um it's uh it'd be a shame to to sort of take any risks that are unnecessary. Um, but yeah, we'll like say we'll have to wait and see. I think we'll get a better indication of that um during preseason, and yeah, then uh then we'll know a little bit further, uh a little bit more, sorry, about where they are. Um, another question from Steven, also linked to the centre backs. Will we play a back three again? It doesn't sound like it. All the noises I'm hearing is that the Henrick's going to be switching to a back four. I think we'll see a four, two, three, one probably next season. Um, so it is a change in in formation. You look at like Max Lowe and what he offers as a as a left back. You know, you've got Liam Palmer, Sean Fazera at right back, and um possibly Jordi Langolo as well, who who might be coming in or probably should be coming in. So yeah, that they'll be used as as right backs and left backs, I think. But I also think Henrik probably wants a situation where um he can pick and choose what sort of fullbacks he wants, whether he wants someone like a Max Lowe who's a more typical left back or Tayo Adoramola, who's you know, probably better as a as a wing back, and and when you're trying to attack teams, maybe you you know you use Tayo for a little bit rather than Max. And I think, yeah, I think it'll be a bit of a horses for courses situation with uh with Henrik this season, but it does sound like it's gonna be uh going to be a back four. Lastly, from Stephen's uh saying, is there any links in in the striking department? Uh not really now. Um I've not really heard many striking options, and that like that's not me saying that they're not looking at strikers, they definitely are. Um but in terms of names, I've not heard any any just yet. You know, there's been a obviously Kyris, Kairi's Lisby was one that was was mentioned, and and that didn't happen. He went to Reading. Um but yeah, not really heard any any more yet. Well, obviously, if if I do, they'll be uh they'll be over on the Wednesday word and and and I'll report it as soon as I get any. Um I think it's gonna be a busy summer. So, you know, myself, Alex at the star, um it's we're gonna be pretty busy. And I would expect I think Henrik will probably want to get some strikers in, or attackers in, should I say, uh, as soon as possible. But yeah, I've not heard of anything particularly imminent at this point. Speaking of strikers, uh, one from Bill Wiles saying what's happening with EK Ugbo. Um EK is a Sheffield Wednesday player, and that is the current status, state of play. Um, yeah, I think you know, we've there's been a lot written about EK and his his struggles at Wednesday. He is a player that um had a really tough time of it last season, um, well, last season especially. I think you know he's he's been he's obviously been doing work in in pre-season. I saw some pictures the other day of him doing a little bit of uh a workout with with Wool Granger, and and that was before Wednesday's come in for testing. So he's putting the work in that sense. But yeah, I've not heard of anything sort of happening imminently with with EK. He's a player that um if ready again would be an excellent asset for Wednesday in League One, but it's it's just a case of whether he can get back to that form that he showed in that lone spell or not. And um, yeah, there is a I think the jury's out on on that front. Um that's all the questions from uh the substack. So I'm gonna be moving over to the YouTube comments now. I've not been ignoring you. I promise I will start at the top, uh, and I'll ignore all the comments from people saying you can't hear me because that was all my fault. So I'll have to move a little bit further down. And where is the first question? Um, what we got, what we got. Um gee, there's a lot of people telling me how quiet it was. So thanks for that. Um I appreciate it because I probably wouldn't have picked up on that. Um, one from Luke Leicester saying, Joe, does the club have many deals done but not announced yet? Um, otherwise, not many players in next week. I think I think the club will announce when they're done. They they they are there's obviously a lot of sort of T's to cross and and I's to dot when it comes to transfers, and all all transfers have their own little uh quirks, I suppose. You know, the for instance the the Lion Golo one, he's he's a contracted player, so they've they've got to come to agreement with his club and personal terms on that front with Will Granger's new contract. He's uh you know, he's he's on a scholarship contract, he's moving to a pro. Then you've got um like Callum Slattery, who is a he's a free agent who will only technically be able to sign on on July 1st. So there's all these kinds of uh little little bits and bats. And I think, like I say, I just know Wednesday are working very, very hard to get these these bits done. But obviously, unlike us in the media who can speculate as and when we please, um, when we get bits and bats from you know uh a potential transfer, the club have to wait until everything is signed and sealed and finished. They can't they can't take any chances on that front. So um I think if you were I I said the start of the day, I wouldn't have been surprised if we'd seen um another announcement today. I wouldn't at all be surprised if we saw something maybe over the weekend or early next week. So yeah, keep it locked on on the the club's sort of feeds because I think you know, with Slattery, with Lion Golo, with Granger, um trying to think of who else I think is in. I think they're the the the big three that are sort of closest to being done. Um but yeah, I think I think we are in a position where we might see a little bit more movement, and obviously, um yeah, next next week is when preseason begins in earnest. There's been a lot of testing this week, they'll done a bit of running, but yeah, next next week's when it really starts, and I think that's um the obviously Henrik will want to get as as many people in um as as he can for that, and then there's St George's Park and there's Budapest and there's Vienna, uh and obviously the sooner they're in the door the better. Um, a question here from Tom Matthews. Um, I hope you're well. Any update on Elliot Anderson or is he going elsewhere? I think Wednesday might have missed the belt on Elliot Anderson, if I'm honest. Um, I've heard he's been going to Man City for about 100 million, so I think that might be a little bit out of Wednesday's price range now, unfortunately. Um crazy thinking that not long back Wednesday were trying to sign him on loan and and the trajectory that Elliot Anderson's career has been on. But uh yeah, maybe Wednesday could look at him in uh when he's close to retirement at this point. Um what else have we got? Um we've got one from G Packers. Um, two minutes of quiet reflection for everyone. Yeah, yeah, no, agreed. That's nice. Everyone can take a beat. It's been a very busy period. We'll uh we'll just enjoy that while we can. Um Rich for Peru here saying, uh, interview with dad. How did he intro me to Wednesday? Um my Wednesday story starts. I think my first game was when I was three. I've I've got a plaque. My my my granddad, who's sadly passed now, he after my first game, he sort of wrote a placard, I think it was against Leeds United. Um, but the first game I remember was also against Leeds actually, but that was in uh at 96. Um it's funny, Lucas Kharebe, who obviously I you know I know from South Africa now, was was playing in that game, I think. And yeah, it's uh that that was my earliest sort of memories, but I had a blue and white shirt on as soon as I was uh as soon as I was born, pretty much. My dad's got pictures of me out in the garden um kicking a ball about a Wednesday ball, Wednesday kit. Um so yeah, I was uh introduced, um introduced very, very early. Uh a comment from Tom Matthew saying very clever move with Swante triggering the extension to get a fee. Um staggering amount of competence we aren't used to. I mean, yeah, absolutely. I think that's it's something that Wednesday have been so bad at under Chansey. You think about the players that have left for free. I think look, the option is is a no-brainer. You you do that and you hope the best, but I think the situation that Wednesday would have been under Chansey is that they'd have exercised the option, even if the player was miserable, exercise the option and then probably not sell him anyway. And after wait, he'd be sidelined for a year and then he'd move on for nothing anyway. So uh yeah, it's nice to see them being a little bit proactive on that front. We got log one here from Luke John Spencer. Uh, when is Barry coming? Uh we will see. Um, obviously, Baz is uh it's no secret that that Wednesday are trying to get something done, and you know, I think Barry had love to come back. It's his it's his second home. He's he's loved here, he loves it here. Um, but there are a few little bits to sort out on that still. So uh I'm I'm not sure it's imminent um at this point in time. Um he was in Sheffield yesterday, but that was for an entirely different reason. He was uh he was at Domhausen's uh Domhausen's event at the new barrack uh in Hillsborough. But yeah, he wasn't he wasn't entertaining any questions about his future. So uh yeah, I think we'll have to just wait and see on Baz. But I if if I'm being honest, I think it'll get done. But yeah, I wouldn't be sort of holding your breath at your laptops just yet, because I think there's a little way to go on that front. Uh home from the Isles extra guys saying, can we get confirmation on whether the preseason training camp is in Budapest or Bucharest? That's an inside joke from last night because uh Dominic Carlson doesn't know his uh his geography and he would have been in entirely the wrong country. It is in Budapest, I can guarantee you that. One from um Mike Crosshaw saying Burns, Wintel, Abdul Malik, any truth or updates? To be honest, I can only report on what I know and what I've heard, and with all three of those, um I've not heard anything myself. You know, I I'll obviously it's not to say that that there's nothing in those links from from elsewhere, but I can only you know I can only vouch for what information I get, and I've I've not heard um anything on on those three uh on those three names. Um the same with this the the Luke's asking about the striker at Huddersfield. Again, I've not really heard anything on that front. Um obviously we saw Wednesday link with Josh Stones and then he signed a new contract uh at York City. So there's a few bits like that that'll be uh that'll be happening over the next uh over the next couple of weeks. I think Wednesday will be they have been linked with about 500 players so far. Um we'll have to wait and see how many actually actually happen. Uh one from Ben here saying McGee and Emery need loans. Yep, would not um would not disagree. Uh I think you know, with with both of them, um it kind of goes into a a message here from from Mike as well, saying for Sierra, Brown, Thornton, McGee, Emery, maybe Weaver. Um I think with the with a lot of the boys, if they are going to be loaned, they might be alone quite late. Just because I think Wednesday will want to wait until they've got you know a a proper group together. Obviously, the the the squad is uh even with a couple of new arrivals and you know contracts being signed, it's still a very threadbare squad. They are not the not the biggest group of players. So I don't imagine we'll be seeing any immediate loans going out. But yeah, I think by the time the the rebuild has been is closer to being complete, Henrik and Simon Wilson will be looking at the the squad and and seeing who could potentially go out on loan, make sure they're playing, make sure their development continues. Because like I said, I think especially for some of the lads like someone mentioned Sean there. Um Sean won't be happy, you know, going and playing with the 21s. He's past that point in his career now. Now so yeah, I think that is a it's a that's one we're gonna have to sort of just put a pin in for now. And I think I'd like to I think when it's another thing that Chanceri was was really bad at Wednesday, were really bad at loaning players out, the youngsters that that needed to go and get game time. So I hope that that's something that that they um they improve under the under the new ownership. We've got one here from Callum saying it is Callum Slattery definitely going to be a Wednesday player. I don't like to talk indefinitely because I've uh I've seen too many things happen in football, I've seen things fall through at the very, very last minute. Um, so I won't say it's definite, but uh I think it's very likely, is what I will say. Um terms have been agreed, personal terms have been agreed. Um, so everyone's happy in that sense. Uh like I say, I won't say definite, but I think it is something that um that we're very likely to see. Uh one from Peter here saying, How are you feeling about the performance of the African nations at the World Cup? It's been great. Um, obviously for me, South Africa getting getting through to the the knockouts for the first time has been class. Um I've got mates in that team, and that's just yeah, that with their story has been unbelievable, especially after they were they were written off early doors, but seeing how Cape Verde have done, um Tunisia and Jan Valerie, unfortunately, have had a horrible tournament, you know, firing the manager after the first game, that's been a bit bit diabolical. But yeah, I think we've seen some good performances from um from a lot of the African nations and obviously Morocco are a different breed. You know, I think the the the that's probably the the best African team that I've seen in I think in my sort of modern modern life, the the the Moroccan side are are are the absolute beasts. You know, they've got some great players in there, and I think they're I mean they're going up against against the Netherlands in the next round, and I wouldn't at all be surprised to see them knock them out. So yeah, I think uh it's been good to see, and it's nice to see that sort of uh these sort of minnow stories in the World Cup, and that's that's what you know the expanded World Cup is was hoping to achieve. Um, one from Owen Clark saying when's Jamie Vardy signing. Uh the the Jamie Vardy thing, I never heard anything more than interest. I think you know, when I did the the original story that about Varde, the the big thing with that was that he um effectively had been he'd been mentioned when Wednesday had had a conversation internally about whether something could be done, and I've never heard things go go any further than that. So uh yeah, I I I I always thought from the start it was going to be a long shot with Jamie Varde, and I still think that's the case now. So um, yeah, I'd be very, very surprised if if Jamie Varde ended up at Sheffield Wednesday um as great as it would be to see. Um we've got uh Wayne Mars and saying surely Baza let it slip in the barracks that he's definitely sounding. He didn't, he was very tired on that. He was brilliant with everything else. He told some great stories and spoke brilliantly about his um obviously with with Dom's Carls had a dream book, spoke brilliant about that time. Um, some stories that I'd never heard before. He spoke about one with uh with Cristiano Ronaldo when he he when Jose Samido called him on FaceTime and he uh he had a few things to say to Ronaldo. Um but yeah, that I think with uh with Barre, he's a he's a pro. You know, he's a pro. He's not gonna he's not gonna talk about something until it's done. So uh yeah, I think we're again we're just gonna have to wait and wait and see on that one. Uh one from Andrew Clark here saying, any update on Heskey? Heard rumours of other clubs sniffing. Um, no, not from a Wednesday perspective. I I think you know, I well, I know there's interest from the championship in in Jaden. I think Watford were the one that we mentioned this week. Um, so yeah, I think with with Jaden, I I would think that of the two loans that they were trying to get back with with Tao and with Jaden, Tao is the more likely one. Um Jaden is uh you know he he has got a lot of other interest, and um I think it'd be quite maybe quite a difficult deal to do if he's got um if he's got proper sort of championship interest. But we'll um we'll see. We'll see. I think um he's a player that Wednesday would like to get back in, or at one point were we're looking to get back in, but I've not really heard anything since then. Um Peter Dadswell here saying was a York striker on a case of his agent using our name to get a bit of a new contract. I wouldn't be able to tell you. I don't know. I don't know the ins and outs of that um sort of that conversation, how it happened, what was said um behind the scenes. So yeah, I'm I'm uh I'm I'm not sure. Um we've got one from here from SWFC Turner saying, Um, do you think Charles is going? Kind of touched on that earlier. Um if you if you weren't here for that bit, uh I don't know of anything imminent that Pierce is is going to be moving on. He's a player that is uh very much in demand. Obviously, his performances for Northern Ireland don't don't help Wednesday's cause in that sense because he's a he's just a very, very tightened goalkeeper. But yeah, I I'd be so surprised if um I'd be surprised if he was still here at Wednesday. I hope he is. Um I hope he's still a Wednesday player come the end of the transfer window, but I I would be pretty surprised, I think. Um one here from Pricey Allen, it's not really a question saying Lion Golo and Slattery both currently stayed in the courtyard hotel in Cattlecliffe. Fair enough. Um yeah, I mean I look it's one of those. I I wouldn't be surprised if they they were in Sheffield um Wednesday R trying to get stuff done, and obviously with preseason um properly starting next week, it'd be uh it'd be handy to have them around, but I can uh neither confirm nor deny that bit. Um Owen Clark again um here saying is the Swinkles deal still on? As far as I know, yeah. Um I think with um with Swinkles, obviously they they agreed terms, uh as far as I know with with Villa, so that should be something that happens um relatively soon. I just don't know if it's a an imminent deal. I think with the the others that I mentioned, they are sort of on the brink of happening uh with the Swinkles one. I'm not I I personally don't know any any further details on that. I all I'm aware of is the fact that it's uh you know the expectation is that it will happen eventually. Um one here for uh asking if we're still in for Owen Bailey. It's not really a name I've I've heard either. Um again, I when I when I say that I've not heard it, that's not me saying that it isn't true or or that it won't happen. I I can always just only vouch for for the bits that I've heard personally. Um we've got one here saying, are Wednesday fans right to be excited about the signing of Slattery after hearing rival Scottish fans like Rains and Celtic all wanted him to come to their club? Uh absolutely, I think he's of uh the age that Wednesda fans have wanted to see players signed. Um I think he's the same with like Lion Gorley, he's like 26 years old, so he's not a kid, but he but he's got room for growth and room for um to become a an even greater asset, um, whether that's for the club or to sell on in the future. Um I think Slatter is definitely in that belt. He's a he's a player that comes highly rated, he's got uh a lot of um a lot of admirers, and I'm yeah, I'm I'm very excited to see what he uh yeah to see what he brings to the table. Um Price Y'all saying my lads tell me fibs then uh about the hotel. I don't know. I may it's very likely because it's entirely possible that they're here. I just don't know if that is the case or not. Um couple of another question from Pockle there about Barre. Um yeah, we touched on that a little bit earlier, but Baz is uh I still think it'll happen at some point. I just don't think it's a a right now thing. Um what else have we got? Ben there saying when we break the points record. Uh I did see a guy on TikTok who was saying that Wednesday are going to break the points record. I think he was a Wigan fan who was very excited about Sheffield Wednesday transfer business. Uh I think we'll have to give it a bit of time before we say that. Um it all depends on how everyone gels. You know, obviously we're in a position now where we don't know who's staying, we don't know who's going, um, we don't know who's coming in. So we'll uh we'll talk about a little bit more about HMS Pista League when the transfer windows closed, I think. Um Charlie Baker saying, is Olaf in the plans for next season? Are we looking to offload him? Um I wouldn't be at all surprised if Olaf moved on. Um it's obviously not really worked out for him at Wednesday. He he's shown patches, you know, he's shown some some good work in in spells at Wednesday, but he's obviously dealt with a lot of injuries and he's never really got a proper run of things. Um and yeah, I know there's interest from from Poland as well and back home for him. So yeah, that wouldn't at all surprise me. I I don't know if it's a case of him not being in the plans entirely, but uh yeah, I would be I wouldn't at all be at all surprised if if Olaf moved on. Um one from again from G Packer saying, uh I'm an American Wednesday art, I'll be coming to the Bromley match on August 29th. What would you recommend as a pre-match pub location? Um, there's some good boozers around Elsburg these days. Um, New Barrack is is great, really nice atmosphere in there. Um get yourself onto Elsburg Corner, it's great fun. Um, also the Wednesday tap right underneath the ground, which is uh which is lovely. Um if you look in the far corner, there's a certain Omer Simpson jumper that's signed by all the players that got promoted in 2023. So yeah, go find that. Um Luke John Spencer saying, Do you think Wilson will chase any Stockport players for us? Um I haven't heard heard any uh any links to any Stockport players personally. Um, but you know, you how how often do you see sporting directors going after former players, managers going after former players? Um so it wouldn't be at all, you know, it wouldn't be a shock if Wednesday were to be in for a couple of stockport players, but I've I've not heard anything just yet. Um what else have we got here? Um Monaco have been superb, agreed. Tom Matthews, is there anything behind the Mullin rumour? I saw that briefly. I think that was uh and and apologies if I'm if I am wrong, but I think that was a bit of a parody account. Um, I've not heard a single thing about about Paul Mullen and Sheffield Wednesday. Um so yeah, no, I not not from my side anyway. Um David Nugent would be surprised to see Divadi's side and he was his best man. I mean, that that yeah, that's that'll do it. Um if his best man doesn't think he's coming to Wednesday, he's probably not coming to Wednesday. Um Mason Leavesley saying anything expected to be done by today or tomorrow. Today I'd be surprised now. I mean we're look half past seven now, so I think anything um coming tonight it'd be a it'd be a shock. Uh we're not uh announcing things at midnight club anymore, thank thankfully. Uh I think those days are behind us for for the most part, anyway, with with a rise rather than Chanceri. But I do think that tomorrow um and Sunday and Monday we could see a little bit more movement potentially. Um William Door, anything on Jerry Yates, doesn't seem to be in favourite Luton and had a very positive spell last season, um, surely at a cut price. I I know that at one point they were looking at Jerry Yates. I've not heard much sort of recently, but they Jerry's a player that they, you know, that Henrik likes and and the club likes, but obviously he is uh he is contracted to Luton and in that sense uh that's my poor cat who's uh got a cone on because he's because he can't keep himself out of trouble. Um but yeah, no, Jerry's a player that they'd like to do something with. Um but I just think it might be a little bit too much of a push in terms of what it might cost to get him out of Luton. Um just a thing from from Chef Webb there saying there's anything been said on Slattery Swinkles. Uh yeah, I've spoken about both of those lads. Um, just a brief one. Slattery will get done, swinkle that slatter will get done pretty quickly, swinkles will maybe take a little bit longer. Um, but yeah, that's kind of where we're at with those two. Uh is Connor Chaplin someone the club might look at. Uh see he'd been linked with Leicester this week, can't help but feel it would be an opportunity missed. Look, Connor Chaplin's a great footballer. You know, whether Wednesday could get anything done or not, I don't know. Um, I don't know if they are interested in him. Um, but I'd be surprised if they hadn't had the conversation because if Connor Chaplin's available, then uh yeah, he'd uh he'd be a great signing in League One. Uh any new coaching staff coming in? I don't think so, not as I know of. Um is Henrick's coaching staff as things stand anyway, are all are all staying. Um, you know, they all had contracts going into next season anyway, so they didn't need renewing. Um, but yeah, no, I don't know of any any new coaching additions. Um do you see it as a worry that we don't have many players for the start of preseason? Don't want to be playing catch-up again. Uh obviously the the sooner players can get in, the better. Um Wednesday are in a position where there's a like an abnormal amount of work to be done. You know, a lot of teams will maybe sign five or six players in a summer, Wednesday are looking at you know 15, 16, 17, maybe more. So yeah, I don't I don't I don't see it as a detriment just yet. You know, we're still so early into the preseason. I think if there's not more players on board by the time Wednesday sort of start going away to St George's Park and playing their friendlies and going away to Europe, I think at that point we we maybe you know maybe would start to worry a little bit more, but for the time being, I'm I'm not too stressed about it. Um what else have we got here? Um speaking of flattering to deceive, do you see uh Charlie McNeil staying at the club? I think so. Um I think with Charlie, well well, for now anyway. I mean, Charlie Charlie's a very, very talented footballer. You know, you speak to a lot of the players at Wednesday, and and in terms of his ability, um he he they they speak very, very highly of him. Um obviously he's he struggled for a bit of form, he had periods where he wasn't really playing. Um look, I think with Charlie that that will probably largely depend on who does come in and what happens on that front. He's uh you know, right now he's weirdly one of the more experienced members of the of the group. So yeah, I I I don't think there's anything imminent sort of on the on the cards with with Charlie. But um if he can find his form and his confidence, I think I think Charlie McNeil would be he'd be a really good player in League One. Um because he's definitely got the quality. It's just a case of whether he can whether he can get going. But yeah, we'll uh we'll have to wait and see on that one. I think I feel like I say we'll have to wait and see a lot, and that is not me copping out. Um I it's just I I think there's so many moving parts at um so many moving parts at Wednesday at the moment that there's just too much to keep uh to keep track of. Um what else have we got from you guys? Um what about Tao? Um yeah, Teo um spoke about Teo earlier. Um I think I think that'll happen. Um it's definitely not wrapped up yet or anything like that, but Tao loved his time at Wednesday, I know that much. Um and they're trying to get a permanent deal done, which would be great. He's he's obviously got bags of potential, could come in and become a club asset rather than another loan spell. Um, I know that like I say, he he'd be very keen for it. Wednesday are very keen for it. Um and look, he's not gonna play for Palace at this point in time, he's not at that level yet. So I think that that is uh it's it's it's a move that would probably um suit all parties if Wednesday can get a deal done where they don't pay too much for him, but but chuck a nice sort of sell on in there or a fee if Wednesday get promoted or something like that. I think there's probably a deal to be to be done there. Uh Ben asking, are we linked to your cat? Uh you don't want him, he's not even got a tail. Um nobody's been linked to this cat. Um, yeah, cone of shame sort of thing. Um so we're not gonna sign 10 players on deadline day and now we've got professionals in charge. That's from Paul. Uh no, I I hope not. Well, look, we might still sign 10 players on on deadline day, but we will be in a position um where we'll probably have signed 10 before that. Um, but no, jokes aside, I think that we have got we've got adults at the table now, and and they're trying to be proactive in everything they're doing at Wednesday. Um it's really nice to see, you know, I think obviously there were the the there is a difficulty with you know the situation that Wednesday have been in. They weren't really able to um to be proactive in in what they were doing prior to the end of the season because of the points reduction that was looming and you know the the embargoes and the fee restrictions. Now that's all gone. Now Simon Wilson's in the door. We are starting to see things moving, and that's uh that's really nice. You know, that's uh it's a really nice situation to be in. So yeah, um, yeah, I think uh I think with with Wednesday now they will get the bulk of their work done in time to give Henry the best chance of making a go of things next season. Um quite a lot of coaching departure in the academy. Yeah, obviously um Jordan Broadbent left, which was I can understand it with Jordan. He's a he's a very talented young coach, and he he obviously wasn't going to be picking up the the manager's job at Wednesday. So if he wants to step into that role, um then he had to move on. And look, I think we'll uh I wouldn't be at all surprised to see Jordan Broadbent back at Wednesday at some point in the future because like I say, he's a very talented young manager and he's uh he's a Wednesday art as well. So I know he'd love to come back at some point. Um one from Tom here saying um is there a possibility we've got some deals agreed on the quiet to be announced on the 1st of July once the current deals expire. It's always it's always a potential on that front, you know. You never know what has got done and when. Um, but obviously Wednesday Wednesday want to keep the good news train going. You know, they've obviously been in a position where there is good bits. We saw you know Ricardo Santos, we saw Liam Cooper, we saw Max Lowe. So I think you know the idea of like being able to give give Wednesday fans good news on a rolling basis is is really, really nice. Um but yeah, I I I think we'll we'll see we'll see more announced before July 1st, personally. Um wouldn't be surprised to see some on July 1st as well. But yeah, I I think we'll see we'll see a couple of bits um reported before then. One here saying, uh, is there a possibility we've got some oh sorry, um with the with Hallam FC friendly, will that be the first team? I think that will probably end up being a Wednesday 11, they tend to call it. Um it'll probably be made up of 18s and 21s. I don't know that for a fact. Um, but that you know they they've played those sort of games at the start of of seasons before where the first team, obviously the first team we're playing Preston and they'll be going over to Europe and stuff. Um but I think the Hallam game will more than likely be a combination of the 18s and the 21s. Um question from Brett Page: what happened to Joel and Darla towards the end of the season? It was tough with Joel because uh, you know, as as we reported, he um he was late a couple of times, fell out of favour because of that, it picked up a little bit of a knock, and it just didn't work. And sometimes that happens with loans. It doesn't, you know, it's Wednesday wasn't a tough place, so it was a tough place to come into last season, so it's a difficult um it's a difficult sell if you've not got that mentality for a for a scrap. I think we saw what Jerry Yates did when he came in on loan, what Jaden Hesky did when he came on loan, um, and obviously with with Joel that didn't quite work out. Um SWFC uh 1867 says, What about the lad from the Belgian League? Yeah, that's um that's Jordi Langola, um, spoke uh a little bit about that earlier. Um I think he will get done. Um I again, I don't know if it's like an imminent as in like right like tonight or tomorrow or anything like that, but um by all accounts things have progressed quite quickly and quite well on that front, so yeah, I'd expect him to be uh to be in the door at some point. Um do you miss getting transfer stories broken by a kid on his Instagram? I absolutely do not. The amount of times that we were would be working on a story and about to sort of pull the trigger on it, and then we'd get like a tweet from someone saying, Oh, he's followed so and so on Instagram, and then it looks like we've just gone, oh yeah, well, he's followed him on Instagram, so let's write the story up. Um yeah, no, that's uh that was a silly time. It's all been very, very silly. So yeah, hopefully, hopefully those days are long behind us. Um, one here from the S5 Redneck. Hey, how do you any news on the ground, repairs, upgrades, anything interesting? Um, I I did a piece. If you go onto the Wednesday word, I did a piece, uh I can't remember when it was that sort of ran down a few of the different bits of work that were happening at Hillsborough. It's all still the same sort of stuff. They're obviously rebranding a lot of stuff. They had to fix the the north stand, especially the roof. So there's a lot going on that front. The they're trying to get sort of stuff done internally in terms of the uh as I mentioned, Hurstie's Social, which is uh what the 1867 lounge is being converted into. So there's all that kind of stuff happening, but Yeah, no, I've not really heard uh not really heard much on on that front. Um not since I wrote that piece anyway. Um we've got one here saying uh request our first game away, but the cup games at home on the eighth, do you think that'll affect anything? Not really, because you know that that game, as we saw last season, um they often just open the the South for that. So I think they'll do the same um with this one. I think they'll just open the South stand and you know that'll be that'll be that. Um so I don't think that really uh that really I don't think that really makes too much of a difference anyway. Um the Bradford game, however, um will be pretty mad. I think that'll be a brilliant atmosphere. I think, yeah, I think that's gonna be because obviously Bradford back at Hillsborough, they'll they'll sell out the OAN. So that should be a very, very fun afternoon. Um one here from Jay Brawl saying, um, just sorry, just popped out of the room. Anything coming out of the club, um facilities upgrades other than what we already know, i.e., food and drink facilities. Uh I don't know exactly what's happening, but I know there is work going on in terms of the food and beverage side of things. They they want to get into a position where beers get poured faster, queu down quicker, food gets served faster, all that kind of stuff. That they are there's a lot of work um trying to make that happen. So um obviously it's not a quick fix and it's going to take time to get all this stuff implemented, but I do think that you know, in time, Wednesday fans, match going Wednesday fans will see a big change in in the whole experience of going to Wednesday games, and you know, maybe you won't have to go down to get a pint 15 minutes before half time. Um Brett Page asking about Ugbo. I spoke about Ugbo earlier, um saying deleted on social media, everything to be Wednesday. I think he did, and then he brought some stuff back again. I wouldn't read too much into that stuff. You see it with with players quite often. Um I don't think that means too much, so I wouldn't, yeah, wouldn't get too wouldn't read too much into that. Um Yusuf Akamrich from Spurs, not a name I've heard again. Just to caveat that, just because I've not heard it doesn't mean it's not happening, but I've not um I've not heard anything on on that from uh we are nearly at the end of this, so um I will be wrapping up very, very soon. It's been a long one. This I think it's the longest Q ⁇ A I've done. So thanks very much for for coming on uh coming on board. Um do you think the club will be open to letting you do an interview with Simon Wilson like the one with Henrik? Uh I'd love to. Um I think I I mean I I've I've not met Simon Wilson at all yet. I've been I've been lucky enough to to meet David Bruce, who's a very impressive bloke. Um very, very impressive man. I think he'll do he'll do great things at Wednesday. Um Oscar Chamberlain's coming in as well. Um for me, like it's it'd be interesting to interview any of these any of these guys, um, you know, to see what their ideas are, their hopes for the club, what they want to achieve. Um and look, I I think that hopefully the time comes when that is possible. But right now, I think Simon Wilson has better things to be doing than uh doing an interview with me. He's got a little bit of work on his plate. So we'll may we'll maybe cross that bridge when the uh when the transfer windows closed and he can uh he can maybe put his feet up and have a cup of tea rather than uh running around trying to sign 20 footballers. Um one from Susan here saying, hi Joe, any update on what they're doing with those that used to go into the foundation room? Um would love to see Harry Hamas back as well. Harry Hamas in League One would be a bit of a cheat code, to be honest, but I can't see it. Um I I would be very, very surprised if Harry Hamas was to drop down to League One next season. Um I know there's been talk of him, possibly uh um yeah, possible talk of him and moving on from United, but yeah, I'd be surprised if uh if that was to happen. Um Ben Shaw asking, do you know the latest on season ticket sales? I think they're about 23 and a half, which is crackers. You know what the what what's happened with Wednesday fans this summer in terms of the ticket sales is is absolutely mind-blowing. I think it's it's a testament to to what Wednesday are as a football club, what the fans are like, and it's yeah, it's been it's been brilliant to see. But yeah, I think they're at about 23 and a half, so it's uh it obviously has slowed down. A lot of the you know, a lot of them got bought and that that got sorted. Um, but yeah, we'll we'll see if the uh if they sell a little bit more. But it's uh yeah, so far so good. Um and then lastly, we've got one it's more of a comment than a question. Um was a big fan of his uh work prior to Wednesday. I'd like to know uh if he's planning to sort of port the squad uh building model he's previously outlined straight into Wednesday, I think, you know, with uh with Sam Wilson and what he did at Stockport, you know, it's been uh bit it's been well well reported what he what he did at Stockport and the work that he did there. And look, if if they can achieve that they went all the way up from the National League through to League One, almost made it to the championship. Um, and if they can keep that, if they can get that kind of work going at Wednesday and you can have that kind of boost up the divisions, then uh I'm all for that. Right. On that note, I will wrap up and call it a night. I'll get myself uh pour myself a glass of wine and you guys should do the same because it's absolutely swelteringly hot. Get yourself a beer, get yourself a cold drink. Um, and yeah, thank you very much for joining. It's been an absolute pleasure as always. Uh, we will do uh a few more of these QA's over the course of the transfer window. I'll keep you updated as much as I can. Um, but yeah, head over to the Wednesday Word, subscribe, like, do all those great things. If you want to join us on social media, the word SWC is where to find us as well. And um, yeah, I'll speak to you very soon. Take care.