What wise men say and do will be key – boss

PARKINSON: SMARTEST CLUBS SHOULD THRIVE IN UNUSUAL MARKET

PHIL Parkinson says Sunderland must make the ‘wisest choices’ this summer and be the club that emerges ‘in the best shape’ whenever the new League One season kicks-off.

League One clubs are facing a lot of uncertainty at present, with no date set for the start of next season or confirmation as to whether supporters will be allowed to attend games. There has also been talk of the introduction of a salary cap and a limit on squad sizes.

Against that backdrop, clubs are releasing the majority of players whose contracts expire at the end of the month.

Sunderland have offered new contracts to Jon McLaughlin, Chris Maguire, and Tom Flanagan, but confirmed last week that five senior players will leave.

All clubs appear to be working on the assumption that there will be a glut of free agents, transfer fees will be vastly reduced, and wages will also be cut dramatically.

It is a difficult environment in which to work, but it pales in comparison to the challenge Parkinson faced while in charge of Bolton last summer as the club began the season with a 12-point penalty after being put into administration, was involved in a protracted takeover which involved a court battle, was unable to sign any new players until late in August, and had to field youth-team players just to get a side out.

This time round, the Covid-19 crisis has led to the problems which affect all League One clubs.

“I had a difficult situation to deal with at Bolton last summer and I don’t think I’ll ever again be in a situation as tough as that,” said Parkinson, who resigned from his post at Bolton last August a week before the takeover was finally completed. “This is difficult in its own way, but the difference is that this time everyone is in the same boat. “There’s a level playing field, and the clubs that make the wisest decisions in this period will come out of this in the best shape.

“They are the ones that will end up having the best squads, and will ultimately be successful.

“We have to be the club that handles this situation best, that’s what I am working to do and that’s what the owner is working towards. We have to be smart in the way we work this summer, weigh everything up and stay calm to make sure we get the best squad we possibly can.”

Clubs are usually keen to sign players on July 1, partly to ensure they get the pick of the free agents and also to have those players ready to start preseason training.

This year League One clubs are likely to bide their time, wary of adding new signings to the payroll with such uncertainty over the season’s start date.

There is no rush to bring signings in ahead of preseason training, which is likely to be delayed until August.

There’s a level playing field, and the clubs that make the wisest decisions in this period will come out of this in the best shape

Phil Parkinson