This effects the Saddlers as our Paul Smith is currently on loan with Gillingham and was expected to sign a permanent deal once the January tranfer window opens. Of course it was Neale Cooper who took Smith back to Gillingham and this deal will now hinge on whether the new manager wishes to stick to the deal. With Gillingham struggling and Paul Smith commanding good wages by League One standards the new manager may decide the money in better spent reinforcing other areas of the side.
Paul Merson has stated he has been told he can re-invest the money which would of been spent on Smiths wages, however surely now he may have to wait until the new manager has made his decision on Smith. Otherwise we will have to continue paying Smith and his replacement, something which will only worsen the clubs financial position.