It’s not based on his contract not being renewed, it’s based on how SL is treating NP, it’s clear to see we are short on numbers in terms of playing staff, as I said up to the sale of Scott it kinda made sense.
Since then something changed, Nige is very careful about the words he uses, it’s his way. Listen to the interview where he said, to paraphrase , he’s no idea why money wasn’t released from the Scott sale, he added if you want the answer to that question you need to ask someone else. He also stated the owner decides the figures I just work within them, he’s never been so candid before, he’s always towed the line that we need to save money on the wage bill blah de blah, he’s clearly saying he thinks part of the Scott money should be used to bolster the squad and he’s really not very subtle about it.
Part of his remit when he was taken on was to cut costs, the wage bill specifically, but we were always led to believe once that was achieved. After 2 years Nige would be given scope to strengthen the squad with a view to push on up the table, promotion was obviously the ultimate goal.
I’m not suggesting they could have foreseen a sale as big as Scott’s, but even until recently SL was saying any money raised could be used on the team. Now it seems SL has changed tact mid stream, Nige has been dropped right in it. Imo NP has broken ranks in a very clever way, by pointing out it’s the owner who sets the limits and has tied his hands he’s letting everyone know if it goes belly up don’t look at him look at SL for not sticking to his end of the bargain. It reminds me of the SC scenario, only Nige is much better at it, he’ll stick to his job of trying to do the best he can with the restraints he has, but has let everyone know his hands are tied. Whether SL gets rid now or when his contract ends is to be decided, but he doesn’t like managers that question his decisions, so one way or another NP won’t imo be offered another contract.
If things go belly up over the next few weeks i think it could get interesting.
