Scottish team Heart of Midlothian FC this week made an offer on Elijah Adebayo. In my opinion, Walsall made a wise decision to reject this offer. I’m quite surprised that so many fans would have taken the offer and sell him. I can understand some would like to cash in on him now since his contract is due to expire in the summer.
I’m against selling him since I believe he’s one of our better players and if we are going to have any chance of a playoff push this season, we have to keep your best players. In past seasons we have chosen to sell off our better players in January and ruin any chances to get anywhere.
I agree that we are in a position financially that we need money. We also need results on the pitch. I do not see Darrell Clarke replacing Adebayo with another striker who is likewise or better before the transfer window shuts. I do not see any player in the current squad who can step in and replace him either. That’s the reason why I think we should keep him and instead try and convince him to sign a new contract.
The distance up to a playoff position is not huge if we can get a few wins on the trot we will have a chance to sneak into the top seven.
I’ve seen arguments that he’s not good enough. I assure you we will miss him when we see all the things he does without the ball. He’s a big lad, can hold up the play, he’s pretty quick, and his work rate has improved massively this season. Yes, he’s missed a few chances, but I feel we won’t find anyone better to replace him with, which will make us much weaker as a team if we sell him.
I think we will see more of Adebayo in the matches from now and till the end of the season. I’m optimistic we will get the wins needed to give us a chance to get into the playoffs.
If I were Darrell Clarke I would make the players sit down and watch our 2001 playoff winner against Reading. That match alone should be enough fuel to get the players fired up. During the upcoming months, I would invite ex-Walsall players who were part of that winning team to have short inspiring talks. Due to Covid-19, this won’t be possible other than maybe via videoconference but, that would not have the same effect.
Photo by Philip Veater on Unsplash