Steve Evans wants "five or six" new players by the end of the January, but who will finance the deals? Cellino has hinted today that he’s thinking of selling the club.
Even before last night’s debacle the new head coach had already said that several of the squad he inherited weren’t good enough, and today he said that the younger members of the squad are too quick to let their heads go down when things start to go wrong on the pitch. But he told ITV Sport that with the right additions he’s still confident we won’t get sucked into a relegation battle.
"I've come here to sort it out. Let's be honest, if the actual playing squad was left, it would be a battle to stay in the division, but we are going to address some of that. All you can do is try isn't it? We're going to have to bring some players in. We are capable of getting a result or two with the squad we have, but so many people have to give us more."
But Evans knows that with only loan players available at the moment the serious rebuilding will have to wait until the new year. "I don't mean five or six before Tuesday and I don't think five or six before the window. It will be a massive window to what we do, but before then there is lots and lots of points at stake, so maybe two or three before now and the window."
But who is going to pay for it all, either in terms of the extra wage bill or transfer fees? Massimo Cellino told the Times today that he’s considering the possibility of selling the club rather than fight his second ban, but also reminded us that we need his money just to keep things going. And that’s with the current wage bill, before we think about any additions.
"I’m losing my balls. Ten years ago, I had more balls, but since I came here it's been a nightmare .Now I have a low quality of life. I feel shame when I walk to the shop to buy cigarettes if we lose a game. I convinced my family to come here and they have run away. It’s like being at a party where you’re not welcome. It’s killing me. Every night I lie awake, asking myself: ‘Am I good enough?’”
"I’m not a coward. Life is not just about enjoyment. But I ask myself if it's better if I leave. Only failing to make the fans happy can hurt me. The holding company cannot keep this club without me running it. To save money I do 20 jobs. If they ban me and someone else comes in who does not fight for the club, it is dead. You think I can sell a club in five minutes? Who gets hurt in the meantime? Last season someone sent me a lot of bulls***ters."
Although Cellino must take much the blame for our current situation, given the way his actions have destabilisted the club, it’s clear that it will take someone with very deep pockets to take it off his hands. But if there are any billionaires out there who want to take on a one-proud football club and then run it in a proper manner, can they please make themselves known.