A Glimmer Of Hope For Model Professional Alan Hutton?

With Alan Hutton being one of a few players out of contract this summer, it’s fair to say reaction to his potential departure has been mixed.

With Hutton’s, shall we say, over exuberance at points when it comes to his efforts, over the last few years he has turned into a reliable option for us, especially filling in at left back whenever challenged to and he constantly gives his all and the only time he really didn’t was when he was told not to and left to train with the youngsters as part of the brilliantly conceived bombsquad idea.

For many it seemed a shoe in he’d earn another 12 month contract at the club, especially if we remained in the Championship next season. For others, it’s a case of ‘thanks’ but now it’s time to start getting some real game time into the likes of James Bree and others.

The initial news The Alan Hutton Situation. + 3 Others, Would You Renew Any? was covered by JF and as rumours surfaced that a new deal wasn’t a given for the 33 year old, at first it seemed he wouldn’t be offered a deal should we gain promotion this term even though he’s figured 23 times for us already this season.

That left some confused owing to the part he’s played and bringing Bree through in our first year back in the top flight without Hutton at least covering him sounded odd. We do however admittedly have Elmo and Ritchie de Laet to factor in.

But Elmo is a more attacking player and more right sided, you’d think Hutton’s versatility would keep him ahead of de Laet who sadly hasn’t really got going with us following injury.

As JF said A Thing Of Beauty – 3 Things We Learned v Burton Albion, Hutton is a ‘model professional’ despite no deal being forthcoming.

‘Even though Alan has been told he won`t be getting a new contract, which must have disappointed him no end, you would never have told yesterday as once again he put in a gritty and determined performance. The guy is a model professional. I respect him massively for his attitude during his up and down time at Aston Villa and would very much like to shake his hand and say thank you before he departs, even if it is only via an article!!’

In response, Eddy1 commented.

‘Ref to Alan Hutton not being retained, he really has not let early troubles get to him, worked hard and never complained, just wonder why others haven’t been told yet they won’t be retained?’

Madirish added.

‘The problem with Hutton is he’s caught in the middle between FFP and potential promotion, too expensive to keep v not quite good enough for the Premier league at age 33/34. He has proved all doubters wrong so far and his attitude is first class, but I think Dr Tony has big plans once FFP is no longer a problem and money will be spent elsewhere. Pity for Hutts but c’est la vie.’

Others were more than happy to point out it wasn’t long ago the majority wanted him gone.

The Birmingham Mail have a fresh set of quotes from Bruce and whilst he continues to be full of praise for Hutton and points out that it’s ‘not the end of the world’ because he will definitely have suitors as a free agent given his performances for us, he actually confirms Madirish’s thoughts about Financial Fair Play whilst there is the possibility promotion won’t be secured this year.

In fact Bruce implies he’s not in a position to offer Hutton (presumably others) fresh terms until we know what division we will be in next season and with Hutton himself making the approach about a new deal, the gaffer wouldn’t rule out a u-turn when our future was known.

‘I think I said to Alan, I had to be honest with him to say, ‘Look, at this position where we are we`re not in a position to offer anybody a new contract`. The way the situation with the club is in finances and Financial Fair Play and I think we all need to know where we are, whether we`re in the Championship or we`re in the Premier League – if we`re in the Championship we`ll have to cut, it`s as straightforward as that.’

Bruce repeated that Hutton knows what he ‘think(s) of him’ but his hands are tied at the moment so it’s very much a case of ‘see what happens’.

To me that sounds very much like another season in the Championship means we’ll see the departures of our bigger earners and that’s likely to be a mix of letting contracts expire and straight sales.

It’s also clearly ‘no’ new deals will be offered at this moment of time, but Keith Wyness has said should promotion not be attained there are plans and contingencies in place, but we’ve long known our financial health – especially in the Championship – wasn’t that great.

But as things stand is Bruce right in the honesty and the implication that Hutton at least gets a new deal if we go up. Or should he have said we’re focused on promotion and dodged the question – even though I agree that’s easier said than done.

If we remain in the Championship though, ultimately it’s time for a proper rebuild and no more quick fixes for me, as it was attempted quick fixes to tread water that got us into this mess to begin with.