Hutch warning on game's cash crisis

Walsall manager Chris Hutchings has predicted football's cash crisis will continue to force clubs into administration – but insisted his club won't.

Nonetheless, the Saddlers boss will be forced to work with a reduced budget next season as the club try to balance the books.

Tomorrow's hosts Carlisle will also operate with less cash next season, while League One strugglers Oldham have also revealed this week they will make cuts.

Hutchings' former club Brighton admitted yesterday they cannot afford to pay big wages, despite being heavily bankrolled by chairman Tony Bloom.

The Banks's Stadium chief believes more clubs will fall in to administration with a summer of struggle ahead.

He said: "I do, without doubt. There are lots of teams in the red and it probably doesn't come out, but it will come to the fore sooner or later.

"Throughout pre-season there are going to be clubs who have nothing going on, at least we have something going on. Players are paid for three months with no revenue coming in and it makes you wonder how clubs survive.

"You see teams asking for players to take reduced wages and that's got to come."

The Saddlers boss has reassured supporters that the club won't be following the likes of Stockport, Crystal Palace and Darlington into administration.

He said: "All clubs have got to run a tight ship, so credit to the chairman and the board for doing it and keeping us in the black.

"Premier League sides are in massive debt, so it's tight and you have to work within your means and budgets will be reduced.

"They might think they might have the same money to spend next year as what they've had this year, but you can't see it if you're not getting people through the gate.

"We rely a lot on the corporate side and even that's gone quite because people aren't spending the money one way or another and it's massive for the club."

But Hutchings is confident, despite an anticipated reduced budget, his side can be competitive next season.

He said: "Having money doesn't guarantee success.

"Look at Brighton, they have a much bigger budget than us and have slowly got away from the bottom of the league but they are a prime example."