The club have endured huge losses in the past season and the fear is that his major assets will have to be sold to balance the books and get Athletic back on a firm financial footing. If the likes of Fitz Hall, Will Haining, Chris Armstrong and Les Pogliacomi are let go Dowie would have to seriously consider his status as it would seriously dent any chances of promotion for the coming term. Already the rumours are starting that Armstrong is being linked with Sheffield United and the tabs which major clubs have kept on Hall are well documented. Dowie said, “I’m at my wits end. I haven’t got a budget for next season, so how can I plan and talk to players. It’s a ridiculous scenario. I don’t want to be party in the sale of the family silver. I’ve spent a year bringing in young talent who play good football and I don’t want it to destroyed in the space of a week, nor would the fans who have been terrific in their support. If players go before I come back from my holiday, then I may have to look at my own situation.”