Reds retain Winnall but could now face fight to keep Johnson

Namely keeping hold of in-form striker Sam Winnall, subject of an unsuccessful £300,000 bid from Leeds United on Friday – with Reds supporters anxious that more persuasive bids from the Whites or any other suitors were not tabled on Monday.

In the final analysis, Leeds – or anyone else for that matter – gave Barnsley nothing serious to think about regarding Winnall, who has now struck 16 goals this term and nine in his past seven matches.

Johnson was candid enough to acknowledge that Winnall’s head was likely to have been ‘all over the place’ on Friday after news broke of Leeds’s offer.

But equally, the Reds head coach was at pains to point out Winnall’s professionalism in putting that behind him to provide a match-winning intervention at Swindon on Saturday.

Another encore in the Reds’ seismic Johnstone’s Paint Trophy northern section final second leg at Fleetwood tomorrow night would certainly be welcome – with the challenge for Winnall being not just to help take the club to Wembley but potentially turn a roller-coaster season into a truly special one.

On the Winnall bid, Johnson, who spoke with his star striker yesterday, said: “It was well-documented and probably shouldn’t have been for whatever reason. But this is what happens now in the crazy world of football. The bid certainly wasn’t acceptable. I don’t think even Sam probably thought it was acceptable, if he was being honest.

“There’s no decision to make which means he cracks on and is happy. He was always happy here; he scored a goal on Saturday and he’s in form and we have got a great game going into Thursday and he’s got a great chance to get himself into a Wembley final.

“We always wanted to keep Sam and he’s been the ultimate professional. I have been a player and in that position myself and know how difficult it can be as your head is all over the place.

“But for him to go and score the winner on Saturday shows what kind of guy he is. He loves this club. Of course, he wants to play at the highest level possible for as long as possible. All footballers do. But he does genuinely loves the club and has a great rapport with fans.”

Speaking prior to his planned chat with Winnall, Johnson – who brought in FC Halifax striker Shaun Tuton and young midfielders Charlie Harris and Josh Kay on Monday night – added: “I will say ‘look, fire us into the Championship with 20-odd goals’.

“And if we don’t make it, someone else will probably be interested anyway in the summer, because you have scored 25 goals.”

While Winnall’s future has come under the microscope, speculation has also centred on Johnson himself.

The 34-year-old is currently the favourite to take over at managerless Bristol City, a club he has played for and who his father Gary has managed.

Johnson, for his part, is steadfastly focusing on the here and now and refusing to be drawn on the rumours ahead of a massive game tomorrow night.

On the Robins’ link, he said: “I am not even going to give it the time of day. It’s the betting market. We have got a huge game on Thursday and nothing will take away from that focus.

“Until anything changes, then there is no decision to make anyway. I am really happy here.

“We have turned it around and have potentially a Wembley final if we win at (Fleetwood).

“I have just got to focus on the game. I don’t think you can rule yourself in or out of anything until you know the circumstances.”