From what I have heard, most Luton fans seem to want to keep Vine. Without Edwards, Dean Morgan is our top scorer with just four goals. If you took Vine and Edwards' goals out of the team, then we've only scored 15 goals this season. Who is going to score the goals if Vine goes? Perhaps a new striker will be brought in, but that hasn't worked with Parkin and Boyd so far this season. We can't rely too much on Feeney carrying on his recent goalscoring form that has seen him score 2 in 3 games. Also, the only strikers we have had on trial so far appear to be a Hungarian international and Liam George. We all know about Liam already, so we'll forget about signing him. This Hungarian striker Thomas Sowunmi is a different matter. Hungary aren't exactly a dominant force in international football but that doesn't mean they haven't got any footballers good enough. Having said that, if he is good enough to replace Vine, then can we afford his wages anyway? The fact that we have these players on trial anyway doesn't look good, but I personally don't think that means that Vine will leave. None of the fans really know whether Vine will stay - we can only make guesses and those of us who want him will cross our fingers for the next 21 days.
Leon Barnett is a different matter. He probably isn't as crucial a player as Vine is, and has been part of a defence that has let in 45 goals this season in the league. Not all of these will be Leon's fault of course, but still. On the other hand, he has been the best defender at the club this season. He still makes mistakes, which is understandable for any young defender, but has been outstanding on occasions. Heikkinen hasn't played anywhere near as well as he did last season, Foley has had some good games and some bad, and Sol has obviously been injured for most of the season. Through all this, Leon has been ever present, which might mean he needs a rest, but generally consistent in my view. Barnett also adds a crucial element to the defence - pace. Heikkinen has a lot of qualities, but pace isn't one of them. Coyne and Perrett aren't exactly quick either, and although Foley and Davis aren't slow, they aren't fast either. If we are to keep a balanced defence, then surely we need Barnett's pace?
The main reason why Vine and Barnett are going to leave if they do will be the money. Even though Howard has gone for £1m, Nicholls for £700,000, Curtis last year for £3m and Carlos for around £1.4m, the money may be too good to turn down. We aren't exactly the biggest club in the league - our ground and average gates are testimony to that. However, if selling Vine and Leon is necessary for financial reasons, then let's hope it is done in the summer when we have hopefully stayed in this division. Selling them now may give us money, but it may also relegate us, and the financial damage that could do in the long term if we don't bounce back may mean the money gained from the sales is quickly lost. Let's just hope that we'll hold on until the end of the season at least.