I don't think Pace is a fool. I think he knows finances and I think he knows how to get good motivated people to work with him. That includes players he has signed. And he might even know more then I do about building a successful culture But that last bit now lies in the hands of a reasonably inexperienced manager (who still might know more about this than I do). I just fear we're trying to do too many things at the same time. Hold on to some players to keep the culture, and as soon as the new players are settled, next season, make some more changes.
And I don't trust the weekly wages sums. Are you basing that on what they earned last year? According to Crouch a 50% wage cut if relegated is standard in players contracts.