I think there was a panic set in that we were going to go (straight) down and that's how they decided to try and prevent it. I guess if Johnson goes for a decent fee it would compensate somewhat.
As for current budgets I agree with what you are saying. It might mean we don't get in the same the level of player, but with decent coaching and hopefully youth players coming through we should be able to achieve a minimum of 10th, and you never know we might win a couple of cup games, or sell a player for some money!