Probably because he wouldn't have tried the dutch experiment. Wasn't it Crouch that sent Rasiak and Skacel off on loan? Two high earners.
There are many ways to lower outgoings and still get a team that is capable of competing -Swansea, Doncaster, Preston, Blackpool...etc
If we had gates that only dropped ~1% (FL average) instead of the 26% that has happen, it would have helped further stablise the finances.