Sales won't mean cash to spend, says Gudjon
Northern Ireland midfielder O'Connor is set to seal a £100,000 move to Scunthorpe over the weekend, bringing to an end a four-year senior career at Gresty Road, and striker Pope was off-loaded to League Two rivals Rotherham for £150,000 earlier this summer.
The combined fees will be funnelled into club coffers, although Thordarson says he will have some leeway to wheel and deal now O'Connor – one of Crewe's top earners – is off the pay roll.
"It's decent business, although it is difficult to lose good players," said Thordarson.
"We have sold two players, but that money is to be kept on the side to make the club financially secure. However, I will be able to play around with O'Connor's salary and see what I can do.
"We have players such as James Bailey and Luke Murphy to come in, so it's a chance for them to step up their effort, although one or two of the players I have been looking to sign are possible replacements for Michael too."
Newly-promoted Scunthorpe will pay extra cash when the 21-year-old former Academy star makes a fixed number of appearances.
O'Connor featured 89 times for Crewe after making his debut against Brighton during the 2005/2006 Championship campaign.
His last game for the club was against Yeovil back in February before he clashed with the Alex boss over disciplinary issues and was loaned to Lincoln for the rest of the season.
But the manager said: "I wish Michael good luck.
"It will be a good challenge for him and I hope he does well."
O'Connor's Northern Ireland international colleague and new Scunthorpe team-mate, Grant McCann, said: "Michael is an international class player.
"He's different to what we've got and we need a bigger squad now we're back in the Championship."
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