A totally plausible scenario is that Ricki was just taking a low-key approach to the changes with the players - having failed to secure better midfield options than Sanchez and Smith in the off-season, and not wanting to cause any disquiet until he knew he had the personnel to do the job. Would have been good man management if Gareth hadn't got excited and forced the issue.
Speculation admittedly, but not a stretch and fits in nicely with everything else we've been told (including the fact that Sanchez and Smith were not offered one year contract extensions until quite late in the pre-season).
You probably need to borrow my rose-tinted glasses to see it though.