As I've said elsewhere I think with a couple of shrewd additions and if we manage to hold on to a couple of our best players, next season can be a good one. 

Apart from these two obvious factors, there are a number of others that will decide our potential and, from there on, what the group achieves in reality. Other teams' business is important, but not something we can have any impact upon. However it is still important to understand the situation of your competitors:

- Liverpool are sure to spend, after all they didn't have much of a net outlay despite the high prices they paid in January, due to the wool they pulled over Chelsea's eyes. 

- City can basically now buy who they want out of the group of players who don't mind being part of a farce - Kaka refused them before because of this, but others could change their minds, or have their minds changed for them...

- Arsenal will probably do what they do again, although if Fabregas moves on and van Persie reverts to crippled type, perhaps they won't find a top 3 spot so easy to manage. 

- And let's leave United and Chelsea alone, as unless a miracle happens they will no doubt be 2 of the top 4 (although if Abramovich wants Harry...   ).

An other thing we can't do much about are teams not wanting to sell us their players, but I think City might relax this apparent unwritten rule now they think they've made it to the big time (cue being knocked out by Bayern in the qualifying round   ). Sevilla don't have anyone we want in my mind, and obviously QPR won't sell us Taarabt, dammit!! Another thought on things outside of our control is United offering Modric big money and him pissing off. Fair enough, because he's class, and probably deserves it, but for the purposes of the article let's be optimistic that he loves Charlie too much to leave.

Then there's the wages issue. Around 70/80k per week, (unless you believe the best player in the world, aka Gareth Bale, is on 100k every 7 days  what a waste of money ..), appears to be our maximum, and coupled with no CL qualification we're not going to be signing the likes of Benzema or Neuer. So we'll have to aim for the 2nd tier players, the likes of Modric and Berbatov who aren't going to be bought by a City or United, and who may be slightly risky, like Modric was physically, or Gallas was for [s]no reason whatsoever except in the minds of hoolies[/s] his age and past.

So all in all, it would be easy to throw the towel in because of some of the above. We messed up a great chance this season to push on, to add the one or two players we needed to improve us further, and next season will be harder still to regain a top 4 spot. I hear that, and it is a great, great shame for sure. Just as we thought we were going somewhere, the club disappointed us with the fruitlessness and perhaps farcical nature of their endeavours. We stood still, and the resurgence of Liverpool and the eventual ease of a defensive-minded City in securing 4th shows how quickly a club can take huge steps forward, and beyond you, but also and perhaps more interestingly, the various strategies available to do so.

And so perhaps this is why we have no reason to be resigned to mid-table mediocrity. Amongst our debates, arguments, and handbags, it is clear to all of us the areas we need to improve in, and as far as I can see there is still great cause for optimism. The options we have for our Summer purchases appear to be sufficiently ample for us to achieve what we want to in terms of squad construction.

(I'll get on with it now).

Firstly, Keepers -

Gomes, despite being the 'love of our lives,' is perhaps going to become the victim of a love-hate relationship. We've had enough, and we're about to pack up all of his clothes and lob them out of the window. Enough is enough. The cynic in me thinks he was dropped on Tuesday, while the sympathiser in me thinks he should be put out of his misery anyway. A keeper with less world class saves in his locker but a command of his box and a confident presence that the back four can rely on would be an improvement. Cudicini has one year left on his contract, but I'd offer him another year to sit on our bench if he'd like - not a huge fan of his but are we going to buy two keepers this Summer? ... Pletikosa? Don't ask.

Realistic options: McGregor, Given, Stekelenburg, Howard, Loach.

Personal preference: Given.

Centre-backs - Gallas, Dawson, Kaboul, Bassong is ok. But Bassong may want to leave, especially if Ledley stays on as a player. Caulker is also an option. Unless Woodgate, King and Bassong leave, Caulker goes on loan again, and Khumalo turns out to be cack, I think we have enough there for a season. 

But if we don't, there is always...

Samba, Phil Jones, Cahill, Upson.

I'd like Phil Jones, but perhaps an older head would be preferable. Hardly a fullproof approach though as Squillaci proves. 

Left-back - Should be ok. Ekotto, Rose, Bale.

Right-back - Hmm. Walker and Corluka to fight for a place? Sell Hutton to somewhere as grotty as he is? Don't want Kaboul to play there again but perhaps the first two I mentioned will suffice for most of the season, bar the odd emergency, where Sandro can be chucked there to make some LW look a mug.

Central Midfield - I think we need a balanced quartet. For me, Modric, Hudd and Sandro are 3 of them. I'd keep JJ because he can play a simple, deep CM role in certain games in a 451, but he would just be a squaddie for me. So I'd like one more. I lie, I want two more, because I think you need a goal threat from CM more often than not, but perhaps that's greedy. Palacios will go from what I've heard and if Wolves stay up I'd expect O'Hara to stay there. I'll include Rafa in here even though he should only be played as an advanced midfielder/off the front attacker.

Options: Parker, Gibson, Tiote, Neville.

Parker for me, have wanted him for months. Surely a big chance to buy him now. Sandro will be a top, top player, but Parker could be the perfect role model for him too, and this also allows us the option of Luka from the left in certain games.

Left Midfield - Kranky will leave I suppose   . What a waste of man talent. Bale will hopefully get back to his best, and Pienaar the workman will run hard for you whenever you ask. I think Modric should play more from there like he used to also when the need arises.

Right Midfield - Just Lennon, and Pienaar if he has to. Doesn't inspire me to be honest. And we need more pace in the squad anyway, don't we? Bentley will go you'd hope.

Options: Ashley Young, Matt Phillips.

Phillips could be special IMO.

Centre Forward - The big problem. 

I'd say bye bye to Pav. I wish Crouch was sold but I do fear he won't. Might as well keep Defoe, can he possibly be as bad as this season? He's worth his games in a 442 at home I reckon. Keane can obviously go... anywhere, anyhow, I'll drive. There are plenty of different types of striker. We probably need a target man, and we probably need someone to run the channels and who is clinical in the box. For me those two players are Adebayor and Gameiro - the latter looks like he could be exceptional, he is certainly a top class finisher but the worry would be if he has the all-round game for the Prem, it's easy to become a Darren Bent in our league. Those of you who know me well will know I thought we should have bought Adebayor last Summer.

Options: Adebayor, Gameiro, Ba, Gyan, Rossi, Lukaku, Wickham, Klasnic, Drogba.

As I said, I'd take the first two in the above list in a shot. I'd also get in one of Ba, Lukaku or Wickham - Lukaku the first choice but probably unlikely, then Wickham, then Ba. We need to freshen it up big-style and apart from a player that can hit the ground running, some youthful and useful exhuberance from the bench would be a joy after this season of striking impotence and incompetence.

Ok, nearly done....

 

I've probably missed some outgoings out, you may or may not agree with my purchases (and are we bollocks going to sign 6 players), plus I haven't got around to working out whether the below can even fit into a PL squad submission, (what with the ages and homegrown players), but I think a group that looks something like the below would make us competitive. Whether you agree or not, the bottom line is that there is a lot we can do, there are many possible purchases,  (I don't know half as many players as our scouts the pros do), and many ways to improve the squad. I'm sure 'Arry and Levy have no wish to give up the ghost, and if their strategy is right, we could make some strides forward.

Given, Cudicini, Pl-someone else.

Gallas, Dawson, Kaboul, King, Khumalo, Caulker,

Ekotto, Rose, Walker, Corluka.

Modric, Hudd, Sandro, Parker, JJ,

Bale, Lennon, Pienaar, Phillips, vdV.

Defoe, Gameiro, Adebayor, Ba.

COYS

 

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