YOU are the manager! So who can you honestly say is worth going for over the close season? Personally I can only select from the PL as I don't get to see many lower league or o/seas games. And, right up, I have to admit there's not much in the way of talent who I'd want or who we'd have a vaguely realistic chance of getting:

C/F - mebbes sneak Kanu from the Gooners. Honest, hardworking pro who might be tempted by the promise of more regular starts ? Pay up to 8 million.

Creative midfield - gotta be Pahars (8 mill). Failing that, Kinkladze could still be worth a punt (max 3 mill).

Left side - Gunlaugsson and Charlton's John Robinson both look to have proven themselves at this level (maybe 4.5/2.5 million respectively).

Commanding Centre half - I'd go for Matt Elliott (up to 4.5 million). Exc track record who could teach the young uns a load. With the added benefit that his legs are only likely to keep him 1st choice another season or two before he makes way.

Goalkeeper - should we lose either Steve or Shay, Magnus Hedman as pretty much a straight swap.

Only two other names that spring to mind. David Unsworth (quality squad player with a strong left boot). And Muzzy Izzet (in the hopefully unlikely event we need to replace Solano AND Dyer). 5.5 & 9 million poond respectively.

Not a whole lot else really - unless you're a big fan of Micky Bridges. So whaddya your thoughts?

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Answers

Nicky Butt. Doesn't shine at MANU but could do a job for us.
Yorke. Might give us an option other than punting it up the pitch.
Lee Clark. At least good enough as a squad player. Might put some banter back into the dressing room.
New training facilities.
Sack and replace medical staff.
More emphasis on youth academy. More footy clubs in the community with a link to the club.
Spend $64,000 on making Shearer into a bionic man.

-- Anonymous, April 26, 2001

Oh if it was so easy LT, it is simple for us, single pick here and there but in my opinion largely thro his own making Bobby has a much harder task next year, This is due to partly sub standard buys and next season he will have young bucks who have smelt the coffee and may feel they are more than worthy of a squad player tag, Taking L/Pool as a guide, big squad granted , quality player for every position ? the back four did not change much, or the keeper so that is five we do not know about. One of Bobby`s supposed main initial tasks was clearing out the deadwood to make space and reduce wage bill, in doing so he may have recruited more deadwood but a year later the young uns are beginning to show themselves and this is believe me going to complicate matters further, all down to lack of planning, ok lets look at what we have as a first team squad -------------------------------

-----------no1----------------no2--------------no3---------remarks/10

Keepers...Given............Harper.............Karelse,..........8.....

RFB.......Griffin...........Barton........... McGuffie..........6.....

Center B..Dabias...........O`Brian........... Hughes............6.....

Center B..Caldwell.........Beharall.......... G Caldwell........5.....

LFB.......Quinn.................................................6.....

RMF.......Dyer.............Solano.............Gavilan...........9.....

CMF.......Lee..............Acuna..............McGlen............4.....

CMF.......Speed............Bassedas...........Green?............5.....

LMF.............................................................0.....

Strikers..Shearer......... Cort...............Amoebi............7.....

Strikers..Cordone.........Lua-Lua.............Chopra............5.....

(a) Out of the list above 22 will consider themselves members of the first team squad, I have left out Glass, Mrcellino, Gallagher,for obvious reasons, the first problem is Karelse, no 3 in the great plan should be a 18-20 yr old keeper learning his trade for the future. The right back position depends on Griffin really coming good, Barton accepting being back up, the cover for center back is adequate but is the quality good enough. LFB enough stated, right hand side, mm on the assumption we cannot play them both one has to go and a back up recruited to be a squad player, (Steve Stone) Move on to our holding m/f player, Lee to back up squad, recruit. CMF, panels decision on this one, lhs speaks for itself, aaaaagggh

Strikers, if you pair off big/little, does not look good does it. big uns dictate type of play, must go now, is that the time, more to it than simply selecting here and there.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2001

Sorry about the floor matting folks.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2001

Completely agree Buff that the key is blending better quality squad members into a recognisable team plan. But the process does start with signing individuals - hence my question - preferably with a distinct role in mind for them. Bit radical for NUFC that bit !

I actually think you're maybe being too soft on your squad. I'd personally expect to see the back of Cordone, Beharall & Jamie McClen. And if it wasn't the General's testimonial year (& deservedly so) he too would be out the door for me. Add to that the view that Ryan McGuffie, Stuart Green & Chopsticks remain too young to make an impression next year and we're already down to a threadbare and largely inexperienced squad of 20 (assuming YKD & Nobby remain).

Just as was the case at the start of this, next year will be another critical one for rebuilding. I know I know. We seem to say that about every year these days, but I for one will keep banging the drum for patient evolution - not revolution via the great cash splash of yesteryear.

Nick - I agree that Butt could do a job, but I don't think he fills a priority area for us. Same applies to my earlier references to Unsworth & Izzet. Importantly, could we could get Butt or Yorke at anything other than a taggartly price? Stone & Clarke I'm afraid I have to take issue with. Neither IMO would likely offer better than the mediocrity we have become sadly used to.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2001

"Just as was the case at the start of this, next year will be another critical one for rebuilding". It should be this way, constant tweaking brings in freshness and competitiveness. Unfortunately we haven't got the finished first team to start tweaking about with the squad.

One thing Bobby has managed and will do further at the end of the season is to trim the squad size down. There will be plenty of room for new players to come in, established or promising youngsters. In the past we have needed new players but we already had the big squad.

Phase two completed now Bobby, you've saved us from relegation (phase One) and we've established our selves in mid table (phase Two), European Qualification next year and possibility of a cup.

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2001

Interested to see Matt Elliot suggested. Another of 'Martin O'Neill's Leicester' who may get disillusioned with Peter Taylor. £6 million bid and we have the big commanding centre back we've craved for a few years. Not very stylish but he is great in the air and attackers are wary of his physical presence.

Good threat from set pieces as well, and he knows how to deal with Michael Owen!

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2001

Gottta get Gustavo Poyet, even if it's ta sit on the bench, that way he can't score against us, and he can score from outside the box ( in answer to another thread where our middies can't score from more than 5 feet from goal - except Nobby)

Oh and while we're at it go and get Macca back from Madrid, in fact send em Nobby in exchange.....

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2001

Seth Johnson (Derby)

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2001

Seth Johnson & Lee Clarke have recently made 'Dyeresque' statements about being happy where they are and wishing to secure extended contracts.
I've always been a great fan of Clarky (nee surprise there!) but am not sure he would now provide a step improvement on what we've got - which I what I believe we need. However, if we were to sign him I wouldn't be upset.

Seth Johnson is an excellent prospect - in the same mould as Stephen Gerrard, if not quite as good. He could step straight into Rob Lee's position. This is the kind of player where we need to be totally clear that he's what/who we want - and then go for him flat out to get him, just clearing the obstacles out of the way. While I've criticised them for this appproach, that is what Club's like Manure and Liverpool do.

Other players who would legitimately improve the squad and might be prised away from their clubs, are Dwight Yorke (if manure decide to off-load him), Matt Elliott (if he could be got, we should definitely get him), and one of the following, in order of preference - Matt Jansen (yes, I know not a popular choice on here, but a cracking, Pedro- esque player), Marion Pahars, Michael Bridges (contingent on his long- fitness fitness not being in doubt).

-- Anonymous, April 27, 2001