We need so, so much work all over the place that it's hard to think where to start. If we can assume a degree of an open chequebook - we aren't going to be attracting players who are currently starting for Premier League teams, but we should be able to look at their fringe players and have a go at signing players from most clubs in this division - then we'll start with going right down the spine. I don't think Ikeme is good enough long term for us (he's declining rather than improving now), we know about our woes at centre half for the last 18 months, central midfield hasn't looked balanced all season and we can't get a goal out of any of our strikers at the moment. So you want to be looking at a mix of hardened experience in English football - the club seem to think this is a prerequisite now - and potential to grow in the same way that Kightly/Jarvis did with us.
GK: John Ruddy was linked a few weeks ago by some supposedly ITK Norwich fans...in which time he's actually won his place back in their team. So I'm sceptical whether that is really going to happen. *If* Liverpool go and buy another keeper in the summer, which is quite possible as Mignolet clearly has no future there and Karius has been awful so far, I might test their resolve for a permanent deal for Danny Ward. He'll be 24 by the start of next season which is too old to be sitting around on the bench or as third choice. I'd still be interested in Emi Martinez but it doesn't seem as if he wants to go, he seems content enough playing League Cup games for Arsenal which is up to him I suppose.
CH: Same answer I gave on the January transfer window thread right at the start, James Tarkowski. He's not managed to break into Burnley's team in any meaningful way as they're settled at the back with Mee and Keane and Dyche is not one for changing the team around if he doesn't have to. He was outstanding for Brentford in this league, he's commanding, better on the ball by some way than anyone else we've got at the back and having only just turned 24 he could come here and be our lynchpin for years. If we want two centre halves (which is perfectly understandable) then Dani Ayala is currently in and out of Middlesbrough's team and is very much proven in the Championship.
CM: We're so desperate for some footballing ability in here. Saiss can't do it all on his own and he's too often too deep for his passing to really hurt teams (we probably need to look at that as well, but that's a tactical issue that's for another time). As has been said before by more than one person, you can get away with one of Coady/Edwards in a three man midfield. Not both of them. It's just a massive void of technical ability. Given that Dave has scored more this season than I fancy Coady to get for the remainder of his professional career, it's an easy choice. I really rate Teddy Bishop at Ipswich, lovely footballer. I'd also be interested in Ryan Woods and, depending whether Wednesday go up or not and how that affects their targets, Kieran Lee. Tom Carroll needs a fresh start away from Spurs as he's now behind Harry Winks in the pecking order, he has the ability to run the show in this division. Some are sold on Conor Hourihane but he leaves me a bit cold, Henri Lansbury is too much of a cock for me to actively want him here, as good as he can be when he's arsed.
ST: What I'd give for Nouha Dicko of 2014/15. It might still happen for him (he wasn't *that* bad on Saturday) but he's some way off at the moment and we can't wait forever. Britt Assombalonga would be a quality choice if we were trying to go like for like, he seems to be over his injuries now and his record speaks for itself, once again only just turned 24. I'd be keeping an eye on Dominic Solanke's contract situation at Chelsea and I wouldn't be averse to giving Peter Crouch a one year deal for next season, he's looked after himself well, he couldn't run 15 years ago so he hasn't lost any pace and I could see him having a real Iwelumo-style effect on our squad.
Of course, the work wouldn't end there. We're absolutely crying out for a left back, it's incredible that a club of our size has gone literally an entire year playing a shite right back there. Charlie Taylor would be my main target although there'd likely be Premier League competition for him - failing that, Stephen Kingsley has impressed me for Swansea and isn't guaranteed a game there. We need to do everything we can to persuade Helder Costa to stay - as far as I know the deal is agreed with Benfica, but it's going to be getting him on board with spending another year minimum in this league.
All the crap needs to go, Lonergan, Ebanks-Landell, Doherty, Saville, Wallace, Henry, Coady and Gladon should have no future here, I don't expect any of John, Stearman, Teixeira or Silvio (farewell, sweet prince) to be here next year, and the likes of Mason, Bodvarsson, Hause, Batth and Price are very much on notice for the next five months, if they can't step up then they can do one as well. Plus Ikeme if we do end up buying a first team keeper, we won't need him, Burgoyne and Flatt can be the backup.
A lot to do, doubtless not everyone will agree with my choices but that's the way I'd approach it.
