Positions to strengthen.

Fraizer Campbell

As we've seen this/last season, football is full of injuries. I fully believe that every team needs two capable players in each position and unfortunately this wasn't the case last season. Yes we've had injuries, but they're going to happen so you have to be prepared, we weren't. Our main problem was the forwards without a doubt, at one point we had no recognised striker available. With Bent gone, Campbell crocked for a further 6 months, we were left with Welbeck who had his fair share of niggling injuries, and Gyan who also spent a fair few weeks on the sidelines. In hindsight we probably should have replaced Bent with a stop-gap type player, but Bruce was right not to pay over the odds for an average player at the same time. We struggled on well in the circumstances.

Kieren Westwood

Anyway, starting to digress here. I'd like to see a left back brought in, with Bardo switched back to right back and we probably need two centre halves with Onuoha and Mensah looking like they won't be returning. A goalkeeper would come in handy too, Gordon's out for 6 months and his future is hanging in the balance as well, we really need to get a contract tied down with him or else we're in danger of losing him for nothing. I'm confident in Mignolet as number one but we can't go on with just him and an inexperienced Carson. There's talk of Kieren Westwood coming in on a Bosman from Coventry, he seems a canny keeper for nowt, international experience too. We definitely need a winger as well, Charlie N'Zogbia has seemed pretty much nailed on since we didn't get him last year really, I like him as a player but Whelan will definitely try and take our eyes out and I hope we're not going to pay over the odds for him. Seb Larsson looks like he's going to sign as well, again, good business on a free transfer. Not sure he's the answer to the problematic left hand-side mind. The main area and without doubt most urgent that needs to be strengthened is upfront, we've got one fit forward as it stands. Campbell is out till Christmas at least and even then there's no guaranteeing he'll be the same player he was before he got injured. So with that in mind I'd say we need 3 forwards; a big name to play regularly with Asa, an experienced Premier League striker (Carew?) and a gamble. By a gamble I mean somebody like Bothroyd, not that I particularly want him like, don't rate the lad at all. So if my maths hasn't failed me (as it quite often does!) that's 8 players we need at least.