Get the chequebook ready...

[johnny crossan]

Looking forward - Zab and Kompany are good, young, squad players at the moment but need to improve significantly if we are going to be in the top rank. Same goes for Ned, Micah and Vlad. Those whose contracts end in this summer and are waiting for Bosmans like Benjani, Garrido, Sylvinho, Petrov, Taylor & Vieira need to be replaced with high quality, young recruits. Succession planning too for those pushing 30 and beyond -Bellamy, Bridge, Barry, Toure.

Temperament issues may lead to the departure of Robbie & Ade and RSC could well retire on medical grounds.
These key players would need expensive replacements. First team continuity may have to depend on Stevie, Sweep, Lescott, De Jong and Tevez.

Wholesale changes like these would put the club in turmoil but I can see a lot of this happening. Add in managerial change in the event of a non Top 4 finish and its a nightmare. A few prudent movements in January might ease the summer situation.

 

[C_T_I_D]

Not bothered about Robinho. His heart isn't in it - anybody can see that in his body language.
RSC retiring would bother me financially, but he's replacable.
Ade? Need to know where his head is at and see whether he still wants to play for us.

Thankfully we have the resources to make changes.