If the club is serious about building a good young side

that has the potential to become a good premier league team at some point in the future then the new manager (whoever it is) MUST be backed significantly in the summer. By this I mean he needs to be given a ?7-?10 million budget, plus any money from the potential sales of current players. The board simply can't do what they did in 05/06 where they created a sit-u-a-tion that led to Worthington signing loads of trash on frees and low fees.

While we're debt free and have the ability to spend I think the board should allow whoever takes over to throw their weight around in the transfer market and secure the best available young players in the second tier. We're in a unique position where we will be one of few teams to have significant money in that division due to less pressure from FFP because of parachute payments, while also having the time and appropriate stage to allow potential top championship prospect signings to be eased into the team where they can produce the goods without the immediate pressure or demands that are created by playing premier league football.

The board absolutely has to take advantage of this situation. Pushing the boat out a little bit would certainly go some way in making up for the many failures of January 2013 - May 2014. Having said that I'm fully expecting disappointment and a modest net spend after a couple of our "better" players" have been sold.

In terms of potential young players, Jordan Rhodes and Sam Byram both look like top championship players with the potential to become genuine premier league talents. That's a striker and a right back, so essentially two key positions that need strengthening. Rhodes would cost at least ?8 million but is a proven goalscorer at that level and rarely misses a game, so would be a great signing for a promotion push in a lengthy, tough, physical league.

With a good athletic solid defender like Byram that would compliment a squad that has lots of potential in the form of Redmond and Josh Murphy. Next season could also be the chance that Ryan Bennett needs in order to fulfill the next stage of his development.

If we can keep Olsson and recall some of our more creative midfield stalwarts from 10-12 such as Fox, Hoolahan and Surman (although they wouldn't be for the long term, more to pass the torch), while also adding a quality central midfielder with lots of potential, then I think we could build a team that's capable of pushing for promotion, one that's well on the way to becoming a good premier league side for the future.

Posted By: Common Sense Police, May 8, 02:50:36