What Positions Should We Strengthen?

[the_georgian_genius]

Assuming the likes of Tevez and Given do not leave.

LB to replace or challenge Kolarov.
A Scholes/Alonso/Fabregas type of midfielder to compliment Silva and de Jong.
A wide player with pace

apart from that we are set to challenge on all fronts.

[john@staustell]

Without necessarily naming names of potential targets, what positions do you think need strengthening for next season and the type of player required, based on our current first team and also to add strength in depth?

Keeper - assuming Given goes

Centre Half - Even if Boateng stays, we need a proper centre half. A vidic/Samba/Huth type to play next to Vince, win everything in the air and not be bullied by the big teams. Toure (if back) isn't that and neither is Lescott. Doubt Boateng is either.

Midfielder - a 25 year old Vieira. We're desperate for a decent box to box type, but a leader even more. In the spurs game, we were getting deeper and deeper till Paddy came on, dragged everyone 30 yards up the pitch and we suddenly controlled the game again.

Centre forward if Tevez goes

Giving Kolarov and Dzeko the benefit of first season doubt, I think that's it for the first team. The rest would be youth to replace some of the dross we get rid of to improve the squad and, perhaps, a 33 year old Vieira replacement, just in case.

OP is a bit flawed here mate. Every supporter and player in the country and his dog can see we need a left back, never mind about 'benefit of the doubt'!!

Lescott is good in the air but I agree we need someone in there - a Luiz without the cock-ups.

With all the goalies on our books surely one of them can step up to the plate now?

Midfield always looks weak if people are out injured or rested. We need a Silva type and, like you say, a new Vieira.

But there needn't be a huge influx. Dont forget we had no pre-season and the players didn't know each other, but we've still done half-decent. This squad needs to play together.

If Tevez goes we need a top, top big-money star who scores.

[Blue Blood]

We need a rapid winger or two. If we got Sanchez and/or even Bale and I'd fancy us to have a right go at the champs league next year.

Add to that a big commanding centre half and perhaps a box to box mid and I think we'd be set.

[Mikhail Chigorin]

So many good suggestions from everyone in this (excellent) thread. Really enjoyed reading all the posts.

However, when I (frequently) drift off into daydreamland, City acquiring both Xavi and Iniesta together is never far from such thoughts.

If only it were possible, in a 4-2-3-1 formation to have the Barcelona duo alongside David Silva in the '3' - and for it to work.

However, as I said, that's a line up for daydreamland........

[ashton287]

Im not 100% sure if i want to see lescott replaced or not. He is a big fucking mongaloid sometimes but then when you see him just shove people out the way i think 'lescott is a beast'. If he wasn't so clumsy he would be one of the best in the prem i reckon.

Samba would be a good buy though.

A winger/wing forward - The spuds bomb down the wings and throwcrosses in thing actually does work sometimes and can help move the bus when we play shit like blackburn rather then trying to pass through it. So someone we could play opposite AJ with dzeko/balo in the middle and save the tippy tappy stuff for teams that will attack us.

Another creative type to partner silva, i would love to see vdv or sneijder on the pitch with silva just terrorising scoles and carrick.

We definitely need strengthening in te alan position. I think alan might be a good buy for this one

WE NEED A NEW KEEPER BECAUSE HART NEVER CONCENTRATES

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[scroll]A LEFT BACK[/scroll]

[lets all have a disco]

Keeper if Shay leaves.
Left back
Creative midfielder
Winger
New Striker.



Dedryck is good enough to cover for Lescott and Boateng plus Kolo has been out for months now i reckon he will get another 6 months and be back.