I don't think we need much more - just a couple of defenders.

What is particularly impressive is that many of the team members have improved their fitness and confidence and hence their all round ability as we have gone through the leagues. There is every reason to think they can step up another gear now. What we don't need is an influx of old pro's nearing the end of their careers just because they have premier league experience - Blackpool managed on a shoestring (although we don't have to go that far) and some of those who impressed in the Pemier are still with the club now.

I think we need to compare our current side with the one that reached the FA Cup final in 2003, that perhpas puts things in perspective, very few of our side now would get in that one, perhaps 3, 4 at best

Nick, could you remind us of that team? I can only remember Niemi, Lundekvam, Baird (I think), M. Svensson, A. Svensson, Ormerod and Beattie. Actually not sure if we Crouch and Phillips then. Seems a long time ago..

Nick, I just want to thank you for your website. It has been a brilliant read all season. Congratulations on creating something very good. Long live your output! Thanks.

Have to agree with ElSanto, Nick your website has been a great read all season long (and yes, I have been one who has grumbled at some of your comments) - it is one of the few saints fan sites left that give a really good opinion on whats going on. love it!

Nick - Like the posters above I agree with them. Thank you for all your efforts over the season on this site. It is very much appreciated and whilst it may invite detractors sometimes and I have not always been in agreement with everything I have seen or read, I have found it gives balance, objectivity and opens debate and very often it has been the source for finding out what is happening and why.

Nick is the man!

Basingstoke, according to my cup final picture on the wall of my office, the 16 man squad was:-

Chris Baird
Paul Telfer
Fabrice Fernandes
Jo Tessem
Danny Higginbotham
Anders Svensson
Michael Svensson
Paul Jones
Antti Niemi
James Beattie
Matthew Oakley
Paul Williams
Claus Lundekvam
Brett Ormerod
Wayne Bridge
Chris Marsden

Thanks Hordean. I agree Nick this would be a benchmark team. I would have Lambert over Beattie, and believe Lallana, Richardson, Cork, Schneiderlin and Hooiveld from the current side would challenge for places in the 2003 side. If Fox could defend and cross with more consistency I'd include him also in the squad, as well as Sharp. The 2003 side was built on an excellent centre half pairing and world class keeper. That's in no disrespect to Kelvin. Niemi was next best keeper IMO behind Schmeichel in all of the Premiership history to date.

With you there Basingstoke, when you look through that 16, there were several players that I reckon would not do well in the team of 12-13. Even the likes of Chris Baird have not done too well since leaving us and Bridgey? Wilderness comes to mind.
Niemi was IMO the best keeper we have had since Peter Shilton. They both made saves they had no right to get anywhere near.
Look out for 1 or 2 who will step up to EPL standard including Sharp, Fox and, this may cause a stir, Fonte.
Meanwhile, send De Ridder back to Belgium, please......

First, same message to Nick as those above, you do a great job despite the fierce and generally unjustified criticism you take from a few 'loud' sources.

On another thread somone suggested that our transfer policy has been good value for money. Personally while there has clearly been some major successes (Cork, Sharpe and Jos) of those signed by Adkins, there have been a few questionable signings, most notably de Ridder looks to me to have been far too expensive for the limited skills he possesses - poor crosses and passing (doesn't play with his head up) and Fox was perhaps too costly despite his numerous assists his defending seems inconsistent. Lee looks good prospect, but why Forte (at least not expensive) and why Falque?
My concerns are goalkeeper (and cover) Kelvin never looks comfortable dealing with crosses and rarely comes off his line successfully to deal with them; centreback (Fonte looks a little light weight and Jos turns slowly), attacking central midfielder (insufficient goals from midfield and no convincing playmaker) and pace (all through the team)

What about Lallana for central midfield and a new left sided player in his place?

Agreed with the masses - thanks for the dedication Nic.

As for the benchmark of 2003? Pretty much the same as Bstokesaint.

Exiledsupporter. I get your point about AL. I think if Lallanna was going to play more centrally it would be in the hole, not in the engine room..but thats just me.

With regards to this: http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/17910274
Who from the highly rated youth players are going to be getting a look-in next year? Will NA risk it? Seems even more unlikely next year than last.

Some lads are out there getting first team experience aswell experience in the 1st team squad like: Harley Dean(21yrs), Sam Hoskins(19yrs), Ward-Prowse(18yrs) Reeves(21yrs), Jack Stevens(18yrs i think), Luke Shaw(17yrs).

Ward-Prowse, about the same size as Scott Parker by the looks, could be a force in the centre.
Shaw was allegedly being hunted by prem sides like Arsenal so he could be a suprise package.
No doubt NA will be bringing in experienced rienforcements though.
His judgement of when to bring highly rated young Falque in proved flawed.
And that was against Liecester. We'll just have to see I guess...

Nick,

Many thanks for the considerable time and effort it takes in writing your articles. Have a good summer break.

Agree on the comments here Nick, and also those who regularly comment and add to the spice of the site.. Is a great read for a guy who has been marooned the other side of the world.

I generally agree we have some decent players but we lack pace in all areas and teams in the prem will expose that. We need a pacier Centre back, a quick winger with good delivery (either side will do, as I'd like to see Lallana play on the right more often) - and I dont mean De Ridder, and another speedy Centre Forward. Although I love the delivery of Fox, he will be exposed if he continues to let people get crosses in so we need to look for a left back too.. Davis has had a good season and is a great guy but I feel we need a keeper who is stronger on crosses as without doubt we are going to be under a lot more pressure than we have been for a while... Lets not forget the last time we were a team under pressure and actually survived the season - we replaced KD with Richard Wright...

The current squad with the excellent youth prospects mentioned (Shaw etc) should make up the core of the squad however and I dont see any reason why we cant emulate Norwich and be a very solid team next season.. I'm looking forward to it...