What now my love…..? Da da dum dee dum……

By: David | July 31st, 2008

Although the inevitable sale of Bentley was delayed somewhat we still have plenty of time to assemble our squad for the coming season.

I would think it fair to assume that the sales are over. We all knew that Bentley was off (though I was always too optimistic about keeping him)dwee, and although Brad’s departure was a bit of a shock I think we’ve got a good replacement. The only worry is that a big club will come calling for Santa, but he doesn’t want to leave so I’m sure it will take a lot of money for him to go.

So I thought I’d take a deeper look at the squad:

Keepers: It’s all good here with Robbo in, and I’m sure that he’ll do a good job. When his mind is in check he’s a very good keeper. We have a few choices at backup with Jason Brown, Frank Fielding and Gunnar Nielsen all capable but unlikely to be needed.

Defence: Again, I think we’re quite strong here. My first choice back line would be Ooijer, Nelsen, Samba and Warnock, with Emerton cover at right back, Zurab at centre and Martin Olsen at left back. Ooijer impressed at Euro 2008 and I think he could be key to our defensive stability - take him and Nelsen out and I think we lack direction, so with Nelsen in and out of the team a lot we need him. Emerton is defensively suspect at back-up, and Samba’s an enigma sometimes too. I wouldn’t complain if we got in a defensively sound right back.

Midfield: The only shoe-in is Gamst. We need a right winger, a holding midfielder and an experienced midfielder too, since Tugay will play a bit-part role.. Dunn, Reid and Mokoena are all capable but inconsistent and one of them may go (probably the Axe). We need MGP to perform and it will be interesting to see how new boy Villanueva does (he needs a nickname - any ideas?). Still, work needs to be done - more on that later.

Forwards: I’m happy here. Santa and Benni are first choice and I think that Derbs and Roberts should be drafted in as soon as one of them drops his head to keep everyone going. Roberts is a handful and Derbyshire needs time on the pitch to develop further. Don’t forget that we have Rigters too, though I don’t know what role he will play, if any.

So, who might we sign?

A very real possibility seems to be Jermaine Pennant of Liverpool taking the right winger position. I must admit that I’m not a huge fan of his, but I do think he is a very good footballer. Despite being out of his depth at Liverpool I think he’s done OK and experience of playing in the Champs League must have done him good. Rumours say that Ince has bid £6million

Two other links suggest a pseudo Italian-Antipodean invasion: Mark Bresciano of Palermo and Vincenzo Grella of Torino. Both are Australian nationals with Italian heritage who play in Serie A. Bresciano is a very capable and experienced midfielder who can play left, right and centre. He was linked with Man City last year for about £8million but apparently is now availiable for £5million. We may face competition for him. Grella is a holding player and quite aggressive, but I don’t know that much about his situation.

I think all three of these players would give us a very capable, balanced and good sized side. I also think that, despite being rumours in the tabloids, they could be on their way here. Rovers related rumours are few and far between, so when they do come about they have some substance.

Do you agree with me though?