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So Malpas wants a 22 Man Squad then. Lets assume then he wants a first choice player for every position plus a backup. I guess we also have to assume a standard 4-4-2 formation.

Goalkeeper: Brezovan and Smith are both good enough for this league. That said, both have been below par this season. Maybe their respective injuries have affected them more than we really know. I'll be happy to stick with them both for next season to be honest.

Right Back: Commingues for definite (provided he signs a new contract). Isn't Jack Smith out of contract? If so, I'd release him to be honest. He's solid enough, but L1 is his level, and we're looking to progress now.

Left Back: I think both Vincent and Nicho are out of contract. I can't help but think we need two new LB's, although I'd keep Vincent if needs be - he can act as a backup CB.

Centre Backs: Ifil and Kanyuka need to stay for sure. I think Aljofree is 1 year into a 3 year deal, so he isn't going anywhere either. Williams is likely to retire, so we need backup CB. Tozer would have been ideal IMO, and I reckon we'll promote Morrison from the youths.

Central Midfield: Easton must stay. Peacock is OK there, and we know he has a new deal. Pook must be on his way - he hasn't featured for some time now. Not sure signing Timlin permanently is the right move. We really need two quality CM's then!

Left Midfield/Wing: We've got McNamee and he should be first choice. Zaaboub IMO is a liability, contract is up (isn't it?) so get rid. We need a new LM/LW as backup to McNamee.

Right Midfield/Wing: A difficult one. I want to like McGovern - I'm sure he's better than his recent performances suggest, and I think he works well with Commingues overlapping. We also have the mercurial Roberts, who I think offers something different in this league. Problem is Roberts injury and how long it will take him to recover from it, then find form. I'd like to think we need to lose one of them, but I can't see it happening. Hate to say it, but status quo.

Strikers: Cox and Paynter should stay. Corr is too much of a liability with all his injuries - good player yes, but in his state he is a luxury we can't afford. Cut our losses, sorry Barry. Sturrock, for all his effort, enthusiasm and endeavour, isn't good enough. So we need two new Strikers then IMO.

Let the debate begin......

It would be great to make all the changes you've suggested but I don't see it happening. To bring in one RB, one LB, two CMs, one LM and two strikers, who are all better than what we have will take one hell of a lot of work from Malpas and the scouts, and may require more money than Fitton is willing to fork out.

I think the priorities should lie in midfield problems, and we definitely need somebody who can play with Cox. Maybe we already have that with Paynter but I'm not totally convinvced just yet. I don't want the defence to be neglected, and I hope it won't be, but I won't be disappointed to see Malpas focus his efforts elsewhere.

I'm sure we could make a decent song by using The Rakes' "22 Grand Job" as well. "22 man squad, in this league, its alright".

I agree with everything pumbaa said. The man speaketh sense  8)

Yep, some good points there.

Trouble is with Roberts and Corr still under contract I don't see them leaving. There may be a possibility of McGovern shipping out.

Apparently we're focussing on young players released by higher grade clubs as a possibility, which may give us a bit more "bang for the buck"

I'd definitely keep Vincent, and Sturrock based on his last few performances.

As they say, form is temporary, class is permanent Nev. Yes, Sturrock's done well lately, but he's not a Jason Scotland/Danny Graham/James Hayter/Nathan Tyson/Leigh Barnard/Tresor Kandol like all the top 6 clubs have. If we seriously want to push for promotion next season then Sturrock's simply not good enough. There's no room for sentiment, we need 22 quality players.

Agree with everything that has been said only thing that worries me is if we focus too much on young players over the coming months and years to be honest. I know Fitton has a vision of basing our future on the youths coming through but this does worry me a little. We need to ensure we maintain a core of older experienced pro's down the spine of our team as when the pressure mounts these are imperative..........I don't think we can be successful by purely basing our future on youths we'll need to continue to bring in experience.

Yes but there might be room in the budget for someone like Sturrock if you've blown more on big wages and these days even ex-Premier League kids are on a fortune.

pumbaa makes some great points and i agree with it all virtually.but some of the players he mentions are under contract.
i agree with glos robins points too.we need a blend as i'd be amazed if even half of the younguns get another contract after the ones they are on now as first year pros

I also agree with much of what bumbaaa has said, but Roberts and Corr are contracted for next season. We'd be better off keeping them on and using them when (if ever in Corrs case) they get fit as on their day they are both good players at this level.

The alternative is paying off their contracts, which would seem a bit pointless.

No other club is going to sign them in the summer window when Roberts cant walk and Corr has broken every bone in his upper body

I'd agree Corr & Roberts aregonig nowhere, both are out for 6 months so you can write them off for a lot of next season by the time they are fit but they could prove crucial in the final run in.

I'd also worry about the emphasis being put on bringing in youngsters we need to keep a level of experience in there, and hopefulyl nto bring in too many in-experienced players.

I think that Sturrock should be told he is not in the managers plan's for next season, I think he will probably do well in L2 but I can only see him being a reserve player and never getting 1st team spot and what is the point of having a player like that ?

The priority though should be finding a decent partner for Cox though, as I'm not sure that Peacock or Painter are the answer, although I'd like to see Paynter stay and fight for a place.

I know full well that both are under contract and unlikely to be shipped out in their current fitness state. Any decision by Malpas to try and offload them would be very brave IMO. Problem is we're stuck with a liability with little cover if, heaven forbid, someone like Cox gets injured or Paynter gets (another) 3 match ban.....

The post was written from a somewhat idealistic perspective. Its what I would like to SEE happen, but in all likelihood things will pan out very differently.

I can honestly see the some of balance made up by Chris Allen and Ben Joyce, in particular.

I agree with Pumbaa's assessment as well.

I think the club is gearing itself up to the Middlesborough model of the last few seasons.  Concentrate on local talent to develop (but wider than we currently do) bring in young talent from elsewhere to add to that and then 1 or 2 more experienced additions when necessary.  The comments about paying money if people are young enough gives that away I think - youth is the new experience!

I think going for young talent is a good idea. Yes there is the experience issue but when you look at a club like Swansea whos success has been based on mostly talent rather than experience it's good idea. What would you rather? A Sturrock who is experienced or another McNamee/Cox?

Trying to attract local talent has been a waste of time.

I can see the worth in picking up premier league cast-offs though.  We have had a few of those in recent years that have done well for us.

I think that's what Fitton means by youngsters. Home grown talent are few and far between these days. But if we can pick up 2 or 3 more Simon Cox's so to speak we could be laughing.