Who should your club buy?
By GARY PAYNE
ARSENAL
FRANK McLINTOCK (1964-73) Arsenal need a bigger squad with a little more quality and better replacements than they had last year. It would be great if Arsene Wenger could bring in a couple of super players to the squad. Samuel Eto抩 playing alongside Thierry Henry would be fantastic. With Emmanuel Adebayor and Robin van Persie also there, it would be sensational. I think it will be difficult for Arsenal to challenge for the Premiership title again but it should be a lot closer than it was this year with regards to the points. ASTON VILLA GARRY THOMPSON (1986-89) We have been linked with Artur Boruc at Celtic and Craig Gordon at Hearts and I think it is important that we do get another keeper in. Thomas Sorensen has done all right over the last few years but we do need a fresh face. With the arrivals of John Carew, Ashley Young and Shaun Maloney it looks as if Martin O扤eill has got the nucleus of a good side now. But it would be good to bring in another striker. Gabriel Abgonlahor has done really well, but he is still a kid and may need to be rested over the course of the season. BIRMINGHAM IAN ATKINS (1988-90, 1991-92) I think bringing in two centre-halves is a must for them. Madjid Bougherra at Charlton is a quick defender and would be a good addition. It is a big job and they need people in all areas and it depends on how much they are willing to spend in order to stay in the division. Nicklas Bendtner going back to Arsenal will be a big loss to them. They need to add some energy to the midfield. BLACKBURN SIMON GARNER (1978-92) Mark Hughes has bought well in the transfer market and has a good squad at the club but I believe he is short of a striker. Benni McCarthy was probably the transfer of the season last year but Hughes will need a 15-goals-a-season man to take the weight off his shoulder. A proven striker like Peter Crouch, David Healy or David Nugent would be ideal. BOLTON PAUL WARHURST (1991-96) I think a couple of central defenders will be on Sammy Lee抯 wish list this summer. With the club being in a transitional period you don抰 know who will stay or go. Bolton have had a couple of great seasons and next year will be massive. In terms of the type of player Sammy looks to sign, it will all depend on whether or not he decides to change the way Bolton play. He could be looking to sign a ball-playing centre-half |