Well, here goes.
I don't believe, if we go up, that we should look to consolidate in the Championship. The NPC should be used as a springboard and with so many good-quality players in our squad looking to further themselves, we should be matching their ambition and at the very least, going for promotion within 1-2 years.
If we don't, we could end up stagnating like Coventry. I don't buy "establishing yourself" in any other league than the Premier League. Every other league should be used as a springboard and if we were to just settle for mediocrity then we'll no doubt end up with players with parallel ambitions. That'll mean goodbye Chamberlain, goodbye Fonte, goodbye Schneiderlin and goodbye Adam Lallana.
Can we replicate what Leeds, Millwall and Norwich have done? Yes, we can. Similar sized clubs with resources similar or lesser than our own have achieved and succeeded in the NPC so with a little tweaking and sensible recruitment to ensure we're covered for another gruelling 46-game season, it's possible. That and we hang on to our own best players, of course.
They'll be no better time to have an opportunity of reaching than the Premier League. What we do next season could determine quite a lot.
Objective
As mentioned previously, the playoff mix has to be an absolute must. Depending on the resources available (let's speculate £5m plus player sales), it's fair to say that is a reasonable budget to recruit from. Likewise, with only minimal tweaking(not significant restructuring required) should enable us to pick up 3-4 decent quality players to build upon the squad we've already got.
As above also, what happens next season could determine our short-term future significantly. Assuming we are promoted from L1, we are likely to still have Fonte, Schneiderlin and Lallana; possibly Chamberlain as well. We'll also have the momentum of a winning side and mindset, which, as you have seen in recent seasons, has catapulted teams from L1 to the brink of the Premier League: Leicester, Leeds, Norwich, Swansea and Millwall - or at the very least, kept them in the mixer.
If we spend two years "establishing" ourselves than we'll not only lose that momentum, but we'll also lose the players with that mindset.
Viable Player Targets (In)
For those of you who saw my "Crab Lungs" cravings post, I have drawn up a huge shortlist of potential buys should we reach the Championship. Of course, we cannot have all 100 of them so I'll have to cherry-pick my favourites in the positions I've identified where we're short.
As above, Radhi Jaidi is coming to the end of his career. For me, he's worth another contract but beyond that we have look elsewhere. It's probably too soon to throw Aaron Martin in straight away so an experienced, grizzled, no-nonsense centre half is one requirement. A Chris Morgan/Chris Lucketti type player who will blend with Jose at the back.
Recently relegated Preston will undoubtedly struggle to keep ahold of their best players, one being Sean St.Ledger. He's one option, though I would also recommend we look at Matt Kilgallon (Sunderland), Matt Connolly (QPR) or even Graeme Lee (Notts County). The latter may come as a surprise but he'd be a very inexpensive stop-gap and is someone I believe could do a job at a higher level, given the right circumstances and team around him.
Michail Antonio is another player I would love to see back at Saints. Like sambosa said, Antonio seemingly offers a bit more than Forte as an impact player, had a terrific throw, blistering pace, competitive nature and good attitude to hard work. He'd fit in well, even if he is a little raw. Irrespective, to have pace and power available as well as technique and determination just adds another string to our bow.
Recruitment of Antonio and another winger would also be ideal, giving us an option to move Lallana either further field or in a free role, as well as providing good competition for places - not to mention the anticipated departures of Chamberlain and Puncheon could leave us short in those areas.
But what wingers would offer something different or improve upon what we already have? Antonio offers something different and Chris Eagles of Burnley would too. Skilful, hard-working and an accurate crosser, he's what Lee Holmes could have been if he wasn't injured so much. Not sure how much he'd cost, but he'd definitely be someone to look at as I think as much as I'd want George Boyd, I think we'd be priced out of the market for him.
Another player in a similar mould to Eagles is Keith Treacy at Preston, although seemingly more "explosive" than Preston. He's not Jonno quick, but he's another proven Championship winger and he'll no doubt also be available at the right price from relegated PNE.
In the centre, I think we're also requiring a little more competition. Whilst we have some "solid, if unspectacular" performers in the centre of the park, I'd like us to get one or two specialist midfielders. Midfielders that you can clearly identify by their roles. Not a jack-of-all-trades, but someone who does one or two specific jobs and does them brilliantly. As much as I'd like us to bring back Jack Cork from Burnley, I don't think he'll add any much more than what we've already got.
Firstly, we'll need an imposer. A Graham Kavanagh type midfielder who'll put the tackles in, lead by example and pass the ball sensibly and accurately. For a cheap option, I've identified David Prutton of relegated Swindon. No doubt that'll raise some eyebrows on here but I think in a good team, he'll prosper. In a bad team, he'll wilt. Additionally, I think he'd relish the opportunity of giving it another shot here. First and foremost though, I believe he has the ability to do a good job in the NPC should he be given the opportunity.
A more financially expensive target would be try and prise Marvin Elliott from Bristol City. I can't imagine what he'd cost (probably in excess of £1m) but he would be worth every penny. Rangy, hard-working and can chip in with a few important goals as well. He'd give us excellent protection should Nigel dabble with that diamond formation again.
A second midfielder with different attributes would also be required. We have Lallana for creativity, but I cannot help but think that if we had another little magician in the Belmadi role then we'll have great coverage in the squad, as well as exciting attacking and differing options.
One player I've been impressed with is Radowslaw Majewski at Notts Forest and whilst I'd no idea what he'd cost and whether he'd join, if it's under £1m and he's interested then he'd provide the perfect creative footballer to either cover Lallana or better still, play alongside him in some shape or form.
Then again, I wouldn't be too upset if we signed none of the above and just went for Stock, Howard and Danns; after all, they're long overdue in signing!
Up front, I'd target someone with brawn (but perhaps not his footballing brain) to take the workload off Rickie. Someone relatively cheap, experienced in the NPC and would work around and link up with creative, quick footballers. Someone like Steve Howard or Jon Parkin; Perhaps, Darius Henderson of Sheffield United. Besides, if we recruit him, at least it'll probably end his threat of scoring against us. Either of three mentioned would do a fantastic job, but my targets would be set on a "wow" player with reputation.
Someone, perhaps, with a point to prove. Someone who would slot in well into the existing framework, the team and the surroundings. Someone who perhaps already knows the club.
James Beattie. I am in absolutely no doubt he would rediscover his form. Yes, he's not fresh-faced, arrogant Beattie we all remember and love but he can still do it. He just needs to find the right environment. We are that environment. Back the Beatts...
Also, I think we're lacking an explosive striker. Perhaps a Simeon Jackson type player, or someone who simply just has a bit of pace and is prolific at this level. Someone who would add another dimension to our strikeforce beyond the guile of Connolly, the goalscoring of Lambert and the hard work of Barnard. Nicky Maynard of Bristol City, Marlon Harewood of Blackpool or Ishmael Miller of West Brom.
Another gamble I'd like to see us take is prising David Somma away from Leeds. If anyone here as seen him, perhaps they'd know why! Still can't understand why he doesn't get as many games.
Players Out (Released/Sold)
Dan Seaborne, sadly. I just don't think he's got enough about him to aid us in a charge up to the Championship. In fact, I'd hate to see him versus Steve Howard
The usual suspects; deadweights Anthony Pulis and Tommy Forecast and of course Jason Puncheon. We won't get much revenue from the first three, but Chamberlain may also move on - for around £10m. A decent warchest for an assault on the NPC.
TBC....
