Getting a bit alarmed at all the over 30's were been linked with

[Naarven Mankey]

I know beggars can't be choosers and i'm so grateful where we are now compared to the dark days of a few years ago. I also appreciate we can't attract the younger up and coming stars who are much more likely to go to the bigger teams. But the amount of players were been linked with that are well past their best is starting to worry me. I do accept we are going to need some premier league experience too but the list of players albeit paper talk is slightly concerning.

Kolo Toure, Andy Johnson, Wayne Bridge, Ryan Nelson, Shay Given, Santa Cruz, Konchesky and Rob Green to name but a few are all well past their best. Theres many others that have slipped my mind for now but i would prefer it if we went for a few less senior players and more younger players with potential like Samba Diakite, Chris Samba, Taiwo, Ireland, Fabio etc. I wouldnt really turn my nose up at any of the older players as long as we get the balance right between youth and experience. I would certainly take Toure and Rob Green at the drop of a hat but hope we don't end up with a long list of players coming here at the end of their careers for one last big pay day.

Just wondered what other peoples thoughts are on this.

[MattyRangers]

Although I do agree to an extent and, yes, ideally we would all want some good young players with their peaks ahead of them, at the moment we are simply trying to become an established PL side and I think we are buying very astutely for the coming season. Another season of survival and I think we will start building more for the future with some younger players. At the moment it's about the here and now and getting steady players in with experience for us.

[Tarbie]

I know beggars can't be choosers and i'm so grateful where we are now compared to the dark days of a few years ago. I also appreciate we can't attract the younger up and coming stars who are much more likely to go to the bigger teams. But the amount of players were been linked with that are well past their best is starting to worry me. I do accept we are going to need some premier league experience too but the list of players albeit paper talk is slightly concerning.

Kolo Toure, Andy Johnson, Wayne Bridge, Ryan Nelson, Shay Given, Santa Cruz, Konchesky and Rob Green to name but a few are all well past their best. Theres many others that have slipped my mind for now but i would prefer it if we went for a few less senior players and more younger players with potential like Samba Diakite, Chris Samba, Taiwo, Ireland, Fabio etc. I wouldnt really turn my nose up at any of the older players as long as we get the balance right between youth and experience. I would certainly take Toure and Rob Green at the drop of a hat but hope we don't end up with a long list of players coming here at the end of their careers for one last big pay day.

Just wondered what other peoples thoughts are on this.

I totally agree but there is a long way to go in this transfer window. I'm sure Hughes has got 1 or 2 exciting signings up his sleeve.

[Connell10]

i agree also mate, i suppose it all depends how long the contracts are that we offer to these o.a.p.s a year or maybe 2 at a push would be ok, i just hope we dont get left with a load of old duffers on 4 year contracts!

[zuluop]

I have a feeling that we wont sign as many players as we on this board expects.
1 lb/rb
1 keeper
1 cover striker
1 cb - done?!?
1 midfielder if we get Diakite - 2 midfielders if we sack Barton (which I do not think we can afford - I think MH wants to get rid og him but since we cannot get out of his contract he will have to keep him).

Anyway I hope MH gets who he wants before the pre season kicks off so our squad will gel from the start of PL in august.

[Felt]

I have a feeling that we wont sign as many players as we on this board expects.
1 lb/rb
1 keeper
1 cover striker
1 cb - done?!?
1 midfielder if we get Diakite - 2 midfielders if we sack Barton (which I do not think we can afford - I think MH wants to get rid og him but since we cannot get out of his contract he will have to keep him).

Anyway I hope MH gets who he wants before the pre season kicks off so our squad will gel from the start of PL in august.

Sounds about right to me. I think Fabio, Green and Andy Johnson are pretty much nailed on, leaving only a midfielder. I wouldn't be too surprised if we signed another CB or a striker though.