Silly season is well underway and despite the lack of genuine momentum from the Potters we have actually made a signing in the shape of ex Spurs and Real Madrid defender Jonathan Woodgate.

60 minutes in the bank... © Action Images

Woody is a solid start to our Summer recruitment drive, on his day when fit there aren’t many better in Europe but the question on everyone’s lips is ‘has his day been and gone’? In terms of the deal we struck it is pretty low risk, the player is still very hungry and professes to be fully fit, it’s now down to the manager and backroom staff to make sure he stays that way – I wonder if Pulis has him earmarked for fullback?!

Woodgate aside, the rumour mill is in full flow and despite being linked with around 50 players the only other concrete deals we have pursued are those of a double swoop for Dann and Jerome and a move for Carlton Cole (nicknamed Can’t Control by a cruel minority)

I’m not sure what message is being sent out with these really, on one hand we are attempting to bring in relatively young players including an England International and in Dann maybe a future one, but then on the other hand, all 3 are from Relegated teams. You get the impression that we still have a bit of a siege mentality and are perhaps not taking advantage of our improved image off the back of a record breaking season.

Whilst capturing Woody could end up as being quite a coup, there are still other parts of the team needing drastic improvement, I feel like I say the same every year and still we fail to address the areas most deserving of attention.

Defence

With Faye leaving and the injury to Higgy, not to mention his age, it’s clear we need a centre half to cover. Whilst we may have signed Woodgate, if Shawcross/Huth were to suddenly break a foot, could he step in and play 3 months of football, I think we know the answer, and as such need to recruit in this area. Add to this the ever present requirement for a left back and perhaps a right back too and the defence seems to need quite an overhaul.

Players needed – Left Back and Centre Back
Potential players – Stephen Warnock, Liam Ridgewell, Scott Dann, Cedric Mongongu

Versatile... © Shaun Botterill/Getty Images

Midfield

Yet another area that has needed improving for years, upgrades in the middle are urgently required and cover for our flying wingers is also a must. On the latter point, the emergence of Marshall as an exciting prospect who can cover both flanks is exciting news, but knowing Pulis he won’t use him and instead send him out on loan to play every week.

Players needed – Centre Midfield, Wing Cover
Potential Players – Momo Sissoko, Mahamadou Diarra, Mark Noble, Jack Collison, Shaun Wright Phillips, Darron Gibson, Max Gradel, Wilson Palacios, Vasilis Torosidis, Steven N'Zonzi, Fabrice Muamba, Nigel Reo Coker, Jermaine Jenas

Midfield enforcer? © DailyMail

Attack

Pulis often laments our finishing but then in the same breath courts players with some of the worst finishing stats around. We all understand that the system is very rigid and that there will be a certain type of player in mind, but the insistence of buying proven Premier League players and not taking a chance on foreigners limits our pool to little more than a handful. We have never replaced Tuncay and with the injury to Fuller we now have zero creativity and flair up front and I fear that by chasing the likes of Cole and Crouch that we will once more see a static and unimaginative front line.

Players needed – Back up Target Man and Nippy Striker
Potential players – Peter Crouch, Carlton Cole, Jermaine Defoe, Craig Bellamy, Cameron Jerome, Papiss Cisse

Goalscorer... © Telegraph

Tweet

Follow ESPNsoccernet's Football Correspondents on Twitter and Facebook