There are 13 games left till the end of the season. Town have won five of their last six games, and have been playing entertaining football into the bargain. It seems not unreasonable to think that, on balance, they have turned the corner. We will not be relegated.

Projecting a repetition of the results of the last six games through to the end of the season, then another 33 points would be attained. A total of 76 points might well put us into sixth position and hence the play-offs.

Nice thought, but highly unlikely given the teams we still have to play. Saints away this week could be an ugly experience if Adam Lallana and company rip apart the back four the way they did at Portman Road earlier in the campaign.

My forecast, for what it is worth, is that Town will continue to demonstrate improving performances but that by the end of the season we are likely to have amassed around 64-66 points. Safety in the top ten.

With that scenario in place for the 'finish line' season 2011/12, what does Paul Jewell need to do preparing a squad for 2012/13 capable of competing for a top six position or even automatic promotion? (I assume here that, with the owner’s continuing support, PJ is Town’s manager going forwards).

First, consider the budget. Town’s stated policy is to be prudent and comply with the (yet to be finalised) rules on financial management. In other words: live within your means. I for one fully support that; especially if there is a level playing field of rules for all clubs.

The consequence however may be that some of Town’s contingent of high-earning players will have to go and/or accept reductions in their wages. My guess is that the top six earners at Town are (in no order): Jimmy Bullard, Jason Scotland, Grant Leadbitter, Lee Bowyer, Carlos Edwards and Michael Chopra. Daryl Murphy would join them, except that I suspect a part of his wages may be being paid by his parent club Celtic.

I consider it essential that Edwards is offered a new contract at least for next season on lower wages (he has publicly stated that he would accept this) and made captain for next season at the same time. His performances and attitude justify this.

If one name must be culled from the list then, assuming he is found to have flagrantly infringed his contract, I would go for Bullard (notwithstanding his known footballing talent).

Returning to the squad as a whole, and their suitability for next season, let's briefly consider defence, midfield and attack.

Defence
For the back four we have a core of players that are beginning to gel and should get better if they keep playing together: Edwards, Tommy Smith, Ibrahima Sonko, Damien Delaney and Aaron Cresswell.

I think we need only back up for Edwards, not a replacement. He is rapidly improving at right-back and adds great speed and effectiveness powering down the wing. I think as captain he behaves well on the pitch and brings maturity and presence (as well as tutoring JET!). So the question is: is Jack Ainsley the adequate back up? Or do we buy someone in? I am not sure on this point.

Where we do need to buy is an experienced, mature (26-28 years old), right-footed centre-back. One who can challenge Delaney and Sonko for the shirt. Smith, I suspect, could be an ever-present next season if he stays fit and continues on his curve of improving confidence and performances.

At left-back the shirt belongs to Cresswell. Long may his form persist. As back up I would like to see Joe Whight blooded into the squad. If he fails to rise to the occasion then we might need to look elsewhere.

Goakeeper is the biggest position that needs resolving in the defence. I fail to understand why PJ signed Richard Wright and then does not use him. Richard should be given the opportunity to prove his competence during the last games of the season. Or, let him go at season’s end.

I do not believe ALB has the wherewithal to be our permanent number one keeper. He is improving and I would hold onto him as a number two for another year to allow possible improvement.

In terms of bringing-in a proven outsider, my first choice would be Neil Alexander from Rangers. He looked the real thing when he played for us before. If he is unavailable, then Keiren Westwood would fit the bill (if fit). I am not so convinced about Scott Loach at Watford.

Midfield
We have some great players in the making in Luke Hyam, Andy Drury, JET, Carson, Ryan Stevenson and Lee Martin. Leadbitter, if he applies himself as he did in the game against Bristol City as opposed to his abject efforts at Peterborough, can also be part of the future (so long as he accepts a modest reduction in wages).

Bowyer is costing us serious money. He seems slow and injury prone. I would like to see him moved on or sent on loan. Murphy, if willing, should be signed from Celtic, albeit on affordable terms.

I do not see any urgent need to buy new players for the start of next season given the encouraging evolution being demonstrated by the above-named. Unless of course, Peter Whittingham or Robert Snodgrass became available, we should be in for one of them.

Attack
Chopra is one of the first names on the team sheet if he can maintain current form. Scotland has another year in him coming on as a second half substitute. Again though, a modest cut in salary would be in order.

Nathan Ellington, when fit, should be shipped out completely or at least on loan. He is not part of the future.

Ronan Murray, returned from a successful stint at Swindon, must be blooded into the squad. He has next season to demonstrate whether or not he can be successful at Championship level.

In conclusion, I agree with some of the other posters on TWTD that, given what we have, and once having unloaded a few 'not fit for purpose', Town are not far short of having a decent squad which could, if continuing to improve in confidence performances and results, definitely challenge for the top six next season. The two 'must-haves': a new first choice keeper and right-footed centre half.

cornishnick added 10:10 - Mar 5 I agree with most points, but would rather get a new first choice specialist RB. Also believe we need 2 new CBs, wouldn't give Sonks another contract. Would probably let Scotland leave as well
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irishtim added 10:44 - Mar 5 Good blog mate with some valid points. Still think 4 signings keeper rb to challenge carlos. Cb a must & a striker. Think if we get the right players in we can challenge next season.
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singtown added 12:33 - Mar 5 Valid points but I'm afraid PJ does not have the vision & patience to blend and spur new players PJ will likely go for loan players again come summer hoping to plug gaps identified. He was given the whole of last summer to improve the team but did little. Expect him to laze off again this summer
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Reus30 added 13:14 - Mar 5 I agree with everything apart from the Snodgrass and Whittingham comments. We have no chance and we wouldn't fit them onto our wage bill.
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afrodids added 14:57 - Mar 5 I agree in part on most points too. however believe as mass clear-out is needed in the summer with the likes of bowyer,scotland, leadboots,delaney & ellinghton all to go even sonko if we can draft in 2 CB's.Talk of the AV gk looks promising if not Luke steele from Barnsley I think is an option. Peter Whittingham & ched evans would also be on my wish list and if we could get pearce from pompey. that would be a good start. Time to clear out the dead wood and build on the good core players we have. COYB (would take a point at southampton a sneaky 1-0 would be gr8 tho) onwards and upwards

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bidwellh added 15:44 - Mar 5 I agree with some points, and disagree with some. I think we all see that a GK is a necessity. Guzan, Loach, Alexander and even Henderson would all be an improvement (Guzan or Alexander would be my first choice but I think Prem clubs will be interested in both). At least one CB is needed with Pearce fitting the bill perfectly and possibly another experienced one with Smith, Pearce and A.N. Other fighting for the two starting berths. I also think two much is being made of having two left footers at CB. It really doesn't make much difference and no one even mentions it when it comes to CM or striker. Then, a new RB is a must. Edwards has done brilliantly but a specialist (Ward, Halford or Lowton) would definitely improve the squad and allow CE to push forward and and provide further competition on the wings for JET, Carson and Murphy if he is signed permanently (which I am 50-50 over as I think it may stunt Carson's development - even though he has been great recently). I think Leadbitter should stay and provide competition for Drury and Hyam for the two deeper CM positions as he is suited to this position. I would then let Bowyer, one of Delaney or Sonko and Bullard (no time for sentiment) go, leaving Stevenson competing with Martin in AM. As we play one up front, I think three strikers is enough. Chopra as first choice with Scotland as sub/cover. Murray should be given his chance as third choice, so I see no need for signings here. All in all, evolution, not revolution with a few moving on and 3/4 coming in (all in defensive positions). This would leave us with a strong and flexible squad with good depth (at least two players who can play in each position) and a good balance of youth and experience. COYB!

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CairoTractors added 10:10 - Mar 7 Agree goalkeeper and Centre-back need stengthening as they have done for a while. Only seeing the odd game, and those at the start of the season, I would have said RB was our biggest issue. Clearly teams were coming to Portman Road and targeting Carlos, successfully pulling him out of position. Have not seen any of the recent performances so interested to see the comments about Carlos playing better but at a minimum I would look for a young challenger to the RB position (Creswell have a similarly talented right footed twin?)

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Dozzells_Bobblehat added 19:17 - Mar 7 Singtown. Very unfair criticism. PJ signed six players last summer and tried to get more, how is that lazing off? Also doesnt blend/spur new players......um cresswell, jet, drury, chopra, Stevenson, seems pretty good to me as well as making new players out of Martin and Scotland.
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