Top 6 squad players

Hate to say it, look at the red shite, they have continually got their recruitment spot on for years (apart from the blip after the sale of Suarez).

We need our scouts to find our version of Torres, Suarez, Salah, Mane or Firmino!

We are linked with players unproven in the Premier League, I'd just like to see some real intent this window.

Rooney, Rodwell, Lescott, Arteta, Fellaini, Stones, Deulofeu, Lukaku, Barkley.

Going for 'squad' players of the top 6 isn't what we need because the ones we can get are 'reserve' 'back up', ie, not good enough, and the ones we want are 'squad/rotation' players and they would never come.

We need young, hungry players who can take us to the next level. And maybe an elder statesman type to bring that nous and experience to the squad, like Gareth Barry did some years back.

If we don't, we still have a good improving squad. The likes of Richarlison and Digne, Gana, Keane etc are coveted. I just hope we show the ambition required to keep improving now. Welbeck might be more of a step to the side... but, if we get him, I will give him a chance.

Of the currently relative players Stones seems unable to get in City's first choice team, Fellaini couldn't get a game at Man Utd, and it seems Lukaku has gone the same way, Deulofeu blows hot and cold and only lasts around 60 minutes, and Barkley will never be a regular in a top-six team.

We need a team for the future based on quick, skillful motivated players who can score goals or, in the case of defenders, who can help keep clean sheets.

The top 6 have bigger squads and there are various reasons why players don't fit but can still come good elsewhere. Let's also have a quick reality check, we are a long way off competing with the top 6, they have elite, world class players and their fringe players are still an upgrade on some of our starting 11.

We have done quite well with some of our signings from ‘bigger' clubs who were looking to offload, some work out, some don't... that's also true for our signings from ‘smaller' clubs where they were reluctant to sell to us.

We signed Lukaku and Barry in the same window, both were cracking players. If we could repeat that with equivalent players this window I'd bite your hand off!

Looking abroad, we have done well with the Barca signings, albeit appreciate that's slightly off topic even if it is continuing the spirit of players who have failed to make the grade.