Are we about to see a clear out?

Sears is going out on loan, Widdowson has gone, Di Michele, Neill and Tristan are out of contract, Davenport and Bowyer want out, Ashton may be up for sale, Upson looked less than committed against Everton - are we about to see a summer clear out at Upton Park? And is there money to replace them?

The squad is already too thin as has been illustrated over the last two months and certainly cannot sustain mass defections on the scale that is indicated above. It may be paper talk, of course, but if we really are looking to offload Beano then that is worrying. What sort of price could we expect to command for him at the moment? Surely we would have to sell him as part of the government's "Trade in a banger" deal? How about we advertise him for sale and offer to throw in his wheelchair and recliner chair for nothing? Who in their right minds would risk serious money on a player who has barely kicked a ball for 12 months? Well unless Curbishley gets a job of course!

The Mirror claims that we haven't risked playing Beano for fear of him breaking down yet again and so lowering his price. That must be redtop bullshit I hear you scream, but do you remember Zola saying a few weeks back that he hoped to see Beano playing before the end of the season? I scoffed at the suggestion at the time, saying that the pizza charged one would only play when he was good and ready, but presumably there was a chance of it happening for Zola to say it? I just wonder if Zola and Clark have decided that Ashton's attitude stinks and actually want to offload him.

The possible departure of Upson is a massive concern. He has been the rock of our defence and Tomkins has benefited hugely from playing alongside him. Even Downpipe looked capable alongside Matty. I understand the argument about big money for an aging player with a patchy injury record but Upson's Yellow pages stuffed boots will be hard ones to fill, which is why Wenger is reputed to want him. Should we lose BOTH Upson and Neill, our defence will be stripped of the pragmatism that has stood us in such good stead this season. Neither are brilliant but both have played the percentages well and led by example. Collins is not a replacement for Upson and Spector certainly will not fill Neill's right back berth, never mind his leadership boots.

God knows who is going to play up front with Cole if Ashton moves his BUPA membership to another employer. Zola surely isn't kidding himself that either Di Michele or Tristan can do the job? He has seen through Sears, he must have got Laurel and Hardy's number by now! We can't afford to be in another fine mess next season hoping that either of these two comedians will hit the back of the net more than once a month between them. And don't get me onto Dyer. He will train through the summer and pull up lame a week before the season kicks off won't he?

Now let's assume the worst for a moment - Ashton, Upson, Bowyer, Davenport and Neill all go. What would we get for them? Ashton? £9million would be a very dangerous punt in my view. Upson? Wenger hasn't got a lot to spend. I doubt we would get more than £9m for him either. Bowyer? Probably a free. Neill? Out of contract so nothing. Davenport? Maybe £2million if we are lucky. That's just £20 million and we would need a quality centre-back, a right back, three forwards and another midfield player. Looked at like that, it is bloody worrying!