Allardyce Draws Up His Long List Of Transfer Targets

So now the hard work starts. In truth, as the final league positions of the three relegated teams shows - third, fourth and fifth - the Championship is a sub standard division that is nowhere near as hard to get out of as some would have us believe. Norwich and Southampton have both gone through the division without pausing in the last two seasons too, suggesting that the gulf is between the Prem and the Championship rather than the Championship and the old Division Three.

The need to bolster the squad is urgent. People got carried away about Demel on the back of a few decent games but he is not fast enough nor good enough for the Prem. With Faubert off - we hope - and O'Brien not good enough, we need two right backs for starters. The left back situation is no better. Taylor is fine as a left back in the Championship but, as Blackpool proved yesterday, he is vulnerable when up against a good opponent. And McCartney is, at best, cover in the Prem

Can Tomkins and Reid hack it in the Prem as a pairing? I would give them a go but we obviously need more experience in the centre of defence. Faye is another who has done a job this year but who will struggle when up against quality, pacey strikers. So that's two centre backs too! We are up to five players already!

The midfield will be controversial. Can Noble cope in the Prem? I think so but his performance yesterday was disappointing. Collison? Not for me. Squad player at best. O'Neil? The same holds for him too. Taylor? Let's not forget that he wasn't good enough for Bolton and where are Bolton now? Nolan? He's been there, seen it and done it. He will still be key to Sam's plans.

And what about the strikers? Baldock? There's already talk of him leaving - on loan at least. Maynard? Not good enough for me. A useful squad player perhaps. Cole? He has looked very impressive in the playoffs and over the last few games of the season. A summer's rest may see him return stronger and more mobile. He has taken his chances well recently so maybe, maybe, he is about to realise his potential. And Vaz Te? He has been the difference for me, a great Allardyce signing.

Which leaves Green. Watch that Blackpool goal again. Green should have been off his line and a yard to his right. He got his angles totally wrong for me and it reminded me of a Wolves goal in that 1-3 home defeat under Zola. I would rather have Robinson and / or Jussi personally.

So here's the rub with Allardyce's strategy. He built a machine to grind its way out of the Championship but that machine is likely to break down badly in the Prem. We need nine or ten new players with the likes of Demel, Faubert, Diop, Faye, O'Brien and Carew being shown the door, Baldock leaving on loan and McCartney (if we sign him), Collison, O'Neil and probably Reid becoming squad players. Blackburn and Bolton players will figure prominently on Allardyce's wish list, but they both came down this season for a reason - and that reason wasn't just that The Ego was no longer their manager.

Yesterday was great for bonding. Fans, manager, captain, players - we were United in joy. It's a shame that sense of unity is about to be lost, but as Alan Sugar twattered yesterday, without new players we will struggle. But for all that, it's great to be back isn't it? Who wants to win most weekends? Where's the fun in that?