There’s a new ‘keeper in Keiren Westwood, untested at this level but who’s impressed for Carlisle in recent seasons and in pre-season friendlies, with the dependable Andy Marshall more than capable of taking over between the sticks if necessary. Dimi is still around too, but probably only until his injury clears up as it’s unlikely he’ll get a sniff at the first team. Ireland has also signed on after improving beyond belief from last year and Neil Collett has been kept on from the academy, but these are two for the future.

The defence looks reasonably solid with Fox, Ward and newly appointed club captain Dann, with Borrowdale, Hall and Turner providing adequate back-up. Without a reserve team next year, Ben Turner could do with going out on loan to get regular games under his belt and help him get rid of the lapses of concentration he suffered from last season. Getting in one of the supposed targets of Richard Wood from Wednesday or Anthony Gerrard from Walsall would be ideal to replace the departed Hawkins and De Zeeuw, but isn’t a priority.

What is a priority is a right back. David McNamee, the only player from last season accustomed to the position, has gone to Plymouth after Coleman dallied over whether or not to offer him a new contract because of his injury problems. The experienced Stephen Wright has been on trial for over a month and a contract has been offered, but negotiations are taking a very long time and Wolves are rumoured to be hijacking the deal. Moritz Volz and Neal Eardley have both been mentioned over the summer as well, and either would be a decent addition, but one thing is certain – we HAVE to sign someone. Osbourne can’t be expected to fill in again – he’s just not well equipped enough for the position.

Speaking of Osbourne, the start of the season could have seen him get the chance to become the midfield enforcer he wants to be were it not for injury – the lad seems destined to never get the chance to prove himself in his favoured position. Michael Hughes has gone and the not-so-dynamic duo of Stephen Hughes and Michael Doyle, who had plagued our central midfield for far too long, have finally been split up. With one released and the other missing the start of the season with an abdominal injury it gives the chance for others to prove we are better off without them. New signings Guillame Beuzelin and Aron Gunnarsson both look comfortable on the ball and will be fighting Osbourne and Doyle for the defensive midfield spot, so we’re well stocked in that department.

Tabb and Thornton are both still available to provide a more attacking approach and excitement to the centre of midfield, but either or both will probably end up out wide, as we’ve got very little width in the squad following the release of Liam Davis, Wayne Andrews and Ellery Cairo. Julian Gray is the only proper winger at the moment, and despite his obvious talent he can go missing when the going gets rough, although the returning Leon McKenzie could be a solution if he can stay clear of injuries and Chris Birchall could come in if he’s not offloaded. A bid for David Bell was unsuccessful, and the mooted return of Gary McSheffrey was curtailed by Birmingham’s relegation, but City definitely needs to strengthen both flanks.

The strike force has been bolstered with the securing of Eastwood after a transfer saga lasting about six months. He should add finishing power to the front line, and has seemed to link up well with Leon Best in pre-season, although the pre-season injury curse has struck Best and he’ll be out for at least the first month. If Best has managed to grasp offside he could prove a potent weapon once he’s fit. Clinton Morrison is also in negotiations with the club and he’d be another decent addition, especially given Best’s injury and the antics of last season’s top scorer Michael Mifsud.

The Maltese international finally put in the transfer request everyone had been expecting for months, then proceeded to give Bristol City the run-around, leading to the transfer being called off and him incurring the wrath of just about everybody. Unfortunately it means it’s unlikely he’ll play much of a part this season unless there’s a lot of injuries or that the Sky Blues will get anywhere near his market value if they want rid of him.

Kevin Kyle still remains but his future also surely lies elsewhere and Robbie Simpson and Donovan Simmonds are others who could probably do with a season on loan. Whoever is picked, Coleman needs to play at least two of them up front together if he wants to get the best from them; ditching the 4-5-1 formation he persisted with for most of last season in the process.

Overall, the squad looks a bit stronger than last year, although a number of our acquisitions are untested at this level. The problem areas of the flanks, especially the right hand side, need addressing urgently though or they could once again prove our downfall. It’s a work-in-progress, and Ranson and Coleman have said so, taking their time to chase their targets that settle for quick-fixes which have never worked in the past.

I’m not expecting great things this season (although the performances of Hull, Bristol City and Stoke last year show anything is possible) and would be happy with a solid mid-table finish, and I reckon we’ll end up about 16th.