Going down could be just what our strikers need to get some confidence back, Hooper would be excellent in the championship, RvW may struggle with the physicality but the championship is easier to play 4-4-2 in, I'd hope to see a return of the diamond with two strikers and an attacking mid. We also have Becchio who has proved how good he can be at that level, Lozza who adds a pact option and Morris. Howson is the player i'd most like to keep and would make him captain. If Ruddy goes then so be it i think Rudd is ready. I reckon next year is the time to get the youth involved in the team.
Can't understand those thinking the majority will go. I expect Bassong, Wes and Fer to be moved on, send back the loan players then see what we can get for the likes of Ruddy, Snodgrass and RvW or Hooper. If noone stumps up the appropriate money then we should keep them (and I'd want a lot for the first 2). The main aim will be to keep the core of this group together and get them playing with confidence again. I think we could easily have gotten mid-table this season if the players hadn't of been slowly drained of their confidence so there's no reason we can't get straight back up.
There is no financial need to sell any players, so really it will comes down to who is up for the fight. I may be slightly naive here but i can only see the logic of our players wanting to go, if a top 6 team comes in for them. Our only player that may (already did) strike interest from a top 6 club is Ruddy. Any other club in the prem is a potential relegation candidate.
I'm struggling to see a case for Olsson staying. He was in demand last year and his reputation has probably improved since moving here. He handed in a transfer request as soon as Blackburn went down. Blackburn did manage to hang on to him, despite his agent saying there was no possibility of him playing in the Championship. Not sure that'll happen again though.
On that basis we've probably secured the services of Carlo Nash for next year so that's one less thing to worry about.
