If we survive and if Pulis is still here then we need to emerge from the summer with a first XI that works in a Pulis
4-4-2. To that end there should be absolutely no sacred cows and frankly I would be quite happy to unload any of the current squad to get us there but plainly flogging the whole squad is not going to happen.
To recap for Pulisball to work we need a tough uncompromising defence. Two central midfielders who are all rounders with a good engine. A target man and a number 10 combination. Plus a couple of hard working wingers with a bit of skill. We haven't got it and to get it we probably need to get busy this summer
Near Certain Departures
Wisdom, Pocognoli, Davidson, Gamboa and Dorrans
None of the above have any future under Pulis he has shown little or no inclination to play them and will be moved on .
Near Certain to be retained
Dawson, Lescott, Foster, Fletcher, McManaman and Gardner
Decisions to be made
Myhill Olsson McAuley Yacob, Mulmbu, Morrision, Sessègnon, Brunt, Ideye, Berahino Anichebe and Baird
I don't see all of the above being here nor for that matter all of them leaving but I think there are decisions to be made.
Out of Contract
Baird - out of contract might be retained because of his versatility but I think he is more likely to leave.
McAuley will probably get another year primarily as a back up option.
Myhill club has an option to extend his contract which we will take up unless we can get a replacement who might genuinely push Foster for first choice but with Foster unlikely to be fit for the start of the season I suspect we will keep him
Yacob the club has an option, I'm of the opinion that he is too defensive for a 4-4-2 and with him and Fletcher in the side the whole team sits too deep to be effective, however he has had game time under Pulis so I suspect we might take up the option and he will get some game time when we park the bus away from home
Last year of contract
Sessègnon I doubt very much he is Pulis's cup of tea he is probably only getting starts because of the absence of an alternative.
Anichebe In theory the big bloke up front but his injury record is terrible
Morrisison Surprised he has featured so heavily for Pulis who I would have though would regard him as too lightweight for Centre Mid but I am sure he would be a candidate to be replaced
Olsson Unfit for most of the season and has made some howlers when he has played,
All of the above could leave and if we are to reshape the squad their wages have to be recycled, the issue will be to find clubs willing to take them off our hands.
Two or more years on contract
Brunt, I don't think Brunt is a natural Pulis type winger but I wouldn't entirely write off his future just yet. Personally if he is not going to be first choice I would move him on but without any takers from elsewhere he will be retained
Ideye Has shown some form since Christmas and that might be enough to get an offer which recovers our investment so therefore could be sold as he is not the type of forward that would find favour under Pulis but not a natural number 10 either.
Berahino It all depends on whether he signs a new contract but also being deployed as a number 10 which really isn't his best position. Not sure whether pushing him into that role will work long term, might be better off cashing in.
Mulumbu Form has been fitful at best could be moved on but is becoming increasingly a bit part player and I am not sure he will be in demand with other clubs.
Potentially there is a lot of movement over the summer and plainly there is going to be a need to recruit four or five first team regulars but to go beyond that will require us to move a few players on and while the first XI could look very different I think we will be retaining a few experienced pros like Mulumbu almost by default.
This might not be ideal but I think it will take at least two summers to really reshape the squad.
