So. The current squad is a good place to start.

It’s hard to write a blog keeping Norwich fans updated with the state of the squad when you don’t actually start with the current squad we have at our disposal.

Now before I start – reading this is depressing. Mostly because of the poor excuse of a football team we currently have at our disposal. So if you’re on anti-depressants, about to go on anti-depressants or have been reading the Pink ‘Un forum most of the day (in which case I would recommend anti-depressants), look away now.

In goal we have a pretty good keeper in David Marshall. Scotland’s no. 2 keeper and former Celtic prodigy, Marshall represents a decent prospect aged just 23 and is a superb shot stopper. But he needs to work on commanding his area and coming for crosses. I think I must’ve had a series of panic attacks watching him flap towards the end of last season.

Backin him up is Matty Gilks who has expressed his displeasure at a lack of first team football. Expect him to be shown the door soon and his seat on the bench taken by young Declan Rudd, considered the next big goalkeeping talent through the Colney academy. I doubt that a goalkeeper will be on Roeder’s list of targets.

At right back is lightning quick scouser Jon Otsemobor. But let’s be honest, as potent an attacking threat as he is, he’s about as defensively absent minded as some wingers. No cover for the right back position is currently at the club with the recent release of Juan Velasco and Andrew Cave Brown – so expect Roeder to bring a right back in.

Left back is in a similar position to left back. The perennially injured Adam Drury is our only left back – and some would argue letting him leave based on pre-injury form. Expect a left back in to replace returned loanees Mo Camara and Ryan “Plastic” Bertrand – with the latter being a very popular choice to return after impressing last season on loan from Chelsea.

Center back is a controversial position mostly because current pairing Gary Doherty and Jason Shackell have proven time and time again they are average at best. In Shackell’s defence, he did look a lot more solid alongside a better partner – Martin Taylor. Unfavoured youth product Micky Spillane can also play in this position, but recent managers have preferred him as a full back or in central midfield. Roeder, however, doesn’t appear to like him. Expect one, maybe two new center halves.

On the right of midfield is pacey Lee Croft who has the close ball control of Cristiano Ronaldo and the crossing and finishing ability of a fat pub player. If you’re looking for an analogy, there is a popular one concerning banjos and cows. That applies well to Mr Croft. And Mr Luke Chadwick. Chadders is a good player – but I secretly think he fancies Neil Reynolds for all the time he’s on his physio’s table.

On the left we have Matty Pattison who is a sort of younger, slightly more talented Gary Holt. I like him, if I’m honest and think a number of fans are overly critical of him. His work rate is 100% – but just needs to learn to pass a bloody ball! Oh, and Robert Eagle - again, talented left foot, but a strong gust of flatulence could knock him over. Don’t expect him near the first team next season – expect him to buy a year pass to the nearest gym. Expect a left winger in to replace the legendary Darren Huckerby pronto.

Central midfield is cap’n Mark Fotheringham and Darrel Russell. Fozzy and Russell are two players who will get stuck in, work hard and help both going forward and back. Fozzy will, however, spread more passes whereas Russell will cover every blade of glass. I think the partnership works well, but it does lack that killer instinct player, the player who will make those telling passes and score the occasional goal. This is also Matty Pattison’s favoured position – but Roeder does prefer him as the third midfielder in his one winger system. Backing them up is… err… umm…. Well I suppose Micky Spillane can play there, but again I think Roeder would rather sign Huckerby back to the squad than play Spillane. So, once again, central midfielders are probably needed (see a pattern here?).

Finally you’ve got your strikers; Jamie Cureton. And Chris Martin. Curo has been a bit of a disappointment to most Norwich fans. For his 12 goals scored this season, he has comfortably missed a further 10 that playing for Colchester he would have buried. Chris Martin is our so-called wonder kid who burst on to the scene when Peter Grant was in charge. He scored a few goals to keep us out of trouble and signed a big contract. He then grew an ego the size of a skyscraper and has been an ass since. Without a doubt he won’t be seen anywhere near the first team either. With that in mind, Curo really is our only striker – and it’s here I suspect we’ll see the most change with at least two new strikers needed as a matter of priority.

Depressing reading, isn’t it? You look down the list of who’s who, crossing those names off that simply aren’t a viable first team squad choice (players like Spillane and Martin who need to prove themselves to Roeder, Rudd who won’t get into the squad until Gilks leaves and Eagle who needs to bulk up) and we’re left with just Marshall, Gilks, Otsemobor, Drury, Doherty, Shackell, Croft, Chadwick, Pattison, Fozzy, Russell and Curo as the only recognised squad members.

That’s just twelve squad members.

Sure, the unconcerned would point to the names I’ve missed out and academy graduates just given their first contracts. Players like Lathorpe, Smith etc. I’m sure these lads have been given contracts on merit – but equally, they’re not up to an assault on the Championship by a  long shot. Throwing these lads in would be like throwing lambs to the slaughter.

Roeder has said he wants a squad of twenty to twenty two players of equal ability – which is a tall order given what we’ve identified as the base to build on.

We’ll next look at what Roeder needs, finally culminating in who he may well target.