That seems to be changing however. The usual pre-season transfer talk has been much more heated than usual on the boards, primarily because we've actually got the financial means to go out and achieve something in the transfer market. It looks like we could have the strongest squad going into next season that this club has seen in about ten years.

Breaking down the positions likely to be needed in KJ's anticipated 4-3-3, I've listed the players we already have, or are likely at the time of writing to have signed by the seasons start, capable of doing a job there: (albeit as emergency cover in some cases)

GK - Geuret, Murphy, Letheran

RB - O'Leary, Gurney, Tate, Ricketts, Forbes

LB - Anderson, Ricketts, Austin, Burgess

CB - Tate, Iriekpen, Austin, Monk, O'Leary, Gurney

LM - Goodfellow, Ricketts, Anderson, McLeod, Robinson, Burgess

DM - O'Leary, Gurney, Martinez

CM - Britton, Robinson, Burgess, Martinez

RM - Britton, Forbes, Robinson, Ricketts

ST - Trundle, Thorpe, Connor, McLeod, Goodfellow, Thomas, Forbes, Bond, Pritchard, Nugent, Robinson

Apologies for anyone I've missed out.

What that suggests to me is that we've got more cover for every single position on the pitch than we have in donkeys years. KJ's strategy of signing players comfortable in more than one position (take a bow Sammy Ricketts & Andy Robinson with four apiece), has possibly enabled us to operate with a slightly smaller squad, but of better quality players, especially if the other players targeted (Holt, Morgan, Pratley et al) sign as well.

Factor in again that around ten players in the squad are either natural left footers or are comfortable using either foot, and it spells balance all across the side. We're still lacking a little bit in the middle of the park, which hopefully the signing of Pratley or someone else will address, but otherwise we look good for cover in all departments.

Now, there are potential pitfalls involved in this strategy. Players might feel more comfortable if they can settle in a specific role, and chopping and changing the line up never seems to work well. But in an era of transfer windows, it becomes more and more important to have players at your disposal that can handle most eventualities.

Two or three more signings of first team quality, and we've got the makings of a very promising season indeed.