If I was Souness I would be intrigued about what I could achieve with a young talented squad. Ferguson, Thompson, Niell and Emerton are all at their or reaching their peak with at tleast five seasons of football left in them. Also they are proven top class players who provide experience to the team. Gallagher is going to be a top class striker, there can be little doubt about that, while Steadinho is full of promise. Fiedel is much older than the rest but as a keeper would be hoping to play at the top level into his late thrities Gresko, Nissa and Todd all have a few seasons left in them (in Nissa's case, quite a few!) and have variated in form- but ultimately have looked capable of cutting it if they settle down. Add to this exciting youth team players like Johnson, Danns, Douglas and most importantly Donnelly and we have a great future. Look at the side- Steadinho Gallager Thompson Emerton Donnelly Ferguson Gresko Niell Nissa Todd Friedel Out of those only Donnelly and Stead are untested at Premiership level. And while question marks would hang over Nissa and Gresko both have enjoyed excellent games for the club and hopefully will find their form. An addition of a young left winger (downing? we have been connected to him) and we would look good. If I was Souey I wouldnt be able to resist it- especially as all the players would have been brought to the club or come up through the academy under him. The average age can only be about 24!

Souness is hardly tactically naive, if anything he is too much of a purist. He is trying to establish a team that can compete with the big teams in terms of style and ability and he managed that last term. This has however come with the sacrifice of the 'killer instinct'. We would of been in the Champions league last season with a top goal scorer, whether it was Cole living up to his billing or even Robbie Keane. We are suffering because we arnt competing- in terms of talent in the squad we are easily in the same bracket or better than Charlton or Fulham. We have been unlucky with injuries to our most creative players, something you cannnot blame Souness for. Ask yourself this, at the start of the season who would of not swapped their manager for our Graeme? Only the top three and arguably Charlton, Newcastle and Southampton- even Liverpool would of taken him back......

I think even the most pessimistic Leeds fan would anticipate getting at least £4 million for Smith. Birmingham would pay that in a shot so its up from there. I cant think of a club in England who wouldnt be interested- Arsenal, Man U, Newcastle are all actively looking for strikers. If it is a fire sale then I would think around £25 million at least for the squad could be raised. Milner would certainly be an interesting target.