Player exodus to reach ten

The ninth and tenth players to leave SE7 in the close season should be confirmed this week. The protracted "Bent to Cardiff" transfer should conclude today for £1m and I suspect Iwelumo will be next, probably for around £750,000 to Wolves. Frankly, these look like market rates and the loss of two forwards from seven similar quality first team choices is no great loss, especially if it frees up funds for strengthening elsewhere.

Surprising to hear Pards this weekend talking about the need to strengthen the defence. Maybe he acknowledges the central midfield priority and is commenting on the need for central defence and right-back cover as the next obvious gap. As I have said before, this may well beg the "why?" question in terms of releasing McCarthy and Halford. They have set the benchmark in terms of the quality of replacement required and with very little money available it will be difficult. Maybe the idea is to go for a Herman look-a-like who could cover both roles?

Pards also confirmed the rumoured approach for Hameur Bouazza but it looks like Roy Hodgson wants to give him another look and the speculation may have interested other clubs as well.

Thierry Racon had a good half at Ebbsfleet in central midfield, scoring one and teeing up Andy Gray for another. His contribution was acknowledged by Pards and he thinks we could see more of him if he focuses on his game. This is good news but shouldn't detract us from making what should be our most influential signing(s) of the season. I state the plural because one central midfield signing is a risk if he gets injured - look at the Andy Reid experience.

With the team off to Spain, it looks unlikely we will land anyone for another week or two so should resign ourselves to another late introduction and a slow start as Pards finds the best combination in the middle and new boy(s) settles in.