There is apparently a quote from Alex McLeish doing the rounds this evening which has caused a few knickers to get well and truly twisted. It doesn’t take much admittedly, if it’s not the colour of socks, it’s something else equally earth-shattering. The new gaffer has said something to the effect that he only expects to make one more signing before the season starts.

ZOMG!?!? Where’s the ambition?!?

Without seeing the actual words, or arguing the semantics attached to “start of the season” versus “end of the transfer window”, or even considering whether McLeish is employing a little kidology as he tries to build his side, I thought it worth exploring the depth of the current squad.

Remember, we’ve already covered how many first team players we have who are aged over 21 and must be included in the 25-man Premier League squad if they’re to be available for league games this side of the winter transfer window. Since that post, we’ve lost Downing and gained Given, so we’re still at 23 players. A replacement for Downing will take us to 24.

Here’s our current first team squad – including younger players who do not have to be named in the 25-man squad – shown in their recognised areas of the pitch, and again in some cases (shown in light grey italics) where they’re also able to do a passable job if called upon.

EDIT: A number of people responded via Twitter to point out that Gabby and even Stephen Warnock were capable of covering the wings. I agree, but had initially left them out to keep things as simple as possible. On reflection, I think it’s better to include them so I’ve added them in, as well as Delfouneso who has played wide himself for Villa and England.

There’s clearly a massive weakness on the flanks, I think we can assume that if there is only one new player to come he will be a winger! Aside from that, and possibly a strong defensive midfielder type, we’re not in bad shape. Not from a numbers perspective anyway; the qualities of each individual player will naturally be a matter of opinion and that’s not something we’ll ever have universal agreement on. I won’t waste my time trying to seek it.

I think a lot of people have been focused on the players who left over the summer so far and failed to take into account that a half dozen of the youngsters now must be included in the 25-man squad if they’re to play. Either we want to bring the academy players through or we don’t.

Regardless of what happens in terms of player movements in the next few weeks, one thing that never fails to get my goat is the notion that ambition is defined by nothing more than how much money is thrown at the transfer market.