So, apart from needing De Bruyne and Ronaldo etc, what, realistically, do we need to do in the transfer window?
One idea is nothing. That is to say, follow Dario's old maxim of 'see where our youngsters take us' and get them playing together at a higher level. Not all of them, obviously, but we can continue with Robertson, Long and maybe Ramsey, as well as our longer term older players. This would probably mean we have generally given up on this season and are preparing for the next.
Another option would to see the season as not yet lost and go for a couple of players in key positions. But what are those positions? Well, we assume that Lowery is going so we need a replacement for him. Somebody who could hold the ball but also move it forward and possibly add goals. The other important figure would need to be a goalscoring targetman. Unfortunately Porter is beginning to 'lose his legs' and Mandron just doesn't fit this season's style of play.
The next consideration is whether these are signings or are loans. Would loans work? Short-term commitments but also people who might need to prove themselves. No more old men as signings (MacDonald has recently signed for Penybont).
Finally, we need to ensure none of our academy players follow Wintle, Dale and Lowery and so get offered decent longer term deals as soon as possible.