MOSS SIDE BARROW BOY PART SIX

With 6 August bringing its one pre-season encounter for the Citizens (at home to Accrington), it was time to take a full look at the squad with promotion on its mind:

GOALKEEPERS

Daniel Andersson (SWE, 28) - incredibly, only one cap for 'Hands' so far in his career. Instant starter, and security at the back.

Carlo Nash (ENG, 27) - worth keeping ahead of Weaver. Decent back up, and happy to remain so.

Hugo Pinheiro (POR, 20) - destined to spend his first season in the reserves as he builds his ability and gets used to life in England. Confident about his progress.

DEFENDERS

Daniel Braithwaite (ENG, 19) - youth player signed on a free and in the stiffs. Possibly injury-prone?

Laurent Charvet (FRA, 28) - right back with no future at this club. Come on French Division Two clubs - he's yours for £450k! Or even less.

Simon Colosimo (AUS, 22) - will give this young utility player a chance, but unconvinced about his overall ability to handle this level. Not a starter.

Richard Dunne (IRL, 21) - reasonably excited about a player who is already a regular in Mick McCarthy's team. Might struggle to hold onto him if he's as good as reported.

Espin (POR, 22) - got him due to lack of depth on the left. Back-up to Stuart Pearce, and former Under-21 international for Portugal.

Steve Howey (ENG, 29) - veteran centre-back who is yet to convince me of his worth. Hold on, I gave him some England caps? No wonder I left.

Andy Morrisson (SCO, 31) - thuggish bruiser who loves red cards, and believes he should be the club captain. I think he ought to leave, so it's a red card for your chances, sweetheart!

Stuart Pearce (ENG, 39) - what is there to say about a genuine legend like Psycho? Passionate, committed and charismatic, this will be his last season as a player, but his coaching ability will hopefully keep him at Maine Road. Team captain.

Paul Ritchie (SCO, 25) - am keeping my eye out on this centre-back, who could yet have the talent to do good things.

Gerard Wiekens (HOL, 28) - symptomatic of the sort of dross the fans have had to watch in recent seasons. Please go.

Also on his way is Ibrahim Said, but the Home Office are mulling over his work permit application in the same sluggish length of time it takes to get a passport in this country. Hurry up! We've also got free signing and Uruguayan international, Gonzalo Sorondo, headed over, but I'm less optimistic about his chances of being granted entry.

MIDFIELDERS

Ali Benarbia (ALG, 32) - ageing but decent midfielder, who will hold down central slot. Good left-foot for set piece work.

Kristian Bergstrom (SWE, 27) - classy left-sided midfielder, who should tear defences to shreds with his pace and intelligent passing.

Eyal Berkovic (ISR, 29) - multi-capped attacking midfielder, and big whinger. Might yet moan his way out of the club. Not sure how much I care.

Terry Cooke (ENG, 25) - former Manchester United recruit and biggest reason for City fighting their way out of Division Two in 1999. Hasn't done much since then.

Tony Grant (ENG, 26) - never heard of him, hope I don't have to for much longer.

Alf Inge Haaland (NOR, 28) - yet to really impress at Maine Road, but I'm convinced he has the talent. Starting defensive midfielder.

Kevin Horlock (NIR, 28) - permanently up for it midfielder but not good enough for Premiership level. Is fine to make appearances here though. 21 caps for his country - woo hoo!

Tonton Zola Moukoko (SWE, 17) - I expect big things from this prodigy. Destined to make big impact on the side as the year progresses.

Stefan Selakovic (SWE, 24) - right-sided midfielder attracted via forces of damnation. Damned good midfielder too, who ought to have little difficulty responding to the demands of Division One.

Nicky Summerbee (ENG, 29) - whose bright idea was it to bring him back? Have already let him go on a Bosman, but can't remember who to. Shows how much I care, doesn't it?

Danny Tiatto (AUS, 28) - card-happy Aussie who has been listed. Take him off our hands, please.

FORWARDS

Andreas Andersson (SWE, 27) - starting striker with naturally gifted right foot shot. Expecting lots of good things from him.

Shaun Goater (BER, 31) - always seems to find the back of the net, but relegated to the bench this season. Loved to shreds in Bermuda.

Darren Huckerby (ENG, 25) - can leave whenever he likes. Once a potential star, now realised as a very average talent.

Joao Paiva (POR, 18) - free signing who is expected to break the net many times for the reserves.

To Madeira (POR, 22) - conjured up by the forces of Satan, he just has to be good, hasn't he? All the same, not an instant starter. You can't just walk into Tel's team, you know, no matter where your references come from.

Alioune Toure (FRA, 22) - yet another of those French players who expect to able to waltz into the side because their country is the best. The next Stephane Gu'ivarch?

Paulo Wanchope (CRC, 25) - excellent striker who is probably too good for the first division. Will get a chance to prove it again and again.

Shaun Wright-Phillips (ENG, 19) very hot prospect who is already receiving undue attention from other clubs. Did you know he's Ian Wright's stepson? Oh you did…

Go here for Part Seven.