Roy Hodgson has sat down with Jeremy Peace and Dan Ashworth this week to hammer out our summer transfer plans, and it feels fantastic to know our Head Coach is constructing a squad for another crack at the Premier League, writes Albion blogger Jarrod Hill.

Hopefully by guaranteeing survival with three games to go, now two, our plans for strengthening our squad can steal a march on others.

There are some big decisions to be made, who will go, what positions need new recruits, and what do we do when the big boys come knocking for our stars?

I am sure all of the above has been discussed along with finances and consequently which category we can afford to shop in this season.

The advantage of having two games left and being safe is that Roy has the opportunity to take a look at some of the fringe players he will need to make a decision on. Not that it fills me with confidence for our games against Everton and Newcastle if we are playing the likes of Joe Mattock, Marek Cech, and Gianni Zuiverloon. However I don’t think Roy will play the reserves when you consider the financial rewards of finishing as high in the league as possible, but I think he will give some game time to those he will need to make a decision on.

In my opinion there are a number of players who need moving on. Marek Cech, Giles Barnes, Gianni Zuiverloon, Joe Mattock, and Ishmael Miller are five players I see as surplus to requirements. Big Ish promised so much when he first came to us but has gone backwards in recent seasons, whether that’s due to injury or not, I have never been convinced he could make it at this level.

Another player who has failed to make an impact this season has been Pablo Ibanez, however his performances have offered something, although I am perplexed as to what it is, but something tells me he has the qualities to play at this level but something just hasn’t clicked. It was a similar story when his compatriot Borja Valero crossed our shores to give the Premier League a go. I understand his loan deal is to be made permanent automatically this summer, however like many deals nowadays it is shrouded in mystery, although rumours persist that we made a healthy profit on our 4.7million record transfer.

Chris Wood heads a lengthy list of promising young players at the club and although Chris has made huge strides this season at League One Champions Brighton scoring ten goals in the process, another season on loan gaining first team experience is probably in store. That probably goes for Craig Dawson too, who I hear you ask, Craig is the young centre back we signed and loaned back to Rochdale, although I say centre back an amazing statistic is his goal scoring record. He has scored an amazing 10 goals this season while Rochdale just missed out on the play offs, earning him rave reviews.

Other fringe players who will be under the Hodgson microscope will be Marc Antoine Fortune, Abdoulaye Meite whose contract is up this summer, and Somen Tchoyi. Somen has been used sparingly this season although he has shown glimpses that he could be more than a little useful as an impact player. Marc Antoine Fortune has been a big disappointment for me this season, during his first spell with us he played really well and made the 4-5-1 formation work for us by consistently holding the ball up. Due to Peter Odemwingies amazing form he has struggled for games and he looks to be suffering from a lack of confidence when he has got on the pitch, another big decision to be made by Roy.

There are so many decisions to be made by our management team this summer. Even sitting here at my desk playing fantasy manager with my beloved club I find myself scratching my head. Of course deciding on who should go, and then getting someone to buy them is another matter, I will watch with interest.

In coming transfers feels a little clearer for me, we need greater quality to improve, that’s fairly obvious, but in which areas?

Right back has been a problem position for us for quite a while and although Steven Reid has filled in effectively this season we need a specialist full back. Steven Reid and Gonzalo Jara are both flexible in the respect that they can cover a number of different positions, but I see both as midfielders deputising at right back.

Up front we have been blessed by the arrival of Peter Odemwingie, his performances and goals have been one of the many reasons why we have had such a good season. But for next season we are going to need more strength in depth, hopefully Dan Ashworth and his scouting team have already earmarked two more strikers to join the ranks.

Our other position that needs addressing is at centre half. Although we have Gabriel Tamas, Jonas Olsson, Abdoulaye Meite, Pablo Ibanez and Paul Scharner available I only feel total confidence in Jonas Olsson. We need a steady Eddie next to our Swedish star and I am sure Roy has our clean sheet problem high on his agenda for next season. The rumour mill has already begun to churn up names linked with our club and it is interesting to see they have all been defensive players so watch this space.

As for our game with the toffees this weekend it feels so nice to be going to a game pressure free, it feels all warm and snuggly, a bit like when you put an old pair of trainers or slippers on.

I have enjoyed the high tension full throttle six pointers this season, but it also feels nice to be safe, and my blood pressure needs a break, and so do the people who sit in front of me in the Smethwick!!

I hope everyone can make it into the Vine after the game for our end of season pint and chat, I am looking forward to meeting many of you for the first time and chewing over the fat, or maybe I won’t have the barbeque and just stick to beer!