Manager: Jim Smith.

Difficult to figure out exactly what the plan is here, or who is pulling the strings after Colin Todd's arrival last year as assistant to Smith.

What is clear is that Ravanelli had better produce the goods, which means whoever has to deal with the Italian is going to have to keep smiling when the milk bills start arriving.

Paying the striker's not inconsiderable wages necessitated the sale of Rory Delap to Southampton, despite the fact that the Irishman had consistently impressed during his time with the club.

It may not look like such a great bit of business by the end of the season, although if Mart Poom reproduces his form of last season and Georgi Kinkladze could rediscover the magic of the early days in England then they might have a fighting chance.

In: Fabrizio Ravanelli (Lazio, free), Riccardo Maspero (Torino, nominal), Stefano Eranio (free), Daniele Daino (Milan, loan). Total £0.

Out: Rory Delap (Southampton, £4m), Lilian Martin (released), Taribo West (loan, not renewed), Thordar Gudjonsson (released); Scott Richards (Tamworth, free); Ian Evett (Northampton, loan); Gerry Doherty (released). Total £4m. Net income: £4m.

Leading Irish: None.

Last year: prem: 17th, FAC: 4th.

This year: 9th.

Official website: www.dcfc.co.uk

Betting: 1,000-1