Imagine its May 13 2010

[JudgeBread]

It's the day after the Europa League Final and the genie has allowed you to kidnap one member of the squad and bring them back to help for the 22/23 season.

Who is your pick?

GK   1   Mark Schwarzer
RB   6   Chris Baird
CB   18   Aaron Hughes
CB   5   Brede Hangeland
LB   3   Paul Konchesky
RM   16   Damien Duff
CM   20   Dickson Etuhu
CM   13   Danny Murphy (c)
LM   29   Simon Davies
AM   11   Zoltán Gera
CF   25   Bobby Zamora

Substitutes:
GK   19   Pascal Zuberbühler
DF   4   John Paintsil
MF   17   Bjørn Helge Riise
MF   23   Clint Dempsey
MF   27   Jonathan Greening
MF   34   Kagisho Dikgacoi
FW   10   Erik Nevland

I reckon I'd toss a coin and take either Schwarzer or Brede

[RaySmith]

Definitely a strong looking squad - hard to pick out an individual, but I suppose that was its strength, instilled by Roy, working together as a team.

But  your choice of Schwarzer or Brede are good shouts for today's  team, as would be Danny Murphy.

[legana]

Hangeland - if any one player changed how tough a side we were to beat at the time, I think it was him.

[Holders]

Our greatest need would be in Murphy's or Dempsey's positions.

[hovewhite]

Dempsey followed by Murphy.

[HV71]

Hangeland - first choice . Murphy second

[FFC In Oz]

1) Hangeland
2) Dempsey
3) Murphy

[Sting of the North]

Under the assumptions in the OP, Schwarzer, Hangeland and Murphy would all instantly increase our chances of survival. Of those, I believe GK is the least important position to fill. Furthermore, I believe that even though Murphy would do great in our current team, I believe it is even more important to find a stronger defensive midfielder. For CB, if we had Tosin and a prime Hangeland, I would say that we would almost certainly stay out of relegation.

Tough choice, but Hangeland edges it.

None of the others would have a huge impact on our squad I believe, possibly Dempsey. Not the strongest squad player by player but they made up a very good team. Shows you what teamwork can do, doesn't it?

[S.F.Sorrow]

Easy: Hangeland.

We have an abysmal track record when it comes to signing CBs after Hangeland left us. Tosin was probably just a stroke of luck. We have never really replaced Hangeland and it's about time we do.

My second choice would be Murphy.

[dfwilson84]

Hangeland
Hughes
Dempsey

On a seperate unrelated note, I never found out why Baird started over Pantsil in the final? I didnt have a problem with it but it was a bit of a surprise as Pantsil was first choice at the time. Wasit tactical or did JP have a knock?

[filham]

Easy: Hangeland.

We have an abysmal track record when it comes to signing CBs after Hangeland left us. Tosin was probably just a stroke of luck. We have never really replaced Hangeland and it's about time we do.

My second choice would be Murphy.

Absolutely right, we now need a new center back and base on recent signings it is odds on we will make yet another mistake.

[Carborundum]

Dickson Etuhu.

Faster, stronger, scarier and a better tackler than anyone we have seen since.  Actually probably the best standing tackler I have ever seen.

[Cheese and Brede]

Hangeland and Tosin. What a patnership that would be. A la Rio and Vidic

[JoelH5]

Hangeland. If we can get another solid CB to play with Tosin this year we have a good chance

[H4usuallysitting]

Gera....for no other reason other than to watch him celebrate scoring

[DukeTyrion]

1) Hangeland
2) Murphy
3) Dempsey

[bog]

Murphy
Zamora
Hangaland

[PaulJ123]

Hangeland 100%

[Lordedmundo]

Has to be Hangeland, but Murphy a close second.

Zamora was also brilliant that season, unplayable at times. He had the pace that Mitro does not have...

[Somerset Fulham]

1) Hangeland
2) Davies
3) Baird