A MYRIAD of football topics to cover and I’ll hit them in the order I believe you, the soccer supporting public of these parts, care about.

Namely, as promised we’ll discuss Newport County’s move to being a fully pro club, the Premier League with its thrilling conclusion and of course, a look ahead to both the play-off finals and the Champions League final.

I have a few thoughts on the social networking site Twitter as well as it pertains to the football world and then, and only then, will I chuck in a mention of the Welsh national side who are currently on active duty, not that you’d know it.

Optimism still rightly leads the way as the primary feeling Exiles fans have on next season and rightly so, though I am starting to fret slightly on the length of time the retained list is taking to shape – some players having an ‘option’ to stay rather than a pre-agreed deal. Chris Todd for example.

Deciding to become a full-time outfit lock and stock is a brave move and as has rightly been pointed out by Glyn Garner, actually lessens the list of players County can sign rather than adding to it.

However, as an ethos, as a statement of intent, the move is to be applauded especially now that Anthony Hudson, Lee Harrison and Wayne Hatswell can conduct training on a daily basis at a settled venue.

Hudson’s recruitment drive will as ever be a long drawn out process, but some of the players on County’s radar and in their sights would improve the current crop of players.

The Exiles appear to be losing the battle to keep Jamie Collins, the man that could easily have been their player of the season last term, but even if he does leave – and the Exiles aren’t entitled to a fee – it should be on the very best of terms.

Collins is a London lad and moving to Newport would be a big commitment for a guy with outside interests too.

He has offers on the table from Football League clubs and deserves the opportunity to step up having given everything to County in 2011 despite seeing his proposed move to Aldershot scuppered. His professionalism put others to shame.

Other than Collins, I see no compelling reason for the Exiles to lose any other member of their playing squad that they want to keep.

If a massive offer comes in for a Danny Rose or a Paul Bignot, with names such as Huddersfield and Leicester City linked respectively, of course you listen intently.

However, silly season is already throwing up some frankly preposterous propositions.

Lee Baker to Cheltenham Town? That’s simply not a move that could ever suit County.

The Exiles paid Baker’s salary for a year and it’s unlikely a perennial League Two struggler could afford a fee much in excess of what the Exiles have already paid Baker in wages.

He’s got the potential to be the best full back in the Conference and not only could the two clubs swap divisions in a year, Baker should be aiming for a move far higher once he’s proved his fitness.

At the risk of sounding too much like a naïve fan, I think it’s a fair assessment Baker will feel he owes County a great season.

The Exiles need maybe 6-8 additions across the squad and they’ll be settled, capable and likely to mount a challenge next term.

A couple of strikers are a priority, it would be lovely to bring Kerry Morgan in permanently and the Exiles could do with cover at centre back, right-back and in goal.

We all tend to get a little impatient at this time of year and expect news on a daily basis for the club.

That is unrealistic, but after a positive end to the season, refinement and enhancements are the key, replacements and wholesale change shouldn’t be on the agenda. The club were nearly good enough last season and don’t need much to go one better this term.

l Onto the Champions League and I just can’t see past a Barcelona victory on Saturday. The best club side in the world who retain the ball with phenomenal aplomb on the expansive setting of Wembley, which is as special a place for them as United, having won their very first European Cup there.

United were worthy Premier League champions, but just like Arsenal, Madrid and the rest, they’ll be chasing shadows on Sunday. And Sir Alex Ferguson doesn’t even have the jurisdiction to ban me from his CL press conferences!

And what a silly thing to get so hot under the collar about.

It’s Twitter that got Giggsy if you like, Kudos to the Mirror on the genius ‘Naming Private Ryan’ headline.

However, while Twitter will continue to become a primary news source and talking point, currently almost unmanageable by law, I think the tide is already in turning in terms of top sports stars participation.

For every Rio Ferdinand there is a Danny Gabbidon or a Darron Gibson who is overwhelmed by terrace style abuse.

The likes of Lee Westwood are also threatening to say sayonara to the social networking site and I predict Twitter will soon cease to be the trendy thing for sportsmen.

Most already only converse with famous people and the prospect of seeing Wayne Rooney arguing with Piers Morgan will only lead to PL clubs banning their players. So enjoy it while you can.

l It’s simply fantastic that Wales are 90 minutes away from having a Premier League side.

Survival Sunday was sensational, a stark reminder why the PL is the most watched sporting product on the planet.

Swansea City are taking 40,000 fans to Wembley, having sold out their initial allocation. I have no doubt the Bluebirds would do the same. Nor that County or Wrexham would take a huge contingent to an FA Trophy or play-off final.

Football participation in Wales dwarves rugby, while the two Championship sides vastly outsell the Blues and Ospreys on a weekly basis.

So with so much fanatical football following, why is it that none of you care a jot about the national side?

Interest in last night’s game with Scotland was as low as I’ve ever known and with Gareth Bale and Rambo around (though not last night), it surprises me that so many seemingly see Gary Speed’s side as a lost cause.

I’m afraid the woeful lack of success under John Toshack has really done irreparable damage on that score and not until September 2012 when World Cup qualification begins can the rehabilitation process begin in earnest.