Hansen retired in 91 so Wright was his replacement. Although indeed Wright was probably 2/3 years past his best in terms of physicality but mentally and reading of the game he still had that in his game when we bought him and for the first couple of seasons he was a real asset.
Gough went from Spurs to Rangers so I doubt we'd have been able to buy him at that time plus he was like Wright so I don't think he would have made us so much better. Keown was at Everton in 90/91 was they wouldn't have sold him to us and I doubt he'd have left them except for going back to Arsenal. Barrett was a full back more so than a CB. I didn't think Curle was that great and Mabbutt was past his best then too.
Des Walker would have been the one but I doubt Forest would have sold to us at that time and even if they would have he went to Serie A so doubt he'd have wanted to come. Perhaps when he left Sampdoria in 93 we could have signed him, but we had Wright and Ruddock then.
Imagine our team though for those first couple of seasons in the premier league had we not sold those players we did.
James or Brucie in goal. Rob Jones at right back and Staunton at left back. Wright and Ruddock at centre back. A midfield of Houghton, Redknapp, Barnes, McManaman and then up front Beardsley and Rush.
With squad members like Bjornebye, Harkness, Gillespie, Ablett, Venison, Nicol, Walters, Molby, Whelan, Thomas, Fowler.
Personally I don't think that team could win the league but it sure as hell could challenge for it and is as good or better as the Villa, Norwich and Blackburn teams that did in those first two years.
For me though the biggest regret of the 90's was not getting Bobby Robson in as manager when there was an opportunity to do so in 97 after he left Barca. I love Roy Evans as man and a coach and for what he represents and he deserved the chance to get the job as manager and he did steady us in 94/95 and we have two title challenges there after. But after that second title challenge where we collapsed mentally I'd have loved us to get in Bobby as manager to get us over that line.
I'm not saying there was ever an opportunity of ever a rumour of that happening but when a manager of his clout and repute is available in 1997 I thought it was an opportunity wasted not to sound him out. Sorry for going off a tangent here