Class direction for 'support-oriented' classes (BRD, MCH, AST)?

[Connor]

So maybe it's still a bit early for discussion on this, but what direction do people think they'll take classes that lean towards support in future (e.g 4.0?).

For example, in 3.0 Bard gets almost exclusively dps-related skills (with Paean being the exception). Conversely, Astrologian gets mainly utility-related skills with two extra nukes. Machinist is pretty balanced between both dps and utility.

How do you think they'll develop these classes in future, and which direction would you like them to go? Solely dps / healing? Utility centered? Or a balance of the two?

(As an aside, I've left Paladin out of the title, but technically - at least in the developer's eyes - I think that it belongs to this group. Feel free to comment on Paladins if you wish!)