January Business

So we are only a weeks away from the opening of the January transfer window - a month of business which can make or break our season.

In an ideal word we will sign two players - a centre back and a striker. If this happens and we keep our squad together then we can have a strong second half of the season.

Over the last few years we have conducted a lot of January business, probably due to Mike Ashley loving a bargain and feeling he can get the best value possible. Recently we have bought the likes of Sissoko, Gouffran, and Cisse, while also sold Ba, Cabaye, and Andy Carroll. All these deal have had a big impact on our seasons.

In terms of this season I feel if we can bring in a forward who can make a immediate impact while helping the development of Perez and Armstrong when that would be a massive plus. I am thinking of someone along the lines of Andre Pierre Gignac - a fella who we have been linked with for years. He is having a great season at Marseille where he has bagged 10 goals in 13 games. He is in the last year of his contact so could be available for a knocked down price. Andre's only downfall is that he is 28 - way over the hill in the eyes of MA.

Another forward we have been linked with is Aleksandar Mitrovic who is at the opposite end of the spectrum than Gignac. He is 20 and has fired 23 goals in 47 games for Anderlecht since 2013. The young Serb has been linked to Zlatan Ibrahimovic - which is great for the young lad. Mitrovic's star is rising fast so now might be the time make that bid before the big boys get involved.

Let me suggest another player I would like to see come in a short term loan deal - Jermaine Defoe - goals, goals, goals - JD knows our league like the back of his hand and could fire the goals and also educate our youngsters.

We recently learned after a fans forum with the club that a centre half we lined up to replace Yanga-Mbiwa would left for Roma - I believe it was Toby Alderweireld. What a shame we couldn't get him over the line as I think Toby is quality. Anyways this leads me to believe the club are ready and willing to bring in a defender this January. Before I go any further let me just say that I have been impressed with the development of Paul Dummett, however to suggest he is ready to start at centre half is premature. He is a good young lad who will learn and grow. 

We need a top centre half - one to compete with Stevie Taylor for the right to partner Coloccini. Willo is not that man, and ever will be. He should be allowed to leave the club as he deserves regular football at a lower level. 

Finding a suitable defender is a little more tricky - who could we buy that is better than ST?  For me we need a physically imposing player to compliment the classy Coloccini and with this being the case lets rule out Nemanja Nastasic who does not have the attributes to play that role. My number one choice would be Ron Vlaar although we may be trumped by Man Utd on that deal. How about the young Kurt Zouma from Chelsea? We were linked with him before he arrived a Stamford bridge where he is yet to get a look in behind the impressive Terry, Cahill & Ivanovic. He could arrive on a loan deal. Looking further a field how about Bruno Martins Indi who started at the world cup for Holland. One player a really like is Winston Reid from West Ham - he is a no nonsense defender would is easily at home in the PL.

In terms of out going deal I would lose no sleep over Mike Williamson or Vernon Anita moving on. Anita is a tidy player would uses the ball well , but has just never adapted to the PL or been able to cope with the physical demand. He is now 5th choice behind Tiote, Colback, Sissoko, and Abeid. 

Our player most attractive player to the bib clubs will be Tim Krul, Cheik Tiote, and Mousa Sissoko - they all need to say. We also need to tie down the contracts of Sammy, and Ronaldo Aarons who are having breakthrough season.

Let me through one more suggestion out there. Let bring Andy Carroll home. I grew up having Alan Shearer lead the line and lead out team and would love another big Geordie taking the team forward. Yes he had struggled with injuries and has never set the world alight since he left but at the right price, on the right deal I'd have in a flash. Haway home bonnie lad.