F365's January Transfer Guide (Two)

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The first half of the alphabet is here...


NEWCASTLE UNITED
What's been said? Alan Pardew: "I don't think we'll be bringing in a striker in this window after the collapse of the (Modibo) Maiga deal. We'll go with what we've got, and we'll have to do a lot of work between now and the summer to locate another striker."
What they need: Newcastle fans will no doubt be disappointed at Pardew's comments regarding a new striker. With Demba Ba leaving to play in the Africa Cup of Nations, the Magpies look short in attacking numbers. They don't have the biggest squad and unless they add to it in Janaury, injuries in the latter half of the season could see Newcastle lose their grip on the top six. Defence is another area which needs strengthening following Steven Taylor's ruptured achilles.
What they're likely to get: A lot of time and effort was put into the Maiga deal, so it's unlikely Newcastle will hastily arrange an alternative. They will definitely look to add a new central defender in January, perhaps along with one or two loan signings.


NORWICH CITY
What's been said? Paul Lambert: "There are one or two areas I think you would look to strengthen, there is no doubt about that, but as I said sometimes it is a lot easier to say that than to go and get them in."
What they need: Norwich have made a strong start in their return to the Premier League and will look to consolidate their place in mid-table. They've scored plenty of goals, but have also conceded many and need a bit more quality in defence. As with most promoted teams, the squad is on the small side and Lambert will hope to add a few faces to avoid being dragged into the end-of-season relegation battle.
What they're likely to get: With their budget, it will be hard to bring in any established Premier League players to take them to the next level. Lambert will likely compete with the teams around him for the best loans from the top six while continuing his summer policy of signing the best from the Championship. Norwich brought in Bradley Johnson from Leeds at the start of the season, and his in-form former teammate Robert Snodgrass could be another option.


QPR
What's been said? Neil Warnock: "We will be looking to improve the squad in January. I know what I need and I will go and get them."
What they need: QPR have scored only eight goals at home this season, and have been relying heavily on Heidar Helguson. In Joey Barton and Shaun Wright-Phillips, Warnock's team have players who are capable of providing good service to the front men; it's now a case of finding someone to convert the chances. Anton Ferdinand's injury has shown their lack of squad depth and at least one more defender is also needed.
What they're likely to get: Warnock is confident that owner Tony Fernandes will back him in the transfer window. QPR signed six players at the end of August after Fernandes' takeover had been confirmed, and the project will continue in January. Talk of a £24million move for Darren Bent sounds frivolous, but no doubt there will be money for Warnock to spend.


STOKE CITY
What's been said? Tony Pulis: "If you gave me £240million tomorrow I would go and get a team like Manchester City's. That is not going to happen. We have to build it gradually over a period of time and try to get better every year without being silly with finances because we cannot afford that."
What they need: Despite his crying over Man City's riches, Pulis spent a sizeable amount himself over the summer with Peter Crouch and Wilson Palacios coming in for large fees from Spurs. The squad is fairly balanced, but Jonathan Woodgate's recent deployment at right-back suggests that there is still room for fine tuning. Although the midfield is usually bypassed in Stoke's style of play, they could do with more creativity in that area.
What they're likely to get: Junior Hoilett has been linked with an £8million move from Blackburn, and ransacking the relegation candidates would be a good option for Stoke. Pulis always makes at least one signing every window, so there's no question that they'll be involved in the January sales.


SUNDERLAND
What's been said? Martin O'Neill: "I don't really know the strengths and weaknesses of my team yet. For the moment though I'm happy not to know for certain. I'm happy to give people opportunities."
What they need: Although O'Neill has barely had time to assess his squad before the opening of the transfer window, he should have noticed that a new striker is an urgent requirement. Bobby Zamora has been linked with an £8million move from Fulham and his experience would bolster the Black Cats' forward line. Nikica Jelavic is another option from hard-up Rangers, while a £3million bid would be enough to secure Aston Villa striker Nathan Delfouneso.
What they're likely to get: Sunderland are vastly improved following the appointment of O'Neill and the manager can benefit from his team's current form by not feeling the need to panic in January. A couple of new acquisitions would freshen up the squad and help to secure a mid-table position.


SWANSEA CITY
What's been said? Brendan Rodgers: "I am sure there will be movements in and out in January."
What they need: They might have one of the meanest defences in the Premier League this season, but Swansea need more goals if they are to avoid being dragged into a relegation battle. Only Wigan have scored less than the Swans, and the expected addition of Cliftonville's Rory Donnelly is unlikely to make a difference. Preston prospect Jamie Proctor is another name on Rodgers' shortlist but proven quality should be a more pressing concern.
What they're likely to get: The Donnelly deal is close to completion, and ther''s a good chance Swansea will wait until the end of the transfer window to assess their position before deciding whether to splash out on a new striker.


Tottenham
What's been said? Harry Redknapp: "If we're going to make a signing, let's make one big signing. That would send out a message. But it's difficult finding that player who would make a difference."
What they need: Given Spurs' current form, there aren't many ways of improving the team. Redknapp loves nothing more than signing new players, however, and both Gary Cahill and Chris Samba have been mooted as possible defensive reinforcements. Neither fall into the category of a 'big signing' but as Harry admitted, it will be tough to find quality for the right price in January. If Modric remains determined to leave, Tottenham should push the boat out and bring in Wesley Sneijder.
What they're likely to get: While Cahill appears destined for Chelsea, there's a good chance that Spurs will get Samba from Blackburn. Redknapp has long been a fan of the giant centre-back and should be able to poach him for £8million. The stellar signing will have to wait.


WEST BROM
What's been said? Roy Hodgson: "We need our strength in the first 18. I'm pretty sure the club will do its best to make certain that we will be able to get anything we need within the parameters that we work."
What they need: West Brom could do with more firepower, and Hodgson made a personal trip to see Nikica Jelavic in action in the Old Firm derby. The manager has said the injury sustained by utility man Zoltan Gera is like losing two players, one in midfield and one attack. They need to strengthen if they are to continue their rich vein of festive form.
What they're likely to get: The signings of Shane Long and Gareth McAuley from the Championship have proved a success and the Baggies will again look to recruit the best, and most affordable, from that market.


WIGAN ATHLETIC
What's been said? Roberto Martinez: "We are trying to improve our squad. In every window we will do that. We are going to bring the right personalities and the right characters to the club."
What they need: Wigan don't score and concede a lot; they need new defenders and strikers, pronto. Hugo Rodallega may leave in January with Billy Sharp lined up as a replacement. Bordeaux's Michael Ciani and Birmingham's Curtis Davies are possible defensive additions for a side destined to be in the relegation battle.
What they're likely to get: A few cheapies with the hope they will turn out to be bargains. Wigan can't compete for quality so will scrape Europe's bargain bucket for the best they can find.


WOLVES
What's been said? Mick McCarthy: "We only signed one player (Roger Johnson) in the summer. Jamie (O'Hara) had been here since Christmas. It would be nice to freshen it up and change things around, if you can."
What they need: Wolves have already made one signing, with Hearts' midfielder Eggert Jonsson joining on a three-and-half-year contract at the start of January. McCarthy has apparently been given a paltry £3million to try and guide the club away from the relegation zone. The loan signing of Jamie O'Hara at this stage last season was an inspired move, and one which the manager will look to repeat. Wolves have a balanced squad but need to improve the first eleven, especially in central midfield.
What they're likely to get: Along with most clubs in the bottom half, McCarthy will look to the Championship to try and find the right additions. If Wolves sign Mohamed Diame - whose contract runs out in the summer - from Wigan, it would bolster their own options as well as weakening a relegation rival.

Matthew Stanger