Monday 6 January 2020

Championship: Where Each Team Could Strengthen In January


The transfer window has flung open its doors with teams now allowed to add fresh blood to their squads for the second half of the season. Here we assess the positions each team may look at to strengthen their team.

Barnsley: Gerhard Struber has certainly ignited Barnsley’s survival charge since taking over in November. The Tykes are full of confidence, scoring goals and playing some good football. Struber is expected to add fresh faces to his squad as his shapes the team in his image. Marcel Ritzmaier has already arrived from his former Wolfsberger. A striker and defenders could be high on Struber’s shopping list.

Birmingham City: It's been a mixed season for Pep Clotet and Birmingham. The Blues have shown they are a good side, but they severely lack consistency. There has been a huge transition of players at the club and there could be more action in January. Clotet could be looking to strengthen the Blues backline with Birmingham leaking plenty of goals in recent weeks. They also lack creativity in midfield so expect Clotet to address that.

Blackburn: Replacing the injured Bradley Dack could be high on Tony Mowbray’s shopping list. The loss of Dack has hit Blackburn hard so expect Mowbray to address that. Another striker could also be high on the list with Blackburn’s forwards struggling to find the net consistently.

Brentford: It has been a strong first half of the season for the Bees. Thomas Frank wants to continue their promotion charge. He has admitted he wants another forward despite the arrival of Hilal Dervisoglu. However, his main target will be keeping the likes of Ollie Watkins and Said Benrahma at the club.

Bristol City: Lee Johnson wants more firepower and creativity at Bristol City. The Robins want another striker in January to try and get them back into the promotion race. A disappointing December has left the fans frustrated and unhappy. Expect Lee Johnson to add a couple of bodies most likely on loan.

Cardiff: Expect a busy window at Cardiff. Neil Harris has promised changes with the squad far too big for his liking as well as poor performances from the players. A mini revamp is expected with Cardiff outside the play-off places.

Charlton: A new set of owners has brought new optimism to Charlton. East Street Investments are in and determined to back Lee Bowyer in every way possible. Andre Green has already arrived on loan from Aston Villa. Charlton are expected to be busy over the next few weeks.

Derby: Its been a slow start for Philip Cocu at Derby but he is slowly getting what he wants from the players. Owner Mel Morris has promised they will be new signings in January. Kieran Dowell has cut short his loan and Derby will look to fill that void.

Fulham: Scott Parker may be seeking new blood to aid Fulham’s promotion push. Michael Hector is ready to play after his move was fully confirmed. He will aid a shaky Fulham defence. A new striker to compete with Aleksandar Mitrovic could be high on their list.

Huddersfield: It’s been a much-improved Huddersfield since Danny Cowley took over in September. However, injuries have blighted his team so expect Huddersfield to be active in January. Cowley will be assessing all positions as he looks to ensure Huddersfield remain a Championship club. Loan deals more than permanent deals are likely for the Terriers.

Hull: Keeping Jarrod Bowen will be the focus of the transfer window. The striker is attracting interest from Premier League clubs. But keeping him gives Hull a great chance to finish in the play-off places. Grant McCann will be looking to add a few faces and has already brought Herbie Kane on loan from Liverpool. The Tigers will be active as they look to push the play-off places.

Leeds: A new striker will high on their list. Leeds only have Patrick Bamford on their books after Eddie Nketiah ended his loan at the club. So, Marcelo Bielsa will be looking for a least one attacker and maybe another centre half.

Luton: The Hatters needed experience and defensive-minded players. They are desperately struggling in the Championship with wins eluding them. They leak far too many goals especially away from Kenilworth Road. Defenders will be top of Graeme Jones’ shopping list.

Middlesbrough: Firepower and creativity are in short supply at Boro. Jonathan Woodgate is slowly getting the best out of his players and already has new faces in Patrick Roberts and Lukas Nmecha through the door. He needs more firepower and creativity with Boro lacking options in the forward areas.

Millwall: Gary Rowett has enjoyed a terrific start at Millwall. He arrived in October and has taken Millwall by storm. However, he will want to add a couple of players who fit his style. He will also want to ensure Jed Wallace doesn’t leave the club with interest growing in Millwall’s talisman.

Nottingham Forest: It was a big summer in terms of player transfers for Forest. Sabri Lamouchi has done an excellent job thus far with Forest comfortably sat in the top 6. However, Lamouchi may want another striker to ease the burden on Lewis Grabban.

Preston: The Lilywhites are enjoying an excellent season. Alex Neil’s team are very much in the promotion race and are proving a tough nut to crack. However, Alex Neil may want a few fresh faces to continue Preston’s charge.

QPR: While QPR are excellent going forward, The R’s are desperately disappointing at the back. They concede far too many goals for a side wanting to challenge for promotion. Mark Warburton may look at adding to his defence. However, his big priority is ensuring Eberechi Eze remains a QPR player.

Reading: It’s been a terrific turnaround at Reading under Mark Bowen. They are very much pulling away from the drop and looking up. Reading will be looking at some form of business in January despite their big summer window. It will be loan deals for the Royals if Bowen does add to his squad.

Sheffield Wednesday: A new striker will be high on Garry Monk’s shopping list. Without Steven Fletcher in the team, the Owls severely lack goals and firepower. Monk may want to add further faces in midfield. Loans are looking likely for Wednesday with Financial Fair Play hovering over the club.

Stoke: Michael O’Neill has certainly got Stoke motoring since taking over. However, they still hover dangerously above the bottom three. O’Neill will target new players to get Stoke clear from danger. It will be a window where Stoke attempts to clear out the deadwood at the club. Badou Ndiaye has already left and more are expected to follow.

Swansea: Swansea are looking good under Steve Cooper but no doubt the Swansea boss wants a few signings in January. He has already lost Sam Surridge who has been recalled by Bournemouth. Expect Swansea to fill that void and add a couple more. Most likely to be loan deals for the Swans.

West Brom: Slaven Bilic has said West Brom will only add players if they fit the squad and add more quality to what he has. Matheus Pereira’s loan is going to be made permanent according to Bilic. He may want another midfielder and possibly another striker as West Brom charge towards the Premier League.

Wigan: Creativity and goals are a priority area for Wigan. The Latics severely lack goals and creativity which is why they are stuck in the bottom three. Kieran Dowell has arrived on loan from Everton but certainly, Paul Cook will want a couple more in that area.

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