With the January transfer window now only two weeks away, speculation will start to mount as to just what Saints will do during it and how it will affect certain players in the squad.

As recent results have shown, whilst Saints are having a good season and have the foundations of a good squad, they are still a fair way away from genuinely challenging for a top five place, both in terms of quality of the starting line up as well as depth in the squad.

This being the case then the question is whether Saints will settle for sticking with what they have and perhaps mixing and matching a little or will they attempt to improve the squad further with new signings ?

For me the issues we have are.

1. Defence - we truly lack another quality central defender, Hooivelt and Yoshida are not good enough and Fonte whilst adequate should really be vying for a place in the line up rather than comfortably head and shoulders ahead of his rivals.

We could do with bringing in another central defender to compliment Lovren, the only problem is January transfer windows generally see overpricing, we could see thi as the priority for the summer rather than now and feel that we can get through with what we have.

2. Midfield - We are blessed in this department in that we have six players up to Premier league standard, seven if you add Ramirez, however in certain respects they are all too samey, we lack genuine pace out wide to add variety to our play and this is where we really could do with strengthening, however that would perhaps give us too many bodies, so although I would expect to see Ramirez leave on loan, I dont expect to see too much incoming.

3. Attack - the burning issue is Osvaldo, we either need to give him the chance to play or get rid of him, at this stage i wouldnt put my money on Pochettino doing either, Pochettino is desperately trying to keep both Osvaldo and Lambert happy, but in doing so he is probably doing little to help either player get any sort of consistency and more worryingly the team get any sort of rythm going in that both are different types of player and when both are on the pitch asking them to keep interchanging means that players around them are constantly having to adjust to suit. I dont expect to see anyone coming in here, although I wouldnt be surprised to see either Lambert or Osvaldo go out on loan to help their World Cup aspirations, if one did wouldnt think it would be anything we couldnt handle.

So I expect January to be quiet with perhaps a few out on loan as the wages of Osvaldo, Ramirez and even fringe players like Fox, Hooiveld or Yoshida would probably be prohibitive in making it viable for other clubs to be able to match their deals.

I dont disagree with this, there will be some who would scream about chasing the top five etc, but I think its clear that this season at least that is folly, we need to re assess the situation, set realistic and stretching targets for the second half of the season and then look to improve further in the summer with signings we have targeted and whom we can sign at their true value instead of over inflated prices.

Its interesting to note that the players that have come in with little fanfare over the past 18 months or so are the players that have done well, Rodriguez, Davis, Lovren, Boruc, Clyne to name five, none of them inspired dancing in the street when they arrived, but they are the ones that have performed outstandingly, then look at the so called marquee signings, Ramirez, Osvaldo even Wanyama, all three have had varying degrees of success, the first two very little and the performance of Jack Cork in the past couple of games has raised the question of why we signed Wanyama in the first place, some still not being convinced about the Kenyan due to his lack of ball control.

There is room for improvement in the squad and i think that next summer will see some old favourites ousted, but I think for January we will play our cards close to our chest and look to continue to work with what we have, although the departure of one or two on loan might free up a place in the squad perhaps for a quality loan signing.

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ExiledSupporter added 10:35 - Dec 18 Nick, what you say makes sense, but a serious injury to a key player Lovren, Schneiderlein, Lallana (on current form), Shaw or Rodriguez even Boruc would reveal our lack of quality replacements. My own nightmare is losing Lovren for a long period and having to regularly choose either Hooiveld or Yoshida. I'd like to sign Cabaye, assuming that we can dispose of Ramirez (with regrets) and get Zaha on loan. What about swapping Lambert (with great sadness) for Rhodes; reluctantly I tend to agree with you about a central defender for want of a suitable available candidate

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SaintNick added 10:42 - Dec 18 I agree with you with Lovren, but in virtually any other position we can cover as has been shown
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ExiledSupporter added 10:55 - Dec 18 Not sure that I agree there, Nick. Where would we be without Rodriguez's recent run of goals? Who would we convincingly replace Shaw with? For instance losing Shaw and Lovren at the same time, the former is (understandably given his stage of development) a little prone to injury - that would be losing both his defensive and attacking qualities. The latter has already been diminished with Clyne's injury. And we have to do something to make our attack tactically more focused.

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slynch added 11:12 - Dec 18 What you haven't mentioned is that signings are less necessary with the investment in youth development. Several of these players will be drip fed into the first team. It's already starting with Gallagher for Lambert and Reed for Schneiderlin/Cork and perhaps Targett for Fox and who knows who else.
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SaintNick added 11:21 - Dec 18 exciled, I think slynch makes a few good points, although Im not sure that all of the kids are quite ready, however we could mkix and match from the squad, Wanyama could play centre half for instance and when Clyne is fit he could play left back as Chambers has shown he is good enough on the right. Obviously injuries at the moment would prevent that, but this highlights if Poch has made one error its been to not use the squad enough

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Waylander added 12:52 - Dec 18 The one real need I see is for serious pace going forward, someone of the capability of Walcott or Oxo.
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arthurfane added 13:05 - Dec 18 I agree with the pace going forward - we have JayRod, but even he isn't that quick. We are a team who does very well on the counter-attack and I can see this being greatly improved with a quick wide player (get Mayuka back and give him another chance??!) The main ones for me though are another CB and another GK. In all other positions, I feel we are adequately covered (and I can see Gallagher coming in and making a bit of an impact this season!) Completely agree with Nick saying Fonte should be VYING for first team, rather than being a vital cog; he's not bad, but another strong CB would be invaluable. Goalkeeper - Boruc is not young, and whilst he has gained us a lot of points this season, he is also prone to the odd glaring error. I think from next season we will need a new first choice GK and so why not bring one in now. Our back up is clearly not good enough, so it would be very helpful to have someone pushing for Boruc's place, and deputising competently when he is not available. Pantilimon is far too good a goalkeeper to sit on the bench behind Hart (I think Hart will very soon be back in City's first team) - what do people think about Pantilimon as a signing?!

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schatfield added 13:30 - Dec 18 we need another quality GK badly to keep Boruc on his toes.....and I would love it if we could get Zaha on loan, or even purchase and be rid of Ramirez, lastly agree we need another quality defender. those 3 would sort us nicely and allow us to get rid of some bad fringe players
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BaselSaint added 14:10 - Dec 18 It is obvious really... first priority a partner for Lovren in central defence, Fonte to cover either...and a prolific striker, using the money we get from selling Gaston. If Gaza doesnt shape up we will need proper cover for Boruc. Dunno about Dani.... we will see
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Bulgarian added 14:42 - Dec 18 With all respect, gratitude and fondness, I think ideally the plan could be as follows: - Sharp to Reading permanently (wish him happiness!); - Yoshida away (if permanently, OK), Hooivelt backup until the end season; - Chung away, if one could get him; - Ramirez to Italy immediately; - Fox to a Championship club with aspirations; - Mayuka (permanently). STAYING: - Shaw (despite all the gossip); - Kelvin GK coach, motivator etc.; - Gazza in U21 (with an eye to potential buyers, no 1st team future); - both Lambert and Osvaldo (come on, the former is so much more than a goalscorer; the latter still needs time, he will flourish with us); - Cork (we will definitely need him next season for European push). INS: - a top-class GK and a deputy youngster with great potential; - Davide Astori; - a really pacey and creative winger. Pochettino: signs a new contract and rubbishes talks with Spurs, ManU, ManC and RealM.

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TeamCortese added 14:47 - Dec 18 I agree with mosts points made. I think we should buy in the following areas: 1) Quality centre-back on the same level as Lovren (with Fonte providing cover). 2) One (possibly two) quality wingers. I think Lallana should be playing more in the middle. I'm very keen on Zaha and Oxlade Chamberlain. And while most people will say Oxlade Chamberlain is unrealistic I doubt (because of his injury) he'll get many games at Arsenal and he'll be fighting for a world cup next year. Soton would be an excellent move for him. 3) A quality left back that will provide cover and also keep Luke Shaw on his toes. 4) Another first choice goalkeeper that is on the same level as Boruc. Gazzaniga needs to go on loan and get more experience in the lower leagues. 5) MP has to make a decision on his first choice striker to partner Jrod. I personally think he should stick with Lambert because he clearly has a much better understanding with Jrod. But because we've invested so much into Osvaldo I doubt that would leave the board happy.

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Zambucco added 18:18 - Dec 18 My expectation is we will sign top experienced CB and GK possibly big money. Cortese is serious about Europe and why not this season? Keep expectations high and pressure on the players to perform. Everything else is covered with existing players and academy. I think concerns over scoring will soon be quelled as our forwards start to gel with the midfield. Rickie has played at every level and has learnt to adapt to the service he receives, Osvaldo is used to having 1st class service, so it takes time for him to adjust and also team mates to deliver the ball how he prefers, you can see this happening already. That leaves Ramirez, I think he's on his way, which is a shame as I have been excited by some of his play and hoped that he would click but it hasn't happened and the longer he's on the bench the less likely it is going to happen. I keep thinking about Rickie, does he have a future with our new style? can he maintain the pace? Sell him whilst he's still in demand or keep him as an amazing play maker?

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Sango123 added 04:06 - Dec 19 I must admit i am not to familiar with the youngsters of the squad, so i did not include in the names below. GK Boruc, Davies, Gazza Boruc is a decent number 1 but we need to get someone younger to challenge for his position. Davies is coming to the end of his career and Gazza looks too raw to be a decent number 2. I think we should have a new GK to compete or deputise for Boruc RB Clyne, Chambers Clyne has been awesome in the position and Chambers has been very decent deputising. We have Cork who can play there as well LB Shaw, Fox Shaw is undisputed as LB but Fox has been poor as LB during premier league. I feel we need a new LB. When Clyne was swapped over during the Chelsea match, he offer pace but being predominantly right footed, he was not able to cross on the left. CB Lovren, Fonte, Yoshida, Hooiveld Lovren is by far the best in this position. Fonte is decent as his partner. Sadly Yoshida and Hooiveld are poor when they are given the chance to play. We need a new quality CB. DM Wanyama, Schneiderlin, Cork, Davis All 4 have played well in this position. I only hope we dont lose Cork AM & ST Lallana, Ward-Prowse, Ramirez, Lambert, Davis, Rodriguez, Osvaldo All have done well so far but at times we struggle to breakdown the opposition despite our possession. We dont create enough clear cut chances and that is why we have only scored 20 goals in 16 games. A worrying statistic is that we have not won a game in BPL once we fall behind. We do not have players who can turn the game around. We lack genuine pace. Puncheon would have been a decent choice to swap in. We need a pacey and tricky AM or winger to turn the game around and maybe give us more tactical flexibility. Maybe swapped from our 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-2 when losing. I hope Ramirez will come good but if it doesnt work out. I would rather cash out on him and get some quality replacement. I am still split on Osvaldo. He is useful because of his skill on the ball but he does not seem to blend in well with the rest of the players. I hope our youngsters are really good as we need them. From my calculations we have about 22 first team players although probably 13 to 15 players have seen some decent action. Our squad is very small based on this, so we need more youngsters or new players to come in. I hope we do invest if we truly harbour ambitions of a top 6 finish. We have been lucky in terms of injuries and suspension during our good start as we use almost the same team. With more than a half season to go, we still have a chance to make this a great season

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