With the final deadline a mere day or so away, CollinsBeans brings you the third part of its series looking into which clubs are likely to spend big and which might be scrabbling down the back of the sofa in the manager’s office to scrape together some pennies to sign Marcus Bent
11. Newcastle United
What they need
Preferably someone that isn’t qualified to play at the African Cup of Nations would be a good start although that hasn’t stopped them going out and splashing around £10 million of Mike Ashley’s cash on Papiss Demba Cisse which equates to a lot of tracksuit bottoms sold. Cisse is a fine addition and those in the know suggest that he is tailor made for the Premier League, giving the Tyneside Club a big boost in their firepower and so they don’t have to play Leon Best anymore. Since Steven Taylor’s season ending injury, a centre back to play alongside Captain Fantastic Fabricio Coloccini that doesn’t have that faint whiff of ‘Championship standard’ would also help, but in general adding some more depth and quality to the squad to ensure a bright looking season doesn’t peter out should be the main aim
The ideal signing
For many, the arrival of Cisse to beef up a decidedly ‘Demba Ba reliant frontline is ideal, adding an explosive striker with a wide range of skills. Moving on to possible options at centre back, it seems that the world and his wife were after Chelsea’s persona non grata Alex, but BREAKING NEWS! he has decided to link up with his former manager at PSG. Rumoured names have included James Tomkins of West Ham, although they will be reluctant to sell whilst trying to achieve promotion and Jan Verthongen of Ajax. Another name in the frame that could fit the bill perfectly given he fits the clubs main criteria of being a prospect for the future and French is the young captain of French table toppers Montpellier, Yanga Mbiwa.
Who they’ll end up with
With everyone’s favourite purveyor of cheap sports and leisure apparel often reluctant to delve into his wallet too often, after Cisses’ arrival, their probably won’t be too many more arrivals. If there is, the safe bet is on them having French as their first language. (Matthew Snelling)
12. Norwich City
What they need
Nothing much springs to mind with Norwich is a sign of just how impressive the men in yellow and green have been in their first season back amongst the big boys. Paul Lambert has proved himself remarkably adept at being able to change things on the fly in the games, using his substitutions well and switching things up. Norwich have already added Leeds captain Johnny Howson, a sort of Championship version of Steven Gerrard (that’s not meant as an insult by the way) but generally been frustrated as the club try not to bankrupt themselves. Grant Holt and Steve Morison have proved potent up front but a quicker more dynamic option up front to cover the fact that (surprise, surprise) James Vaughan has been injured since he’s joined would be helpful.
The ideal signing
Given Norwich like to often play with two great headers of the ball up front (the aforementioned Messrs Holt and Morison) some speedy wide men with a good delivery wouldn’t be a bad option. Blackpool’s Matt Phillips has been in scintillating form recently and would be an explosive if raw addition. Similar options that could bring guile and pace from the wing, whilst also not being in the ‘break the bank’ bracket could be Robert Snodgrass of Leeds or Reading’s Jobi McAnuff. Finally Peter Whittingham of Cardiff strikes a great dead ball and would be able to put ball after ball on Grant Holt’s head.
Who they’ll end up with
Probably very little. A sensibly run club who don’t seem to want to throw millions away chasing any dreams , Lambert has proven himself to be an innovator this season, and if the situation arises where he needs a new player, it’s more than likely he’ll just convert a fullback from the reserves or play with six in midfield rather than go an a spending spree . (MS)
13. Queens Park Rangers
What they need
Quite a few players, as it goes. With Mark Hughes now in place, Tony Fernandes is sure to dust off his Gucci wallet and start the desperate process of keeping QPR in the Premier League. And he needs to. Goals are a problem, which is not surprising when you’re relying on Jay Bothroyd to hit the back of the net. There’s a lack of creativity too, with Adel Taarabt so far proving that however many nutmegs he can produce, he doesn’t have the right mental approach for top level football. Some better defenders would also help. Danny Gabbidon, Anton Ferdinand and Fitz Hall don’t exactly scream “quality Premier League centre backs”, and Armand Traore, while good on the ball, is one of the worst defenders this blog has seen for a while.
The ideal signing
Many, many names have been linked, and of all of those, Jermain Defoe would probably be the most appealing. He is greedy and selfish, but does score goals, especially when he’s the main man playing every week. Bobby Zamora would be useful, but he doesn’t really solve the primary issue, i.e. putting the ball in the net. Chris Samba and Alex have been heavily linked, and both would be a significant improvement at the heart of the Ranger’s defence.
Who they’ll end up with
Alex looks increasingly likely, and this would be a major coup. The Brazilian is Champions League standard. Fulham might want to keep hold of Zamora, so his teammate Andy Johnson potentially looks like a more realistic option. If Johnson can rediscover his Crystal Palace form, that would be superb for the Rangers faithful. That is an ‘if’ though. (James Platt)
14. Stoke City
What they need
Stoke are not shy when it comes to splashing the cash, but you can’t fault the progress they are making. Tony Pulis has attracted some decent names over the last couple of years and the approach he is taking to the Europa League is admirable. Having worked hard to get in it, why play a team of reserves and go out in the group stages? Especially when progress can be rewarded with a tie against Valencia (which promises to be an interesting one – you suspect Valencia haven’t often come up against four centres back steaming onto a long throw). You could suggest that Stoke need a midfielder of real quality, or a full back that isn’t a centre back, but then again it’s hard to argue with Pulis’ current approach.
The ideal signing
A complete midfielder would be a bonus. Or even someone just a bit better than Dean Whitehead. If rumours that Mark Hughes wants rid of Joey Barton at QPR are true, he could make an intriguing addition at the Brittania. On a different sort of note, if Stoke do fancy some more creativity then Tottenham cast-off Niko Kranjcar would fit the bill. Likewise, Junior Hoilett could add some spark going forward.
Who they’ll end up with
Quite possibly no one. Stoke are going along very nicely and you get the impression that Pulis doesn’t want to upset the harmony in the squad. Nigerian striker Michael Uchebo (no, haven’t heard of him either) has apparently been on trial and may be signed on the cheap. (JP)
15. Sunderland
What they need
If you’d have been asking this question a few months back the answer would probably be far longer than it is now, given the dramatic upturn in form that has accompanied Martin O’Neill’s arrival. Like many others the main area of concern is a chronic lack of quality up front with the club failing to address the departures of Darren Bent, Danny Welbeck and Asamoah Gyan from last season’s line up. Frazier Campbell is back from injury but Nicklas Bendtner is not the answer for a mid ranking club that can’t afford a prima donna with a vastly inflated sense of his own self worth waltzing round contributing very little. Connor Wickham stepping up (or being given the opportunity to step up) might help.
The ideal signing
The side needs a striker, and with O’Neill’s track record it’s unlikely he’ll dip into the foreign market. A loan move for the milk float Kevin Davies has been rejected but that perhaps reveals the Northern Irishman is interested in a target man that will be able to dominate sides in the air. Whilst acknowledging that Emile Heskey’s phone number is always on speed dial, if it’s a big, powerful British target man that O’Neill is in the hunt for, preferably one at a knock down price, could he dare try to bring big Andy Carroll back to the, admittedly ‘other side’ of the North East?
Who they’ll end up with
Sunderland has been nothing if not predictable. With Roy Keane in charge it was likely to be someone Irish, not to mention rubbish, with Steve Bruce in charge it was likely to be someone from Manchester United’s bench and with Martin O’Neill in charge, any additions that make their way into the squad are likely to be British, hard working, low on flair but high in energy and endeavour. (MS)
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