Promoted in hopes of generating discussion - rlb

Hello All,

I hope everyone is doing well.  Since there isn't any Premier League football now due to the international break I started to think about NUFC's needs in the January transfer market window.  I know it is very early, but it is clear that we need at least one defender (if not two) and one striker (who I hope will be good enough to get the number 9) in order to have a team with enough quality depth to compete in the PL.  The fact that we need players does not mean we will get any.  I have to admit that I am skeptical of NUFC bringing in players during the January transfer market window since the NUFC board made it clear last year that they think that prices in the January transfer market window are inflated. That makes me presume they would rather do their business in the summer.

Let us assume however that we can get at least one player in the window. NUFC are set in midfield department with the likes of Tiote, Cabaye, Ben Arfa, Gutiérrez, Marvaeux, Vuckic, Abeid, and Sammy Ameobi (I personally feel like Sammy can also play upfront, although he is listed as a MF).  The question I pose to you is what should the priority be for NUFC, striker or defender?  I will include my thoughts after the jump.

I believe we need 2 defenders and one striker, with the priority on at least one defender.  I think that we have played well on defense but we are one or two injuries away from disaster.  We have also been fortunate to have a great GK in Tim Krul as well as  a few lucky bounces and calls our way.  I still give full credit for the defense because they did well with what they could control.  In defense we have Coloccini, Santon, Williamson, R Taylor, S Taylor, Simpson, and Perch.  Other than Coloccini and Santon, this isn't exactly a group that would fill you with complete confidence.  I know it is unrealistic to expect to get 2 defenders, what I think we should get is a defender who can play across the back 4 like Santon can.  Pieters is the most attractive name out there at the moment that we should try to get.  He can play across the back four.  If we are able to get him, we can move Santon to RB and have Pieters at LB.  That move would make our defense one of the best in the PL.  

We still need a striker but I think Best, Ba, Lovenkrands, Shola, and Ranger (probably won't ever see Ranger on the first team again but he is still at NUFC, that's why I am listing him) are sufficient enough cover for now since we also have midfielders who can score like Ben Arfa, Gutiérrez, and Tiote (all have scored for NUFC). The midfielders who haven't scored for the first team in the PL are Cabaye, Sammy Ameobi, Marvaeux, Vuckic, and Abeid although I believe all of them if given a chance can are more than capable of contributing on the goal scoring front.  That, and our recent form, is why I changed my opinion from before the season started and now believe a defender is the priority.  If we are getting one player in january I hope it is a solid defender.  I would rather we take our time to select a good future number 9 because the main players we are looking at, Maiga and Papiss Demba Cisse, (who I prefer from the two) are going to be playing in the African Cup of nations which means they will miss around 2 months this season and 2 months next season since they will hold the African Cup of Nations two years in a row.  That is something to think about.  Please Discuss.