Possible January Targets

Before the Burton game it was highly debatable how we should strengthen, and to some extent still is. But unfortunately now one position stands out.
It's hard to know just how high we can aim with our targets. We look like being in the top 6 at least by January so this list is on that basis.

Add your own suggestions, if there are any left!

* out of contract in the summer

TLDR version - Bold


DEFENDERS

*Andy Yiadom - Versatile and quick Barnsley right back. Good on the ball. Can play both sides and further forward having started out as a winger. Linked with Swansea and Huddersfield last summer. This could be area to look at if Baldock's injuries continue, with Freeman also susceptible to knocks.

James Justin - Highly rated young Luton defender. Predominantly a right back, plays the same positions as Yiadom. Could be a good one for the future while giving us what might be necessary cover this season.

Kyle Walker-Peters - Another right back. Another double barrelled young defender. Maybe we could loan him from Spurs if needs be.

No Body - Exactly what we need at centre back. Will be easy to sign.



MIDFIELDERS

*Ryan Leonard - Ryan Leonard.

Chris Forrester - Classy playmaker who could also develop into a number 10. He's only been in England just over 2 years after moving from the Irish league, and at 24 (25 in December) could still improve quite a lot. His stock has fallen a bit recently, so it could be a good time to sign him. It certainly seems like the right time for him to move, and I think we'd be a great choice for him. Still wouldn't expect Peterborough to let him go cheaply though.

Ainsley Maitland-Niles - This would be a high calibre PL loan. Very versatile good all round footballer, the type Wilder likes. Naturally a winger but has recently been moved into the middle, where he looks at home, even playing a deeper role. Can even play RB/RWB.

Massimo Luongo - Silky playmaker who's become increasingly solid and reliable. In good form for QPR and has been made captain. Genuinely two footed and a good ball carrier. Whether he'd be realistic or not might depend on the extent of QPR's financial problems.

Lewis Baker - On loan at Boro from Chelsea but hasn't been playing recently. There's a chance they'll recall him and send him elsewhere. In which case, we'd be in a great position to pounce. Genuinely two footed, skillful and a good athlete. Scored 15 goals in Holland last season. More of an attacking player but I think he's versatile and mouldable.

Sam Field - Really highly rated young West Brom central midfielder. Composed left footed playmaker who also likes a tackle. Would be good competition for Fleck and could also play alongside him. Could be a quality loan.

Max Power - The man with the name you'd love to touch - but mustn't. Box to box all rounder with good quality. Back in Wigan's team but wanted a move in the summer and they wanted rid, so could be available in January.

Josh Vela - All round midfielder who can also play in defence. Showed last season that he can play a more attacking role and score goals. Still young, could kick on to another level playing for a football team and not Bolton.

Daniel Johnson - Someone we should have signed in January 2015. Energetic, skillful left footed attacking midfielder who can also play deeper. Would be excellent albeit expensive competition for Fleck and the attacking midfielders.

Scott McTominay - Young Man Utd midfielder on the fringes of their first team squad. Tall, physically good, tidy on the ball and can play deeper or advanced, and even up front. Possible loan.

Lewis Morgan - 21 year old St Mirren winger who we've been linked with previously. Quick with close control. Right footed but also good with his left. Generally plays on the left but can play all across the pitch. Has continued to do well this season with Celtic, Swansea and Birmingham linked.

*Siriki Dembele - Grimsby winger, same age as Morgan. Called Dembele, which is always a plus. Right footed, generally plays on the right but is given the freedom to drift all over the pitch. He's only short but is a good technical player with close control and decent pace. Would be cheap.

Sullay Kaikai - Quick goalscoring right footed winger who should be available from Palace.



ATTACKERS

*Devante Cole - It seems like a perfect time to sign him, as it often is with young strikers when they hit decent goalscoring form. He has the tools to be a very good player - pace, skill and finishing ability. Wanted the move here in August and would give us something different. 'Worth a punt'.

Sam Baldock - George's brother. Proven player at this level who has good pace and a powerful right footed shot.

Jamie Murphy - Might not be an obvious place for him in our team but he'd give us something different and I certainly wouldn't say no to a loan. A quality wide option could be useful and I also think he could play as a second striker.

Conor Washington - Hardworking, athletic all round forward with two good feet and a powerful shot. Can run at defences and create his own chances. Mediocre scoring record at this level but has the ability to improve that, especially if Wilder's managing him.

Idrissa Sylla - Washington's strike partner at QPR, they were a handful against us. Another good athlete and quite an all rounder. Good in the air. He scored a decent number of goals last season in a struggling team in his first season in England.

Collin Quaner - Big powerful forward who has the tools to do well at this level. Not starting for Huddersfield. Also helped end Wednesday as a club with his impact in the play off semi final, so there's that too.

Junior Kabananga - Random shout. Saw two goals he scored for Astana in the Europa League and wondered if he could be attainable. Turns out he was linked with Leeds and Forest in the summer. Tall, quick and agile centre forward with a powerful left foot and good recent scoring record. Plays for DR Congo and was top scorer in the 2017 AFCON.

Julien Ngoy - Very highly rated quick, versatile young attacker at Stoke. Belgium U21 international. Recently linked with Monaco, Arsenal and other top clubs. But hasn't played enough games and could do with a loan move.

The 'for-one-reason-or-another-don't-make-it-onto-the-first-list' list:


MIDFIELDERS

Ryan Woods - Surely unrealistic but if there's any chance we could get him he'd be right at the top of the list.

Ademola Lookman - If we want a quick winger on loan I doubt we could do any better, if he's available. But he's one who'd really have to play every game.


ATTACKERS

Connor Wickham - If fit enough would be a high calibre loan signing.

*Louis Moult - Scoring a lot of goals for Motherwell. Fox in the box with a decent all round game. Might be worth consideration and shouldn't be expensive.

Ollie McBurnie - Highly rated Scottish striker at Swansea. All round centre forward, tall and agile with good technical ability. Might be available on loan.

Jerome Sinclair - Would offer us something different but would we be willing to go back for him?

i rate both baldock and washington both struggling to get in their respective first teams however the big rumour on s2 is for shane long so who knows think we will sign another striker hanson will be offloaded and ched and caolan not certain to hit it off at this level murphy would be a very interesting loan signing imo enjoyed his time with us and i think he would come back up here know he doesnt fit our set up but quality at this level and like everybody saying ryan woods would be ideal however fancy him ending up at wolves or villa utb ftp

Shane Long ?????
Hope not,

Impressive list that herb,but I think the targets will stay the same as the summer cole,Leonard and a couple of loanees (not Sinclair I doubt chris will do business with his agent again)

Great list Herbs and an enjoyable read. Thanks!

Lampard for 6 months