What Do Spurs Need To Do In January?

Despite losing Luca Modric, Rafael Van Der Vaart and Ledley King, Spurs have had a reasonable season so far under Andre Villas Boas. The English press would have had you believe that he was a walking calamity and no sort of replacement for Harry Redknapp. After today’s 0-0 draw at home to Stoke, Spurs sit 5^th in the Premier League, one of 4 teams on 30 points, and well in the hunt for 3^rd place.

However, despite doing reasonably well, they have yet to truly convince. They seem well organised as a team but have yet to really come across as a solid and dangerous unit. Word has it that Spurs have unfinished business in the transfer markets. Chairman Daniel Levy is a fan of brinkmanship in the transfer windows and not for the first time, this backfired on him in the summer when he lost out on Joao Moutinho – the one player Villas-Boas really wanted.

So what areas does AVB need to look at strengthening in January? Here are my thoughts:

Goalkeeper:
Hugo Lloris has definetively unseated Brad Friedel from #1. In Carlo Cudicini and Heureleo Gomes, Spurs have a 3^rd and 4^th choice keeper they dont need and must be costing them a stack of money. They need to ditch these two to save some money

Defence:
Left back is a problem with Assou Ekotto the only recognised player in this position only now coming back from injury. Loaning Danny Rose to Sunderland was a mistake and he needs to be recalled or else an alternative youngster needs to come in during this window

Midfield:
Spurs have lots of able midfielders (Dembele, Sandro, Parker, Bale) and lots of passable stand-ins. They really need a schemer who can unlock defences and the rumour mill says Ajax’s Christian Eriksen is the man they have lined up to do that. Personally I’d like to see Spurs ship out either Jake Livermore or Tom Huddlestone and bring in an alternative to Aaron Lennon on the right wing.

Attack:
Defoe and Adebayor seem to be working well enough, but two strikers is not enough. Dempsey has yet to impress in any meaningful way, and one other top-notch striker is a must. Fernando Llorente is possibly wishful thinking, but you never know