With the January transfer window now open, Middlesbrough are closely monitoring the market for any opportunities to strengthen their squad, while hoping to keep their best players at the club.

Powerless if Liverpool decide to sell Ben Doak, they're also facing potential offers for Emmanuel Latte Lath. Losing either would be a huge blow to their promotion chances. With a full squad right now, there are other players who might leave to create gaps in their squad, with Boro said to have targets in mind should the right opportunities present themselves.

After a break over the festive period, our fan panel returns with a transfer special. Rather than a question this week, we put our panelists in the role of head of football Kieran Scott and asked them what they'd do this month if in charge of Boro recruitment. Our panel this weekconsists of Youtuber and talkSport journalist Phil Spencer, Boro Breakdown co-host Dana Malt, Boropolis co-founder Chris Cassidy and Twe12th Man member Stephen Jackson.

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Chris Cassidy

Like most Boro supporters, if I were head of football for the month, I’d probably just switch my phone off and try my best to hide Emmanuel Latte Lath and Ben Doak! It sounds ridiculous, but Boro could have a great window and not do anything.

It’s common knowledge that Michael Carrick’s squad is at maximum capacity, so as long as there’s no drastic injury news, I wouldn’t be devastated if nothing changes. However, I’m not convinced that will be the case. I do think Boro will end up having to replace Ben Doak, and that’s a terrifying thought because they aren’t even going to financially benefit if he is sold to the Premier League for £20m+. The lack of a ‘not for sale’ stance from Liverpool and reports of improved bids being prepared make it seem a case of when rather than if.

In regard to Latte Lath, I’m a lot more relaxed. The Ivorian would also command upwards of £20m. In this case, Boro would have some cash to use on a replacement. It’s worth remembering they also do have Tommy Conway, who’s only two goals behind Latte Lath's tally for the season and actually has a better minutes per goal record.

In terms of other areas of the squad, Boro are crying out for some new fullbacks, and they could definitely do with a more physically imposing profile in midfield for when they’re without Howson or Morris. Regardless of who stays and goes, I’m just crossing everything we get quick resolutions. The last thing Boro need is one saga after another throughout January.

Phil Spencer

My message to Boro's recruitment team: Don't answer the phone and turn Kieran Scott's out of office on! The main focus this month simply has to be keeping as much of this squad together as possible. It's not perfect but it's well-balanced and gives us the quality to keep challenging.

The worry is how powerless we are regarding Ben Doak and the prospect of him being recalled, plus the ever-building Premier League interest in Emmanuel Latte Lath. If possible, my priority would be making sure that we don't lose more than one key player this month. Doing so has the potential to really unsettle the team which could be disastrous.

Should Doak or Latte Lath leave, they will NEED to be replaced this month. The prospect of losing both players is unthinkable and would likely be a massive dagger to the heart of our promotion hopes - such is the importance of the pair. That means that we need to have a shortlist of right wingers and strikers ready to go in case we lose one or both of the above.

As for incomings, I'm fairly relaxed. I wouldn't lose any sleep if we don't sign any players this month - we're well stocked across the board and so there's no need to force the issue to bring extra quality into the squad unless an amazing opportunity crops up.

I also wouldn't be forcing any other exits. Perhaps a loan for Micah Hamilton or Law McCabe, plus another look at Sammy Silvera's situation given his struggles at Portsmouth. All in all, I think this month has to be about damage limitation as if we're going to maintain a charge for the play-offs we simply need to keep our best players at the club where possible.

Dana Malt

I’d add more physicality to Boro’s midfield - a bit of an Aidan Morris mark two. Boro’s current midfield pair of Hayden Hackney and Dan Barlaser lacks that. It’s probably the weakest of our midfield partnerships. Having them start because - let’s be honest - no one else is available to, shows that our engine room probably needs looking at.

In fairness to Hackney, he’s added more ‘bite’ to his game, but it shows up more in needless bouts of frustration more than it does as anything particularly useful. Barlaser is a good player, despite what he showed against Cardiff, but I’m believing more and more that he’s just not suited to this Middlesbrough team, as his weaknesses show up more than his strengths.

Aidan Morris was a perfect addition this summer. His tenacious, energetic profile was what Boro had long missed. To find a similar player to him would only improve the squad further.

Elsewhere, with Emmanuel Latte Lath’s agent sticking his backside in Binns’ window for a move, it’s probably time to get comfortable with him leaving. Considering it’s the mid-season window, I’d drive a hard bargain for a top asset. Either that or cut off all contact with anyone in his phone named Matthias Veneroso [Latte Lath's agent]. Sorted.

Stephen Jackson

Through so many seasons we have got to January and as a fanbase we have all said the same thing: We need to bring in players or we can forget about getting close to the playoffs. This year had a slightly different twist to things though.

We need to keep hold of our key players, such as Doak and Latte Lath, if we are to stay in the race for promotion. Lose these two and we are in a race against time to get replacements through the door and obtaining players of the same level could prove very difficult!

One position we have all agreed on that we need to bring in this month has been a left back, which we do still need to look at, but the focus now has to be on bringing in a keeper with Sol Brynn being ruled out for 3 months and Dieng's situation very unclear. Whether it is a short term move or more long term, we need to get this right if we are to keep our promotion bid on the right tracks!

As well as hearing their views on particular Boro topics on Teesside Live each week, you can also hear from them further on their respective platforms. Phil Spencer runs his own Youtube channel which you can subscribe to here. Dana Malt is part of the Boro Breakdown Podcast, Chris Cassidy is part of the Boropolis Podcast, and Stephen Jackson is host of the Twe12th Man Podcast, all of which you can listen to on all major podcast outlets.