Premier League: Hits and misses of the January Transfer Window

In truth, the 2016 January Transfer Window was a rather quiet affair.

There was only one incident of a reporter being prodded with a random object, Harry Redknapp’s car windows stayed shut and, amazingly, Saido Berahino behaved himself on Twitter.

However, it is worth noting that some Premier League clubs did manage to do business and bring in a few fresh faces. But who will strike lucky and who will strike out?

HIT 1 - BENIK AFOBE

Since losing Callum Wilson to injury in the opening weeks of the season, Bournemouth have really struggled for goals. Summer signings Glenn Murray and Josh King have impressed Cherries’ fans with their effort and work rate, but in reality, neither have the goal-scoring ability required at Premier League level.

Eddie Howe saw former Arsenal prospect Benik Afobe as the answer, splashing out £10m and breaking the club’s transfer record to bring the England Under-21 international in from Wolves.

Afobe is a natural goalscorer and has a wonderful record in the lower leagues. The prolific front man scored 10 times in 11 league starts while on loan at MK Dons from Arsenal in the first part of last season, prompting Wolves manager Kenny Jackett to fork out £2m to secure his services.

12 months and 23 goals later, Wolves were faced with the opportunity of making a £8m profit, which they decided was too good to refuse.

In total, Afobe has scored 43 goals in 86 league starts – something he will need to continue at Bournemouth if they are going to be certain of Premier League safety.

HIT 2 - CHARLIE AUSTIN

Jaws dropped around the country when news broke that Southampton had secured the services of Charlie Austin (below) for just £4m. This figure is made to seem even more astonishing when you consider the hefty price tag QPR put round Austin’s neck in the summer when interest from Newcastle, Palace and West Ham became apparent.

Austin has played at every level of the game, starting at non-league Knitbury Rangers before reaching the Premier League with QPR last season. In his solitary top-level season, Austin netted 18 times, with only Sergio Aguero, Harry Kane and Diego Costa scoring more league goals than the powerful forward during the 2014/15 campaign.

Current Southampton forwards Shane Long and Graziano Pelle have shared just 11 league goals between them this season, so we don’t forecast it being too long before Austin makes it into the starting eleven – especially after netting an 89th minute winner at Old Trafford on his Saints debut!

HIT 3 - MARIO SUAREZ

Mario Suarez finally joined Watford on the eve of Deadline Day, despite initially stalling over a deal. Quique Sanchez Flores worked with Suarez while in charge at Atletico Madrid earlier in his career, and swooped for the midfielder after an unsuccessful six months in Italian football with Fiorentina.

Suarez is not your typical Premier League holding midfielder – think more Andrea Pirlo and less Lee Cattermole.

The Spanish international operates in a deep-lying midfield role, and while he is capable of putting his foot in, he is far more comfortable when keeping possession by distributing to teammates.

Suarez is a clever player who provides his team-mates with a constant passing option when in possession.

In truth, Watford have lacked technical ability in the middle of their midfield and we see Suarez being a permanent fixture in the Hornets starting eleven.

MISS 1 - EMMANUEL ADEBAYOR

After watching his side score just 25 league goals so far this season, Alan Pardew has turned to former Arsenal, Manchester City and Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor. The Togo international arrived at Selhurst Park on a free transfer until the end of this season, after being released by Tottenham at the start of the campaign.

In truth, Adebayor has a decent Premier League record – netting 96 times in his 230 appearances. Goal scoring is no issue for the former Real Madrid loanee. He has a fine positional sense, often converting after finding himself in the right place at the right time.

However, the problem lies with his commitment and work rate. Adebayor seems to have a wonderful initial impact at clubs.

However, once his place in the starting eleven is cemented, he seems to rest on his laurels and get complacent – rarely chasing down lost causes and often relying on strike partners to do his running.

During his time in England, Adebayor has never spent more than three years with one club. Due to a 10-month break from competitive action, a trademark initial impact doesn’t look likely here and nobody would be shocked to see the 31-year- old leave Palace when his deal expires at the end of the season.

MISS 2 – ALEXANDRE PATO

A few years ago, Alexandre Pato was one of the hottest properties in World football.

However, after falling out of favour at AC Milan and failing to secure a move to another European club, Pato returned to his native Brazil in 2012.

Since then, the former wonderkid has been less than prolific. In his injury-blighted spells at Corinthians and Sao Paulo, Pato has struggled for consistency – scoring less than 30 league goals in three years.

After an early-season blip, Diego Costa now looks back to his menacing best, so it would shock everyone if Pato made his way into the Chelsea starting eleven.

Even if a Costa injury (or more likely a suspension) does occur, Loic Remy still appears to be the front-runner to replace him. The prolific Frenchman has delivered whenever Chelsea have called upon him and has numerous years of Premier League experience.

It looks as though Pato will be stuck to the Stamford Bridge bench during his loan spell, spending his time battling with fellow South American flop Radamel Falcao for third place in the Chelsea striker queue

MISS 3 – ANDROS TOWNSEND

Even in today’s financial climate, £12m should get you a winger with more than five top-level goals to his name.

Despite setting tongues wagging with his England performances, Andros Townsend has never really performed for Tottenham on a consistent basis.

In truth, his best Premier League performances came during his loan at QPR back in 2013. Townsend looked like a big fish in a small pond during his spell at Loftus Road, and looked to thrive from the freedom.

However, since returning to Tottenham, the 24-year-old struggled to adapt to a higher standard and was often accused of operating with a selfish style of play.

That style directly clashed with Mauricio Pochettino’s ideas and since the Argentinian’s appointment at the start of last season, Townsend’s Premier League appearances have been few and far between.

Things eventually came to a head in early November; Townsend hadn’t started a league game during the 2015/16 campaign and thus reacted angrily to a Tottenham coach after a Europa League tie. After hearing of the news, Pochettino immediately dropped Townsend to the club’s development squad and he never played for the Tottenham first team again.

There is no doubt that Townsend will get decent playing time at his new club, but there is a real sense that Steve McClaren has hugely overspent on the England international.

Calum Chinchen is chief sportswriter for MyClubBetting.com