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Stoke City given January transfer demand and players who might stop them going to market
Stoke City are a third of the way through the season already but there is a lot of time to go for new coach Narcis Pelach to make his mark and players to become heroes or villains. The second part of our international break fans’ panel takes a look at what is expected to or wanted to happen next.
Giving their verdicts are JON OWEN, from Seabridge, RICHARD JAMES, from Blythe Bridge, Stoke City Connect member JAMES KNOWLES, from Fenton, and IAN PARKES, from Matlock. You can check out part one here.
Which player are you expecting or hoping will burst through to become an important player between now and the end of the season?
Jon Owen: I think the hype surrounding Bosun Lawal means he's one we'll all be watching with interest when he gets himself fit.
READ MORE: Stoke City loan plan revealed as Narcis Pelach makes plea to Jon Walters
Sam Gallagher though, a target man who will give our game a different edge, remains one I think who still could make a huge difference, especially if he can put his injury troubles behind him. I think Tom Cannon would have benefitted from him playing alongside him, and he gives us a physicality we've lacked up front at times.
James Knowles: I'm looking at two midfielders - Seko and Sidibe. The early sightings of Seko are exciting - he offers a bit of everything and I'm glad that Pelach has given him his chance. Sidibe has been a touch unfortunate not to have more game time over the last year or so. Despite his young age, he doesn't seem phased by anything and is very tidy in possession. Whilst Burger and Thompson offer more experience in midfield, their discipline worries me.
Ian Parkes: Looking at the great wealth we have now coming through the academy, for me I would love Sol Sidibe to be up there at the end of the season. Not only is he the son of a former Stokie, but he shows such skill and a footballing brain in one so young. To make his debut at 16 was amazing, and even now he has already played four league games and four cup games so far this season. He is already an established England under-18s player and does not look out of place in a senior side. He has calmness and ability in midfield far above his years, he can link up play and make telling passes. Hopefully one player who will very soon be established in the side.
Richard James: I think I need to be greedy to answer this question and mention three players. Bosun Lawal is someone I have high hopes for and has been built up to be a really excellent player so we are all looking forward to seeing him. We are very short of running power and strength in midfield and if he can add that as well as giving us some bite in the centre of the pitch, he could be a huge plus point to the second half of the season.
My next one is Tom Cannon, he’s already equalled last season’s highest scorer and as the team develops I believe he will thrive and his excellent movement that isn’t always noticed by his teammates will be spotted more regularly and I genuinely can’t see any reason why he can’t at least threaten the now mythical 20 goal season for us. A lot will ride of the availability of Sam Gallagher and how we can get them on the pitch at the same time but as we saw at Blackburn his presence is a big boost for a team’s main striker.
My third player is Tatsuki Seko. Our Japanese midfielder has had to bide his time but in recent games he has shown his energy and willingness to get around the pitch coupled with being available to receive the ball and then move it quickly could be a very useful asset to us. It’s very early days with him but I hope he continues, kicks on and becomes a more regular starter for us.
What should be Stoke's priority for the January transfer window?
Jon Owen: A Viktor Johansson clone as I'm worried he'll get injured!
I really hope we manage to keep loan players Ashley Phillips, Andy Moran, Lewis Koumas and Tom Cannon. If Lawal and Gallagher struggle with injuries, a defensive midfielder and target man wouldn't go amiss.
James Knowles: We must shore up our defence. Gibson might be Pelach's trusted lieutenant from their time together at Norwich, but I'm not sure how much I trust him on the pitch - there are too many sloppy mistakes creeping into his game. Phillips should be a constant at the back while we have him, but I'd like to see a new face alongside him as well as a new right back. And if we can find a magic healing potion for Sam Gallagher that would be great too. He's had rotten luck with injury since joining, but the glimpses we've seen are very encouraging.
Ian Parkes: To me, the priority must be a defensive midfielder, another Nzonzi if you like. One who can support the defence when needed and convert it into attack very quickly.
Richard James: The squad still has some holes that either need filling or at least having a sticking plaster applied to. I shudder to think what happens if Viktor was to be injured long term as we just don’t have adequate back up. At right back, Junior Tchamadeu was having a tough time which resulted in Pelach turning to Ben Wilmot to play the role. An illness to the former Watford man meant a return for Junior and I have to say he’s grasped the opportunity with both hands and looks better for a spell out of the team. It’s been really nice to see him find some good form of late and I hope he keeps it up (along with cutting out that left footed pass across his own box!)
As mentioned we are all hoping that Lawal comes in and transforms our midfield but my gut feeling is we could still do with a real bruiser to play in certain games and give us a foothold when the going gets tough. Maybe the former Fleetwood loanee is also that man, so the sooner we see him playing the better!
In attack if and I was being really greedy, I’d like another wide player to cover for injury and loss of form but more important than that we definitely could do with another experienced striker given Gallagher’s injuries. We are really short of options and that is a key area to strengthen in January if we want a tilt at getting in and staying in the top half.
