Window of Opportunity for Roeder

The January transfer window is now open and Roeder will be seeking some much needed fresh blood. In an ideal world Roeder would love to bring in 5 or 6 new players. However, with a tight budget he may have to settle for 2 or 3.

The key areas will be central defence and up front. The Norwich defence has conceded 42 goals in only 26 games. To put that into perspective that is twice as many as Birmingham. The simple fact of the matter is it is very difficult to win games when you are conceding that many goals. Goals have also been hard to come by especially now Leroy Lita has returned to Reading. The loan player had scored seven goals in a Norwich shirt.

Arturo Lupoli has been the only other bright spark in front of goal. The Italian has scored five goals, but has rarely played under Glenn Roeder. Therefore, the top two targets will be a 6 foot plus central defender and a striker with a proven goalscoring record. Neither of which will be easy to get on such a tight budget. Leroy Lita is unlikely to return because Norwich is unwilling to pay a fee or tie him to a long term contract. There are also rumours circulating that Newcastle and Everton are interesting in signing Lita.

Money is tight, but any spare cash is likely to be spent on a striker. The defence is likely to be shored up with loans. However, if Roeder could sign up a few players permanently it would have a greater impact on the Norwich City team in the long term. It promises to be another crucial transfer window and if Norwich can add to the squad in key areas a mid-table finish beckons. My number one pick for a loan striker would be Man City man Danny Sturridge.