Tough test for Stale

Around 10 days left of the window, and it seems that we have finally accepted offers for Matt Jarvis and Steven Fletcher. Around £24 million for the pair is decent business, and will allow us to get in replacements and strengthen in positions we need.

First of all, thank you to the lads who are leaving us. It was disappointing that Fletcher put in a transfer request but he's been a fantastic player for us, and I've really enjoyed watching him. Sunderland have got themselves a top forward. With Matty, it's a bit sadder. We signed him for 600 thousand 5 years ago, and he's always been a key player for us. From league one to England international, we've certainly played a part in his career and he is someone who I will always watch with interest.

Bolanos

Moving on, the days coming up to the end of the window are going to be important and a test of Stale. We need reinforcements, but they need to be the right ones and not panic buys. I would expect the priorities to be a centre half (as Stale has talked about) and a winger. We've been unsuccessful in attempts for Demidov and Geromel, so it's proved tougher than expected in that area. Looking at a winger replacement for Jarvis, we've been linked with Christian Bolanos and Thomas Ince. Bolanos I don't know a lot about, but he does have a year left on his contract and Stale signed him for Copenhagen. Ince I would be delighted if we signed, he would fit the role of a narrow wide player very well. He's a clever footballer and very skillful.

If we could sort those areas out quickly, maybe then we could look at another striker, and a right or left back. I'm not particularly comfortable with Zubar at right back (we do have Foley to return from injury), nor Ward defensively. Oscar Wendt and Bryan Oviedo are both players Stale may be interested in at left back, while we've also been linked with right back Espen Ruud.

It is going to be very interesting to see how Stale approaches the next few days, but I trust him to get it right.