Transfer Wishlist: Hull can only halt freefall with goals
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Which areas do they need to strengthen?
The Tigers have won just two of their last 14 games, and failed to get on the scoresheet in nine of those matches, which suggests their main problems lie in attacking-midfield and up front.
Steve Bruce has a raft of experienced and talented defensive-minded players, with the likes of Tom Huddlestone, Curtis Davies, Andrew Robertson and James Chester ensuring 15th-placed Hull have only conceded a couple more than West Ham, Swansea and Stoke in the Premier League this term.
Who have they been linked with? Andre Ayew, Emmanuel Agyemang Badu, Lee Cattermole, Jermain Defoe, Adnan Januzaj, Tom Lees, Aaron Lennon
January Wishlist Best Buys
Adnan Januzaj (Man Utd)
Chances of Signing: Certainly possible on loan, and makes sense with Hatem Ben Arfa out the door.
The young Belgium international doesn’t seem to suit the way Louis van Gaal is setting up Manchester United right now, but the Dutch coach is clearly very changeable and the 19-year-old could have a part to play yet at Old Trafford.
A loan move not too far away seems his best option.
Aaron Lennon (Tottenham)
Chances of Signing: Looking less likely now he could become embroiled in a swap deal, alongside Andros Townsend, for West Brom’s Saido Berahino.
Lennon hasn’t played well consistently for some time, but he’s still only 27, so would be worth a punt.
Emmanuel Agyemang Badu (Udinese)
Chances of Signing: Possible, but if the 49-cap Ghana holding-midfielder is any good no doubt the rest of the Premier League will be in for him, with Arsenal at the head of the queue.
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Steven Fletcher (Sunderland)
Bruce pulled off a masterstroke in Hull’s first year back in the Premier League, winning survival with plenty in hand largely thanks to the January acquisitions of Nikica Jelavic and Shane Long, who notched eight goals between them in the second half of the campaign.
Long has gone but his ex-partner is still around alongside summer signing Abel Hernandez. The pair have nine between them in the first half of this term, but only two since mid-October, while the latter has not found the net in nine.
Another rabbit out of the hat is needed and Gus Poyet may be prepared to do business for a player who has only impressed in patches this season.
A change of scenery with his old Black Cats boss could suit Fletcher and add another gun to Bruce’s erratic armoury.
