Time for a transfer rethink?

Last updated : 13 December 2011 By Stuart Gillespie

When the news emerged I can't say I was too bothered. Unlike every other season since we were promoted we have no urgent need for a player in a certain position. Sure, it would be nice to have a new striker or defender but no one was panicking about the fact there'd be no new arrivals next month. However, having had a bit more time to think about things - and with the last few weeks in mind - it's clear we do need to make some changes.

Over the last couple of games it is clear the defence isn't right. Lennon himself clearly isn't happy with it as he keeps tinkering with the system and personnel. That's before you even consider suspensions or injuries, something we've managed to cope without to our defenders since Darren McGregor got injured.

I have defended Marc McAusland since he returned to the club last year. Yes, he was a bit raw and inexperienced but there was a decent player in there. He wasn't with us just because his dad is a director. And in recent months he had been doing well. However, in the last few weeks he is begun to struggle and his confidence is low. He is making more mistakes, partly because of the passing game Lennon insists on playing. He needs a rest.

But he can't be dropped because we don't really have anyone else. When Lee Mair is fit, there's still the question of who plays alongside him in a back four. Illias Haddad looks solid at times but is often on the verge of doing something silly, like his handball against St Johnstone. David Barron can play centre half - the first time I saw him in a reserve game he excelled in that position - but hasn't done so regularly for years. After that you're then talking about playing David van Zanten or Jim Goodwin in the middle of defence, neither of which sounds a good idea. We need someone else.

Lennon said he didn't need new players because his current ones are returning from injury. Darren McGregor won't be back until February at the earliest. Whose to say he wont suffer a relapse in training? Will he be as good as he was before his ligament problems? Will his upcoming court case prove a problem? There is no guarantee he'll solve all the issues - and he's still the best part of two months away from a return.

Then there's the attack. While Steven Thompson was an excellent signing, he has hardly been the most prolific scorer in his career. I said during the summer we needed another striker and I have seen little to change my mind. Thompson, Paul McGowan and Nigel Hasselbaink have three or four each in the league - while Jon McShane has yet to get any - and it's no wonder we're one of the lowest scorers in Scotland. More fire power is needed.

One must also consider the possible loss of players next month. McGowan and Kenny McLean have both been attracting admiring glances from elsewhere this season and it wouldn't be a surprise to see us lose one or both of them in January if we get a decent offer. Suddenly the return of Aaron Mooy isn't like a new signing, he's just a replacement for someone that's going. If one or both of them leave for decent cash the money must be used for wages or a transfer fee for some new players.

But that would just be replacing like with like. What we really, desperately need is a new defender to strengthen the backline, provide competition and offer options when players struggle with form. Each passing week also leads to an increasing need for a new striker.

So Danny, while it'll be great to see Mooy and Hugh Murray back in the side, neither of them solve the two big problems we have. Please have a rethink and make the necessary signings - a commanding defender and a striker who scores reasonably often. Only then you can say we don't need anyone else.

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