Where do Hull City need to strengthen in the January transfer window? Brad Rial considers some options.
Just a few weeks ago, Hull City fans were praising Steve Bruce and his side on what had been a very promising opening to the season.
14 points from 10 games represented an impressive total and saw the Tigers sitting pretty in the top half of the Premier League.
But back-to-back defeats against Southampton and Crystal Palace have left supporters feeling a little anxious ahead of what is a grueling December.
There is no need for widespread panic just yet, but one or two fans may have half an eye on the January transfer window. The window will allow Bruce to take stock and identify the areas he feels can be strengthened.
Ask any City fan where they feel their team needs to be strengthened and the overwhelming response is likely to be: Up front.
It's been some time since City had what you'd call a natural goalscorer; someone who is guaranteed to get you 20-25 goals a season.
Of course, such strikers are hard to come by – particularly in the Premier League – but City's lack of goals is a problem that desperately needs addressing by Steve Bruce.
It is no secret that Bruce tried to bring in Shane Long from West Brom in the summer, and he is exactly the kind of player City need right now.
Any potential offer City may have had in mind for a January bid for Long may have to be reconsidered after his exploits against Aston Villa on Monday night.
It's hard to imagine anyone in the City team scoring those goals that Long did. The technique, composure and effortlessness with which he scored the goals were a joy to behold and he is clearly a man enjoying his football.
Which, in a way, is surprising considering the Baggies deemed him surplus to requirements only a few months ago. If he continues this rich vein of form he is on at the moment, though, it's hard to see West Brom selling him.
And with Steve Clarke now supposedly keen on offering Long a new contract, it appears that that particular ship may have sailed for City, so Bruce might have to look elsewhere.
Should City secure a permanent deal for Jake Livermore in January (more on that later), it would free up another loan spot. And there are one or two strikers in the Premier League that may be worth Steve Bruce keeping an eye on.
One of those is actually Long's teammate at West Brom, Matej Vydra.
Vydra, who scored 20 goals last season for Watford, has found opportunities limited at The Hawthorns and may be open to a loan deal.
Whether West Brom would be willing to loan him to a divisional rival remains to be seen, but it may just be worth a cheeky enquiry in January, as he is clearly someone who knows where the back of the net is.
Another name to throw into the mix is Man City's John Guidetti. The 21-year-old Swedish international has recently suggested that he would be open to a move away from the Etihad in order to get regular first team action.
Guidetti has been touted back in his homeland as the next Zlatan Ibrahimovic: high praise indeed.
The guy can clearly score goals, as his record whilst on loan at Feyenoord in the 2011/12 season suggests (20 goals in 23 appearances).
An injury suffered towards the end of his time in Holland meant a lengthy spell on the sidelines and Guidetti is keen to get his career back on track. Maybe City will be the club where he can do just that?
Serbia international Filip Djordjevic is also touted today as a potential answer to City's goalscoring problems.
Djordjevic, 26, is known to interest Steve Bruce and as he's ripe for signing with his contract at Nantes expiring in summer. City may have to beat Crystal Palace to his signature though.
While a striker will obviously be high on Bruce's wish list, for me the permanent signing of Livermore should be his number one priority.
When he arrived alongside Tom Huddlestone in the summer, Livermore was almost mentioned as an afterthought, such was the profile of his former Spurs teammate.
But Livermore has looked every inch the Premier League player and in recent weeks he has outshone Tom Huddlestone with his all-action performances.
Last January, Bruce signed Robbie Brady and David Meyler on permanent deals following successful loan spells. If a similar deal were to be done for Livermore it would be a very shrewd piece of business.
Livermore has already intimated that he would be open to a permanent switch to the KC and he has stated how much he is enjoying his football.
Spurs, his parent club, have an embarrassment of riches in the centre of midfield with the likes of Paulinho, Sandro, Dembélé and Capoue all vying for a starting berth. With such competition, it is unlikely that Livermore will get a look-in.
His signing wouldn't break the bank either and if City could get another England international midfielder on the books it would represent a massive coup for the club.
On Saturday against Crystal Palace, City lacked creativity in and around the box. They didn't have anyone who could produce something out of nothing and get fans on the edges of their seats.
Of course, Sone Aluko fits that bill perfectly but, with him being out until February, the team lacks that something different in the final third.
Aluko's contract situation is a delicate subject at the minute. His injury has complicated matters further and there is a genuine fear amongst City fans that he may leave.
Sorting out a new deal for Aluko should be as important as bringing in a new striker in my opinion. He really is a unique player and has the potential to be one of the most exciting players in the league.
If Bruce can manage to bring in a striker who can score, as well as securing the long-term futures of Jake Livermore and Sone Aluko, it would represent a very successful January transfer window in my eyes.
