After a stuttering Christmas schedule, which saw Blackpool drop as many points as they picked up, The Seasiders attention will now turn to the January transfer window.
Blackpool have already seen a slight flurry of transfer activity already, with Brighton recalling midfielder Jensen Weir, after making 10 appearances for Blackpool. That was not the only loan cut short however, as Blackpool recalled Rob Apter from his successful loan at Tranmere Rovers.
There is still a lot of room for improvement in Blackpool’s squad, and they will be looking to invest should they have any hopes of achieving a playoff spot this season.
Striker
It may seem weird stating that Blackpool need a new striker, considering Jordan Rhodes has already scored 15 for The Seasiders so far this season, but his form could lead to Huddersfield cutting his loan short to help them in their bid for survival in The Championship.
Should this occur, Blackpool will find themselves short on options up front, with Jake Beesley and Shayne Lavery both out injured, leaving Kyle Joseph as the only, fit, recognised striker at the club.
The best thing for Blackpool to do would be to enquire about the services of Jordan Rhodes on a permanent basis. The 33 year old should not command a high transfer fee, due to his age, but it would be whether Blackpool would be willing to pay or not.
Joe Ironsides has scored 11 goals for League Two side Doncaster Rovers so far this season, and is someone who has frequently been on the scoresheet in recent seasons, including the 20 goals he scored in League One for Cambridge United over the past two seasons.
Gary Madine has also been training at the club, who has been without a club since being released by Blackpool at the end of last season, due to injury. There are rumours circulating that he could be offered a contract when fit again.
Midfield
The recalling of Jensen Weir has not exactly left Blackpool short of options in midfield, but that, combined with the absence of Kenny Dougall, has left The Seasiders with the inability to rotate.
The return of Matty Virtue has been a timely one, having started in their New Years Day win over Lincoln City, and the Liverpool youth graduate put a steady shift in.
If rumours are to be believed, Blackpool may be another midfielder short, with Kenny Dougall being linked to Huddersfield in recent weeks, which would be a massive loss for The Seasiders.
Since joining for Blackpool, Dougall has overseen promotion into The Championship, scoring a brace in the League One Playoff Final, and putting in some impressive performances in The Championship.
Should Dougall leave, then Blackpool will be in the market for a holding midfielder, one that will allow Norburn to roam forwards into more creative positions. This is a position that is vital for Blackpool considering they way they play, so they may spend big here.
With Weir being recalled, that does free up a loan spot for Blackpool as well, one they may look to utilise, with another midfielder perhaps filling that spot.
There are multiple options out there, too many to name, but there has been nobody linked with, or rumoured, to have interested the club at the moment.
Centre Back/Full Back
With the system that Neil Critchley and Blackpool play, there is a high demand for central defenders. Husband, Casey and Pennington have been the three that have featured most for Blackpool this season, with Ekpiteta and Connolly rotating in, and Doug Tharme waiting for a chance on the sidelines.
However, Blackpool could do with another option at the back, one that has experience playing in a back five formation, and preferably one that plays either side of the main centre back.
Husband and Pennington have performed brilliantly this season, but Ekpiteta is more of a central defender in a back five, whereas Connolly has not performed too well when put in the back five so far.
An experienced head could be looked at here, to helped Blackpool’s younger players, such as Olly Casey, and to provide some much needed experience into the back line.
If a central defender is not preferred, than an out and out wing back would be beneficial. The Seasiders have been playing CJ Hamilton and Owen Dale, two attacking wingers, at wing back this season.
At times, this has worked wonders, allowing Blackpool to create overloads when going forward. But, defensively, it could be much better.
Luke Thomas is one player who would suit this system perfectly. The midfielder, currently playing for Bristol Rovers, impressed when they visited Bloomfield Road earlier in the season, whilst playing at wing back.
Thomas constantly looked to get forward at every opportunity, and had an eye for a pass, something that The Seasiders need desperately.
Blackpool do have Andy Lyons and Dom Thompson at the club, two players who are natural wing backs, but they have rarely featured this season.
The January transfer window could be a very busy one for Blackpool. Should Huddersfield recall Jordan Rhodes, then they will be forced into transfer activity, if they have any hopes of achieving a spot in the top six.
The squad does need improving, if Critchley wants to stick with his five at the back formation. The squad have struggled away from home this season, due to a massive lack of quality, and so additions are desperately needed to improve on this.
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