Chris Coleman has already made a very positive start to life at Sunderland, winning a crucial game against Burton Albion before taking a point at Molineux last week.
However, the former Wales manager will recognise that he still has a lot of work to do to ensure the Black Cats don’t suffer a second successive relegation. And, the January transfer window could be key to that.
The financial situation of the club means that he will have to sell to buy and shifting players could be a lot harder than many anticipate.
Nevertheless, Coleman will be hoping for a very productive window with several players coming through the door to boost the team.
Here are five players we think he should target…
Danny Ward
The goalkeeping position has been a massive issue for Sunderland this season, with the two options available just not good enough.
Danny Ward won promotion with Huddersfield last season and would be available on loan from Liverpool.
Perhaps crucially, he knows the manager from his time with Wales and it would be a real coup for the club to land the goalie.
Ben Woodburn
Similarly, Coleman should be chasing another youngster from Liverpool who he knows from the Welsh setup in Woodburn.
The teenager is extremely talented and delivered for the manager on big international occasions.
He would bring a creativity and quality that is currently missing at the moment and the player himself must be desperate to play regularly under Coleman.
Jack Marriott
Sunderland are one of a host of clubs who are chasing the Peterborough striker according to reports and it would be a smart move.
Marriott would be delighted to join a club the size of Sunderland and that hunger and desire to play is something that the current group haven’t really had over the years.
More importantly, he scores goals. It looks like Lewis Grabban could be leaving and the Posh striker could fill that big gap having scored 13 already this season.
Gary Madine
Whilst he wouldn’t be a key signing that will score the goals to keep the Wearside club up, Madine could do a very useful job.
Coleman got the best out of Sam Vokes and Hal Robson-Kanu on the international stage and likes playing with a big striker.
The Bolton man would have a specific role to play and would do it. Plus, it would seriously weaken a rival.
Tommy Elphick
Villa’s injury crisis at the minute might make a deal hard, but hopefully for Sunderland that will ease by January.
Steve Bruce clearly isn’t a fan of the defender but he could do a great job for a side near the bottom of the division.
Elphick is reliable, strong and a good leader, the sort of character Coleman would want for the relegation battle.
Thoughts, Sunderland fans? Let us know in the comments below.