Nathan Jones's tenure with Stoke City got off to a tricky start this weekend when they succumbed to a 3-1 loss to struggling Brentford at Griffin Park. 

It was a result that bumped the Potters down into 14th place and eight points behind Derby County in the race for a top-six spot, a shoddy showing for a squad tipped to win promotion with ease.

But with that just being the former Luton Town boss's first match in charge, there is little to get too angry about.

The fans know that it may be a case of waiting until next season until Jones fully implements his style and squad on the club.

But in the meantime, there is still a shot at the play-offs in the distance and it is one that the Potters should go for. New signings will be needed with the striking positions in particular in need of a revamp.

As is so often the case when a successful manager leaves a club, the answer to this conundrum could well lie back at his former club.

He would be far from a fashionable choice, but James Collins could work an absolute treat at the Bet365 Stadium.

Scoring 11 goals so far in League One, the big striker is utterly ruthless in front of goal, scoring 19 in League Two the season before as well.

Benik Afobe, Saido Berahino and Peter Crouch have all been immensely disappointing this season and bringing in a big, physical and old fashioned brute of a striker like Collins would give everyone a kick in the right direction.

It certainly would not be a long-term solution, but it could be enough to fire them into the top-six this time around.