SKY Blues fans can expect a busy January transfer window next month after manager Steven Pressley confirmed this week that preparations are being made for transfer activity in a bid to turn the club’s season around.
Despite what looked like a positive recruitment drive in the summer which saw the likes of Jim O’Brien, Simeon Jackson and Frank Nouble all move to the Ricoh Arena, the Sky Blues have somewhat struggled to find any sort of form.
Many had expected Pressley’s side to push for a League One play-off spot but a dismal run of six defeats in seven matches in recent weeks sees the Sky Blues currently sitting just two points away from the relegation zone.
Opportunity
But with no fixture over the FA Cup weekend allowed Pressley and his team took the opportunity to scout several targets.
And although the Scot is keen to recruit he is only willing to bring in the right type of player that can improve his current squad.
He said: “My mind-set is on the January transfer window. We’ve got to ensure that our recruitment in January is properly prepared.
“We’re working extremely hard towards doing that. It has been a big effort from everybody with a lot of miles covered over the last few weeks.
Concerns
“We need to be careful. In the recent transfer window, I stopped a loan deal going out as I was concerned that we wouldn’t get what we needed in.
“We’ve got to get the right players in before we look at getting some of the players already in the building, out.”
The Observer understands Pressley is keen to bring in a defensive midfielder, a winger and at least two striker in a bid to bolster his attacking options in the latter part of the season.
Several current first team stars could find themselves on the way out in order to free up funds including loan pair Frank Nouble and Josh McQuoid.
But Pressley remains keen to give the club’s young academy players a chance to shine.
He added: “I think we’ve got the nucleus of a very good team with the emergence of some extremely good young players.
“It really excites me. I think if we can get the right balance with the right recruitment strategy, the club will move in the right direction.
“It is always difficult in January but we do some funds there to be able to move in the transfer window.
“We’ve got to make sure we use our budget properly and the preparation we’re putting in at the moment will put us in a good position come January.”
This Saturday the Sky Blues travel to Port Vale where they will be hoping to secure only their third win in 13 league matches.
The two sides met for the first time in 49 years at Vale Park last season with Pressley’s side twice surrendering the lead as they lost 3-2.
Defender Seb Hines could return to the starting line-up after returning to action with the Under-21s earlier in the week but Aaron Phillips, Danny Pugh and Jordan Willis look set to miss out.
