The problem West Bromwich Albion have not yet solved in the January transfer window

As the January transfer window deadline looms, business hasn’t been at the level most would have liked at the Hawthorns.

Daryl Dike arrived at the beginning of the month for big money and had it not been for his unfortunate injury it would have very much been a case of one and done for Albion.

However, due to said injury, Valerien Ismael and his team have been forced to act and have done so in the shape of former Newcastle United striker Andy Carroll.

The manager confirmed that the 33-year-old had joined on Friday afternoon on a short-term-deal until the end of the season.

Carroll, who has spent the last two months with Championship struggler’s Reading, made his debut for the Baggies 24 hours later at Millwall but was unable to have the desired affect as Albion stumbled to a 2-0 defeat.

After back-to-back defeats and two disappointing performances from Ismael’s side, pressure is starting to build on the Frenchman.

Where do Albion need to strengthen?

Despite a worrying dip in form recently, unless something drastic changes between now and tonight’s(January 31) 11PM deadline, it doesn’t look like there will be anymore new signings at the Hawthorns.

But one area in particular which the club could do with strengthening is central midfield.

The high energy and workmanlike performances of Jake Livermore and Alex Mowatt have been crucial to the way Ismael wants his teams to operate, but, as demonstrated in recent performances, the side are crying out for more creativity to unlock the stubborn defences which dominate the Championship.

If Baggies are going to do any last minute business today, then a creative midfielder should be at the top of the list.

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