The transfer window

This week Eddy Lascellles takes a look at the impact the January Transfer

Window can have on the remainder of a season.

The transfer window - love it or loathe it can have a profound impact on a
season. This weeks rounds of games has highlighted that more than ever
before with no less than 3 debutants scoring in victories for their new
clubs. John Terry also spoke this week of the "buzz" that Torres and
David Luiz signing have created in the dressing room. Cue a very
impressive victory at the tricky Stadium of Light where, perhaps now
concerned for his place, Nicolas Anelka, gave a master class up front.
Chelsea's two new superstars haven't even kicked a ball yet and they've
already made an impact!

Up to this point Liverpool have had what can only be described as a
season horribilis, however after last nights win against stoke they're
7th in the table and only 2 points off a European place. Luis Suarez had
a dream debut and should add an extra dimension to their attack. How
successful his partnership with Andy Carroll will be only time will
tell. On paper it looks great - the speed, skill and guile of Suarez
with the strength, power and finishing of Carroll. Premiership defenders
won't expect an easy ride from them and in Carroll Liverpool have by far
the best young English striker, and they always cost a premium!

Similarly to Liverpool, West Ham have had a shocker of a season to date.
A board intent on sacking their manager, the diabolical and
embarrassing public courting of Martin O'Neill and a series of abject
performances which saw them bottom at Christmas. They became the latest
club to hear the oft-used phrase of "the team bottom at Xmas always goes
down". However a good win at Bloomfield road on Wednesday has lifted
them off the bottom and only a point from safety. The addition and
impact of Robbie Keane and Wayne Bridge should be enough to kick stat
their season and steer them clear of a season back in the championship.

We have also seen the impact that Darren Bent has already had at Villa
(2 goals in 2 games) and a debut goal for Daniel Sturridge at Bolton.
The transfer window makes for a more unpredictable and exciting league.
A season is a long hard marathon where very few teams remain consistent
throughout (Notable exceptions would be the Arsenal invincibles,
Mourinho’s Chelsea, and Derby in 2008 - who were consistently awful).

A clubs activity in January can often define their season and be the
difference between safety and relegation, mid table and European places
or in Chelsea's case Europa league and a potential treble. We watch
this game for the twists and turns, the surprises and the upsets. As
fans of our clubs if nothing else we have hope. For many this hope comes
in the form of the January transfer window!