New Albion boss Chris Hughton is bound to be busy when the January transfer window opens on Saturday.
Hughton will be working with the revamped recruitment team, headed by Paul Winstanley, and with chairman Tony Bloom to identify targets who will improve the squad.
The immediate priority is removing the relegation fears, the longer term goal assembling a group of players capable of challenging again for a top six finish in the Championship.
Andy Naylor assesses the areas that need strengthening this month.
Goalkeeper: No business needed. David Stockdale is really beginning to run into form.
England under-20s prospect Christian Walton filled in capably when called upon and the experienced Casper Ankergren is still in reserve.
Full-backs: Some business needed, although it may be more likely in the summer rather than January.
Inigo Calderon and Bruno, who completes a three-match ban at Brentford in the FA Cup on Saurday, are not getting any younger.
A right-back successor will be required for the Spanish pair.
Left-back is a more immediate concern. Joe Bennett, on loan from Aston Villa for the season, has not always convinced defensively.
Albion should ultimately find their own left-back, not a borrowed one (Bridge, Ward, Bennett).
Centre-half: Some business needed, eventually. The versatile Greg Halford has done enough in recent games to warrant trying to re-sign him from Nottingham Forest.
In the summer the gap between Lewis Dunk at one end of the age scale, Gordon Greer and Aaron Hughes at the other, should be addressed.
Central midfield: Urgent business needed. Rohan Ince had a fine game on his return to the team at Fulham alongside Danny Holla but Albion remain well short of the quality Liam Bridcutt brought to the defensive shielder role.
The ideal fit is somebody experienced and also a leader. Jake Forster-Caskey, in particular, would benefit from playing further forward, safe in the knowledge he had nous behind.
The return from long-term injury of the energetic Dale Stephens cannot come soon enough.
Albion have lacked combative zest in the absence of both Stephens and the unfortunate Andrew Crofts.
Wingers: Some business needed. Kazenga LuaLua has been the biggest injury loss of all. The combination of short-burst pace, power and direct running he provides unsettles opposing defences.
Adrian Colunga, a different type of player, is a reasonable, if inconsistent alternative on the left.
The quality offered by Will Buckley on the right has not been restored and Elliott Bennett's loan has now finished.
Creative sparks: Some business needed. Solly March and on-loan Joao Teixeira are bright and talented prospects but it is still early days for both of them to take on matchwinning responsibility at Championship level.
March came off the bench to score at Fulham on Monday. That is how it should be so early into his recovery from four months out with a stress fracture of the back, not starting with him and depending on him to manufacture something.
Teixeira has bags of ability but the Portugese youngster from Liverpool has looked lightweight at times. He would benefit from more strength and experience around him.
Paddy McCourt has flattered to deceive throughout his career. Albion are short of the creativity from recent seasons supplied by the incomparable Vicente and, at times, Andrea Orlandi and David Lopez. Darren Bent would have enjoyed playing with any of them.
Strikers: The most urgent business needed. The quest for cutting edge options is even more acute, with Bent apparently bound for Derby County.
Albion have come nowhere near to replacing Leo Ulloa or, for that matter, Ashley Barnes.
Craig Mackail-Smith and Chris O'Grady were shipped out on loan to League One clubs by Sami Hyypia before caretaker Nathan Jones recalled them.
Sam Baldock, back on the bench at Fulham following thigh trouble, may yet come good but Albion need a strike threat to worry defences in the same way as LuaLua does in wider areas when he is fit and firing.
Original article
Hughton will be working with the revamped recruitment team, headed by Paul Winstanley, and with chairman Tony Bloom to identify targets who will improve the squad.
The immediate priority is removing the relegation fears, the longer term goal assembling a group of players capable of challenging again for a top six finish in the Championship.
Andy Naylor assesses the areas that need strengthening this month.
Goalkeeper: No business needed. David Stockdale is really beginning to run into form.
England under-20s prospect Christian Walton filled in capably when called upon and the experienced Casper Ankergren is still in reserve.
Full-backs: Some business needed, although it may be more likely in the summer rather than January.
Inigo Calderon and Bruno, who completes a three-match ban at Brentford in the FA Cup on Saurday, are not getting any younger.
A right-back successor will be required for the Spanish pair.
Left-back is a more immediate concern. Joe Bennett, on loan from Aston Villa for the season, has not always convinced defensively.
Albion should ultimately find their own left-back, not a borrowed one (Bridge, Ward, Bennett).
Centre-half: Some business needed, eventually. The versatile Greg Halford has done enough in recent games to warrant trying to re-sign him from Nottingham Forest.
In the summer the gap between Lewis Dunk at one end of the age scale, Gordon Greer and Aaron Hughes at the other, should be addressed.
Central midfield: Urgent business needed. Rohan Ince had a fine game on his return to the team at Fulham alongside Danny Holla but Albion remain well short of the quality Liam Bridcutt brought to the defensive shielder role.
The ideal fit is somebody experienced and also a leader. Jake Forster-Caskey, in particular, would benefit from playing further forward, safe in the knowledge he had nous behind.
The return from long-term injury of the energetic Dale Stephens cannot come soon enough.
Albion have lacked combative zest in the absence of both Stephens and the unfortunate Andrew Crofts.
Wingers: Some business needed. Kazenga LuaLua has been the biggest injury loss of all. The combination of short-burst pace, power and direct running he provides unsettles opposing defences.
Adrian Colunga, a different type of player, is a reasonable, if inconsistent alternative on the left.
The quality offered by Will Buckley on the right has not been restored and Elliott Bennett's loan has now finished.
Creative sparks: Some business needed. Solly March and on-loan Joao Teixeira are bright and talented prospects but it is still early days for both of them to take on matchwinning responsibility at Championship level.
March came off the bench to score at Fulham on Monday. That is how it should be so early into his recovery from four months out with a stress fracture of the back, not starting with him and depending on him to manufacture something.
Teixeira has bags of ability but the Portugese youngster from Liverpool has looked lightweight at times. He would benefit from more strength and experience around him.
Paddy McCourt has flattered to deceive throughout his career. Albion are short of the creativity from recent seasons supplied by the incomparable Vicente and, at times, Andrea Orlandi and David Lopez. Darren Bent would have enjoyed playing with any of them.
Strikers: The most urgent business needed. The quest for cutting edge options is even more acute, with Bent apparently bound for Derby County.
Albion have come nowhere near to replacing Leo Ulloa or, for that matter, Ashley Barnes.
Craig Mackail-Smith and Chris O'Grady were shipped out on loan to League One clubs by Sami Hyypia before caretaker Nathan Jones recalled them.
Sam Baldock, back on the bench at Fulham following thigh trouble, may yet come good but Albion need a strike threat to worry defences in the same way as LuaLua does in wider areas when he is fit and firing.
Original article