Transfer window slowly closing shut and Leeds fans none the wiser...

After early movement by Simon securing Andy O'Brien on the eve of the window, beating off Cardiff in the process, and bringing back McCartney for a second spell, all has gone quiet on the transfer front. (Surprising for Leeds as the papers are usually full of it...) Although good additions, Leeds fans are pressuring for more - with the Arsenal FA Cup money burning a hole in the collective Leeds United pocket. 

It's been said all season but we still want that battling, tackling, quick midfielder with a bit of passing ability and added quality and now Hughesy's gone, Grayson's said we're in the market for a Hughes replacement - an improvement in quality, though surely not in passion. It looks unlikely we'll add another top quality central defender to our squad with four front line centre backs seemingly at the forefront for Grayson - pairing No.1 O'Brien/Bruce, pairing No.2 (Aerial threats) O'Brien/Collins, pairing No.3 (in event of no O'Brien) Bruce/Bromby. There is an argument that should Becchio get injured we are a bit thin on target men, with Paynter unable to fully show us what he can do in Luciano's absence. There's very little chance of Simon adding another striker to our already bulging ranks up top.

So then, who are the number one "realistic" targets that have been mentioned a few times throughout December and January? These are players for one reason or another I think are the most likely and best players available in each position we should be looking to fill before the window slams shut on Monday evening.

CM - The "better Kilkenny" option rather than the all out gritty defensive midfielder

I've not heard very strong rumours that have persisted in the press for any time about any players that fill the gritty category really.

Michael Johnson

He's a Leeds fan and has stated he wants to come and play for the club (Johnson eyes Leeds switch). He's been out with bad injuries for the best part of two seasons, after bursting onto the scene in 2008. His attitude was in question during this difficult time for him but he impressed Roberto Mancini enough in summer to have faith in him and he's worked his way back to fitness and training - losing weight and finding his way back to the player everyone wanted when he first emerged in the Premier League. City fans were impressed with his reserve team return, one comment even suggesting he would offer the current City side something they don't have:

"The lad has been working hard ans already looks far fitter than the last time he tried to return."

"Johnson (at his best) brings something to the team which the other midfielders don't really have in their locker. A genuine box to box midfielder who knits together the attacking play. When Elano and Ireland were getting a lot of attention, a lot of that was due to Johnson very smoothly creating space for them with one touch passes and good movement. Here's hoping he can deliver that again."

" I never realised how much of the play he set up, how much he helped us keep the ball. He was always in space, had great vision, made lots of simple but really effective passes out to the wings and that season with Sven we played so much better with him than without him and if he didn't get seriously injured we would not have fell away as badly as we did that season."

Annoyingly, though Sven is rumoured to be interested in him as well, and being his ex manager and with Leicester loaning for fun he could be on his way there. Sven also instated Mancini as his captain at Sampdoria and Assistant Manager at Lazio so if we're being realistic there is only one place he would probably end up in the Championship... Clutching at straws here but Johnson came through at the same time as Schmeichel so hopefully Kasper's been in his ear....

I get really frustrated at Kilkenny, although he definitely improves the side when he's in it with a bit of composure on the ball. His lack of any pace, lack of willingness to bring the ball forward and poor aerial and tackling ability or even ability to track a man grate on me. I also believe the main benefit from him playing is Howson being freed to play further up the pitch.

What's also worth noting is that if Mancini is willing to loan him out, moneybags City would no doubt pay the vast majority of his wages - likely seeing him getting competitive game time as more important.

He'd be committed being a fan and cut above in terms of ability - box to box, an ability to tackle (any ability in this respect is better than what Kilkenny offers), passing, vision, goalscoring, pace... we can dream...!

The Hughes replacement

Competition for the right back slot, as currently only Crowe (who Grayson clearly doesn't rate to keep hold of at this level) is the only backup to Connolly who has so far impressed. Bromby can play there though, and at a push Bruce, although it would be nice to have a recognised RB come in. Hughes' left back backup role is no longer needed with the return of Parker and Johnson's ability to fill in if need be.

Stuart Parnaby

"Birmingham City defender Stuart Parnaby is keen on a loan move to Leeds United.

The Daily Mail says Parnaby came into the squad for the recent FA Cup win over Millwall and played well.

That caught the eye of a few scouts who have reported back to their clubs and Leeds now look eager to take him on loan.

Parnaby hopes to talk to manager Alex McLeish today to see if he will let him go in the hope that he can play a part in Leeds’ promotion push."

Good quality, proven - did well at Boro in the Premier League and has been good for Birmingham in this League, a good age - at 28, and apparently willing to come and help us out. He's also out of contract in the summer and would be an good signing on a free transfer - it smacks of a Grayson deal this one.

The curve ball. The one that surely won't happen... The CB position I don't think is top of the agenda but...

Jonathan Woodgate

Simon was down to watch a behind closed doors game against QPR at Spurs Lodge the other week and Woodgate impressed Redknapp - although didn't impress Warnock, who has seemingly pulled out of a possible move, favouring Danny Shittu who they managed to sign on a free today (a very good signing by the way, for nothing). But, after saying he wanted Woodgate to go out on loan on the 24th December, he came out with this last week:

"He needs to stay here and see how he goes and if he’s OK, he can sit down at the end of the season and we’ll give him a new deal for next year."

He also said he'd be mad to loan him out as his contract's up in the summer and it'd be giving away a top class centre back in effect. Don't know why he came out saying he's fit, we want him to go out on loan then...!

If he is available (who knows with Redknapp's contradictory statements...?) he'd definately be worth a go. Spurs may be willing to cover a large proportion of his wages if they do indeed want him to get competitive games in, and therefore may be worth a gamble on our part as his ability can't be sniffed at, at this level - even if not 100% fit. Simon said if the opportunity came about, he'd struggle not to be interested.

What we want...

Whoever it is, we expect movement, and hopefully 2 signings loan or otherwise, not fussed. Looks like it will be loan with Bates coming out saying:

"After all, on February 5 you can start signing people on 93-day loans so this transfer window is a bit over-exaggerated anyway."

Why not just loan them now? You know, to allow them to play in the play-offs should it come to that..? It's never easy with Ken.

Have you heard any persistent rumours? Any realistic player you'd like to see join before the window closes? Please comment!