Grayson targets additions, Grella loaned to Swindon

Simon Grayson has been quoted post Barnsley as wanting to recruit perhaps as early as before the Swansea game. For any incoming player to be involved in a play-off campaign, I believe they have to be brought in on the 26th - which is this Saturday at the earliest. What we're likely to see is a centre midfielder the plug the hole Johnson has left with his one game ban, picked up on Tuesday night. We're still being linked with Michael Johnson from City, and he'd be a masterful signing and just what we need at this point of the season, being of undoubted quality. He may not be an all out physical centre midfielder that we've lacked all season long to break up opponents but he would be more than capable of adding to the first eleven, especially since without one of our current three mainstay midfielders we're a little light.

Simon has said:

"I've spoken to a couple of managers and we'll see what happens,"

"It might be that something happens before the weekend, it might be that something happens next week. I'm looking at all our options.

"If I don't do anything before the Swansea game, I have players who are more than capable of coming into the side."

If no-one comes in he could still retain the 4-5-1 by including Watt instead of Johnson and dropping Howson deeper, although it may be more likely the 4-4-2 will be enforced - with Somma hardly a bad alternative to a cobbled together five in midfield which would struggle without someone like Johnson to chase and break up the play.

It is also a quick turnaround from Simon who last week said that he was in no rush to improve the squad any, as he defended the clubs stance in the transfer window and tried to show faith in his current crop. It has been no secret, however that we're after improvements if they're out there that will offer a significant jump in quality - and have been seen scouting Johnson in a couple of City's behind closed doors matches in recent weeks.

Grella

Mike's gone to Swindon Town on a loan deal. It should be good for him after he opted against a longer spell at Carlisle to see if he could go elsewhere on loan in January. He needs the games and needs to prove his worth as he's a fair way down the pecking order here with Paynter and McCormack both ahead of him after Somma and Becchio.