Ryan Hildred

Following the defeat at Swansea, centre midfield has elevated itself as the position that I would prioritise in January. Kristi Montgomery has been a revelation this season and he's clearly benefited from having the experience of Sam Morsy alongside him for most of the season.

When Morsy wasn't there last Saturday, we were horribly exposed as neither Montgomery or Moussa Baradji took ownership in the centre of the park. Likewise, when Baradji was paired with Morsy for the home win against Wrexham, he had one of his best game in a Rovers shirt. 

Morsy has been the ideal replacement for Sondre Tronstad - experience, guile, interceptions and a snap in the tackle where needed. But he only maintained the status quo from last season. At 35, Morsy's Rovers career was only going to be short. We're also heavily reliant on him staying fit all season, especially until reinforcements may join in January. As Adam Forshaw proved last season, experienced heads at this level are worth their weight in gold. We're perhaps guilty of relying on them too much. 

For January, we need to target a long-term option who's willing to join for 3 or 4 years; someone who will allow Montgomery to keep flourishing, will bring the best out of Baradji, and who will mitigate the long term loss of experience in Morsy and Forshaw. We're told that money is available, and targets are being drawn up. A signing of this nature will need the chequebook out for sure.  

Mark Hitchen

If I could strengthen only one position in January, it would have to be central midfield.

I think we’re severely lacking out wide, something that’s been exposed even more with Ryoya Morishita unavailable, and a left-back should absolutely be on the shopping list too. But midfield has to be the priority because we’re simply too light in both quality and quantity.

Morsy has performed well and brought some much-needed experience, but the reality is that he cannot be expected to play three Championship games in a week at this stage of his career.

Montgomery has been a real bonus and probably played more football than many of us expected, but that’s exactly why Mowbray needs another option. He’s a young player who should be dipped in and out when required, rather than having the responsibility of holding our midfield together every week because there isn’t anyone else.

Then there’s Baradji, who has shown flashes but is yet to prove consistently that he’s the answer.

We need someone who can come straight into the starting XI: athletic, experienced, durable enough to cope with the intensity and frequency of the Championship and, crucially, good enough to improve us immediately.

There are other positions I’d strengthen if the money is available, but if January allows us only one meaningful addition, give Mowbray a proper Championship midfielder. It would improve the team immediately and allow him to manage Morsy and Montgomery properly rather than simply playing whoever is available.

(Image: CameraSport - Dave Howarth)

Rory Larmer

After conceding 11 goals in four games, I have become more concerned about the defence, especially at left back. The need for reinforcements is more obvious in other areas of the pitch. 

Morsy has been an excellent addition and is comfortably our most important midfielder. However, at 35, we cannot afford to be so dependent on him in a league as unforgiving as the Championship.

I wonder whether Rovers will revisit their interest in Brian De Keersmaecker in January. The club clearly admire him, and his limited involvement this season with Bristol City could present another opportunity. Our midfield offers precious little attacking threat, placing greater responsibility on the forwards. 

For me, goals and attacking quality must be the priority.

We are already dangerously reliant on Andri Gudjohnsen to provide the finishing touch. His availability has been crucial, but that only underlines the squad's fragility. The failure to strengthen adequately in the summer was always likely to leave us exposed when injuries arrived. 

Tony Mowbray needs genuine options across the frontline. Neither Dapo Afolayan nor Todd Cantwell faces meaningful competition, while Jayden Fevrier has yet to prove he can consistently deliver at this level. 

January cannot simply be about adding numbers. Rovers need players capable of making an immediate impact on the starting 11. 

Mike Delap  

Narrowing us down to one choice this week? Very mean.

Whilst I greatly felt the urge to say the hallowed phrase "left back", I am instead going to turn my cannons back onto central midfield.

Squad depth at left back is ok in comparison, but as we saw during the 4-0 defeat to Swansea, having no Morsy means a fairly drastic drop off in standard. With Forshaw out for the foreseeable future Rovers are only an injury away from being in a very tough spot.

Montgomery has been very good, Baradji is hit and miss (mainly miss) but after that we are into the Jake Garretts of the world.

I think of the winter schedule, the pile up of fixtures, performances during similar periods in the past, Rovers propensity to have injury plagued players and the delicate balance of manager and starting XI keeping us in positive credit this term.

It adds up to one of the most important positrons on the pitch needing some better stock. Let's just hope all the taxis running to Ewood in January don't reroute on the way over...

You can listen to Ryan on Lancashire Telegraph's Arte et Labore, find Mark on The Blackburn End and . Available on all podcast platforms.