(Left back) I don't think Danny Rose is ready to be our first-choice LB yet. Maybe he will be, and he's definitely showing promise, but right now it's our weakest position with the weakest back up. Maybe we can't land Shaw or Coentrao, but there must be someone out there!
(Striker) Assuming Defoe is off - going by the paper talk - and assuming we're now back to playing two up front, we'll obviously need a back-up striker. Not sure Kane is ready to take that role full-time yet. Would we be happy with Kane and Soldado up front if Adebayor's injury had been a serious one? Most of us, probably not I suspect. Not sure who is available and realistic this January - but again, I'd prefer to bring in a long-term solution rather than an ageing stop-gap or a loan.
(Centre back) None of us here know whether Kaboul will ever return on a consistent basis. But after Ledley King's extended problems, the medical staff at the club surely must have a fair idea what the likely prognosis is. If there's a good chance he won't be back to his previous level, week-in week-out, then we need to replace him. Would prefer to get a permanent replacement rather than a loan from City or someone else (i.e. Lescott). We need a long-term solution. I said during the summer than it made no sense to get rid of two centre backs (Caulker and Gallas) who had played almost 50 games between them and replace them with one player (Chiriches). Especially as there were whisperings even then that Kaboul's full recovery was not guaranteed. So let's get some additional solidity in defence.
I don't think we need a deep-lying playmaker as I believe both Eriksen and Holtby have what it takes to fill that role. I'm not saying they WILL fill that role, just that I think we should give them a chance before spending money in that area, given our other priorities.