'Tottenham should target West Ham star Manuel Lanzini' - The Fighting Cock preview the Christmas period

Chris Miller from The Fighting Cock gives his verdict on what is needed from the Christmas campaign and January sales.

Saturday v Burnley (A)

Dec 26 v Southampton (H)

Jan 2 v Swansea (A)

Jan 4 v West Ham (H)

What are your hopes for the festive fixtures?

In recent years Spurs have been strong over Christmas, accelerating into the turn of the year. Injuries may make this period a little trickier than usual, though. Victor Wanyama and Toby Alderweireld continue to be huge misses, limiting the tactical options available to Mauricio Pochettino. We start the festive season with a trip to Burnley, before Southampton visit Wembley. We head to Swansea in the new year before finishing at home to rivals West Ham. We should be aiming for 12 points but would probably settle for eight given current form.

What do the club need in the January transfer window?

Spurs might use January to look to the future, with Danny Rose inching closer to the exit door, and Mousa Dembele declining more rapidly than most of us Tottenham fans would care to admit. Long-term targets Ryan Sessegnon (left) of Fulham and Everton midfielder Ross Barkley appear to be typical Mauricio Pochettino signings and Barkley would represent value given his contract situation at Goodison. I still feel as though a Christian Eriksen rotation option is key and would love to see us target Manuel Lanzini, although he’d command a heck of a fee.