Looking Ahead to the January Transfer Window

New signings? Leeds' main target should be holding on to talented youngsters.

As Leeds continue to search for consistency in one of the clubs trade mark seasons of unrest and turmoil, thoughts are turning to the upcoming January transfer window.

The immediate response to poor performances is to search for new players to replace the currently struggling ones, but I feel that keeping some of the club's top young talents should be priority number one.

The likes of Alex Mowatt, Sam Byram and Lewis Cook are all highly rated youngsters touted for the bright lights of the Premier League. What's more with the ownership of Leeds currently up in the air, the club could be left exposed with new players unlikely to be recruited until the Cellino saga is resolved.

The likes of Aston Villa, Everton, Sunderland and Hull are just a number of teams linked with the before mentioned names. This interest from better teams in understandable as Mowatt and Byram have both displayed good form in the Championship this season, whilst Cook has impressed immensely in the Leeds and England and youth teams.

Buying isn't always the answer. Away from just the youngsters, the current squad should be allowed to stay together and have the opportunity to gel more as a team. I know in the modern game patience is no longer a virtue but on this occasion I believe some needs to be showed.

Leeds need stability - both on and off the pitch. The current squad is good enough to climb the table and there are definitely some talented players within in the dressing room. Which should give a bit of encouragement that when the circus that is the Cellino case ends, then there could be a decent push at promotion in the near future if Redfearn is given sufficient time to turn the team around and into his image.

Furthermore there is nothing fans love more than home-grown talent flourishing in the first team. Signing other players is great but nothing would give the Elland Road crowd more of a boost than seeing academy graduates stay at the club and keep developing in the first team.

Sometimes the answers are right in front of you and developing younger players could be the way forward. Redfearn, having been heavily involved with the academy before taking on the role of manager, is the perfect man to give those players a plat form.

In times of hardship, you should try and keep the fans on side and keeping hold of the wonder kids at Leeds would be a massive boost. After all, you already know what you are getting from them, leaving no major risks.

The upcoming January window will be another interesting one for Leeds. While an embargo is possible, their biggest challenge will be to keep hold of their brightest youngsters once again.