Tottenham Hotspur were touted by many to seep into the top four in the English Premier League this season but far from coming anywhere near, Spurs are fighting in the bottom half of the table.

In 16 Premiership matches this season, Spurs have mustered just 15 points and have conceded a whooping 29 goals. It is Spurs’ leaky defense that has been the main headache for manager Juande Ramos and the Spaniard is eager to settle that issue when the January transfer window opens.

Ledley King has been missing with injury and his absence has been one key factor in determining Spurs’ lack of solidarity and coherence at the back. While their strikers and even the midfielders have been at least bearable, the likes of Michael Dawson in the defense have often been discerned appalling. Custodian Paul Robinson too has observed a dip in his form and Ramos has made it clear that he wants more and tougher competition for Robinson in the Spurs goal.

Now that Spurs have declared that they will be on a shopping spree in January to rack up defenders, one is led to wonder whom they will chase. Ramos is certain to be on the lookout for a new goalkeeper and that means making a tough choice between Glasgow Celtic Artur Boruc and the Ajax star Maarten Stekelenburg.

Boruc has already made up his mind to leave Parkhead but that move might not come to fruition until the end of the season and by that time, Ramos could find it too late. Stekelenburg has also been reported to be eager to make the move abroad and should Spurs be able to throw around £5million, then the Holland goalkeeper could be theirs.

But Spurs also need solid centre-backs who can maintain a good understanding between themselves and exhibit some steel and character which has largely been missing from this under-performing and underachieving Spurs side. This is what Juande Ramos has to say about the condition of his team’s backline:

It is certain that most of our problems are in the defensive area. It’s not easy. I can make a few changes, but not change the whole group. We’re looking at one player in the transfer window to strengthen a certain position.

But who is that one player? Is Juande Ramos talking about some big name, maybe a Spanish name? Who would you like Spurs to sign in the January transfer season? And should Spurs also buy a defensive midfielder to shied the backline?