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    Saturday
    Jan052013

    Top10 - Number 1: Wilfried Zaha (Crystal Palace)

    We are all well aware of this talent this boy holds and it has been well documented that Arsene Wenger has been watching him closely for a long time, waiting for his moment to pounce and add him to his Arsenal roster.

    The 20-year old has only sparked the controversy by claiming that he feels ready to make the step up to the Premier League and is able to be one of the best in the world. There is nothing like being modest, eh? Zaha is an incredibly difficult player to come up against, any Championship defender will tell you that, and he certainly has the potential to flourish into one of the country's best players if all goes well for him.

    He has tormented full-backs on a regular basis this season and has 5 league goals to add to his 3 assist this campaign, with his tricky wing-play earning interest from a host of topflight clubs. Could Crystal Palace's resistance be broken this month?

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    Saturday
    Jan052013

    Top10 - Number 2: Tom Ince (Blackpool)

    When Liverpool let Tom Ince escape their clutches back in 2011 nobody batted an eyelid. However, after playing on a regular basis and fully entrenching himself as a top-class winger in the Championship, Liverpool are reportedly on the verge of getting him back, this time for £6m! 

    The 20-year old has smashed 13 goals this campaign and also completed 10 assist for his teammates, which is some record. Tom, son of former Liverpool and Manchester United midfield Paul Ince, has also started progressing through the England set-up and is looking to improve on his 5 appearances for the under-21 side.

    Whether or not Ince leaves in this transfer window or not, unfortunately for Blackpool, it looks like the lure of the top of the Premier League will be too much for the youngster and he will leaving before the start of next season.

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    Saturday
    Jan052013

    Top10 - Number 3: Jack Butland (Birmingham)

    The future of English goalkeeping, you can be sure about that.

    The 19-year-old is one of the most impressive goalkeepers that I have ever seen in the Football League and continues to put pressure on Joe Hart for the England Jersey, despite still being a teenager. After a deal to Southampton was rejected by manager Lee Clark before the season kicked off he has repeatedly put in quality performances for the Blues and make a name for himself as hot property, something which Brendan Rodgers is desperate to secure as part of his Liverpool squad.

    The Reds are looking to exploit Birmingham's current financial troubles to get him to Anfield and as the days go on the chances of him playing his football in Merseyside are looking likelier and likelier. 

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    Saturday
    Jan052013

    Top10 - Number 4: Craig Mackail-Smith (Brighton)

    Craig Mackail-Smith became Brighton's record transfer when they splashed out a hefty £2.5m + add ons for the loppy-haired forward and they have seen a return of 20 goals so far, 11 of which have come in this season's Championship.

    With a work-rate that makes you tired just watching him and the pace of someone 10-years his junior, the 28-year-old could be Norwich-bound to link up with long-time admirer Chris Hughton if an acceptable offer is made, despite Gus Poyet ruling out a switch.

    Mackail-Smith has struggled to fit in with the passing style that Poyet has implemented at the Seagulls and his confidence has suffered as a result, but with a bit of added support to the front-line on the south-coast we could see his form reach his true capacity, which is enough to devastate any defence.

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    Saturday
    Jan052013

    Top10- Number 5: Will Hughes (Derby)

    At only 17-years-of-age, Will Hughes has advanced himself to become one of the most exciting prospects below the Premier League, and despite his bleached-blonde hair, he is a nifty little player who resembles the likes of Andres Iniesta in the way that he plays.

    His quick-feet on the ball compliments his abundance of creativity and his awareness when picking out a pass, something which is rare in a player so young. A national newspaper this week reported that Hughes is on the shortlist of 10 Premier League clubs, which tells you all you need to know about the teenager.

    It is highly unlikely that Derby will be able to hold on to him for the long term, but while he is still contracted at Pride Park he will be a major influence whether or not Derby find that play-off spot they are searching for.

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    Saturday
    Jan052013

    Top10 - Number 6: Charlie Austin (Burnley)

    What can you say about Charlie Austin that hasn't already been said? He has recently hit his 23rd goal in all competitions of the 2012/13 season and there are no signs that he will be easing up on the goals.

    After engraving himself into the Turf Moor record-books for becoming the quickest-ever player to score 20 goals in a season there were naturally a host of clubs from the top division have casting their eye over the former Swindon Town hit-man, and Burnley have a job on their hands to cling onto the 23-year-old before the January transfer window slams shut in a month.

    His powerful frame allows him to create space and his prowess in finding the net has seen his goal-tally continue to soar towards the glory of the Premier League. Will he be swapping the claret of Burnley for the likes of Aston Villa before February rears its head?

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    Saturday
    Jan052013

    Top10- Number 7: Paul Robinson (Blackburn)

    We have all witnessed Paul Robinson pulling off wonderful saves since he worked his way into the Leeds United first team back in 1998, but his career has somewhat dwindled over the last few years.

    The decline of Blackburn Rovers has seen him suffer individually and his form is a million miles from what we were used to witnessing whilst he was at the peak of his career with Tottenham Hotspur and the preferred man between the sticks for England. He appeared on 41 occasions for the Three Lions and was the preferred choice for the majority of the fans, however a string of dodgy performances for club and country deprived himself of selection for the national side and he continues to frustrate in the Championship.

    He has been linked with a number of clubs in the Premier League who still see himself as a useful acquisition and one can only imagine that if he has the chance to escape the Venkys circus at Eawood Park then he would jump at the chance.

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    Saturday
    Jan052013

    Top10 - Number 8: Glenn Murray (Crystal Palace)

    Possibly one of Dougie Freedman's best pieces of business whilst he was at the helm at Selhurst Park. When Glenn Murray's contract negotiations stalled at arch rivals Brighton and Hove Albion Palace were quick to scoop and snatch the striker from under their noses on a free transfer.

    After a questionable start for the Eagles he has established himself as the Championship top scorer with an impressive 22 goals in 26 games and in the process has claimed a spot on many gaffers' shortlist for January.

    Norwich are believed to be interested in securing the services of the lanky front-man but the inflated price that Crystal Palace value him at could be too much for the Canaries.

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    Saturday
    Jan052013

    Top10 - Number 9: Anthony Knockaert (Leicester)

    Since his move from Guincamp in the summer, Anthony Knockaert has made a massive impact on those connected to Leicester City, so when news came out that Arsene Wenger was preparing a £5m bid for the midfielder the Foxes manager and fans alike would have been up in arms.

    He has a remarkably accurate shooting ability that he has displayed on more than one occasion, as well as the vision to be able to cut it at the top. The 21-year-old has chipped in with 7 goals in all competition for Leicester which is a nice return for the faith they have shown in him.

    Leicester will not let the Frenchman go in January for anything less than a monumental amount of money, something which Arsene Wenger shudders at the sound at. I am sure Leicester will be ready for renewed interest come the end of the season.

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    Saturday
    Jan052013

    Top10 - Number 10: Will Buckley (Brighton)

    One of the livliest players in the Championship could be climbing up a league to persist of his dream of playing amongst the best the country has to offer. Will Buckley's blistering speed and eye for goal has caught the attention of Southampton manager Nigel Adkins and it is believed that they will make a serious offer during the window.

    Buckley was snapped-up for what now looks to be a measly fee of £1m and has gone on to become a firm favourite at the Amex because of the ease he is able to rip open a defence and his flawlessness in attack, something which could be the difference between the Albion securing a play-off place or not in the current campaign.

    Unfortunately for the 23-year-old injury has become part of his game and recurring hamstring injury has stalled his progression, but will he be showcasing his extraordinary talent in a different coloured kit come the end of the window?

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