JANUARY could be a big month for Blackburn Rovers as I think Owen Coyle needs to freshen up the squad when the transfer window re-opens.

I’m not saying it’s a bad squad, because I do feel they have some good players, and it is fair to say they have been very unlucky with injuries.

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But when you’re struggling at the wrong end of the table, a couple of new faces to liven things up can give everyone in the dressing room a lift.

Being in the bottom three, as they are, will make it more difficult to attract players, but the biggest factor will be how much money the manager is given to spend next month.

It is important that the players they bring in are better than what they have currently got, but if the manager only has a low budget, and is relying on free transfers, then that could be tough.

To get the players that they need will cost money, and that will be down to the budget, and I can’t see him getting much, so his hands could well be tied in January.

The defeat to Reading on Saturday will have been tough to take. It is always more difficult losing to an injury-time goal because you know that you don’t have the time to get back in to the game.

I saw Owen say after the match that they need to take their chances and be more clinical in front of goal.

But when you’re a striker, knowing that you’re having to score three goals to get something from a game, it adds that extra pressure and can make you snatch at your chances when they come around.

When they got back to 2-2 on Saturday, as they did at Preston the previous week, you need to make sure that you don’t lose it.

Reading are a good side, they like to keep possession, but when you have got back into the game at 2-2 you are thinking you must have a chance of winning it, but to concede again is disappointing.

That is nine goals they’ve given up in the last three games and Saturday was the 10th different central defensive partnership that they have used so far this season.

It is tough when you don’t have a settled back four, and particularly a central defensive partnership, with the number of injuries they have.

To be without Tommie Hoban and Charlie Mulgrew is a big blow with the experience they have.

As a central defensive pair you want to be able to work week in week out and need to be playing regularly together which they just haven’t had.