It's the transfer window, when manager's either panic buy or make strategic adjustments to their squad (depending on how lucky they get with their signings). The biggest players don't tend to move though and this year especially is unlikely to see any of the big names uprooting and going through major change because it's World Cup year, and who wants to risk settling in to new surroundings and the affect on form that comes with this kind of upheaval.
What we will see is intenational fringe players move, a la David Beckham, in a bid to get the first team football they need to impress their national coach. As the African Nations Cup begins in january I would be surprised to see a lot of African players move during this window - instead it's likely to be Europeans and South Americans hoping to take advantage of the desperation of the lower Premiership clubs, or the big wallets of the higher teams.
But I suspect those wallets might not be that big. With so many teams now competing for the top four places and the lucrative results gained by a Champion's League qualifying spot, it would be foolish to invest to heavily at the risk of not getting the return to pay for it in May. Will Tottenham and Liverpool, who have already spent heavily last summer, put their money where their mouths are again, aware that ending this season with a place in the Europa League will not be seen as value for money?
In terms of what the teams need, it looks more like adjustments should be made off the field than on it. Ironing out the uncertainty that lingers around the boardrooms of Liverpool and Manchester City would surely be the best deal for the managers of both clubs, while the same could be said for Portsmouth and Bolton at the other end of the table. With constant speculation surrounding the manager's jobs during these times it might also lead to managers picking players to get results in the short term to secure their job, rather than with any long term dominance in mind.
