Source: Daily_Mail
Sportsmail's verdict on the saviours and stinkers from the transfer window
The fight at both ends of the Barclays Premier League table is hotting up as we enter the final straight of the season.Now is the chance for players up and down the country to become a hero - particularly those that only arrived in the January.They may still be settling into their new surroundings but a winning goal or a sensational save could be the difference between the Champions League and the Europa Cup - or, more crucially, survival and relegation. This is an opportunity to write themselves into the club's folklore.[LNB] Focused: James Beattie (right) has boosted Stoke's search for survival[LNB]Sportsmail has analysed the top-flight buys from the recent transfer window - giving them a verdict on their performances so far.[LNB]You can let us know who has been your pick of the January buys by leaving your comments below.[LNB]ARSENALAndrey Arshavin (Zenit St Petersburg, £15m)Arsenal's fine form is partly down to the arrival of their Russian playmaker, who has instantly killed off fears over his suitability for the Gunners. THUMBS UP[LNB] Sweet signing: Andrey Arshavin has won over the Arsenal fans[LNB]ASTON VILLAEmile Heskey (Wigan, £3.5m)The resurgent forward looked like a bargain in January but with just one goal so far, doubts are emerging. Has his arrival rocked Villa's steady ship? JURY'S OUT[LNB]BLACKBURNEl-Hadji Diouf (Sunderland, £2.5m)One of the most controversial Premier League players was called in to help Rovers' relegation fight and they have added steel with his presence. THUMBS UPGael Givet (Marseille, loan)The Frenchman has eased into Blackburn's left-back role to help them plug a leaky defence. THUMBS UP[LNB]Snip: Mark Davies[LNB]BOLTONMark Davies (Wolves, £1m)One of the snips of the window. Youngster Davies has become a rock in midfield in the wake of the departure of skipper Kevin Nolan. THUMBS UPAriza Makakula (Benfica, loan)No goals in his four starts does not bode well for the Portugal international. THUMBS DOWNSebastien Puygrenier (Zenit St Petersburg, loan)The French centre-back has featured regularly but Bolton are yet to keep a clean sheet with him in the side. JURY'S OUT[LNB]CHELSEARicardo Quaresma (Inter Milan, loan)The winger's quiet performances have left many wondering why Jose Mourinho spent £15m to bring him to Italy in the summer. THUMBS DOWN[LNB]EVERTONJo (Manchester City, loan)Despite costing £19m, Brazilian Jo flopped at City - scoring just three goals in 18 games. He took just six games to reach that total at Everton. THUMBS UP[LNB]FULHAMGiles Barnes (Derby, loan)Yet to make his debut for the Cottagers. JURY'S OUT[LNB]Olivier Dacourt (Inter Milan, loan) Mainly used as a sub, the former Leeds and Everton star has added experience to Fulham's push for Europe. THUMBS UP[LNB] Hitting the heights: Jo (left) has come alive at Everton[LNB]HULLJimmy Bullard (Fulham, £5m)The midfielder played just 37 minutes before a knee injury ruled him out for the season. Nightmare for Hull. JURY'S OUT[LNB]Kevin Kilbane (Wigan, Undisclosed) The Tigers have won just one of the nine games with the Irish winger in the side. THUMBS DOWN[LNB]Manucho (Manchester United, loan)Apart from what could turn out to be a vital late winner at Fulham, Manucho has failed to catch the eye at the KC Stadium. THUMBS DOWN[LNB]LIVERPOOLNone[LNB]MANCHESTER UNITEDZoran Tosic (Partizan Belgrade, £17m joint deal)Just two late appearances as a sub have offered United fans little insight into the Serbian winger's potential. JURY'S OUT[LNB]MANCHESTER CITYLooking up: Shay Given[LNB]Craig Bellamy (West Ham, £14m)Like all of City's January signings, the price tag is inflated - but Bellamy has scored goals as Robinho goes missing. THUMBS UP Wayne Bridge (Chelsea, £12m)The England man has been solid if not spectacular - much like his days with Chelsea. JURY'S OUTNigel de Jong (Hamburg, £15m)The Dutchman has beefed up City's midfield with a string of steady performances in the middle. THUMBS UPShay Given (Newcastle, £8m)The safest transfer of the entire month and Given has unsurprisingly already won over the City faithful. THUMBS UP[LNB]MIDDLESBROUGHMarlon King (Wigan, loan)Just one goal in seven matches does not strike fear into the opposition as Boro slide towards the Championship. THUMBS DOWN[LNB]NEWCASTLEPeter Lovenkrands (Schalke, free)Two goals in seven games hints that the Danish forward could emerge as a hero but, like all of Newcastle's players, he looks pretty useless right now. THUMBS DOWN[LNB]Kevin Nolan (Bolton, £4m)Sent off in only his third game for a shocking tackle on Victor Anichebe, Nolan has been far from the saviour Toon fans hoped for. ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE[LNB]Ryan Taylor (Wigan, swap deal) It is wrong to blame a promising defender for Newcastle's woes but no-one can currently claim to be playing well at the club. THUMBS DOWN[LNB] Struggle: Kevin Nolan (left) has endured a tough time at Newcastle[LNB]PORTSMOUTHAngelos Basinas (AEK Athens, undisclosed)Just three games and little impact. The Greek veteran has not been a success at Fratton Park. THUMBS DOWN[LNB]Theofanis Gekas (Bayer Leverkusen, loan)Yet to play after being signed by previous boss Tony Adams - and already moaning. THUMBS DOWN[LNB]Hayden Mullins (West Ham, £2m)The former Hammers midfielder has helped toughen up Pompey as they attempt to avoid relegation. THUMBS UP[LNB]Pele (Porto, loan)Great name but not a great player. Still waiting for his debut. THUMBS DOWN[LNB]Jermaine Pennant (Liverpool, loan)Pennant has offered little threat down the right for Pompey - further evidence that his career is in freefall. THUMBS DOWN[LNB] Loan groan: Jermaine Pennant has found it hard at Portsmouth[LNB]STOKEJames Beattie (Sheffield United, £3,5m)Arguably the best signing of the window. Five goals in nine games have been crucial in Stoke's scrap for survival. THUMBS UP[LNB]Henri Camara (Wigan, loan)The Senegal international has settled into his usual role of fringe forward at yet another club. THUMBS DOWN[LNB]Matthew Etherington (West Ham, £2m)After a storming start, the troubled winger has struggled to retain his impressive performances. JURY'S OUT[LNB]SUNDERLANDTal Ben-Haim (Manchester City, loan)The Israeli flopped at City and looks destined to do the same at the Black Cats. THUMBS DOWN[LNB]Calum Davenport (West ham, loan)Just one appearance as a sub so far - the former Tottenham defender has endured a frustrating time on Wearside. JURY'S OUT[LNB]TOTTENHAMBack on track: Robbie Keane[LNB]Pascal Chimbonda (Sunderland, £3m)Despite his shock return to White Hart Lane, the French full-back has been unable to hold down a starting spot. JURY'S OUT[LNB]Carlo Cudicini (Chelsea, free)The Italy veteran initially impressed but has since been budged out of the team by comeback kid Heurelho Gomes. JURY'S OUT[LNB]Jermain Defoe (Portsmouth, £15m)Injury has forced him on to the sidelines but three goals in his five games so far suggest he will have little difficulty settling back in. THUMBS UP[LNB]Robbie Keane (Liverpool, £15m)The former skipper's return has propelled Spurs up the Premier League in a late bid for Europe. THUMBS UP[LNB]Wilson Palacios (Wigan, £14m)Just the player that Harry Redknapp needed - and they have lost just once in the eight games the Ecuador midfielder has played in. THUMBS UP[LNB]WEST HAMRadoslav Kovac (Spartak Moscow, loan)Injuries have crippled West Ham's midfield options but Kovac's steady displays have helped maintain the Hammers' momentum. JURY'S OUT[LNB]Savio Nsereko (Brescia, undisclosed)Savio's early erratic run-outs have left West Ham's clueless over his future. Can be scintillating and stinking within moments of a game. JURY'S OUT[LNB]WEST BROMMarc-Antoine Fortune (Nancy, loan)The Frenchman's initial performances offered hope for Baggies fans but he has failed to pull them off the bottom of the Premier League. ABSOLUTE NIGHTMARE[LNB]Juan Carlos Menseguez (San Lorenzo, loan)Just two substitute appearances suggest this loan will not be made permanent. THUMBS DOWN[LNB]Jay Simpson (Arsenal, loan)Highly-rated at Arsenal, although a relegation scrap has not brought out the best in the striker. THUMBS DOWN[LNB] Up and down: West Ham's young forward Savio Nsereko[LNB]WIGANMido (Middlesbrough, loan)A penalty against Liverpool aside, the Egyptian has rarely threatened in front of goal at his latest club. JURY'S OUT[LNB]Charles N'Zogbia (Newcastle, swap deal)Lively in his short time at the JJB Stadium and scored a great winner against Sunderland. THUMBS UP[LNB]Hugo Rodallega (Necaxa, £4.5m)The Colombian has yet to score in seven games but it would be harsh to write the striker off just yet. JURY'S OUT[LNB]Ben Watson (Crystal Palace, £1.5m)Another January bargain. The midfielder has eased into Premier League life, scoring twice in his last two games. THUMBS UP[LNB] Revealed: The reason Liverpool will win the title - because they sold Keane back to SpursI knew I'd be back on top, says Beattie as Stoke striker returns to EvertonJAMIE REDKNAPP'S WEEKEND WATCH: United are losing their way[LNB]
