The January transfer window becomes crucial if you are in a pickle.
And Norwich City are still in a positional pickle in the Championship, even though Philippe Clement has got them close to an escape.
So, the club has to be a player in this window.
It will be Norwich's most crucial and fascinating window for a long while. But that's not because of who they will buy, but more who will do the buying.
Sporting director Ben Knapper has been roundly condemned for his purchases in the recent windows. The shouts of "Knapper Out" at Carrow Road early in the season are testament to fan sentiment around his decisions.