Banging on like he’s Graham Norton or something – and not the manager of Middlesbrough Football Club – Gordon Strachan keeps proclaiming ‘…I need men’. Some familiar Scottish imports are en route – late reports say a fee has been agreed for Gary Caldwell and Barry Robson. It’s half the quartet the former Celtic gaffer was thought to covet, though the possibility does exist for loans deals involving Kiwi striker Chris Killen and midfielder Willo Flood. Reception for the deal, to whatever extent, is mixed; good in the way how the squad needs desperate strengthening, but perhaps not so good in the limited scope of the search. Not the most audacious splash in the transfer pool, but comfortable and stable, something we’ve been in dire need of.
The wicked winter weather gripping all of Britain has eradicated large parts of the footie schedule, and Swansea’s long trip to Teesside was a natural candidate for eventual postponement. 6 matches so far in the Championship called off, with similar numbers affecting the rest of the domestic leagues and cup competitions. Pitch/ground conditions haven’t been the concern – it’s the safety of supporters to and from the venue that are of paramount concern. The conduit to the Bundesliga that is Raphael Honigstein raised an entirely valid point regarding the exceptionally cautious approach clubs are taking in these economically sensitive times. Many are so precarious that even one solitary accident suffered by someone attending their matches could have devastating financial impact – surely Boro and Steve Gibson aren’t immune either.
Time is the most valuable commodity – it allows for an opportunity to settle the new additions, and scheme for more. Expect a renovated side at Bramall Lane next Saturday when Boro travel to Sheffield United, right there in the deep mire of the table jostling for a foothold up towards the playoff promised land…can we stay in that fight?
Tim
7 months ago
Gotta be honest…raiding the former staffing for new blood is something that lacks imagination and zest. That said it’s a horribly inflated market for domestic players so a premiership fringe player is probably going to cost more than the combined total of 3 or 4 SPL pieces of driftwood. Moreover the temptation to sell the best assets right now must be intense, but doesn’t that lead to a season of mid table being the best hope?
Wish I had the answers as I see Boro as a premier league team who are in danger of following the path taken by Sheff Weds, Forest, Leicester and Coventry. If the first season return to the top flight goes off track a scramble ensues that brings chaos.
The next 4-5 games will hopefully bring back the faith, time is suddenly a bit short.