So Gary Caldwell isn’t coming? Okay, fair enough, Premier League certainty outstrips mere remote possibilities of it. No matter, cos Gordo has a list of targets who want to play for Boro as long as his arm – or a bigger blokes arm. The former Celtic gaffer was able to successfully trap three quarters of his dream Old Firm quarry: Barry Robson is in to solidify the midfield; Willo Flood the same, although in more of a peripheral role; and Chris Killen provides a beacon up front – not a terrible scoring record in England either, and there’s the impetus of getting recognized for the New Zealand squad that will make their second appearance at a World Cup this summer in South Africa.
With midseason transfer business usually dragging until the end of the term, the club endeavour to continue vetting targets. Lately we’ve heard Leon Best from Coventry – scorer of a wonder goal v Pompey in their FA Cup replay earlier this week – and Wes Hoolahan of Norwich, an assiduous winger, ideal as a replacement for Adam Johnson should he naff off to Sunderland or Everton. Throw in a spot of QPR’s Wayne Routledge and you have enough chum to hold the baying mob, temporarily at least. Though descriptions of old Wayne as a ‘combo midfielder who can play upfront’ invoke inherent hatred derived from similar failed experiments – see exhibits Aliadiere, Emnes, and/or Tuncay.
Collectively, it’s enough to stimulate hope. There’s a distinct outline in the new vision – more spine, steel, focus, and discipline – less faffing about w/ pretty passing and precision movement, because we simply haven’t the resources or personnel to implement it. And Gordon Strachan keeps getting managerial work not just for his acerbic wit, but because his austere system that emphasises grinding and plodding and fighting really does work.
January 14th, 2010 @ BA
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