@exmil. The EG report on 11th of June says “ The 20-year-old has agreed a two-year deal at the Riverside and will move to the Boro when his contract expires at the end of June”.
Given he is not shown on the club website it seems as if he may not have signed a contract at this stage. 😎
Exmil. Just seen photos of the players training at Rockliffe today and whilst I could be mistaken, one of them shows a player on the ball who could be Terrell Agyemang; I don’t know him at all so could be wrong. 😎
Matt Crooks signs an extension.
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2023/july/12/matt-crooks-signs-new-boro-contract/
Come on BORO.
Exmil. Just seen photos of the players training at Rockliffe today and whilst I could be mistaken, one of them shows a player on the ball who could be Terrell Agyemang; I don’t know him at all so could be wrong. 😎
A fan who was in Portugal and posted various pictures of him and Boro players, replied to my question and confirmed Agyemang was training there 👍.
Come on BORO.
Further to Clive and Malcolm’s update on Ken I have just spoken to him.
He confirmed that he’s had 3 days in hospital following a fall in his bathroom . The hospital did a number of x rays but nothing was broken. He was not happy that they didn’t get him out of bed. The test to establish he was ok to come home seemed to be the ability to walk up and down some stairs. He feels he’s gone backwards a bit since being in hospital and is a bit deaf - caused by applying too much olive oil in his ears. He returned home last Thursday .
He has stopped looking at this site probably cos he’s not into close season football but fortunately has enjoyed the Ashes cricket.
Philip of Huddersfield
I see Nathan Wood, formerly of Boro, is heavily tipped to move from Swansea to a Premiership club with 4 teams interested in him.
He made 40 appearances last season in his first full season for Swansea.
I have always thought that selling him for next to nothing was one of the worst decisions by Boro in the last few years.
Obviosly time will tell but it’s ironic that Boro have just signed an 18 year old centre back who is less experienced than young Wood.
Philip of Huddersfield
I don’t really know how well Wood did last season (though playing 40 games is a sure sign that he didn’t do badly) but this is further evidence of the previous lack of joined up thinking at the club.
A promising, young ball-playing centre half is exactly the sort of player Carrick wants. Warnock wanted something entirely different and seemingly Wilder was wary of inexperience.
Thankfully we seem to be on a very path now, as evidenced by the recent spate of signings.
I don’t really know how well Wood did last season (though playing 40 games is a sure sign that he didn’t do badly) but this is further evidence of the previous lack of joined up thinking at the club.
A promising, young ball-playing centre half is exactly the sort of player Carrick wants. Warnock wanted something entirely different and seemingly Wilder was wary of inexperience.
Thankfully we seem to be on a very path now, as evidenced by the recent spate of signings.
There were plenty of rumours about his private life and he had made it clear that he wasn't going to sign a new contract so it is possible that even if we had wanted to keep him, it wasn't an option. For whatever reason, his face didn't fit under Warnock or Wilder.
I also get the impression that either Swansea are keen to sell him or he has a nightmare for an agent (or both) which is a bit of a red flag. You would think that if a player played a whole season for you that you would be keen to keep him rather than cashing in.
@deleriad As you indicated, there were plenty of rumours and a quite reliable one, that MFC did offer Wood a new two year deal, but he refused it.
May be he thought CW would not use him, after Lenihan and Clarke were probably obviously coming at that time. And other issues at the time.
Martin Payero is back in training with Boro.
Come on BORO.
More on Payero’s return:
If there was truth in any rumours re Nathan Wood (I haven't heard them tbh) or he was seen as a bad egg, it's strange that he was offered a two year contract extension. I think it's more likely that he wanted to play but saw his pathway blocked by successive managers.
Looks like our hopes of getting Ryan Giles back are fading as per report from Northern Echo:
Ryan Manning who had been suggested as an alternative to Giles has followed his old boss and signed for Southampton.
Looks like we need to find someone else who can fit the role of defender and provider. Giles will be a big loss if Wolves retain him. 😎
I still think there's some legs in Giles returning. Wolves are suffering from FFP issues and are selling players at a rate of knots: Neves to Saudi, Collins to Brentford, Coady to Leicester and Adama, Diego Costa and Joao Moutinho all seemingly released at the end of their deals.
They must be in quite a bit of bother and I wouldn't be surprised to see them really struggle this coming season.
Of course, Giles may be a cheap replacement for Ait Nouri if he's next out of the door but equally they may not be in a position to turn down a reasonable offer.
A possible alternative to Giles?
While we all wait for more incomings and outgoings has anyone been watching the documentary on Sky Disney about the takeover and rebuilding of Wrexham?
Well worth a watch and I think it has been nominated for about six 'Emmys'. The Boss and I are addicted to it, when you see it you realise just how important a Football Club like that is to the community. An interesting watch and highly recommended.
All the best to everyone.
UTB,
John
@andy-r. Totally agree they are under financial pressure and need to sell before they can recruit.
If this proposed sale means they are then down to only two left/wingbacks then I would be surprised if they were prepared to let Giles go and then have to recruit a replacement.
The next few weeks will no doubt provide clarity either from Wolves or via MFC activity in the market.
In the meantime is the above mentioned player a viable alternative? 😎
Boro team for tonight
Roberts
Gitau
Fry
Bilongo
Agyemang
McNair
Hackney
Forss
McGree
Sivi
Finch
Subs
Metcalfe, Hannah, Bridge, Lindo, Patterson-Powell, Stott, Simpson, Cartwright, Matthews, Costello, Lennon, Connor
Boro 0-2 after 50 minutes....
Boro 0-2 after 50 minutes....
Finished 1-2. No idea who got the Boro goal (in injury time).
Report by The Echo:
Last season, York City streamed the friendly against us on YouTube so there's a chance they'll do the same again today. Their youtube channel is https://www.youtube.com/@yorkcityfcofficial
Looking at players possibly available then I can see the following team
Dieng
Smith - RVDB - Lenihan - Coulson
Howson - Barlaser
Jones - Gilbert - Silvera
Kavanagh
Subs: Glover, Dijksteel, Collins, Sykes, Payero, Traore, Fenton John, Fletcher, Willis, Nkrumah, McCabe
Supposedly, Akpom, Coburn, Hoppe and Rogers are all carrying knocks
Boro Team today against York
Starting XI: Dieng, Smith, Lenihan, Van den Berg, Collins, Barlaser, Sykes, Jones, Rogers, Silvera, Hoppe
Subs: Glover, Hannah, Nkrumah, Bridge, Costello, Matthews, Stott, Simpson, John, Patterson-Powell, Howells, Whelan
Notable absentees
Obviously we know about the six who played at Hartlepool last night so were never expected here today.
But the Boro players to pay no part in either of the two games are:
Coulson, Dijksteel, Howson, Coburn, Akpom, Gilbert, Clarke, Payero, Crooks
Crooks was never expected to after only returning to training on Thursday. Akpom and Dijksteel we know are both injured, while Howson and Coburn haven't been training. We'll be asking for updates of all the above from Carrick after the game.
Boro Team today against York
Starting XI: Dieng, Smith, Lenihan, Van den Berg, Collins, Barlaser, Sykes, Jones, Rogers, Silvera, Hoppe
Subs: Glover, Hannah, Nkrumah, Bridge, Costello, Matthews, Stott, Simpson, John, Patterson-Powell, Howells, Whelan
Gazette report on the 0-0 final score:
Something fishy going on with Akpom ,at this rate he won't be fit for the start of season,and why were Fry and McNair on for most of game, are they on show for clubs, Dyjkesteel not around , even Howson usually plays every game ,I know the club as to raise money before any big signings ,even wages take it's tole ,could be some surprises ,next few weeks.
Not sure how accurate all of this is. Link to MFC Finances, including Saleries.