So it’s that time of year again that we pause to reflect on how things are going and will we attain the promise of promotion at the end of the season.
Its no secret that we all feel that Boro need an additional striker to support our two existing guys of Latte Lath and Young Josh.
A few names have appeared on various blogs and here are three strikers to look at.
Kevin Denkey
Togo international Kevin Denkey is enjoying another strong season in Belgium’s top-tier with Cercle Brugge.
After managing 13 goals and nine assists across all competitions last time around, he’s notched 10 goals in 14 games in the 2023/24 campaign.
At 22, he looks like an exciting striker to consider and could have a future in a top league ahead of him.
Alexander Lind
21-year-old striker Lind has been in and around the first-team of Danish side Silkeborg for a little while now but this season, he’s really found form.
Lind has scored 10 goals in 15 Superliga games, averaging a goal every 92 minutes.
As we well know, Boro have dipped into the European and Scandinavian market for new signings already this season and it wouldn’t be a surprise if they do so again this winter. If they do, Lind is one player they should have on their radar.
Joe Gelhardt
Boro recruited Sam Greenwood from Leeds United in the summer and given his recent success, perhaps they should consider continuing that transfer link with a move for Gelhardt who also plays for Leeds United.
Although the striker is yet to find prolific form on the senior stage he is still only 21 and he has plenty of time to maximise his potential.
Gelhart playing time with Leeds has been limited and a move to Boro would give him a chance to revive the impressive link-up he had with Greenwood in the Leeds U21s.
OFB
Some interesting options.
Equally interesting is to consider who the club might offload in January. Paddy McNair is the obvious option given that his contract only has six months to run. With Van den Berg looking like a future international centre back alongside Fry, Lenihan and Clarke, maybe another right back could be on the shopping list.
Other than that, do we need a defensive centre midfield player to cover Howson and the injured O'Brien?
Finally, how many of our academy players - in-house or out on loan - are genuine contenders for the first team and how will this affect whether we loan or buy in January? There seem to be some great prospects. Has anyone seen much of any of them?
UTB
I agree that we do need a striker in January and finding one who is good enough to start and score goals won't be easy - most likely a loan signing as the quality we need won't come cheap as any club with a striker knocking them in will be reluctant to sell.
I wonder if Chuba Akpom will be available...
btw OFB moved your post to a new topic as the one you used was from June and no longer appears on the 'Recent Threads' list so it may get lost if people don't post on it.
@werdermouth. Chuba has started to score for Ajax so it is unlikely we could get him back on loan and he now seems more settled. 😎
Nevermind, I guess we'll have to make do with the £10m we got for him instead 😉
Just to nip in with a bit from Patrick Bamford.
Bamford revealed he remains close with his former Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka.
He explained: “One of the other guys I had when I was at Middlesbrough, called Aitor [Karanka]. Even now, since I left Middlesbrough, because I was only on loan when he was there, I’ve always been close to him. We speak every so often.
With Everton being deducted 10 points, many media outlets have been pointing out our lost Blackburn 3 points as well as Portsmouth, who suffered a greater deduuction, as the only other PL teams that have suffered a simillar fate.
We often complain that Boro were treated harshly compared to say West Ham who had major player eligibilty issues. It will be interesting to see how Chelsea and Man City get treated if any complaints are upheld although I am not holding my breath.
I still can't believe the teams who tried to break away from the PL only received relatively small fines rather than be relegated at least one league. One rule for one, and one for others. If it wasn't for the groundswell of fan opinion, those clubs would have broken away for sure. Snouts in the trough and all that.
There is a great danger that the premier league will break away as a top tier of premiership clubs and a second tier of the premier league.
The Championship will then become a third tier of football competition and a feeder club for providing young players through the ranks to the top tiers whilst also acting as a training medium for young premiership players to gain match experience.
Last season was a missed opportunity to gain promotion and every effort must be made in the next transfer market to sign some quality players to ensure promotion.
Taking into consideration financial fair play of course( nudge nudge wink wink say no more squire !)
OFB
@OFB. I would think twice about signing any African International player, given that their Nations Cup is played every TWO years.
In fact I am surprised given the complaints by the Europeans clubs and UEFA, about players welfare, that restrictions on participation have not been introduced.
If you want to see how Hackney played today, m go to England football .com showing full u21 game
I watched it live yesterday as all U21 matches are live on YouTube, I thought HH had a very good match and played the 90 minutes with an assist.If you want to see how Hackney played today, m go to England football .com showing full u21 game
Come on BORO.
@exmil This sounds like the times when we had David Hodgson nad Craig Johnston playing for the England U21 team 😆. Just like in the old days and not buying old jouney men coming for the final pay-off with no sell on value.
Up the Boro!
Paddy McNair was handed the armband for Northern Ireland's final Euro 2024 qualification match as they toppled group winners Denmark.
The fate of the Green and White Army was already sealed ahead of Monday's fixture but that didn't stop them from putting on a show with goals from Isaac Price and Dion Charles wrapping up a 2-0 victory.
I think Paddy deserves a new contract with Boro. We’re looking a bit thin on the ground for defensive players and he has formed an impressive partnership with Dael Fry who had looked a bit shaky at the start of the season. The news that Lenihan has had an operation and is out for the season makes it more of a reason to tie him down.
If Northern Ireland can see captain qualities in his play perhaps Boro should look again !
OFB
One interesting thing about this season is that we have had a number of cup games to report on, write about and generally have fun talking about.
Although the opener for Port Vale will be written and is allocated Andy and I thought it would be nice for one of the other Diasborians to put their hands up and say “that’s for me !” “I’ll do that !” “I’ll do the opener for Boro v Aston Villa for January 2024”
So please raise your hands in the cyber space and shout out if you fancy doing it.
cheers
OFB