I acknowledge what you are saying but what exactly is the business model/methodology? I was of the understanding it was to buy low and sell high and only use the loan market when it fits?In some ways I agree but on the other hand, regarding the mention two having medicals today, I am quite happy for them to stake their claim over the rest of the season, than us committing to 2/3 contract and ending up with egg on our face. Either one, or both, could turn out to be an Akpom for 4 months, it is reported that Boro, regarding Iheancho, are committed to be paying a high proportion of his wages, reported to £77k per week and let’s say we are paying £60k which would equate to around £840k outlay, as opposed to £6-8m for David Strelec, who then could be tied to us for 3/4 years.I am slightly concerned that with the two incoming loan players we will have five in the squad when I thought the new operating model was to move away from reliance on loanees; yet another rebuild next season whatever happens. 🤔😎
There could be a lot of Boro activity over the next two days, both in and out (Barlaser, Dijksteel, Engel and loans) it will be interesting to see the new listed squad next week.
Come on BORO.
This seems to be more of sell high and then bring in a number of loan players who I am not sure we can afford long term or actually fit the team requirements; one of whom seems to be another winger where we already have three/four who can cover that position.
Time will tell but at this point in time I just wonder if a few panic buys have set in; a case of watch this space. 😎
Necessity is the mother of invention. With LL’s imminent departure I think a temporary solution via 2 loans is a better move than buying a striker in haste. Seems sensible to me.
I'm of a similar view regarding loan deals for Samuel iling Junior and Iheanacho - the former is another left-footed winger like Whittaker where Burgzorg has been showing good form and Iheanacho hasn't really been scoring many goals in the last 4 seasons so is something of a gamble - though I expect Conway will be the main striker now he's fit.
You never know if a player is going to click under a new coach but at least we know Carrick has a good record of turning misfiring strikers into valuable sought after players - over £30m from Latte Lath and Akpom is I guess beyond everyone's expectations including the players themselves. Even Morgan Rogers looked a dubious buy in his first months and look at him now as top PL player.
Whether February is a good time to swap reliable Championship performers for gambles with potential who need time to settle and be coached back into confidence is perhaps the biggest issue - they may well come good but maybe not in time to have helped in getting the results needed in the short to medium term.
Boro may end up after this window with half a new starting XI and the need to gel the team - it could go either way but it's possibly a risk and still the defence looks weaker and the midfield is reliant on Morris and Hackney staying fit until May.
Carrick has so many attacking options to play with now so we must hope he can find the right blend - giving all the new signings the pitch time they need may be the tricky bit if Doak, Azaz, Burgzorg and Conway start games and play 75 minutes before a sub comes on.
Loan deals without an obligation to buy can be useful to fill a gap when we are not prepared to shell out the money for a permanent deal that wouldn't fit with our transfer philosophy. This could simply be viewed as Gibson cashing in on the huge ELL profit and, at the same time, underwriting this season by filling the holes upfront whilst leaving us free to look for a more affordable permanent replacement in the summer.
Whether Iheanacho is the answer, .....who knows. We have to trust in the recruitment team and Carrick until we see reasons to do otherwise.
UTB
@gt Agree when you put it like that. However, what is the porous defence worth?
And of course, unless there have been enquiries we’ve not heard about, there does not look as though there has been much interest in our previously high value players.
Hackney, only possibly a tentative ask from Porto and looking for a low fee? VDB, as Philip said, has not pushed on this season as much as last. Even Azaz during his purple patch.Then LL. A big bid if it completes, but probably not what he was hoping for with no reported interest from EPL clubs.
Mooted big future fees, but nothing yet. They must do better
Iling-junior signed...
And Gilbert out on loan to Charlton
Werder sums this transfer window up perfectly when he says in his post above “Boro may end up after this window with half a new starting XI and the need to gel the team - it could go either way but it's possibly a risk and still the defence looks weaker and the midfield is reliant on Morris and Hackney staying fit until May”. All I can add is that I would change the word “possibly” for “certainly”. I hope I am wrong but I can’t see that the dealings until now will have a significant positive impact on the rest of the season. Underwhelming for me.
Good posts from Werder and Boroexile.
If there is one word I would use to sum up Boro's season so far it is 'unsettled'.
On top of the stop- start nature of the season due to international breaks, and injuries to key players, which to some degree apply to every team, there have been moves behind the scenes to unsettle and move on the likes of Coburn, Jones, and now Gilbert. Add to this the signing of loan players to add to Doak who will need to be moved on in May and the churn rate shows no sign of abating
It's worth remembering amid all of our concern about tonight's match that when, only a few months ago, we played Sunderland off the park at their own place Jones was the man of the match, ably supported by Coburn. And one of our best displays this season was our cup win at Leeds with Jones, Gilbert and Coburn all starring.
Just saying...
I think a loan replacement for LL was inevitable given his transfer still hasn’t gone through and the window is nearly closed - Boro can’t spend until the sale is signed sealed and delivered.
Though I’m a little puzzled that Junior has arrived while Gilbert has been loaned out on the grounds Carrick can’t give him pitch time because of the number of forwards we have. Another loan midfielder would probably have been more of a priority in case Morris or Hackney get injured.
Never heard about the Aston Villa loanee before, but Dom Shaw of the Echo seems to be over the moon about the new player. He even said the player can be classed there with Doak.
https://www.youtube.com/live/qfQNhcLVRA8?si=6j_RPD4gEEr_dARa
So he should be a terrific player with experience in Italy with Juventus. It is quite a while since the previous Juve connection 😂.
Leninhan must be close to return, if we were able to sell Clarke. He never looked comfortable with the ball on his feet.
Excitrd. Up the Boro!
If he's a left-sided Doak then there'll be no complaints from me - though no surprise Villa recalled him from Bologna as he's been an unused sub 10 times in their last 15 league games and only made 4 late appearances off the bench averaging 5 minutes. Strangely though he has played more in the Champions League Group stage - starting 4 games and coming off the bench in 4 games with a goal against Dortmund.
Probably a player that Carrick can get more out of but will that'll be at the expense of Burgzorg on the left or even Whittaker or possibly McGree or... 🤔
Apparently Boro have made £10m bid for Liverpool's 22-year old defensive midfielder Tyler Morton is this in anticipation of a Hackney exit...
several links on this
Middlesbrough are keen on Liverpool’s Tyler Morton in the final hours of the transfer window, and they would be willing to pay in excess of £10m for the midfielder.
OFB
According to Northern Echo...
MIDDLESBROUGH - TYLER MORTON
Middlesbrough have been linked with Liverpool's Tyler Morton.
He is a player who has been of interest to Boro this month and there has been contact between the clubs, but Liverpool are asking too much as things stand.
And from the Beeb's live transfer page:
Morton to Boro not expected to progress
Middlesbrough's approach for Liverpool's Tyler Morton is not expected to progress. The Championship side did make a bid for the midfielder and held talks, but they have not managed to find an agreement for the 22-year-old. A package of over £10m has been reported, although sources dispute the figure.
Morton has made five appearances for Liverpool this season, including in last week's 3-2 Champions League defeat at PSV.
Boro, who host Sunderland in the Championship tonight, have already taken Ben Doak on loan from Anfield this season. The 19-year-old winger has three goals in 24 games for Michael Carrick's side, who are seventh in the table and out of the play-off spots on goal difference.
The press are quick to list all the new signings but is Boro’s squad a lot better after the transfer window ?
Travers, the new goalkeeper looks to be an improvement based on today’s game.
Giles should be an improvement on Jones as an attacker but not with any defensive duties.
Whittaker is an additions player and so an improvement.
The new young winger may be an improvement on Gilbert ( I accept they play in different positions)
Not optimistic the new centre forward will be anywhere as good as Latte Laff.
Clarke leaving can only weaken the central defenders.
Overall, the problems in defending have not been addressed.
So, I’m not sure the squad is better particularly as players need to settle in. Only time and results will tell.
philip of Huddersfield
ps just watched Carrick’s post match press comments- he looks crestfallen and really disappointed.
Tommy Smith has retired.
Very thoughtful message from him on the MFC official website.
From the tone of his open letter he comes across as a thoroughly good man. I wish him all the best for his future and I am sorry he has had to give up playing. All the same, it does look like he might have a future as a regular pundit on Sky.Tommy Smith has retired.
Very thoughtful message from him on the MFC official website.