WHITTAKER LEAVING

Not happy if Whittaker is not replaced.
The good and bad points about Whittaker are well known but losing a wide player who is likely to to score a dozen goals in a season is clearly a loss if not replaced by another goal scorer.

philip of Huddersfield 🤔👎

Cozier-Duberry confirmed on loan. Also Burnley have just sold Zian Flemming to Ipswich for 20 million pounds. He always seemed to score against us when at Millwall

@philip-of-huddersfield    That of course is the concern. Whilst he is frustrating by the bucketfull , he did come up with 21 goal contributions, 14 and 7. 

In some ways we are putting all our eggs in the one basket that is Lankshear. If he gets injured or hits a poor run, then we would need his goals, plus Whitaker’s.

Can we rely on Joseph to play sufficient games and score 12/14 goals. Can McGree stay fit and contribute more than last season. Can Conway come with his 10 / 12 playing out wide. Can we finally get more goals from our midfield than in the past. Can Strelec show that he is a decent player.

As for Cozier-Duberry, for all the plaudits, can he step up from League 1 into the Championship with same success. Castledine has struggled.

We also need more goals from sets pieces and our defenders.

On social media there is some disquiet at the loss of goals, in a side that did not score enough last season. Let’s hope we have got it right this time. 

Looking at Cozier-Duberry's video's on You tube one thing that he will bring is pace, something we seem to be lacking. Clips reminded me of a less bulked up Adama Traore. 

Also interesting to note that Brighton had extended his contract to 2029 before agreeing to the loan. Clearly they see serious potential in him and they don’t often get it wrong. He sounds like an explosive winger who can go either way past his man and also someone who does his share of work going the other way.

i suggest that we can all doff our caps (metaphorical or actual) to the recruitment team for what has been an extraordinarily successful transfer window, to Steve Gibson for helping make it possible and to KH and the team for creating an environment that attracts players.

It’s hard not to be excited.

utb

@selwynoz 

Hopefully KH will be able to keep all of the players happy, as we have 24 first team players, so there will be four who won't be involved on a match day. Looking at the squad we do seem to have two players for every position covered with senior players except possibly right back, although Ayling could possible fill in there at a pinch. It looks like the only Academy graduate in the squad is likely to be Sol Brynn for the rest of the season, as Cartwright has gone on loan to Grimsby.

@stircrazy.  It was getting near to my bed time! 😉😎

@selwynoz. “i suggest that we can all doff our caps (metaphorical or actual) to the recruitment team for what has been an extraordinarily successful transfer window, to Steve Gibson for helping make it possible and to KH and the team for creating an environment that attracts players.

It’s hard not to be excited.”

I agree with your sentiments about the recruitment team and the transfer window but it will only be deemed as successful if it translates to sucess on the field.  Fingers and everything else crossed it does. 🤞😎

@k-p-in-spain 

There's never a guarantee but one can look at each individual transfer and understand the logic of the deal and take great comfort from the number of other clubs who were chasing the same players and lost out. That's really all that you can ask. In addition, KH has made it very clear that he supports the direction that the acquisitions take the squad, so I am prepared to draw a line under the work that they have done and call it a successful effort by the recruitment team.

Now it's up to KH and his team to deliver the success that we all want to see and, as you say, its very much "Fingers and everything else crossed". We also need to give them some time to make it all gel.

UTB

Posted by: @martin-bellamy

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@lenmasterman I, too, lament the loss of wider discourse on here, although I perfectly understand the problems that can arise from political discussions on any form of Social Media. 

I particularly enjoy comments from members who live outside the UK, giving us a broader perspective of the world. 

I agree, and surely we could have an evergreen blog, separate from the football matches, where we could post itinerant thoughts, memories and questions?
I'm at the age now, where flashes of memories past flit in and out of my mind, and I want to ask if anyone else remembers those incidents.
For instance, who else remembers Charlie Wayman (ex Preston NE) after Wilf Mannion left, or who else is still using that stainless steel cutlery that we got from Hintons so long ago?

@johnny-canuck 

There is a 'General Discussion' forum where people can start a new thread for thoughts not related to current football matters - maybe not starting a new thread for every question or thought but perhaps could be themed something like 'Memory Lane', 'Just Thinking' or 'I Have a Question?' for example - Ken was a great advocate of utilising the flexibility of the forum format to post a wide range of topics from history to classical music.

So the transfer window closed with a couple of loans and Cozier-Duberry could provide the pace we are missing and bring a different dimension than what Whittaker could offer - plus he sounds like a player who will track back and defend too. Let's also not forget that the arrival of Rokas Pukstas should also bring goals to the team.

Not sure where Connor Barron fits in but I would imagine he's coming as a squad player for defensive midfield cover.

Fin Cartwright going out on loan to Grimsby is probably an indication that the squad is too large for him to get much pitch time. I also note Strelec still remains but it's been reported that the Greek window is still open for another 2 weeks so it may well be possible he will get that move to PAOK if the clubs agree a fee - Strelec has apparently already agreed personal terms.

@werdermouth / Johnny.       I think that’s a good idea. Especially when there is an International break or no midweek game.

However, and I hope it does not sound like criticism, but the blog is now rather lengthy.

Would it be possible, if members would like to post none football parallel comments?
That the General Discussion section is moved to near the top of the ongoing current sections, so that when opening the Forum, it is in sight with new posts seen.

Just a thought 

@werdermouth       I also note Strelec still remains but it's been reported that the Greek window is still open for another 2 weeks so it may well be possible he will get that move to PAOK if the clubs agree a fee - Strelec has apparently already agreed personal terms.

Whilst the majority on here have been disappointed with Strelec, could we really afford to off load another “striker” after losing Whittaker. That would be 14/7 and 8/2 goal contributions.

That is quite a lot to cover from a season when we did not score enough goals. Do we really have the players and their numbers to replace those?

Although I could see the temptation to get our money or most of it back from a deal. He has four years contract left.

@pedro 

Yes I can look into ways of making the forum home page list easier to navigate - recent posts can help but if you're reading on a mobile phone that often gets moved to the bottom of the page.

There's actually a newish feature in the forum menu called "What's New" - the default is 'All Activities' over 'Last Week' but you can change those options to for example 'Topics' over 'Last Month' (which I did in this link) or you can set it too 'Replies' over 'Last Week' - which is quite a useful way to view the forum.

@pedro 

The fact that Strelec has apparently agreed terms with PAOK doesn't shout commitment to Boro and given the club paid €7.5m with €2.5m add-ons for a 5-year deal it hasn't as yet looked money well spent. I can't see him being picked ahead of Lankshear, Joseph, Conway, McGree, Sarmiento or new boy Cozier-Duberry as an attacking option. He's not an out and out striker and also not really a number ten or a attacking wide player - even attacking midfielders like Pukstas may offer more. I wouldn't be surprised to see him leave.

Martin I have just enjoyed reading your Chandleresque intro which was very clever and entertaining. Thank you.

My favourite Chandler novel is " The Long Goodbye". I am reminded of this by the steady stream of reports about Morgan Whittaker.

I think we are in with a chance of an away win at Turf Moor tonight, but don't want to jinx it with a firm prediction so would settle for a draw.

UTB

Interestingly, the contributions of Whittaker and Strelec since January have not exactly been prolific and even less so from February where they've been directly involved in just 6 goals between them. OK they may have been involved in moves that led to goals but you'd need more from your key forwards if a top two finish is the target

Whittaker

- 4 Jan: Boro 4-0 Southampton (2 goals)
- 16 Jan: West Brom 2-3 Boro (1 assist)
- 21 Jan: Stoke 1-2 Boro (1 assist)
- 24 Jan: Boro 4-0 Preston (1 goal)

- 8 Mar: QPR 0-4 Boro (1 assist)

- 22 Apr: Boro 1-0 Sheff Wed (1 goal)
- 25 Apr: Boro 5-1 Watford (1 goal, 1 assist)

- 26 Aug: Blackburn 2-1 Boro (1 assist)

So 5 goals and 5 assists over 31 games with half of them back in January.

Strelec

- 2 Mar: Birmingham 1-3 Boro (1 goal)
- 8 Mar: QPR 0-4 Boro (1 goal)

- 2 May: Wrexham 2-2 Boro (1 goal)

So 3 goals in what were limited appearances since January

 TRANSFERS

Following Whitaker’s  transfer there is more pressure on Lankshear to score the goals. I’m not sure I’d bet on any of the other players to score a dozen or more goals and so Whittaker going may turn out to be a weakening of the goals scored.

The new forward comes with a glowing report but that was from a lower division and a successful team. So it’s not guaranteed he will be a success in the Championship over a full season.

It looks as though Strelec is going. Despite his shortcomings, in view of Whittaker leaving I’d have kept him till at least the January transfer window.

But what’s done is done and so it’s over to the coaches to come up with the goods. I do feel that the squad looks much stronger than before the transfer window and capable of a top 6 finish to the season.

So fingers crossed and hope Boro can put on a performance for the whole 90 minutes and get a result tonight.( Boro on Sky again)

Philip of Huddersfield 👍🤔

ps just a pity a few players who won’t make the squad most weeks couldn’t be off loaded

For me, there’s no doubt that MW is a skilful player, but, at Championship level, I’d expect all professional footballers to have a relatively high level of skill. What makes some more successful is often attitude and application which I’m afraid looks like one of Whitaker’s shortcomings. 

He’s not the quickest, isn’t keen on tracking back, can’t tackle and often runs down a blind avenue, when passing to a teammate would be the better option. I reckon any half decent fullback knows to take him outside onto his right foot rather than letting him cut inside onto his left. 

I think he needs specific individual coaching, but I’m not sure he’d be up for it. Maybe he just needs a fresh start in a less combative league. 

@martin-bellamy 

It’s interesting in those stats I listed that 6 of Whittaker’s 10 goal contributions came 4 games where Boro scored 4 or more goals - it might back up your theory that good defenders can handle him.

@martin-bellamy.  You have, for me, summed up MW perfectly.  

I don’t believe his skill set are at the top end of the Championship and he is certainly is not a PL player to my mind; when he does perform he tends to have a run of a few good games and then disappears again so his overall contribution over a season tends to be less than significant.

If the figures quoted are correct then his sale is a good deal and has enabled us to bring in a player with speed and ability who should provide greater options. 😎

@k-p-in-spain 

An initial fee of £10.6m for Whittaker sounds good business to me given the doubts over his ability to deal with the physicality of the Championship.

@martin-bellamy re MW, I agree your every word.

I think it is good business to have off loaded him at the earliest opportunity.

@powmillnaemore and according to Salary Cap "sources" MW was also our highest earner with one of our longer remaining contract durations so he tied up a large expenditure commitment going forward. Although its only fair for balance to add that seasons of 19 and 14 goals within the last few years isn't to be sniffed at either.

@werdermouth    Yes,   ten million guaranteed I believe, is very hard to turn down. Putting to one side the goals issue, that’s a good return from his initial purchase.

Hopefully, Hellberg can tweak the defence, to be more frugal with their presents to the opposition and then we only need to score once. 🤣

The big demand I guess is now on Kim Hellberg. He has to prove he has learnt from some of the mistakes he made last season. Be more flexible, unpredictable at times and use the players and their talent (hopefully) to the best of their ability. 

Show that he is not a “one trick pony” and that he can win games in different ways.

Posted by: @pedro

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...

Hopefully, Hellberg can tweak the defence, to be more frugal with their presents to the opposition and then we only need to score once. 🤣

...

Part of the exposure the defence has been subjected to should be immediately dealt with as MW exits stage left (apparently he was originally being set up to exit stage right, but insisted on coming back instage to exit on his left left). I think all of the options that KH now has for both the right and the left will track back more effectively than did our Mr Whittaker 😉 

So 12 new arrivals...

Here is the listing from the Teesside Live:

So. With no Whittaker to be an automatic left footed first choice for right wing and no Sarmiento to be an automatic right footed first choice for left wing tonight, how do we think KH will line the team up tonight?

Despite my reservations, I think Vitek is the nailed on start between the sticks.

Three along the back would work for me , but I think I would like to see that being Phillips, Jones and Mallander, dropping Ayling as I think he was a little off the pace on Saturday.

Brittain and Borges operating as wing backs.

Morris as the anchor and disruptor, with Berhalter alongside. Then Arfsten and McGree on the flanks and Lankshear up top.

I would love to see Conway start, but not sure if he is ready and might be better coming on later. And what about Sam Byram .... is this a game for him and push Borges further forward ?...

Gosh. We have genuine options right across the pitch. It is going to be interesting to see who starts, how they line up and who is on the bench. 

I am really looking forward to watching this tonight.

CoB