Top scorers at Huddesfield last season:
Michal Helik. 9 goals 0 assists 42 played
Delano Burgzorg 7 goals. 2 assists 33 played
Josh Koroma. 6 goals 2 assists 40 played
In all Hudds scored 48 goals when Boro scored 72 last season. Up the Boro!
My in initial view of both Morgan Rogers and Latte Lath based on their early displays in their first few months was that they didn't look like starters and would struggle to make a mark in the Championship. However, after Rogers settled and got a run in the team he looked a classy player and then Villa pounced - Latte Lath then returned from injury a completely different animal and has proved to be the kind of striker we'd been missing.
So really hard to judge signings at this level as it looks like they could suddenly click given the right coaching and team environment - let's hope they prove to be good signings but you never know until they've had a decent run in the team as most signings are likely to be unproven on Boro's budget.
Instead we have signed two more 'projects'.
I think that's a little unfair. Burgzorg has clearly been signed as a back-up for centre-forward and left wing. Given his experience in the Championship last season I think he's a big upgrade on Greenwood and Silvera. I'm personally expecting McGree to leave this summer in which case I suspect Azaz will be 1st choice on the left with Burgzorg as a different style option. He can also come off the bench to give Latte Lath a breather after 60+ minutes and will bring a similar set of skills.
There's two schools of thought when it comes to Howson. My preference would have been an immediate replacement by Alan Browne from Preston NE. The other option is to bring in someone he can mentor for the first half of the season before he takes over. I had never heard of Morris before now but he's clearly been bought to do that.
I think we're all a bit burnt by the start of last season and I can see us looking to start the new season with minimal changes to the first 11 so that we can build on the end of last season. I suspect our biggest buy will be a new number 10 and that might take some time. But if we start our first game with the following line-up, I think we'll be well set to get a fast start to the season.
E.g. assuming McGree has gone and we haven't bought anyone else in the next two months then it looks like:
Dieng
Ayling - RVDB - Clarke - Bangura
Hackney - Howson
Jones - Azaz - Burgzorg
Latte Lathe
Subs: Brynn, Smith, Clarke, Engel, Barlaser/McCabe, Morris, Gilbert/Silvera, Forss, Coburn
Judging by last season, this is a first 11 that can get us off to a fast start while we integrate more quality during August.
Instead we have signed two more 'projects'.
Dieng
Ayling - RVDB - Clarke - Bangura
Hackney - Howson
Jones - Azaz - Burgzorg
Latte Lathe
Subs: Brynn, Smith, Clarke, Engel, Barlaser/McCabe, Morris, Gilbert/Silvera, Forss, Coburn
Judging by last season, this is a first 11 that can get us off to a fast start while we integrate more quality during August.
I think your starting eleven could be like that. Where I disagree, is that McGree will be leaving. Mind, he had an operation on his ankle after the end of the season. So I don't think he will be ready for the start of pre-season and also not very attractive for any team to buy, either.
So the same starting eleven for me. But also hoping McGree will be still be with us when the transfer window closes. He is happy at Boro but needs an extension to his contract that runs out in a year's time. Up the Boro!
Graeme Carrick - the brother of Michael Carrick - is set to join Middlesbrough’s coaching staff from Newcastle United According to the latest rumours on twitter. Although Graeme is one of the junior coaches at Newcastle he is set to move into one of the senior coaching slots at Middlesbrough.
To complete the line up of Carricks at the Boro it is also rumoured that because complaints about the quality of the singing of Boro songs by the Boro faithful that another coach is due to join and help with the upgrade in singing technique. So welcome to the Boro Paul Carrick 🤪
OFB
@original-fat-bob Now Paul would be an upgrade OFB. Unfortunately he is a big Sheff Wed fan.
MIDDLESBROUGH are set to appoint Michael Carrick’s brother, Graeme, to their coaching staff after receiving permission to hold talks with the current Newcastle United youth-team coach.
Boro are having to overhaul their coaching department after Bayern Munich identified Aaron Danks as their preferred candidate to join Vincent Kompany’s new-look backroom team at the Allianz Arena.
Danks is currently employed as a first-team coach at Boro, and while discussions over a potential compensation package remain ongoing, there is an expectation that the 39-year-old will be heading for the Bundesliga this summer.
OFB