I expect all we will see is tumbleweeds today.
The only possible driver to sign a player is that's it's probably the last chance to sign an EU player before they will need to qualify for a work permit based on international appearances. Equivalent quality EU players to UK ones generally tend to be cheaper - however not many clubs outside the PL have much cash to spend so unless deals are structured in a way that they don't need to pay much up front then probably not much business will be done.
With the arrival of Roberts (if and when confirmed) plus the emergence of Tavernier and Bola as possible wingback options, I don't think we should be bringing anyone in really. Certainly not on a permanent deal. We have enough to consolidate, give experience to younger players and who knows, maybe even threaten sixth place if all the stars align.
Goodness knows how FFP works in this post-COVID era - it wasn't exactly crystal before - but I wouldn't recommend taking any risks.
I still think we are a bit light on the centre back positions if we get another injury. And if we play three centre backs in the wing back formation. A loanee from the PL perhaps?
Ather than that, I would be happy with what we have now. Up the Boro!
I wonder if Roary is worried now that Gunnersaurus has become a free agent....
Just wondering why it has taken so long to get Patrick Roberts’s signed up. NW says it just needs the paper work sorted. Who has got hold of the pen ?
I see West Ham have released Jack Wilshere, so no fee required. I wonder if he’d be worth a punt to resurrect his career? A bit like the Merson deal. NW could get him back to his best, the lad is undoubtedly very talented.
Pay as you play maybe?
@grovehillwallah Sorry GHW, I would not tough him with a barge pole. Yes he has some talent, but just like many others, he too much baggage. He has already had more than his share.
And any comparison to Merson. Could not lace his boots.
Pedro
A small typo in your post ?
I assume you meant "Could not lace his booze."
Gunnersaurus should get Edinson Cavani’s agents number. He’d probably get him a starring role in the next Jurassic Park movie.....
Interesting reading NW’s comments about modern defenders.
I totally agree. Too many soft goals and free kicks in dangerous areas result from playing football in the wrong situation. Row Z is no longer seen as a good option, notwithstanding the fact that a lot of defenders couldn’t execute a good tackle if their lives depended on it.
Solid defence is supposed to be the bedrock of successful teams but defensive skills seem to be in decline.
Forgot to add that, like all fans, I want to see exciting football but that doesn’t mean goals at all cost. I think back to the 0-0 game against Bournemouth in the play off season, which was, in my opinion, one of the best matches that year.
Regardless of the team we put out, they seem to lack a sense of mission, on Saturday, result great, manner of getting that result, hhhm! We turn up very promising players, only to turn them into bench warmers, we buy expensive players for key positions, and they do nothing whatsoever to lift the team a notch or two. We continue with them, boy, do we continue with them.
I would be very careful in the transfer market, there has been a sea change in the relationship between the giants and the lesser lights of the Prem. The latter know now that they cannot live with the big boys, therefore no serious money purchases, together with several sales at middling prices. To achieve the latter it's got to be the Champ. Typically it will be a has been young prodigy, there are at this moment ten such wandering around the training pitches of the giants. Each of them has had half a dozen chances to achieve fame and fortune with various clubs, and of course earned large sums of money based on their 'promise'. They are now 'getting on' and their owners want a final payday. They all look alike when studied en mass, they can be seen every 'Match of the day' their one moment of skill replayed many times, their general lack of talent ignored by the camera, one likes to repay the giant for all the freebies both past and to come. We are at this moment dallying with one such. Yes it's Mr Roberts, dazzling dribbler, or should that be dizzying dribbler? If quite successful clubs cannot get to the bottom of his problem then we are dreaming if we think we can. Watch this space?
I firmly believe Premier League clubs should pay the loaning club for training their fringe Youngsters. They can’t give them competitive game time, so they send them out on loan. This allows them to hold onto players hoping they will come good elsewhere.
It is not a question of who should be in the team, the worries start when Tav is threatened with the chop. We have already had our one young product who was sure to have a career in the prem at the very least, very nearly obliterated by the most vile shambolic chopping and changing, including being dropped (and replaced by some of the most untalented players I have ever seen in our colours) .
I’m assuming you mean Lewis Wing. Unfortunately I think he is heading the same way Tarmo Kink went. Came on the scene with spectacular goals and then was found wanting.
No, I mean Fry, good enough to play, and star, at every level below full international, then treated as a fill in player to fill any gap, then dropped and benched, you can write the rest of the script yourself. You have no need to worry about Wing, get the guy who offered to drive Traore to his next club to fill his tank in readiness, the fee will of course be zero, After all he has shown zero talent.
Plato/GHW
“square pegging” seems to be a weakness in all of our recent Managers or do they see something the fans don’t understand?
I’m undecided re- Wing’s true potential but Fry is definitely a class act when fully fit and played in the right position. He was frequently deployed on the left and struggled, which probably knocked his confidence. He, like others, struggled because he is not left footed, which is why Jarkko and I keep banging on about the need for us to acquire a left footed CB or a proper LB. Obviously, we couldn’t afford Gibson, even on loan and George has moved on, so we’re unbalanced defensively ( I’m just unbalanced).
With the squad we have this season, it’s inevitable that there will be a lot of square-pegging. Thankfully Djiksteel and McNair are taking to their latest roles very well so far.
Wing is a no. 10 for me and I’m disappointed that we haven’t seen more of him. With Tav being played there, NW speaking of giving Coulson a go in that role and now Roberts being brought in, it’s pretty clear that Warnock wants a mobile player who can dribble for that position. That doesn’t suit Wing - he’s more of a passer/shooter/late-arriver, more of a Championship Lampard or Scholes than a Juninho.
I think Wing can still be a big success playing behind the striker(s) and would like to see him being brought on from the bench (as a starting point) when legs are tiring and there may be more space for him to operate in and get those shots off.
Fry was only benched because of COVID as far as I’m aware. His form had been off for a while but frankly so had everyone else’s and I think he stands to benefit from Warnock’s approach as much, if not more, than anyone. The EPL sharks will be circling again before too long for him.
So if Dijksteel and McNair can continue their form and Fry gets back to the lad we know he can be we’ll have a defence that’s more than capable for our level. The wingback positions still need players to stake a strong claim for but there were better signs against Barnsley and I have hope that Tav can finally nail a position there, whilst I think Coulson is overdue an opportunity. Morsy looks a solid and sensible addition whilst Howson remains dependable. Roberts can add some fleet-footed X-Factor of the sort we’ve generally been missing since Traore left. Britt looks more engaged than ever and Akpom has made a fast start, whilst Fletcher may still turn out to be the pick of the bunch. The first XI is starting to take shape and looks much improved to me.
I’d just like to see Wing given a bit more of a crack at that no. 10 position.
The fact that NW was considering Coulson for the No 10 role says a lot.
@andy-r I think you are correct Andy, in that NW will have to make do with what he has and the squads limitations.
Fry for me is a good player who should only get better and I thought he always looked a better prospect that Gibson. Ben's biggest plus is being left footed. Unfortunately as good as McNair has performed, he is not a CB and his biggest weakness is probably his tackling.
Left back or even WB still appears a problem. Coulson has not made the progress I hoped for at WB. A FB he is not. Spence on the other side....well everybody was worried someone would come in the summer and buy him. He also has not progressed or even turned out the same displays as earlier this year.
We still lack creativity and I thought Wing would have provided that, but it does not look as though he is going to get his chance any time soon. Roberts will be given his chance, but I am not convinced on his consistency level.
So we will continue to struggle in certain areas of the team, look disjointed at times and the front two will struggle for chances from the limited opportunities provided.
We won't struggle like last season, but then I don't think we will score sufficient goals to get us into the top ten and stay there. We are not shipping goals but we are not scoring them.
The rumours on the internet are of a Chelsea LB and a CB from ???? Time will tell I guess, but square pegging will continue especially if we get injuries.
OFB
Yes, I saw that report yesterday also saw a report that stated he had passed his medical “and he would be joining the Boro squad for training, if not already doing so” which would not surprise me while they wait for the paperwork to be finalised.
Come on BORO.
Another fine performance from the N.I. Goalkeeper last night, definitely one who slipped through the net at Boro.....
This was on my Facebook page tonight
quote
I actually spoke to Neil Warnock today (Came into Land Rover Stockton with his wife). Confirmed that Danny Rose wants to stay down south, and that he's chasing another LB and forward. Said Roberts has come in looking very sharp and the lads have all come back from international duty injury free. Also impressed with how Tav has improved ... Top bloke our gaffer. UTB
Unquote
OFB
Boro are trying to get Yannick Bolasie on loan, he worked under Warnock at Crystal Palace.
Come on BORO.
Surprisingly we more after a striker than a central defender according to NW. Ideally we should sign both.
Up the Boro!