'He Came From Hungary, He Played For M.F.C'

Article by e-Middlesbrough's Steven McCormick

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Little was known about Jozsef Varga before his arrival on Teesside, but the Boro faithful took to him after only a handful of games. A tough tackling, hard working no nonsense midfield man turned...well....into a tough tackling no nonsense right back.

One of Mogga's many midfield signings, deemed useful for fixtures at The Den and Elland Road on the hard pitches of winter was one of the standout performers of the last season - ironically because he did not stand out.

His season stats read as follows: 35 appearances, 4 yellow cards, no assists and no goals. So what is there to write about?

Well, Mogga was right. Boro's season turned with a 2-0 away win at The Den in which Varga played at right back for the first time albeit under Karanka's stewardship. He continued to play there for the rest of the season and formed the solid basis of an ever changing back four (due to injuries and suspensions) that went on to amass a further 14 clean sheets in 30 games.

Under the previous regime Boro had managed a solitary clean sheet in 13 games.

We had until the 20th of May to activate a £600k deal bringing Varga back to the Riverside. At the age of 25 and having appeared for Hungary 25 times in his career that represents good value for money.

Over the years, Boro fans have seen many millions spent on so called talent in that elusive search for consistency. Mido, Afonso Alves, Justin Hoyte, Marvin Emnes, Kevin Thomson, Kris Boyd, Scott McDonald - in Varga, we appear to have uncovered some.

He did not slip and let the striker through, he did not play a short ball back to the keeper, he did not get sent off, he did not get injured and he did not put through his own net. Burnley had eleven Joszef Vargas in their team last season.

On the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette's 'Stay or Go' poll, Boro fans voted that he should stay should he cost a few hundred thousand or so.

Given Varga's tears at Huish Park on the last game of the season, it would appear the feeling is mutual.

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