Let's get it on at the 'Boro!

Article by e-Middlesbrough correspondent Stephen Davison

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Well that’s it, new signings in, summer training camp completed and all pre season games played. The time is now to put the finishing touches to the team and get them ready for another rollercoaster of a season in the Championship.

The games come thick and fast as we all know, and we start with a home game against Birmingham before the usual Tuesday/Saturday routine well and truly kicks in.

Steve Gibson has been true to his word and has so far supported Aitor Karanka to his full limit within the parameters of Financial Fair Play with the promise of more to come. This should come as no surprise as Mr Gibson has fully supported every manager that he has appointed in his tenure as Chairman and owner of the club. The question often arises in my head, “Just what would we do and where would we be without such a fantastic chairman”? For his support and passion, not withstanding him bankrolling the club, every Middlesbrough fan should be truly thankful that we have the best chairman in football and still have a club to support.

Pre season has gone well enough, the team is scoring plenty and not conceding many, which is always a recipe for success. The game against Villarreal was a good solid test and to lose 2-0 to a team that finished so high in La Liga is no embarrassment. The team performed well in the first half and made a good fist of it. The second half was more routine for the classy Spanish outfit, especially once all of the substitutions were made, but overall the team did well against quality opposition. Kike looked sharp up top and held the ball up very well bringing others into play. Albert Adomah tormented the oppositions left back which led to him being fouled on numerous occasions. Jacob Butterfield looked very assured in the centre of the park and acquitted himself very well for not the first time this pre season.

The transfer window remains open for another 3 weeks. This can be frustrating, as lots of business will not be conducted till nearer the deadline, and by that time 5 games will already have been played.

The club are still on the lookout for a right back and another 2 forwards. The right back is believed to have been identified as Aston Villa’s Matthew Lowton, who would be a real quality signing if it can be pulled off. The move for forwards has been a soap opera, with the Jelle Vossen saga going into its 3rd transfer window now with still no sign of him joining. The option to bring Danny Graham home still carries some weight, but he doesn’t seem to be the 1st choice signing at this minute, that may change as the window starts to close. He appears to have no future with the Mackems but is on big wages for a Championship club.

Aitor Karanka made a central midfielder with creativity one of his main transfer priorities. Adam Clayton was identified as the man he wanted from Huddersfield. After a long chase, with strong competition and interest from other clubs, Karanka won the race for his signature in a 1.5M deal that could rise to 2M with add ons. The terriers risked losing Clayton for nothing next summer as he had entered the last year of his contract. They have now decided to cash in on one of their prized assets and thankfully the Boro have landed another of their top targets.

Emilio Nsue has now signed on a 4 year deal having had his contract with Real Mallorca cancelled by mutual consent. He came off the bench for the last 15 minutes against Villarreal but didn’t make much of a difference, that said, the game was very flat by then so that is no judgement of his ability. He only joined up with the first team the night before the Villarreal game so he probably hadn’t even unpacked his bag by the time the game started. James Husband made his debut in the 2-0 win over Hartlepool on Wednesday night and played 30 minutes on Saturday but was played in front of George Friend as opposed to replacing him, so it looked like he was played for fitness rather than position.

The bus driver from Chelsea shouldn’t need his Sat Nav, he must know his way to the Riverside blindfolded by now. He looks certain to have another journey up north to drop off the latest influx of young Blues talent. Patrick Bamford is still being heavily linked with a move to the Boro, as is young George Saville, who starred for Brentford in their promotion year playing in the heart of the Bees midfield. Bamford would most certainly be a loan signing, but Saville’s circumstances could be very different. An initial loan would be most likely with an option to sign permanently if successful. He is out of contract with Chelsea next summer and with the world stars that play in Chelsea’s midfield, it is unlikely he will win a place with his parent club. If he joins and impresses, he may be at the riverside for a while longer than a season loan, lots of ifs and buts I know…..

Josh McEachran has been rumoured to be another Chelsea target as has Nathanial Chalobah. This may be just the obvious link with Chelsea and the fact that both players have been at the club recently on loan. Kenneth Omeruo is yet to sign on loan from Chelsea, but given the fact that the lad sat directly behind me at Saturdays home friendly, posed for selfies with the kids and talked openly about next season with the Boro tells me it is a done deal. A season long loan for the Nigerian World Cup star will be a real coup for the club.

With all of the rumours about incomings, the obvious sceptics are talking about outgoings, and lets face it, there will have to be some to balance the books. It has been reported that a 3M offer has been rejected from Nottingham Forest for Albert Adomah, though the club have rejected this and rubbished the claim. Kei Kamara appears to have no future at the club so it is anticipated that he will be sold if an offer is made. Additionally, Karanka has confirmed that Jason Steele is the 3rd choice keeper this season as he trusts Dimi and Mejias over him. Again, if a bid is made for Steele it is likely he will be sold. He is entering the last year of his contact and under the guidance of Karanka; it appears he has no future at the club.

So that’s it, unless more signings are made this week, most Boro fans will start to guess the starting line up for Saturday from what we have. Hopefully we can get off to a flyer in what could prove to be a very good season down by the Riverside.

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