Middlesbro' transfer tips

What will Boro do in January?

By Graeme Bailey   Last updated: 24th December 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

Middlesbro' transfer tips

Southgate: What will he do?

Related links

News

Feature

Teams

Also see

Middlesbrough were not the most active in the transfer market, but that looks a sign of the times in football and not just on Teesside. Graeme Bailey assesses the club's summer signings and considers what Gareth Southgate may look at in January.

How new boys have done

With only two signings in the summer there is not too much to report back on for Gareth Southgate's men.

First up is Didier Digard, the French midfielder snapped up from Paris St Germain and one who Southgate worked hard to get. And he had to be patient to get his chance in the first team with Mohamed Shawky preferred early on alongside Gary O'Neil - whose move into central midfield also hampered Digard's inclusion.

But Digard soon got his chance and he has done pretty well, although many would argue was his signing really required given Lee Cattermole's excellent form at Wigan.

Boro sold Cattermole and spent the money on the older, less experienced Digard, and not even the most die-hard home fans would argue that the Frenchman is really that much better. Indeed their playing styles are very similar, but Digard still has time on his side and his progress has been good so far.

The other new signing is Marvin Emnes - indeed some will be saying 'Who?' He arrived from Sparta Rotterdam and he impressed during pre-season.

But once the season began, Emnes was rarely seen on the bench - let alone the field. Indeed the Dutch forward is still a peripheral figure, although hopes are still high he will become a major asset to the club.

However, given Boro's much-famed academy some fans again would no doubt argue, do they need to spend £3million on Dutch potential?

You could also say Ross Turnbull is a new boy given his chance at No.1 and he has shone in his first full season in the Premier League.

What they need

Boro have already stressed that they can only buy if they sell and it seems that could be the main reason behind them buying.

Indeed who they sell will also have a major bearing on what areas they buy.

Goalkeeping is not a major issue given Turnbull's excellent start to the season, and that is the only department in Southgate's squad where you would think he is not looking.

The main area of concern for Southgate is likely to be the midfield; he has already had Kosice duo Nemanja Matic and Juraj Hovancik on trial, which highlights his thinking.

Much will depend on the likely departures with O'Neil looking more and more likely to return to Portsmouth, whilst Boro will again consider the merits of cashing in on Stewart Downing.

Should Downing leave then you would think Adam Johnson would be given the chance to prove his worth - but O'Neil's departure would leave Boro short of central and right-sided options.

Jeremie Aliadiere has performed well on the right, but is not a natural midfielder - so a right-winger could be one option, whilst O'Neil's departure would also highlight the lack of a box-to-box midfielder - with the likes of Julio Arca, Digard and Shawky not really offering that option.

Up-front again is dependent on any outgoings, if Mido and Tuncay Sanli remain then there is unlikely to be much happening and if there was movement it would depend on who left, be it target-man Mido and/or the skilful Tuncay.

Finally in defence, a left-back is rumoured to be on the agenda although whether other areas of the team remain a bigger priority only time will tell but they look well-stocked in central defence and right-back.

What they'll get -

As has been stressed by Boro themselves, they need to sell before buying and that looks distinctly possible.

Downing, O'Neil and Mido looked primed for moves - which would raise a hefty sum for Southgate to utilise, and come January he could be ready to overhaul his squad.

An energetic midfielder looks a possibility with trialist Matic known to have impressed. The likes of Ben Watson, Jimmy Bullard and Aiden McGeady are also said to have caught Southgate's eye in recent months.

Southgate may also be tempted to go back for Reading's James Harper, who he unsuccessfully bid for in the summer.

Boro are still anything but prolific up-front and a striker remains a distinct possibility, even though it was only 12 months ago they smashed the transfer record to land Afonso Alves.

With Mido more likely to depart than Tuncay, a target-man would seem more on the agenda for Boro - no doubt they would like someone of the ilk of Dean Ashton or Emile Heskey, but with the club now looking to cut their cloth accordingly somebody like Hibernian's Steven Fletcher would be a more viable option.

Fan's view - Martin Allenby

January should be a quiet time for Boro with maybe one arrival and nobody leaving - at least that's what we were promised when the summer window ended! You see, when Lee Cattermole was sold we were told we had money to bring in one more body.. well Gareth, we are still waiting and for me you have to deliver that experienced central midfielder.

Ridiculous as it may sound but James Harper would have done nicely after witnessing the ineptitude of the middle of our park recently.

What is more worrying though is the bad PR coming out of the Boro - okay we get it money is tight and we have to cut our cloth. But, for goodness sake Gareth, don't labour the point it is after all your squad now so what happens this year is fully your responsibility.

Gareth's recent comments seem to be inviting other teams to bid for our crown jewels of Downing, Tuncay and possibly Wheater. Well, for me this transfer window is simple. We simply cannot afford to sell anyone but we do need that one extra body in the centre.

I'm trying to be practical and I understand the club's need to balance books but all I ask for is promises to be kept. So, Gibson and Southgate listen well - NO SALE to Downing, Tuncay or Wheater. If you do you betray your own policies and you will lose many fans who are still with you. Finally, keep your promise and give us that extra midfielder which is the bare minimum that this threadbare squad needs. Failure to do this or indeed to do the unthinkable and sell will see us going one way.... The Championship. For the first time in a decade this looks to be a real possibility... Is modern Boro and the Gibson dream dying before our eyes? January will clearly give us our strongest indication yet.

Post to your View!

Be the first to post a comment on this story

Add Comment*

Send us your views

Are you a Sky Sports subscriber?

*All fields required, your email address will be kept private