Good Luck Joe!

The transfer of Joe Bennett to Aston Villa came about on Tuesday before our league cup game v Gillingham, news came out that Villa had made a bid for our talented left back. After further discussions the following day Middlesbrough accepted a bid and player travelled to Birmingham for talks. It all happened pretty fast with the transfer confirmed early evening for fee believed be 4.25m.

Joe shortly after news broke about signing for Aston Villa, tweeted ‘Not going to lie it’s been a really hard decision for me, I’ve spoken to a lot of people about it and for my development I think I’ve made the right choice’ This followed another tweet saying ‘I’m going to miss everyone at Middlesbrough. I just want to say Thank You to everyone that has supported me throughout my time there. I’m excited for a new challenge at Aston Villa’

Always sad to see players from academy who starred in first team leave club, in an ideal scenario you would like to keep your best players and hopefully he will be playing for Boro in prem next season. That’s not case we have got good money for an England U21 player who’s not the finished article, but has huge potential to make to the top.

This pre season been frustrating for Joe after suffering a knee injury, George Friend come in and looked bargain buy for 250k the figure that Strachan nearly sold Joe for! Friend had best game last weekend against Crystal Palace looking solid in defence and making some great runs to support the attack putting some great crosses in the box. Since Andrew Taylor left to join Cardiff Joe didn’t really have any real competition Friend was bought to give him that.

Joe has got a new challenge now in Premier League, I’m sure he will strive on the competition for places at Aston Villa. Joe done well in last 20 months after been frozen out by former manager Gordon Strachan, Mowbray believed in his ability and gave him his chance in first team making the left back spot his own. I’ve enjoyed watching him play for the Boro over last few seasons, and will watch his development continue at Aston Villa. He comes across as nice down to earth lad who well respected in game, from all good wishes he had on twitter! It could be a quick return to the Riverside next season for the talented left back! Let’s hope so! Good Luck Joe!

Season Preview

As the new football league season approaches this is our 4th campaign in the Championship. After coming so close to a playoff place last season. I really fancy us get back to the premier league, I feel this is strongest team and squad depth we had for some time. The Championship is a very competitive league and one I see wide open. Any out of 12 teams could be in with chance of promotion. The team I fancy to get promoted is Bolton with mix of these in top 6: Boro, Birmingham, Wolves, Cardiff and Blackburn.

It’s a demanding league the games come quick and fast with 3 games in a week, we start new season on Saturday against Barnsley, Then our first home game v Burnley on Tuesday Night and another home game against Crystal Palace following Saturday. It not a bad start we have avoided the teams that have got promoted from league 1 who normally start the new campaign well.

A new season brings extra expectation and a renewed optimism which as fan I can’t wait for us to get started. I believe this could be our year my prediction is 2nd/3rd, maybe that is my heart and my head prediction! The squad we already had plus the additions Mogga brought in, I think we will cope with the demands of this league better this season and learn the lessons that costed us last season.

The squad has never had so much cover in each position, Joe Bennett now has some competition for left back spot which he didn’t have last season. We have added much needed creativity to the squad in Ledesma and Winger Carayol. The return to 7 subs is great news for us and the youth talent to make a breakthrough in the first team. The likes of Luke Williams and Adam Reach have been ones that have impressed in pre season friendlies. Then we have Park, Smallwood and Main who I think will see feature a lot this season.

With all the new faces it takes time for squad to gel that’s why good for players to get a game in league cup under they belt before the big league kick off this weekend. It was all about getting into the next round, though some of the play was great at times. Leadbitter had at least 3 good chances I can see him getting a good 8-10 goals from midfield this season. Carayol a winger we have been crying out for, is what we need a player who gets the ball and goes for it taking players on and crossing ball at byline. Great to watch! Ledesma showed great link up play at times and got his first goal for Boro following in Bailey shot that was pared by Bury Keeper.

Our new captain Rhys Williams Was announced last week, he been with the club 8 years now I’m really pleased he has been given the armband. Rhys knows club inside out, what means to the fans, he fan too supporting the Boro at Derby while out injured at back last season. He well respected by his team mates, I hope this responsibility drives Rhys and all team on and gets up back to Premier League. That where our new captain deserves to be he’s top player who signed a new deal not long ago stating his ambition to play at top level with Middlesbrough.

Kevin Thomson has spoke well in pre season stating he will win the Boro fans over, I really hope it works out for him. It’s a big if, after his Boro career has been disrupted by injuries meaning he not had rapport with the fans like has done at previous clubs Hibs and Rangers. If can play first 10 games this season I think we will see best of Kevin Thomson in Boro shirt, he can help dictate the midfield and slip decent balls through to forwards.

There seems a good mix of experience and youth in squad this season, all top teams spread goals in team that’s what we need to do and not rely on Emnes all time to get the goals. I think with squad we have we will see goals chipped in from defence and midfield this season, looks like Bailey will get more forward role this season, Defenders chip in with few from set pieces. I do think see more goals from midfield this season with likes, Bailey, Leadbitter, Carayol, Ledesma, Reach and Park.

It first time since been back in championship that we have started league campaign with an away game, the performance of last season game against Barnsley will take some beating it was great watch Boro play great football one best displays of season. Passing was sublime! I be happy for us to just get the points on board tomorrow! I cant wait for season to start tomorrow at Oakwell, over 3,000 Boro fans travelling to game going be a great atmosphere lets hope winning start! COME ON BORO!

CLUB FOOTBALL IS BACK!

This summer has been a busy one jam packed with sport, Euro 2012 followed by Wimbledon then the London Olympics. The new football season seems to have crept up fast with the Boro playing their first competitive game of season tomorrow v Bury in league cup.

What’s impressed me this summer is the way Tony Mowbray got his signings in early. Helps new signings get full pre season with their new club, get to know new team mates and settle in the area. Boro stepped up pre season training with a trip to Portugal, it sounded like a successful trip, a hard work out for the players doing 3 sessions a day. Good for players to go away helps the team bond and get that understanding, as going into the new football season the games come quick and fast in this league.

Boro new signings

Grant Leadbitter was first to sign for the club on a free transfer after his contract at Ipswich had expired signing a 3 year deal, meaning a return to North East for the former Sunderland academy player. A midfielder good on ball, breaking up play who will chip in with goals. If you told me a few seasons ago we would have Grant Leadbitter at Boro and Sunderland would have Lee Cattermole I would laughed. That’s the Football world always full of surprises. This brings me on to the next signing …..

Jonathan Woodgate well this signing came as a big surprise the news broke out quite late on a Thursday evening with Anthony Vickers breaking story on twitter. I remember replying ‘really? Big player if can stay fit, Prob best debut I seen had Henry in his pocket’ He rejoined the club on a free transfer after his Stoke contract expired signing a 3 year deal. Jonathan come back to his home town determined to help get us back to premiership, at 32 plenty of experience and if he can play 25-30 games for us I’ll be happy. We know his background from in past. I’m sure he’s more sensible off pitch now and will turn out great signing for us one that young players can learn from and look up too.

Emmanuel Ledesma another free transfer who was released from Walsall signed on 3 year deal. A creative midfielder/forward who can play in a number of positions will be a useful addition to the squad. We have been crying out for creativity especially in our games at home where we struggled to break the opposition down last season.

Christian Burgess is a promising centre back who signed on a 2 year deal after been spotted in university football. The 6ft 4ins defender will start football for club in development squad.

Stuart Parnaby rejoined the club signing a 2 year deal with a further one year option. The right back had season out game having talks with numerous clubs coming to nothing. Be good having Stuart back at the Boro he is a versatile player who can play in midfield if needed and another experienced player.

George Friend signed from Doncaster on a three year deal, the 24 year old defender can play centre back and left back. The former Doncaster captain was voted fans and players player of year last season. This signing gives the squad good competition for places especially at left back, since Andrew Taylor left been no real competition for left back spot for Joe Bennett.

Mustapha Carayol signed from Bristol Rovers on a three year deal, the 23 year old is lightening fast winger after watching little clips of him on YouTube. Looking forward to watching him in a Boro shirt Mustapha wasted no time in discovering our own Teesside dish a Parmo after asking fans on twitter where best place to go try one in the Boro! Central Park was place he tried first parmo and said he be recommending them to his friend! Already a Boro legend!

Justin Hoyte rejoined the club signing a new two year deal. Last season he had his best season at club, I put that down to Mogga. He took pay cut and sees Boro as 2nd home now after settling in area. Tipping him to shut the boo boys up and have another good season.

Overall I think Mogga done great job in the transfer market with little money signed some good players. A much stronger squad than last season cover in all outfield areas which should help us cope with injuries to the team. Signed some creative players in Ledesma and Carayol a winger that been crying out for which should excite the fans. The signings of Leadbitter, Parnaby and Woodgate give us experience you need that in this league.

Players left Club

Barry Robson and Tony McMahon are main two who have left the club that played regularly in first team. We knew about Barry Robson leaving after he agreed contract with Vancouver Whitecaps before end of last season. Tony McMahon was offered a deal and for whatever reason a contract couldn’t be agreed by club and player. With a new wage structure in place it has to be right for the club. Only the player can say if it was the money or not been guaranteed first team football. Either way I wish both players well you could never question their commitment always giving 100%. They are also players that used to take the set pieces often arguing who would take them, so new set piece takers for new season with Ledesma and Leadbitter I reckon.

I wish all players that have left the club well. A lot of former Boro players are in League one you can always go and watch when there is an international break.

The summer ins and outs

Ins

Mustapha Carayol, Emmanuel Ledesma, Stuart Parnaby, Jonathan Woodgate, Grant Leadbitter, George Friend, Justin Hoyte, Christian Burgess

Outs

Barry Robson (Vancouver Whitecaps), Tony McMahon (Sheff Utd), Danny Coyne (Released), Jonathan Franks (Hartlepool), Jonathan Grounds (Oldham), Malaury Martin (Released), Bart Ogbeche (Released)