STEWY DOWNING COMING HOME!

When the news broke about Stewy coming back to the club, I thought na, can’t see it being possible he’s had a fine season at West Ham last season playing under Sam Alladyce in the no10 role. On big premier league wages, if we had got promoted I thought Stewy would sign no problem. So I ruled it out and have tried to dismiss it every time I have seen news on it.

2-3 weeks later and he is on the verge of returning to the club after leaving the club 6 years ago. What can I say? I am excited to see the best player out of the Boro academy in my opinion return and play for the club again. I can only praise Steve Gibson yet again for pulling this deal off and making it possible. What a signing the signing of the summer! After the disappointment of the playoff final back in May, I think the timing of this is spot and has created a great buzz on Teesside ahead of the new campaign. 

I have always been a big Stewy Downing fan since watching him break through into the first team at Boro. The UEFA Cup game v Steaua Bucharest been his best game for us, having followed his progress since leaving us in 2009. I never really understood the criticism he receives, he gets a lot of unnecessary stick. Stewy has a lot of quality, he’s going be a massive player for us. Creating chances, scoring goals and plenty of experience to help our younger players, it can only help players like Adam Reach’s game. 

It’s a win win situation. Stewy wanted to come back home, he always said the day that he left the club he had unfinished business, it be a fitting return to take the club back to the premier league. We are getting a hell of a player for a good price in today’s market, he could have easily walked in to most premier league clubs. Get promoted and we will still see a good few years of him at the top level. It really is massive capture from Steve Gibson. It is a real state of intent, ambition to get out of the Championship and back to the Premier League.

I can’t wait to see the first images of Stewy back in a Boro shirt! Exciting times ahead! Nothing beats seeing a local player pull on the shirt of the team you support. Stewy Coming Home! Maybe he can be the DJ at the promotion party! UTB! 

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!