That Was The Week That Was - by OTTO
Don’t you just love the Championship? At the end of last week the Boro faithful were all doom and gloom following an abject display against Rotherham… fast forward a week and following a fine display away to the league leaders and one of the best transfer windows in recent memories hopes of a top six finish are very much back alive and well.
So first to Carrow Road where Warnock changed his front three, giving Bolasie a first start, recalling Marv and pushing Spence forward. However, it was defensively where Boro shone and ensured City didn’t get a shot on target. The returning Dael Fry was magnificent and new boy Darnell Fisher gave a man of the match display to keep Todd Cantwell in his back pocket. It was a great start to Darnell’s Boro career which would only get better when the transfer window closed……
On to transfer deadline day and most Boro fans didn’t expect a lot to happen, indeed the early excitement seemed to be the prospect of Britt to Bristol City. Don’t forget we had done some good business already. As they day wore on rumours of one Fulham signing came and went and Lewis Wing and Nathan Wood went out on loan. Wing’s departure enabling Fisher to take on the coveted role of FMTTM sponsored player!
Later in the day though we were able to sign exactly the type of players we have been looking for the past three or four years; strong, quick and forward thinking players. Step forward Nathanial Mendez-Laing, with a point to prove following a strange departure from Cardiff and Neeskens Kebano from Fulham on loan. Neeskens is the elusive winger we have been chasing since Traore left and is a bit of a free kick specialist… hopefully Britt won’t be on the pitch too much to pull rank as he sees his contract out?!
The arrival of Neeskens meant goodbye to Patrick Roberts, who clearly didn’t fit into Warnock’s plans anymore. Paddy for me has flattered to deceive in his Boro loan spells, he seems to have all the tricks to be a top player, but lacks the nous to use them effectively to influence a game. He’s typical of many from the academy system, who look great playing against their peers (and in Scotland), but struggle in the rough and tumble of the professional game.
This weekend we welcome Brentford, who despite cashing in on their successful side from last season have again unearthed some more diamonds who they’ll no doubt sell for a big profit in a couple of years time? Ivan Toney now has twenty plus goals for the season and Ethan Pinnock is earning rave reviews at the back. The Bees are on a great run and saw off Bristol City in midweek. This will be a tough test, but one we should now relish rather than fear!
Am going for more tales of the unexpected this weekend and predicting a two one Boro win!
OTTO
Don’t you just love the Championship? At the end of last week the Boro faithful were all doom and gloom following an abject display against Rotherham… fast forward a week and following a fine display away to the league leaders and one of the best transfer windows in recent memories hopes of a top six finish are very much back alive and well.
So first to Carrow Road where Warnock changed his front three, giving Bolasie a first start, recalling Marv and pushing Spence forward. However, it was defensively where Boro shone and ensured City didn’t get a shot on target. The returning Dael Fry was magnificent and new boy Darnell Fisher gave a man of the match display to keep Todd Cantwell in his back pocket. It was a great start to Darnell’s Boro career which would only get better when the transfer window closed……
On to transfer deadline day and most Boro fans didn’t expect a lot to happen, indeed the early excitement seemed to be the prospect of Britt to Bristol City. Don’t forget we had done some good business already. As they day wore on rumours of one Fulham signing came and went and Lewis Wing and Nathan Wood went out on loan. Wing’s departure enabling Fisher to take on the coveted role of FMTTM sponsored player!
Later in the day though we were able to sign exactly the type of players we have been looking for the past three or four years; strong, quick and forward thinking players. Step forward Nathanial Mendez-Laing, with a point to prove following a strange departure from Cardiff and Neeskens Kebano from Fulham on loan. Neeskens is the elusive winger we have been chasing since Traore left and is a bit of a free kick specialist… hopefully Britt won’t be on the pitch too much to pull rank as he sees his contract out?!
The arrival of Neeskens meant goodbye to Patrick Roberts, who clearly didn’t fit into Warnock’s plans anymore. Paddy for me has flattered to deceive in his Boro loan spells, he seems to have all the tricks to be a top player, but lacks the nous to use them effectively to influence a game. He’s typical of many from the academy system, who look great playing against their peers (and in Scotland), but struggle in the rough and tumble of the professional game.
This weekend we welcome Brentford, who despite cashing in on their successful side from last season have again unearthed some more diamonds who they’ll no doubt sell for a big profit in a couple of years time? Ivan Toney now has twenty plus goals for the season and Ethan Pinnock is earning rave reviews at the back. The Bees are on a great run and saw off Bristol City in midweek. This will be a tough test, but one we should now relish rather than fear!
Am going for more tales of the unexpected this weekend and predicting a two one Boro win!
OTTO
