All positive but no mention of Ayala

I noticed his name was missing too, perhaps he misses too many games. He quite often misses most if not all of Feb.
 
Brilliant news if we can get Howson signed up for another couple of years, he's surely got to be the biggest priority in terms of out-of-contract players.

I'd love Ayala to stay as well, he's one of the best in this division when he's fit and in form but if his wages are just too high then I do think he's replaceable. He tends to miss 10-15 games a season and it's not ideal if we're trying to push on with a tight budget and a settled team next season (I'm aware that we got promoted with Ayala as a regular starter, but we had expensive quality in Kalas and Amorabieta to step in when needed).

If we can get George tied down for his experience in the dressing room and use him as cover for left/centre back then I wouldn't be too upset to see any of the others go on to pastures new.

Get a good look at the loan players for the rest of this season, then we'll have a nicely trimmed squad ready for some quality additions to see where next season takes us.
 
I'd like Ayala to stay but i guess it all depends on what we are offering if he takes a pay cut and stays then brilliant

George deserves a extension, obviously on reduced wages.

keeping Howson is a must and then that sets the squad up nicely for summer recruitment.

UTB

 
Howson is definitely the priority. He's monumental to us both on the field and off the field.

Ayala would be a blow but he's definitely replaceable and like said above, he misses a large chunk of games each season.
 
First of all he’s a really good servant and a key defender - that I will say at the outset. But -

his regular injuries seem to me to interrupt the momentum of the team so if he does go it’s not a disaster as far as aim concerned. We need a consistent defence.
 
Phil Tallentire seems to think Ayala may just be letting his contract run down to see what offers he gets......
 
NYboro said:
Phil Tallentire seems to think Ayala may just be letting his contract run down to see what offers he gets......
Click to expand...

Can't blame him but I really hope he stays.
Would sooner tie down Ayala than Howson, even though I'd like both.
 
I read an article a couple of weeks ago in which Ayala said he had no intention of leaving because he liked the area and the club, and his kids were settled at school. With Boro wanting to reduce salaries substantially, is there a bit of brinkmanship taking place ?
 
IMO, he'll be off at end of season and we'll (hopefully ) have a ready made replacement in the lad who has come in from St Etienne who'll stay on after loan period.

(y)
 
Howson is good at the back but bang average when he played midfield. Last year I would have got rid of him but needs to stay where he is playing.
 
I think Ayala's the most important. I don't think he would be easy to replace at all. Look how much we spent on flint who is half the player. Ayala is as good as any in this league and I think he's the only one of our players you can say that about. He has his problems with injuries but he's no Rhys Williams.

Howson I'd be happy to resign as long as he's allowed nowhere near the midfield.

George I think has really struggled with injuries since that year in the prem. I think that injury was more damaging to our chances than Ramirez going missing. His athletiscm is key to his style of play. I've written players off before due to injury and been proved wrong so hope I am this time.
 
I’d rather have Ayala signed up than Howson, but I don’t read too much into Woodgate lack of mention for him. If there is nothing to report than so be it. Might be some negotiation to play out yet but I hope we get a new deal across the line because he’s consistently been an absolute beast for us.
 
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