Did Boro make a mistake not upgrading or adding to midfield?

[TeessideCleveland]

With Hackney and Morris both on international duty with possible long journeys back - and Howson being injured - there doesn’t seem to be anyone capable of coming in and being good enough
Will we be in the same boat after the next international break , or if we get suspensions or more injuries in that department?

 

[Ex Footy Legs]

Its a fair point to raise....Barlasser had another chance to stake his claim and, as a central midfielder, you'd hope, desperate to start more games - it was his chance to take a game against average opponents - by the scruff of the neck as you can in central midfield.
But he didn't and we all really expected he wouldn't - which really confirms - the lad doesn't have what we need when Morris or hackney or howson is out.
I think next time we have an international break then Howson should be fit but if he isn't I hope carrick just throws in morris because a slightly jaded morris is better than a fully fit barlasser who keeps getting his chance and fluffs his lines....

 

[Corcaigh_the_Cat]

Morris was added and he appears to be an uprate, early days still. We're not wealthy enough to have top quality bench warmers but we have adequate numbers plus decent youngsters to step in.

 

[SilentProf]

If we think the young lads are ready, there’s no need to put more experienced players in their way. Plus the likes of Gilbert and McGree could comfortably drop into centre mid if needed.

 

[newyddion]

If we think the young lads are ready, there’s no need to put more experienced players in their way. Plus the likes of Gilbert and McGree could comfortably drop into centre mid if needed.

and Hamilton! (I’m sticking with it)

 

[TeaCider]

Morris was the upgrade.

Keeping Hackney as well.

With the way Carrick uses substitutes, there's no point in us having 5 senior central midfielders.

 

[Ironops]

I dont think the issue is our squad being too small or lacking quality, the issue is too many pointless international games when the season is just getting going - with more pointless international games in a few weeks time

 

[BoroMart]

If we think the young lads are ready, there’s no need to put more experienced players in their way. Plus the likes of Gilbert and McGree could comfortably drop into centre mid if needed.

And Azaz who dropped into a 3 vs Preston

 

[newyddion]

Hamilton Is the one.. you mark my words!

 

[Laughing]

We have enough in midfield.

 

[BoroMart]

Hamilton Is the one.. you mark my words!

Yes he did alright when he came on for Azaz in that midfield 3

 

[S7DiscoDown]

Morris / Hackney / Barlaser and Howson is more than enough. Significantly better than most champo CM options. A 5th would struggle for game time.

I'm not sure how we will keep all of them happy once everyone's fit. I'd say even more so at CB were we are absolutely stacked (odd to say during current injuries). That said we are probably in need of another in the summer if Howson calls it a day.

We do seem to have an 'issue' of our internationals being very global. Then again you'd think that would come under consideration when signing them.

The traveling isn't ideal. Yet no different t many clubs who often lose over a half a squad or more. I worry more about them getting injured rather than flight time.

 

[Glover_elbow]

Law Mccabe should jump in front of Barlaser at some point this season

 

[newyddion]

Yes he did alright when he came on for Azaz in that midfield 3

more than that.. you can see the way he plays.. central midfielder innit

 

[newyddion]

Law Mccabe should jump in front of Barlaser at some point this season

only if he's good enough! he's got potential but I don't think he's there yet

 

[SilentProf]

Law Mccabe should jump in front of Barlaser at some point this season

It should certainly be what he’s aiming for. He will know there’s every chance we lose Hackney and Howson at the end of this season and he’ll be hoping to convince Carrick he’s ready to step up and be 1st choice if that happens. If not a season out on loan or as first choice backup should follow.

 

[Scrug]

Brought exactly this up in June.

I hoped Barlaser might kick on this season and play a big part with a full pre-season under his belt, but he was underwhelming again against Preston.

Still a lot of football to play and only time will tell, but yes, I was disappointed we didn’t bring an extra body in.

 

[starplayer]

I think we have a good mix whether he wants to play the 2 or 3 now. We may be lacking someone who can run beyond the strikers from deep but up to now I dont think Carrick necessarily wants that. I look at the games we have played and barring lapses of concentration there is little wrong. Yes, immediately after a defeat or draw it feels worse than it is but when you look back at the draws and defeat we deserved full points in each game. I think the only way we would have signed another would have been if Barlaser left.

 

[BoroMart]

I hoped Barlaser might kick on this season and play a big part with a full pre-season under his belt, but he was underwhelming again against Preston.

He won’t be here after this season, maybe even January. He simply isn’t the right quality, he’s a bottom half champo player at best. If Howson stays fit, he probably won’t get another kick for the club.

If we go up, he will be sold as he is nowhere near prem capable. Along with about 7 or 8 others.

If we don’t go up we will have to sell some of our Crown Jewels, Hackney, Lath and rav could all leave for a total of over 50m. We won’t spend more than 5-7 on one player and to reinvest and step
upwards we will need to buy about 8 players. To do that we will sell players to make space and he would be one of the first to go