Given our up turn in players will our priorities now change in jan

Any clues on Clarke's recovery schedule, because we're looking pretty thin at CB. As in proper full time CBs. And that's even if McNair stays.
 
Things have massively improved and confidence is flowing but we don't want to get too carried away by beating a Blackpool team on a poor run whose squad had been decimated by a bug in the run up to the game.
Where did you see they were "decimated" by illness?

According to their website, in the run up to the game they had three players being monitored for illness (Charlie Patino, Sonny Carey and Shayne Lavery) but in the end, two of them started the game (one playing the whole match) and the other one came off the bench after an hour.

MATCH PREVIEW: MIDDLESBROUGH (H)
 
The way we play, mcgree drifts in from the left allowing giles to bomb on and exploit the space vacated. This is fine in the games we are in the ascendancy but I'm not sure id be confident with that left hand side against one of the divisions more progressive sides like Norwich or Burnley.

If Bola isnt fancied, which it seems he isnt, I'd bring a Smith type fullback in for the left hand side allowing giles to pushed on for certain games, which also would allow mcgree to go central if needed. I'd also send Muniz back and give the game time to Hoppe and Forss, as other posters have said, best to develop our own. Then bring in a centre mid for competition with HH and Howson
 
Midfield is still a must. Howson is 34 do needs replacing and he didn't have a backup so we need 2 in that position, ideally both better than Howson. Hackney had looked good but is still young, needs another player that can play the when his form drops out just to rotate. Payero may be able to be one of these players but it seems unlikely he'll be coming back.

Send the loan players back (Muniz and Mowatt), no point developing other teams players if it's hampering our own. Giles and Steffen can stay because we'd be weak without them.

We're not going to get promoted or relegated so getting experience for players like Hackney, Ford's, Hoppe is less risky but can be better in the long run. Maybe the same for the keeper.

If we're going to play with wingers then a left sided winger is needed, maybe 2 so 1 acts as cover for both wings. Youth players like Willis might already be this player.
Yes Howson might not be able to keep up the 2 games a week schedule so maybe we need cover for him but you will struggle to get one let alone two players better than him at this level unless you are going to pay mega bucks. He has been superb recently.
 
Yes Howson might not be able to keep up the 2 games a week schedule so maybe we need cover for him but you will struggle to get one let alone two players better than him at this level unless you are going to pay mega bucks. He has been superb recently.
The commentators (Blackpool based) were purring about his quality and stamina the other night.
 
Where did you see they were "decimated" by illness?

According to their website, in the run up to the game they had three players being monitored for illness (Charlie Patino, Sonny Carey and Shayne Lavery) but in the end, two of them started the game (one playing the whole match) and the other one came off the bench after an hour.

MATCH PREVIEW: MIDDLESBROUGH (H)
May be 'decimated' is over egging it but their local paper reported they had doubts over 14 players in the run up to the game. Also, looking at absences is too simplistic as it impacted on energy levels of those classed as 'fit to play'.

All I'm saying is, it was pretty much the ideal time to play them so we need to factor that in when assessing our performance and when assessing where we need to strengthen in January. If we play Norwich off the park on Saturday I'll reassess and start getting carried away too. :p

bug
 
I think the left side might need some work, depends what he sees Bola's role being I guess.

More options for the three behind the striker as well. Unsurprising really given we didn't recruit for those positions previously.

May see an overhaul in midfield too.
 
I think the left side might need some work, depends what he sees Bola's role being I guess.

More options for the three behind the striker as well. Unsurprising really given we didn't recruit for those positions previously.

May see an overhaul in midfield too.
agreed, although I think Carrick will be evolution not revolution, he's kind of hinted at that already and of course he wants to take a good look at the academy too
 
Yeah I agree. Don't think there will be lots of business done in Jan. Given the volume of loans at the club next Summer could be interesting though, so he might want 1-2 long term signings in Jan.
 
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