Haven't read the whole thread yet but it always strikes me that Wing gets a lot of criticism on here and elsewhere despite contributing quite a lot to the cause. I don't think any Boro midfielder has scored more league goals than Wing over the past 3 seasons. You can probably include cups in that as well. That includes Tav, McNair, Saville, Howson, even Adama Traore, and whoever else we've had in midfield since the start of 2018/19.
Admittedly our midfield does need some work doing to it and doesn't really do enough in an attacking sense - but it was always Wing that got it in the neck. To my mind Wing is, or was, the one carrying the creative burden, especially under Pulis and throughout last season, almost on his own at times. He was trying to start play, get shots off, spread the play and open the game up. He was taking risks where nobody else would. Players who take the risk will inevitably give the ball away more. But they will score and make more, it's the price you pay. The manager has to figure out a way to get the players who contribute goals and assists into his team.
Howson gets a lot of praise for his hard work and professionalism but he's got 2 goals in 3 years. It is not enough from a supposedly all-round midfielder. Saville cost us £7m or whatever it was and we're talking about selling Wing for £1m. He got 7 goals from midfield in a sh*tshow of a team last season and yet he's the one bombed out. I don't quite get it, I have to be honest.