Alves joins Boro exodus
By Shaun • Sep 8th, 2009 • Category: Boro NewsSo Afonso Alves joins the departed list as Boro's record signing decided to follow the money to Qatar and Al Sadd. Expectations were raised, even if only slightly, that the Brazilian may be the one to spearhead Middlesbrough's Championship challenge when he remained a Boro player at the close of the transfer window. Unfortunately, or fortunately depending on your viewpoint, the Qatar transfew window remained open and Alves made the move, signifying the end of his disappointing career in England.
Alves' departure to the Middle East alongside Stewart Downing's move to Aston Villa, Tuncay and Robert Huth joining Stoke City and perrenial pain in the arse, Mido leaving the club on loan have seen Boro vastly reduce the wage bill whilst bringing in a tidy sum in transfer fees.
Time to visit the online casino?
Sadly it seems most of the cash raised by the post-relegation firesale will be going towards paying off the club's debt and very little, if any, will go towards strengthening the squad. The talk now is who Boro may target during the loan window to fill out a threadbare squad. You feel that Southgate must recognise the need to bring in at least one centre forward and you would hope he is ringing around every manager in the top two divisions to see who is available.
Rumours doing the rounds right now are of Wolves striker Sam Vokes, another rumour is that Vokes is going to Derby with Rob Hulse making a loan switch to Boro. Preston defender Sean St Ledger and Sheffield United defender Matt Kilgallon have also been linked following the departure of Robert Huth, the former I don't know too much about, the latter I think would be a great signing but I can't see Sheff Utd letting him go.
Boro have, in recent years, brought in some very good players on loan, the likes of Jonathan Woodgate, Geremi, Mendieta and the legendary Uwe Fuchs so you would hope that there is someone, somewhere who could come in and spark us on to a promotion push.
Who would you like to see? Who have you heard linked?
Shaun is A Boro fan and owner of BoroMania.com. Born and brought up in the North East. Favourite players are Juninho, Slaven and David Wheater.
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Just read on the news now website that the Boro are linked with James Vaughan and Gareth Mcauley. If we could pull off the Vaughan signing I would be pleased. I read with interest Blackburn Rovers fans opinion of Kashevilli (sorry for the spelling!) who we have also been linked with. The general consensus was that he is a very underrated player and would be a good move for us and him. Also spoke to a couple of Wolves fans who really think that Vokes would do a decent job for us. He’s a big lad with a massive engine and has played well in this division last year - plus they reckon his wages would only be around £4000-£5000 a week (how they know this I don’t know!). But that’s an avenue we have to venture down surely. Also I see the Webber thing has finally been laid to rest as he’s just signed for Pompey! Just an aside the Vaughan article was in the MIRROR and when did they last get a story right? UTB.
JUST HEARD FOM SOURCES DOWN AT THE RIVERSIDE THAT GARETH SOUTHGATE IS PONDERING ON WEATHER TO OFFER BOLO ZENDEN A TRIAL BACK AT THE RIVERSIDE I THINK THAT SHAUN ST LEDGR IS A DECENT SIGNING BUT DONT KNOW MUCH ABOUT HM STILL THINK KILLAGON WAS THE BETTER OPTION.