The last time I wrote for this website was in the aftermath of Gareth Southgate’s sacking. That was four months ago - plenty of time for Southgate’s successor Gordon Strachan to have imprinted his mark upon the Middlesbrough squad.

Those four months have seen a tinkering of tactics and personnel. Loan signings have come and gone. Some players have been moved on, replaced by new ones, mostly from Strachan’s back-catalogue of Celtic stalwarts. The result: Boro have slid down the table – out of contention for automatic promotion, and in to a desperate struggle to even make the play-offs. Performances on the field have fizzled and spluttered, but failed to ignite. Beating Peterborough – the Championship’s bottom club - at home last weekend came as a relief, a glimmer of hope for a resurgence of form. Within a week two more defeats and two more blanks in front of goal have dropped us right back in to the pessimism we had only so briefly been dragged out of.

Moved on to pastures new

The majority of Boro fans were happy to see the back of Southgate, having held him solely responsible for ending our decade-long stay in the Premier League. Most fans were happy to see Strachan appointed – believing the fiery Scot would give our young team the sort of snarling motivation that just wasn’t in Southgate’s make-up. It hasn’t worked out that way.

Is Willo Flood really any better than Mark Yeates? Is our back four really any better now? Is Kyle Naughton good enough to keep Tony McMahon, Justin Hoyte and Rhys Williams all out of the team? Maybe he is, but can we really afford to have all four of them on the wage bill?

The wage bill is the key to our financial security. People cite the £12million signing of Afonso Alves as showing that Southgate wasted money, but compared to the Steve McClaren era of bringing in ageing stars of long-term, big-money contracts – the likes of Gaizka Mendieta, Mark Viduka and Ugo Ehiogu draining millions a year in wages out of the club – Southgate made great strides towards safe-guarding the financial future of the club. He did this by moving these ‘stars’ on and cultivating our youngsters to replace them. He did this by stream-lining the playing staff to a manageable and affordable size. The result was relegation – so Southgate must have been wrong, so he deserved to be sacked. Didn’t he?

The way Southgate approached the Boro job led to him being compared to Arsene Wenger. The Arsenal boss has made a reputation for developing young talent, living within his means and, in recent years, for not winning anything. Does that make his philosophies wrong? Football is a results business after all.

On Sky Sport’s Soccer Saturday yesterday, former Boro star Paul Merson lambasted Wenger for not ‘buying for now.’ Merson echoed the age-old sentiments about not winning anything with kids. Of course, we know that that is not always the case.

Wenger himself offers a different take. He recently admitted that Arsenal cannot compete in the transfer market with Chelsea and Manchester United – not because they can’t afford the transfer fees, but because of the wage demands attached to ‘world class’ talent. Arsenal try to remain competitive while still operating within their means. Surely this should be respected?

But no, in football all that is respected is winning. So Chelsea can be bankrolled by a Russian billionaire and spend irretrievable sums of cash chasing their success. Roman Abramovich’s aim is clear – he wants to win the Champions League with Chelsea. Chelsea isn’t a business to him. It’s another trophy-wife, another yacht, another symbol of his wealth – something, finally, that his billionaire friends might envy of him, particularly if he does get his hands on that elusive European trophy. He neither needs nor loves Chelsea, and he might merely discard the club once he tires of it.

If Abramovich departed, Chelsea would be left looking for another sugar-daddy, rich enough and spiritually devoid enough to while away a fraction of his fortune on a prestigious whim.

And yet Chelsea are more respected than Arsenal, because they are winning. McClaren was given the England job because he was winning at Boro. Sometimes. Southgate’s more ethical approach has taken him straight in to the unglamorous world of television commentary.

So who is right? Who is wrong? Is Wenger wrong to have built the best youth academy in Europe, which can self-produce a squad capable of regularly finishing in the top-four, which can compete in the Champions League and which, at some point, must surely start winning trophies again? Is he wrong to shun big-names and big wages in favour of lesser known, more affordable talent?

No. Wenger’s philosophies are right. He is doing the best for his club, the same as Southgate was trying to do for Boro. It falls down for Arsenal because there are too many clubs around them willing to sacrifice self-sustainability for instant success. But, of these, only Chelsea and Manchester United have managed to stay ahead of Arsenal. Arsenal continue to stick to their principles, and they continue to fend off the less ethical challenges of Tottenham or Manchester City, both of whom are haemorrhaging money in the pursuit of Arsenal’s more frugally achieved success.

From a Boro perspective, pre-Southgate we had a good, long stint in the Premier League. We saw silverware and European football for the first time in our history. This was fantastic to be part of, but we were left counting the cost and Southgate, in particular, was left picking up the pieces.

Some of the work Southgate did towards making us sustainable has already been undone. Strachan has swelled the ranks of the squad, and therefore the wage bill, with a number of players, particularly Flood, Chris Killen and Lee Miller, who may not be any better than what we already had. We now have seven strikers on the books – Killen, Miller, Scott McDonald, Jeremie Aliadiere, Leroy Lita, Marvin Emnes and Jonathan Franks – which seems excessive. Emnes seems totally out of the picture, while Lita has only been used sparingly. Killen and McDonald both seem to have arrived with injury problems, and Miller seems to be perhaps sixth choice out of the seven, ahead only of Emnes.

We are not a club who can carry excess squad players, particularly when we are only pulling 17,000 or so fans in to the stadium. Of course, we would ignore these inconvenient truths if we were getting success on the pitch. But we’re not.

Perhaps this is because the key to getting goals isn’t the sheer quantity of strikers you have at the club. The key to getting goals is the quality of service from the midfield players, and our midfield is as short of numbers and quality as ever. Three of the players who seemed most likely to create chances under Southgate – Yeates, Adam Johnson and Didier Digard – have all left. The two additions Strachan has made – Flood and Barry Robson – seem to add more perspiration than inspiration. We are beginning to look alarmingly like what we currently are – an average, mid-table Championship club.

Four months ago, I wrote an article entitled Be careful what you wish for. Sadly what we, the Boro faithful, wished for was exactly what we got – change for the sake of change, change because we were impatient, and change which has, so far at least, achieved nothing.

Post from BoroMania: Middlesbrough Football

Strachan yet to convince

After reading Marc's comment I did a little digging and found a few reports, in Portuguese, that confirm that Porritt has indeed been training with the Portuguese club.

Whilst I find it an odd move that he has gone abroad to find a new club, surely there are British clubs willing to take him on a trial? I wish him all the best as he tries to resurrect his football career, it can't have been easy having to deal with the pressure he was put under as a young footballer.

We will try to update you with any news, if any becomes available, for those of you interested in his next move.

Post from BoroMania: Middlesbrough Football

Porritt training with Belenenses

EB:

With the window closing at 5P.M. down south Scott McDonald (Skippy) was cutting his move fine. To be honest I was praying for word of his move to Middlesbrough. As rumours were rife that his move was dependent on even more faces arriving at Celtic Park. Big Ben struck and no news of Skippy’s departure, I was cursing the wee man.

Then all hell broke loose at 5.10, Robbie Keane was on his way to paradise but still no news of Skippy‘s departure, that news must have come through much later. I’m sorry but I must have missed it breaking. As at ten past five I was already on cloud nine and it will be a while before I come down .

McDonald is a player who will frustrate the hell out of you but will also have you cheering his name when he puts the ball in the back of the net. Skippy is a penalty box striker and little else, don’t expect him to run past defenders or create too much for others. That part of his game will have you frustrated, I cant tell you how many attacks brake down with Skippy.

Skippy throughout his Celtic career has struggled to form a partnership with any other strike partner. Create him a chance though and he will score. It’s all about putting the ball in the back of the net for him.

Since Strachan left and Tony Mowbray came in, our style of playing changed completely. Mogga likes lots of movement and players with high technical ability, this is not Shippy’s game. He is most definitely Strachen’s type of player and if given the ammunition then Scott McDonald will score goals for Boro of that there is little doubt.

Don’t expect scintillating explosive football from Skippy or for that matter any of the players you’ve taken from Celtic. What you will get are players who will work hard for the cause and a manager who will play to their limited strengths.

For this Celtic supporter 3.5 million for Skippy is good business for the club, as he wasn’t part of the new look Celtic. However I also hope his move proves good business for Boro. With his goals helping you up the league and maybe towards promotion.

All the best to Celtic’s 2nd team:) for the remainder of the season. I’m sure many Celtic fans will be watching with interest.

George:

Scott 'Skippy' McDonald was the childhood Celtic fan whose double for Motherwell in the last 3 mins of the 2004-05 season, stole the title away from us. We signed him for the start of the 2007-08 season and he set about righting that wrong with an incredible 31 goals (including a number of high profile ones against the huns, Milan and Spartak Moscow) in an incident packed season. The following season, he was rewarded with a huge new deal and the fat contract seemed to mirror his oversized gut and arse. The hunger seemed to wane a little but he'd still weigh in with vital goals, usually just when we needed one. But his moany attitude got under a lot of fans skins, constantly berating his colleagues (sometimes with justification, to be fair) and with rumours that he was the CP mole, his jacket was on a shaky peg once Stachan left.

Still, I had the pleasure of meeting the wee man at Glasgow airport before he jetted off on a Euro trip and he was a really friendly dude who admitted he was 'living the dream' at CP.

He'll occasionally drive you nuts with his dreadful control and his nippy demeanour but if he can score regularly against the huns, Man Utd and Milan (the latter two whilst they were reigning European Champions), he'll score a bundle in the championship, particularly in the big games. He goes with my thanks and best wishes for the future.

By the way, we've still got one or two you can have.................

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Post from BoroMania: Middlesbrough Football

Scott McDonald - Have Boro found their goalscorer at last?

There is a tinge of disappointment around Boro fans at losing our leading scorer and most exciting player but Adam Johnson's move to Manchester City was also met with an air of inevitability. It's disappointing to lose him but lets face it, he was going anyway, if not now then at the end of the season and the eventual deal with City was probably best for both parties.

It is easy to get nostalgic and put on those rose tinted glasses when looking back on a player who, at times, was far too good for this league but Adam Johnson was not the complete article and, at this point in his career, is a long way off the level Stewart Downing was at. Both are very different players, who get unfairly compared due to the position they play, Johnson has very high technical ability and on his day can be a far more exciting player to watch but he also lacks the decision making and fundamental football intelligence that made Downing such an important player.

I will be following his career at Manchester City with intrigue and it will be very interesting to see just how well his game improves from playing and training with world class footballers. I, for one, bear absolutely no ill-feeling towards the lad and I genuinely hope he goes on to be an England International, another feather in the cap of our excellent academy set up. I will also be intrigued to see how Mancini decides to use Johnson and what the expectations are, I think it is fair to say that, when it comes to the final ball, Johnson is the kind of winger who prefers to find a shot on goal than a telling cross and just how well that will go down with players like Adebayor, Tevez and Bellamy remains to be seen.

Browsing a few City forums yesterday I was struck by a comment along the lines of:

I can't wait to see Adebayor getting on the end of Johnson's crosses.

And I thought to myself you would have been better off signing Downing if that's the case!

What this does leave Boro now is a lack of players in a position that we were once blessed with an abundance of talent. Where, at one point, we had Downing, Johnson and, some felt, young Porritt on the left wing we now have no recognised left winger. Downing and Johnson obviously sold on for large sums and Porritt failing to make the grade.

What we may see is a change in formation from Gordon Strachan and the use of wingbacks, a feeling strengthened by the addition of Kyle Naughton.

Post from BoroMania: Middlesbrough Football

Good luck at Man City to Adam Johnson

Nathan Porritt, once considered one of the brightest young players in the country, has had his contract cancelled by Boro. Porritt shot into the limelight in 2006 in a BBC Panorama documentary in which it was alleged that several other teams (Liverpool, Chelsea and Newcastle) had attempted to "tap up" the Boro youngster in an attempt to lure him away from The Riverside.

We identified Porritt as One to Watch last year and after watching a few reserve outings I was impressed with his technical ability if not a little perturbed by his attitude on the field.

However the writing appeared to be on the wall for the youngster as he was constantly overlooked by both Southgate and Strachan this season as other youngsters like Franks and Luke Williams forced their way into the squad.

An ill-fated spell at Darlington in which he was labelled as arrogant and dis-interested seemed to have sealed his fate and he was shown the door by Gordon Strachan.

It's a real shame to see such an obviously talented player fail to live up to his billing and it will be interesting to see what happens next for Porritt. This will either be the kick up the arse he needed and he will end up knuckling down and shining for the next club he finds himself at or he will fade away into obscurity.

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Post from BoroMania: Middlesbrough Football

Nathan Porritt leaves Boro - A waste of talent?

Johnson has been in great goalscoring form for Boro this season, but criticism over his performances at the Riverside stadium have led to doubts over whether he is ready to play at a higher level. On his day he is an exceptional talent, a game winning player, but he must improve his consistency and final ball if he is to succeed at the highest level. He stepped out of the shadow of Stewart Downing this season to become our most creative player and I would like to wish him all the best at City, I really hope he progresses to establish himself as a first team regular for both club and country.

Also going through the exit door, to every Boro fan's relief, is Mido. The Egyptian waster has agreed to join West Ham, I wonder how long it is before he is causing problems for the hammers?

On to Boro's future, Boro have added three players on transfer deadline day to add to Willo Flood, Barry Robson, Stephen McManus and Chris Killen. Strachan once again raided his former club for striker Scott McDonald, a player who's goalscoring record is a massive encouragement and a signing that has ignited a little optimism in this Boro fan. Another striker, Lee Miller, has arrived from Aberdeen. Miller, who won his second Scotland cap in November, has hit double figures for Aberdeen for the past two seasons. The signings of Miller, McDonald and Killen really give us options up front as well as much more of a physical presence which we were severly lacking under Gareth Southgate.

England Under-21 full back Kyle Naughton has joined on loan from Tottenham, a product of Sheffield United's academy Naughton will no doubt go straight into contention at full back, probably left back.

I have to say I am fairlu happy with the way Strachan has used the transfer window to shape his side and I feel a lot more confident of moving forward with this team. It is a blow to lose Johnson for sure but he was going at the end of the season anyway so it makes good business sense to sell now before we risk the judgement of the tribunal. I would have liked us to bring in a goalkeeper but i'm not so sure there were that many available that would have made a difference.

What do you think, good window or bad window?

Are you angry to see Johnson go or do you think it was inevitable and good luck to him?

Post from BoroMania: Middlesbrough Football

Johnson leaves for City as busy transfer window closes for Boro

Shunsuke Nakamura

The major story doing the rounds concerns Adam Johnson and a proposed move to Premier League big spenders Manchester City. City have, apparently, increased their initial bid for the Boro winger and Johnson is said to be keen on a move. It remains to be seen what figures we are looking at, a fee in the region of £6 Million has been rumoured, I just hope that if he does go we get enough for him in return. The major downside would be that any money raised would not be re-invested immediately back into the team as the deadline will likely be all but here when a deal goes through, though that might play into the hands of Gibson/Lamb who no doubt have a large chunk of the money earmarked to further strengthen the clubs financial position.

Sky Sports News reported that Aberdeen striker Lee Miller was in Teesside ahead of a proposed move to Boro, at this point I think many Boro fans will know very little about the player but BoroMania are in the process of getting some opinions from Aberdeen fans. A fee of around £500,000 is being reported for Miller.

We are also currently linked with yet another Celtic player, Scott McDonald was rumoured to be making the trip down to Hurworth yesterday but as of yet I have seen no conclusive proof of this. Scottish website STV are reporting that a deal has been struck with Celtic for the Australian forward and all that remains is to agree personal terms and get a medical, though West Ham are also interested according to the report (the imminent signing of Ilan may put an end to their interest though).

A further player with Celtic connections is Shunsuke Nakamura, Boro are rumoured to have agreed a loan deal with Espanyol and are waiting to hear from the Japanese international on whether he wants to make the move to link up with his old boss.

As of right now, these are the major transfer rumours concerning the Boro. Heard anything else? Let us know in the comments below.

Post from BoroMania: Middlesbrough Football

Deadline day rumour mill into overdrive

Boro Manager Gordon Strachan said:

We’re delighted to have Stephen join us. He has achieved a lot in his career, winning trophies, playing in the Champions League and captaining club and country.

I think the world of Stephen as a player and as a man. He’s a leader and will be a great asset to the club.

The defender will no doubt add a lot of experience to Boro's backline and I once again asked a few Celtic fans for a quick summary of the player.

Vincent:

Like a lot of the faithful at Celtic Park I'd be sad to see big 'Mick' leave the club. He's been there since he was a boy and was club captain for two of Strachan's championship winning seasons. He's your old style defender par excellence, that is until he got notions above his station and started to try things which he couldn't do and beginning to leak bad goals. His form declined from a regular who could always get a goal or two at the death.

Following an injury which left him out towards the end of last season he never looked composed on his return and I think his confidence was shot through. I really hope he regains his form at your place. He is a great big guy and on his day a solid, sturdy, no nonsense defender with a big heart and an ability to motivate. Good luck to him and to you, anymore 'Bhoys' arriving in Middlesbrough and you'll have to change your strip!

EB:

You were linked to Caldwell earlier in the window now you have signed McManus affectionately known to Celtic supporters as the Chuckle brothers.

Stephen had great potential but unfortunately never got any better. For me Celtic and in particular Gordon Strachen did not do right by him. Giving him the Captains armband at such a young age was a mistake. He needed an experienced CB beside him to learn from, something he never had throughout his time at the club. With the armband brought responsibility, as a man he is a quality guy and in that sense the armband suited him.

His commitment and attitude could never be questioned a whole hearted defender who will play through injury and has no problem going in where it hurts. For me he’s an old fashioned backs to the wall type of defender but when the games stretched he struggles to close down space and can be guilty of over committing himself. Struggles when side on with crosses coming in to the box. Not sure if that was down to Strachen’s zonal marking or just his inability to defend cross balls, probably a bit of both. Distribution of the ball can be abysmal at times, although when he keeps it simple he’s fine.

As a man sad to see him go but as a defender I am delighted to see my club looking for a better and hopefully more rounded defender. No doubt he will do a job for you and I can see him having a successful remainder of the season. Championship football is probably his level, however if you harbour ambitions of promotion then you will need better quality for the EPL.

Good luck to Mick and to Boro for the rest of the season.

George:

Stephen 'Mick' McManus got his break playing as a left back under Martin O'Neill back in 2004-05. Not many of us thought he was first team material but he was young, keen and willing. After O'Neill left, he was on the verge of a move to another SPL club when Strachan decided that it was worth trying to mould Mick into the new Nesta and made him captain, which seemed to restrict him somewhat. If Strachan was honest, he'd admit that Mick was no more than decent back up material at CP and hadn't really improved over the years. However, his whole hearted style of defending helped us to crucial wins over Milan, Man Utd, Benfica and others in the CL as well as for Scotland in Paris. And he was captain for an emotional 2008 title win, which will live long in the hearts of the Celtic faithful.

All in, an honest if limited big fella who could really shine at the right club for the right manager.

Post from BoroMania: Middlesbrough Football

Celtic fans give their view on McManus

Boro began the game well but had to wait until the half hour mark to make a deserved breakthrough, a moment of magic from Adam Johnson as he stode toward goal and unleashed a left foot drive into the top corner. It was a moment of class that was sure to pique the interest of watching Premier League scouts.

On the stroke of half time it was 2-0 and again it was Adam Johnson who unlocked the Doncaster defence, breaking through down the left and pulling the ball back for Franks. The youngster cooly took a touch and smashed it into the back of the net.

Boro found themselves in an uncommon position of leading comfortably at half time and began the second half brightly with Johnson and Franks threatening the Donny backline. Franks eventually made way for Leroy Lita and it is Lita who extended the Boro lead when he capitalised on indecision at the back to nod home a simple goal.

Boro were seemingly cruising and full of confidence when Rovers struck their consolation goal through Jordan Mutch, making his first appearance since joining on loan. It was a cracking long range effort and left Coyne no chance.

It was left to Adam Johnson to cap things off, as Gary O'Neil prepared to take a free kick Johnson ran up and smashed a low shot into the bottom corner to cap an excellent performance.

The result, and performance, strengthened the feeling that any success we may be able to generate this season will be tied very closely to the performances of Adam Johnson. With the transfer window nearing it's end it will be interesting to see if any of the rumoured interest comes to fruition and if Boro's resolve is tested with a firm bid. If not then we can only hope that performances, contractual offer and future direction of the club all add up to a favourable package and he signs a new deal.

It was excellent to see young Jon Franks get a goal and I have been impressed with the way he has taken his opportunity in the first team, whether he continues in the side when the injuries begin to clear is not certain but has given Strachan something to consider. Having watched a lot of reserve football last season I am glad to see Franks stepping into the first team, he was always impressive in the reserves and deserved his chance.

It is a big week ahead now for Gordon Strachan and the team, we need to win against Bristol City at home to begin picking up some momentum and the transfer deadline approaches with rumours of players coming in and going out.

Post from BoroMania: Middlesbrough Football

Johnson carries Boro past Doncaster

Middlesbrough have had three players included in The Football League's team of the week following the 1-1 draw with Swansea at the Riverside.

Obviously you have to take into account the reduced Football League programme due to the FA Cup, a point strengthened when you see that 6 of the 11 players included were involved in the Boro v Swansea game.

Middlesbrough themselves had David Wheater, Adam Johnson and goalscorer Willo Flood included in the side whilst the Welsh high fliers had goalkeeper Dorus De Vries, Left Back Gary Monk and goalscorer Gorka Pintado included in the side.

The Football League Website

Post from BoroMania: Middlesbrough Football

3 Boro players in the team of the week