Time For A Change At Boro? September 4, 2009
Posted by stuart in Gibson, Lamb, Southgate.Tags: Gareth Southgate, Keith Lamb, Middlesbrough F.C., Steve Gibson, Steve McClaren, Tuncay Sanli
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It’s Friday lunchtime and I feel I should be doing the predictions and preview for Boro’s next game, but that isn’t until next Saturday. What will I write about today then to replace the normal feature? I was reading all the garbage that followed our dismal trading in the transfer window and have come to the conclusion that we are heading for a transition at the club. Times are changing, but what can we expect to happen in the next six months?
I have come up with two scenarios which are possible considering the unpredictable environment of professional football. These are purely opinions, but feel free to jump in at any time and let me know your thoughts.
Scenario 1 – Gibson Sets Sail From Middlesbrough
So, after one of the most disappointing summer transfer windows involving Middlesbrough we have lost five key players and replaced them with two players, one being a relatively unknown quantity – Yeates. Keith Lamb expressed why we had to sell during these painful times at Middlesbrough. TV money was lost as soon as we were relegated leaving us needing to find funds to pay our way through the Championship this season. Mido, Downing, Huth, Tuncay and Alves were all sold leaving Gibson to fill the gaps with over £30million in transfer monies. With Aliadiere, O’Neil and Arca being the only remaining high earners at the club the wage-bill has significantly dropped meaning we are now in a healthy position, but that is as far as it goes because behind the scenes there must be something going on.
Southgate was unable to use any of the transfer money that was recouped with the sales of key players – our gaffer even said his hands were tied until we sold players on, but when that did happen (Tuncay and Huth to Stoke) was their funds available for Southgate? No. So that brings me to my first suggestion about the future of the club and the way it is run. Steve Gibson is certainly having problems outside of football with his business, which has been well documented so I think he might be on the verge of selling the club to save himself financially even though he is very wealthy, I’m sure you know what I mean. Money coming in and no money going out is surely a sign that something is about to happen!?
Scenario 2 – Gibson Resurrects The Riverside Revolution
My second scenario is something that will perk any Boro fan up. Although this is far from reality, it could well happen within the next four months. There might be a reason why Southgate has not been handed the cheque book this summer. Steve and Keith are plotting a replacement for Southgate which will be presented to the club and the fans early in the new year. Southgate is certainly on borrowed time since guiding the team to relegation and it is thought that Gareth has been given only 15 games to get it right this season otherwise he is off. Five games in and it is going ok for Southgate, but we do face some tough teams in the next ten fixtures.
Gibson let the fans down when McClaren left in 2006 by saying he would bring in a top manager to guide the team back into Europe once again, but that never came instead we were rewarded with Gareth Southgate – a rookie manager that has not improved the squad at all in three years. Gibson has to be very careful with his next big decision because there are big cracks appearing on Sir Steve’s reputation as the best’ chairman in the game. We might be seeing Steve Gibson deliver a top manager to Middlesbrough within the next few months. If he does, I’m sure a new manager would have a war-chest to dig into during the January transfer window – that’s why we didn’t buy this summer. It has been said by many before today, I will just reiterate the point about needing a top manager that is equally adept at proceedings on and off the pitch. Keep your eyes peeled for developments. It is going to be a very interesting few months off the pitch, maybe a Riverside revolution will return!
Let me know your thoughts people. Do you agree with one of those scenarios or do you have a different take on things that will happen at the club in the near future.
Once again, this post is purely opinion.
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Scenario two is what Im hoping for, but the first one is more likely with the rumours going around town at the minute.
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I see your point. reduced wage-bill, money in the bank, hands tied and Southgate is beginning to moan about the guys at the top. A shift is imminent! I would love to see a top manager brought in, but would a top manager want to come to us?
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Good article Stuart, though for the sake of completion I would like to have seen a third scenario, perhaps something along the lines of:
3. Gibson lets things muddle along
Probably the most likely eventuality, though out of the two you outlined I prefer 2. Plenty of top managers out there if we look hard enough.
Talking of the mighty falling – Brain Little has just been appointed manager of Gainsborough Trinity in the Blue Square North!
.-= Mike´s last blog ..Deadline Debacle – the Fallout =-.
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Sadly Mike’s option 3 seems far far likelier than the other two. Option 1 would be the next likely, and option 2 only for those ever-optimistic Alistair Brownlee types
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