'Other Boro stuff'

[smogsterking the Inspirati 2,254]

It's a big miss although so far he hasn't been missed greatly given how well Mcnair has done and Fry coming back into form. It does leave us thin at the back with Clarke only just returning. I wonder if it may be a a priority position come January. Although we may finally see what RVDB can do there.

[Aphex_Boro 1,318]

2 long term injuries to more or less first choice defenders is a bad blow

Have to replace at least one of them in January 

[Redcar Rioja 5,056]

15 minutes ago, Aphex_Boro said:

2 long term injuries to more or less first choice defenders is a bad blow

Have to replace at least one of them in January 

Plus the likelihood that we will have to sell Paddy in January or let him go for nothing in the Summer!

[Neverbefore 9,241]

28 minutes ago, smogsterking the Inspirati said:

It's a big miss although so far he hasn't been missed greatly given how well Mcnair has done and Fry coming back into form. It does leave us thin at the back with Clarke only just returning. I wonder if it may be a a priority position come January. Although we may finally see what RVDB can do there.

I think he's been massively missed personally. We conceded 8 goals in 3 games against powerhouses Exeter, Stoke and Plymouth prior to leicester (which was a total change in tactics so doesnt really count), there hasn't been this big improvement in defence that some people seem to be imagining. Sure the defence wasn't great with him in it either, but he offers vocal leadership we don't really have otherwise and is key to how we start attacks. He's been our most consistent performer for the best part of 18 months imo. 

[Redcar Rioja 5,056]

Any info on what the injury is with Lenihan?

We seem to have a bit of a curse recently with Ameobi, Fisher, Clarke and recently Smith and who knows with Forrs and McGree!

[smogsterking the Inspirati 2,254]

11 minutes ago, Redcar Rioja said:

Any info on what the injury is with Lenihan?

We seem to have a bit of a curse recently with Ameobi, Fisher, Clarke and recently Smith and who knows with Forrs and McGree!

It seems like his achilles is the issue. I think they hoped it didn't need operating on but seems that it did in the end.

[Neverbefore 9,241]

 

Always enjoyed listening to him

[TLF10 3,822]

@Neverbefore. That will be an excellent listen. Thanks for heads up.

[TLF10 3,822]

Regarding Lenihan. Obviously a huge miss. I dont see us going for another CB unless Paddy leaves and even then it will be a loan.

Clarke is slowly building up his fitness and lets not forget he was a top end championship CB before his injury. Might take time to get him back there but hopefully we can build his fitness up as we will need him.

In summer, even if Paddy leaves we will have Fry, Lenihab, Clarke and RVD.

Therefore I can see us signing a CB on loan if Paddy leaves in Jan because we get a good offer. Thankfully unlike a striker there are plenty of good CBs in PL currently not getting a game who would do a good job for us.

[TLF10 3,822]

I hope BBC Tees  ask Kieran Scott the following 3 questions at least:

1. Is a striker still a priority in Jan?

2. Is there any desire in wanting to make the loan moves of Greenwood & OBrien permanent in January.

3. Are talks even ongoing regarding Paddy or is it a case of if he does not move in January he will leave as a free in summer?

[TLF10 3,822]

I was bored so looked at some PL centre back lonas we could target in January if Paddy was to leave / we seek cover for Lenihan.

Players currently struggling for game time

1. Calum Chambers (Villa)

2. Scott McKenna (Forest)

3. Andrew Omobamidele (Forest)

4. Ben Godfrey (Everton)

5 Mason Holgate* (Everton)

6. James Tomkins (Palace)

7. Chris Mepham (Bournemouth)

* On loan at Southampton but not played much so could have his loan terminated. 

Omobamidele joined Forest for around £15m from Norwich but is yet to make a match day squad.

McKenna in terms of experience and leadership would be my first pick for a loan move.

[Borodane 5,783]

12 hours ago, Redcar Rioja said:

Plus the likelihood that we will have to sell Paddy in January or let him go for nothing in the Summer!

Can’t see that happening now unless some Prem team offers daft money. He’s worth more to us now than some lowball bid because his contract is running out. Let him stay and play his heart out for a new move in the summer if he doesn’t want to stay beyond this season. Go up and he could still be decent to keep around though. 

[ScarBoro 776]

13 hours ago, TLF10 said:

Regarding Lenihan. Obviously a huge miss. I dont see us going for another CB unless Paddy leaves and even then it will be a loan.

Clarke is slowly building up his fitness and lets not forget he was a top end championship CB before his injury. Might take time to get him back there but hopefully we can build his fitness up as we will need him.

In summer, even if Paddy leaves we will have Fry, Lenihab, Clarke and RVD.

Therefore I can see us signing a CB on loan if Paddy leaves in Jan because we get a good offer. Thankfully unlike a striker there are plenty of good CBs in PL currently not getting a game who would do a good job for us.

Given he had already played a couple of U21 games by then, I did wonder why he wasn’t played, or brought on, against Exeter. He must have  still needed match fitness and I would rather it was got in cup than in  league matches.

[Humpty 3,005]

Although not missed whilst he's been out injured it does leave us short. Personally i think it might expedite our search for a new long term right back which would allow RVDB to cover at centre half. 

We currently have Fry, Clarke, RVDB, Lenihan and McNair at centre half. That's a lot of options. McNair will likely leave either in January or on a free transfer in the summer but it's still two players for each position and we can't really afford more than that on our wage bill. Right back is still a problem position and one that i would put towards the top of our priority list. 

[Bruce 1,178]

It probably comes down to what McNair wants to do. He undoubtedly reckons he can cut it in the Premier league and he is probably at the peak of his ability as a central defender. He may prefer to run down his contract and leave in the summer but then he risks an injury. We may think that we either sell him or agree a new contract in January. Judging by Chuba, it feels like we won't be willing to let him run down his contract.

In theory we still have a perfectly fine defensive unit.

RB: RVDB, Dijksteel, (McNair, Howson, Jones)

CB: Fry, McNair, RVDB, Clarke

LB: Engel, Bangura, (O'Brien)

The issue seems to be that Carrick doesn't rate Dijksteel, we don't know whether Clarke will get back to match fitness and we don't know whether McNair will be staying. 

I saw a mention of Calum Chambers which seems like a good one. He's as comfortable at centre back as he is at right back and is not getting a game at Villa. Problems are, he's hardly played since his year on loan at Fulham in 18/19. He would probably cost as much in a loan fee and wages as signing up McNair to a new contract and they're both the same age. In the meantime, it could take Chambers 2 months just to get properly match sharp. A loan with option to buy though might be a good call.