|
|
PRIDE AND PREJUDICE 26-7-04
After another monumental few days in the transfer market, with Ray Parlour arriving and Bolo Zenden looking like he has probably reached agreement over a deal, the game is now well and truly on and in just less than three weeks time, the talking will stop and the action will begin.
For the three weeks that remain of this, the most exciting close season in Boro's recent history, the talking will become even more intense as the fires are now well and truly stoked. Just listen to some of the crap that is pouring out of the mouths of rival fans.
Apparently, all of our new signings are mercenary has beens, who are only here for one last big pay day. And who said these things? Well those ridiculous remarks will not be addressed in this column, suffice to say that most of our rivals have had something to say about our recent acquisitions and the irony is that we had to fight for all of our new signings because other Premiership and European top flight sides were in for them.
Reiziger turned down a solid offer from Spanish champions and UEFA Cup holders, Valencia. Scottish champions Celtic, a great club who we have done some great business with over the years have admitted that they tried to buy Viduka back this summer but the player opted for Boro instead. There was demand for Ray Parlour throughout the Premiership and he was only reluctantly released by English champs Arsenal, Wenger even stating that he was sorry to see him go. Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink could have taken his pick of a number of top Dutch or Spanish sides, whilst Bolo Zenden, who may not be our final summer signing, could have gone to Fenerbahce or Liverpool. In short, that means that four out of the five could have been first choice in a Champions League club and the fifth could have stayed put at this country's current top side. Yet every single one of them chose Boro and that is a huge testament to Steve Gibson, Keith Lamb, who has often been heavily criticised, and Steve McClaren.
The new signings have not only given the club a boost by filling up the 'problem' positions but they have fired up the players who they could potentially replace. Szilard Nemeth is our top scorer in the pre season friendlies so far and whilst I do not pay too much heed to what are effectively practice matches, that is surely a great sign. Maccarone has publicly stated that he does not want to leave and has vowed to fight for his place amongst some serious competition and Juninho has said the same. It is tempting to think that we now have the strength in depth that we have been searching for since long before we moved to The Riverside.
So the knockers can slag us all they want. We have no words to express our contempt for the things that the Boro haters say about our new squad because very soon, the talking will stop and we will answer the doubters in style. By doing our talking where it matters most. On the pitch.
Until next week.
Steve
BACK TO STEVE G INDEX
|
|
|
|
