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THE SUMMER SHOPPING LIST 8-5-07
Karl Watson
So finally, after thirty seven games Middlesbrough are guaranteed Premiership football next year for the tenth consecutive season. Bearing in mind the stature of the club, it is quite an achievement. Especially when the likes of West Ham, Sunderland, and Birmingham (who are all bigger clubs than ourselves) have been relegated in this ten year period.
It is such a relief to be safe. In all honesty I think we all knew we were safe a long time ago, but to be mathematically safe is a great relief. In truth the result and the performance against Wigan was a surprise to me. In their previous game against West Ham, Wigan were awful and it was clear that we could defeat them. However Watford were easily beatable and we still managed to get beat by them on their own patch.
It wasn't a typical Boro performance on Saturday. We looked threatening away from home for once and more than capable of taking something away from the game. However on a gloomier note, Wigan do look like a Championship side, as did Charlton when we picked up our last away victory.
The points should have really been wrapped up a lot sooner than the ninety fourth minute but a win is a win, and that win now drags us away from the relegation zone, with the possibility of finishing in a decent twelve position.
Stewart Downing was a potent threat. However these are the games where we would prefer Stewart to be a little quieter. For example, Stewart always appears to play well against the sides that are at the foot of the table. However, when it comes to many games against teams in mid table and those in the top six, he always plays poorly.
I would like to see Stewart have a go at more accomplished full backs next year. It is clear to see he has little confidence (perhaps because of the criticism he has unfairly took from England fans) and if we can get his confidence up then hopefully he will sparkle next season.
Viduka highlighted how important he is and without him our heads will drop. I remember when Arsenal fans were absolutely desperate for Thierry Henry to remain a Gunner when speculation had him linked with other teams. Fans drooped banners from their windows and people made signs urging Henry to sign a new contract. I honestly believe this is what Mark Viduka means to Middlesbrough and this is what our fans should be doing to make sure the big Aussie remains on Teesside.
A song with massive religious connotations sung by Alistair Griffin just shows how important this man is to not only the club, but the people of Teesside. If Viduka is to leave, it will feel like a charismatic figure with significance has passed away.
On vintage day at the Riverside on Sunday it will be interesting to see whether or not we will have an attendance reminiscent of the early days at the Riverside.
What remains to be seen is whether or not the fans will turn up to reward what hasn't been a great season, and reward finishing in the bottom half once again. Last season there was the UEFA Cup final to applaud, and in the two years previous the Carling cup and European football. This year there is simply nothing to applaud.
Some Sky Sports pundits hailed Gareth Southgate's first season in charge as a success. I do not hail it a success at all. With two games to go, Middlesbrough were not safe. Is this really a success and something the club should be proud of?
From the highs of last seasons UEFA Cup final, we have gone from that to this. We are happy with a bottom half finish? Because I for one am not. Take a look at Sevilla now. They are challenging for La Liga and are again on the brink of winning the UEFA cup for the second consecutive year which is quite an achievement.
Our official website now contains a 'Sevilla watch' section and to be honest it is something I do not want to see. Do I really want to see the side we played moving forward and watch their progression when it makes us look like a shadow of them? They have moved on from their success and are better for it. Boro have not moved forward one little bit. To be honest, we've fallen behind.
Finishing a possible twelve position is nothing to be proud of when teams like Reading and Bolton, who on paper have a worse squad and facilities than what we do, eclipse us over the course of thirty eight games.
We may perhaps finish ahead of Newcastle, which would be nice to rub it in their faces and once again shout from the rooftops that we are the top dogs of the north-east despite a smaller fan base and financial status, but they consider this to be awful season, one of their worst in the club's history and we are only one point and one place above them. What does that make our season?
I doubt there is a 'Boro watch' section on Sevilla's website and if there is I do not know what they will be discussing. Perhaps our FA Cup run? Because that is the only thing we can take forward from this season. If Sevilla had a season like ours I would be criticising their club for not moving forward. Boro have not moved forward and until we do I do not see many people renewing or purchasing season tickets.
I did not go to the final away game of the season and join the many Boro fans which made it the most supported away game for the club this season simply because I do not want to waste my money. Going to watch the Boro at the minute is like throwing my money down the drain and it appears like more and more fans share this view and until there are drastic changes, this will become the trend for next year.
I will of course buy replica shirts and put my money into the club but until there are changes there is no reason for me to waste my time and money watching something that will only send my blood pressure through the roof.
I will not be surprised if Fulham come to the Riverside and take three points. I don't believe some of the players realise there is something to play for. We, as fans need to be reassured that we are going to get something for our money next season and we need to be given a reason to come back to the Riverside.
I also think some of the players need to turn up and give one hundred percent in order to secure contracts for next season. Even if we do finish a decent twelfth it will not pull the wool over our eyes. Everyone at the club knows this has been another woeful season and there has to be change. Gareth, like previous managers, has been told to balance the books and although there will be money to spend due to the vast amount of new TV funds available, all the other clubs are in the same position and so we have no real advantage there.
It was brilliant news when we heard Jonathan Woodgate will be a Boro player for the next four years and even if he decides to leave within the next two, at least we will get a tidy sum for him.
Because he cost (what I believe is a bargain) seven million pounds to sign, a big portion of our transfer 'kitty' has gone. This means that Gareth is probably going to look for people on loan or look towards youngsters. He may even spend a little and gamble on players at lower levels. Over the course of the season I have been impressed with some players from a lower level as well as those in the premiership. These are a list of players I feel we should be looking at signing:
Scott Brown (Hibernian): Only 21 and highly rated in his native homeland. May be only a small lad and not too muscular but chips in with the odd goal and sets up many. Will cost around £4 million but surely will be lured in by Premiership football.
Cameron Jerome (Birmingham): Under 21 England star who hasn't been able to cement a firm place in the Blues team because of the likes of Nicklas Bendtner and Andy Cole being ahead him in the pecking order. Got lots of pace, a good touch and has scored few goals whilst coming on as a sub. Although Birmingham have just got promotion, they need to strengthen and Jerome may become available. Would cost around £4 million.
Billy Sharp (Scunthorpe): Only 21 and has scored over thirty goals for Scunthorpe this season in just over fifty starts. He has a natural eye for goal and knows where the net is. Is worth a risk. Would cost £2-3 million.
Giles Barnes (Derby): Hopefully Derby will not get promoted and this lad will become available. He is a hot prospect and many teams are after him. He has got pace and flair which we miss and if possible he could fill the vacant right side. Chips in with few goals. Only 18. £5-7 million.
David Nugent (Preston): Now Preston cannot get promoted Nugent will move on and Preston will not be able to ask for what they feel he is worth because he is coming to the end of his contract. We all know how good he is but being an Everton fan it may be hard to sign him. £4 million.
Nicklas Bendtner (Arsenal): Only 19 and spent a season on loan at Birmingham where he has looked really good. Got a great first touch and an eye for goal he has already made it in the Denmark side. Is back at Arsenal now but not sure if he can realistically make it in their first team. Does not have a squad number at Arsenal. £7 million/Loan.
Teddy Sheringham (West Ham): Although getting on a bit he is still quality and knows where the net is. Would be used as 3rd/4th choice striker and wouldn't cost too much.
Geremi (Chelsea): Been linked with him a lot this season and would fit into our squad either at right back or right wing. Don't think Chelsea would be willing to let him go but after losing their title to Manchester United they need to strengthen. Loan.
Leighton Baines (Wigan): Many people will be after him especially if Wigan get relegated. The chances of getting him are slim but I would at least like to see us show an interest in him. We desperately need two new full backs and Baines would go straight into our first eleven. £4 million.
Marlon King (Watford): Although no one got to see how good he could have been in the Premiership he still has an eye for goal and scores plenty. Would be a good 3rd/4th choice option. £5 million.
Fabrice Muamba (Birmingham): Been linked with him a few times and is a brilliant young central midfielder but as the Blues are promoted the chances of signing him are slim. £4 million.
Michael Kightly (Wolves): This young lad has been destined for the top and if Wolves do not gain promotion we should look at signing him. May be the answer to our right hand side problems. £6 million.
It is quite clear that we need two new full backs, another central midfielder, a right sided midfielder, and a couple more strikers if we are to contend for Europe next season. If we are to do so, we need to get rid of some players currently on the books:
Fabio Rockemback: Has simply got to go. Not good enough for English football has never really played well for us and will be costing us too much a week in terms of wages.
Gaizka Mendieta: No doubt he's got class but he cannot force his way into the first eleven and we are paying him too much.
Malcolm Christie: Like him a lot but he has got no chance of getting in the first eleven and needs to look elsewhere to revitalize his career.
Jason Euell: A bizarre signing. Not be good enough for the first team.
Lee Dong Gook: Don't really rate the lad at the minute and seems more of a business investment rather than a footballing one. Yes, he has not played many games and does appear to have a good first touch but don't think he will turn into anything than a fringe player and if we want to be in Europe, will he really help our cause?
Abel Xavier: Goodbye Abel. It's been announced this morning that he has failed to agree a new contract at the club and so will be moving on.
The pre-season is always an eventful time and I am looking forward to see who we will sign and whose name will be going on the back of my shirt next year. The only problem is I feel we will be involved in little activity and the club will not do enough to have a real go at challenging for Europe next year and we will be caught in yet another relegation battle.
With more and more money available we need to have a go. Sky Sports will not suddenly collapse like ITV digital did and as a club we are financially secure. We need to spend big and make the tenth consecutive year in the Premiership one to remember and not one to forget.
A GUARANTEED PROFIT ON CHELSEA v MANCHESTER UNITED
The title is decided now but both sides will still want to win this one on Wednesday night. The match kicks off at 8:00pm and we can guarantee you a profit of at least £38.25 on the match, whatever the result.
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You won't be able to do this if you already have accounts with either of the bookies we are using for this bet but if that is the case, mail us, let us know which accounts you have and we'll send you an alternative bet.
We're going to lay out a total of £102.25 on the Chelsea v Manchester United match and we will collect £156.44 if it's a draw and £140.50 if either team wins.
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Deposit £82.25 into your new Betfair.
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7. It is absolutely vital that you click on the links on this page to open the accounts with the three bookies or you may not qualify for the bonuses.
Also, before you place your bets, you should check that the odds haven't changed. If they have, let us know and we will rework the bet for you.
Please feel free to contact us if you have any questions at all about this bet and we will come straight back to you.
Please note that the bonuses are valid for new customers only so if you already have an account with one or more of the bookies we are using, you won't be able to do this. If that is the case, contact us and we'll mail you an alternative bet using different bookies.
This method of betting was used very successfully during the World Cup and you can read all about how it was done right here.
We guarantee this bet
It's understandable that some people will not believe that it is possible to do this. "What's the catch?" I hear you asking. My answer to that question is that we have been publishing arbitrage bets for three seasons now and literally hundreds of people have profited from following the advice on these pages.
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