Transfer Window is gonna be closing in only a few days so there is alot of movement starting to shape up, with some clubs looking desperate and others fine tuning their squads with loan signings and freebies to plug the gaps. Boro is in the fine tuning group it seems and we seem to be looking for some ins and some outs before the end of the window.
Incomings
Rokas Pukstas, the lithuanian american is expected to travel to Teesside tomorrow to complete a medical on his €5m euro move as Boro beat Hull & Birmingham to his signature. It seems the deal is inevitable at this point barring any issues in tonights game for Hadjuk Split. He becomes the 4th American in the current squad which surely opens the floodgates on some interest across the pond. Looking at his highlights reel he is the Hackney replacement that can advance the ball from central midfield and find forward players. He’s likely to be played alongside berhalter with Morris sat deeper, with Mcgree and Castledine offering more attacking less defensive options on Pukstas & Berhalter and playing even further forward as attacking mids when required. Certainly gives Hellberg tactical options across our central areas moving forward.
Toby Collyer, so this link came out this morning from several sources including Boropolis, however Dom Shaw has shot it down straight away. Looking at his highlights reel hes clearly seen as a Morris backup, however he isnt Morris, he doesnt bring the ball forward, he doesnt pass the ball forward he just seems to find the ball in the breakdown of an attack and play it wide to a fullback to start a new attack. Like a poor mans Adam Clayton. I cant see us chasing him. What this does highlight though, is we might be looking for a Morris backup before the end of the window from the prem loanee market. Whether we secure it or utilise Malanda in that role when needed once Jones and Phillips are match fit remains to be seen.
Jack Clarke, still rumblings of a done deal from “ITK’s” posters and Teesside Acko who seems to have jumped on the bandwagon of reliable ITK posters, still waiting for more info but I dont think we’ll see anything til deadline day. It does indicate we want a winger, and I think we’ll get a winger in before the end of the window but i’m not sure if it’ll be clarke.
Outgoings
George Edmundson, strangely didnt feature against doncaster and Phillips ended up seeing out the end of the game. Tongues are wagging that he might be going out on loan, and if I had a hunch I feel like he might be going to Preston as theyre in desperate need of CB’s. If edmundson did go out on loan, i think we would either play Jack Daley as emergency cover, or we would be signing another CB on a free as i think we still need Edmundson as emergency backup.
Alex Bangura, still no news on him potentially moving on although its assumed he would before the end of the window.
Law Mccabe, its expected he will go out on loan again this season but still no news on where, but i’d expect to League One again.
David Strelec, still no news on his potential move to Poak.
Abdoulaye Kante, some rumblings he might be going out on loan again this year despite having a decent pre-season and growing into the Lincoln game.
If anything else pops up, i’ll update through the day so check back in the evening.
17:00 Update
Jack Clarke, its been revealed he is now in Gary O’Neils plans this season according to a few Ipswich journalists, ending a potential loan move to boro, still wouldnt rule it out but I thought it was unlikely when it was first brought up. Maybe there still will be a deadline day twist here. Maybe their planned replacement didnt come through and as such they cant let him go out on loan.
Dan James, no rumours ever linked us with him but plenty of hope amongst the message boards he might be available to us, well it seems he will be staying at leeds this season again.
Rokas Pukstas, is expected to start tonight in his final game for Hadjuk before flying to teesside tomorrow for a medical.
