Category Archives: Uncategorized

Boro’s January Transfer Window Nightmares (2) – Michael Ricketts

Michael Ricketts – January 2003

Never buy a player who is named after a vitamin deficiency.

Boro broke that rule in January 2003 when a late transfer window triple swoop saw Michael Ricketts come in from Bolton for £3.5 million together with Chris Riggott and Malcolm Christie from Derby. It was one of those late night fax-tastic deals that Sky Sports News loves  but is usually born out of panic and is regretted before February is out.

It is typical of  Boro’s record of buying strikers that, of the  three players,   the centre-back Riggott  scored more goals than the two forwards managed between them during their time at the club. Continue reading Boro’s January Transfer Window Nightmares (2) – Michael Ricketts

Boro’s January Transfer Window Nightmares (1) – Afonso Alves

Boro are well positioned to mount a bid for automatic promotion. They are by a considerable margin the best defensive team in the Championship and, having completed two recent home victories, they have now  taken 47 points from the last 23 games.

There’s also the small matter of dumping  the reigning Premier League champions out of the FA Cup in front of 5,500 ecstatic away fans.

Things are going swimmingly so surely there’s nothing we need to do but keep it going. Yet, there have been calls for Boro to add firepower in this January transfer window.

Some have pointed to blank away days in which Boro have dominated but failed to convert chances. There are also demands that we should sign from a position of strength and build on our achievements so far. Extra cup games will also stretch our current squad. A failure to strengthen up front  may mean us missing out on our best chance of promotion in years. Continue reading Boro’s January Transfer Window Nightmares (1) – Afonso Alves