Boro transfer point made as Rob Edwards arrival offers a clean slate for all
Luton Town manager Rob Edwards salutes the fans
Big changes are gonna come – but a complete and utter overhaul of the Middlesbrough squad could also have its negative side.
If the current team is virtually wiped out and replaced by a new line-up, for example with eight new faces, then it could take the side ages to blend together. It would make it all the more difficult to hit the ground running and possibly leave Boro playing catch-up, yet again.
It’s a dilemma that new boss Rob Edwards faces, especially as he could have to deal with unwanted losses with the likes of Hayden Hackney, Rav van den Berg, Finn Azaz and Tommy Conway all capable of attracting massive offers from moneybags clubs this summer.
Of course Boro could turn them all down until the cows come home. But if the players want to go then it’s a different kettle of fish. How much better would it be for the incoming boss to know that the stars are all staying. Then he can make plans to strengthen the team in other areas in the knowledge that the backbone of a winning team was already in place.
If there are positives, they come from the impact that a new man at the helm could have on the squad. The slate is wiped clean for all the players the minute Edwards walks through the door. Everybody will have the opportunity to fight for their places from an even playing field.
For players such as Morgan Whittaker and Josh Coburn this is a great opportunity to get their feet firmly under the table at last. Boro retain great faith in Whittaker’s ability. He could have a massive role to play this season, especially if Azaz and Conway were to be sold. It’s up to him.
Coburn was sent out to Millwall to give him vital extra experience and to be in a better position to challenge for a first team place this season, provided that Boro were happy that he had progressed at the New Den. The ball is also in his court. As fans, we tend to criticise players who are not producing the goods on a regular basis and believe that they are not good enough.
Yet the arrival of a new manager can sometimes bring the best out of these same players and even surprise the men themselves how well they can do. Before my time, Jack Charlton inherited a Boro squad which had been treading water for a few seasons.
Yet, with the same squad of players, with the addition of free transfer signing Bobby Murdoch, the team were unrecognisable over the following two or three seasons. They stormed to a record-breaking promotion, finished seventh in the top flight in the next term, and some players such as Graeme Souness became superstars overnight.
Bruce Rioch started life in Division Three with what was basically a team of kids and transformed them from the word ‘Go’. So much so, in fact, that they won two consecutive promotions. Four of the lads, Gary Pallister, Stuart Ripley, Colin Cooper and Bernie Slaven, went on to become full internationals, and Steve Pears would have been added to that list but for injury.
So really the most important factor this season will be the level of impact which Edwards can have in the dressing room. Signings are necessary, we know that. In fact there’s a need for at least one new face in every department of the side. But it doesn’t need to go much further than that provided most of the best players stay put, and if the man at the helm instils a renewed level of confidence within the squad which makes everybody play to their potential.
Finn Azaz of Middlesbrough scores the opening goal and celebrates
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