Rob Edwards will give every Middlesbrough player an opportunity to prove themselves.
Big changes are on the way, but a full makeover of Middlesbrough’s team might have a negative impact.
If the present team is virtually wiped out and replaced with a fresh line-up, such as eight new faces, the side may take a long time to blend together. It would make it much more difficult to get out to a fast start, potentially leaving Boro playing catch-up once more.
It’s a difficult situation for incoming manager Rob Edwards, especially as Hayden Hackney, Rav van den Berg, Finn Azaz, and Tommy Conway are all capable of attracting large offers from moneybags teams this summer.
Of course, Boro could turn them all down until the cows came home. However, if the players desire to go, the situation changes. How much better would it be for the new boss to know that all of the stars are remaining. Then he may begin preparations to strengthen the team in other areas, confident that the foundation of a winning team is already in place.
If there are any positives, they stem from the potential influence a new manager could have on the team. The moment Edwards walks through the door, the slate is wiped clean for all players. Everyone will have the opportunity to compete for their positions on an even playing field.
For players like Morgan Whittaker and Josh Coburn, this is an excellent opportunity to finally get their feet under the table. Boro have enormous faith in Whittaker’s abilities. He could play a significant role in season, particularly if Azaz and Conway are sold. It is up to him.
Coburn was loaned out to Millwall to gain valuable experience and put him in a better position to compete for a first-team spot this season, as long as Boro were satisfied with his progress at the New Den. The ball is also in his court. As supporters, we tend to criticize players who do not consistently produce results and assume they are not good enough.
However, the introduction of a new manager can often bring out the best in these same players, surprising the guys themselves with how effectively they perform. Before my time, Jack Charlton took over a Boro squad that had been treading water for a few seasons.
However, with the same roster of players and the addition of free transfer signing Bobby Murdoch, the team became unrecognizable over the next two or three seasons. They raced to a record-breaking promotion, finished eighth in the top flight the following season, and certain players, like Graeme Souness, became superstars overnight.
Bruce Rioch began life in Division Three with a team of kids and transformed them from the word ‘Go’. They won two promotions in a row. Gary Pallister, Stuart Ripley, Colin Cooper, and Bernie Slaven all went on to become full internationals, and Steve Pears would have joined them if he hadn’t been injured.
So, the most essential factor this season will be Edwards’ impact on the dressing room. We are aware that signings are necessary. In fact, each department on the side requires at least one new face. But it doesn’t have to go much further than that if the majority of the top players stay and the guy in charge instills a newfound sense of confidence in the squad, allowing everyone to perform to their full ability.
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