he played pretty much every game for salt lake, hes fully match fit its a loan signing it really is an absolute no brainer for our survival
From a Boro forum.... Posted February 10, 2024 Genuinely (I really mean this) one of my favourite Boro players ever. Not necessarily because of his ability (which is a whole new thread in itself) but because of the man. That said, I think he was very skilful. Much more than many would give him credit for. What a guy. A team man. A connector. An amazing bloke. I will miss him immensely That's all.
No, I want a defensive midfielder. We don’t even play with a number 10. We end up signing an attacking midfielder every transfer window and have neglected key areas for years. It’s just par for the course of this club’s short-sighted transfer policy.
Never heard of him but he’s scored plenty of goals from midfield for Boro in recent years, and he’s a big lad. Two things we’re lacking in our midfield and side as a whole. Plenty of experience at this level as well. Think he will prove much more useful in a relegation dog fight than Mehlem or Omur.
We do need goals as well from midfield. Annoyingly Slater could have about 6. Not disagreeing with your defensive midfielder comment though
Baz said a couple of midfielders so I imagine that’s still on the list too. Puerta and Slater have no like for like ATM so I feel he comes in to add that
They have said that a 6 has been on the list. Suspect Jan will hopefully look like CB LB No.6 Striker Winger
Omur and Mehlem have become so ineffective that their presence on the pitch is almost unnoticeable. Crooks will at least get on the ball and contribute. It’s also noticeable that this season while scoring 3 and assisting 4 his numbers are more impressive from a defensive point of view - so he will be excellent leading the press. Tackles, duals and interceptions have been strengths this season.
He seems like a character we need but the No10 thing frustrates me too. Maybe they will use him as false 9 at times?
How many attacking midfielders have we gone through since Acun bought the club? Tufan was the only one with any sort of longevity. Tufan, Twine, Carvalho, Ömür, Mehlem, Palmer and now Crooks. Not to mention that kid we got on loan from Arsenal that never played and Celi who also never played. We’re just going to end up overhauling the squad every season until the Turk gets bored and ****s off.
Trouble is, only one of those you list is available now, and he's not very good. The rest have left the club and Palmer's out at least another month. You also take no account of the fact that some who are primarily 10s can contribute in other positions. The one you mention with greatest longevity played as a false 9 or on a wing more than in the actual 10.
