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Middlesbrough Follow Middlesbrough on RSS
Issue 116 – 22 February 2010
County perform smash and grab at Aldershot A moment of brilliance at the death rescued a point for Notts County in a battling performance at the EBB Stadium. Aldershot Town had taken the lead moments before half time, a finely placed finish by Ollie Bozanic. After another frustrating 45 minutes, a loss seemed to be [...]
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Johnson signs
Post from Bitter and Blue
Monday, February 1, 2010, 8:20 pm
Read more: Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Premiership
The deal that many expected was finally confirmed just before the transfer deadline this afternoon as we landed Adam Johnson for an undisclosed fee:
The Club is delighted to announce that Adam Johnson has joined us from Middlesbrough for an undisclosed fee after agreeing terms and passing a medical this afternoon.
The former England Under-21 winger, who has signed a contract until June 2014, steps straight into Roberto Mancini’s squad against Hull on Saturday. He will wear the traditional No.11.
Johnson, who played 19 games for England Under-21s and scored four goals, has played 96 times for Boro, scoring 13 times and making a firm impression on the game’s shrewdest judges.
Although it was confirmed as an undisclosed fee, the MEN are suggesting it is in the region of an initial £6million, rising to £10 million with add-ons. Although Johnson was out of contract in the summer, given his age (meaning we would have had to have paid a compensatory figure anyway) and undoubted potential it is a fair figure.
I am excited about the move. Johnson is very highly thought of in the game and impressed in our FA Cup meeting before being forced off through injury. He had his path blocked a little by Stewart Downing early in his career and spent time on loan at both Leeds and Watford but returned for the 2008/09 season where he made twenty-six appearances in Middlesbrough’s relegation campaign.
Interestingly enough, Johnson has often featured on the right wing (or ‘off-wing’) – something that Mancini (amongst many others at the moment) is fond of utilising and far from him being banished to the reserves my view is that he will see plenty of playing time over the remainder of the season.
A further point to consider is the potential effect this could have on Martin Petrov’s future. Out of contract in the summer of course, he has often been linked with moves away from the club (with rumours today of a move to Everton) and perhaps this signing pushes the Bulgarian closer to the exit door?
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Johnson bid ‘increased’
Post from Bitter and Blue
Sunday, January 31, 2010, 7:58 pm
Read more: Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Premiership
Sky Sports News understands that Manchester City have made an improved offer for Middlesbrough winger Adam Johnson.
City made a move for the talented 22-year-old earlier in the week, only for Boro boss Gordon Strachan to reject the approach.
Although Johnson is understood to want the chance to hold transfer talks, Boro, for now, hold the key to his short-term future.
>>skysports.com.
As I posted previously, I expected an increased bid from us and would be confident of it being successful. Middlesbrough, I’m sure, would take a bid in the region of £6 million as opposed to seeing him walk when his contract expires in the summer.
It always amazes me though quite why deals are left until the very end of the transfer window, and unless we can get a fee agreed soon we run the danger of not being able to complete by tomorrow’s 5pm deadline.
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Johnson bids rejected
Post from Bitter and Blue
Thursday, January 28, 2010, 1:06 pm
Read more: Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Premiership
Although reports last night appeared to be confident in seeing us land Adam Johnson, the suggestion today is that it may not be so cut and dried.
Sky Sports are quoting Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan as having dismissed all bids outright for him:
“We have had verbal offers in the last week for Adam, but nothing has changed,” said Strachan. Adam is still here and I would expect him still to be here for the last 19 games of the season.”
I believe that despite Middlesbrough being relegated from the Premier League last season, they are on a relatively sound footing financially so a requirement to sell may not be as pressing as it is with Crystal Palace and Victor Moses.
Alternatively, it could merely be an attempt to see interested parties up their bid with the closing of the transfer window ever nearer.
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Johnson bid reported
Post from Bitter and Blue
Thursday, January 28, 2010, 12:09 am
Read more: Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Premiership
Manchester City will attempt to get over their Carling Cup disappointment by signing England Under-21 star Adam Johnson from Middlesbrough.
It is understood the Blues have lodged a bid for Johnson and they hope to conclude a deal before the end of the transfer window.
Johnson scored twice for Boro in their victory over Doncaster on Tuesday night but has been touted for a move away from the Riverside since the Teessiders were relegated last season.
>>MEN.
With the focus soon to shift away from the Carling Cup and derby games, potential transfers and likely targets will fall back under the spotlight and this is one that has been reported almost immediately following tonight’s game.
Johnson was an impressive figure during the early stages of the recent FA Cup tie and comes with a big reputation. No doubt he would be an option on the left hand side to fill the gap in the squad created by Robinho’s imminent departure.
Would this mean a possible move for Crystal Palace’s Victor Moses may no longer be forthcoming though?
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Middlesbrough reaction
Post from Bitter and Blue
Saturday, January 2, 2010, 8:01 pm
Read more: Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Premiership
I anticipated that one or two youngters would see some significant action today and whilst we have seen Vladimir Weiss before, it was a first glimpse of Dedryck Boyata – and the first look was an impressive one. He tackled well, was comfortable on the ball and had a confidence about him that belied his young age.
After the victory, Mancini was quick to praise the debutant:
“This was Dedryck’s first chance to shine at this level and I thought he did very well. The game will have given him confidence and helped him mentally to know that he is part of the squad.
For me both young players have bright futures and that is not just good for them but also the club. It is important to me and to the owners and to the fans as well that we continue to bring players through our Academy.”
And on the victory itself:
“Benjani is a good player, and we brought him in three days ago and today he played well and scored and that is important,” said Mancini.
“I am very happy with the win, for the players and the supporters.”It is an important competition, Middlesbrough played well and after we scored, we played well.”
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Middlesbrough ratings
Post from Bitter and Blue
Saturday, January 2, 2010, 7:50 pm
Read more: Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Premiership
Given – Couldn’t have wished for a more comfortable afternoon. 6.5
Zabaleta – Solid in defence and purposeful going forward. 7
Richards – Went off at half time but handled anything that came his way. 6.5
Boyata – A solid debut indeed. Tackles well and has an air of confidence about his game. 7.5
Garrido – Comfortable on the ball and saw plenty of it. 7
Weiss – Showed flashes but tried too hard at times. 6
de Jong – Not overly tested but did the right things. 6.5
Kompany – Operated both in midfield and defence, equally at home in both. 7
Sylvinho – An unfamiliar role but performed well. 6.5
Petrov - The star for me. Attacked well, brought others into the game and set up the winner. 8
Benjani – Isolated in the first half, but worked hard and a nice finish. 7
Subs:
Tevez – Lively as usual. Went close once or twice and should have got on the scoresheet. 7
Barry – Steady as ever and kept things simple. 7
Bellamy - Twenty minute run out but never quite made an impact. 6
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Middlesbrough 0 City 1
Post from Bitter and Blue
Saturday, January 2, 2010, 7:32 pm
Read more: Manchester City, Middlesbrough, Premiership
Solid and unspectacular it may have been, but given some of the shambolic cup exits witnessed in recent years a routine FA Cup 3rd round win (against a bogey side) was very welcome.
It wasn’t a performance that will live long in the memory, but it was a game that we controlled with the instruction to retain possession again very evident. Middlesbrough – brief flashed from Adam Johnson (until he was forced off injured) aside – offered little throughout the ninety minutes. So much so that Shay Given didn’t not have to make a save during the game.
Despite comments prior to the game, Roberto Mancini opted for a much changed line-up with Dedryck Boyata partnering Richards in defence, whilst Vladimir Weiss got the start in midfield. Benjani came in from the wilderness to operate as a lone striker and cut an isolated figure for the most part in the first half, but it was his finish that decided the outcome. Petrov, marauding from midfield, cut inside before playing Benjani in behind the Middlesbrough defence for the Zimbabwean to neatly slot home on the stroke of half time.
Gareth Barry and Carlos Tevez were introduced at half-time as Mancini switched to a 4-4-2, and his willingness to alter formation and personnel was something we again witnessed. Petrov and Weiss interchanged during the game and Sylvinho operated as a central midfielder at times, showing that Mancini is not restricted to making changes to counter an opponents threat. The introduction of Tevez of course brought more spark to our play, and we could have added another goal or two with Tevez himself culpable of missing a golden opportunity to extend the lead.
With Wednesday very much in mind, the game really couldn’t have gone much better. A winning performance that didn’t require too much exertion, key players for Wednesday not playing more than a half and (so far at least) no new injuries to report.
Job done and into the draw for round 4. My prediction? Aston Villa at home.
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