From playing with Middlesbrough legends like Juninho and Fabrizio Ravanelli, to pulling on an England shirt alongside the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard. Andy Campbell has experienced it all.
A local lad from the area, he made his first appearance for Middlesbrough in a Premier League fixture against Sheffield Wednesday in 1996 when he was just 16-years-old, a club record at the time.
Campbell has even scored in a play-off final-albeit for Cardiff City-so who better to analyse the chances of his boyhood club as they enter a new Championship season with hopes of promotion to the Premier League?
Club’s recruitment
With plenty of time still left to go in the transfer window, the most accurate way to describe fans’ mood as we move towards the start of the season, is cautious optimism. That view is shared by Campbell, who spoke to me about the club’s recruitment so far. “I think it has been really quiet-but expected”. Admitted the former front man.
“We don’t really seem to go and splash the cash like we have in years gone by. The players the manager has brought in, have good pedigree, for this division, that is key.”
Asked if any of the signings in particular excite him, he witheld judgement on them and also expressed concerns. “I wouldn’t go as far as excite me. We have lost a lot of quality, especially in attacking areas and I would have liked maybe a goal scorer to be brought in, but we have still got time.”
The ex-Boro pace merchant conceded that the apparent lack of a current number nine at the club was a ‘huge!!’ concern. He added, “Players like Teemu Pukki were available and I would have loved to see a real number nine walk in the side, so that we can mix it up a little”.
Campbell is no doubt referring to the unrelenting insistence to play a certain way. Carrick likes his side to monopolise possession and fashion chances by constantly probing and passing. Only Swansea City completed-on average-more passes per game last season. It is unlikely they will change their approach during this campaign.
Akpom situation
Talking of the importance of goal scorers, Campbell also offered his views on the ongoing situation involving Chuba Akpom. Quizzed on the club and the player’s stance, he replied, “I don’t think he will stay. He will be a huge loss, but you can’t keep players who don’t want to stay. No player is bigger than the club. We sell and invest in players who want to run through a brick wall for that red shirt.”
It may come as a shock to Boro fans who harbour hopes of keeping the 29-goal hero. But Campbell has seen stars come and go at The Riverside for years. One thing he does feel reassured about though, is that Michael Carrick will be guiding the club for his first full season. “He (Carrick) will be expected to continue from last season, where he did fantastically well.” said Campbell.
“We did run out of ideas in the play-offs, but with 46 league games ahead, I’m expecting good things.”
Expectations this season
“There have been a lot of young players who have impressed in pre-season.
“But I think the manager will go with experience this season and lads who know the division.” Said the former player, who has also ventured into management since retiring; taking charge of Middlesbrough Women FC among others.
Speaking about a prediction, he continued, “Play-offs has to be the target. It is difficult looking at Leeds and Leicester who have got Premier League money and big squads to work with. I think Boro will finish in sixth.”
With Middlesbrough still in the hunt for a pacey forward, Andy Campbell could not hide how much he would have enjoyed playing in front of the club’s current crop. “I loved playing over the top; with the quality of the midfielders, I’d have loved chasing those through balls!”