Despite some marked improvements in the game against Huddersfield Town, Middlesbrough will surely be looking to tie up at least a couple more players to aid with the gruelling Championship season ahead.
Boro are a team in transition, as most in this unforgiving league are, given the nature of the finances and the tendancy to loan players from the Premier League. That said, they will have still been disappointed by their start; losing both opening games to teams they would have liked to get a result against.
Their will not be any panic from the ever composed Michael Carrick, but after losing influential players from last season like Akpom, Giles, Archer, Steffen and Ramsey, the club had their work cut out ensuring that quality remained in every position.
Players for the future
To an extent, the club has done that, bringing in no fewer than nine new faces. In line with their new recruitment vision, many of which could be described as players with lots of potential who will be assets for the club in the near future if not immediately.
However, it is important to mix those players in with some experience and battle-hardened pro’s who will relieve some of that pressure that can burden a young player. The importance of having a Jonny Howson type in the side is immeasurable. He proved so on Saturday with his energy and ability to set the tempo of the team.
It is likely that after all of the permanent moves, any deals brokered before the deadline will be loan deals from Premier League players are surplus in terms of their respective clubs’ first team plans.
Here is a look at the current squad depth and the areas which will need addressing.
Goalkeeper
A straight forward one to start. There will be no movement in this position. The club has already completed an overhaul with Zak Steffen returning to his parent club, Sol Brynn, Liam Roberts and Zach Hemming all going out on loan and Seny Dieng, Tom Glover and Jamie Jones all coming in on permanent signings. Those three will be the ones Michaell Carrick will work with.
Squad depth: Good
Left-back
The position that has long been discussed this summer. The need for a new left-back intensified following the transfer of Ryan Giles to Luton Town. Boro did make a breakthrough with the transfer of Lukas Engel, a player allegedly of similar ilk to Giles who loves to get forward and send crosses into the box. However, it would be a risk to only have Engel and Hayden Coulson to call upon for a 46-game campaign. Matt Clarke is still on the books but he has missed a ridiculous amount of football since his move here.
One injury could see us struggle in that position, so if the opportunity arises, one can assume that another competent left-sided defender will be brought in.
Squad depth: Requires attention
Right-back
Rav van den Berg slotted in at right-back on Saturday and looked assured. A lot will depend on how quickly Tommy Smith and Anfernee Dijksteel are sidelined for. It could be argue that it is a position where the quality of the first choice could be better, but if those two return soon, there will be no immediate need to strengthen here, at least within the context of the whole squad and its priorities anyway. The versatility of van den Berg and McNair would add to that statement.
Boro squad depth: Fair
Centre-back
There will be fans who feel Boro need another centre-back owing to the fact that we can’t seem to keep a clean sheet. I think the statistics surrounding goals conceded is more to do with the style of play and the strategy than it is the individual performances of our centre-backs. Lenihan and Fry are the settled pairing for now, with van den Berg and McNair providing very competent cover. In the case of McNair, lots of speculation has arisen, but he remains a Boro player, and unless a very attractive offer surfaces, it looks set to stay that way.
Boro squad depth: Good
Central-midfield
Hayden Hackney has been a revelation over the past ten months. His fledgling partnership with Jonny Howson has been one of the success stories for Middlesbrough. Dan Barlaser has deputised for Howson and although adds a different dimension in terms of his exquisite passing range, it has been noted that when he plays with Hackney, the dynamic is slightly different and maybe some of the protection in front of the back four is lost. Nevertheless, Boro are blessed to have such talent in reserve. They must protect Howson and use him sensibly though. Two matches a week could stretch the squad and he is important. This position’s success hinges on the continued fitness of its mainstays.
Jack Stott also played well and impressed in pre-season, but it may be too much to ask him to play a part this early in his career. The ability Riley McGree possesses could offer a solution in central midfield if called upon, but would suit a midfield three as opposed to a two-man midfield. The club-depending on who is available-may look for an ‘Alex Mowatt’ type loan to offer some cover.
Boro squad depth: Fair
Left-wing
The arrival of A-League star Sami Silvera looks to be a shrewd piece of business with the diminutive winger already impressing enough to start matches and impact them. He is keeping out Australian counterpart Riley McGree who played there for the majority of last season. Boro also have Morgan Rogers who can play there, so they have an embarrassment of riches in that position.
Boro squad depth: Excellent
Right-wing
Marcus Forss and Isaiah Jones did battle last season for this position, with Forss fancied more often. If Jones can rediscover the form that saw him linked with Premier League clubs, the club will have no urge to bolster the right-hand side of their attack. Morgan Rogers and even Riley McGree are players who could play the position when called upon.
Boro squad depth: Good
Central-attacking midfielder
There is no sugar-coating it, the sale of Chuba Akpom leaves a gaping 29-goal hole. But Boro must find a way to share the goals across the team and concentrate on filling the ten role with a player who can create chances and hopefully score a few themselves. That player could be Morgan Rogers, who looked most at home when he was deployed there against Huddersfield. It is a lot of responsibility for the 20-year-old to shoulder, but he looks to have the ability and with Riley McGree and ex-Brentford B player of the season Alex Gilbert, Boro have lots of options.
Martin Payero is a player who can play in the ten role, but is a different type of player to the rest. Whether Payero can settle into English football is still an unanswered question. Matt Crooks has also played the position and has bags of experience.
Boro squad depth: Good
Striker
The hardest position to fill. Goal scorers are like gold dust and replacing the 40 goals that Chuba Akpom and Cameron Archer banged in last season was always going to be an arduous task. Matthew Hoppe has been allowed to leave on loan, leaving Josh Coburn and makeshift strikers Morgan Rogers and Matt Crooks. That was of course until the club brought in Emmanuel Latte Lath. The 24-year-old Ivorian made an explosive debut against Huddersfield, chasing everything and giving the Riverside faithful every indication that he could be a cult favourite.
However, there needs to be another striker brought in to share the burden in case of injuries, suspension or loss of form. Hopefully, Latte Lath gets an early goal that can ease the pressure and head him towards the similar tally of 16 that he hit last season in the Swiss Super League.
If a loan deal for a forward presents itself, expect Michael Carrick to be pushing for the club to make it happen.
Boro squad depth: Needs attention
In summary, the most pressing issues in the squad are at left-back and up front (striker). If any other deals are available, then maybe a right-back and a central-midfielder. As always though with the transfer window, expect the unexpected.