Tony Mowbray Must Go For a Budget Rebuild at Middlesbrough

Filed under: Middlesbrough, Championship, Football

Juninho is returning to Middlesbrough. Unfortunately it is for one night only, and his cameo in a pre-season friendly against PSV Eindhoven on Friday (July 29) may serve only to remind fans that the glory days when the Brazilian illuminated the Riverside Stadium may not return for some time.

Now 38, the skilful midfield man played for Boro in three separate spells and was a member of the team which lifted the Carling Cup in 2004. But spending on big names is now a thing of the past on Teesside.

This time last year, Middlesbrough were joint favourites with QPR to win promotion to the Premier League. Some expensive imports by Gordon Strachan, the manager, were expected to take the club back to the top flight, but the reality failed to live up to the promise.

Now, under former local hero Tony Mowbray, the Teesside club are still forecast by the bookmakers to finish in the top six even though the preparations for this season are very different from those of 12 months ago. Instead of players coming in, there is an exodus of high-earners that may continue for some while before any new signings can be contemplated. But the end result may be a leaner, fitter club that will be in better shape eventually.

Kris Boyd, Didier Digard and Andrew Taylor have left, and are unlikely to be the last to go, with Swansea City reported to be interested in Leroy Lita and Marvin Emnes. "I don't think we've done our business yet as far as getting players out is concerned," Mowbray told the Sunday Sun. "That's an ongoing process and we're working hard on that every day.

"I've made it clear right from the start that we have to get the wage bill down to a level where it is manageable, and we're not there yet. There will be more outs before there are any ins."

At the end of the 2009-10 season Strachan had promised a prudent approach to team-building and talked of an end to "£20 million" signings" and "ridiculous wages." He then made a number of signings, including Boyd - on a free transfer but allegedly the second-highest paid player in the division - Kevin Thomson for £2m from Rangers, Stephen McManus for £1.5m from Celtic, and Nick Bailey from Charlton Athletic for £1.4m.

The Scot left in October after a disappointing start - refusing to negotiate a pay-off for the remaining 30 months of his contract - to be replaced by Saltburn-born Mowbray, the former captain, who had gained a reputation for playing good football at West Bromwich Albion and also managed Celtic and Hibernian.

So far this summer, Mowbray has signed midfield player Malaury Martin on a one-year deal after a successful trial, and has considered bringing back Julio Arca, who has been training with the club after recovering from a knee operation - as long as he is willing to settle for a fraction of his previous wages.

But Mowbray's best hope may be to promote from within. Steve Gibson, the owner, financed not only a series of major short-term signings but also invested in the youth development system that produced England players Adam Johnson and Stewart Downing, and it will be called upon to provide in the team's hour of need.

"There have been some holes created and we have to try to fill these holes," Mowbray said. "It's an opportunity for some of the young lads. Adam Reach burst onto the scene in the last game of last season and he's someone who naturally plays in the position Andrew Taylor was playing in."

"They can rely on them because the quality there is so good," Emmanuel Pogatetz, the club's former captain, said. "That's a big bonus for Middlesbrough. They have the quality now, they just have to get the experience and then look to get promoted in the next couple of seasons."

 

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Source: http://www.fanhouse.co.uk/2011/07/25/tony-mowbray-must-go-for-a-budget-rebuild-at-middlesbrough/

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