Airport Watch.... Tuncay Latest!

Martin wrote...

Fantastic news. I'm glad there was nobody waiting for him at the airport to steal him haha. AV, any idea on what day the panel sits to deal with the work permits?

PS. Cheers for putting my comment in the paper today :)

**AV writes: I can't remember. I'll find out.

Posted by: Martin  | June 21, 2007 4:23 PM

John Powls wrote...

Well, good news.

But, instead of letting the rumours grow by denying that he was coming over this week and having to then deny the rumours that it was all dropping to bits why couldn't the club just say all of this in the first place.

Hopeless.

Has Mehmet got a turn of speed and a good right foot?

**AV writes: To be fair John the main problem was red tape at the Turkish end. He needed a visa from our embassy to enter Britain and it takes time. I'm not sure the club knew exactly when he would arrive.

Posted by: John Powls  | June 21, 2007 5:01 PM

Olly wrote...

Please tell me that Mehmet is real, haha. looking forward to seeing Tuncay in action. been quite this week which is strange i was all ready for a Boro busy summer!

Posted by: Olly  | June 21, 2007 6:06 PM

dave wrote...

why does his budgie need a work permit?

Any news on which position southgate plans to play him?

**AV writes: I presume Gate will play the budgie on the wing.

Posted by: dave  | June 21, 2007 7:21 PM

davidt wrote...

So the back page of the Gazette wasnt quite right,was it?
I know its a squad game, but assuming that Aliadiere and Tuncay Sanli will expect to play most weeks,where does that leave Yak etal. Perhaps 3-4-3 or 4-3-3.

Anyway, its beginning to sound exciting although with all the new foreign money splashing about, its going to be even harder just to stand still. PS are you still contemplating your own future Shwartzer or joining the new revolution?

Posted by: davidt  | June 21, 2007 7:46 PM

Very Happy wrote...

Well, I am thoroughly delighted with the way things are beginning to shape.

The new lads coming in will expect and deserve to see smiles. So let’s get behind our Club and let tomorrow’s positives filter through via the Gazette, and leave yesterday in the bin!

PS: Keep up the good work Anthony, because it is well appreciated.

Posted by: Very Happy  | June 21, 2007 11:22 PM

Ian Gill wrote...

May as well have the budgie because if Morrison goes we will have no one on the right wing.

Smith is off to Toon and Nugent to the Mackems according to the BBC.

Not been a bad summer so far, need a couple more to fill the gaps and we will have an improved team.

Just waiting for our 'spectacular' signing. As John says they do get the message wrong sometimes. I guess most clubs are the same we just cocentrate on our own.

AV

If the rumours about Nugent and Smith are true who is your 50p going to placed on?

**AV writes: I think the club have quite a few irons in the fire. If Bent goes to Spurs as looks likely I would love Robbie Keane but I'm not sure that's a goer.

I still hope there is a 'spectacular' move for Saviola.

Posted by: Ian Gill  | June 22, 2007 9:17 AM

alf wrote...

I think robbie keane just signed a new contract so more likely to be defoe.

Posted by: alf  | June 22, 2007 9:51 AM

Nigel wrote...

So if Tuncay has a budgie. One can only assume that The Boat has a tortoise!

Seriously I suspect Boat will be a key player for another season, his role as a stopper/destroyer is a key one in any team, all he has to do is win the ball and lay it off to the budgie or the flying frenchman...easy!!

So Smith to the Toon, with Owen and Martins wanting away the barcodes will look like Leeds of old, only problem being 5/6 years on Smith and The Duke won't have the benefit of Woodie and Ferdinand in defence and the dynanic midfield to go with them.

With all the talk of a new fast/mobile skillful Boro team I remembered watching Boro play Leeds when Leeds were in their pomp and we were systematically dismantled by a fast team full of energy. Cooper was one of the centre backs and he was made to look like an OAP.

If Boro can approach something like that then we are in for a treat. That style of play is the way forward, its the way Arsenal and Man Utd play after all.

Posted by: Nigel  | June 22, 2007 9:55 AM

Ian Gill wrote...

Nigel

I agree, the problem is getting mobile, pacey, technically proficient players who can also score goals. You can but try and aspire get the best you can.

Are there any clips of Mehmet the budgie on the internet? No point bringing him in if he is a duffer. May as well get one from the local pet shop.

Posted by: Ian Gill  | June 22, 2007 10:14 AM

Nigel wrote...

Ian,

I agree the goalscoring remains an issue,to carry on the budgie theme, I guess we're on a wing and a prayer.

Posted by: Nigel  | June 22, 2007 11:12 AM

John Powls wrote...

Vic

Have you heard the rumour about Riquelme - or is that just internet fluff? We could go for an Ar-gen-tina double with Saviola - now, even I would count that as spectacular!

Why have we not revitalised our interest in Appiah - particularly if Fenerbahce need a striker and have courted The Yak before?

Appy Arry doesn't want to let O'Neil go? Then that's the end of the conversation with you about The Yak then, pal.

Posted by: John Powls  | June 22, 2007 11:13 AM

Very Happy wrote...

Anthony

If at all possible we must stay well clear of signing other strikers from the Premiership. Their game has been well seen and monitored and their £££££££££ is ridiculous.

If we do manage to sign Saviola, it will be the ideal capture.
The unveiling our new midfield player to be, will be the biggest talking point of course!

Stay well clear of the Premiership is the battle cry in my honest opinion.

What do you think about my comments AV?

**AV writes: The upside of buying abroad is that relatively the fees and wages are lower so can represent good value for money.

The downside is that there is no guarantee that players can bridge the culture gap, cope with the pace and physicality of the Premiership or that, if it does not work out, that they can easily be sold at a decent return.

Posted by: Very Happy  | June 22, 2007 11:34 AM

johno wrote...

i think scot carson next in, need a goalkeeper

Posted by: johno  | June 22, 2007 12:18 PM

John Powls wrote...

The latest pronouncement from old scissorhands is entirely predictable - he's an Aussie in the last year of his contract.

But can we show that at long, long last we have learned a lesson about these situations and either offer him an extension now which he can either accept or turn down - or decide we don't want to.

If it's either of the last 2 we're then in a position to sell him while there is some value left and use the money to recruit someone else while we're at rebuilding!

Brad Jones isn't ready to step up - I doubt whether he will ever be, but I hope he proves me wrong. So, we would need to buy.

There's Carson at Liverpool who isn't going to want a season on the bench and weren't we interested in Lesjal from Brno in the last closed season. Plus, La Liga is replete with very good goalies.

Posted by: John Powls  | June 22, 2007 12:32 PM

smoggyinyorkshire wrote...

Thought you guys might like this, I had a tear in my eye, can't find a similar one for Mark....Err...mmm.....what was it again?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NJwnmk54TEA

Posted by: smoggyinyorkshire  | June 22, 2007 12:34 PM

Shaun wrote...

We're being linked with some decent players at the moment and there seems to be substance to the rumours, which is an indication that we're moving in the right direction.

Fair play to Gareth Southgate, I had massive doubts when we first gave him the job but it looks as though he is a man who knows what he wants and how he wants to do it.

Saviola would be a fantastic addition. He has great quality and comes with fantastic credentials. Defoe likewise. He has a proven ability and can score goals at this level and hasn't been given a fair crack of the whip in recent months at Spurs.

As for Mehmet De La Budgie - I hear he's ready to break onto the scene and perch himself at the top of next years opta statistics. All we need to do is feed him the ball..

Posted by: Shaun  | June 22, 2007 12:48 PM

Ian W wrote...

Johno

Nail on the head. We've lingered over a decent goalkeeper to replace Schwarzer, & its almost cometh the hour. Brad Jones, I'm sorry, is a lightweight. I haven't the confidence in him. Flaps at the ball like one Mehmet Sanli, or Ben Roberts. Ross Turnbull has always looked fairly solid. Maybe he should get his go. I don't doubt he will either unless Brad Jones suddenly realises his potential.

I believe Scott Carson would be ideal, & worth whatever price, considering the years he has ahead of him. Although I'd get an experienced keeper such as Niemi.

Either way we need to make sure we've a keeper who can speak the language, so looking abroad in this case might not be too clever.

Posted by: Ian W  | June 22, 2007 1:00 PM

Ian Gill wrote...

AV

Is that just like Sendhimback and Mendi? We have this unique abilty to turn wine into water, we could probably turn the Harry Ramsden empire into a few loaves and fishes.

Posted by: Ian Gill  | June 22, 2007 1:04 PM

Andrew wrote...

AV, has it actually been stated where he will play for the Boro? After making a few enquiries he has played on the wing before and I would not rule out Southgate playing Tuncay on the right wing or in a 4-3-3.

Good progress being made but have we forgot about Matthew Bates when looking for a new right back. In Right Backs we have Seb Hines, Matthew Bates, Tony McMahon and Andrew Davies. Left Back Taylor, Pogatetez, Arca and Hines. Centre Back Woodgate, Huth, Riggott, Pogatetz, Davies, Wheater, Bates, Hines.

Creative midfielders are the key not defenders.

Posted by: Andrew  | June 22, 2007 1:20 PM

alf wrote...

Tuscay comes cheep at the price of a free but probably has a claws that allowes him to leave for nothing if he cant settle or has a buy out fee. As long as we dont have to foot the bill. But i hope he makes a nest on teesside.

AV writes: I seed what you mean.

Posted by: alf  | June 22, 2007 1:29 PM

Andrew wrote...

When looking for a goalkeeper I would go for someone with experience who can handle big games. Jones has been ok but doesn't give the defenders confidence. I would loom at bringing in Kasper Schmeichel and Scott Flinders whilst trying to get Jussi Jaaskelainen from Bolton

Posted by: Andrew  | June 22, 2007 1:43 PM

Lincoln Burrows wrote...

I hope that Alan Smith does go elsewhere.
I've been told that we are looking at Patrick Owomoyela, an 11 times capped German international from Werder bremen to fill our right-back berth.

Posted by: Lincoln Burrows  | June 22, 2007 2:16 PM

Ian Gill wrote...

Alf

That is appalling, I'm jealous of that post.

There again maybe they are trying to feather their nests because on a free it gives us some room to budg(i)e.

It could all come home to roost and that would put the cat amongst the pigeons.

Posted by: Ian Gill  | June 22, 2007 2:18 PM

Ian Gill wrote...

I hereby apologise for the last post

Posted by: Ian Gill  | June 22, 2007 2:52 PM