Aitor is facing Gaston gamble
Slaven’s Forrest Gump moment
® AITOR KARANKA has to decide whether to become a gambling man to boost Middlesbrough’s survival prospects.
Boro host Swansea today still reeling from the heavy defeat against Liverpool which left them one place above the relegation zone.
So boss Karanka is desperate to go into the hectic festive programme with a morale-boosting win over one of Boro’s relegation rivals.
And he knows the result today could depend on the availability of Gaston Ramirez, who has missed the last two defeats with a foot infection.
Karanka’s default mode is naturally cautious but on this occasion he is ready to indulge in some risk management as Ramirez is still not fully fit.
He said: “It depends on me – if I want to take a risk or if I keep him on the bench and use him when we need him.
Balance
“Or I could keep him at home to make sure he is 100 per cent ready for Boxing Day. It is all in my head at the moment.
“He trained today and it was not a tough session. If he plays it is because I am confident he is ready.
“This game is very important. That is why I need the right balance.
“Maybe I have to take a risk, in one way, because Swansea are a direct opponent.
“But we have another three games in a week, so to lose him for those games is even worse.
“I have to make the right decision.”
Two defeats in a week have heightened nerves among Boro fans but not only is Karanka not worried, he would happily settle for staying 17th.
“It is the position where we are at the moment and the position where I would like to be at the end of the season,” he said.
“I don’t think we have been in the relegation positions since the start, and we have to battle to stay out of them.” ®