Boro working on striker targets after Sanogo deal falls through
Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock says the club are working on other striker targets after a deal to sign Yaya Sanogo fell through.
Warnock said last week he wants to sign two more forwards before the end of the transfer window to compete with strikers Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher.
The Teessiders were visibly short of attacking options on the bench during Friday’s 1-0 defeat by Watford at Vicarage Road
“We’ve been close a few times, it would have been nice to change it with 20,25 minutes togo ,” admitted Warnock when asked about his lack of options.
“But we’re working hard. I can’ t fault that, I’ m sure something will drop in the next few weeks.”
When quizzed on the Sanogo deal which didn’t materialise, the Boro boss added: “It’s one of those things, it’s not going to be and we’ ll move on.
“We still have other targets and I’ m hoping Neil (Bausor) can get one or two over the line in the next few weeks, the sooner the better really.
One player who Boro have managed to bring in is midfielder Sam Morsy, who joined the club for an undisclosed fee from Wig an on Friday.
"We are trying hard to get some in, it was nice to get Sam in he’s a good lad,” said Warnock.
“We are short of options, if you look at the average age we are a very young side.
"I think it’s a good experience against a good Watford side.
“You can’ t recognise some of these lads from eight weeks ago, they are full of confidence, they are enjoying it
“We can’t enjoy the result but they are enjoying training, enjoying the games and I thought you could see that.”
Despite the result, Warnock was keen to focus on the positives following the match at Vicarage Road.
“I thought we did really well. We looked a good side,” said Warnock.
“They’ve taken it on board, I thought Watford were fortunate to come away with a win.
“I don’t understand how a Watford player has been selected as man of the match, two or three of our players were outstanding.”
Meanwhile, Watford centre-back Ben Wilmot says his side knew what to expect from Middlesbrough’ s strikers.
The 20-year-old defender was making his first league start for the Hornets when he lined up in a back three alongside Craig Ca th cart and Christian Kabasele.
Wilmot, who impressed in the Championship during a loan spell at Swansea last season, spoke to the press after the game, and was asked by the Mail about Boro frontmen Britt Assombalonga and Ashley Fletcher.
“They are both awkward, different characters yet very similar,” Wilmot replied.
“They are both strong and quick and like the ball in behind or to their feet.
“That’ s difficult but we knew exactly what was coming and it came.
“We prepared well for it and I thought on the whole we dealt with it pretty well.
“There were no problems really for our back three.”