Competing hard is par for the course...
THERE was an executive face at Middlesbrough training on Thursday.
Watching on from a distance was Boro chief executive Neil Bausor, who made the trip out to Portugal midway through the week to have closer ties with manager Chris Wilder as transfer movement finally gets going again.
After that initial excitement of the early days of the window that saw Boro land three really impressive signings, both incomings and outgoings came to a halt, in matching with what has so far been a slow market.
As Boro fans understandably began growing concerned with the season approaching, Wilder insisted a lot of hard work was going into it and called for patience.
Bausor watched on away from the rest of the Boro contingent in the Portuguese heat with Airpods in his ears throughout. Clearly, if there was a phone call to be taken, he was going to be on it. With Kieran Scott back on Teesside covering that base, there finally appears to be movement in the market again too.
As Martin Payero completed his loan move to Boca Juniors, Boro had positive news on an incoming front as Zack Steffen’s work permit issues were finally sorted. All being well, we might get a first glimpse of the USA international goalkeeper at Morecambe next week.
Further boosting Boro, for the first time in weeks reports seem to strongly suggest that Spurs are closing in on agreeing a deal to sign Djed Spence.
Antonio Conte would not be drawn on the speculation, but reports have become strong on that front.
It wouldn’t be the first time this summer that’s been the case though, so until we know for certain we’ll reluctantly just hope that a conclusion to the saga is drawing to a close, because clearly it would be beneficial to Boro for that to happen.
Equally, as frustrating as it is waiting, Steve Gibson should be praised for not just giving in to Daniel Levy and being left short-changed.
Clearly, with the season now two weeks away, but the transfer window still having six weeks to run, there is still plenty more work to be done, and Boro are getting on with that.
Back to matters in Portugal on the training pitches, and after two days away from the camp it was good to get back in and be amongst it again.
These tours are always useful for journalists in allowing us to just be amongst staff and players who we might not see much of during the rush of the actual season other than for a quick pre or post-match interview. It brings out a more human element to it, which is important.
And by the way, for anyone enjoying Matt Crooks’ video diaries as much as me, he assures me he said ‘conker,’ rather than what it actually sounded like, or ‘conk’ as the club subtitled to clarify!
It was nice to meet Host and Stay MD Dale Smith who has also arrived in Portugal. His Teesside-based company has a strong partnership with the club and sponsor this tour, while they will also have their logo on the front of the academy kits this season.
Dale, who was actually part of the club’s academy as a boy, spoke of his personal and family pride at his partnership with the club. He also talked about giving back to the community as he puts tickets they receive as part of their commercial deal towards helping families in the region get to games.
A great incentive, and great to see the club supporting community-driven Teesside businesses.
It was nice to chat to assistant coach Alan Knill, too. It was the first time being able to interview Wilder’s right-hand man and while he admits himself he hated his own stint as a manager for reasons such as doing press and being more in the limelight, his tactical mind makes him both an interesting interviewee and a crucial cog in the Boro operation.
On the pitches and ahead of the Braga game it was a slightly shorter session than the two hours they have been doing earlier in the week.
There was an afternoon session still to come, of course, while the morning session was still tough and demanding on the players as they looked sharp during the three-team, interchanging small-pitch match.
The competitiveness was there to be seen as well, particularly in Luke Daniels and Darragh Lenihan fuming with their team-mates whenever they conceded a goal.
As the team in the yellow bibs raced into a 7-0-0 lead before it was their turn to come off after the first two games, triallist Tommy Smith was clapping loudly and screaming ‘very good boys, very good!’ as he left the pitch – a positive sign of both the leadership he would bring if they do sign him, and also how well he is integrating into the group.
The squad is, of course, made up of many youngsters at the moment, and while Wilder has been honest in his assessment that, with his ambitions as they are, realistically that will mean incoming players will eventually take the positions currently occupied by the youngsters.
Nevertheless, what a chance for them to both shine in front of the boss, and also develop individually.
If one player of the lot has stood out, it would most probably be defender Bryant Bilongo. He’s looked really calm and composed in his two friendly appearances so far this summer and the noises from within tell of a confident boy who has looked right at home while part of the senior group too.
Wilder’s clearly casting a close eye on him. “Bilongo, where are you going!” he bellowed with added expletives as the young defender raced forward at the wrong time during the mini-game before sheepishly making his way back into position.
Later, as he drove forward at the right time, Wilder, standing on the touchline closest to the left-footed defender’s wing, could be heard encouraging the youngster.
“Excellent Bilongo,” he shouted. “Now work hard and get back in, excellent! Well done son.” It still seems unlikely any of the youngsters will break through this season, with loan moves ahead for the majority, but if I could see any given a potential opportunity, perhaps in that early cup game against Barnsley, my money would be on the 20-year-old.
I promised I’d do some investigating for you on the golf front too. As previously reported, there were plans to do a staff versus players golf game during the ‘down day’ on Wednesday, a so-called rematch after players took a loss on the cricket field back at Rockliffe. Unfortunately, my knowledge of golf isn’t great so you’ll have to forgive that my understanding of how it went down won’t be perfect.
Rather than two teams, they were split into teams of four, and I’m told it was once again one of the staff teams that took the victory.
Caolan Boyd-Munce is said to have scored best among the players, although there were accusations of some sort of handicap trickery going on. I don’t really understand what that means, if I’m honest, but it apparently gave him an advantage...
Meanwhile, there were reports of players who clearly claim to play more golf than it appeared they actually do, judging by the evidence witnessed on that Algarve 18.
More criminal, I’m told, was some of the boys’ attire on the course. ‘Shocking,’ is how it was described. Maybe stick to those lovely training vests, lads!