Middlesbrough and Barnsley's differing transfer market fortunes reflected in mood of managers

Neil Warnock was pleased with his side's defensive performance against Barnley, but both managers left the Riverside frustrated their teams are not scoring more goals.
DELIGHTED: Neil Warnock was pleased to see Chuba Akpom score a striker's goal, his second for Middlesbrough in as many gamesDELIGHTED: Neil Warnock was pleased to see Chuba Akpom score a striker's goal, his second for Middlesbrough in as many games
DELIGHTED: Neil Warnock was pleased to see Chuba Akpom score a striker's goal, his second for Middlesbrough in as many games

And whereas Warnock's Middlesbrough are poised to bring in more attacking talent, in the shape of Manchester City youngster Patrick Roberts, Gerhard Struber is left wondering if he will get the replacement for Jacob Brown he feels he desperately needs.

Boro won at the Riverside for the first time since Boxing Day, beating Barnsley 2-1 in the Championship.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

It ought to have been more comfortable than that, but the visitors scored a late penalty through Cauley Woodrow.

FRUSTRATION: Gerhard Struber wants more support in the transfer market from the Barnsley ownersFRUSTRATION: Gerhard Struber wants more support in the transfer market from the Barnsley owners
FRUSTRATION: Gerhard Struber wants more support in the transfer market from the Barnsley owners

“I felt we should have scored more goals,” reflected Warnock, whose side netted just before half-time through Jonathan Howson, and just after through Chuba Akpom.

“When I look at the quality we're against, I don't think they had a shot today.

“It's still great to get that three points at home, we haven't done that since Boxing Day.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“The lads gave Dale Fry a round of applause in the dressing room, it was nice to have him back and (Anfernee) Dijksteel and (Paddy) McNair have the freedom to go forward.”

Akpom scored his second goal in as many games since joining the club when the recalled Brad Collins spilled a Marcus Tavernier shot in the 48th minute.

“I love strikers scoring goals like that,” said Warnock, who was taking charge of his 1,500th game as a league manager, having taken Scarborough into Division Four in 1987.

Boro are close to completing the loan sign of Patrick Roberts, who had a temporary spell on Teesside in the second half of last season.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“It just gives us something different,” Warnock said of the No 10. “At the moment I'm asking Tav (Tavernier) to play in the hole and I think he's happier when he's got a line at the side of him.

“I thought he (Roberts) had good games and mediocre games but it's up to me to try to get the best out of him. He might not start every game but we've got so many games coming up.”

Although he did not want to talk about it, Struber is considering his Barnsley future in the face of interest from Major League Soccer side New York Red Bulls, and tried to put pressure on his board to sign a player of Roberts' ilk.

“This is for everyone a very good question,” he said when asked if being able to bring in the attacking midfielder he wanted could tip the balance and persuade him to stay at Oakwell.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Woodrow's 89th-minute penalty was their first Championship goal of the season, and Struber pointed to the failure to replace Brown, who joined Stoke City for £2m this summer, as crucial.

“Last season we had Jacob Brown, he was a very important player for us and we have at the moment no replacement,” he stressed.

“It's very difficult to score goals without attacking midfielders and strikers with big quality like Middlesbrough's when I see the quality in their squad.

“At the moment it's frustrating.

“We have a lot of chances or good actions but not the ruthlessness and the conviction.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Asked if he expected another player to come in, either by Monday's 11pm transfer deadline if they come from aboard, or October 16 at 5pm for a domestic deal, Struber simply replied: “That's a question for the board.”

Support The Yorkshire Post and become a subscriber today.

Your subscription will help us to continue to bring quality news to the people of Yorkshire. In return, you’ll see fewer ads on site, get free access to our app and receive exclusive members-only offers.

So, please - if you can - pay for our work. Just £5 per month is the starting point. If you think that which we are trying to achieve is worth more, you can pay us what you think we are worth. By doing so, you will be investing in something that is becoming increasingly rare. Independent journalism that cares less about right and left and more about right and wrong. Journalism you can trust.

Thank you,

James Mitchinson

Comment Guidelines

National World encourages reader discussion on our stories. User feedback, insights and back-and-forth exchanges add a rich layer of context to reporting. Please review our Community Guidelines before commenting.