Middlesbrough transfer news: Chris Wilder will target experienced players in January

Chris Wilder saw nothing in his first game in charge of Middlesbrough to make him think he has not inherited players good enough for the task in hand, but nor did they contradict his view he will need to add depth in January.

Boro were dominant in the first half against Millwall, and unfortunate a Sol Bamba own goal cancelled out Matt Crooks’s opener.

But when they needed to force the game in the second period, Wilder did not have the personnel on the bench to change the 1-1 scoreline.

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“I thought (Lee) Peltier, (Paddy) McNair, (Jonny) Howson were great, (Marcus) Tavernier was outstanding,” said Wilder, whose predecessor Neil Warnock argued unsuccessfully for three more summer signings. “He gave the ball away a couple of times but he was bright. I played him in his (best) position – round pegs in round holes. Him and Crooksy were good.

Chris Wilder at the Riverside Stadium.
 (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)Chris Wilder at the Riverside Stadium.
 (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)
Chris Wilder at the Riverside Stadium. (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)

“There was contributions from everybody. I didn’t really look at it and go ‘That needs replacing.’ We want to upgrade the group, we want to make it a competitive squad.

“I look at Millwall and we should be (like that). I’m not being critical of young Josh (Coburn, a half-time substitute for Andraz Sporar), he’s done fantastically well, but they’re bringing on established players and he’s a young kid.”

Sporar’s injury further weakened Boro, but is not serious.

“He rolled his ankle,” said Wilder, whose side host Preston North End tomorrow. “He’s going to be a really big player for us. He rolled Duncan in from the off, so that partnership as a 10 and a nine – Sporar technically very good and Duncan very fast – caused the opposition some big issues.

Josh Coburn is brought down by George Evans during 
Middlesborough's draw with Millwall (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)Josh Coburn is brought down by George Evans during 
Middlesborough's draw with Millwall (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)
Josh Coburn is brought down by George Evans during Middlesborough's draw with Millwall (Picture: Bruce Rollinson)
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“I don’t think it’s major. He’s just rolled his ankle and to be fair to him he wanted to stay on for the period up to half-time.”

Martin Payero was missing with an Achilles/ankle injury, and Grant Hall a hamstring problem.

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