Source: Northern_Echo
Huth fears cost cutting could hit promotion
ROBERT HUTH fears that Middlesbrough’s drive to get their finances in order could have a negative effect on the club’s hopes of promotion.
Record signing Afonso Alves was heading for the Middle East last night, with Boro hoping the Brazilian completes a U-turn and agrees a deadline day switch to Qatari outfit Al-Saad.
It is thought the transfer would net Boro £7m, with a similar amount saved on the remainder of his contract.
Provided Alves completes the move, manager Gareth Southgate expects to be given a slice of the fee to strengthen his squad.
Derby County striker Rob Hulse, rated around £3m, is Southgate’s top target but any deal for the former Sheffield United man hinges on Alves moving.
Boro have already brought in £23m this summer by selling Stewart Downing to Aston Villa and both Tuncay Sanli and Huth to Stoke City.
And Huth, who cost the Potters £5m last week, thinks chairman Steve Gibson’s decision to sell the club’s big earners could dent aspirations of a quick return to the Premier League.
“We were all aware that players could leave if bids came in,” said Huth.
“They could either have looked after the money side of things at the club or they could have kept the team together for the good of the club. The club decided to take the money.
“It was good for me in the end, because I’m back in the Premier League, and hopefully it will be good for the club as well in the long run.
“The supporters will be disappointed because it will be difficult to get new players in now. There’s only a short time left before the transfer window closes and it doesn’t sound like there’s too much money available at the club.
That’s something to worry about.”
As well as Hulse, Middlesbrough are also interested in free agent Danny Webber, who has already held discussions.
There remains interest in David Wheater from Premier League clubs, and Boro would have to seriously consider offers in the region of £10m for the player.
Whatever happens before the transfer window shuts, however, will do little to influence Boro’s push for a promotion spot this season, according to Huth.
“Even if I was still with Middlesbrough it was never going to be easy because it’s a tough league,” said Huth. “They have a great chance and have started the season well but it will be tough regardless of who comes in and who goes.
“I hope they do (get promoted).
It would be great for them, from the players through to the chairman.”
The German defender now hopes that his £5m switch to the Britannia Stadium will boost his chances of playing in next summer’s World Cup finals in South Africa. He is still, though, shocked at the speed of his move to Stoke.
“I got a call last Wednesday to say that the bid had been accepted and to pack my bags.
I was surprised, but I did and everything got sorted quickly,”
he said. “It was difficult to leave because I loved the players, the people there and the manager has always been good to me.
“But when a club rings to tell you that a bid has been accepted, it’s time to move on. I was quite happy at Middlesbrough but they said I could go.
“Tuncay turned up here on Thursday as well. I was as surprised as he was when we saw each other. It was buy one get one free!”
■ Leon McKenzie is expected to leave Coventry before the transfer window closes tonight, with Charlton his likely destination.
The striker recently returned from a serious Achilles injury and, with his onemonth deal at the Ricoh Arena set to expire, manager Chris Coleman offered him a new contract towards the end of last week, believed to be until the end of the year.
But the 31-year-old has other offers on the table, including one from League One leaders Charlton until the end of the season.
