Source: Northern_Echo
Johnson focused on earning promotion
IF THERE is one negative to come from Middlesbroughs impressive start to life in the Championship it is that the transfer window has not closed and top performers could soon be targeted by Premier League suitors.
However, while manager Gareth Southgate readily admits that there are players who will leave this month, highly-rated winger Adam Johnson has claimed there is only one thing on almost every member of the squads mind: Promotion.
After scoring the two goals that maintained Boros unbeaten start to the season at Scunthorpe United on Tuesday night, Johnsons ability and potential will have been further noted by clubs in the top division.
The left-winger himself also described Robert Huth and David Wheater, wanted by Stoke City and Aston Villa respectively, as the best central defensive pairing outside of the Premier League, fuelling the belief they will be targeted again in the next couple of weeks.
Johnson, whose contract expires next summer, claims, however, there are no such thoughts of leaving in the players minds, except for Afonso Alves who has attracted interest from Ajax after turning down the chance to move to Qatar.
I just get on with my football, said the 22-year-old, linked so many times with Chelsea, Tottenham and Liverpool.
I will be the first to hear if anything happens. I have always been fully committed to Middlesbrough. I have just got my head down, even though I had a tough couple of seasons behind Stewart when I wasnt playing.
Im happy to be playing.
The one aim I have this season is promotion, thats all I am thinking about, just like any of the other lads. Anything else would be viewed as a failure.
It is important that we keep this squad together, but I dont think we can afford to think about what might or might not happen to the squad. Theres time left, so there is always going to be talk about different players leaving.
Southgates squad is blessed with defensive talent.
Andrew Taylor, Seb Hines, Justin Hoyte, Emanuel Pogatetz and Chris Riggott are all hoping for a say once injuries and suspensions kick in.
Having witnessed Huth and Wheaters displays at Scunthorpe, Swansea and at home to Sheffield United, though, Johnson feels they are worth the weight in gold at the Riverside Stadium.
Wheater and Huth are the best two centre-backs in the Championship, he said. The experience they have got, they are two big lads who can play a bit as well, they defended everything at Scunthorpe, just as they have in the first two.
The two full-backs, Jonathan Grounds and Tony McMahon, have also started well, in front of goalkeeper Danny Coyne, and altogether the back four is probably the best in the division. They defended outstandingly at Scunthorpe, when they threw everything at us.
Middlesbroughs positive start of two wins and a draw without conceding a goal has lifted them to joint top of the Championship, a position the players feel should become a regular sight.
We have a very strong squad, we let Stewart Downing go, but we have a better team than most in this league but all we can do is try to perform, said Johnson, who has set a personal target of 12 goals for the season.
Our only aim is to get promotion.
Record signing Alves is still likely to leave, but it remains unclear where he will be sold to. He has already rejected the chance to move to the Middle East, where Boro are thought to have been offered more than £7m for his services.
The 28-year-old has been encouraged to learn that there is interest in him from Ajax, but his chances of a return to the Dutch League appear to depend on whether Boro would accept considerably less than what they would have received from Qatar.
