Source: Northern_Echo
Strachan hails Gibson’s economical approach
GORDON Strachan last night expressed his support for Steve Gibson's cost-cutting drive at Middlesbrough, and claimed every club needs a chairman or chief executive prepared to say No'.[LNB] Gibson has overseen a radical restructuring programme at the Riverside in the last two seasons which has involved a major reduction in the wage bill and the sale of a number of leading players such as Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson.[LNB] The Boro chairman admits the Teessiders' revenue fell by around £40m last season thanks to a combination of reduced income from Premier League prize money and television payments, and falling attendances and sponsorship.[LNB] As a result, the Riverside hierarchy felt it would be irresponsible to gamble the club's future on achieving promotion this season, and instead erred on the side of caution when assembling their budget.[LNB] That has inevitably impacted upon Strachan's ability to wheel and deal in the transfer market, but having witnessed the extent of the financial problems that have engulfed Portsmouth, the Scotsman claims other clubs might not be in such a sorry state had they been led by a chairman with Gibson's resolve.[LNB] We have financial constraints here, that's for sure, but I don't have a problem with that, said Strachan, ahead of this evening's Championship game at Blackpool.[LNB] All football has needed, right the way through, is common sense. It's like any business the people at the top need to be able to show common sense and say, Steady there enough is enough'.[LNB] Someone has to be strong enough to rein people in.[LNB] Look at a club like West Brom they've gone up and down regularly, but they've never had a problem. That's because the man at the top runs them with common sense.[LNB] You might go up and down, fine, but that's the way it goes.[LNB] I'm sure supporters would rather have their team going up and down, but know they're run well, than be in a position like Portsmouth are now. The fact that the club is safe has to be the most important thing.[LNB] While Strachan signed seven players during January, and spent £3.5m to make Scott McDonald the fourth most expensive signing to move anywhere in Britain during the transfer window, his expenditure was balanced by the £8m received from Manchester City for the sale of Johnson.[LNB] The Boro boss has been told he can sign an additional midfielder now the window for emergency loan signings has opened, but will continue to operate under strict financial controls for the foreseeable future, even if promotion is achieved.[LNB] He has worked under similar conditions at Celtic, and insists it is imperative chairmen stand their ground when it comes to imposing budgetary limits.[LNB] There has to be somebody to say No', said Strachan.[LNB] We had that at Celtic. Six years ago, they were £34m in debt so I was told there were cast-iron limits to what I could spend.[LNB] I had to deal with that, because strong people were making the rules. A certain player went to another club for £4.5m, and I had to accept we couldn't afford that. That's the real world.[LNB] If it went over £4.5m, we would miss out. That wasn't a problem it was the rules.[LNB] That was strong management, and you need that from the top.[LNB] The chairman and chief executive have to be strong and set the rules. If they're weak enough to listen to a manager mumbling and groaning about another signing who would take them up a couple of places, it's their fault if things go wrong.[LNB] Ironically, Strachan would have spent even more in the January window had tonight's opponents, Blackpool, accepted a £2m offer for midfielder Charlie Adam.[LNB] I don't think it helped anybody the way that was all made public, but it's out there now and yes, Charlie is a player I like, said the Boro boss.[LNB] He's had a fantastic season and, on certain occasions, I was an admirer of Charlie when he was playing for Rangers.[LNB] Blackpool will attempt to complete a notable double this evening after winning 3-0 at the Riverside in early December.[LNB] That result came just three days after Boro had thrashed QPR 5-1, and Strachan admits it confirmed a number of fears about the squad he had inherited.[LNB] It showed me we didn't have the mentality to win two games on the trot, he said.[LNB] But it didn't really make a lot of difference because I already had a good idea of where we were at and what we needed to do. That game just emphasised it even more.[LNB] Gary O'Neil will return to the line-up after missing Saturday's win over Peterborough with a groin injury, but Emanuel Pogatetz is expected to miss out again as he continues to struggle with a virus.[LNB] MIDDLESBROUGH (probable, 4-4-2): Coyne; Naughton, Wheater, McManus, Bennett; Flood, O'Neil, Robson, Franks; Miller, McDonald.[LNB]
