Source: Northern_Echo
Strachan keen to tie Pogatetz to new deal
GORDON STRACHAN admits he is desperate to make Emanuel Pogatetz part of Middlesbrough's promotion bid next season and is optimistic a deal can be struck to keep the Austria international on Teesside.[LNB] Pogatetz confirmed this week he's keen to extend his stay with the club he joined in 2005, despite continued interest from Greek side Panathinaikos who hope to land the 27-year-old when he becomes a free agent this summer.[LNB] But the defender has been earmarked by Strachan as a potentially crucial figure to ensure the club avoid a third successive season of failure.[LNB] With Middlesbrough's playoff bid no longer a distraction, the Scot is focusing his energies on moulding a core of reliable characters who can hit the ground running at the start of next season.[LNB] It's like Nick Faldo redesigning his swing so that he goes from being an OK player to a top golfer, said Strachan.[LNB] I think that's what we are like. We have been alright but I want this team to have a swing you can trust.[LNB] David Wheater, who has one year to run on his current deal, is another player whom Strachan wants to tie to a new deal. But the manager accepts the prospect of another year in the Championship could prompt some of his most coveted performers to consider their options.[LNB] We want to keep Poggy at the club, said Strachan. He sets a good standard in training.[LNB] He is a good player and is versatile. We are desperate to keep him and he wants to stay.[LNB] That is a good starting point.[LNB] If we really want to get together and make it happen then we make it happen.[LNB] How do I persuade them to stay I just talk to them like men. If a top club comes along and offers £15m for somebody than I imagine they will say I want to go' and we will deal with that. But there are important people here we'd like to keep.[LNB] David (Wheater) is one of them, a terrific lad with a lot to learn. This would be a great place for him to do that. He'll get time on the coaching field.[LNB] We don't sit back and hope you'll be a better a player we try and make you better.[LNB] We'll try and rejig the squad. There are players here that need a bit of help. I think what we're looking for is when the season starts is making sure we're not doing what we did this year.[LNB] We were unfortunate with injuries, we had to bring in a lot of loan players and had a lot of players in their last year of contract. The squad needs to be more solid, he said.[LNB] Tomorrow afternoon's encounter against Coventry City offers Boro's players a chance to play for pride alone after last Saturday's feeble performance against West Brom.[LNB] And the manager is still struggling to sum up his feelings following the Hawthorns debacle.[LNB] Its more than disappointing.[LNB] Disappointing is when you don't get the Christmas present you were after or your steak comes medium when you ordered it well done, said Strachan.[LNB] It's way beyond that.We have had two years now where it's been way more than disappointing for any supporter.[LNB] I don't want to feel like that again.[LNB] We can't have three disappointing seasons on the trot.[LNB] We have to do something about that.[LNB] Rhys Williams is fit to face the Sky Blues and when asked if Gary O'Neil was available Strachan replied: I think so, I hope so.[LNB]