Source: Northern_Echo
Strachan seeking width
GORDON STRACHAN admitted that he intends to add more natural width to his Middlesbrough squad after watching Kris Boyd open his goalscoring account on his first appearance for the club.[LNB] Boro struggled to breakdown an Athlone Town side struggling at the wrong end of the second tier in Irish football, with Boyd and Scott Mc- Donald unable to find a breakthrough until the 74th minute.[LNB] It was Boyd, who agreed to leave Rangers for Teesside a fortnight ago, who found the net, but the semi-professional Athlone quickly struck back with an equaliser.[LNB] Strachan was encouraged by aspects of the performance, but conceded he wants to bring in a winger before the Championship season opens with Ipswich Town's trip to the Riverside Stadium on August 7.[LNB] Dundee United's Craig Conway is at the top of his list, although Hearts' Andrew Driver would be a tempting alternative if Boro can persuade the Tynecastle board to lower their £3.5m valuation.[LNB] That's not a suitable midfield.[LNB] We need more width,[LNB] said Strachan. We have to play with more width rather than play into the channels.[LNB] We are looking to bring players in with natural width, like Andy Halliday, who will help and he isn't here in Ireland because he has an injury.[LNB] Following the arrivals of Nicky Bailey and Kevin Thomson, from Charlton and Rangers respectively, at a cost of £3.4m, Strachan has a number of options in the middle of midfield.[LNB] But the Middlesbrough manager claims he is still not looking to move Gary O'Neil on this summer unless an offer comes in that suits both parties.[LNB] We had 15 players out there, said Strachan, who hopes to have two of Barry Robson, David Wheater, Andrew Taylor and Julio Arca available for tomorrow night's friendly with Bray Wanderers.[LNB] People think we have a big squad but we haven't.[LNB] We don't want to get rid of anyone unless they want to get rid of themselves. I want to keep Gary. He's fantastic.[LNB] He is a good player. He is more than happy and wants to see out his contract.[LNB] But like everyone else, if some top club comes in then that's different. I keep saying all along it's people who decide whether they want to be here.[LNB] One player he is keen to offload is Mido. The Egyptian has not yet travelled to Turkey to finalise a move to Kayserispor and is continuing to train at Rockliffe Park, along with Didier Digard and Marvin Emnes.[LNB] Strachan said: Mido is not in Turkey, he is back training with us. He had the option of going but he is still with us and I don't know what will happen.[LNB] While Strachan was satisfied with certain aspects of last night's largely uneventful outing against Athlone, he also accepted there is plenty of room for improvement.[LNB] But with Matthew Bates shining on his first match back since rupturing his knee ligaments for a fourth time a year ago and Willo Flood making his first appearance after a six month lay-off, Strachan is happy with the steps being taken.[LNB] There's no medals going out in July, said Strachan.[LNB] Willo was also brilliant and then he tired because he has not played since February.[LNB] There's no pill to take. Just keep going and they will improve.[LNB] But Matthew Bates was fantastic. The highlight of the game for me was him.[LNB] He added: I enjoyed bits of the game. These Athlone guys have played 18 games. It can frustrate you but there were some good points out there.[LNB] You always want to win the games though.[LNB]
