Source: Northern_Echo
Strachan to stick with his Boro lot
GORDON STRACHAN will not be rushed into making loan signings before the deadline for emergency deals closes next week, despite fearing that Willo Flood will not play again this season.[LNB] Strachan confirmed that Flood has suffered a slight tear to his cruciate ligament and will be missing for a while with the injury he suffered in defeat at Cardiff ten days ago.[LNB] It means Barry Robson, Julio Arca, Rhys Williams and Gary O'Neil are the only fit and experienced midfielders available for tonight's trip to Derby County.[LNB] But Strachan, hoping to conclude a deal for Livingston winger Andy Halliday during the summer, claims he will not panic into making temporary signings that could wreck an improving team spirit.[LNB] He would still like to sign Blackpool's Charlie Adam, but the clubs have failed to reached an agreement over a fee. After losing out on Peterborough's George Boyd to Nottingham Forest earlier this month, Strachan will not panic in his attempts to bolster his midfield options before next Thursday.[LNB] I will try to look at the loan market. But I'm not so sure about bringing in lots of loan players, said Strachan, who has previously been linked with Aston Villa's Fabien Delph. If it's a right good player, a right good professional then we will do it, but we will not gamble.[LNB] If you have too many loans it's not conducive to team spirit.[LNB] But also as a manager you can press more, demand more from your own players rather than from loan players. It's a strange situation. We are trying hard but we want it to be people who we hope to sign eventually.[LNB] Strachan has always been against making loan acquisitions but even more so after the unsuccessful stints at the Riverside Stadium for Dave Kitson, Isaiah Osbourne and Marcus Bent. Caleb Folan and Sean St Ledger, both brought in by Gareth Southgate, also fall into that category.[LNB] Flood's injury increases the need for midfield cover and Strachan feels for the young Irishman.[LNB] Everyone loves Willo here, he has a great spirit and he is not lacking in ability either.[LNB] You miss players like that,[LNB] said Strachan. It's a setback for Willo because he was enjoying it.[LNB] He had long periods at Celtic where he was not getting a game. He moved because he wanted to play football and we provided him with that. He has provided us with enthusiasm, ability, drive, and we miss that when he does not play.[LNB] Flood's problem has increased the need for Williams to play, despite only returning to the team recently after two months out with a pelvic problem.[LNB] Rhys is the one we have to watch, he had a bit of cramp on Saturday and he fought through that.[LNB] But he has been out a long time and we have to look after that area, where we are short, said Strachan.[LNB] Middlesbrough could do with three points tonight to maintain hopes of closing the four-point gap to the playoffs.[LNB] But Strachan feels Derby, who have won ten of their 18 matches at Pride Park despite sitting four points above the relegation zone, will pose a real danger.[LNB] It's not easy because their home record is quite good,[LNB] said Strachan. The season is far from over and there are quite a few teams that can get sixth spot. Cardiff are in charge right now but it's hard.[LNB] Hard for them to hang on to and hard for us to catch up.[LNB] Boro (probable): Coyne; Naughton, Wheater, McManus, Taylor; Robson, O'Neil, Williams, Arca; Killen, McDonald.[LNB] Derby County are likely to be without striker Chris Porter, who is still recovering from a virus.[LNB] On-loan Liverpool goalkeeper David Martin is expected to retain his place in goal as first-choice number one Stephen Bywater (back) is still out.[LNB]
