READERS' LETTERS SEPTEMBER 2010

We will publish your letters on this page regularly, complete with comments from Jeff.

So why not write in and let us know what you are thinking about the goings on at Boro, Darlington, Hartlepool and Rangers. We'll get your letter on the site as soon as we can.

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From: Lynden Thompson, 2nd September 2010

Hi Jeff. An excellent article as usual. Frankly I can see no hope with Strachan as manager. It seems as though unless you are Scottish your face does not fit.

He is gradually dismantling our academy players and either loaning them out or, in the case of Josh Walker, releasing them on a free.

It is incredible to see how short we are in the positions where Walker, Grounds and Taylor play and yet Strachan lets them go.

Let's face it, Scottish football has never been at such a low ebb and yet Strachan seems hell bent on swamping our team with Scots.

We have no pace, no width, no creativity and no bottle to fight back once we go behind. We are lucky to have 4 points and I truly believe we are prime candidates for relegation.

As you so rightly say, Gareth was pilloried for supposedly playing people out of position but Strachan is excelling at it.

It was so depressing watching the transfer window deadline on Sky Sports News today. All we seemed to be linked with was another failed attempt to sign Conway (another Scot) and yet teams like Stoke and Birmingham were doing exciting business.

Steve Gibson must be a very worried man, because if he gets rid of Strachan, who will want to come and manage a team of Scots?

I can never remember feeling so negative about the Boro, even in the days of Murdoch and Maddren. I am only sorry your bet on Boro for the title and promotion looks totally doomed already.

All the best.

Nick

Jeff's Reply:

I am today visiting the Gazette offices to be part of the latest 'Talking Boro' panel. It is going to be very difficult to be positive.
I am, at the moment, unsure of my emotions. I am frustrated, angry and having difficulty in understanding what exactly is going on at the club.

Yes the pre season punt appears to be money down the drain at the moment. I agree with what you say about the players that have left the club, especially as they operate in positions that we are blatantly short of cover in.

I do not agree with your perceived problem in signing predominantly Scottish players, indeed there are many advantages. He knows the players, they speak the language and do not need the time that foreigners do to settle into a new country. Indeed his most questionable signing, especially at the cost, is an Englishman in Nicky Bailey.

I am amazed that he not been allowed to bring in Conway for the sake of circa £150,000 as the problem position of a wide right player persists, as it has done for many a long year.

Likewise we do not have a full back in the side at present. It is a mess.

I am not a Strachan fan, never have been never will be, but I was prepared to tolerate him if he proved to be as good as everyone seemed to think he is and took us to promotion.

Now we see players lacking in confidence and appearing to be totally out of sorts due mainly to his tactics and team selection.

I, like yourself, do not see an apparent answer. They are predominantly players that came to the club because of him, God knows what happens if he is sacked, or more likely walks.

A complete and utter mess!!!!

Best Wishes

Jeff

From: Lynden Thompson, 2nd September 2010

Hi Jeff

Thanks for your considered response. Other than the point about the Scottish players, we are obviously in total agreement. Whilst accepting what you say about Strachan knowing them and them finding it relatively easy to settle in, my fear is that with the standard of Scottish football barely being of Championship quality, I simply don't think they are good enough.

Having said that I agree with you about Bailey. If the Chesterfield game is anything to go by he is not a patch on Walker which makes Strachan's decision to release Josh on a free even more crazy.

Hope the 'Talking Boro' panel show goes well. I have so much to say I would love to be on it. On second thoughts my feelings are so negative that it probably would not be a good thing!!

Best wishes

Nick

Jeff's Reply:


Charlie Adam, Graham Dorrans, Chris Burke, need I go on? There is a steady stream of players who have recently headed south with hunger and ability.

There is a problem but is it with the manager rather than the players?

Talking Boro was lively as usual, it should make good reading next week.

Keep the faith!!

Best wishes

Jeff


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