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Cool. I would be happy to get Distin and Emerton in at the mo, only because the season starts nexts week and we need to strenghten quickly. Would still prefer Huth over Distin tho, and i still think we will struggle. I hope im wrong though
08-14-2006, 02:31 PM
The Middlesbrough 06/07 Thread. "lets get back into Europe!" Post #170
Boro hope to complete the £3m signing of Sylvain Distin over the next few days.
Gareth Southgate is planning to pitch the French defender straight into the action in Boro's first Premiership match at Reading on Saturday.
Boro increased their offer for the 28-year-old last week, and Manchester City appear ready to accept the revised bid.
If given the go-ahead, Boro will rush through the transfer forms so that Distin can get accustomed to his new team-mates before the weekend.
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Southgate is particularly keen to strengthen at the back, having lost Ugo Ehiogu for a few weeks with an Achilles problem and then suffering a scare on Saturday when teenager Matthew Bates took a kick against Chievo.
Southgate told the Evening Gazette: "We have made a lot of progress on one of our targets over the last few days and I'm hopeful we can complete a deal very soon.
"I know the fans have been wondering what is going on but we have never stopped working hard to bring in players who we feel can benefit the squad.
"The one thing we aren't prepared to do is to settle for players who we feel are not as good as what we have got.
"We have a strong squad here and it's not a desperate situation where we must have players in.
"But it's a long season and the squad will benefit from a boost in numbers, especially when quality players are involved."
Boro are particularly thin at the back, especially as Southgate has retired, Emanuel Pogatetz has picked up a knock and another possible centre-back, Franck Queudrue, has moved on to Fulham.
Southgate insisted in the Gazette last week that he was not considering dusting down his boots and changing his mind about retirement.
But he has been Boro's best centre-back for several years and, and without an adequate replacement, will be sorely missed.
Distin will provide the vast experience that will be missing following Southgate's retirement. He has been playing in the Premiership since he joined Newcastle from Paris St Germain in 2001, having moved on to Manchester City after just 12 months on Tyneside.
Distin's presence at the back at Reading will be welcome because Boro can expect a tasty welcome.
Promoted Reading are still on a high, having remained unbeaten in ten friendly games during the summer.
They warmed up for Boro by beating Feyenoord 2-1 at the Madejski Stadium on Saturday.
In addition to Distin, Southgate is still hopeful of being able to complete a deal to bring in right-winger Brett Emerton before the end of the month. Boro have increased their offer to Blackburn.
Boro produced a promising display against Chievo, and would have won comfortably but for missed chances.
Southgate said: "It's not about results in pre-season. It's about performances and the players performed against Chievo.
"I would have been worried if we had not been creating chances, but we had three or four good opportunities and really we should have won the game.
"This was a significant step forward and it is what we needed. We'll go to Reading with a lot more confidence and, hopefully, if we get chances we will start to put them away."
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