After the not-at-all-shocking-but-still-extremely-disappointing sale of Robert Huth and Tuncay Sanli to Stoke City, all eyes are on David Wheater.
A firm fan favourite, the Redcar-born central defender has had a stellar start to the season and will be keen to prove he doesn't need his German former team mate to stop the opposition.
Wheater looks set to take over from the departed Huth having earned himself the captain's armband against Bristol City with a string of impressive performances since the beginning of the season.
Yet rumours continue to swirl surrounding the future of both Wheater and Adam 'jinky' Johnson.
Both are far more valuable to the team than the money we would recoup from them and as young academy graduate's they are not at the Huth - Tuncay - Aliadiere end of the wage scale.
I also think the loss of either player would be the last straw for many Boro fans.
Still only 22, Wheater himself is staggered by the amount of first team action he has seen, he said: "I was quite shocked by how many games i've played, I'm still only a young lad so its a bit weird to be one of the older ones!"
Emmanuel Pogatetz was yet another Boro player who had a frustrating season last campaign, and that was before he got injured! However Jonathan Grounds and Seb Hines are both candiates for the vacant spot until Pogi and Mr dependable Chris Riggott return, giving Andrew taylor a role at left back. This plethora of youth gives Southgate defensive options while bigger names recover and Wheater isn't disheartened by the prospect of playing with a new partner, he said:
"All the lads have played well, Groundsy, Rhys... and we've still got Riggott and Pogi to come in."
The solidity and sureness of Danny Coyne in goal has relaxed the players and the communication is far better this season too but teething problems were evident in the new look defensive line-up at Ashton Gate.
Although Rhys Williams has been very effective in midfield and I would personally love to see him given a long run there, for the good of the team perhaps against bigger strikers, like City's Maynard and Akinde, it would be advisable to use his strength and physical presence at centre-back at least until the dust has settled from the departures?
Speculation will continue until the transfer window shuts in a matter of hours but given the choice, Wheater is going nowhere! He repeatedly stated his intention to remain at the club at a recent press conference saying:
"I can't ever see myself asking to leave Middlesbrough, I love it here!
There is no doubting Wheater's committment to the club, and everybody at MFC is now working towards a common goal, promotion. Wheater, said:
"Even before we started, the manager said that was our only aim really, to get back in the Premier League where we belong."
Having opined at the Boro v Doncaster Rovers pre-match press conference that the Championship suited his and Huth's style because "We like to head things and kick people!" the Redcar Rock will need to adjust to a new partner quickly if Boro are to get back to their winning wins in time for the Ipswich match after the International break this week.
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 1/9/2009
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