Rival fans joked that with the free transfer of Ross Turnbull to Chelsea, and more recently Brad Jones’s move to Liverpool, youth reserve turned first choice goalkeeper Jason Steele would be heading to Manchester United by the end of the season!
However it is Arsenal who are said to be interested in the 20-year-old, as Arsene Wenger reportedly sees Steele as the answer to his long term problem between the sticks.
Despite the ongoing speculation, new Boro boss Tony Mowbray has reassured fans that he has no intention of letting go of the highly rated youngster.
Speaking to the club’s official website, Mowbray, said: "I hope Jason is our goalkeeper for many, many years to come. I don't know where this story came from but my thinking is, 'Let's make him the best goalkeeper he can' to the benefit of Middlesbrough'.
"I wouldn't want to sell him now or in the future."
And Steele himself is just happy to be playing. Elle Brunton caught up with the England U21 international at a recent shop signing to talk clean sheets, fan appreciation and swapping shirts with David James!
EB: You’ve had a good run in the team now, how many games have you played at senior level?
JS: Nearly 20 games I think, I’m loving playing…not loving the results, obviously!
EB: You were preferred to Danny Coyne but he hasn’t featured, even on the bench, in recent games…[Connor Ripley, son of Stuart has been named among the subs]
JS: He’s been injured recently but he’s training again so hopefully he can come in [to the squad] on Saturday.
EB: Home attendances seem to be picking up slightly since the arrival of Mowbray as manager, do you think it’s as simple as better football brings the fans back?
JS: I think winning games brings the fans back!
“It was tough, at times, for the fans, even in the Premier League, but they have been fantastic, really a twelfth man at times.
“Hopefully we can keep playing well and repay the fan’s faith in us.
EB: You seem to be a different kind of goalkeeper than we’ve had here for quite a while, you get more involved in general play, particularly starting counter attacks…
JS: Yes, I like to get things going, I just like to win!
EB: Strikers often set themselves goal targets either privately, or more foolishly through the press, do goalkeepers set themselves a target number of clean sheets?
JS: Maybe some of them do. We get judged on clean sheets, but you could make ten saves in a game and then one goes past you.
“Obviously it bothers me not keeping them, but if the team were winning I’d take it.”
David Wheater and Scott McDonald, who had also attended the signing session, had been laughing at Steele for being currently the player most requested for interview.
EB: You’ve been thrown into the media a little bit since your senior debut, how do you feel about the media interest in you and giving interviews?
JS: It’s just something we have got to do, I don’t mind it.
“I think the fans deserve to know how we feel and it’s the least we can do, we know how important it [the team] is to the fans, hopefully they can see that.
“First and foremost, the fans just want us to win games.
EB: Who were your heroes of the game growing up?
JS: Peter Schmeichel and David James.
EB: Hmm there was some impressive time wasting from James when we played Bristol City.
JS: I thought he did a great job though, he kept them in it at times. I managed to get his shirt after the game, so it was good end to a bad day.
EB: And you were recently called up to the England U21s…
JS: Yes, I made my debut and got sent off! Thirteen minutes I think!
EB: Unlucky for you!
JS: Ha! Yes, I don’t take it to heart, I think it will make me a better player, and a better person in the long run.
An ambitious young goalkeeper with bags of ability and a bright future ahead of him, let’s just hope this Steele stays on Teesside!
First published in FMTTM 11/12/10
Tuesday, 14 December 2010
THE OBSERVER FANS' PANEL - BORO V CARDIFF - 12-12-10
Boro 1 Cardiff City 0
The fan's verdict, Elle Brunton, Observer reader: Was it a good match? We went back to the Boro way of picking up our game up against better opposition. It was quite a lively game – in the first half Craig Bellamy scored a goal but it was rightly given offside. I'm not convinced it was a penalty, to be perfectly honest, but we'll take it. In fact, there were a few incidents I'd like to see again, including a bit of handbags at the end. Our players took offence at a challenge on Jason Steele, but he didn't have hold of the ball and their player had a right to go for it. Who played well/who had a nightmare?Our makeshift back four really pulled together and worked for each other.
First published by The Observer on 12-12-10
The fan's verdict, Elle Brunton, Observer reader: Was it a good match? We went back to the Boro way of picking up our game up against better opposition. It was quite a lively game – in the first half Craig Bellamy scored a goal but it was rightly given offside. I'm not convinced it was a penalty, to be perfectly honest, but we'll take it. In fact, there were a few incidents I'd like to see again, including a bit of handbags at the end. Our players took offence at a challenge on Jason Steele, but he didn't have hold of the ball and their player had a right to go for it. Who played well/who had a nightmare?Our makeshift back four really pulled together and worked for each other.
First published by The Observer on 12-12-10
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