EuropeTwice
Well-known member
Yeah I’d offer him a deal, good squad player to have around and looks like he’s really enjoying his time here
He has definitely improved but to be fair after his first few games that wasn’t hard. He was absolutely dreadful. With Smith on the books, I would prefer the club to be signing a young, hungry right-back who goes straight into the team. I think Ayling is just another short-term solution tbh. As much as I like his attitude, I would hope Boro are looking for something a bit more longer term tbh.
We’ve already got two ‘squad players’ in that position though. This is the issue I have. We can’t continue signing ‘squad players’ can we? Our squad is already absolutely massive.Yeah I’d offer him a deal, good squad player to have around and looks like he’s really enjoying his time here
Yep. He’s the best right back at the club imo. Him and a younger version of him would do very nicely.Smith would be great next year if he recovers from injury okay, very reliable and seems to be good mentally, can actually defend and a natural leader, think think he is a bit underrated by few Boro fans
I think this is a good point - we need to strengthen in several positions in the summer and the budget to do so will only go so far.Is there an argument after this season, to not tweak every single position on day one? Which would make Ayling a great signing.
Seems Carrick doesn't rate him though.Dijksteel is still very much a viable choice.
I don't think he is. He's another in the category of gets better the longer he's out. 9 starts in The Championship under Carrick including 2 red cards, 1 penalty conceded and twice getting taken off at half time. He did have a spell of 7 starts in a row under Carrick (interrupted by his red card suspension) and that seems to have been enough to persuade Carrick that he wasn't good enough. He's 27: ought to be in the prime of his career.Dijksteel is still very much a viable choice.
I agree that looks a reasonable starting point.Is there an argument after this season, to not tweak every single position on day one? Which would make Ayling a great signing.
......................Dieng
Ayling....Rav.......Clarke......Bangura
.................xxxxx......Hackney
Jones.......xxxxx.......xxxxxx
.....................Lath
if we replaced 3 players on day one, got another CF to challenge Lath, It wouldn't be back to trying to get players knowing each other again.
If the back 4 and keeper have already trained and are fully fit, that helps too.
I’ve always said he would make a good energetic defensive midfielder.I don't think he is. He's another in the category of gets better the longer he's out. 9 starts in The Championship under Carrick including 2 red cards, 1 penalty conceded and twice getting taken off at half time. He did have a spell of 7 starts in a row under Carrick (interrupted by his red card suspension) and that seems to have been enough to persuade Carrick that he wasn't good enough. He's 27: ought to be in the prime of his career.
After his cameo yesterday, and previous ones, the evidence would suggest he very much isn't.Dijksteel is still very much a viable choice.
I don’t think we can judge his performance yesterday he can’t have been on for more than ten minutes.After his cameo yesterday, and previous ones, the evidence would suggest he very much isn't.
Ayling may be getting slower (he'd still be in the Premier League if he wasn't) but he's got a real footballing brain on him and is exactly what we need in that position for the next couple of seasons
He's on a decent contract at Leeds that runs out in 2 months and he isn't getting another one thereHe’s on a decent contract at Leeds. He’s probably after a two minimum or three year contract if he’s gonna drop his wages significantly. He’s a good option if willing to do that or if recruitment can’t find a younger player for a good price
I know what you mean but he really didn't look interested and two or three times he didn't even bother chasing passes or fighting for the ball - same as his previous cameos for meI don’t think we can judge his performance yesterday he can’t have been on for more than ten minutes.
I guess what he gets paid at Leeds is irrelevant as he won’t get that again. There won’t be prem interest either.He's on a decent contract at Leeds that runs out in 2 months and he isn't getting another one there