I can name at least 8 players from last season that played a part - so I put it to your generalisation is incorrect.
Recruitment has been poor - yet again. Frankly the club needs to be tun in a far more professional manner than it is.
You trust Gibbo? Fair enough. All I see is a failed owner/ chairman whose expensive train set hardly fulfills its purpose.
And it’s been the same for years.
With respect, having read your posts on here I think you are one of a handful of posters that find it hard to reach any balance in your views and this thread is no different.
We are one of a number of clubs within a similar budget, behind the ones with the benefit of parachute payments. Our chances of promotion, given the odds and the context are marginal, that's a fact, but as fans we also expect us to challenge and I'm sure that's out ambition.
Wilder, despite the benefit of hindsight, remained a good appointment at the material time, and beyond, for a large part of last season.
Achieving success in football, in terms of recruiting the right manager and the right players is notoriously difficult - just a casual look at the PL, Championship and League 1 provides ample evidence of failed transfers and unsuccessful managerial appointments.
Why would you presume Boro should be any different in these respects?
With the exception of Woodgate, who was a cheap option I think, I'm not sure that any managerial choice was obviously flawed in itself. Rather, the issue has always been the lack of longer term plan, given each new appointment brings in a whole bunch of new players capable of playing to their desired system.
With a DofF and and redesigned scouting team, I can actually see obvious evidence that the club is actively addressing gaps in our strategy.
But it's a journey and won't be achieved overnight, as sone fans unrealistically seem to expect.
I'm not saying the club is ran perfectly, and mistakes will without doubt still be made, but we are financially sustainable and have an owner who values our identity and history.
The way things worked out with CW were disappointing, but there's lots to be encouraged about despite that.