The January transfer market is only weeks away, and Boro’s performance will attract interest from abroad.
Given Finn Azaz’s form and Ben Doak’s excellence, it was speculated after Saturday’s victory against Hull City that two-goal match winner Tommy Conway may have slipped under the radar since joining Middlesbrough from Bristol City in the summer.
While Michael Carrick emphasised that the Scotland international’s exploits in a Boro shirt thus far had not gone unnoticed by anyone at the club, it’s fair to argue that the 22-year-old may not have received as much attention as some of the other summer arrivals.
There could be several explanations for this. Playing out of position to accommodate both him and Emmanuel Latte Lath meant he wasn’t able to give his all right away, but he still had a good start at the Riverside.
Latte Lath’s recent return to form, as well as the greatness of other players such as Doak, Azaz, and Aidan Morris, may have helped, as may the consistency and value of the lesser-known George Edmundson.
But following two goals in Boro’s 3-1 victory against Hull City this weekend, everyone has refocused on the teenage striker and the incredibly impressive start he’s had at Boro – especially given the circumstances. Conway’s first football move away from the club he joined as a schoolboy was far from brief. Conway has settled at Boro in a way that has exceeded expectations, despite having to learn an entirely new style of play and working with a new set of teammates.
Finally stepping into the lineup in his preferred central striker role while Latte Lath battled for form, Conway decisively demonstrated his worth as a striker above all else. He’s scored six goals in seven games as a frontman, and his brace against Hull brings his total to eight Boro goals in nine starts. He is now the Championship’s most prolific scorer, averaging one goal per 105 minutes played.
It’s an impressive early return for a player who comes with lots of Championship experience, but with a grasp of many of the aforementioned elements, along with Latte Lath’s strong form at the conclusion of last season, early expectations of the Scotland international were reduced. He’s destroyed those barriers and more.
And as we edge ever closer to the January transfer window, and the inevitable interest that Boro’s form and individual quality will attract, Conway’s start can help to ease one January concern – the potential loss of Latte Lath.
As things stand, Boro’s attitude on the Ivorian, or any other significant player, has not changed since the summer. Boro are eager to keep their key players this season, as they have a genuine chance of securing Premier League promotion. Latte Lath will be considered one of these.
However, given his recent return to goalscoring form, it is unsurprising that the striker has sparked new Premier League interest. West Ham were thought to have scouted him after he scored a hat-trick against Oxford United, with the Hammers in need of attacking reinforcements. They are unlikely to be alone in their enthusiasm.
Turning down £20 million from Ipswich Town is a strong indicator of Boro’s intention to keep important players. However, that figure is definitely not far off from being one that cannot be turned down. A Championship club that does not get parachute payments must strike a careful balance between financial stability and competitiveness.
The hope remains that Boro will be able to keep their key players next month, while Latte Lath’s representative told Teesside Live in an exclusive interview last month that they will not press for anything and respect the club’s current position. With conjecture not going away, Boro’s worries can be eased somewhat by Conway’s bright start.
The hope remains that Boro will be able to keep their key players next month, while Latte Lath’s representative told Teesside Live in an exclusive interview last month that they will not press for anything and respect the club’s current position. With conjecture continuing, Boro’s concerns can be alleviated by Conway’s strong start.
While having both spearhead their promotion charge will be significantly more advantageous, if Boro are forced to let Latte Lath go for financial reasons, they can be confident that they already have a ready-made, proven substitute at the club. That would make the following step easier and less disruptive.
Rather than being under pressure to provide a striker who would have to hit the ground running, Boro would focus on a backup option for Conway, with other alternatives such as Delano Burgzorg and Marcus Forss also available, leaving them in a stronger position. Conway has proven to be more than capable.
Recalling Josh Coburn from his loan at Millwall was one option that may have been considered in this situation. A new injury is expected to keep him out until February, with his current fitness issues while on loan at the Den proving Boro management correct in allowing the 21-year-old academy graduate to leave on loan in the summer. A replacement for Latte Lath would almost certainly have to come from outside the club, either as a permanent signing or on loan from the Premier League.
First and foremost, Boro’s preference and priority will be to keep Latte Lath while making a strong push for promotion. However, as is customary, they will plan for January in such a way that they are ready to react if anything outside their control arises suddenly.
In addition to prospective Latte Lath interest, Rav van den Berg and Hayden Hackney may receive new queries, while Morgan Rogers demonstrated last January that you should always expect the unexpected, especially during the uncertain and panic-stricken winter window. Another potential source of concern is Liverpool’s Doak recall provision, which might have a significant influence.
While losing Latte Lath would surely be a setback, and would decrease Boro’s depth in the time it took to replace him, Conway has alleviated that issue, making it a less significant prospect than it may have been otherwise. He has shown to be an excellent signing thus far.
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