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Is He Pulling A fast One?

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Is that wily old fox Neil Warnock pulling a fast one?

For days now, we have been assured that Hayden Coulson was a nailed-on deal between Middlesborough and Ipswich. The Blues wanted him to sign on a three-year deal, but this was not in keeping with the mindset of their 72-year-old manager, who was prepared only to let him go out on a season-long loan.

That was until just a few days ago, at Hartlepool, when Coulson scored twice in the 7-0 thumping of little Tavistock Town. He played in a much more advanced role, and Warnock said to his coaching staff after the match that he might have to rethink his strategy. “Maybe I’ve been playing him out of position,” he quipped afterwards.

The next thing we know, and Coulson has pulled out of Boro’s next pre-season friendly against Plymouth after “feeling his thigh” when the squad trained that morning. Most of the media machine accepted his reasoning, but I was not one of them! I have followed Warnock’s antics over many years, and he holds his cards very close to his chest – like any good poker player.

Warnock spoke again before their win against the Pilgrims and said, “It’s a pity because he did well the other night I thought. That’s one of those things. We lose Coulson and Bola so we’re a little bit short in that area at the minute.”  A little bit short at the minute? What does this imply? Does it mean Town will have to wait until Boro acquire another replacement?  Worst still, could it mean that Warnock has had a sudden change of mind?

I am still hopeful that a loan deal can get over the line, but with Warnock in charge at Middlesborough, literally, anything can happen! We will probably now have to wait until the beginning of next week to know what really is going on, but the longer this deal stalls, the more worried I become.  I do not trust this man.

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16 comments

  • Boro down south says:

    In Warnock we trust!

    Up the Boro!

  • Dean Welham says:

    Hi Frank .Yes this transfer seems to be stalling it’s a pity we couldn’t get a permanent as this lad Coulson is highly rated and could become a valuable asset if we could sign him permanently. Warnock is an awkward and cantankerous old so and so and may be having second thoughts but hopefully we can get him on loan at least, if not let’s move on to other targets. Im very encouraged by signings so far and would like to see another centre half . Cook and Ashton know what there doing so excited by other new signings which are to follow. Hopefully one of these will be Celina.??.I will be keeping an eye on the Palace friendly today at PR and looking forward to going to Millwall game next week before the first home game against Morecambe when hopefully we can hit the ground running. These are exciting times for our club on and off the pitch and at last us fans have hope in our hearts. The Evans era is well and truly over thank goodness and a new dawn for the club is beginning. Come on you Blues.!!!

    • Frank Weston says:

      Yes Dean, all things considered, things are looking up. If we get Coulson – even on loan, it would be wonderful, but of course, if not, there are plenty more fish in the sea.

  • Geoff says:

    Maybe you should try to understand how football works before you write nonsense like this. Warnock has a responsibility to his employer not Ipswich Town. That responsibility includes maximising the value of the clubs assets. If you think he would let Coulson go when it is not in the clubs interest you are in the wrong game. Coulson is a very talented young man and many believe he should not drop down to a lower standard league. He deserves championship football, hopefully with the Boro but given he is under contract till 2003 a championship fee if he were to leave would be appropriate.

    • Boro down south says:

      Sensible comments (apart from the 2003 bit).

      He’s a decent player going forward, though not the best defensively.

      Looks like Warnock wants to take a look at him in a more advanced role during pregnancy season. He’s talked about him being converted into an attacking midfielder.

      I guess a lot will depend on who else we can get in so likely a late decision.

      Good luck to you guys this year – hope you get promotion 🤞

      • Frank Weston says:

        Thanks, Boro down south. Appreciated mate. I have a lot of Boro friends from years gone by. I even went to a wedding in your neck of the woods, so good luck too for the forthcoming campaign.

        • Boro down south says:

          Cheers frank

          We’ve had some great games between us over the years

          I always remember being at Portman road on a really hot day when Dalian Atkinson tore us apart.

          He was unplayable on his day.

          So sad what happened to him.

          Tragedy.

          • Frank Weston says:

            Thanks, Boro Down South. I have no axe to grind with you or indeed any other Boro faithful. We are a broad church of opinions – regardless of what club we support, and as you say, Town and Boro have had some incredible matches over the years, and we have another thing in common too, and that’s Grant Leadbitter! Dalian Atkinson was one helluva striker, and as you suggest, it was a very cruel end to what had been an outstanding career as a footballer.

  • Frank Weston says:

    First thing first Geoff, and you are the one talking nonsense! Quote: ‘given he is under contract till 2003’ – now that is complete nonsense. I suspect what you intended to write was 2023 but apart from that glaring error, you are wrong on a number of other fronts too!

    Do you really think all these media outlets were incorrect in suggesting that Middlesborough had agreed a season-long loan deal. This was not fiction. This was fact. I know you feel a bit aggrieved that Warnock should consider shipping him out, but this is what he has intimated both in the press and privately.

    I would suggest you do more research before you dare to suggest that I am talking nonsense. If a verbal agreement is made, then it should be honoured. It might not be the way football always works, but that largely depends on the individuals one is dealing with.

  • John Milburn says:

    Coulson is a quality player Warnock knows that, Coulson won’t be going anywhere until we get a replacement and then if you tractor boy’s are lucky enough to get his services it will be only on loan. Coulson like so many from the Boro academy are our future. Good luck for the upcoming season UTB !!

    • Frank Weston says:

      Thanks, John. I appreciate the fact that you are not going for the jugular here, as Geoff seems to be doing. I would be delighted to see the Boro move up to the Prem, but we all know what a challenge this can be. I am just a little concerned that what seemed like a nailed-on season-long loan deal appears to have stalled. It really is as simple as that.

  • Geoff says:

    Sorry Frank but hitting one key in a long message is a mistake not nonsense. Focusing on that belies the weakness of your response. It is hardly in the same league as you saying “I do not trust this man” for simply looking after his clubs interests. Nice try though! Apparently if we are to believe the press speculation, Ipswich want Coulson but are not prepared to meet Boro’s valuation. You would have thought they would have learnt a lesson in Matt Crooks, but thanks anyway. We do not owe Ipswich any favours but perhaps he may have recommended loaning Coulson out, letting his contract run down and probably reducing his transfer value. Who knows? However he is not in charge of transfer dealings (that is Neil Bausor) . Warnock could not predict the current injuries nor do I believe any verbal agreement that may or may not exist does not include a caveat around injuries and bringing in a replacement. Warnock is a very decent man, much and unfairly maligned by people like you. I would think most supporters would apply your words to the reporting of football transfers by journalists too lazy to verify the source. I have no axe to grind against Ipswich Town but I will ensure that Warnock sees your kind words and sincerely hopes that he reflects on any proposal.

    • Frank Weston says:

      OK, Geoff, you have made your point. The truth is, I quite like the man and always have, and at 72, he is doing remarkably well to be still so active in the game. What I think you fail to understand is the position from our perspective. You call my article nonsense but you did not have the time – or indeed, the inclination to grasp my article in its entirety. I said that he was a wily old fox, and that is why he has survived so long in the game.

      The point I was making about his trustworthiness was reflecting upon the way he keeps his cards so close to his chest. If you were playing a game of poker, would you trust your opponents to reveal their hands? Of course not, and that is the point I was trying to make. When speculation is rife that Ipswich have got their man, everything has gone a bit quieter, and from our perspective this is disturbing. I am quite frankly amazed that Warnock cannot find a place for him in his team.

  • Geoff says:

    OK Frank fair comments. Having met the man he is so far removed from his press image, I am probably far too sensitive. Like the other Boro supporters on here I too wish the tractor boys well for next season. I have happy memories of taking in their mid week games when I worked at BT Martlesham. You going up at Sunderland’s expense being the perfect scenario. Fingers crossed.

    • Frank Weston says:

      Thank you, Geoff. I have always had a bit of a soft spot for Neil Warnock – perhaps because Ipswich never actually managed to get him. Every time his name was mentioned with the Town job, someone else got it, and that always disappointed me. I wish you a good season, and with that man in charge, you have every chance of progressing to the Premier League again – where you undoubtedly belong. I have never quite understood why clubs have let him drift because there is little doubt, he is one of the most knowledgable head coaches in the game.

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