Gordon Strachan calls for new blood

Oct 30 2009 by Stuart Rayner, The Journal

“The team needs more help,” he admitted. “There is a big gap between what I have got and what is in the youth team. I was asking if there is anyone available in the youth team but was told there is not much available right now.”

Strachan – who has been joined by long-time assistant Garry Pendrey – said his first few days at the Riverside had thrown up a few nerves but no surprises.

“I was nervous when I started and that came from not having worked for a while,” he said. “The players were probably nervous too, but I enjoyed it. The days I have worked with the players have been excellent.

“Everything about the club has been what I expected. Nothing has surprised me.”

One of the players on Strachan’s list, former Newcastle United full-back Griffin, left the door open for a loan move with his Stoke City career seemingly nearing an end.

The 30-year-old has not played in the Premier League since fighting team-mate Ricardo Fuller on the pitch last December. So the Potters’ League Cup exit to Portsmouth all but ended his chances of first-team football in 2009 unless he can get away. Griffin seemed lukewarm about joining Boro, but promised to give it “serious thought” if asked.

“I would be interested in going on loan because I don’t think I will be playing at Stoke,” he commented. “But it has to suit myself and my family.

“Middlesbrough is not somewhere I could commute to every day, but sometimes you have to look at a situation if and when it arises. It would also depend on what Stoke want to do.

“I have had no phone calls about Middlesbrough, but, if something did occur, I would have to give it serious thought.

“It would be the chance to play first-team football for a club challenging to get back into the Premier League, as well as working for someone of the calibre of Gordon Strachan.”