Strachan signs Marcus Bent on loan

Oct 31 2009 by Luke Edwards, The Journal

GORDON Strachan has moved swiftly to bolster Middlesbrough's attacking strength by signing striker Marcus Bent on a two-month loan from Birmingham.

The Scot had identified the team’s lack of goals as a their biggest weakness following his unveiling as Gareth Southgate’s successor earlier this week and Bent will go straight into the squad for the home game against struggling Plymouth today.

Boro have had to cope with injuries to Caleb Folan and Jérémie Aliadière in recent weeks and Strachan had made the search for added firepower his first priority as manager.

Strachan said: “I’m delighted to bring Marcus in. He brings us ability, strength, pace and experience. We have a young squad so his experience will be important and he has already made a good impression in training.

“As Alex Ferguson used to say, the most important part of the team is the strikers and we need to try to make that stronger. The teams that have done well in this division have been strong up front. You can only win things if you put the ball in the back of the net. “

The move has also been welcomed by Bent, although he has given no indication yet as to whether he is interested in turning the temporary switch into a permanent move when the transfer window re-opens in January.

He said: “This is a good step for me. Middlesbrough are a big established club and everything is geared to going back up. The gaffer was a big influence on my decision too. He is very experienced and motivated and I’m looking forward to playing for him.”

Boro begin the Strachan era against Plymouth today knowing a win in his first game in charge could be enough to take them joint top of the Championship.

It is a rare position for a new manager to be in and the forthright Scot has already established his authority at the Riverside as he looks to galvanise a club which is still coming to terms with the sacking of Gareth Southgate.