Aitor Karanka hits out at lack of Middlesbrough transfers and blames club for falling behind relegation rivals
Karanka has previously criticised the club's support and has now grown unhappy with their perceived failure in the January transfer window
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has criticised the club's lack of activity in the January transfer window and said they are being left behind rivals in the battle to avoid the Premier League drop.
Middlesbrough, who are four points and two places above the relegation zone, host West Bromwich Albion later on Tuesday aiming to end a winless run in the league that stretches back to mid-December.
The club signed Rudy Gestede from second-tier Aston Villa and Patrick Bamford from Chelsea this month, but neither forward has played much this season.
"We need to improve the team, and the club knew a month and a half ago the players that I wanted," the Spaniard told members of the media.
"I always said the aim in the transfer window was to improve the squad. At the moment, we haven't done that. We will be disappointed if nobody else comes in, but I have tried my best.
"Teams in our position are signing players for £14m – we are signing players that didn't play in the Championship."
Karanka said it was unrealistic to expect Bamford, who made six substitute appearances while on loan at Burnley prior to joining the club, to shoulder the scoring burden.
"If we are expecting that Patrick was going to arrive and score five goals straight away then we are making a big mistake because he is not ready now," he added.
"I don't know why we haven't signed our targets. That is not my job. I am the coach," added Karanka, who earlier this month hit out at the club's fans for creating an "awful" atmosphere in a game against West Ham.
"When we got promotion last season, there were a lot of people who got a medal. A lot of people had a medal, and a lot of people had done their job. Now? I don't know... With this group of players, the only thing I can do is trust and believe."
Reuters
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments