Tony Pulis wants to solidify the Middlesbrough squad by bringing a few of his former lieutenants to the Riverside Stadium next summer. The former West Brom head coach has instilled some structure into the Boro team and have rejuvenated their promotion chase by guiding them back into the playoff spots.
Baggies goalkeeper, Ben Foster is one of the players on Pulis’ shortlist as claimed by recent reports. The 60-year-old wants to bring in Craig Dawson, Chris Brunt and Jamie Morrison too from the Hawthorns to battle the challenges of either another promotion chase or elite opponents of the Premier League.
The Baggies themselves are at the bottom of the pile in top-flight football and are closing in on the drop to the Championship. Tony Pulis’ sacking and Alan Pardew’s appointment has not changed a thing in their struggle for survival but Middlesbrough has definitely benefited from the situation.
Pulis has rejuvenated the North Yorkshire based club and delivered 4 wins and 2 draws in their last 6 league outings. While the 6th spot is facing heavy contention from Bristol City, Preston North End and Sheffield United, Boro is expected to finish the regular season within the realms of a promotion possibility.
Foster will be a big name to fill in the ranks despite the result of the current campaign. The 34-year-old did catch the eyes of Alex Ferguson himself once upon a time and did represent the Red Devils on 23 occasions.
Granted his career with Manchester United was not the most illustrious with just a few appearances in his 5-year stint with them but he did manage a point where he was granted the number 2 spot behind Edwin van der Sar.
Foster has spent the last 7 years protecting the West Brom goal line with 216 games and 59 clean sheets under his belt. He has been capped for the England national team 8 times as well.
Darren Randolph has maintained 14 clean sheets this season and has played every game in the league. He has been solid at the back still and at just 30, has a lot of football left in him.
It would be interesting to predict his fate on the arrival of Ben Foster. Dimitrios Konstantopoulos’ contract has been extended for another season with Tomas Mejias also in the Boro squad.
Either Randolph will have to be demoted to a sporadic role or Foster’s move will go bust in the wake of the summer window. It is highly unlikely that the veteran would settle for a minor role despite holding good relations with the manager.
