Philip Tallentire: Forshaw arrival doesn't mean players may leave to balance books

The arrival of Adam Forshaw this week has led some Boro fans to surmise that one or two players may be sold to balance the books.

Nothing could be further from the truth.

Aitor Karanka and Steve Gibson haven’t spent the past year re-building the first team squad only to allow the key members to move at the very moment promotion looks a realistic aim.

The option of having two players for every position has been achieved and the benefits are there for all to see.

With a game to go, Boro have so far come through a demanding January impressively, achieving two FA Cup wins and taking seven points out of a possible nine in the league.

And, despite injuries and suspensions, Karanka will take a formidable 18 to Brentford tomorrow.

Boro have, it’s fair to say, the most impressive squad in the Championship.

That doesn’t guarantee success but it goes a long way to ensuring the club has the resources to cope with the demands of the final three months of the campaign.

Which brings us back to Forshaw.

Yes, in terms of holding midfielders, Boro already have Adam Clayton, Grant Leadbitter and Dean Whitehead on the books.

But Forshaw can play anywhere in midfield, so he gives Karanka another option both defensively and offensively.

And, yes, Clayton and Leadbitter have been doing outstandingly well recently, but what if one of them suffers a serious injury? It can, and does, happen.

Also, Forshaw hasn’t been signed just for the next few weeks, he’s a long-term investment whose contract runs until July 2018.

Adam Forshaw in action for Brentford last season

Karanka is quite open to giving a new signing time to acclimatise, as we’ve seen with Jelle Vossen and Yanic Wildschut.

So, the prospect of a senior player being moved on before the window closes is highly unlikely.

Steve Gibson is simply not taking calls from rival chairmen.

No doubt he could raise a serious amount of cash by selling George Friend, Adam Reach or Leadbitter.

But what would be the point?

I’m sure a few million quid would come in very handy just now, but weakening the squad at this moment in time could result in failure to win promotion and the guaranteed minimum payment of £63m that comes with it.

There are young players on the fringes of the squad – Luke Williams, Bryn Morris, Bradley Fester - who may be allowed to leave on loan in a bid to gain first team experience.

And you’d have to think that offers for Seb Hines and Emmanuel Ledesma would be considered.

But, as far as the first team squad is concerned, the chairman and Karanka intend to leave well alone.