|
|
Middlesbrough deny reports of Bolton bid for Australia international Rhys Williams
The Championship outfit's boss Tony Mowbray claims there were no offers for the Socceroo, despite speculation linking the Trotters with a move throughout deadline day
1 Feb 2012 07:26:00
By Paddy Higgs
Getty Images
Middlesbrough have dismissed claims Australian utility player Rhys Williams was the subject of a £6 million deadline day bid from Premier League strugglers Bolton.
Several media outlets in the UK reported Owen Coyle had tabled a big-money offer for Australia international Williams, who can play in defence or midfield and has been long tipped for a move away from his Championship club.
But Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray – speaking to the club’s website shortly before the transfer window slammed shut on Tuesday – reiterated that no bids had been lodged for Williams or any of his players.
"I can sit here and categorically tell you that's not the case," Mowbray said. "How these things get reported, who knows? But sitting here right now, as far as I know there's been no offer from Bolton.
"There are been no official bids on any of our players, to try to throw a blanket over all of it.
"And yet I could understand the Rhys and Bolton connection - Owen (Coyle) had him at Burnley for a season and knows what a talent he is.
"He's a few years older now and has done fantastically well for us in several positions. But there have been no bids in and I welcome that, he's been integral to what we're trying to achieve here."
Williams has made 29 appearances in all competitions for Middlesbrough, who are just goal difference outside the Championship playoff places.
While Williams may not have moved on deadline day, younger brother Ryan did. The winger, 18, secured a two-and-a-half-year deal at Premier League club Fulham, moving from debt-stricken Championship outfit Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee.
|
Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
Several media outlets in the UK reported Owen Coyle had tabled a big-money offer for Australia international Williams, who can play in defence or midfield and has been long tipped for a move away from his Championship club.
But Middlesbrough manager Tony Mowbray – speaking to the club’s website shortly before the transfer window slammed shut on Tuesday – reiterated that no bids had been lodged for Williams or any of his players.
"I can sit here and categorically tell you that's not the case," Mowbray said. "How these things get reported, who knows? But sitting here right now, as far as I know there's been no offer from Bolton.
"There are been no official bids on any of our players, to try to throw a blanket over all of it.
"And yet I could understand the Rhys and Bolton connection - Owen (Coyle) had him at Burnley for a season and knows what a talent he is.
"He's a few years older now and has done fantastically well for us in several positions. But there have been no bids in and I welcome that, he's been integral to what we're trying to achieve here."
Williams has made 29 appearances in all competitions for Middlesbrough, who are just goal difference outside the Championship playoff places.
While Williams may not have moved on deadline day, younger brother Ryan did. The winger, 18, secured a two-and-a-half-year deal at Premier League club Fulham, moving from debt-stricken Championship outfit Portsmouth for an undisclosed fee.
How do you stay up to date with football when on the move? With http://m.goal.com – your best source for mobile coverage of the beautiful game.
| Sign up with 188BET for a FREE bet up to £25 – Great Prices, Every Game |
|
| Open an account with Sportingbet today and get up to £50 in free bets! |
|
| Sign up with William Hill for a free bet up to £25 |
|
| Sign up with bet365 for a free bet up to £200 |
|
| Sign up with Paddy Power - Bet £10, Get £20! |
|
Live!
England 1-0 Belgium, Netherlands 4-0 Northern Ireland - follow all the international action LIVE! ahead of Euro 2012
With countries across the continent gearing up for their final warm-up games ahead of Euro 2012, join us for all the action from Saturday's friendlies. Get in touch with us via Twitter with your reaction.
Hosted by Joe Doyle
Hosted by Joe Doyle
19:59 BST
Unfortunately for Northern Ireland, they are trailing the Netherlands 4-0 at half-time. Looks like that one's all sewn up then.
19:54 BST
We're still getting plenty of Hazard chat on Twitter. A few are now saying that he's not worth the hype, others saying he was brilliant(!?) and others (which I agree with), saying he created much of his own hype. What do you think? Get involved!
19:46 BST
Joe Hart has also been giving his thoughts after the Belgium game: "It was a really tough game, a good run out. I thought we played well, [but] we were a little bit bitty at times.
"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.
"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
"But, we came through. Obviously there were a lot of changes so it's good to get the result.
"Belgium are a very, very strong side who are going to be really good in the future. Vincent [Kompany] told me about them and said that they were coming good and I totally agree with him."
19:38 BST
Here's Roy Hodgson's reaction to the result and some injury chat: "I'm very pleased, it's been a hard week and we've used a lot of players. There was a lot of disruption in the second-half with substitutions – some forced upon us, some we wanted to do. But it's still a very good end to the week playing against a good Belgian team here. Arguably even stronger than the Norwegian team we played last week and I've got to be more than happy that we've come out with another victory."
"[Gary] Cahill I suppose is slightly more of a concern for me because it is a jaw injury. We're desperately hoping the CT scan doesn't show any fracture and it's just going to be a bruising situation, which will be bad enough, but won't stop him taking part in the tournament. As far as John's [Terry] concerned he felt his hamstring a little bit. Again it wasn't a major thing when he came off but we still need to scan it just to be 100 per cent sure."
Suffice to say, if Cahill has broken his jaw, he won't play any part in the tournament.
"[Gary] Cahill I suppose is slightly more of a concern for me because it is a jaw injury. We're desperately hoping the CT scan doesn't show any fracture and it's just going to be a bruising situation, which will be bad enough, but won't stop him taking part in the tournament. As far as John's [Terry] concerned he felt his hamstring a little bit. Again it wasn't a major thing when he came off but we still need to scan it just to be 100 per cent sure."
Suffice to say, if Cahill has broken his jaw, he won't play any part in the tournament.
19:35 BST
And another point from today: Eden Hazard wasn't great. Don't think you can judge him on one performance though. What do you think? Is it just a case of too much hype around the Chelsea-bound Belgian?
Inside Goal.Com
-
Welbeck convinces Hodgson he is the man to lead the line
England beat Norway 1-0 at Wembley, with the Manchester United man hitting an impressive winner to stake his claim for a starting spot at Euro 2012
-
The five players Rodgers could sign to kick-start revolution
The new Reds boss was unveiled to the press on Friday and must immediately begin work on revitalising a thin squad with some additions in the transfer market
-
Managerial merry-go-round keeps spinning as Lambert takes Villa job
The Scot officially left Norwich City on Saturday to become the second new boss in June, following the appointment of Brendan Rodgers at Liverpool on Friday
-
Rodgers ushers in new Anfield era on his own terms
The Northern Irishman inevitably expressed his delight at landing the Reds job but evidenced plenty of the steely resolve which could see him become a success at Anfield
-
The definitive timeline of FSG's hunt for new manager
Kenny Dalglish's sacking at the end of the season sparked a massive hunt for the next Anfield boss, and the former Swansea man has been chosen after several turned the job down
