So the transfer window firmly closed and fans were left scratching their heads at the complete
lack of activity from Middlesbrough. All day long rumours of different players being spotted in and
around Rockliffe were floating around the internet, 99% of which were complete fabrications, but at
the end of the day the only player who we ever looked likely to sign was Rob Hulse.
So Afonso Alves joins the departed list as Boro's record signing decided to follow the money to
Qatar and Al Sadd. Expectations were raised, even if only slightly, that the Brazilian may be the
one to spearhead Middlesbrough's Championship challenge when he remained a Boro player at the close
of the transfer window.
A couple tidbits for the Holiday weekend:It looked as if Middlesbrough - near the beginning of the transfer window - was going to hold on to
its most prized assets as they prepared for life once again in the Championship. The last two weeks
have been an eye-opener, however, with Sanli Tuncay and Robert Huth heading back to the EPL with
Stoke City, Stewart Downing finally getting his move away from the club to Aston Villa, and Afonso
Alves, ultimately a huge bust after a high-profile move from Heerenveen, to Qatar for a payday with
Al-Sadd.
