Middlesbrough boss Neil Warnock opens up on transfer frustrations

Boro have so far signed defender Grant Hall with Fulham goalkeeper Marcus Bettinelli expected to sign in time for the opening game of the season away at Watford on Friday evening (7.45pm KO).

Warnock admits he had hoped to have four or five signings in place by now and while he has been left frustrated, he remains confident by the time the window closes Boro will have sufficiently strengthened.

Speaking ahead of the Watford game, Warnock said: “I did expect us to have four or five players by now if I’m honest when I took over at the start of the season, but for one reason or another, it’s not been possible.

“I am bitterly disappointed at that, but we’ve just got to get on with it.

“I’m happy with the lads we do have, but it’s clear we need to get players in.

“You look at our bench and it’s very fragile at the minute. There’s no point kidding ourselves about that.

“But we know what we have to do and just for one reason or another we’ve not been able to get them in.

“I’ve spoken to quite a number of players over the past few weeks and we’ve just not been able to get them over the line.

“We’ve just got to keep positive, and also try and get the best out of what I’ve got. They’re a good group and this will be a great challenge for us.”

Warnock added: “I think a lot of players are maybe still expecting what was on the table 12 months ago. It’s a different ball game now because of this pandemic.

“But we haven’t been able to get deals over the line for various reasons.

“We’re all disappointed - everybody at the club - that we’ve not got more bodies in. But that’s life at the moment. You’ve just got to carry on.

“I always believed we needed four or five new players if we were to get into the top areas of the league, and I’m still optimistic we can bring some in."