Signing a Slaven is every manager's dream

Date26 February 2021
Published date26 February 2021
Publication titleEvening Gazette
Wood is spending the second half of the season on loan at the League One club and the Boro defender helped his side earn a first win of his time there in just his second start, against Accrington Stanley on Tuesday.

Wood spoke after the game about his experience so far and his Boro ambitions for the future andm based on what he has seen so far, Artell is convinced Wood has the talent to be real success.

The Crewe boss said: "Nathan is a terrific lad and has a really bright future in the game.

"He is committed, athletic and has picked things up really quickly."

Interestingly, Artell also identified potential future leadership qualities in the Boro academy graduate.

Leadership is something Middlesbrough manager Neil Warnock has often noted his side lacks and, despite being just 18 and in a new environment outside of the club he has been with since he was an under-13, Wood had the courage to stand up in the dressing room after the game and give a speech.

Artell said: "Nathan spoke to the group afterwards and he was very good. He spoke really well and it was terrific for a lad of his age to do that.

"He said his bit. He spoke about the real togetherness and spirit of the group and I have been saying that to them all season.

"They probably don't always believe me but I have been in the game and now we have a young lad from a Championship club saying the same thing.

"It was really positive and he spoke about the real opportunity we have this season."

MANY Boro fans might be willing to sacrifice their right arms to bring a prolific goalscorer to the club.

Then they are not alone. Most football supporters throughout the country would do the same.

It is not that Boro have not enjoyed their fair share of decent finishers over the years.

Names like George Camsell, Mickey Fenton, George Elliott, Alan Peacock, Brian Clough and John Hickton are entrenched in the historic fabric of the club.

Any prolific finishers since? Well yes there are - and one in particular.

Many Boro fans are not old enough to having witnessed the Hickton heroics but a good number will remember Bernie Slaven.

An inspired £25,000 signing by Willie Maddren from Albion Rovers in 1985, Slaven's goals helped Bruce Rioch's young side to achieve great things.

Aafter Boro had completed the most remarkable of back-to-back promotions in 1987 and 88, Slaven was one of the few players who took life in the First Division in his stride.

His ability to score goals at any level was proven beyond any doubt in only...

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