Middlesbrough FC backed for Neto Borges, Bristol City decision despite surprise element | OneFootball

Neto Borges recently made a temporary switch from the North East to the West Country

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Middlesbrough were among several Championship sides that conducted several transfer incomings and outgoings in the recent summer window as the Rob Edwards era commenced at the Riverside Stadium.

After falling short of the second-tier play-offs in the final campaign of Michael Carrick's tenure on Teesside, the former Luton Town boss set his stall out immediately when it came to transfer activity once his appointment was eventually confirmed by the North East side.

So far, such activity is paying dividends as Middlesbrough remain the only side in the division defending a perfect start to the season, having defeated all of Swansea City, Millwall, Norwich City and Sheffield United, with club football now back on the agenda following the recent two-week international break.

In between the aforementioned clash with the Blades and now, Edwards was still able to finalise a handful of transfer dealings on both fronts before the deadline of 7PM on September 1st, with one of those seeing Neto Borges complete a temporary move to divisional rivals, Bristol City.

Given that the Robins have also enjoyed an unbeaten start to Gerhard Struber's reign at Ashton Gate with two victories and as many draws, we asked Football League World's Middlesbrough fan pundit, Liam Day, for his thoughts on the Brazilian's move.

Borges has only been at the Riverside Stadium for a year, having signed under Carrick on a three-year deal from French outfit, Clermont, last summer.

Despite a mixed bag of performances in his natural position of left-back and the January deal which brought Ryan Giles back to the North East on loan from Hull City, Borges continued to be a mainstay in the side, and even converted into a centre-back role as Boro desperately chased a play-off spot during Carrick's final weeks in charge.

However, following the appointment of Edwards, Middlesbrough have adopted a 3-4-2-1 system in the early weeks of the campaign, with Sammy Silvera utilised as the left-wing-back, as well as the club completing the loan signing of Matt Targett from Newcastle United.

As a result, Day admitted that he was slightly surprised to see Borges move to a fellow second-tier side, but believes it was the right decision for all parties.

"I must say I was surprised by this decision, to be honest," Day told FLW. "He seems like a good leader in the dressing room, he started to grow with the fans.

"He had a connection and seemed really passionate about the club, and that's what you want in a player.

"Unfortunately, on the pitch, he didn't do too much," Day explained. "Towards the back end of last season at centre-back, he did look impressive to be fair. He put in some good performances and it was exactly what we needed at that time.

"Is he good enough for a team fighting promotion? Personally, I don't think so," he claimed.

"We've got Matt Targett and Sammy Silvera at left-wing-back, centre-back we're quite well-stocked, especially with another joining in January.

"I feel like it's the right time to move if you weren't going to play, which he simply wasn't.

"If he wanted the move, which you think he would. At this age he needs to be playing - getting towards the end of his career. I definitely think it was the right move."

Neto Borges will hope to prove a point on loan with Bristol City

As Day alluded to, the strong options which Edwards now has at centre-back and left-wing-back had certainly pushed Borges' nose out of joint, although the 28-year-old will hope to use that as motivation to succeed at Ashton Gate.

The Robins have also utilised a 3-4-2-1 following Struber's off-season appointment, although it must be said that defensively strong wing-back options and centre-backs aren't quite as well-stacked in BS3 in comparison to Middlesbrough, especially given Cameron Pring's absence through an ankle ligament injury.

By the time Borges' loan with City reaches its climax, he will be entering the final year of his contract with Middlesbrough, which presents his parent club with the opportunity to cash in on his services.