Gibson Expects 'Progress' After Transfer Activity

Last updated : 03 February 2010 By Boro Mad

All well and good, but the stars that left in the summer were never replaced with anyone NEAR as good ... so this transfer window is not ONLY about replacing Johnson.

Steve Gibson: "I'm pleased with the progress we made in January.

"It's been a very busy time for everybody at the club.

"We decided that we needed to change from a technically based side to one which was based mainly on hard work, in order to give ourselves a better chance of getting out of this league.

"It needed a huge effort from everybody throughout the month to make things happen, and Gordon Strachan was instrumental in identifying players who wanted to come here.

"Keith Lamb has got through a lot of work to bring them here.

"We're pleased with what we have got and hopefully we will be good enough to put a run of results together.

"Adam Johnson is a smashing lad and in many respects we are sorry to see him go.

"I hope he does very well at Manchester City and I'm sure that he will.

"He leaves us on very good terms. There's no animosity. There are good feelings and good wishes from both sides.

"It's a good move for Adam, but we feel it that it the right thing for our club as well.

"We could have waited until the summer to see what happened at a tribunal, but this has taken the risk factor away.

"With Adam leaving, we have improved other areas of the squad. Hopefully we will be strong enough for what we hope to do in the remainder of this season - and that's to try to win a place in the play-offs."