MIDDLESBROUGH’S business in the transfer window has been progressing slowly over pre-season but with the first game of the season kicking off against West Brom today, Chris Wilder fully acknowledges the hurdles that need to be jumped to add players to his squad amid the toughest transfer market he’s seen.

When quizzed by The Northern Echo on how difficult it’s been, he emphatically answered: “By far and away.”

Boro are still in the market for a number of forwards, despite the addition of Marcus Forss this week, a left side central defender and several midfielders following the impending departure of Marcus Tavernier. But they are not the only ones struggling in a competitive market heading into the season.

“I would say I don’t think any other manager would say this has been an easy one” Wilder added.

“That’s how it is. We are in situation where we have to wait and be patient. As I said about the window shutting, I still believe that should be the case but it isn’t and we have to deal with that as well as trying to win football matches so we have just got to crack on and deal with things.”

Wilder alluded to a number of factors behind Boro’s ability to conduct business but the timing of the start to the season hasn’t helped.

He added: “I think it’s ridiculous that there is another four weeks on top. For me, it has to finish and shut the day before a ball has been kicked and everybody knows where they are.

“There is going to be a lot of dancing about in the next month. There are seven games involved in that month as well so we’ve got to prepare for seven games but we could potentially lose players and potentially bring players in. Other clubs could lose players.

“For me it’s nonsense but it’s there and we have to deal with it.”

When asked which positions he feels he needs to strengthen in the squad, Wilder joked: “Have you got ten minutes?”

There is a sense of satisfaction at their business so far as he continued: “We’ve been delighted in certain aspects. Goalkeeping department we have sorted out. Delighted with Darragh Lenihan and Ryan Giles and Marcus has come into the building.

“I thought Marc Bola was excellent when he played there (left centre-back) on Friday. Darragh Lenihan and Dael Fry can play there. Paddy (McNair) obviously played there last year but I’ve talked long and hard about balance and a left footer. Round pegs in round holes and that is still obviously a challenge to sort that position out.”

In the build-up to the Championship season, Wilder attended a Q&A with the fans earlier this week. No doubt the line of questioning from the fans will have been all things to do with the transfer market but the boss garnered a good feeling from the fan base on what they expect to see this season.

“I get the vibe that they trust in what we are doing” he said. “They like the players, the way we play, the way the football club is run, the owner. They love their football club and there is plenty of other football clubs that is not the case.

“I think they quite like the manager but I’ve got to keep producing for them and that’s the ambition from myself. There is a really good feel about the place but they understand.

“When they look at the team on Friday night (Marseille friendly), they realise we are light of players so they are not daft.”

As for season opening games, it doesn’t get much tougher for a light Boro side who face Steve Bruce’s new look team at the Riverside Stadium. But with a smile on his face in yesterday’s press conference, Wilder said in a relishing manner: “I’m delighted it’s West Brom. I would want a big game to get us going. Fabulous atmosphere at the Riverside, a good vibe and feeling around the place. I’ve been told that it is going to be potentially one of the highest opening day crowds that the football club has had since we were in the Premier League which is testament to what we are doing and the enthusiasm around the place.

“It will be a really good game and I don’t think anybody will be disappointed in terms of the level and standard of the game.”