Our landlord here at the Transfer Tavern was rather impressed with the business that Aitor Karanka and Middlesbrough were able to conduct in the January window – in order to improve their chances of a strong finish to the season.

Boro have been having such a mixed season and find themselves just above the danger zone and it was clear before the market opened that they needed to add.

To the best of their ability they had a clear out as well as bringing in some players, but maybe they weren’t as ruthless as they should have been when getting rid of some.

The club have got a huge squad of players and a number out on loan too so many punters here were surprised that when the clock hit 11pm on Tuesday that they hadn’t allowed a couple of their players leave the club.

With that our landlord questions whether these two players have been sold by Middlesbrough in January…

STEWART DOWNING

The Boro born midfielder has found his time on the pitch limited with the likes of Viktor Fischer and Adama Traore ahead of him in the pecking order.

Many expected the former Liverpool and West Ham midfielder to leave the Riverside in order to play some more football, but it seems like he’s to remain at the club for now and maybe will be back up for grabs for Championship teams come the summer window!

GASTON RAMIREZ

This may be a surprise to a number of our punters here at the Tavern due to how important he was to Boro’s promotion back to the Premier League. He reportedly requested a transfer after interest from Premier League champions Leicester City, however and could have gone.

Karanka made it apparent that he had no intentions of allowing the Uruguayan international leave the club and that he should prove his worth first.

Thoughts, Boro fans? Let us know below!