It's been said you can please some of the people all of the time, you can please all of the people some of the time, but you can't please all of the people all of the time - and that's why Middlesbrough manager Aitor Karanka has been forthright in stating that unhappy players can leave the club in January, as reported by theDaily Star.
The Spaniard has opted against too much squad rotation so far this season, and has relied on a pretty specific core of players in the opening 17 games of the season.That of course has inevitably lead to some unhappiness from those unable to get a game - none more so than the club's forwards.
With Spaniard Alvaro Negredo firmly established as Boro's first-choice striker, the likes ofDavid Nugent and Jordan Rhodes in particular have been left particularly frustrated with Karanka's reluctance to play with more than one forward alongside the former Man City and Valencia man.
With the January transfer window almost upon us Karanka has claimed that - if the price is right of course - some players will be leaving Teeside shortly.
There will be a few players who leave next month. At the moment, we have 26 players in the squad and I would like to finish January with 23 or 24,� he said.
The main thing is that we do not need to make major changes and improve a lot because I am pleased with the squad.I can understand why some people have been frustrated because they are all good players and they have not been playing. They will have teams who want them.
And if someone is leaving next month, it will be because it is good for the player who is going to leave, the club that is going to buy him and for us. It has to be for the right money.�
Boro currently sit 14th in the league, four points above the dreaded relegation zone. Before the new year is here, they will have faced both Burnley and Manchester United.