Despite the loss of Danny Batth in favor of Stoke Middlesbrough's defensive priority, the left-back is not the back-center

Danny Batth was recalled by the Wolves and badped in Stoke. It's strange.

Boro focuses again on defense when the declared purpose of the window is to reinforce himself using the tip.

But this can free up space in the payroll to reinvest and find a better balance in the rear.

Boro will have to act quickly to replace the imposing defender, but with a full back.

It was a hard blow to lose a solid plug, but you can not blame any of the three parties involved. Everyone wins.

Stoke Stoke needed to be propped up at the back and Batth was brilliant in that draw and blank, with some big blocks and ways to save in a sink final. You can see why they want it.

Wolves receive a decent fee for a player who has slipped in his order and is not part of his Premier League plans.

And Batth gets the security of a permanent three and a half year contract at a club located near his home in the Midlands.

Boro are the only losers. Of course, they could have matched the money and act for Batth themselves.

It is understood that Boro had the opportunity to adhere to Stoke's offer and that Batth was quite happy if it had materialized.

It might have been an attractive option if Middlesbrough had money to spend.

He is a strong, experienced professional who never let Boro down when he was called.

He is strong in the tackle, brave and ready to put his body on the line and, in every way, is a good influence behind the scenes.

It would be nice to keep it. But that would be silly too: £ 3.5m plus big salaries are a lot of money for a fourth-choice defender.

And spending some of what seems to be limited resources to retain a player already here would change the tone of the window strategy as a whole.

Tony Pulis targeted the pace and power in the final third, following warnings of austerity, tightening of the belt and the need to "respect Steve Gibson's money" and get more for his money.

Spending heavily to cover a well-stocked department while it is painfully inadequate in other areas would go against this logic.

Especially in the wake of the arrival of another central defensive midfielder at the big win. John Obi Mikel has shown clbad glitters to Newport and could well be a quality addition to the mix – but that's not the position Boro needs to be filled.

Rajiv van La Parra, the fast and creative player they have recruited, is still very weak. This position is always pressing.

Batth was decent, but his output is not a disaster. It was used for coverage purposes and, with the exception of a series of games in November, when Dani Ayala was shocked, he was limited to cup games and cameos.

He had three center backs in front of him in Ayala, Aden Flint and Dael Fry, all on real bargains and defending their cause.

If Boro has been found thin in this area due to injuries or occupational risks related to suspensions, the versatile Paddy McNair can replace him. He played the central defender of Manchester United in the Champions League in order to participate in the championship.

And in case of emergency, Nathan Wood as well as George Friend and Ryan Shotton can play here, even if those traveling in the interior would have a drive effect in the back slot machines.

This poses the real problem at the back. Boro is sorely lacking in coverage, no central defenders.

It would be more important to solve this problem than to replace Batth. if Boro has to spend for the defense, it is the full back slots that need to be strengthened. Especially at the back left, where Friend spent the whole season on the flank without a safety net.

Boro are really vulnerable to injury or suspension there. There is no specialist coverage for Friend. He has carved an isolated furrow since the exit of Fabio. In the past, Ben Gibson was able to fill the role. There are not even obvious children to promote.

A wound would force someone to play out of position or change shape with the uncertainty that this would entail. The Parra at the rear wing?

It would make more sense to invest the money than it would cost to buy Batth – or even pay his salary if he stayed on loan – in this key position.

This would bring balance to the back and give respite to a player who can not be replaced and who does not even have a cup break.

This should not make us forget the priority positions: Boro is desperate for speed and style in the last third.

Adding speed to get behind the defenses or trick to unlock them will be the key to promotion prospects.

We know that some of their goals in this position have escaped their fingers and they are working on a few others.

Until now, they have been frustrated. The last days will be tense.