Lee Hendrie believes Danny Ings can be pivotal for Middlesbrough's promotion should they pair up the ex-Saint with top 5 Championship striker Tommy Conway.
It's been just a day since Danny Ings' Middlesbrough rumours came out, but the update has stirred up many emotions already at St. Mary's. And given it's been for their concern about the ex-Saint over a promotion fear from the Boro has deemed the slightly unaware Saints fans in too.
But, while the fan perspectives have deviated from the reality a few times in past, the general notion brewing up is aptly right in Ings' case.
Having last featured in the Championship with Burnley in the 2013/14 season, it's been over a decade since the player made a mark in the second division. And while the player's capabilities remain undoubted, it might take a lot from Ings to turn things around on the back of a miserable footballing spell.
Now, Ings' Middlesbrough case feels rough on the surface, but apparently, Saints might be in for a shock.
Danny Ings tipped to form a decisive duo with Tommy Conway
Recently, pundit Lee Hendrie presented an interesting scenario where Danny Ings can still turn heads in the Championship. That's because of Ings' potential link-up with top 5 Championship goal getter Tommy Conway, which can have Middlesbrough emerge as a favourite for promotion.
Speaking to the Football League World, Hendrie talked of Boro's Ings rumours, saying: "I think taking that step down, I know he's got experience, but when you've got the likes of Tommy Conway that can run in-behind, that partnership could be deadly in the Championship."
Needless to say, no Saint would have seen this possibility coming, but the fact that it has a high chance of turning into reality must have the supporters cautious. And what's even gruesome? Its evidence dates back to Southampton's dressing room itself.
In case you remember, Danny Ings' partnership with Scot Che Adams has been one of the best striking pairings the Saints have ever seen. Though it lasted only two years, with Ings' exit in 2021, it intrigued the possibility of the forward brewing up an exciting duo with Scottish centre-forwards.
Well, if it happens for Tommy's Scottish origins, it will be another case where a club leverages by utilising Southampton's past successes. But let's be honest, we have seen quite a lot of such cases recently, so it doesn't surprise us anymore.