NEIL WARNOCK admits to being “bitterly disappointed” at Middlesbrough’s lack of success in the transfer market this summer, but with Marcus Bettinelli having joined on a season-long loan yesterday, the Boro boss remains confident his squad will be strong enough when the transfer window closes.

Bettinelli’s switch from Fulham was confirmed yesterday afternoon, with Warnock hoping to receive confirmation that his registration was completed ahead of the midday cut-off that would enable him to make his debut in this evening’s Championship season-opener at Watford.

The 28-year-old goalkeeper is Boro’s second signing of the summer, with Grant Hall having arrived as a free agent at the end of July, but Warnock had hoped to have completed at least two or three more deals before the start of the new campaign.

A succession of transfer moves have failed to come to fruition, with the likes of Kieffer Moore, Charlie Goode and Joe Williams opting to move elsewhere despite having all-but-agreed a deal on Teesside.

Warnock continues to speak to prospective signings, and moves for Sam Morsy and Yaya Sanogo could yet be completed next week, but despite having been in management for more than four decades, the 71-year-old struggles to remember a more challenging transfer window than the current one.

“It’s been difficult,” said the Boro boss. “I did expect us to have four or five players by now, if I’m honest. That’s what I expected when I took over, and at the end of the season, but for one reason or another, it’s not been possible.

“I’m bitterly disappointed in that, but you’ve just got to get on with it. I’ve got a good group, and we’re going to try to upset the odds again in the first game. I had to laugh when I saw Watford had 11 injuries though – I’ve only got 11 players!

“For one reason or another, we’ve just not been able to get targets over the line. I think you can always look back and see that mistakes have happened, but you haven’t really got time to look back nowadays, you’ve got to look forward.

“We’ve got to look at what we can do next week, and try to improve the squad and help the team that’s there. I think all of us have made mistakes, if we look back to the end of last season and where we are today, regarding the squad. But life’s too short, so we’ve just got to move on.

“I’m sure before October 5, we can bring in more players. We are in big trouble if we don’t because we’ll not get away with just 11, 12 or 13 players over the course of the season.”

Bettinelli’s arrival has shaken up Boro’s goalkeeping group, with Tomas Mejias expected to complete a proposed move to Romanian side Dinamo Bucharest shortly.

A former England Under-21 international who was briefly called into Gareth Southgate’s senior squad, Bettinelli started last season as Fulham’s number one before losing his place to Marek Rodak.

He has won two promotions with the Cottagers, but was deemed surplus to requirements when Scott Parker signed Alphonse Areola on loan from Paris St Germain earlier this week.

“It didn’t take me too long to come to a decision,” said Bettinelli, who has immediately taken control of Boro’s number one shirt. “I know what a massive club it is, and a great fanbase. What you guys have done in your history is amazing.

“Neil has been instrumental in getting me up here as well. I came up and spoke with him over dinner – he’s a manager that I’ve heard so many great things about from players and staff – everyone I’ve spoken to has said, ‘You’ll love playing under him’.

“He’s such a likeable character, and he’s got so many stories so it’s a privilege to work under him. He’s put a lot of faith in me. It’s great to work with someone so passionate about the club and the game. He holds that record for promotions for a reason. I’m excited to be a part of that, and hopefully we can add to it.”

Boro kick off their season at Vicarage Road, and while Watford are still in a state of transition following their relegation from the Premier League, Warnock regards the Hornets as the favourites for promotion.

Jose Holebas and Abdoulaye Doucoure might have left in the last couple of weeks, but Watford boss Vladimir Ivic can still call on the likes of Ben Foster, Tom Cleverley, Gerard Deulofeu, Troy Deeney and Danny Welbeck, as well as new signing Glenn Murray.

“I can’t see Watford struggling this season to be honest,” said Warnock, who has confirmed the appointment of Britt Assombalonga as Boro’s new captain. “They’ve got too good a squad. They’ve got 25 top players in the squad, and you only have to look at the team that played against Tottenham last week (in a friendly), and really dominated Tottenham, creating numerous chances.

“It’s difficult to see anybody other than them winning the league really, but that’s why it’s such a good test for us so early on. We’ve got a thin squad, but it’s a squad that have done well in pre-season. I’m looking forward to the challenge to be honest. There’s only 11 on pitch, and whatever 11 turns up for Watford, we’ve got to make sure we give them a good game.”

Middlesbrough (probable, 3-5-2): Bettinelli; Dijksteel, Hall, Fry; Spence, Saville, Howson, Tavernier, Johnson; Fletcher, Assombalonga.