Window of Opportunity?

by werdermouth, posted in Uncategorized

Since some of you are already keen to get the discussions underway I thought I’d better start a proper post to mull over what the January Transfer Window will entail for Boro. It looks like Rudy Gestede has donned his flat cap and is about to move up north and is preparing to seek out suitable property in Yarm that can accommodate a pigeon loft.

So who else is on Boro’s radar? My punt last week was for Gerard Deulofeu from Everton to bring some pace, vision and another Spanish voice to the party.

OK feel free to speculate as you wish as I try to work my way through bells and whistles of WordPress that are within my budget (all that’s free).

239 thoughts on “Window of Opportunity?”

  1. First of all just to say thanks again to werdermouth for setting up this new incarnation of the blog.

    As for where we are with transfers incoming and out I haven’t got the foggiest really, but I expect AK to bring in players that surprise us, it was ever thus.

    Gestede seems to me to simply be cover for Negredo nothing more, although expensive cover at £6m+. Which sends a message loud and clear to Rhodes and Nugent, who I would guess will both leave in January.

    I wouldn’t be surprised to see Ayala go as well if someone makes the right offer.

    I’d love to see Boro buy a creative attacking right sided player but its unlikely to happen because firstly such players who are decent aren’t available in January and secondly I don’t think its what AK wants.

    Big Phil said today on one of the new trendy Gazette videos that he believes we’ll see a cautious style of play for the rest of the season with the aim of ensuring we stay up, but that if we are to prosper in the prem after that we’ll need to see more attacking flair from AK next season.

    I agree entirely with that thought process.

  2. I think it’s a mistake to say that we don’t need anyone else in the transfer window, although the only area requiring urgent attention is attacking midfield – we have strength and cover everywhere else.

    We need to win games to stay up and we have only won four games. We are a chronically low-scoring team. In four of the last six games we have not scored – our defence know that they often need to keep a clean sheet just to get a point.

    Although Gastoniser is inconsistent he’s the only player we have who has shown himself to be a game-changing creative midfielder at this level*.

    Two of our wins were directly attributable to him. He scored the crucial breakthrough goal against Bournemouth and against Hull, and I think in all probability based on the way those games were going we would have lost the first and drawn the second of those without his contribution. Without him that puts us minus five points and in a relegation position.

    And so far I’m not counting his other contributions over the first half of the season and the psychological boost to all the team of those two vital wins. I think we are in deep, deep trouble if he gets a serious injury or loss of form.

    We have to invest wisely in attacking midfield, or we are walking a tightrope and could well find ourselves back in the Championship. It’s a shame to take that risk when everywhere else we have enough to stay up pretty comfortably.

    *I know we could discuss this point further. Also, there were some positive signs in the Leicester game. But still…

    3. I suspect like a lot of things (including us?) Bernie may have become a victim of what is suspiciously looking like the “Boro Solution.”

      Hiding in cupboards under stairs or behind false walls, having to move to safer parts of the virtual reality city.

  7. Spartak

    In an attempt to answer your earlier question about an avatar or gravatar thingy picture. I clicked on my “square” and I think and it brought me to a new page where I could upload a picture of my choice. I know that description isn’t very clear but it was trial and error and more good luck rather than deliberate intent so my exact steps are vague even to me. Hope it helps (probably not) but I’m sure someone more tech savvy can provide an even more confusing explanation 🙂

  8. Well if Bernie has left the Gazette we need to get him on here! Anyone know his number?

    Is there a new Editor at Gazette towers I wonder……

  9. Hi folks, just escaped over the wall of Untypical Boro, just like the old boys end at Ayresome.

    I wonder if the journos will still raid our input for the Gazette. I think I will set up plagiarism watch.

    I refused to comment on any stories on the site when you had to register via facebook.

    If people want to be on facebook that is fine by me but don’t limit my freedom to comment because I am not an inferior citizen because of that, I can sort that out for myself.

    We can of course use links to other sources more freely, quite rightly AV was nervous of us linking to competitor papers like the Northern Echo.

    A good website is http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Premier+League/Middlesbrough

    You may already know of it but as we are now free it is there to use or not. Mixture of sources for stories including the Gazette.

    Now how do I do an avator thingy?

    1. Hi Nigel and Ian.

      Just click on the colourful square next to your name and it will take you to a page where you can upload a picture to your liking. It may make you register a wordpress account first, which you have to verify by clicking another link in the e-mail that will be generated to you. After that, adding the picture was easy.

      1. I think the link works only before you are approved by Werder!

        I was able to use the link yesterday but I did not understand how to process. There was some problem with my email address if I used the user name of mine (Jarkko).

        Today when I am “approved” the link does not work the same – it says my profile is not found. I think I had the same problem during the UntypicalBoro blog.

        This is what I hate in IT, you cannot understand why it works one day and not the second. The need luck to get through as you are often given only one chance.

        Up the Boro!

  11. I wonder if somewhere there is an office where the term “Inglourious Basterds” is being used right now?

    There is a very real danger that this site could become an object of affection by many and serious disaffection by a few. I’m sure there are those whose opening verdict will be “it will never last” as their deepest fears start to unfold before them.

    “The rebels have regrouped outside the city walls commandant”!

    “But we cut them off, we starved them, how can this be”?

    Walks off whistling the “great escape” whilst giving the pits sign.

    In years to come it could even be part of the syllabus for students doing a degree on Marketing.

  12. Just had an alert from WordPress telling me that ‘Your stats are booming! Diasboro is getting lots of traffic’ – it’s well over 500 views now and 50 posts so well done everyone for making the transition work.

    I’m actually working on a database project today so I’ll keep an eye out to approve new posters.

  13. This is my new id, couldn’t manage to use my old details but this is the new modern Ian Gill as iangill2017.

    The avatar? Let me tell you a story. went to watch pre season match at York when the yellow kit made it debut. Shortly after Lee went to Bournemouth.

    Off to the Pirelli for league cup at Burton when out came the mascot, quick as a flash up went the Super Lee Tomlin chant.

    Made me laugh

    1. I had a similar experience Ian, thought I had lost my old moniker and was about to try and start again. Changed what I could back to as much as I could remember and also stumbled upon the picture thingy so added that and lo and behold I was back to the future!

      I see Dael has been recalled by Boro and Fulham are now being linked with Nugent along with dirty Leeds. de Sart is being sought after by Derby no less (allegedly). With Mejais now back to Madrid and Vallecano and Rhodes allegedly at Birmingham we may have a seriously depleted bench for Wednesday on Sunday let alone giving some game time to a few of the peripherals.

      1. Taking Dael back would have been top of my to do list. Getting stuffed every week can terminally affect a young defender’s confidence and development.

    2. Or Steve G!

      Ps. I am using my wife’s iPad and tried to Google Diasboro. It did not find this yet. What I mean I can find but I am more worried about otherwise.

      UTB!

  17. Probably triggered by tectonic plates in Borough Road and the Riverside colliding, reverberating all the out of the mouth of the Tees and into the North Sea.

  18. It’s a sign Ian!

    As sure as God made little apples.

    I’ve brought me bag of runes outta the cupboard with me as well.

    Now what was the question? Ah, yes ‘Will AK see the season out as Boro manager?’ (Shakes runes in bag)

    My guess is yes coz there’s no one out there ready to take up the reins and that includes Big ‘I can take care of meself’ Nige, coz his mates stayed at The Foxes.

    UTB

    1. Yes, it works while posting a reply. My problem seems that I cannot remember the password and I had an email account over eight years ago that is not valid anymore.

      So either a new user name or no avatar. Guess what I chose. Up the Boro!

  23. BP

    Yes, I think it would incredibly difficult to prise Snodgrass from Hull. I suspect we would have a few competitors for his signature as well.

    What I would like though, is a goalscoring midfielder who also has a bit of graft about him and ideally with Premier League experience. Snodgrass fits the bill like very few others. Would £10m be enough and decent value?

    2. I unfortunately do not see Hull selling players to other clubs around them pity. Do Aston Villa have any other players left who we could buy?

  24. Just testing to make sure I’m here in our virtual Navi, as Ian refers to it. Glad to see so many regulars are already here. Off to read what pearls of wisdom the Gazette has for us today. Like Arnie, I’ll be back.
    UTB

  28. Would we be interested in Depay or Ashley Young on loan from Man Utd (AK/Jose connection) both of whom are looking for playing time and don’t seem to be part of Utd plans, just a passing thought.

    Come on BORO.

  31. Ayala Out?

    Yesterday Gençlerbirliği president İlhan Cavcav said Galatasaray’s offer is not enough for their player Ahmet Çalık and the defender is not for sale under these conditions.

    Galatasaray have therefore turned their attention elsewhere and Fotomaç reports the Turkish giants are lining up a bid for Middlesbrough defender Daniel Ayala. The Middlesbrough player has now emerged as the key target for Galatasaray and they are ready to up their interest in the defender.

    Ayala was a key player last season for Middlesbrough during their promotion to the Premier League, but in this campaign he hasn’t been a regular in the starting eleven.
    dani ayala
    Ayala is currently down the pecking order at the Riverside with manager Aitor Karanka preferring the likes of Calum Chambers and Ben Gibson ahead of him.

    A move away from Middlesbrough in January may be tempting for Ayala as Galatasaray will certainly offer him a chance to win titles this season.

    Galatasaray are looking for a defender who is good in the air because the Turkish side has conceded nine headed goals in the first half of the season.

    The 26-year old Spaniard came through the Liverpool academy and under Rafa Benitez played a couple of games for the senior team before leaving. Ayala also had spells with Derby County, Nottingham Forest and Norwich City before he joined Boro

  32. De Saart loan to Derby
    Derby County are close to completing a loan deal with Middlesbrough for defensive midfielder Julien De Sart, according to Sky sources.

    The Belgian U21 international moved to the Riverside Stadium in August for £2.1m from Standard Liege, but has only made one appearance so far.

    Now Derby are negotiating a deal which would see him play for Steve McClaren’s side until the end of the season as they look to bolster their promotion bid.

    1. Neither would surprise us, OFB.

      Ayala’s fee would be interesting though. In today’s market, and selling to a Champions League team, I would like to think we would get at least £7.5m as an absolute minimum. This time last year it could have been near double that.

  33. Hi chaps,

    If I may make a suggestion. If we’re going to be cutting and pasting copy from news sites, it would be polite (and may avoid legal problems) if we accredit them accordingly. e.g. From the Evening Gazette, Northern Echo etc. And also to credit the writer, if possible.

    I’m sure no offence has been intended and I’m certainly not accusing anyone of plagiarism. This is all very new and exciting and I’m sure we’re all just carried away with enthusiasm for our new home.

    Also, I would like to make a plea to any lurkers out there who for their own valid reasons didn’t post as often as some of us on the other place. The more contributors on here the merrier. Lord knows, I don’t wish to read my own words any more than I have to.

  34. I have never been a regular poster but always followed AV’s blog so this new venture will now be my first port of call for all things ‘Boro and perhaps I will contribute more. Thanks Werder – great work and to RR for the ‘great minds think alike’ moment.

  35. Chris

    Don’t worry, I have put a Plagiarism curse on the blog. Anyone guilty will do a Pinnochio.

    It would be interesting to see Gazette videos presented by Nasalis larvatus.

    Just saying like, copyright Spartak (oh, and Jonno)

  37. Here is a thought prompted by a gazette comment that Everton are eyeing Gibson. Fry may be coming back as potential cover for any of our centre backs.

  38. I note nearly all my emails are from DiasBoro me and just the odd one from the site that should not be named

    If anyone receives a ballot on the old one then can we gently remind them where we are

  39. Well done with the new site. Why is everyone so sure that good attacking players can’t be found in January? It was this time last year that Gaston signed.

    I have no idea who might come in for us, but am hopeful that the club do have someone in mind who can improve our attacking options. Paying significantly would still be money well spent.

  40. OFB
    I agree, the comment prompted the thought that Fry could be cover for any of them.
    Ayala could go to Turkey, Bernardo out on loan. In an emergency it may be possible Chambers is recalled. The most unlikely is Gibson leaving but never say never.

    It gets Fry back amongst the squad, come the end of January he may well be back out on loan again.

  42. Hello all. Thanks to all who made the transition possible. Here’s to an exciting future for this blog.

    Totally underwhelmed by the signing of Gestede if Rhodes leaves. If Rhodes stays then I actually think he could be an exciting signing as their past partnership was a productive one and they could offer a real alternative to Negredo as the lone striker. No-one thinks this is likely to happen so we’ll see. Trying to work AK out is very difficult.

    I think we will beat Wednesday on Sunday but they will be bringing a lot of fans and I don’t think we have sold that many seats. They will be well up for it, should be a good game.

  43. So we’ve already gone past the 100 posts since starting up (I think OFB got the site ton) and now over 1,000 views in the last 24 hours – so I guess we’re officially up and running and have succeeded in the primary objective of preserving the Untypical Boro community after the unexplained withdrawal of AV from our founding blog – no doubt matters were out of his control.

    Perhaps he’ll reboot his award-winning blog at some point in the future – we just don’t know anything for certain and it is of course a sad day for those of us who have contributed to his independent-minded forum for most of the last ten years – but the spirit of his blog lives on in another place – which hopefully he’ll appreciate is simply a reflection of his values – so let’s raise a virtual toast to Anthony Vickers everyone! Cheers AV and good luck in your next venture.

    1. I think it’s only the second time I’ve hit the 100. Don’t suppose a new blog can support a Trabbie bit maybe a Sinclair C5! If anyone can remember them.

      We all owe a debt of gratitude to AV for te original blog and take it rom me it was out of his hands

      A huge round of thanks to Redcar Red and all who have quickly moved over to swell the ranks and regroup

      it shows redoubtable initiative and a spirit of never say die but hey “we are the Boro boys”

      Whatever happened to Lady Boro?

  44. I hope Ayala doesn’t leave he was one of our best players last season. I’m hoping he’ll sit tight and ride it out a week a month is a long time in football anything can happen

    Not sure he would want to uproot his family and move to Turkey it’s only been a month or so since his wife gave birth

    I’d also be very surprised if there are anymore strikers coming in,one is our limit I should think unless AK has a plan B C or D for the second half of the season

  45. Bernie now works for Boro as a match day host in the legends lounge and would now not say anything controversial about Boro in print.

    I think bearing in mind the decreased revenue of EG like most of the printed news that MGN have to look at new ways of bringing in revenue and are also cutting costs according to revised budgets

  46. Braveheart

    Could be the Gazette is running its own ‘Night of the Long Knives’, but over a month instead.

    ‘Cutting n slashing they came, eyes ablaze with inglorious blood lust felling all who stood befor em, defiant to the last!’
    Spartakboro 2017 (unless I’ve begun to write by osmosis by mistake-lol)

  49. The BBC website is reporting that boulassie will be out for a year. I suspect that will put the mockers on the move for their young winger who gave us pain – Deulofeu.

    About the only thing is if Everton really fancy Ben then some haggling could take place but I really cant see it. Unlikely as it seems such a deal must be mentioned.

    One name that is off the radar is de Pena. It would make sense for him to move for game time.

  52. Thanks to werdermouth for all your hard work setting this up; just seeing if this posts. I was prevented from signing up with my real name for some reason – is it because of my previous posts wanting an immediate end to Karanka’s time I wonder?! Anyway I shall hope to continue reading the well-informed and impassioned comments from all the regular posters and input from time to time. Not watching Boro in the flesh at the present due to my disenchantment with AK, his ‘system’ and the pretty dire fare that is more often than not on offer….but, hope is a good thing. Thanks again werdermouth. James Emmerson.

  53. Well thanks to everyone for their regards and I’m about to call it a day as it’s getting a bit later over here – just to note any first-time posters will need to wait for administrative approval before they can post live so I’ll check for the orange WordPress alert ball in the morning – there’s been quite a few today, I’ll probably be dreaming about them!

  54. Am still here OFB. Was always more of a lurker than a contributor and have only found the new site this evening.

    To be honest I find promotion battles more exciting than the grind of picking up enough points to avoid relegation. Not that I want us to go down of course.

    I really appreciate the banter and information you guys provide and heartily thank Werdermouth for setting up Diasboro. You are a star.

    Keep up the good work guys and I will comment if I feel I have anything worthwhile to say.

  56. Thanks for the reminder OFB, looking forward to continued debate about all things Boro. Thought I would share a funny thing on Bein Sports out here in Oz, saw a program called La Liga Promises and clicked on it, here is the synopsis of the program;

    On Today 11:00am – 11:45am More Times

    The 21st LaLiga Promises International Tournament features the best professional youth clubs from LaLiga and across Europe and Middlesbrough.

    45 mins | Sport | Football & Soccer

    Are they saying we are not amongst the best of Europe ?

  57. I’ve made it across. I see that we have a Reply button. Are we going to try to avoid that to keep it linear?

    Just askin’

    Anyway, onwards and upwards, still fighting with the avatar.

    UTB

  58. How do chaps. Made it across and promise to attempt the avatar thing when I’m not constrained on my mobile.

    Transfer Window? I’d love to see Snodgrass (Hull may well if the management see relegation as a foregone conclusion, failing that I’m a longstanding admirer of Montero from Swansea and that chap Delboy from Everton.

    In limited words – pace and tricky to lift us out of our self-inflicted drudgery.

  60. Thank you Werdermouth for setting up our lifeboat… may God bless her and all who sail in her!

    I’m one of the many who rarely contribute but read all. Untypical has been a daily read and taking on AV’s balanced insights together with the excellent contributions from our regulars has been a favourite pastime of mine for a decade. It has served me well over the years, keeping me in touch as a genuine overseas diasboro (until I had to run away from ebola) and, over the last two and a half seasons it has supplemented the enjoyment that I’ve had from my South Stand season ticket(s) (kids, who’d have em?). I genuinely believe there is no better forum for us Boro fans – Sad to see the end of AV’s blog after all of these years.

    I’m confident that DiasBoro will keep up the good work… I might even chirp up with a line or two from time to time!

    In summary, happy new year to all, keep up the good work and UTB!

    Jus’ sayin like…

    Mickeymatoke aka Jon B

  61. Have read AV’s blog every day since I discovered it (must be 10 years) so sad to see it go. Thanks for some great discussions and may this new one be just as good.

  62. Just a few comments.

    AV have tweeted this new address to his followers. So that must be a kind of approval from the great Man himself. I hope all people’ll find in here.

    That reminds me of a question. Where is GHW?

    I hope AV’s tweets could be here. And some links to elsewhere in the Boro world.

    Up the Boro!

    1. It was good to see that retweet Jarkko – I was contemplating trying to set up AV’s twitter feed in the sidebar as it’s always a good source of Boro info (and more) – I’ve already put a placeholder for Boro links yesterday with just the Gazette Boro page to test but haven’t had time to consider which other links – probably just the main ones and a maximum of ten to avoid too much clutter – perhaps a more comprehensive separate page some time in the future.

      Maybe I’ll set up an editorial thread for those who wish to contribute to the discussions of how the blog shapes up as I’m sure most will be interested in talking all things Boro.

    2. Entering this comment just to get myself logged in.
      Nice to see the club diving into the transfer market right away, as it is pointless to waste a month fiddling about with clubs who have no intention of selling until the thirtieth of January.

  63. Werder

    In all the posting I forgot to offer my thanks. As one of the original posters it is great to see the blog continue, it has a life of it’s own.

    I believe that when JRR Tolkien was asked whether Lord of Rings was about fascism he replied no, the story just grew in the telling.

  65. Bamford alert.
    My morning paper says Bamford is going back to Chelsea, a loan to Boro is mentioned. Chelsea recalling him after an underwhelming spell at Burnley. It is only one those paragraphs in a set about sundry matters, could easily be cut and past from a desk journo.

  66. I’m not sure what Bamford would bring to the current system. What role would people see him playing? He was never that good as a wide player or a number 10. Is he another alternative to Negredo?

  67. Diasboro has only been truely active 24 hours and this thread is zooming along to its first ton – AMAZING DIASBORO!!!

    Come on Ian, keep yer eyes peeled and yer pinkies on that keyboard.

    🙂

  68. Btw. Stumbled upon comments by the veteran blogmiester himself on Facebook of all places. He’s valiantly holding up the Boro honour against all coming ‘whingers’ with regards to the purchase of Gestede. Apparently, he’s as sick as a novovirus victim with folk slaggin off said player before he’s even got his boots on – seems out there in Boroland things ain’t so sweet as they appear on the Gazettelive posts. Looks like AV versus the tsunami of discontent.

    Just sayin like

  70. Seems my monicker on the mobile phone is Powmillnaemore, but here on the work lap top I qualify for the good old fashioned Powmill-Naemore ….

  73. Selwyn

    Re Bamford. not certain myself. It was just that it was a small paragraph in the paper so I thought it worth a mention.
    I have also had a thought on the blog and the Gazette.
    In many areas people are loyal to the individual rather than the organisation, typically where particular skills are involved. A financial adviser you have known for years, a solicitor who has looked after your mortgages, a particular doctor are all examples. If they change where they work, where possible, people will follow.
    Have the Gazette made the mistake of thinking we were a captive audience to be exploited? I have news for them, the blog has left the building.

  74. Spoke to my Derby supporting colleague who watched the match on the box.

    I said it was pretty dire but he replied come and watch Derby. Boro and Leicester are a class above the Championship, far better than he has seen at Pride Park.

    That just shows the gulf, we are in a relegation battle but in his opinion better than anything in the league below.

    The cup may give us some idea of progress but depends on how both clubs approach the match. Is the Wednesday game on the box anywhere?

  76. Ian, the Sunday game is not on here (the Wednesday match). Looks like the first Boro match not on TV over here this season. I have to back to Boro+ but they informed me today that my subscription has expired. Let’s see if can fax that before Sunday.

    Yes, I agree that the quality is higher in the PL. I think even the Leicester game was better than some of the Championship matches I have seen on TV. So quite agree with Ian’s Derby mate.

    Let’s keep positive. And concratulation on the first ton to everyone. where is the Bimmer, Werder?

    Up the Boro!

  77. Well I am stumped ….[look out the censor’s about?]

    Set up photo in gravatar, when I hover, the picture appears but can’t see it on the page. Still get the revolting purple pattern. I am at a loss what to do next. Any ideas?

    1. Exmil

      It’s part of the Boro philosophy to bring young international players to rockliffe

      They have also 3 Argentinians lined up as well

      It forms part of our world wide scouting team now to search out new talent without paying extortionate fees

      You never know we might get one breaking through into the first team

  79. Exmil

    Taxi for Rhodes and Nugent? Not yet, I believe he is for the academy, a bit like the Boca Juniors starlet.

    Elsewhere it looks like Alexis Sanchez may be leaving Arsenal…. maybe not!

    1. Ian
      Sánchez is leaving Arsenal, believe.
      Arsenal are not in the business of paying anyone telephone numbers, period.
      Sánchez has noticed that players are getting truly funny money in China, whilst lesser players than him are getting twice as much as him elsewhere.
      The club will try to string him along in their usual style, but their bluff has been well and truly called.
      Remember, they got most of his career out of Henry on the cheap, then got a big fee from man utd, who, effectively, paid for his retirement.

  81. Indeed, Exmil!

    Mikael has got superstardom written all over. With stats of less than a 1:4, he’ll be behind De Pena in the queue for the first team volly vonts.

    He’s such an important and vital acquisition that the Gazette Boro blog hasn’t mentioned him – and they’d mention Sean the Squirrel if they thought it would increase traffic to their ads. Lol

    Wait for news that he’ll be going out on loan to Gateshead or Blyth Spartaks or some such.

    1. Do you know what spartakboro, I wish I hadn’t bothered, I just thought it might have been of interest to some readers of this blog. I really thought this blog was going to more user friendly than untypicalboro ended up being, some people can’t help being abrasive.

      Come on BORO.

  82. I am looking forward to Sunday’s game being more open than most we have been involved in this season. It would be good if Gestede was given an outing, ifonly to get any initial hostility from aggrieved Boro fans out of the way.

    I expect Guzan will start (on the basis AK likes to give the 2nd choice keeper an outing in cup games. I’d liketo see a lineup like:
    Guzan
    Fabio, Ayals, Gibson, Friend
    Leadbitter, de Roon
    Fischer, Downing
    Gestede, Rhodes

    Object being to get some match time for the bench warmers at the same time showing some attacking potential……. but what do I know ?

    Prediction Boro 4 – Wednesday 1 (with an Adam Reach score inevitable on the day)
    Crowd, 17,236

    COB

    PS. Can anyone recall why this game is on Sunday and not on Saturday ?

  83. I see we have another flying Finn associated with the Boro now ….Finnish “starlet” Mikael Soisalo.
    Do you know anything about him Jarkko?

  84. Powmill

    Isn’t Fischer still crocked, Ayala playing or not will tell us something, may be game time for Bernardo.

    Similar line up but possibly Bernardo for Ayala, Traore for Fischer in light of injury.

    Werder

    Do you have access to my email? If you have could you drop me a line to discuss an idea.

    Cheers

    1. You are right Ian.

      Head in the clouds here…. I have that Friday feeling, which is why I posted my thoughts for the match on Sunday. Only later I realised it is only Thursday so I was being a bit previous.

      No Fischer of course, so I would like to see Nsue given an outing rather than Traore for this fixture. I suspect that is unlikely to happen though.

  85. Yes, he would have been the only player I could have recommend to Gary Gill.

    Still young and played only one summer (we have -20 to -40 degrees Celcius over here today – depending where you live) in our main league. Definitely one for the future, he is just 18 now but have played one full season at the highest level over here.

    His first name Mikael is not Finnish but his last name is definitely: Soisalo [‘SƆI’SɅLƆ].

    The Finnish league (Veikkausliiga=”premier league”) is partly professional but many players could be also amateur. The average crowds were 2 551 per match last summer. HJK – who have reached the Champions League once – attract most at about 5 100 spectators (source: https://kuntopuntari.wordpress.com/2016/04/18/veikkausliigan-yleisomaarat-2016/)

    Mikael’s team was Ilves and they had about 3 500 spectators. Ilves means lynx – an common animal in there. The team is from Tampere, some 120 miles North West from where I live.

    I haven’t seen him much as I still play football myself and the season is short in here. But he is one of the hottest prospects we have currently(we don’t have many currently). I cannot say he will be as good as Hyypiä or Litmanen, but he can do it at Boro.

    I can write more later, but unfortunately I haven’t seen him live as I lost my Finnish local team a few years ago. A Chinese business man bought the club I supported and they lost a match 8-0 on purpose – later the club were relegated 4 levels and went out of existence (part of a Belgium betting scandal).

    So haven’t been so keen on domestic football since the above. But Mikael is certainly a prospect but don’t expect him to play first team football this season!

    Excellent news for me, this. The first Finnish player at Boro since I started to follow Boro in mid 1970’s. Up the Boro!

  86. PS. As Gary Gill once told, the Nordic (or Scandinavian) players are easy to handle. Usually very level-headed and quite well educated. So easy to intergrade to the team without hassle. Just wish we were more gifted football wise 🙂

    Up the Boro!

  89. So, Hull City appoint new manager today. Yesterday, Swansea City and a week or so ago Big Sam rolled into the Palace. Of the bottom 5 only Blunderland & ourselves have refused to change.
    Transfer noise is loud and regular but as we approach end of first week transfer window we have one ‘name’ in to debate, but nowt else of any real merit. I can imagine Redcar Red slowly shaking his head, disappointed at the lack of numbers and quality.
    Everton have just splashed out £10 million on a nicely named wizzkid winger called Lookman. Most of the noise from MFC is about who will leave. Be real nice to get someone in who can uplift the fan base in the face of our dodgy placing – regardless of what the RA RAs may spin we’ve been amongst the risk for drop group for a few months now and write-ups, although promising in terms of performance have been positive (mostly), have not shouted out our regular wins against opposition ( othrrwise we’d be four or five places higher now in the table).
    Still, bit of time yet and I’m not holding my breath.

  90. Jarkko, thanks for that bit of background on young Soisalo . Sounds like he may have some good potential, even if not yet the Finnished article.

    Ulsterman Niall McGinn from Aberdeen could be worth a look. Will not be expensive, but would bring an option on the left but finishes well inside the box (albeit at the SPL level).

  92. Jarkko

    Delighted for you that we have linked up with a Flying Finn.

    If he turns out to be half as good as Litmanen, who was just the kind of dynamic no 10 that we currently need, I’ll be more than happy.

    I was interested that he hails from Tampere, as I worked at the university there briefly in the 1980s and enjoyed some wonderful Finnish hospitality, including a sauna which involved naked plunges in a nearby half-frozen lake with colleagues to whom I had been introduced only a couple of hours earlier. A great Finnish tradition for…well…breaking the ice.

      2. Well today we had -42,7 officially in Muonio. And in Tampere it was -20 degrees C.

        OFB, the water is 20 degrees warmer than the air. All is relative. Up the Boro!

  94. Article from Daily Star from a link on NewsNow. They ran all the upcoming fixtures through a computer and reckoned Hull in 20th, Swansea in 19th and our good selves in 18th.

    I am glad I don’t get The Daily Star.

  95. Hi Ex-mil
    I refuse to take on the responsibility for others sensitivities.
    My take on the lad is measured by the impact we have now ie relegation danger. Perhaps he’s got oodles of promise but like I agreed with RR our recruitment is looking more toward bolstering our chances next year in the Championship.
    If nothing but a positive take is your cup of tea then by all means skip the post when you see the name – I promise I wont be offended nor think you are being unfriendly like.

    Just sayin like

    🙂

  96. Ian

    Computers! What do they know, eh?

    Don’t they know ‘In Aitor we trust!’

    It wasn’t that big monkey of a computer called HAL, was it? Coz if it was we could be in a bit of trouble.

  97. A few people have mentioned the idea that we might be buying players with one eye on being in The Championship next season.

    A few questions about this:

    1. What has brought this theory about?

    2. If it is the case, why is it a terrible idea (the tone of the posts suggesting it sounded derisory to me at least)?

    3. Where do signings like Victor Valdes fit into this theory?

  98. 1. The player we’ve bought, the expensive ones we’re offloading.

    2. Coz perhaps ( & it is a big perhaps) we should spend more time and money remaining in the league its taken 7 seasons to get into. I don’t mind a bit of contingency planning but someone we know and love said we’d give it a go. Now to many of course that phrase means many things, but to a simple chap like me it means doing our best to stay in the EPL – now if our best is preparing for the drop, well that’s not MY definition of success.

    3. Victor is was and will be a particular favorite of mine as a footballer. I think he’s pulling off some great saves but he was bought during the summer & this is the winter of our discontent. The title of this thread is ‘Window of Opportunity’. I didnt realise that the ‘opportunity’ was that to be relegated.

    Just sayin like

  99. I’ve given up on the Avatar. TBH no one needs to see my ugly mug anyway.

    I’m really liking this new Blog, it feels like we’ve all been here forever. Having an appearance occasionally by AV would be the icing on the cake.

    Maybe his talented gymnastic son wants to join. 😉

  100. Spartak,

    If you mean offloading Rhodes, isn’t he exactly the sort of player any Championahip would want? Like we did in January?

    Contingency planning makes sense but I think this may be nothing more than a conspiracy theory.

    I think the reported wages offered to Valdes and Negredo are evidence of Gibson “giving it a go”. as was the outlay on de Roon.

    I don’t believe we are actively planning for relegation but it would make sense to plan for the worst while striving for survival.

  101. spartakboro, you think spending about £200k on an 18 yr old exciting prospect is planning to be relegated, how about planning for the future in the Premiership, instead of paying £5 – 30m a few years down the line, yes, I know it is a gamble but in my eyes one worth taking.

    Come on BORO.

  103. A first post from a long term lurker on the old blog who found it a great way to follow all things Boro in the virtual Navi.

    Thanks to Wedermouth for setting this up and to AV for all his work on the old one.

    Location and family commitments mean that I only get to see Boro in the flesh 10 times a season although on the TV a bit more now we are in the Premeirship.

    Likewise, difficult to post as much as I read but will now try to add my two penny’s worth as and when although Don’t expect anything inciteful!

    2. Welcome aboard we certainly seem to be getting all our followers posters and lurkers to transport to our new site

      We even have the tweets of AV to keep us all company

      Yes we will have aposite and conflicting views but doesn’t everyone in life?

      At the end of the day we have some excellent posters and articulate and erudite people who have the Boro at heart.

      If sometimes someone rants on about the manager or the team it is because they care and love the Boro

  104. We’ve all been talking about whether Boro will play a strong team on Sunday. It did occur to me that, sitting in a play-off spot in the Championship, maybe Wednesday aren’t interested in the cup and the risk of injuries. It could be a very polite game.

    UTB

    1. I agree that Sheff Wed will rest some players as we’ll do so likewise

      Remember how hard the championship is sat wed sat tues it is draining and hopefully they don’t want a cup run

      A win and a good home draw is good for me my season ticket includes home cup matches for free !!!

  105. Andy

    I’ve followed the Boro since the late 70’s & although I maybe wrong it feels like we’ve spent more time out of the top flight than in.
    Since Big Jack’s time we’ve had 2 periods of relative success. That under Robbo – how many seasons? And that under Schteve Mc – how many seasons? When push comes to shove my selective memory tells me we’ve sold more of our own over buyin the better buys in.
    And so here we are again. Name yer own names as you wish but the style of play, the possession obsessed football that must be played come hell or high water, the playin of an isolated striker (who’s beginning to look as fed up as many fans feel) is not producing the points required to remain in the EPL. Don’t argue with me, talk to HAL and argue or dismiss his algorthims.
    There are posters here who would defend Herod Antipas whilst the blood dripped from his hands- they’ll defend AK too, just as they defended Mogga when it was clear 5 games before he went he’d not got a clue. Why? I couldn’t tell you, you’d have to ask them.
    Everton have just splashed out £10 million on Lookman whilst we look like we’re going to offload Rhodes and Nugent. Uncle Albert couldn’t wait to get away and Adam Reach didn’t have a choice. How many are going through thev revolving door? They say you know you’ve got problems when you have a high staff turnover. Look at Swansea, how many managers is that now?
    I’m sure many will find loads of reasons to say we’re doing great but the transfer business we’re doing at present doesn’t fill me with confidence and I’m not alone.

  106. Len, I knew you had worked over here and Tampere.

    Unfortunately, Mikael Soisalo played only a season over there at Ilves. He was born in Helsinki, played in Honka juniors in Espoo (close to Helsinki) and then in HJK academy. So he is from here, Greater Helsinki area originally.

    But a good prospect. Up the Boro!

  107. Ok, so I will defy myself and throw a view thoughts in……….

    I have followed Boro for nigh on 50 years since my late father(who was born on Costa Street) took me as a nipper to Ayresome Park! The die was cast and since I have been through thick and thin as all the long standing fans have been.

    Like Sparka, my mind says we have been out of the top flight more than in it and my Dad would have never expected to see us in Europe, let alone a final!

    So, the aim this year must be to stay up by whatever means and whilst we all prefer to see great football, I would rather 3 points after a scrappy game and stay up, rather than loads of goals and go down. It’s what I heard the Burnley fans say as I walked back to the car on Boxing Day ( and the less said about that game the better).

    My concern with any signings now, is will they improve the squad for this year, no point in thinking beyond that or having a plan B if we go down. New players take time to settle in an adapt to the AK approach and game plans and that is a luxury we don’t have.

    Stick with what we have, just get AK to be a tad more attack minded when the situation calls for it rather than what I see as his “don’t concede a goal at any cost” even when we are losing.

    We are in danger of being relegated with the best goal difference in history unless this changes.

  108. Listened to the Tripe Supper podcast.

    They have Hull and Swansea, Palace and Sunderland to stay up. So will Boro and they think Watford will fall off a cliff. We will know better a week on Saturday.

    If there’s somethin’ strange in your football club
    Who ya gonna call (runbusters)
    If it’s somethin’ weird an you just cant win
    Who ya gonna call (runbusters)

    Apologies to Ghostbusters

  109. Just got back from a family day out at a Pirate Playground – it was so cold that my timbers were literally shivering – anyway, good to see everything has been running along smoothly without me.

    The Diasboro project has certainly all moved ahead a lot quicker than I anticipated when I set up the site only 48 hours ago. But there’s been a lot less admin than yesterday as many posters are now signed up – so well done to everyone for making the leap.

    The main thing is that we have a fully functioning blog and you’re all able to get on with the discussion, which I’ll rejoin soon once I’ve sorted out a few bits and pieces on the site.

    So phase 1 is almost complete and I am now looking at organising phase 2 – which is the content element – speaking of which I got your emails Ian and Simon and will reply soon – they’re sitting among the 250 mails that WordPress send me every time there’s a post or new poster to be approved.

    BTW the Transfer Window is looking interesting

  110. Thanks to Werdermouth for setting this up so quickly. It’s a shame about AV’s blog but I’m sure this will be a more than capable replacement – a blog equivalent of Gestede coming on to replace a tiring Negredo.

    I’m not sure that Untypical Boro’s demise has anything to do with the powers that be frowning on anything critical of the club. I suspect it’s a case of flogging a willing horse such that something had to give and Trinity Mirror prioritising “page impressions”,”click throughs” and, God help us, “unique users” which can be achieved more effectively elsewhere. Oh, and AV wanted to see his family now and again.

  114. Evening all!

    Quick first post to check this thing is working. Testing? Testing? …Is this thing working..? I AM speaking into it…

    Fabulous work folks, what a wonderful bunch of smashers you are. Hats off to everyone that’s made this happen, and hats off to AV, in sorrowful mourning for what has come to pass.

    I totally get the arguments about ‘free’ press and all, but suspect those making these decisions do not use the internet as we do. The price of everything and the value of nothing etc.

    I enjoyed AV’s pieces and I very much enjoyed his interjections and moderation in the general banter, but I valued the wide spectrum of opinion and information even more. That community is not for sale, and will not easily be recreated, but good luck to them if they think club PR and adverts is the way to go.

    Loved Ian’s musings about the distinction between The Boro and MFC on the previous post, that really struck a nerve with me and I think gets to the core of this infuriating relationship they call football supporting. I suspect I’ll think more on that one.

    Anyway. I’m still a hopeless optimist and we all still love The Boro, so onwards and upwards. Up the Diasboro!

  115. OFB,

    A very interesting link, the only thing that the article omits is that sometimes I think their ‘intelligence’ is more informative than ours. It also casts a worrying shadow over our attacking training/preparation but who knows perhaps the all cancel one another out and it takes a little bit of off-the-cuff brilliance and spontaneity to win a match. Maybe that it is being coached out of players. Thought provoking nonetheless.

    Time for a Talisker and a chapter or two of Inspector Montalbano.

    UTB,

    John

    1. Thanks Bob. Great link.

      How come the NYT is able to get AK to open up in a way that the British media has singularly failed to do?

      And really good to see you on board, paulistapark. Much missed. I hope you will be able to contribute regularly.

      1. Len
        A first thought on that, is that they hired a native Spanish speaker who is equally at home in English. The English press would, of course never think of doing such a thing, on the age old principle of ‘ let them learn English’.

  116. Ofb – thanks for the New York Times article link, a very interesting piece.

    Out of interest are you a regular NYT reader or were you pointed in that direction?

    1. Nigel

      Being a bit of a twit ….. twit I said and a twitterer it was on Twitter !

      But interesting article it is all part of AK strategy started at the beginning of this premiership season to make himself more known globally for the next job methinks

  117. Hi folks. Hope this works ok. I’m very impressed with Diasboro, Werdermouth. Thank you for all your efforts.

    Just an opening salvo from me to test the system. I know Gestede is ‘the future’, but if I was Jordan Rhodes and I didn’t get some serious game time in the cup game on Sunday, then I should be very dischuffed indeed.

  119. OFB

    Thanks for the link to article NY Times. It is SO revealing of AK’s modus operendi.
    ‘Only I need to know everything!’ AK said with a smile.
    It reveals exactly that which my observations alluded to. AK is a micro-managing control freak.
    Now, before the Ultras descend upon me like a flock of demented Furies, I’ll just mention the Taoist concept of Yin and Yang – there that stopped you briefly didn’t it!
    All things have a + & a -, therefore it’s the same with the anal retentive, control freak. The + is total high quality organisation – everything in the right place doing exactly what needs to be done, down to the last itty bitty detail. The – is that approach becomes obsessive (OCD) & any form of spontanaity is crushed, micromanaged out of existance. Anyone who comes under the direction of an anal retentive either conforms or leaves. As has been the case.
    Creativity is not praised it is condemned, criticised & snuffed out. When micromanaged you do as you are told or else. The anal retentive is only content when he has total controlof people and events. Think Lord Farquard in the movie Shrek ‘I will have ORDER!’
    Unfortunately for control types the very order they compulsively try to impose kills off any opportunity to create that something special, that something totally unexpected that wins the day. You see man plans and the gods laugh. Well chances are, unfortunately, if AK stays in the job (he can’t change), the gods may well be laughing at the Boro come end of season.
    (It is at this point Spartak expects Ultra types to take out the man rather than tackle for the ball. )
    Conclusion- Well not an easy judgement to make but then difficult decisions ar the responsibility of rank. Never ever employ a anal retentive as they will destroy the organisation via the people under their control. Sometimes you need a bit of chaos for success – see you can’tplan against it. Still, chaos, sometimes it works & sometimes it doesn’t. You pays your money you takes your choice. I being a risk taker would replace AK with an alternative now if I wanted to stay in the EPL, however it may be too late.

    1. Yes, thanks OFB, a very interesting article.
      Spartak, I think you have to be careful in relying on the quotes selected by the journalist who had his own agenda to support. Out of context “‘Only I need to know everything!’ AK said with a smile” does paint a picture of the control freak you believe AK to be. Maybe he is a control freak (and I agree there is other supporting evidence for that point of view), but the article didn’t report that AK said the rest of the management team didn’t need to know what the overall report was saying, or what the high level overview for each section might be, just that detail for each department (so to speak) was only relevant to that department. All the best projects I have been involved in have ensured the whole team knows the high level plan and the objectives, but each individual in the project gets the full detail about the bit that he/she needs to work on. Most of the worst projects I have worked on tend to overload all the team with too much information about things they do not need to know to do their bit: it wastes their time; it removes their focus; it encourages too many opinions about someone else’s responsibility etc. etc. etc.
      In other words, there is every reason to applaud that aspect of AK’s approach to managing the whole sum of the parts. And what about managing the parts themselves? Well, from wat I read in that article, it strikes me that AK values and supports the individual by ensuring that the conversations about what an individual must do to improve are held one to one, and not in a public forum that would demean and demoralise team members. Of course, we have no idea how those one to one sessions are conducted, and neither we should, but really it does strike me that this is good and sensible man and team management.
      Is he the finished article (manager)? No. Is he still learning? Well we should never stop learning should we. At the end of the day, he will be judged on whether or not he has delivered on the project objectives he was given for this season. If he does that, we will have to acknowledge his management will have been at least adequate to what was expected, but as with all things, his next set of objectives should challenge him further to improve both himself and the project (the team) he is delivering.

    2. Sparta
      The reason we are here now is because we got lucky, have no fear about AK going to a better and bigger club, every club that has ambitions is looking at him and thinking, just what we need, some organisation, some ambition, some discipline, note the complete lack of waffle when beaten, note the action in the transfer market. No more messing about until the evening of the final day of the window followed by the frantic taxi ride to get signed, or, of course get hi jacked by man utd.
      Any dreams about the good old days are just that, they, in fact were awful.
      And as for the longing for players doing what comes naturally, that meant boozing fighting (generally with the staff or team mates) remember the bus to Wembley, and Ravanely. Yes, they were great days all right.

  120. The NYT article also pointed out that what AK and his team do is repeated around the premiership, probably lower down as well in some way or another.

    We musn’t think we operate in a vacuum, others are probably further on after several years in the premiership. Fat Sam was in to all the scientific stuff years ago at Notlob.

    It is the search for excellence – British Olympics teams show what can be achieved. We will be no different to anyone else.

  121. And there you have it, Ian. Resistance to change and innovation. We’re the same as the others, therefore we must be alright. This is the herd/flock mentality. There must be safety in numbers – change is too risky!

    And you’d be right- change and innovation IS inherently risk full. But, when push comes to shove you either take a leap into the unknown or you suffer the fate awaiting you. In the Boro’s case that’s called relegation.

    Am I a Jonah calling out doom and disaster to all & sundry for no good reason? Well, if I was an only voice in the desert you could mark me out as a bit of a nut & dismiss my warnings. However, as you yourself highlighted HAL’s algorithmic analysis and correct me if I wrong but the chaps at Tripe Supper find a similar conclusion. Then, we are not simply like the others, we’re worse.

    Happy days

  123. Btw. The British Olympic Team’s success was based on an excellent model of innovation and knowledge management that took them out of the also rans and into the soaring heights of success. Simple organisation it is not!

  124. Spartak –
    My impression is that many premiership managers are control freaks, Mourinho, Guardiola, Ferguson?
    Having read the article I wasn’t at all surprised. Its also a fairly well accepted belief that many CEO’s are also control freaks.

    I also think changing managers now would be a disaster for Boro, to change from an ultra organised system to one which ‘allows’ some creativity would be a car crash for players who have been drilled in the current style for months/years surely?

  125. I agree with you, Nigel.

    Yes, there are inherent risks. Indeed, the die has been cast and the players moulded into AK’s system.

    If you did a risk analysis and took into consideration all the + & – of two scenarios 1. No change 2. Change. Then you would have a more objective sense of where each decision will take you.

    I for one when looking at the factors ( the runes), believe we’re heading down. But that’s my judgement & I’m not SG. He may even be looking longer term, the next two or three seasons. He may have factored in a relegation (hence minimum spending this transfer window and the last comparatively speaking).

    But I don’t trust his judgement and analysis. Think back to the last relegation. He appointed a ‘green’ manager into the heat of the EPL and when we went down he said ‘Duh, we didn’t see that coming!’ Then to make it worse just when GS1 was getting a grip he cut him off at the knees and sold his best stock. The reason we went down & stayed down.. well the responsility for that rests on SG’s shoulders & ultimately it will again.

    Enough said

  126. Powmill

    An excellent reply if you don’t mund me saying.

    I agree, there are positives as well as negatives to be extracted from the, shall we call it a case study.

    My focus and concern as to its success or failure lies with the fundamental approach of the ‘project’ manager, AK and his character/attitude. It is here where success or failure lies.

    As Ian is oft to quote ‘the table never lies’ or some such. And he’s right! We are 16th from 20. If we are 17th that for most is success and AK IS a successful manager. If we are relegated he’s failed, period, regardless of his methods or character.

    My problem based on my subjective observations over the last 2+ seasons is that we will go down & I am increasingly being joined by others. Ultimately, we won’t know the answer until the end of the season and as I said previously, it may already be too late to change the outcome.

  127. The idea that AK’s teams don’t allow for any spontaneity doesn’t add up though – yes, he clearly plans everything down to the last detail (nothing wrong with that), but look at the freedom allowed to some of the players. Gaston Ramirez was popping up all over the place on Saturday, albeit to limited effect (the more he tried, the worse he got). At one point, he Traore and Fabio were tripling up down the right. If AK was so rigid, there would be no room for that. We saw a lot last season of the attacking players swapping around – in fact I don’t think we have seen that so much this year which is probably something they can improve on.

    As someone pointed out on Twitter, don’t confuse lack of quality for lack of intent.

  128. Spartak

    New board, same Spartak.

    All I did was make a comment that they are all the same not that it is right or wrong. The key thing is what you do with your analysis and the quality of player at your disposal to implement it.

  129. BoroPhil

    Your team has 8 players designated for defensive duties. You have 3 that are responsible for attack and of those 3 2 are expected to double up to defend.

    Question- what is your intent?

    Next question- in the real world what do you think the outcome of a game will be given the aforementioned?

    Now look at the Boro team, its style of play (not simply the style of one or two players) and the ‘intent’ of the manager.

    What do you get as a trend? More losses and draws than wins. More 1 pts outcomes which leaves you just above the relegation zone by 4 points.

    The above are unargueable facts. The question is will 2 teams performance below us improve to such an extent that we go from 16th to 18th given our performance remains the same or deteriorates?

    Fine margins!

  131. I think a lot of the people predicting relegation will be the same ones who predicted we wouldn’t be promoted, so it’s reasonable to cast doubt on their judgement.

    That’s not to say we will definitely survive. I would say it is about 55:45, maybe 60:40 in favour of survival. About what you’d expect for a newly promoted side having been out of the top flight for over five years.

  132. I believe it was 7 seasons Andy but I’m open to correction 🙂
    Plus of course we have a manager with NO previous EPL experience so if you look at it that way we’re doing great & it will be a fantastic achievement simply to stay up!

  133. Spartak

    Intent is the key word.

    Clayton, Forshaw and de Roon getting in and around the attackers against Swansea brought about three goals. Their defence helped!

    Intensity and tempo are key to any success, Fabio and Friend as full backs will help but it is the midfield who set the tone. Snapping in to tackles and shielding the back four is best done high up the pitch.

    1. Ian
      I agree with you that the midfield hold the key to getting the forwards involved into play.
      We all know that when Gaston has an off day then the team as a whole struggles. But let’s face it if he performed in every match we would have had to pay a lot of money for him.
      It is obvious to everyone including Boro management that we need another creative player and we all hope we sign one this transfer window

      De Roon is the one I feel can offer more and hopefully the coaches are working with him to harness his athleticism with skill to make a more significant contribution.

      The two Adams have impressed me this season after a shaky start by Clayton but the midfield sometime frustrates with he windscreen wiper tactics. You know what I mean side to side pass then pass back. It also frustrates when we have a friend kick near the half way line and pass back to the goalkeeper!
      It’s all about possession football and we all like two things in football

      FLAIR AND GOALS

      up the Boro going to be interesting to se who gets a run out Sunday

  134. Would any of you take a punt on Paddy Bam Bam? The general view is that he’s not quite up to Premier League standard but has he been given the opportunity at the right club? In his favour is the fact that he is the only forward to score regularly in the Karanka era, no mean achievement in such a defensive system. I’ve also just watched that Ipswich goal again – he’s certainly got a touch of class.

    1. I would give Bamford a go. It’s being reported that it would be a loan them permanent deal of £4m

      Karanka knows him got the best out of him and this time Bamford knows he would not be guaranteed a place this time

      Let’s face it the lad scored a lot of goals for us and some of them were quite brilliant

      You don’t lose skill but you do lose heart

      I think he needs some friendly faces around him taking him out for a parmo again

      1. I’d give him another go, too. It might be a forlorn undertaking, but you never know. Bamford might just feel that Boro giving him a second chance is the opportunity he’s been waiting for. He might regain his belief in his undoubted ability. And he might just be better than Stuani in a right wing role!

  135. Someone or two, I can’t remember who, was/were posting how they consider we had spent more time out of the top flight than in it since they started following the Boro in the mid 70s.

    I felt sure that was not quite right and now I’ve had the time to check, I can state categorically that is not the case.

    Since season 1975/75 to the current season (47 in total) we have been in the top flight for 24 of those – that is 56% of our time in the top flight and 44% in the 2nd or 3rd Division.

    If you want to start in season 1970/71, that would still make it a favorable split, 24 seasons (51%) in Division 1 and 23 seasons (49%) in Divisions 2/3. (I’m using old money here, so the Premiership is the same as Division 1).

    Seems we are better than some us like to think!!

  136. Powmill

    Yes, that was meeee!!!!

    I can only say in my defence the split is almost even & relatively speaking time spent in lower divisions seems to last twice as long and is harder on the eye in lower divisions than at the top.

    Thanks for checking 😉

    Ian, I agree!

  141. Winning comes first regardless – European ties, EPL, Championship, FA Cup- matters not – winning is wot counts by the more goals the better.

  142. Now then peeps and every bods, just turned the lights off as I think that I was the last one out of the Untypical building, if I’ve left anyone in the dark then welcome to my world of the last 62 years!

    Werder/RR, can’t thank you enough for launching the lifeboat, I’d have been totally stuffed without it, I promise to up my game and post more often after such a soft landing on here.

    1. I’ve just checked the old building and you left a light on tut tut.

      This lifeboat is steadily increasing in size to a ship of the realm with a very knowledgeable crew.

      Cannot believe how quickly we donned the lifebelts and swam for our lives

      It says a lot for Boro fans how resilient we are. This comes after nearly losing our club forever and on cam only have sympathy and respect how the Wimbledon fans supported their club.

      It’s looking promising that we will sign some more players this transfer window and despite the sooth saying warnings of spartak I am confident that there are three teams worse than us and we will stay upon this season.

      Now I’ve said it hope it doesn’t come back to haunt me ….

  143. It looks like our loanee has morphed in to de Start with Derby County. My tame Rams fan thinks the injury to their midfielder is worse than feared. Lets hope he does well.

    On our midhield, there are signs that they are getting more progressive. De Roon seems to be getting forward more. At times we are getting more bodies in to the box.

    We struggle against parked buses and that is where the quality isn’t there.

  144. Great to find the new blog up and running !! Was sad to leave the old one having spent 10 years there but a new blog “by the people, for the people” with no professional ties to the club or its affiliates feels like natural progression to me . . good to be aboard !!

  145. Werder, thanks for supplying the lead gossip point, but like many others when you move to a new house you spend the first weeks getting familiar with your surroundings and seeing if you’ve left anything (anyone) behind, so I think the lead might get a tad overlooked. It seems as though the vast majority of the old crowd are here, thankfully, and despite the main contributors leading the way, that doesn’t give me any excuse for reading and not writing more in future.

    I’m as sorry as anyone to leave the old place, but I hate being dictated to by bully’s, the Gazette and it’s bloody annoying ads have been given the flick, I think I’ll drop in to the Echo from now on to see what’s happening with Boro, that’s if I don’t get it here first, that is.

    1. Sorry OFB, I don’t do either of those social media thingumyjigs, but I will mail my Boro mates and let them know that we’ve left Cannon Street for Nunthorpe.

    2. I have tweeted twice the new location. And first time AV retweeted the address to his followers.

      I didn’t see if there ever was a link from the Gazette web page to the old forum e.g. the old blog. So it was quite separated, wasn’t it?

      BTW, the new Finnish flanker is right footed and has played mainly as a right winger. But can play in midfield on the right. So he is fighting with Traore for a place in the team. His goal is to play once or twice in the first team this season.

      Up the Boro!

      1. Jarkko

        I noticed your tweet and I retweeted it
        Suggest that we do it again in about a week to catch those who have been away on holiday or working away and don’t have access to a computer or twitter.

        I have also been checking the old site to make sure the lights are off and the doors are locked and no one is left alone on there in the dark.

        Thank you for the info on the new lad from Finland I hope he likes Parmos!!

        You will have to report back on his progress to his fans back at home as our Boro Finland Ambassador

    1. To be fair it wants local policy or strategy that caused the ship to be scuttled.

      It was the politburo of big brother that pulled the plug out of the hull

    2. Strong rumour that Boro are in discussions with Chelsea for Bamford

      Initial loan than permanent £4 million deal

      If Karanka can get him working again for us he might be a good fit either in the premiership or no I won’t say it the c…………………..

  149. I’d be happy enough to see him come on a permanent basis, not so keen if it was only a loan.

    I think for us he was quite a clinical finisher and I think his direct style could unsettle a few defences – even in the EPL. Him and Negrado together in the same line up could be quite mouth watering.

    Sorry to hear Fabio and Leads are doubtful for Sunday, I had them in my preferred 11 for this game.

    Why are we playing this on Sunday anyway ?
    At least it gives us 1 more day for the wounded to recuperate I suppose.

  150. Ref; Transfer Window; in the January window in particular I’d be looking for anyone coming in to meet the following criteria – “has played in the English leagues”, “is already settled here” and is somewhere around their “peak” years age wise. On that basis Gestede fits the bill so I can see the potential, and he also provides much needed back-up attributes to our No.1 striker, which we don’t currently have, and thus fits our system . . makes sense. I looked at the list of strikers bought in the summer by PL clubs and hardly any, if any, came under 10mill. A lot we’re more towards 20mill, or more, and they’ve largely failed so far so £6mill seems a sensible affordable level for us.
    Also, I wouldn’t be surprised if we brought in a left-sided attacker, rather than a right one, to replace Stuey who AK clearly isn’t happy with. This would then allow AK to move Gaston into his preferred role at No.10 (rather than the left) and play Adama, Stuani or Fischer on the right. We could then drop one of the holding three. However, we also still need a back-up for Gaston which is why an interest in Bojan has been muted. On from the Stoke link it was interesting the other night that Hughes left three “flair” players on the bench and went instead with the more direct Walters & Crouch upfront. He saw a weakness in Watford, our next opponents, that we also now have the tools to mimic.

    1. Billog

      I see your logic but Gestede has never been successful in the Premiership and at age 28 he has only had two decent seasons in his career. Those two seasons were not as a lone striker but as a front two paired with Rhodes ironically. So we have purchased a striker who has no previous credentials in the role that we are anticipating him to play.

      Onto our system itself, thus far into the season it hasn’t worked, shots on target, shots off target, attempts on goal etc. By whatever measure and by the standards of measurement that we can applaud AK for in his defensive masterclass awarding him an A+ we have to award him an E- for his sides attacking prowess.

      So we have a Striker who has no success playing the role and an E- system that has failed to deliver. Spending £6M on such a Striker fills me with disdain especially bearing in mind our spending power and amounts we have been spending money on.

      Throw in the very specific “history” of this particular player and the clubs supporters and it is indicative of the old MFC v Boro that Ian highlights many times so eloquently. Insensitivity allied to incredulity of why would we even want him?

      Of course it may be that AK has had a change of heart, Negredo’s loan is being cut short and that we will be playing with Rhodes and Gestede up front. Even where this to be the case I wouldn’t have him at the club full stop.

      1. Don’t get me wrong RR he wouldn’t have been my first choice but we’re limited to who’s available, who actually wants to come here and our budget. We probably can’t afford most successful PL strikers and up against other suitors probably wouldn’t be able to entice one here. Our system is working because despite its obvious flaws the table says we’re 16th, not in the relegation zone. Negrado was used in a two at Man City with Aguero or Dzeko yet he’s part of our system now as a one. Blackburn often played Gestede on his own too, usually in away games, so he’s no stranger to it. AK has had opportunity to monitor him closely and often during his time here so I’m willing to go with that for now.

  151. Well, RR, I’m prepared to give him a chance. I know he is supposed to have wound up our fans, resulting in that court case against the old guy, but I can’t imagine Gestede would have raised the matter if he hadn’t been genuinely offended by what he saw, however mistakenly. He’s here now. I say let’s get behind him.

    1. Clive

      I applaud your benefit of the doubt, genuinely I do and wish I could be that magnanimous but I was there that day and there was a cacophony of boo’s, jeers and abuse all around the Riverside aimed at both the Ref and the Blackburn players not just from one pensioner. The language and abuse just around me was far worse than the pits gesture (none of it racist by the way).

      Their “celebrations” were ill advised at an away ground and somewhat OTT. If they were innocently celebrating why would you be even remotely aware of what the departing away fans were doing. I’m sorry but for me he may play for the Boro but like a select few before him I won’t be celebrating any goals or anything else, I will save celebrating for when he is sold or his contract ends.

      It is indicative of how badly the club handles things. Once decided that this was the path they chose to take there was an opportunity to put right wrongs, let bygones be bygones, and move forward and use it as a PR opportunity at the same time.

      The lack of that shows the club are still out of touch and have little respect for the fans. That or perhaps the player in question still harbours his belief in which case why would you even want to come here. Incredible how little time it has taken from being dependant on Ticket sales to Premiership windfalls for the club to seemingly revert to type.

  152. Billog

    16th says we are scraping along just above the waterline, I don’t see that as a success because of our Strikers proficiency, it is down to our defence. All the data tables have us rock bottom with attempts both on and off target. Our attacking style/system/tactic isn’t working and Gestede is a poorer version of what we already have.

    That is not progress in my book but nobody seems willing to really push that question to AK. Given the choice of Rhodes, Stuani, Nugent and Gestede I would pick Rhodes, Stuani and Nugent every time over him. In terms of ability he is 5th out of 5 and a poor 5th at that.

    Perhaps because Negredo was used as a two at City is why he hasn’t delivered under AK. Gestede on his own with Blackburn away is part of the cause for their fall from grace, put simply they kept getting beat (just like Villa).

    Reading the Gazette site apparently AK says he was our “Top priority”, if that is the case then it is very telling and not in a good way (Spartak alert!). That was followed by “Karanka stressed he felt Boro needed another proven top-flight predator in the Premier League”, well if he thinks Gestede is proven in the top flight heaven help us all.

    Lets just re-visit that statement again “proven top-flight predator” where? with who? for how long? how many? and when? Maybe its me but I couldn’t sit and bite my lip when faced with absolute tosh of that magnitude, are we seriously supposed to suck all that up?

    Jonathon’s piece then went on to say:

    “And Karanka added he wouldn’t be against pairing Gestede with Negredo, Jordan Rhodes or David Nugent in the Premier League at some stage this season. Gestede and Negredo are different so one day one can play, one day the other, one day we can play both of them,” Karanka said. I now have four strikers and all of them can play.” He actually has 5 strikers but bless doesn’t seem to realise that or worse still he actually does believe that Stuani is a Premiership level right sided wide man.

    I can’t believe that comments like that are made and not challenged during interviews. AK has been here for 3 1/2 years and played two up front once (ironically away to Blackburn) and th”en proceeded to blame the fans so when is he ever going to play the both of them” and if so then surely the obvious follow up question is “Why haven’t you tried Negredo and Rhodes then?”

    So we have to swallow all of that hype, spin and nonsense as though we were in NE North Korea rather than NE England. Gestede is a bog standard Championship Striker lets not be deluded that he has ever been anything more than that at 28 and at £6M he is just a darned expensive Jutkiewicz.

    The most annoying thing is that as if reading and listening to all the bull and spin isn’t bad enough everyone has ducked and avoided the obvious question, the real story. I suspect everyone had been briefed Basil Fawlty style “don’t mention the pits”. I guess MFC think if we don’t mention it nobody will remember and just sweep it all under the carpet.

    I seem to remember the club behaving like this not so long ago, it gives the impression that the questions are prepared by the club and handed out to the Journalists before they enter the Press Room.

  153. Read same article RR and concluded it was ‘tripe’!

    Where to start? Well it’s all a bag of nonsense & an insult to anyones intelligence, so the question is ‘Why do they write it?’ Well simple enough IMHO, ‘It’s the money, stupid!’ Oh, right, I’ve got that says Spartak.

    Read an interesting article this morn before I went out to the -16C temp. Los Angeles Times, review on their operations & staff culling on mass. Looks like moneybags no nothings bought into it and constantly cutting costs not givin a boogar about quality of news output. Consequently, a once pulitzer prize winning news provider is turning into a rag.
    I suspect the ‘management’ types at Trinity are behind the dross being chucked at the masses from the Gazette. We know of old that the journos there have writing ability, the problem lies with editorial dictate.
    It, like AK’s style, may ultimately be successful & they will generate revenue but they will lose a knowlegeable group who will go elsewhere for real fact filled coverage of the beloved team they follow.
    Put yourself in their shoes. Follow a strategy of mass produced nonsense and keep yer head above water or tell it like it really is and drown.

    Happy days

    Who’d be a journo???

    1. I’ve been in their exact same shoes during my employed lifetime. I worked for one particular brilliant company who were world leading in what they done. A change of ownership to a Corporate investment company seen its values ditched along with its heart and soul.

      The result is the company is no longer a market leader, conforming to so industry called “experts” brought the business to its knees with competitors copying what made that particular business great and they are now a whimpering no mark in that sector. I had to sign NDA’s to continue working for them as I became more than a pain by calling them out every step they took. I left 6 months later to very reluctantly join a competitor.

      Its a shame but its called progress except when it goes pear shaped then those to blame have usually moved on and those that are left have to clean up the mess assuming that there is a mess left to clean.

  154. Numerous examples RR the world over.

    It gives me pause for thought. Who best to invest your time with? Bit like transfers I suppose – your fortunate to get 1 in 3 that are fit 4 purpose or in this case fit 2 work for.

    I know one education trust that took 30 years to build a rep as world class – the founder passed on & now its primary aim is to reap rewards from the rich.

    Another example of world class British business was ICI, not now! I watched a great documentary with the late Sir John Harvey Jones. He said ICI were struggling so they engaged consultants for answers. They told him to slash jobs and close plants. He said if they did that the businss would close – silence came from the consultants. Thankfully he didnt take their advice. Still, I let the corporate jackals in & and they will strip away everything of worth.
    Btw. It was nice of AK to drop the hint that SG has given him a transfer pot only so big & therefore Gestede was in their budget. Was he suggesting his hands were tied to an extent & he’d rather have more money?

  155. I’ve decided with the move to the new platform to try to be more positive for the rest of the season.

    I don’t and didn’t think we would get relegated, but the negative set-up has been beyond depressing.

    If AK can address the imbalance between midfield and attack and get 3 players in behind Negredo, or 2 if we are playing 433, then I’ll be happy.

    Defensively we are fairly sound, and I’m with AK on the goal difference point. I could be wrong, but I don’t think any team has been relegated from the premier league with a goal difference better than -14.

    Untypical Boro is dead, long live DiasBoro

    2. The imbalance between defence and midfield is something that AK has struggled with since he has been here.

      After the play off failure AK embarked on a complete reworking of the front end of the team, this we were told would solve our attacking problems. It didn’t.

      We were told the same about the arrival of Negredo, it hasn’t.

      So whilst signings are welcome, particularly first team level RW’ers & AM’ers, I’m not sure what difference it will make. If we still continue to attack with three players at most, we will continue to toil in front of goal. As each year passes, I become more convinced that it is a tactical tweak that is required. We don’t need to gung ho, but let us remember that goals win games.

      Viva DiasBoro!

    1. BB

      We’ve been lurking for you everywhere!

      Welcome to our new house don’t forget to wipe your feet on the mat and put the toilet seat down after using

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