Can Boro smash the league without rose-tinted glasses

So the wait is almost over and Boro’s Championship campaign – or ‘Operation Smash The League’ as it’s better known – is all about to kick off.  The supporters have put their summer-sport warm beer back in the fridge, returned their holiday Euros back to Ramsdens (other less obtrusive methods of exchanging currency are available) and have wiped away the sunblock off their rose-tinted glasses. Though to avoid potential injury, health and safety rules advise that as you prepare to kick and head every ball you should first remember to remove those rose-tinted glasses.

Anyway, a strange mist of optimism has descended on Teesside – yes optimism! – which is surely the antithesis of the local tradition among long suffering Boro supporters, where many are still busy looking around for the pessimistic punchline to hit them square on the jaw. Indeed, back in the days when many supporters of more fashionable clubs were dutifully naming their children after their conquering heroes, I suspect many children born in Middlesbrough were often given the middle name ‘long-suffering’ to keep them grounded and ensure their expectations weren’t unduly raised.

However, the mood on Teesside has changed in the years since a young Steve Gibson took the club’s empty bowl of gruel to the top table and dared to ask ‘Please Sir, I want more’ – it was a twist many fans had not expected to see in their lifetime  – they’d got used to seeing the likes of [Joe] Fagin and his predecessors keeping all the shiny silverware for themselves at Liverpool, while the Boro faithful artfully dodged their way back home from the terraces of Ayresome Park having received their weekly dose of disappointment to allow them a good self-indulgent moan in the pub on a Saturday night. I grew up hearing ‘Useless’ precede Boro so often that the phrase had taken on something of a comfort blanket and wondered why many of my Teesside classmates at school supported clubs of ambition like Super Spurs or the Mighty Gunners way beyond an age where they should have known better.

Yes, one of the most important thing that the Boro chairman has given us as supporters are expectations. Though he surely has surpassed himself this season by declaring an ambition to ‘Smash the League’ – none of this “we’re hoping to be in the promotion mix” nonsense that you could imagine someone like Steve Bruce reluctantly mumbling out after having his arm twisted by the Birmingham press. No that’s not Steve Gibson’s way – he’s proudly told the media Boro are going up in style and he’ll ban any local journalist who says otherwise – so be warned!

It’s probably not to Boro’s advantage that they start the season as nearly everyone’s favourites to go up – it not only adds pressure to the manager and players, it also means other clubs will be looking to up their game and claim our carefully trimmed scalp. In a recent survey of local football writers from all the other Championship clubs, all of them bar Leeds tipped Boro for promotion. Perhaps the Leeds reporter knows something, or maybe he’s just unbiasedly concluded if Garry Monk couldn’t get the Mighty Whites promoted under the impatient gaze of Massimo Cellino then he’s not going to manage it at Boro with our more forgiving chairman backing him to the hilt.

Having assessed his Boro squad Garry Monk has opted to discard quite a bit of it this summer and replace them with more dynamic players – or better players if you don’t mind cutting to the chase. It’s beginning to appear that the new Boro manager is not somebody who will show a lot of patience with a player who he thinks won’t suit his preferred style of play – and why should he be patient when he’s got a glimpse of what’s behind Steve Gibson’s cheque book. He’s also hoping to keep two of our potential big-money assets at the Riverside too – Ben Gibson and Marten de Roon both started against Augsburg and recent noises suggests the club are planning on retaining their services. Whilst it works in the club’s favour that some of it’s top players are on rather lucrative contracts and will also command a sizable fee before the club even acknowledges any prospective bids – it’s also proving to be a sticking point to move on the likes of Gaston Ramirez with few clubs able to meet both the club’s and player’s financial demands. Though as I write this article there are rumours that our man from Uruguay has been spotted boarding a plane on his way to potential buyers – whether he will require the return portion of his ticket may depend on how far his agent is able to keep his foot away from own his mouth.

Thankfully, since Monk’s arrival some of the senior players have been re-enthused following last season’s disappointment – even Stuart Downing has been rolling back the years to the extent that he’s now able to train with the under-23’s. Though it’s probably more to do with the fact that Downing has been dragging his heels on a potential move to Birmingham nearly as much as Harry Redknapp’s wife does when he offers to drop her off at the shops in his Range Rover. The Boro hierarchy know a Brum deal when they see one. Harry thought he had our club over a barrel once he rolled out his cockney pitch to the unwanted Boro boy – but I presume the reason Stewie has been granted a free transfer only two years after the club paid nearly £7m to acquire his services is in order for him to find a suitable club. To then top-up his wages as well would appear to be an act of charity too far – one or the other but not both – otherwise he could simply agree to play for any club regardless of the personal terms they offer.

So Boro head to bottom-of-the-table Wolves on Saturday (the table never lies – especially when it’s sorted alphabetically) looking to get their campaign off to good start. There were signs against Augsburg that our new attacking talent in Assombalonga, Braithwaite and Fletcher could link up quite well – even Bamford looked more of a physical presence. Though it’s a slight concern that with Mr Braithwaite and Fletcher, the Boro recruitment department may be trying to sign players based on seventies hit comedy Porridge – better watch out for a big central defender called Harry Grout – though at least they appear to have turned the page on the ‘De’ section.

Whilst many of the new signings look to be pretty useful, we shouldn’t start assuming the amount spent will automatically represent the equivalent value on the pitch. Boro spent what they needed to get their targets but we were no doubt trying to force the market – look at the similar fees paid for Adama, Gestede and Bamford last season, they are all still yet to prove themselves and indeed they may not get the chance. With so many changes it would be unrealistic to expect Boro to start off playing in a manner that will brush opponents aside – that will take time on the training pitch and several matches yet at least before it clicks into place. There are still some underlying issues that still look less than ideal – George has not quite returned to his best of 12 months ago and although much of Boro’s build-up play starts with him, he’s rarely getting an assist to his name. Cyrus Christie looked a bit similar to Friend on the right but he lost the ball a few times in his own half against Augsburg – he must also learn to play the percentages if Boro are to avoid getting caught out.

Jonny Howson will add much needed drive and guile to the middle of the park and if de Roon remains at the club to add to Clayton, Leadbitter and Forshaw, then Boro will have the legs to match most other teams. With new keeper Darren Randolph looking like being the number one, he will also need time to settle and will probably like a few clean sheets under his belt – though some will wonder if he is much of an improvement on what we already had – hopefully he’ll get confidence playing behind Gibson and Ayala, who if they can create the partnership of our last promotion-winning team, it will be the best pairing in the league. However, there’s still four weeks left for a big PL club to decide to make a tempting offer for Gibson and Ayala’s recent injury record has to be a worry – I’d expect further cover to arrive in the coming weeks.

So do we have a team to justify our favourites tag? Well it certainly easily looks like enough to make top six or better, probably top four given that not many Championship outfits will have our strength in depth for the slog of a 46-game season. Ideally, Boro will need to start well and the opening fixtures could easily have been tougher – though an indifferent start may get everyone murmuring ‘Typical Boro’, we shouldn’t panic if we don’t hit the ground running – let alone skipping and hopping around the opposition.

Right, here we go again it’s prediction time – first I’d better ask what you think Boro’s final standing will be as you glance through spectacles in any colour or shade of your choosing. As for the game itself, the usual drill applies – will Boro show they’re hungrier than the Wolves? Or will we see a howler or two as Monk wonders if he’s bitten off more than he can chew in hastily assembling his new look Boro. Your predictions for score, scorers and attendance – plus who will be hoping to avoid a cameo role with Boro under-23’s next week?

 

 

117 thoughts on “Can Boro smash the league without rose-tinted glasses

  1. I hope so !
    Picked up my season cards yesterday afternoon for myself and Mrs OFB
    We had our two youngest granddaughters in tow and the hospitality staff insisted on showing them the ground and the family area .
    Whatever you say about the Boro the staff are really nice and friendly
    Can’t wait !!!!!!!!
    OFB

    1. The Mrs’ and I had a hand in the transfer of Vladimir Kinder back in the days when Central Europeans weren’t anaethema.
      Well, after the i’s were dotted and the t’s crossed, we were unexpectedly shown to the restaurant and given what I believe was one of the best tables- we got a magnificient view of the pitch and the stadium. Of course, the meal was gratis.
      As a postscript I even got to sit in Robbo’s chair in his manager’s office behind his desk – euphoric!!!

  2. As for scores:
    Well, that depends on how the play pans out. Wolves can’t afford to go all gunho coz of the anticipated speed of the counterattack from the Boro. I also see huge difficulties for them from the aerial prowess that we have. In fact, given the aforementioned, I see a 0-0 or a 2/3 nil to the Boro if Wolves lose discipline and shape due to pressures of home support enthusiasm.
    Hope I’m write like 😉

  3. Great article as always Werder.
    Feeling excited but also a tad nervous. Will the spectre that is typical boro return or will we change our habits under Monk!
    0-0 which in my view would be a good start against what could be a dark horse team.
    Crowd 29,187

  4. Very much looking forward to the Wolves game, it’s a sell-out and will be rocking, a great challenge for us.
    There is no doubt that we now have a group of five strikers with pace and power as part of the mix, three with outstanding Championship scoring records, and forming our best overall package and options up front for many years. That is very exciting.
    The defence and holding midfield look fit for purpose and include reliable performers from recent seasons, although they may not all be up at their peak of performance at the moment.
    Where I think we may lack is individuals with high levels of ability in guile, craft, vision, cleverness, quality on the ball, ability to make space and turn in tight situations, range of passing and accuracy into tight areas. Will we have enough of these qualities to control the football and to open teams up? I see Braithwaite and Howson* giving us some of these qualities, but I don’t think it’s there in depth, and a couple of injuries could see us very weak in these abilities.
    *Clayts as well but he will not be that advanced very often and Leadbitter but will he play – not dynamic enough these days.

    1. It would certainly make a change for Boro discussions to focus on our riches in attack – but there’s probably room in the squad to find some better distributors of the ball in midfield if we are to see the goals flowing a bit easier.

  5. I’ve been a pessimist all my life, so why change the habit of a lifetime? The fact that I’ve followed Boro for 50 plus years may, or may not, be the reason for this. Until the 73/74 team mathematically secured promotion, I was convinced that the wheels would come off. I’d been conditioned by elderly relatives telling me that it was always thus.
    I will, however, be bitterly disappointed if we are not in the top six when it matters.
    As I said a few weeks ago, a slow start and a barnstorming finish will be fine by me. 0-0 on Saturday would do me.

  6. Excellent article yet again Werder.
    I agree about the air of optimism around the place but I wonder whether it is really because people think the Boro can smash the league or whether it is because people think the upcoming season can’t possibly be a bleak as the last one.
    If the latter, then fine, but if the former I fear the optimism might be misplaced. The club and the team has undergone major surgery over the summer (with maybe more to come before the end of the month) and that usually requires a lengthy period of recuperation. So I don’t see Boro this season achieving automatic promotion and I think they will do well to make the play-offs. Next season the situation will be different and that season could turn out to be smashing.
    As for Saturday, my prediction is 1-0 to Wolves and a crowd of 29,852.

    1. Thanks Boroexile, perhaps a decline in pessimism is Teesside’s equivalent to optimism – though I don’t think there are many teams who will finish above Boro if we can play to our strengths. I believe the most reassuring thing about Garry Monk is he won’t get stuck on one particular methodology if it doesn’t work – I hope he’ll play to the strengths of the players rather than try to mould them into something they don’t fit into.

  7. The optimistic side of me says we won’t be in a relegation fight, and that’s good, but the last time we were odds on favourites ,was pre season under Stricken,
    I don’t expect 433 on Saturday ,and an all out attacking assault,he will probably go 4231, with a strong bench.
    I hope my Alto ego aka” voice of doom ” stays asleep this season.
    UTB

  8. Great benchmarking blog for the season Werder!
    I suspect Saturday will be a 1-1 uninspiring drab cagey affair. After the reconstructive surgery comes rehabilitation before we see the finished effects in all their glory. Like others I sense an indifferent August with a barnstorming unstoppable finish come May.

  9. I think the squad is arguably better than the one we had last season. The transfer activity has been hugely impressive so far, especially if we hold on to de Roon and Gibson. I have a nagging feeling however that we may end up selling one of them + Traore to fund some of these deals.
    To add to the incomings, the other two relegated teams are in turmoil, the beaten play-off teams don’t really seemed to have strengthened and our biggest rivals seem to be Aston Villa, who didn’t exactly ‘smash’ the league last year.
    I expect us to be promoted comfortably and probably win the league. To be honest, 2nd place should be Monk’s minimum target with the squad he has assembled.
    Saturday will be tough though – Wolves are a bit of a wildcard and a point probably wouldn’t be a bad result.

    1. We have been missing you, Phil – especially in the late spring time when the going got tough (for us). But we survived and now the new season is here. Everybody is positive – especially so Spartak!
      Welcome home. Up the Boro!

  10. On a different tack, there were a couple of developments today that I found depressing and I wondering whether is it just me being old-fashioned or others feel the same.
    The first was the news that Chapman, another local, apparently talented lad, leaving the club to join Mowbray at Blackburn? Are the days now gone when players from the Academy could make the first team?
    The second was the news of the totally obscene amounts of money changing hands for Neymar and the equally obscene money he will be paid each year at PSG. When many people around the world are desperately struggling how can it be right that hundreds of millions of Euros can be spent on a footballer? Something needs to be done if the game we love is going to be saved from the massive amounts of money now corrupting it.

    1. The whole Neymar deal appears to be geared around making money for various parties and the fact that Qatar are at the centre in an apparent £300m payment to the player for him to act as an ambassador for them in the 2022 Word Cup makes those from FIFA who were involved with shady deals look like lightweights in comparison.
      It also has meant Neymar has bought himself out of his own contract for around £200m to become essential a free agent and has joined PSG without them paying a transfer fee – this appears to have enabled PSG to avoid FFP sanctions since they are already on the edge of allowed spending. It has also meant that they can then pay Neymar £30m a year in wages with his agent picking up nearly £40m for his trouble.
      Somewhere amongst all that is a football player – but it’s not the actual football element that has driven the flow of ridiculous amounts of money. Qatar have bought an icon to help secure their brand and give it a face in much the same way as they were determined to acquire the World Cup to raise their profile – whether PSG are also now part of brand Qatar is unclear.
      * Just to add a point on PSG – they have actually been owned by Oryx Qatar Sports Investment (QSi) since 2011 – so we can assume they are part of brand Qatar.

    2. I care about what happens with Harry Chapman a lot more than I care about the future of Neymar.
      I think Chapman is a talented player and would like to see him given a chance. I understand that a new manager might feel that he’d rather spend a few millions (or more) on a player he feels has already shown he can “do it” rather than take a gamble on a player who is, as yet, untried at this level. But HC did well last season out on loan.
      Sometimes I wonder whether, if we had a 16 year old Peter Shilton, we would have taken the gamble on him that Leicester City did. They gave him his debut, and then shortly afterwards sold no less a keeper than Gordon Banks who many thought at the time was best in the world, so that Shilton could take over the No 1 spot full-time. On reflection there is NO chance that would happen at Boro. So I don’t expect Ripley to play a role at the club despite his very successful loan, and regular games and MoM performances, last season.
      As regards Neymar, words are not sufficient to explain the distaste I feel about the story. It takes obscenity to a whole new level. It may very well turn a lot of people away from football. Anyway, I won’t go on about it (just yet….).

      1. I think Ripley have to earn the shirt at Boro. He has had his loans now and should be ready. But also I fully understand we couldn’t go to the season with only Rippers II and Dimi only – in Dimi I trust but he is a year older now. So we need them all three at Boro.
        About Chapman I feel like you do, Dormo. The deal is a loan for a season – I would have done the loan only until Christmas but I do understand that he will be played much more if Mogga knows he is there for a season. And we have to remember he (HC) had a nasty injury early this year, so he might need time.
        About the same goes for Mikael Soisalo. He is ready for an appearance on the bench (there with Werder) but he is not a ready starter yet. I hoped to see him (MS) and Chapman having cameos this year and starting next year. At least they got their chances to impress during the pre-season.
        The whole Neymar story is so appalling I won’t comment on it. Just read the comments above by Werder the Benchmarker and Dormo.
        Up the Boro!

  11. I won’t predict the score against Wolves, or the crowd size, for three reasons. Firstly my record last season was not exactly encouraging. Secondly I might embarrass myself. Thirdly I have a nagging doubt…..I might jinx the whole “Smash the League” project and I’d hate it all to be my fault.

    1. FD
      I feel exactly the same as you. My prediction record was abysmal amd I think wearing my foam hands made me input the wrong score time after time.
      What I do know is that the game is a sell out and over 30000 are expected to be in attendance
      Just keeping fingers crossed for a good performance and no injuries
      Hope all you Boro fans overseas can manage to watch the game or at least listen to it
      OFB

  12. OFB
    Ref. Manager’s chair.
    There have been a few notable footballing highs in my life. Scoring 14 goals in one 90 min game (achieved once in a lifetime). Sitting in the manager’s chair behind his desk, Robbo that is. And finally, standing in the home dressing room at Highbury in front of the chalkboard that numerous famous managers had used down through the decades.
    Some may suggest that I naively put these great events in a small insignificant life down to God, but I do. Further, on the day of the Vladimir Kinder transfer I saw the Count. I suspect he was instrumental in arranging the post transfer hostelry and I shall be forever grateful to him and MFC for doing so.
    🙂

  13. Here we are again. A new season and new predictions to get wrong so here goes.
    Boro fans will be saying we’re going to lose, typical Boro and all that but I reckon that they all think we’ll win but just daren’t mention the dreaded ‘win’ word for fear of putting a hex on Monk’s warriors. As the Blues brothers said, and to paraphrase, ‘we’re on a mission from God’. That’s probably knackered it for the season.
    I’m going for Wolves 1 – 2 Boro, The match is a sell out so it will be a packed ground and I feel so nervously optimistic we may even get three.
    UTB,
    John

  14. I will go for a 2-2 draw. I think we will smash the league long term but we need to gel the new players to the new system we apply.
    Attendance will be a new record for Wolves for 49 years of opening day attendances.
    With Boro also having snapped up their full 2,592 allocation Molineux could be set for its biggest crowd since 1981. Ironically that game was also against Middlesbrough, when 40,524 turned up for an FA Cup sixth round replay which Wolves won 3-1.
    I will predict about 30 322 attendance – setting a stadium record for the rebuilt Molineux. Up the Boro!

  15. I don’t have a clue why the home of Wolves is called Molineux and how to pronounce it. The English is so difficult! Even though it sounds like French to me. Like Rievaulx Abbey – one of my favourite places for a walk from Hemsley.
    Up the Boro!

      1. If this is a completion, I proposed in 1988. Three kids, the son is a Boro fan and another of the girls has been to Riverside once.
        Hard work – I needed to convert me missus from A Man Utd supporter to Boro. But took her to Hartlepool in 1986 for the opening day of the season vs. Port Vale.
        No, we did not see the Hartlepool home game the same day!
        Up the Boro!

  16. Just as an update on Leo, someone I know very well and is a friend of Leo’s is driving one of Leo’s cars over to Barcelona on Sunday and staying for a couple of days, then Leo is paying for his flight back.
    Downing situation, I think Redknapp is playing a game of poker with MFC and it is a case of who blinks first to see how much he can get away with, he is not satisfied that he can get the player for free, which would mean any wage deal should take into account what transfer fee his club should have reasonably paid. It will be interesting, come the end of August to see who blinked first, although if another club entered the game that would
    put the cat among the pigeons.
    Come on BORO.

  17. I don’t think anyone can confidently predict the outcome on Saturday. Both teams have undergone significant re-building and will need time to click fully.
    I don’t expect Monk to go for the swarm, smother, disrupt midfield of Clayton, De Roon and Forshaw, even though that would be very hard to break down and along with our defence would probably ensure a point. Presumably we will see Braithwaite, Britt and Bamford, with Howson in behind them.
    I think Wolves’ level of performance is even harder to predict than us. They have brought in some continental players with serious reputations, but have they gelled yet? We will certainly need to keep it tight to begin with, they will be fired right up and their new players will be full of energy and confidence. (How they withstand the assault course of the Championship in the longer run is another matter.)

    1. Well as I’m off to Austria tomorrow so not sure when, or if, I’ll get the scores of the next two matches. Sporting wise yesterday was a bad day for me with both Yorkshire CCC and Cas losing their unbeaten home records in their respective competitions.
      I don’t believe in bad luck coming in threes, so am going for a 1-0 win at Wolves, but a frustrating 0-0 draw at home to Sheffield.Utd.
      As for the season 4th place but this time a Wembley play-off win, maybe revenge against 6th placed Norwich.
      But I wouldn’t put my pension on it!

  18. Four Horseman of the Apostrophe
    Across Middlehaven from the Riverside four men meet. Phil T, Vic, Dom and Jonno sit around a table to discuss the approaching season.
    PT – well lads first match coming up, let’s look at coverage by ourselves.
    Vic – opening week is ok because we are away and gain access as accredited journalists, the problems start with the first home match.
    PT – we know Dom and Jonno are banned so we have shown solidarity with the Gazette Two, any thoughts on how we approach it.
    Vic – it is a matter of principle, I suppose you could call it Free Dom of the Press.
    Jonno – that’s clever Vic.
    PT – very good, what issues are there?
    Vic – ever since Murdoch has taken over then football is money mad, exploiting fans at any opportunity. Fans should get free, unhindered access to the information.
    PT – what do we do for the first home match
    Dom – we could always buy tickets
    Vic – don’t be daft, it is our duty to inform the Boro fans so we shouldn’t have to pay, that is part of freedom of the press, it should be free as should the parking and scran.
    Dom – we could subscribe to the MFC website.
    Jonno – it is free isn’t it.
    Vic – yes, it is part of the scheme to control information.
    Jonno – you have a picture of Kim Jong-un on your desk, doesn’t he do the same?
    Vic – oh dear!
    PT – moving on, I have some feedback from number the crunchers looking at our performance stats compared to other papers in the group.
    The first area is cut and pasting to create articles and save journalists costs, we are doing quite well in this area but they are unhappy we have live subscriptions to several papers. Is there anyway we can be more cost effective?
    Dom – it is tricky, we could just use Newsnow or even Diasboro
    Silence…………………
    PT – our use of syndicated articles is quite good, that will improve with the extra matches.
    PT – videos, one suggestion tried elsewhere is to have an advertising break in the middle to generate more revenue
    AV – good idea but wouldn’t that affect some of our integrity?
    Jonno – haven’t we done that already?
    Collective sigh
    Dom – we could have one of those options where you can skip the advert in 4 secs and it wouldn’t stretch the video that much.
    Jonno – we could always make more videos so that every article has one, make the articles smaller so to get the full story they have to keep clicking on new ones. That would increase the hits.
    PT – all worth considering, I will have a word.
    PT – Premium Boro, how can we improve it?
    Sound of creaking as brains click in to gear.
    Vic – we could introduce Premium Plus.
    PT – sounds interesting, elaborate Vic.
    Vic – create a second layer where for an extra £3 per month fans can discuss the articles.
    Dom – will anyone be interested, are there enough fans who are not knuckle draggers?
    PT – maybe later we could introduce pay per post once we have the DDM set up, you know people don’t cancel these things and you sneak price increases in.
    Jonno – wait a minute, am I missing something here, didn’t we start by saying there should be free, unhindered access to information for the fans. Isn’t this a contradiction? Dom nods head in agreement.
    PT – shakes his head, maybe MFC have a point……………

    1. Free scran!!!
      That’ll mean free volly vonts! (or not as the case maybe)
      Some folk would sell their grannies for less. No wonder they’re disappointed.

  19. Using last seasons’ final EFL table as a guide, because we don’t have much else to go on, we have been handed a more than favourable start to this years’ campaign. We play 8 games before we meet one of last seasons’ top tier sides (Fulham); of those 8 we play 3 bottom tier sides, 3 mid-table sides and 2 newly promoted so it could have been much more difficult. The game at Fulham starts a more challenging dozen game period, Jan & Feb look tough too, with the April / May run-in appearing very winnable. All good on paper and we know that our “statistically easiest” opening didn’t bear fruit in the end last season but any margin in our favour is welcome.

  20. According to my son (devote Liverpool fan (sighs)) Boro are after Ryan Kent on loan, 20 yr old left winger a very hot prospect. Played against Bayern Munich and gave Ribery a torrid time, also got rave reviews agains Atletico Madrid.
    Come on BORO.

  21. While the summer has us shaping up for a good season unquestionably, we should also bear in mind that Wolves away is a seriously tough start that somehow has slipped under the radar.
    They too have spent megabucks, have a far wealthier owner than Gibbo, and have the fans stirred up in a way we haven’t yet (but will I think).
    A draw would be a very pleasing result.

    1. Couldn’t agree more Richard. Wolves have been building solidly through the summer and with what at least appears to be some sort of plan as oppose to say Villa who I am still far from convinced have their “bodily waste” together.
      I would put Wolves higher up the pecking order of Norwich, Hull, Sunderland and Villa. Definitely not an easy game and one that I suspect Monk will keep things tight with and maybe only look to add impetus up front in the second half as half fit legs start to tire. That of course is assuming its tight and we are still in it and he feels three rather one point is doable. Getting beat won’t be a disaster, a win could be precious come May and a draw is more than respectable albeit perhaps a little deflating.

  22. The relief is after months and months of manager and player bashing, toxicity and a with-us-or-against-us vibe, we have what looks like a more dynamic and almost certainly more united squad with a more hungry, humble looking manager.
    But time will show, I think, that Aitor did a bloody great job in laying the foundations for future success. Especially financially. It was just that he mishandled the flair – the part every fan looks forward to most in their hearts – so poorly that it sticks out like a sore thumb. Like Gaston, his legacy is stained by how it ended.
    Moving on. Whatever happens tomorrow, I’ll not let the result define the season. Every new team and manager has its baby steps to take.
    Would like a goal from one of the new boys though. Would give them an invaluable boost.

    1. Aitor done well in getting us up and as a consequence the club is now financially stable and for that we are in his debt. The frustrating part is he was never going to keep us up, during his reign I kept harping on about “action centered leadership” and “Adair’s Model” of three overlapping circles representing three core management responsibilities:
      The Team
      The Task
      The Individual
      A quick synopsis (which doesn’t do it justice) is that a great Manager/Leader has to engage with each of the three areas effectively and crucially collectively. Managers who are good at only one or two of the three will have shortfalls and ultimately will struggle with their roles in certain areas. Aitor for me struggled with some areas and perhaps looking back at his time here he may (and I hope he does) realise and addresses his style and practices, tweaks, refines and improves. Those of us in management for a while know that we never stop learning and embracing new thoughts and ideas.
      On to the present and in Garry Monk I see a better more even balance between the three circles than with AK. That doesn’t guarantee of course he will be more successful than AK just better balanced and consequently more likely to succeed, in theory at least!

  23. I agree with 433 (or 4123). I fancy 4 goals in the game, 3-1 boro but I’d take 2-2. Att 31,879. I’m going for gibbo score first 3-1 boro! I’m seeing something in my rosy specs

  24. I’ll add that I’m wary of making too much of Monk. In other words, projecting the kind of hopes and dreams on his shoulders that he’s not likely to achieve.
    To quote Jared Browne, “It is a truism in football that there are no Messiahs, just the unrealistic expectations of beleaguered fans.”
    In the immediate aftermath of Mogga’s, Aitor’s and now possibly Monk’s appointment, I often find that we – including me – are fans first and analysts second.

  25. The departure of Gaston has left hole in the club – though to be fair he dug it himself and discovered that the mud definitely sticks.
    Without Gaston’s arrival I doubt Boro would have made an automatic spot in our last promotion season – he suddenly made the team click and was the missing link that joined the midfield with the strikers. Indeed, it’s arguably that the injury to our Uruguayan playmaker in December last season proved to be the start of our downfall and the slide down the table as the the already parched goals finally dried up..
    The fact that Leicester were prepared to pay £15m for his services was an indication of his talent – but there was really no way back once he took the hump and his influence faded along with his reputation. Though for 12 months he was probably the most influential player at the club – but in the end our gain is Sampdoria’s loss. Few are expecting a Tweet along the lines of Stuani’s – but hopefully his talent will get the better of his temperament and one day he can realise his enormous potential!

    1. We are all just waiting to see who will post first about his agent linking him to a.n.other club in Spain/Germany/England. My guess is it will be around May or June next year strops permitting or it could be as early as January. How many of us on here would put money on him still being at Sampdoria come the end of 2018?
      Meanwhile our former No.10’s have either both departed or on their way yet no obvious incumbent arriving nor linked, that suggests a tactical tweak or two.

  26. Belated welcome back BP.
    Your extreme optimism is required to offset my inert pessimism.
    Look forward to your positive contributions following any poor results. Hopefully, there won’t be too many required.

  27. Last time we were in the Championship we drew at Preston first up and it was a disappointing result and performance. This time, a draw at Wolves would be fine.
    Billog is right, we have a good set of early fixtures.
    The four home games look very winnable, and we should target 10 points minimum if we are playing well (Sheff U, Burton, Preston, QPR).
    There are two difficult away games, at Wolves and Villa, but the other two at Forest and Bolton look like good opportunities to win, so 8+ points would be a very good return, and at least 6-7 required.
    In saying targeted, I mean after allowing for misfortunes (refereeing etc) and days when the performance falls short, which will influence results. If we gel and are playing well, all the games could be winnable.
    Thus 16 points would be a decent return, and 18-20 would be very good. Beyond 20 and GM is officially a genius.
    And I really like the eight-game run-in at the end of the season as well.
    All bets are off if my worries about our quality on the ball and creativity turn out to be valid and bite us in the bum, but hopefully I am wrong.

  28. Transfer Spending – Are We Massive Spenders?
    With the money for Rhodes and Ramirez as well as several other decent transfer fees, our net spend looks to be about £10-12m so far, which isn’t extravagant when compared with the size of the parachute payment. Ignore the sensationalising headlines, it looks like we are fairly modest spenders using our budget prudently.

  29. I agree with everyone that it is difficult to assess how well the Wolves will come out of their trap after their activity over the close season. My biggest worry is how well we will cope defensively , with George still to get back to his best from last but one season, Christie to properly blend into the unit and most especially with Randolph to prove to his defensive partners that he is in command of his box. In the middle I think we are looking everybody as solid as in previous years but have gained a little more forward looking capability. Our front line is going to be difficult for any team in this class this season.
    Where does that lead me to anticipate the opener today then? I think there is a good chance that the Wolves will be able to take advantage of us on the flanks and will get in behind us, making it difficult for Randolph. Potential there for us to concede maybe twice. On the other hand, I think we have at least two goals in us today.
    So, 2_2 it is then in a highly entertaining first fixture, in front of 30,156 people. Both teams happy with the result and both teams to be at or close to the top at the end of the season. Top two for us and I think there is a good chance we can finish top this time.
    COB

  30. Out of interest, watched the highlights of the friendly against Ausburg on MFC website, there was no commentary. Is that the same for rest of you.
    I can cope with video highlights without commentary but radio commentary is a bit different!

  31. Sorry to keep banging on about this but it appears that not only are MFC not providing live streaming of their matches but because they have not yet finalised their licensing with the EFL, today’s radio match commentary is not allowed to be broadcast over the internet so those of us not on Teesside are unable to even listen to the match.
    MFC dispense with Boro+ for their new, and at the forefront of technology, website but haven’t got everything lined up – what a shambles. Let us hope the team organisation is not of a similar standard.
    In the words of a well known sports advert “unbelievable Jeff” or perhaps more aptly, typical Boro.
    Fortunately I have been able to register on the Wolves website and have paid £5 to hopefully receive a live stream of the match.
    CoB 😎

  32. Am I the only one more excited about the start of this season than last? The prospect of winning more than 5 games and scoring more than 1 goal a month has got me all of a quiver.
    Tremendous credit, as always, to the incomparable Steve Gibson for backing his manager in the transfer market. Like all managers before him, with the exception of Mogga, Monk will only have himself to blame if it doesn’t turn out as planned.
    We are still in the early days of the new manager’s honeymoon period and an important constituent of that is a cursory dismissal of everything the previous manager stood for and achieved. After last season’s struggles and the shambolic end to his tenure it’s easy to forget that Karanka’s methodology was very successful at championship level. His team thrived in the attritional grind of two games a week in the second tier and despite considerable recruitment it’s still largely the core of his squad that have been tasked to get us back up. We are, however, asking them to do so in a very different style to that which Karanka employed.
    The “new broom sweeps clean” philosophy has been relentlessly pushed by the club since the appointment of Monk. Everything that Karanka embodied is belittled, all the talk now being of attacking flair, pace and goals. If we leak a few more then fine. Tactical flexibility trumping rigid, organised pragmatism. That’s fine but introducing a whole load of new players AND a new philosophy of playing is a tough ask. Has it ever been achieved successfully by a team relegated from the Premier League? Recent bounce back promotions (Burnley, Newcastle) were achieved with the same manager operating pretty much the same philosophy as before. That makes sense, it’s a short close season, you don’t have time to re-invent the wheel. That’s exactly what we’re expecting Monk to do however.
    My prediction is that we’ll start poorly, take an age to adapt to our new style and be well adrift of the pack before finishing well and making a late push for the play-offs. Unfortunately there are a number of clubs with proven championship managers who who have had the chance to establish their squads and their way of playing and are much better placed to mount a promotion bid than Boro. We are playing catch up and may have to wait until next season before Gibson’s considerable investment in Monk bears fruit. Our fans have the patience to cope with that don’t they?
    Promoted : Villa, Fulham, Cardiff(play-offs)
    Boro 7th

    1. ‘Considerable investment’.
      Au contrai, messy me!
      According to this site…
      https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/fc-middlesbrough/transfers/verein/641
      the Boro have a balance of -£17 squillion spondoolies. These figures don’t take into account the salary figures, of course. Salaries could reach £20-25 million for squad and management, but according to reports there’s still oodles left in the tank.
      Further, GM/MFC have gathered together a group of experienced achievers at both team and management level – hardly are we a group of De Pena look-a-likes. So therefore the learning curve is less steep. God willing all the players know how to take a throw in, won’t need to be coached from the sidelines, and will be played in a position where they are at least fit for purpose.
      The vast majority have the Boro marked down for the Championship title. Only a true Boro stalwart would suggest we are going to struggle against the likes of Millwall, Forest or Burton Albion.
      🙂
      Happy days
      UTB

  33. The season has been a disaster for far. We are well below Sunderland in the Championship table as they draw suprisingly with Derby yesterday.
    Sunderland have not invested much compared to us. But our attacking has not even showed up.
    Luckily we have a game in hand. Let’s hope for a draw at least to keep in touch with Sunlun. But it will be tough at Moulineux.
    Up the Boro!

  34. Well I’ll resist the temptation to revisit the pro’s and con’s of the Karanka methodology – though I think Monk had little option in embarking on re-inventing the wheel when he joined Boro as most of them had fallen off by the time we finished last season.
    I agree though that it will take time for all the changes to gel but at least we’ve brought in players with experience of the Championship and in addition Braithwaite looked pretty energetic and focused against Augsburg.
    There are eleven games before the end of September, though only three midweek – which will be a good point at which to assess whether Monk has got the balance right. Though no doubt more changes are coming before the end of August transfer window closes.
    I’m hoping that Boro will have a bit of extra power up front to win games that perhaps we would have drawn last time as we played a tight waiting game. I think half the teams in the Championship should be beatable and the others will need a bit more patience – though many Leeds supporters thought Monk was quite conservative in his approach as he often employed 4-2-3-1 – maybe he’s hoping to play more attacking – maybe he’s not.
    I’ll go for Boro to sneak a win today with a 2-1 victory – Ayala and Braithwaite for us. As for final position this season, well I’d settle for first or second but we know the Championship is a hard slog – I’m worried expectations have been raised too much and the pressure may make the team edgy but I’m still not convinced that there are many teams who have the squad to pull away. Providing our start is reasonable then I’d still fancy Boro as I think the players who have arrived want it more than the one’s who left. So I’ll go a slightly less smashing Runners-up.

  35. Werder
    Most teams play in a similar fashion, most mangers set the teams up in a similar fashion.
    The outcome depends on the blend and quality of the players. With de Roon, Forshaw, Clayts and Grant we did not have an incisive passer of the ball.
    Ball retention and hard work are their skill set. Bringing Howson in should add to penetration.
    I suspect a 433 with Howson one of those three. The front three of Barithwaite, Assombolanga and Bamford. That will give us more firepower and pace than last season, all three will offer better movement.
    Just a gut instinct.

    1. Hope your right about the three B’s buzzing around up front Ian
      Can’t wait I’m getting excited
      Fingers crossed legs crossed ..
      I’ll have to go to the loo again ….

  36. A word of caution amid the optimism: undue expectations could be our biggest enemy. Almost everybody is predicting Boro to go up, many as Champions. That hype threatens to be an obstacle.
    Although our squad looks strong, it is still a team of strangers. How many clubs are starting the season with a new manager and just a handful of players who finished last season? I’m with Len in his judgement of the Augsburg game: while playing well in patches and showing promise, Boro still looked like what we are – players who don’t know each others’ game and who have yet to internalise what the manager wants.
    Consequently there is every reason to expect things won’t click straight away. We may well be disjointed and misfiring for a month or two while bedding down. That shouldn’t be a problem – after all, it’s where you finish, not where you start and many teams have come from nowhere to romp home in the second half of the season.
    But, in our case, it could be more of a problem than it should be because of all the hype and expectation. If we are mid-table after half a dozen games that will be met with despondency on Teesside. It will be seen as failure and the risk is that even the players will get caught up in the anti-climax and panic and, once they start to think they’re struggling, they will.
    Many people are saying that a good start is crucial. No it’s not. It’s obviously very preferable but history shows that many, many teams have started badly but still been promoted ultimately. The much bigger danger is the over-reaction to a slow start.
    I repeat: undue expectations are our biggest enemy. Hold your nerve everybody – this could be a rocky ride!

  37. OFB
    Lets hope it works like that, the 433 I outlined seems sensible on paper but in reality?
    It is what is delivered on the pitch that counts, if Wolves come out and play well can we cope?
    We will know soon enough.

  38. Continued thanks to Werder for his match day headliner and reasoned posts….Welcome post from BoroPhil and also Pualista, nice to have the alternative views.
    No prediction from me, as although I finished just outside the top spots in the Exmil Challenge, I was pretty useless at my predictions.
    Like others I do not see us “Smashing the League” and wish we had not been encumbered with that statement. Whilst I am confident we will be more than capable upfront and in midfield, the defence, after the last three years under AK, will be no longer as water-tight and will seep a lot more goals.
    I know very little of Randolf, but he does have his doubters even as this level. The full backs are not defensively that good and I do not think George will regain the heights he once did, not counting his continued poor last delivery. CB’s will be fine if Ayala keeps fit and we retain Ben. If we not, on both accounts we could really struggle.
    So where will we finish in May….I have no idea, just hoping that the spending pays off. My only prediction today is for a full house, as that has been foretold.
    Happy for a point.

  39. How safe/dodgy are streaming services that compel you to give them your credit card details? Anyone have any knowledge, insights or comments?

  40. Indepth analysis of both teams, managers, grounds, internet streams, even the toilets. Then, what do we forget to factor in? The ref’s performance of course!
    UTB

  41. How are we behind? They haven’t got near to creating a real chance. They needed a perfect through ball from Ayala to score their goal.
    We don’t look much better although the linkup play looked a bit crisper towards the end of the half and Christie laid one on a plate for Braithwaite who headed wide. Only other attacking thrusts came from free kicks and corners.
    It’s not really working up front with Fletcher not getting much of.a look in yet. Not sure what he could change but it’s all a bit disjointed.

  42. I registered to watch the game on the Wolves website but unfortunately the site couldn’t confirm my email until 3:15 so I couldn’t sign up to watch the game until the 20th minute.
    Anyway, all pretty tight until Ayala’s assist – not sure what his plan was but Boro nearly equalised with a fine cross from Christie that Braithwaite should have headed in. Hopefully Boro will get their game flowing in the second half!

  43. Disappointing but not depressing. The many changes to the squad are clearly taking time to come together. Too much analysis this early won’t help too much.
    I’m going to bed!
    UTB

  44. Well just turned off the live feed after the final whistle after hearing their supporters sing the third or fourth chorus of ‘Hi Ho Wolverhampton’ (instead of Silver-lining – which there wasn’t really one from my perspective).
    I think Boro deserved a draw – thought Christie was my MOTM for Boro, he looked a really good attacking full-back and even had a dangerous long throw – everything George seemingly appeared to lack. Also not sure how Clayton has ended up as our dead-ball specialist – most of his efforts were woeful and makes Leadbitter look like Ronaldo in that department.
    OK time to put the rose-tinted glasses safely away until next week…

  45. Not very impressed.
    Why was Clayton on set piece duty? My dog could have done better
    Why did friend stay on when he could not get over the half way line? Should have be replaced by Fabio.
    Fletcher gave the ball away every time he got it.
    De roon looked better in the prem, does he want to be here?
    Metronome football, no different from AK
    Once Gestede came on I thought we would launch it. Still tippy tappy with the clock running down.
    Wolves were very ordinary and were there for the taking.
    Smash the league. I don’t see it unless a quality play maker is recruited.
    One more drink and off to bed.

  46. Watched the whole match via Wolves TV stream and it was poor – no not the stream which was a good quality picture and I attached lap top to TV for a wide screen view.
    The content however was another matter and as I suspected and stated previously very much work in progress. It was certainly hard work by the Boro and I am not sure yet on the progress but have to accept that it is still early days.
    If, however, we are going to smash the league then we should be coming away from these games with at least a point and should have done so had it not been for a shocker of a pass along the back line by Ayala which was easily intercepted and left Randolph with little chance of making a save.
    Assombalonga had a good chance which was well saved but that apart we did not create many clear cut chances. I did feel we were better for the introduction of Forshaw and Bamford and certainly pressed more in the last 20 mins but we are still short on creativity and the sideways and passing back from AK’s days are still present.
    It appears that there may have been radio commentary via the internet and the MFC website so apologies to them on that count for my earlier rant. It was my understanding, however, that they could not provide commentary without charging and to the best of my knowledge MFC have not provide any details as to how to pay. The Radio Tees site also indicated that the commentary was not available over the internet.
    Sorry to hear that some of you had difficulty in gaining access to the streamed match.
    Need to make sure of 3 points against Sheffield which I can watch via Sky TV and will be hoping for a more convincing performance.

  47. Paws fur thought and howls of pain in a familiar Boro tail of woe at hungry Wolves
    But we won’t pack it in yet.
    Will we?
    Curiously the only Boro manager to win, even not lose, a league game at Molineux in the last two decades was AK. And it required a late sting in the tail from three match-winners to do it.
    Can we boast similar players now?

  48. Agree with werder that Christie was the pick of the bunch, Gibson did well.
    I was watching the warm up with Wolves going through some rigorous routines while Boro we passing the ball about like a pub team.
    It just seemed like Wolves wanted it more than us.
    30 mill in attack and not a threat on their goal.
    Sooo disappointing

  49. Cunning plan to listen to Talksport in the car after phoned to go for a trip, then found it was on talksport2, then it was streamed by MFC according to JP, tried myself, it was there but just wouldn’t connect.
    Anyway got half an hour then got in to the car just before they scored. Sounds like Ayayla was the only one to play a defence splitting pass.
    Looks like we still lack creativity.
    20th place alphabetically or joint 16th!

  50. A song about staying strong and carrying on.
    It’s hard, hard when you’re here all alone and everyone else has gone home. Harder to know right from wrong when all objectivity’s gone.
    But you still carry on.
    ‘Cos you, you are the only one left and you’ve got to clean up this mess. You know you’ll end up like the rest. Bitter, twisted, unless you stay strong and you carry on…
    It’s hard but you know it’s worth the fight ‘cos you know you’ve got the truth on your side. When the accusations fly, hold tight.
    Don’t be afraid of what they’ll say. Who cares what cowards think, anyway? They will understand one day, one day.
    — Neil Hannon and Yann Tiersen
    https://youtu.be/WR1dnizQQ08

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