Home Is Where The Heart Should Be

by Si, posted in Uncategorized

As Garry Monk approaches his first home game as Boro boss, Simon Fallaha looks into what his teams must do to charm the Riverside faithful. History shows that his task may be tougher than he thinks…

Nobody in the southern press, at least nobody opposed to Boro’s decision to sack Gareth Southgate, could understand why the decision was made to dismiss a manager who had taken his team to one point from the summit of the Championship.

Statistically it made no sense. Beneath the surface, however, it made perfect sense.

There are many factors that culminate in a managerial farewell, but a primary one is home form. “Home form is vital” is one of the biggest clichés in the football book for a reason – how your team performs at home can make or break you.

So it was for Southgate. Away from home his team had defeated Swansea (yes!), Scunthorpe, Sheffield Wednesday and Reading, conceding only one goal, and had only been denied more points at Coventry and Bristol City by late, late leakages. At home, a good win over Ipswich was the exception rather than the rule: remember laboured wins over Doncaster and Derby, an uninspiring 0-0 draw with Sheffield United (our next opponents!) and three defeats without a single goal scored, one of them being a right hiding against West Brom?

I am positive that the fans wouldn’t have minded, at least not as much, if the team had struggled away if they had performed at home. But Southgate’s Boro were doing brilliantly away, and struggling at home. And when the vast majority of fans are seeing you at home, and seeing you struggle, all the statistics in the world about possession won’t protect you.

Strike that… all the statistics in the world full stop. Perhaps.

Between 2014-16, Aitor Karanka’s home record in the league was thirty-one wins, ten draws and only five defeats. That should be more than enough, at least on paper, to counter criticism that he was merely happy not to lose games.

But, and this is the big but, how many of those thirty-one wins genuinely live long in the memory? Football isn’t simply about results, regardless of their significance to the team who attains them. It is, as Jorge Valdano said, not the information on the score sheet that lingers longest, but the aspiration for greatness and the feelings that engenders.

It is a key reason why memories of the infamous 1996-97 season still endure, regardless of a win rate of under 50% in the league – which was actually 20% before Christmas! Against Newcastle in the cup, and West Ham & Chelsea in the league, to name but a few, Boro produced breath-taking displays which inspired the fans to dream of previously untold possibilities never seen again.

Fast-forward to Bryan Robson’s most successful Premier League campaign and, aside from a Paul Gascoigne free-kick here and a couple of Hamilton Ricard lobs there, you haven’t much to talk about. Similarly uninspiring was the 2011-12 campaign – Tony Mowbray may have taken us to the verge of the play-offs, but there were no home wins worth remembering barring those against Birmingham and Southampton.

And there were just two home matches in 2014-15 that endured for similar reasons: Boro 2, Derby 0 and Boro 4, Ipswich 1. Games where we, to borrow that overused term, released the handbrake, expressed ourselves and dared to dream. The wins against Norwich & Millwall in the league, and Brentford in the play-offs, which produced ten goals between them, deserve honourable mentions too. But they were victories of the more controlled kind, sporadic individual brilliance mostly submerged for the need of the collective.

Ah-ha. The collective. The system. The product of burgeoning tactics and caution, the magical becoming the often machinic, the effective and efficient not entertaining enough for a typical home fan’s liking. The right statistics alone are not enough to make the increasingly expensive Riverside ticket worth purchasing, especially for those spoiled on the diet of 1990s “catwalk football” in the Premier League’s formative, less saturated, less evolved years. All that seems a thing of the past in an atmosphere dominated by results-driven functionality – soullessly regimented, risk-averse, adventure exuding methodology where points and prizes clearly matter more than attraction and aesthetics. It is not that the creativity is no longer there – when it shows, it’s actually sublime – but it is fleeting, submerged in a result over game, certainty over chance and statistics over style intent.

The pressure of style carries more emphasis when you combine it with a typical away side’s approach. It was common for teams who visited the Riverside to contain and look to strike, as Boro would for away games, as opposed to playing a more open game. When the opposition that played most openly arrived, say, Cardiff in 2016, the more exciting games tended to ensue. That was all very well. And it worked exceptionally well when Boro contained and struck most clinically on the road at Ipswich and Brighton, in indelibly commanding showings. But what about when a team “parks the bus”? Especially one not renowned for doing so? How do the fans, manager, and team react?

I point, again, to the home draw with Bournemouth in 2014 and the debate that followed it. On paper it’s an open and shut case against the “moaners”: the “for heaven’s sake, a draw is a common result in a top of the table clash, and the season’s still relatively young. What on earth are they making such a big deal out of it for?” rhetoric. But you must read between the lines.

Being disappointed not to win is one thing, but trying to justify the result instead of looking for improvements is another. It’s easy to assume that two good teams cancelled each other out. The reality seemed more that Karanka was not prepared for Eddie Howe to diverge from his attacking style, and had no answer once a strong start didn’t bring Boro’s customary “early goal”. It was as if our then manager was following a probability law: 85-90% of the time, we’ll win, so let’s prioritise saving the point. Whatever happens, that’s a continued unbeaten run and another clean sheet for the records. That kind of thing.

But how will that read with fans who have paid good money to see their team have a real go? There is a marked difference between achievement and entertainment – the former is easy to admire in the long term but hard to love in the moment.

What a team achieves on the home pitch has got to be worth it for the paying customer. A football ground is not, or at least should not be, the equivalent of an art house cinema, where every moment can be reflected upon, rationalised, dissected and admired for its “craft” and “depth”. All that comes afterwards for a reason. The best remembered football grounds are emotional cauldrons of noise, created by thrilling drama and momentary spectacle that “genius” tacticians, quality defending and passing accuracy can’t do on their own. And while it worked nicely for me to sit back and admire how coolly, calmly and sometimes clinically Karanka’s Boro stroked the ball around, it’s not so hunky dory when you’re in the stadium and haven’t seen enough shots on target.

That’s the extent of the task Garry Monk is facing – achieving success and pleasing the fans. But the responsibility cannot rest with Monk and the players alone. The fans, at least at the start, have got to look within and give that extra bit of support required to the new regime. As Andrew Glover put it in 2012 when contrasting away and home support:

“At other stadiums Boro fans know they have to play their part and fulfil their side of the deal. In turn the team has probably come to expect good backing and give an extra ounce of effort from time to time. At home the majority just sit and wait. When the goals don’t come, the mumbling starts and the booing during and at the end of games leaves the squad feeling apprehensive about playing on their home turf.”

That was then and this is now. Fair enough. But it is an issue worth raising nonetheless. Especially because it is not unique to Boro. Roy Keane once recalled the crowd being “curiously quiet” when Manchester United fortuitously scraped past Dynamo Kiev in a Champions League home game they had to win. It was as if, in his words, they had resented the absence of the spectacle they had come to see.

Any crowd would be delighted with a hatful of goals: to many, after all, they’re football’s oxygen. But the fans also need to be there for the team during the hard days and nights, when the team really needs a lift. Boro have no divine right to an automatic promotion place and I’ve a sneaking feeling that Riverside visitors will remind us of this sooner rather than later.

The first of whom, Sheffield United, have a recent history of uninspiring, even painful visits. Apart from the booing endured following the scoreless draw I mentioned earlier, there was an absolutely dire 1-0 win against a Blades side then managed by the late, lamented Gary Speed. A Scottish striker many of us would rather not talk about – alright, Kris Boyd – scored the only goal amidst the gloom.

With the current Boro team still to gel and Sheffield United more than likely to be “up for it” after a decent start to their Championship return, I’m expecting a much more interesting encounter. And if it helps to bring the Riverside fans back, win or lose, then so much the better.

A first Boro goal for one of our new forwards would be a good start – and a good omen.

117 thoughts on “Home Is Where The Heart Should Be”

  2. I love to win at home
    I suppose I’m just a sucker for the days when we played under big Jack and expected to win every game !
    I will never forget the 8 0 against Sheff Wed when Souness scored a hat trick amd my old man said who’s that fella he’s. Rubbish !!!

  3. Simon
    Many years ago we played out a draw at home where we bombarded the opposition but couldn’t score. Great match but 0-0 had everyone grumbling.
    Two weeks later we pushed Tony McAndrew forward and in a dire match won 3-0 with McAndrew scoring a hat trick from the only three shots we had. Great game was the view.
    There are many who think Mogga’s matches in charge were football fests when his teams scored even less than Karanka’s teams.
    The airbrush is available in most good fans homes.

  4. Simon,
    A very good article, in fact an excellent read with some subtle perspectives and parallels.
    As a fan, and particularly at this stage of the season, I’d just like to see us win. Handsomely would be brilliant but a reversed repeat of the Wolves match would do although the nails would be bitten to the quick.
    A win please, even if it is AK dour, let’s get one on the chalk board and build on that.
    Once again thank you for the article, another enhancing the quality of the blog.
    UTB,
    John
    PS I have given up on the Evening Gazette website, it is grim. How it feels to be a journalist writing bullet point style copy I do not know. It’s not even a step back in time because that awful style didn’t exist before.

  5. Great post-Simon,
    Apart from the football, there seems to be a helluva secret society going on with the club and the Gazette. I think there is a lot of information we are not getting. For example, the Agnew situation, Where the hell is he? Why is the club keeping quiet? The supporters should be told. The Gazette as they claim will inform readers of what is happening at the club ( although they have decided not to attend the press box etc ) they could at least make comments. I feel now that the club and the Gazette are treating the supporters with contempt

  7. Excellent journalistic piece Simon. We are so lucky to have Werder, yourself, RR, OFB, and numerous others that form the “spine” of this great blog.
    It is really unbelievable how in such a short time it has settled down to a well oiled, well run and an open discussion Blog…….. Many thanks

  8. Great article and a great read, Simon, I have no idea how you remember so much, let alone manage the breadth of reflection and analysis on what has happened.
    Marten de Roon was an excellent player in many ways, but we need more creativity to win enough games for promotion. It is much more important to hang onto Clayts as the defensive screen, and to bring in another player like Howson who will hopefully offer more assists from midfield going forward.
    De Roon got no assists last season, and Adam Forshaw got only one; we will need far more than that this season. Clayts got two from his more defensive role.
    https://www.premierleague.com/clubs/13/Middlesbrough/stats#!

  9. In terms of the playmaker, Good Gaston got three assists before Bad Ramirez went on strike.
    We will need Martin Brathwaite to do much better, or PB if he continues in the way he did at Wolves.
    Christie and PB did enough at Wolves to deserve one assist each on the board already, but the goals will come.

    1. Mark, Lewis Baker has been brought in to be our playmaker, on loan from Chelsea. He’s plays No.10 for England U21’s and has been the playmaker for Vitesse for the last 2 seasons on loan. He’s two footed and loves to get on the ball taking responsibility for turning defence into attack with positive forward incisive passing. He also takes the free-kicks and penalties. Not a great ball winner, not his forte, but he’s 6ft and athletic so no slouch either. He’s also got that bit of swagger and trickery that a good No.10 needs, quite a major coup to get him.

  10. Fine article Si
    Should be a good atmosphere on Saturday, up to yesterday pm the Blades had about 600 tickets left out of their allocation of 2600.

  11. Once again another very impressive article of great depth from Simon – yes and I too am wondering how he can recall the details from games gone by. Although I remember the highs and lows, the bits in the middle must be stored somewhere else in my head.
    In some ways Steve Gibson has done his manager no favours in his ‘Smash the League’ quote as it’s almost impossible to live up to and Monk will likely only disappoint those expecting anything approaching that kind of season.
    Though in Monk’s favour is that many of the home supporters became quite frustrated under Karanka’s more functional football and if Boro play for periods with a bit of swagger up front then he may get away with a few dull 1-0 victories too.
    But I also remember (if my brain has stored it all correctly) that Boro were usually pretty bad away from home and often had a good home record. Though my last season before leaving Teesside in the early eighties began with four successive 4-0 defeats – including one grim afternoon at Ayresome Park being 4-0 down at home to Grimsby inside 15 minutes – I think we got relegated to the old third division that season.
    Anyway, I’m hoping for Diasboro’s and 2017’s third league victory tomorrow – at least we normally do well against teams who normally play in red and white stripes!

  13. OFB
    That Sheffield Wed game in 74.
    I really wanted to go, I was 11 at the time.
    I asked my dad for money on the friday night as he worked on Saturdays.
    “What do you want to watch that craps for, there’s nothing to play for, seasons over”
    I went to bed dissappointed.
    Next morning mum said
    “Dad left money on the table for you”
    The rest is history
    Gotta love yer dad

    1. Exactly love your dad and it’s one of the things I remember doing with him.
      Especially as he was a Newcastle United supporter a born and bred Geordie !

  15. Old Billy
    I was student in Leeds at the time of the Wednesday match, I travelled up for a good number of home matches but once we were promoted I had to tighten my belt as my money had started to run out plus exams were looming and I had to save beer vouchers for after them.
    I did go to Elland Road with a few mates and couldn’t believe the 3-0 at halftime never mind 8(eight) at full time. It was actually announced at the ground – no love lost between the clubs.

  16. I can only echo everyone else Simon. That I think has been your best read yet. Well done and thank you.
    I have to agree with your position that it is more than just winning that is important to us as the fans. What I want to see, home or away, is conviction. I’d be lying if I said the result in a match doesn’t matter, obviously it does. However over an extended period, even if we scrape more 1-0 wins than either lose or draw the interest fades if the team have played merely to preserve a goal difference rather than play to build a goal difference.
    But the recent experiment with AK has shown that there is a limit to the influence of a partisan crowd. (Remember the reactions to the Attack, attack, attack chants and the fallout form that). The strength from playing at home has to come from a recognition by all (management, players and supporters) that we are in this together. Passionate support without that being harnessed by intelligent management isn’t going to get you very far, especially if the performances are uninspiring. On the other hand, a good manager understands the inclusive, collective nature of the relationship between manager, players and supporters that demands passion and conviction from all parties in this contract.
    As for it being time for the supporters to stand up and be counted. I suppose it is the old chicken and egg conundrum: what comes first, the passionate performance or the passionate atmosphere? I don’t think there will be any lack of passion from the crowd on Saturday, at least not at kick off. After that, it is down to the manager to make sure the players to prove they deserve the atmosphere.

  17. Another excellent piece from Encyclopedia Fallaha, aka the Memory Man! Brilliant read Simon and yet again full of things that we thought we had forgotten about (or perhaps selectively didn’t want to remember in detail in the first instance).
    I didn’t go to the Wednesday game, being a teenager I had a better offer and its best to just leave that one parked. From memory I still think I made the right decision 😉
    The Sven song game at the Riverside I missed because it was end of season I had fitted a new bathroom which took weeks and there was the tiling to do so I figured, radio on, get the tiling finished and listen to the match as there’s nothing to play for so. Typical Boro means 0-0 written all over it or 0-2 defeat. As the goals racked up I remember each tile taking longer and feeling more resentful as I pushed them into place. Those goals just kept on coming and even today whilst I lay in the bath I see those same tiles staring back at me, a constant reminder of what I missed.
    Maybe I should stay away and we will hit 8 goals more often!

  18. No 10 position sorted could be sorted. Coutinho has submitted a transfer request to Liverpool.
    Straight tug of war between us and Barca, what could possibly go wrong?

    1. On the 14th of March 2002 Liverpool were fined £20 000 for an illegal approach to Christian Ziege.
      Whoever they have for whatever price I would tell Liverpool to stick it. Whatever they offered, even for, if not most of all, the tea person, I would tell them to stick.
      Smoggies, the memory never fades – once slighted always slighted.
      UTB

  19. OFB
    My dad was from Fife, raith rovers supporter until he moved to ICI.
    I followed Everton at 8 years old as the football strip I had was blue with white bands. Allan Ball was my first hero. When he moved to Arsenal I went with him and begged mum and dad for a gunners shirt, I even had the white boots.
    Dad took me to Newcastle to watch them play Arsenal, what a thrill to see first division football and Allan Ball in the flesh. It ended 1-1, 1973.
    Shortly after this I went to Harold Shepertons testimonial and was hooked on Boro.
    That was the promotion season and went to all the remaining home games. I used to dream that one day big Jack would come and collect my tracksuit top in front of the holgate.
    Such good memories.
    UTB

    1. And to be honest that’s what football is all about.
      It’s not just a game of 90 minutes plus extra time it’s remembering the Highs and the Lows and the memorable times it influenced our lives.
      We are lucky the Ines that still live at home and can afford to go to see the Boro
      Most of us remember the open air toilets with the floor awash at Ayresome Park. The crowds and the moans from the chicken run as our heroes didn’t perform
      Lifting a cup going to Wembley playing in Europe moving to a new stadium signing world class international players that’s what we remember most
      It’s that time of the season when we are looking forward to our first home game. To see the players we have signed play for the first time. Hoping for a win fearful of a defeat anticipating promotion.
      It’s all part of the buzz and believe me we on this blog are a big part of what is representative of being a true Boro supporter is.
      Thank you Simon and Werder and RR and others for keeping this blog going. It’s my daily read and I enjoy every bit of it !

  20. As I advised earlier, Bob Tait, Head of Digital and Marketing Development at MFC, telephoned me to discuss concerns I had about the new website which I had previously communicated to the club via email.
    Bob was able to assure me that the login problems I had experienced had been addressed and that this particular issue is now fully resolved. I also had issues with video content and my screen going dark whenever I switched to full screen when using the Chrome browser and Bob confirmed that he personally had managed to replicate this problem on his own laptop and has therefore passed this to the technical team to address.
    We agreed that with any new application there are bound to be teething problems and that no matter how much pre testing has been undertaken only come to light once the application has gone live. Bob confirmed that the team at MFC do welcome feedback on any issues that are encountered and it is helpful that when reporting issues you provide as much detail as possible including browser, device and URL details. Any issue can be reported via the online enquiry form at https://www.mfc.co.uk/club-community/club/contact-us and by selecting ‘Website’ in the department dropdown menu.
    In so far as access to iFOLLOW is concerned, Bob explained that the club is aware of the level of overseas support and the desire of supporters to watch the team via such a facility. In common with Sunderland and Hull, MFC were not privy to the EFL developments and requirements of iFOLLOW until late in the day and this coupled with quality concerns regarding the offering, and an associated price tag of tens of thousands of pounds, has resulted in a difficult decision at this stage to forego adopting the IFOLLOW offering. iFOLLOW is made available to all EFL Digital clubs – e.g. Millwall, Burton and Yeovil – as part of their package without the associated price tag which explains why ‘smaller’ clubs are able to provide the service.
    It is one of Bob’s prime objectives to ensure that any offering from MFC is of the highest quality (so as to enhance the MFC brand and foster and increase all external relationships) and until such time as they are able to do so the streaming facility will not be available. Obviously finding out the full detail mid-July has not allowed any time to create a meaningful alternative offering. The club is aiming to create some quality programming later in the season and whilst Bob could not rule out some form of live streaming offering for overseas fans later in the year, he could not guarantee any future availability either.
    MFC will provide a live match commentary via the website and although they had hoped to provide this free of charge, the EFL are insisting this sits behind a paywall to protect the broadcast rights. The club is working to install a pay wall for the match commentary as soon as is possible. In the meantime, I’d suggest you visit the live match centre at mfc.co.uk for each fixture to see if audio is available.

    1. Thanks KP for the update on the meeting – just a quick response regarding live streaming: if the club were planning to stream the Augsburg game then I don’t understand why they are not committed to some form of live streaming as soon as reasonably possible – surely the quality issue is a red herring if they were prepared to do that two weeks ago? Also Is the MFC brand regarded better if they can’t provide a live stream or inferior?

      1. Werder
        I am not 100% certain but I believe the club may have learnt a lot from their failed exercise and exactly how much more work they need to do or want to do.
        Your second question is a moot point – from an overseas supporter point of view it could be viewed as inferior. Conversely I believe the club’s view is that providing a stream which does not meet their expected standards impacts the brand adversely.
        These are only my surmisings and I still believe that being late to the party, the work and cost involved for what might be only one season may well have been major drivers of the decision.

        1. Yes I fully accept the club have tried to achieve independently a similar kind of service in a very short space of time – naturally they will have employed an external company to set up their system – though my experience of IT and promised delivery dates is that it is sometimes found wanting. Though I do believe the club should be aiming to provide the live streaming service sooner rather than later as this appeared to be their original intention.
          Boro overseas supporters will not be thinking that the MFC brand is superior if they are one of the few clubs not able to enjoy a live streaming service – it’s more likely that they will think their club is offering a second-class service. Perhaps for those clubs not willing to join the EFL package it would have been better to pool their resources and share the development costs of an independent service. Maybe they should contact the company that provided the Wolves streaming service if they’re having problems with their current system.
          – Just to add I know Wolves said it took them 7 months to develop their service so perhaps a robust Boro live streaming service towards he end of the year is a more realistic time-frame – I don’t want to knock the club on this but I’d like to hear a more definite aim rather than a non-committal statement about ensuring an enhanced brand – which will always be subjective.

    1. French sport’s newspaper L’Equipe are reporting Middlesbrough may have been given a huge boost in their quest to land Ingolstadt defender Marcel Tisserand…
      The 24-year-old only moved to the German outfit last year following a long association with Ligue 1 champions Monaco, with whom he came up through the ranks only earn seven first team appearances for the club, with several loan spells intertwining his time at the Stade Louis II.
      Yet he played a key part in the Ingolstadt backline last term, playing 28 games in the Bundesliga although was ultimately unable to inspire them to safety, with the club eventually finishing five points adrift of safety.
      Nonetheless, his decent efforts in their defence last time round has attracted interest from several clubs over the summer, with Ronald Koeman’s Everton, Marco Silva’s Watford, and Garry Monk’s Boro all reportedly eyeing up a move for the DR Congo international.
      And they may have received a timely boost in their quest for the centre-back, as recent reports suggest that Tisserand is allowed to speak to clubs about a potential move this summer, this all after Ingolstadt made it clear earlier on that they weren’t entertaining offers for the 24-year-old.
      This is likely to interest the aforementioned trio, with Middlesbrough boss Monk perhaps looking at the international defender in a bid to strengthen his own defensive options ahead of the rest of the Championship season.
      But whether they are able to get a deal done ahead of Everton and Watford, as well as Saint-Etienne and Rennes, remains to be seen.
      The Verdict: How quickly things can change.
      It was only earlier this week that reports were suggesting that Ingolstadt were rebuffing all approaches for defender Marcel Tisserand, yet now he is reportedly able to speak to other clubs about a move.
      And although Middlesbrough manager Garry Monk came out and reaffirmed that his club do not need to sell star defender Ben Gibson this summer, you wonder whether the former Leeds boss is looking at defensive reinforcements in case a sale is forthcoming.
      And although Tisserand failed to inspire Ingolstadt to safety last term, he’s clearly well regarded given the calibre of clubs in for him, and these recent developments suggest that his departure from the 2. Bundesliga side is becoming increasingly inevitable

  23. Sheffield Utd have advised fans that 550 tickets will be available for purchase from the away ticket office at the Riverside tomorrow.
    Common sense approach to dealing with fans.

  24. Ian
    I agree having spoken with Bob, I am a little more understanding and less critical of MFC’s efforts than I have been previously and now have a better understanding of the difficulties they have encountered and the efforts they have made.
    I nevertheless am disappointed that I will not be watching Boro live as much as I had hoped when the EFL made there announcement back in April.
    As far as the EG is concerned I think many of us are visiting their site less and less which is sad as they are one of the icons of the area along with MFC and ICI.
    “Video killed the radio star” could premium Boro be the killer of the EG’s relationship with MFC! 😎

  25. Sadly Leo has left the building, I wish him well for the future and thank him for his passion for Boro which I believe he will always have.
    Come on BORO.

  27. At last a gazette article in entirety rather than a dozen paragraphs scattered leaked over several pieces and days.
    The fact it was about Leo leavings as expected showed a bit of respect.
    Good luck Leo.

  28. Lovely article, Simon, and some splendid memories from ’74.
    But come on, RR. I’m one of your greatest fans, but after 43 years, surely it’s time that you changed those bathroom tiles.

    1. Len
      I meant the 2008 Man City game. If the tiles were 43 years old I would be admiring them as vintage, a tasteful style statement in a desperate and forlorn attempt to convince Mrs Red that they were de rigueur.

  29. Excellent read, Simon (again).
    The balance between results and entertainment is a tricky one and something I’ve written about on Untypical and possibly here too.
    To my mind, there are a very select few clubs who demand both results and entertainment – perhaps only Real Madrid, Barcelona and possibly Man Utd and Liverpool. Maybe Bayern.
    There is another group who only need results. Teams like Chelsea for instance.
    The vast majority need a balance. Some clubs, Spurs for instance, are higher on the need for a style of play/entertainment than most. Clubs like ours are rarely, if ever going to challenge for major honours. Therefore there is little point in pursuing results at all costs – we can’t have them. We need some entertainment, chiefly in the form of goals and tangible effort.

  30. Ken
    Wherever you are, some cricket news.
    We beat the old enemy at Headingley by 19 runs, 182 v 163.
    Tim Bresnan took 6 for 19 and hit the stumps for a run out. Now up to third in the table. Weather appalling, rained most of the time, absolute downpour as we bowled out the people from the dark side.
    Good spell by Rashid as well.

    1. That was a great spell by Brezza, and quite some run-out. Really, the football season starts a month too early. That’s probably the reason for all the rain.

  31. I know I have been missing in action over summer so apologies. No excuses just enjoying the glorious weather.
    A great article Simon and yet again puts the Gazette to shame.
    I too remember being at the 8 0 game with my Dad. Still have the Pink Un from the day. Thought that things would only get better and I guess overall they maybe have if you look at the big picture, a new stadium, European final, big stars. However, I am not sure the game is any better with all the ridiculous money being bandied about for prima donnas.
    Can’t make tomorrow – ticket bought for Tuesday though to see the the New team!
    Forecast is for a 2 0 win for Boro on both occasions.
    U T B

      1. Indeed but hopefully more enjoyable than last season!
        The talk in my office is that automatic promotion will be between Villa Wolves and us so fingers crossed!

  32. Some more late cricket news – and I mean a couple of glasses of red late…
    Apparently, for whatever reason, Jiminy is wishing upon a star – though it appears to make no difference to who you are when you do this but it seems to be based on the theory that it makes your dreams come true (not sure if this has actually been scientifically proven) – however, this may not be true at all as I understand he’s started hanging out with a compulsive liar who claims to be a boy made out of wood? Anyway, it all sounds very confusing.
    Which probably may explain why I’ve never taken cricket too seriously…
    BTW I guess it probably won’t work if it’s cloudy!

  33. Werder
    I can see your nose growing with twigs and leaves sprouting or maybe you are getting Vic like. Are you Vic in disguise? No, too rational for that.
    Any attempt to end proper Middlesbrough/Yorkshire talk will be met with Trump like ‘Fire and Fury’. Or we can sulk, more likely than a pre-emptive strike, a Mogga sit back and wait is more likely.
    I understand why some people don’t like cricket, sitting around for hours waiting for something to happen must be frustrating, it must be like watching Boro, Sunderland, Stoke and West Brom.
    On the plus side, you can sit, drink and watch the game alongside fans from the opposition, low key stewarding. You can even fall asleep without being prosecuted.
    Personally, I can watch most sports but horse racing is a struggle.

      2. Werder
        You must lead an interesting love life dressing up in leotards and balancing on a beam whilst exerting yourself!
        The mind boggles it really does !!!

  34. As an overseas supporter, my main wish is to watch games live or in full replay and MFC choosing not to make that available is really annoying (stronger language deleted out of respect to the blog).
    MFCs response also makes no sense as I seem to be able to go to the Burton Albion site, register and buy a match day pass for next week for A$9 (it even knows where I am and the currency). Thus, the stream exists and the only conclusion seems to be that MFC haven’t worked out what to do with it.
    Lewis Baker sounds like a quality signing. My only concern is whether he will stand up to the physical demands of the Championship.
    UTB

    2. Lewis Baker is a big over 6’1″ lad who can take care of himself
      It was quite a coup for
      The Boro to sign him
      I’m sure he will be
      Able to take care of himself
      He is genuinely two footed and likes to take free kicks and penalties
      Look him up on you tube

  35. It sounds as if Lewis Baker has the skillset, Billog. Let’s hope he can thrive in the Championship, if he can a big piece of the jigsaw is in place.
    On the subject of centre halves, GM has said that it would take ‘an exceptional offer’ for us to sell Ben. As far as I know, Ben has not made a definitive statement to say he is staying. Which suggests he could still go, and if rumours of City being interested – the ultimate exceptional offer specialists – anything could still happen. It would make sense if we are actively pursuing two players.

    1. Baker sounds like a good edition based on his reviews – though to be honest I don’t recall actually seeing him play. I noticed that the club have announced a season-long loan rather than the two-year deal previously touted – perhaps we’ll have an option on him if we get promoted? He’s also just signed a new five-year contract with Chelsea so they must rate him. He could prove to be a key player if he is able to distribute the ball from midfield – he may also hopefully get the ball off Clayton for set pieces!

  37. I am going to dive into the comments left above, with a cup of tea. But first, I must just say I have read the Premier League is now outlawing intricate grass-cut pitch designs. There are a number of things wrong with football and the Premier League. That one comes about 8,967 out of 10,000. Premier League bosses – ignoring what matters!

  38. Werder
    Re your post at 6.55, as always you make pertinent and very valid comments.
    Do you want me to pass them on or are you happy to take forward with Bob at Bob.Tait@mfc.co.uk?
    Perhaps if more supporters contact him the more he may take on board the message that to us less is more and not providing the service diminishes the brand in our eyes.
    Despite all that has been said, I remain convinced that they see overseas supporters as a minor and insignificant part of the fan base. As such they are unwilling to spend significant resource both monetary and time and effort on a service which may only be available to us for one season. Clearly they are not going to come out and say that but instead are trying to dress it up another way.

  39. Werder
    Ps. Thanks for the link to the Burton match. I had already registered but like Allan had been searching the site and unable to locate how I booked the match day ticket – all done now thank you. 😎
    1-1-1-1-1
    🔴 No problem KP and as a keen observer of all things binary, I’m pleased to tell you that was the 11,111th comment since we started – Werdermouth

  40. I have no idea how Boro will play today. I don’t intend to predict the result, for fear of “putting a jinx on it” (though that particular tactic didn’t exactly help last weekend, did it? I might have to review the situation in a few weeks).
    However, I am confident in saying that this season SHOULD be more fun, more entertaining, and with more chance of seeing Boro wins and Boro goals than last season. It will be interesting to see some of the new signings and, although I understand the mantra that “it will take time for the new squad to gel”, unfortunately the league season has now started.
    If there are 46 games to play each season, and we don’t get started until maybe 5 or 6 games are under the collective belt, are we confident that we are good enough to give the other competitors a head start and still overhaul them? Points count towards the total just as much if they are gained, or lost, now as if they are gained or lost at the end of the season. Get them in the bag. Build some momentum. Hopefully other teams will play Boro seeing that we are on a roll, and therefore the other teams will be apprehensive whilst we are confident. Give it a go, lads!

    1. PLeased to report that my good friend Andy Campbell starts work today at MFC as a match day host
      He knows a lot about the football scene including the Northern League and is well worth listening to .
      Hope he’s not having a lie in tomorrow when I’m cutting our lawn!

  42. Hello all.
    Sorry about the delayed post. Overwhelmed by your positive responses to my latest piece. Many thanks.
    The central inspiration was Andrew Glover’s great Ayresome Gates blog, “Home is mainly where the dross is”, though Roy Keane’s two books, Len, NikeBoro, PP, Wiggy’s Mate and (yes) Spartak all played their part. Among others. I have to commend NikeBoro, PP and Len especially for standing their ground after the Bournemouth 0-0 even though their dismay seemed kind of illogical at the time.
    One point that missed the piece – or maybe I mentioned it, I don’t know – is that age and cynicism do play their part. NikeBoro once said RobboBoro were never the same even after they came back up in 1998. One reason is, in my view, that times had changed. In 1997 people had woken up to something Fergie had known for years – you couldn’t sustain success at the top without the right foundations and character. Back then we marvelled and were entertained by the cavalier styles of RobboBoro, KeeganToon and EvansPool. So close to survival, cup triumphs and the title respectively – but in 1995-6 and 1996-7 they never won a thing. A fan said at the time that United were “spoiling it all by playing like a team who understood tactics.”
    But then came the Wengerlution. And the European Technocrats – Houllier and Rafa – took over at Liverpool. Many loved, and I still love, the former. But while the latter were certainly more admirable, organised and solid, something had died in the team. Naïveté, perhaps?
    Then there is the Riverside. Back in the 1990s it was space age, state of the art – now everyone has a stadium like that, if not better. What once symbolised a revolution has turned more routine, more humdrum – and no one manager is to blame for that.
    Either that or the internet and saturation coverage hadn’t taken hold like they now have. What’s often ignored from those “golden years” are the dire displays for most of 1996-97 or that horrendous Reusch kit Gary Walsh was wearing in January ’97. Selective memories, huh?

  43. BRIGHTON SET TO SIGN SCHELOTTO
    Brighton are set to beat Middlesbrough and Sunderland to the signing of Sporting Lisbon defender Ezequiel Schelotto, reports The Sun.
    Did anyone know we were looking at this defender ? If not it just shows we do not know what is going on in the background.
    Come on BORO.

  44. The Ezequiel Schelotto connection is possibly one of those links that MFC may have been annoyed about regarding leakages. If we are/were interested in Schelotto then the cats out of the bag or it just may be cheap journalism making assumptions. If the Sun is met with an MFC banning order then we can assume that there was a serious interest.
    On the injury front Braithwaite pulled a suspected hamstring or similar in midweek at Rockliffe and Ayala also had a bit of a hobble so both may be 50/50 for this evening.
    The Baker loan is good business if he produces the form and ability that it is suspected he possesses. I know that Chelsea fans were disappointed to see him sent out again and not retained so that probably in itself, albeit very unscientifically, augurs well.
    The Gazette seem to have got a bit of a coup with their Leo interview which is what I thought they would be doing now that there is a glass wall between themselves and MFC. At least we now know for definite that he has left and I wish him all the best. He was the best Cheerleader from the touchline we ever had and whilst not always everyone’s cup of tea he was passionate, driven and never ever gave anything less than 100% and showed that he cared.
    He will long be remembered fondly by the majority and his eccentricities although I’m sure will be equally remembered by those who viewed him as a loose cannon. Its quite possible that ten years from now he will be the only thing we do remember with a smile from the past Premiership season. Wherever he goes I hope he does well and wish him all the best.

  46. OFB – Interesting that Downing is back training with the first team – I wonder if he’s being considered as an option for the number ten position with Braithwaite doubtful? Or perhaps he’s being earmarked for set-piece duties – one good free kick might encourage Harry to sign him up…

    1. The Braithwaite injury at the time before diagnosis was rumoured to be a couple of months. Bad luck if true for both Player and Club but we have plenty of depth up front to cope. The Downing story being back in training may lend credence to playing that central role which with two from Fletcher, Bamford or Assombalonga to pick out could be interesting.

  47. Looking forward to seeing the match tonight. I have a good feeling about it and expect the crowd to be up for it and inspiring the players from the go.
    If we get a goal in first 25 minutes or so, I expect we will grab 3 or maybe even 4 for no return.
    There you go, foam fingers to the mast.
    Maybe just shy of 30000 in the ground and all but 2500 of them going home rocking!!

      1. Odds on that they’re still watering the pitch, though!
        On that issue, I think it’s odd that the rules permit the watering of the pitch during half-time. I mean, it’s not as if, during the 15 minute break, the searing heat of the English sun is going to scorch the grass and dry the pitch out after the first 45 minutes. Altering the surface during the course of a match could result in skulduggery. Imagine putting LOADS of water in the other team’s penalty area in the hope of 2nd half mistakes…..

  51. What the farmers in your part of the world (Spain, Bahrain) would do for the rain we are having here – tanking it down but not the Biblical sort of deluge that causes floods……? Good for the plants.

      1. Got a video of a short lived deluge in Riyadh, in a Feb. Part of the roof gave way in a major mall and water gushed inwards drenching the fruit & veggie section of Carrèfour.
        Also, bridge across a section of motorway to Damman collapsed. Flooding occured in numerous places, whilst some drown coz they were afraid to get out of their cars.
        Jeddah’s worse as flash floods race down streets sweeping people away. There’s little or no drainage system across the whole kingdom.
        Like!

  52. I noticed last night that Arsenal were without Per Mertesacker and Laurent Koscielny against Leicester yet Chambers still didn’t get a sniff. I know Palace were linked with him along with other Prem sides but I’d be tempted to test Arsene out and the lad himself with a decent offer.
    Lets face it our expenditure this summer so far is almost balanced so a big splurge at CB would not only strengthen where we need to but also put another piece in place for continuity should we go back up. I guess a major stumbling block would be the Championship wage structure after relegation.

    1. I’m with you on that RR. I think that would be a solid investment to make and if the lad is not getting a game at Arsenal he might fancy being first choice in a side that looks like it should be on the up.

      1. A big “loan fee” up front with a pre agreed fee should we go up and a chunk of his wages up to the current Club Championship level without causing unrest. Of course the “loan fee” can be factored and weighted to suit all parties.

  53. Forever Dormo
    Re your 2.35 post but have you made any allowance for the effect of Boro’s blistering pace of passing has on the pitch! On no that’s other teams we just do slow slow slower unless of course the Monk has changed their habits – we shall see!🤣
    CoB 😎

  54. RR
    Agree with you on Chambers and posted similarly a few weeks ago when I said the club needed to back up their intent by investing wisely and a deal of some sort for Chambers coupled with hanging onto Ben would go a long way toward that.
    We have since had the big spend in attack and now need to address the back line.
    The overall net spend is still very modest so It should be doable if Arsenal and Chambers are willing.

  55. Anyone believe Chelski or (god forbid) ‘the Pool’ might come sniffin after Ben Gibson given their current plights defensive like – like! like! like!
    Bids starting at £35 000 000. Come on gentlemen, who would like to start us off?
    🙂

  57. Well at least we can’t be accused of being fair-weather supporters on here! Though for some reason my arrival in most places is usual a portent of freak weather – two separate visits to Ayres Rock were greeted with ‘you’re lucky to see rain as it’s a rare event’ – plus a trip to the Barrier Reef was cancelled due to the imminent arrival of an out-of-season cyclone. On a trip to Nepal I was holed up in Kathmandu for three days waiting to go trekking in the Himalayas by a later than normal monsoon storm finding its way up the Bay of Bengal and causing out-of-season heavy snow. Another trip to Australia got aborted in Germany when the power lines were brought down in mid-train journey as a hurricane hit in march – we were rescued and had to sleep overnight in school gym in the middle of nowhere and naturally missed our flight. We were also evacuated from our hotel in the middle of the night on the southern German border on another holiday as 24 hour rain caused the local river and lake to breach their banks. A winter holiday in Morocco was restricted to staying mainly indoors by seven days of torrential rain. Not to mention abandoning our tent in Florida as an alarm for a tornado warning was issued. I could go on but I don’t want to have my passport confiscated!

  58. Ian and Forever Dormo
    Well, I did manage to get the cricket results, and read about Yorkshire’s win last night including Bresnan’s fine bowling and Leaning’s catch, but what about the batting in the County Championship – relegation imminent?
    However, I’ve recorded the match, Castleford’s win last night (only one point needed from five matches for their first League Championship in 91 years which should also please Bresnan – a Cas fan), and Boro’s match tonight, and will watch all three matches when I return home next week – how sad is that?
    At the moment I’m in Mayrhofen (would rather be following Boro’s match on the web site), and what a depressing village it is in the rain! The people look so miserable, that I reckon they can’t wait for the winter to get on the ski slopes.
    Battery now getting low, so will hope to contribute to this forum later.
    Good luck, Boro.

  59. Werder
    I remember the wife tellin me of her ‘journey’ down High Street West in Coatham on her way to church – Sacred Heart if u must know. She told me the wind was so strong she couldn’t take one step forward.
    At Saltburn in Dec I went with my daughter down to the pier and the wind was so strong we had to shout at each other to be heard.
    And there’s more… to the story!
    Like!

  60. I am not a fan of Wimbledon style of football BUT.
    If you pick Gestede alongside Assombolonga and Bamford then get a throw in towards their corner flag why on earth play tippy tappy all the way back to your own goalie?

  64. Work in progress – hard work in progress + a friendly linesman.
    A typical Boro display – but it ever was the same and that’s what we love about our team – not!
    Bring on Burton.
    CoB

  65. Was never a free kicks anyway, and there was fouling going on all over on the corner.
    I’d like to say more, but a win is a win.
    Forshaw was rubbish, infact nothing came from the midfielder at all really,it was more Christie and Bamford being effective.

  66. Agree KP, still very much a work in progress. Thought movement of front three was good first half. Howson and Forshaw were disappointing. My MOM was Fry, followed by Clayts and Christie.
    Can only get better, I hope.

  68. Well what did I find out today ?
    Braithwaite pit for 6 weeks
    Bamford has a thigh strain doubtful for Tuesday.
    French Frank there today he’s been around since Friday now acts as an agent
    Thought Baker looked assured when he came on and played some balls forward
    George looked ruffled at times
    Forshaw didn’t impress me
    Bamford MOM never stopped running and creating chances
    Britt covered a lot of ground and was unlucky when he hit the post

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