| Sheffield Wednesday | Middlesbrough | ||
| Wallace | 30′ | Howson Shotton |
71′ 83′ |
| Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls |
45% 11 5 4 15 |
Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls |
55% 13 4 4 5 |
Howson Shot on target
as boo boys seal the points!
After Werder’s brilliant Christmas blog opener this game was always going to be a big ask to try and usurp on entertainment value alone. As it was the build up to this game was perhaps less Dickensian and more the mood of an Edgar Allan Poe tale with two adversaries facing a swinging Pendulum. I doubt “The Bench and the Pendulum” would make a Hammer horror list with today’s generation but both benches would have been hearing that encroaching heavy hiss and swoosh as the air parted above their heads with each sideways pass of the axe. By this stage of an underwhelming season I doubt if either set of fans would be remotely bothered if Charlie Cavalier or Garry Magnolia’s fate would be decreed by the random swing of the axe this afternoon, win, lose or draw. Any festive spirit in evidence was as a consequence of being consumed en-route to the ground for this mid table sack race.
The line-up surprisingly saw Shotton returnwith no sign of Fry and Ayala on the bench. My guess was that Shotton’s experience and physical bulk was brought in to deal with the threat of the giant Nuhui. No Clayton or Traore on the bench seemed to ask more questions from the Boro faithful than provide answers to Garry Monk’s mind.
Boro enjoyed the opening first few minutes before a handful of Wednesday corners seemed to turn the tide. Boro started to work their way back into the game with a series of slick interplay and passes working their way up the pitch with Downing, Bamford and Braithwaite linking up well. Fabio gave away a strange free kick presumably for handball but it looked more like he was shoved. The resultant free kick on the quarter hour mark sailed way over Randolph’s bar. The best opportunity of the game fell to Bamford when Downing set up Christie who came inside beating the offside trap and from 6 yards out Paddy inexplicably headed it straight across the goal when hitting the target was easier.
Downing was scythed down by Pudil as he rounded him but the resultant free kick came in low and wasn’t really a threat. Grant tried a 25 yard shot that was weakly hit and deflected but still required Wildsmith deputising for Westwood to get down to his near post. With the game entering twenty four minutes Boro looked to be the better of the two sides but nothing to show for their efforts and possession. An opportunity lost by Bamford and Assombalonga saw Wednesday break but Hooper was thwarted by Randolph as the home fans started to vent their disappointment.
Just as Boro looked to be getting a foothold the Owls teased us out then broke down their left getting in behind us with four red shirts chasing the cross leaving Wallace completely unmarked and impossible to miss as he blasted it past the stranded Randolph. Poor dysfunctional defending yet again highlighting just how disorganised this Boro side are defensively, totally bereft of confidence. As Boro tried to get themselves back in the game Britt was dragged down by Palmer on the edge of the 18 yard box, despite Britt’s penalty appeals the Ref rightfully deemed it outside. Despite a seasonal pantomime in deciding who was going to take the free kick between Braithwaite, Leadbitter and Downing it was eventually Downing who skied it well over much to the merriment of the Home fans.
A Howson effort moments later also sailed over the bar then a Braithwaite chance fell to Assombalonga who couldn’t get his reward as his shot was blocked to go out for a corner which Downing fired in but Britt couldn’t connect with. Just before half time Braithwaite fed in Bamford then to Howson but the move came to nothing. Despite their goal to the good Wednesday still looked very vulnerable as Boro enjoyed the greater of the possession yet we couldn’t find a way through their backline. A Wednesday break after Howson lost possession saw an attack which Randolph required Gibson’s interference to spare his blushes. Another late Wednesday effort came to nothing just as the half time whistle went as the travelling army let their feelings be known as the sides departed the pitch.
No changes from either Manager at half time as Boro came out first as the game meandered into a slow start. Nuhui went close early on but fortunately the quality of his attempt was up to par for the game as a whole and went well wide. A Fabio cross on fifty four saw Braithwaite collect a knock down from Britt via Bamford but his attempt was straight at the keeper. A Bamford run then saw him brought down providing another free kick opportunity which Braithwaite despatched into the Leppings Lane lower tier as was now becoming the norm for the game and the disgruntled away fans held their collective sore heads in their hands.
False Boro hopes were quickly dented as Britt manged to put the ball in the net only to be ruled offside as he slid in too early on 60 minutes. Marvin Johnson was readied for Braithwaite three minutes later as GM tried to rescue something from the game as ex Boro man Jacob Butterfield came on for the Owls goals scorer Ross Wallace. As the game succumbed to a scrappy series of attack and defend (poorly) a quick Randolph throw out to Christie saw Boro break away and as the ball came into the box Bamford was brought down for a clear Penalty which Grant then took an eternity lining up, eventually hitting it waist high straight down to Wildsmith’s right. Just as Wednesday fans were celebrating their stand in keepers save a Fabio cross was cleared out to Howson who volleyed it straight back at Wildsmith through a crowded box who this time failed to keep the shot out with Paddy and Britt closely shepherding it in. 1-1 and Boro were back in it with twenty minutes to go.
Johnstone went down with cramp after a run into the Boro box and bizarrely Boro generously allowed the ball to go out for treatment. I’m not sure that a club in our predicament can be that generous, just as well they didn’t have me to face when they left the field of play as I think I would be less than sporting when I opined my seasonal thoughts of good will to all men. That one moment I felt summed up what is so very wrong with this side, too nice for their own good. As the game entered the last ten minutes the Owls looked knackered but still Boro struggled to break them down. Balls were fizzing about and being put into the Wednesday box as we looked to have far greater levels of energy but we still weren’t troubling Wildsmith. Joao came on for Pudil as Carvalhal tried to change things as Gestede was also readied by Monk to enter the fray.
Just as Gestede came on for Paddy at a corner Shotton came up for the same set piece and managed to bulldoze his way through the box to get his head first to the ball putting Stewey’s corner kick into the top far corner. In fairness to Shotton he hadn’t been outstanding but ploddingly effective all afternoon as he dealt with Nuhui which is something that a long and growing list of Boro CB’s have all failed to do. Six minutes to go, Boro 2-1 up and now Jordan Rhodes comes on for Wednesday along with that horrible “Typical Boro” feeling.
A few frantic moments ensued as the Owls threw everything they had left in their tired legs at Boro. Tavernier was brought on for Downing to run the clock down and put some more zest into the Reds attack. Just afterwards the 4th Official held up the board with a ridiculous five minutes on it. Hooper and then Rhodes fluffed their lines as Wednesday pushed forward and Boro’s defending was less than clinical again. A Tavernier break saw Gestede and Howson supporting as the ball was ran into the corner flag by scorer Howson after Rudy failed to get off his shot. Seconds later came the relief as the whistle went for the end of the game and the exhausted Boro players huddled and celebrated with each other.
The result was more important perhaps than the manner of it and whilst there were some very good passages of play the game for a Boro fan was frustrating to watch made worse by the fact that Wednesday were so poor themselves. As it happens two of the hitherto Boo boys sealed the Victory and whilst Stewy for me was MOM (yet again) Shotton generally had a steady, strong game and to his credit score the winner, perhaps that was just the tonic he needs to kick-start his Boro career. Three points are three points albeit against another lower placed side but whilst we will happily take them it was far from convincing caused mainly by poor defensive awareness. Avoiding defeat today was the main objective at all costs so on the basis of that it was mission accomplished.
Is the season of goodwill over for Monk?
Saturday’s game sees the halfway point in a season that has failed to deliver anything other than a bleak mid-winter for Boro supporters. It had all promised to be quite different after the summer break, many of us had thought we’d been gifted an early Christmas present by our own Magi of Middlesbrough, Steve Gibson, as he made a pledge to bankroll the assembly of the best team in the Championship. Following the grimmest of bad fairytale endings to our long-awaited Premier League return, our spirits were lifted by the promise of a Boro team on song as Gibbo proclaimed “Tis the season to be jolly” – though we’d got confused in all the hype and it turned out it was indeed just the festive one and not the football season he was talking about.
However, we are still waiting for all the joyful Fa la la la la la la la la’s that were expected to follow in what is now a stuttering spluttering of a season. Not for the first time has the anticipated product delivered on the pitch failed to be as advertised – or did we just neglect to read the small print or spot the asterisk claiming terms and conditions apply. Perhaps in all the excitement of seeing selfie addict Neil Bausor pictured grinning with the latest big money signing, the chairman’s aspirational nonsense talk lead to misplaced over-exuberance on our part. Indeed, to make matters absolutely clear I almost expected to see a Steve Gibson advent calendar launched with ‘I didn’t say we would smash the league’ written behind every door rather than treats.
With each passing week it’s looking less and less likely that there is any kind of painstaking gelling process being engineered behind the scenes. Last week, as the Christmas period approached, Boro put on a naivety play and were made to look less than stable for crucial periods amongst Millwall’s burdensome beasts. Garry Monk struggled to identify one let alone three wise men despite seeing many of his players bearing gifts, which were badly received by the Boro faithful who were left feeling galled and frankly incensed. Sadly the gift of mirth was missing from the comedy of errors on display and few now believe the Boro manager is a rising star to follow to the desired destination.
After losing four of their last six games Garry Monk cannot afford to preside over yet another self-inflicted defeat otherwise he could be having quite a ding-dong with the Boro hierarchy as they contemplate sending him merrily on his way. Boro are at the point where Monk has pared down his squad to those who he trust to pick and there seems few options left to see any radical change in fortunes. As his chosen few continue to make errors it hard to return back to those who he’s already deemed incapable. The only solution put forward seems to be work harder and avoid making mistakes but the worry is that there is an overall absence of leadership on and off the pitch as the shapeless season drifts on.
Our latest opponents are also looking short of what they were expecting to see and Carlos Carvalhal is under pressure to improve matters. Sheffield Wednesday have struggled to win games this season and have become draw specialists as they’ve offered less threat without the injured Forestieri. However, some Boro fans will be expecting inevitable goals from their former players – Jordan Rhodes will no doubt be keen to prove a point as will Adam Reach, who is the kind of left-sided option that Boro appear to be missing. Also among their ranks is former Boro midfielder Jacob Butterfield and it will be interesting to see how he fares in the ensuing battle.
Although Carvalhal has claimed to have done plenty of homework on Boro, the good news is that he has appeared to have copied it from a dodgy site on the internet. His conclusion was quite amusing to read as he declared he does not think there is much difference in the styles adopted by Monk and former boss Karanka. He continued with “They’re a solid team. Most of their players played last year in the Premier League and they were promoted two years ago”. With such pre-match analysis I’m now beginning to understand why the Owls are languishing in the bottom half of the table.
| Sheffield Wednesday | Middlesbrough | ||
| Carlos Carvalhal | Garry Monk | ||
| P22 – W6 – D9 – L7 – F26 – A27 | P22 – W9 – D5 – L8 – F28 – A22 | ||
| Position Points Points per game Projected points |
15th 27 1.2 56 |
Position Points Points per game Projected points |
10th 32 1.4 67 |
| Last 6 Games Wolves (H) Norwich (A) Hull (H) Reading (A) Ipswich (A) Bristol City (H) |
F-T (H-T) 0:1 (0:1) L 1:3 (1:0) L 2:2 (0:1) D 0:0 (0:0) D 2:2 (0:0) D 0:0 (0:0) D |
Last 6 Games Millwalll (A) Ipswich (H) Bristol City (A) Derby (H) Birmingham (H) Leeds (A) |
F-T (H-T) 1:2 (0:2) L 2:0 (1:0) W 1:2 (0:0) L 0:3 (0:1) L 2:0 (2:0) W 1:2 (0:1) L |
Many supporters initially had great expectations for the season but they have now witnessed the team fall on hard times as we wait for our mutual friend, Steve Gibson, to get his bleak house in order. Before I continue with this analogy, I should warn you that Martin Chuzzlewit is literally not a promising Dutch midfielder on Boro’s radar this January window – nor is David Copperfield the playmaker magician waiting to fill the sulking boots left by Gaston Ramirez. Though as Christmas Eve approaches, there is perhaps a Dickensian tale to tell that may, or may not be about to materialise before the very eyes of the Boro chairman…
This festive story begins with a rather tired but pensive Steve Gibson, suitably attired in his club-shop MFC-monogrammed onesy, climbing into his four-poster bed at Rockliffe Hall. As he contemplates the importance of the Boxing Day visit of the Trotters from Lancashire, he is unaware of the Ebenezer-style ethereal visions about to visit him. The first apparition to appear is the Ghost of Promotions Past, an androgynous figure of indeterminate age in a white robe with a strange blue band across his chest that bear the large and meaningless words of ‘Ramsdens Currency’. The ghost takes a rather astounded Gibbo by the hand and then flies with him over Teesside and first shows him the padlocked gates of Ayresome Park as a warning of the times when money was scarce, before revealing a vision of his younger self celebrating promotion with Bryan Robson not only once but twice. They both enjoyed the thrill of spending money in these earlier times and he let Bryan buy whatever he asked for – though both of them loved to see exciting players and they rarely thought about buying defenders back in those distant care-free days.
However, Gibson also remembered how his friend Bryan couldn’t make his dream come true but he found it too hard to tell him it was time to say goodbye. The spirit then showed Bryan as an official ambassador to Manchester United stood next to Alex Fergusson – his friend had finally found true happiness with his old bigger club. After this vision, Gibson pleads with the spirit to show him no more, to which the spirit replies: “These are the shadows of things that have been. It is what it is, do not blame me!” Gibson wondered why the spirit was talking like Mogga and it made him feel sad as it reminded him of a time when he was much meaner with his money – but as he turned around to speak the spirit was gone.
Next to visit the Boro chairman was the Ghost of Promotion Present, he spoke in broken English and had dark slightly curled hair. He came as a messenger from someone special and wore a scabbard with no sword to represent that he offered no threat – especially to the opposition. The spirit once again transports Gibson around Teesside showing him scenes of both celebration and deprivation. He then shows Gibson a vision of his nephew struggling alongside a poor weak tormented soul, both left exposed by an impoverished emaciated midfield “If these shadows remain unaltered by the Future, the promotion dream will die”.
The spirit finally reveals to Gibson two weak and confused coaches who he named Ignorance and Want, then warns “Beware them both for they know neither method nor madness but most of all beware Ignorance for on his brow I see that written which is Doom unless the writing be erased”. The spirit said he must now leave for he has just a brief time left and will only remain on the earth until his gardening leave doth ends.
The Ghost of Promotion Present finally disappears at the stroke of midnight, leaving Gibson to face the Ghost of Promotion Yet to Come. As it approaches “like a mist along the Riverside ground”. The Phantom slowly, gravely, silently, approached. In the very air through which this Spirit moved it seemed to scatter gloom and mystery that is so often craved on Teesside. The ghostly figure was shrouded in a deep black garment, which concealed its head, its face, its form, and left nothing of it visible save one outstretched spectral hand and a long scythe held in the other. Gibson stared at the apparition and was transfixed as he wondered if the hooded cloak and scythe was an obvious metaphor that Monk is soon to embark on gardening leave too.
The eerie figure before him does not speak – not even to the local newspaper – but instead reveals a vision to Gibson of three unknown wealthy Chinese businessmen standing in the Riverside director’s box as the crowd applaud them enthusiastically. The spectre then points to another scene of the same crowd a few weeks earlier shouting “Gibson Out! Monk Out!” This is too much to bear for the crest-fallen chairman and he asks the ghost to show if there were any who felt any emotion over his departure. The ghost can only show him a creditor momentarily rejoicing that he has gone, giving the club more time to pay off their debt. A horrified Gibbo pleads with the ghost for another chance to redeem his reputation and “sponge away the writing on the wall”. As he stares in disbelief he asks “How I yet may change these shadows you have shown me, by an altered life!”
Gibson suddenly awakes and finds himself back in the present on Christmas morning – the visions he has seen make him want to transform himself into a better chairman. He vows that from now on he will only give money to those who know how to spend it wisely and never again will he wait until it’s too late to make difficult decisions. His mind is made up, Monk is only getting another six months to show he’s up to the job and he’s having no more than £20m in January to spend on decent League One players – from now on I will will be a different man he thought.
So will the expectations on the players prove too great as the Boro chairman finally begins to wonder what the Dickens is going on as the hard times continue? Or will the Boro supporters finally have a hoot as Garry Monk’s men show the Owls they are no pussycats in their determination not to miss the promotion boat? As usual your predictions on score, scorers and team selection – plus will Steve Agnew leave his garden unattended while pretending to watch his nephew as he plots Boro’s downfall for his new employers?
Sheer genius Werder.
How on earth do you find the time and inspiration?
Amongst it all, my favourite is “naivety” play. It’s just unfortunate that it hasn’t been confined to the Christmas period.
00
0h n0!
UTB,
John
Nice post from AK
Not a day has passed without me thinking about Leo Percovich and his family. I want to send them all of my support and affection at this extremely tough time.
Well done Werder
Hope Gibson has a ding dong with Monk as he’s not very appealing to us all at the moment !
Merry Xmas
Brilliant article. Loved the Dickensian theme, and also the Advent and Christmas references. Are you sure you’re an atheist? Probably better not go there again. But we’ll done, enjoyed the read.
Classic ! Put it in a lock box , for futures present.
Incidentally I meant to say that I tend to go with OTB’s anticipated prediction – the eyes have it 00,
When I watched the “highlights” of last weeks game the commentator stated that Monk had only won 5 out of 23 away games in 2017. Don’t think he will make it 6 on Saturday.
Also the MFC website didn’t have Monk’s Thursday presser to view. Is that significant?
Werder, an absolute tour de force. Witty, perceptive, erudite and clearly crafted with a lot of affection for the subject. I have to agree with Steely, the naiveity play was a stroke of genius from your pen.
Before the Millwall game I observed that we would be lucky to get 6 points from the fixtures up to New Years day. I really am afraid that for once my predictions will be accurate.
I actually think we will do well on Saturday and come away with one of those victories that begins to build up some belief.. I also think Bolton will succumb to the festive atmosphere in the Riverside on Boxing Day. But then I see Villa and PNE knocking all of the Christmas stuffing out of the turkeys in red and white.
So, tomorrow, 2-1 to the Boro, fighting back from a Jordan Rhodes opener laid on by Adam Reach.
I’m talking to Alan Foggon for the Villa game so I might suggest if we’re striggling for him to pull on a shirt(or two he’s a big lad)
Got a few likes on your print of the ladle on Twitter John
Thanks OFB.
UTB,
John
Werder
I think the Xmas spirit it be upon us
Forsooth the missive it hath been verily praised and lauded by the gentlefolk and been despatched to the four corners of the globe
They liketh it
Following on from Werder’s Christmas Carol theme, here’s my festive carol for Diasboro. (I must confess I feel a little bit of fraud with the chorus, but it is all about the heart and not about the cold reality!!)
Best wishes to everyone in here for the festive season and good luck to the Boro for the rest of the football season…
Very good Powmill, I look forward to the audio download from the Diasboro choir!
Powmill
Great Christmas carol and very inventive. Not been called Kenneth since a nipper (I realise it fits the scansion), and flattered to be called “young” despite entering my 9th decade next month.
I should have said thank you to Werder for loading up the image for me, but also thank you for all the kind comments. Very much appreciated.
Now in to this afternoon and 3 points to start the festivities with.
This game has a draw written all over it, which given where we are will be little better than a defeat.
Great piece of writing Werder.
Breaking news from Boro posted this
Morning
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/steve-agnew-joins-aston-villa
Hang on!
Didn’t we post that last week ?
I don’t know, sometimes it’s hard for these guys to keep up with us isn’t it?
Werder,
A great article, I enjoyed it immensely. Saturday well there’s a really tricky one.
Owls 2 – 1 Droopy Lion
Hopefully, with help from Werder and the other half, my Christmas card to you all titled ‘The Pools Panel will sit’ will appear above. If they did sit we’d still lose…
A Merry Christmas and a Happy and healthy New Year to everyone.
UTB,
John
🔴 Merry Christmas to you too John! and I’ve inserted the code reference for your great image. The pools panel verdict may well be a draw on Saturday – werdermouth
Werder
Great idea to use Dicken’s Christmas Carol to parody Boro, I must admit it made a belting read.
Very apt the characters are muppets in my family’s favourite version.
Owls 2 Sleepy Heads 0
Liked the muppet inference…
Another hectic day and just returned from getting the bulk of Christmas supplies in since it appears the shops will be closed for three weeks judging by the panic buying! Anyway, we’re shortly off to visit a Christmas market to get into the festive mood and possibly mull over drinking some Glühwein at the trendy Bar Humbug.
I’d just like to say many thanks for all the comments on the match preview and glad you enjoyed my festive tale – they are all very much appreciated and I’d thank you all individually but I may hog the comments section 🙂
Whilst on the theme of Christmas carols “While shepherds watched their flocks by night” or the alternative version for us cheeky kids at the time “washed their socks by night”, many years ago the Yorkshire minister at my church decided that we should sing the carol to the music of “Ilkley Moor baht ‘at” and it worked really well.
Ian would be lurking!
UTB,
John
A festive treat Werder, especially liked the version of A Christmas Carol. I’m a fan of the black and white Alistair Simm version but my all time favourite, like Ian’s family, is the one with the Muppets. Which seamlessly links to the Boro game on Saturday.
If ever there was a 0-0 this match up has it written all over it. Two teams in a run of awful form with both managers possibly thinking this could be their last match in charge. I see George, Clayts and Shotten, along with Gestede, got some game time mid week for the U23s. Possible inclusion in the squad for Saturday? I’d certainly get Clayts in for Howson and with Ayalas recent performances, or lack of, either Fry or Shotton would do a better job at the minute.
So big decisions to be made by the manager and not least by the chairman if things go horribly wrong again.
Jarkko
Just noticed your question asking which Boro player last scored 4 goals in a league match. As you thought, it was Mickey Burns on 16th December 1978 in a 7-2 home win over Chelsea. I actually have highlights of that match on a video recording as it was shown on BBC Match of the Day.
John Hickton did score 4 in a 5-3 home win against Hull City on 22nd March 1969. Incidentally the last Boro player to score 4 in an away match was Alan Peacock in a 7-1 win at Derby on 29th August 1959.
The last Boro player to score 4 in any match was Fabrizio Ravanelli in a 7-0 League Cup win against Hereford United on 18th September 1996.
Ken, Thanks for conforming that. But was it in December 1978? I remember that result so clearly and always hoped we played Derby more often.
But 1978 – I feel a tad older again. 39 years ago!
Up the Boro!
Tremendous piece Werder again. Incredibly, they get better and better.
I think Monk will pick much the same team as at Millwall and I fear the same result because I can’t see anything happening that is going to produce a dramatic improvement in the performance of the team.
So 2-0 to the Owls with Rhodes and Reach the inevitable scorers and more pressure on Steve Gibson to act.
In the 1980’s I used to visit Hillsborough a couple of times when visiting Boro, too. Mainly if Boro were away much futher away.
Also Wednesday used to have a soft spot in my heard as Sir Jack went there after Boro. And at the time they always used to be a division or two below us. So a kind of favourite another team.
I was at Riverside when Adam Reach made his debut all those years ago. I think he was classed as a left back that time but we saw him more often on the wing. So now again a Owls connection to the Boro.
Anyway, I will go for a 0-2 win. We need to start picking up points now. Ayala and Britt scoring, the first after 21 min and Britt finishing it off on 77 min.
My Thanks to Werder about the blog writing and to Powmill for the poem. Great stuff, chaps.
Up the Boro!
What an amazing seasonal piece, brilliant and thank you Werder.
Seasons greetings to all Diasboro readers/contributors but especially to our editorial team of Werdermouth, Redcar Red, OFB and Simon.
Wishing everyone an enjoyable and festive Christmas and a happy and health 2018 to all.
I am very downbeat about Saturday and fear more of the same. Owls 2-0 Boro.
Rhodes and Reach to score! ☹️
Thanks for The mention much appreciated
Reach and Rhodes to score ——-(own goals) amd Boro to win 0 2
OFB,
That really is ho-ho-ho. Odds please anyone and a fiver on it!
UTB,
John
Thanks for the brilliant read Werder. Excellent .
Beautifully done, Werder, and very, very funny. The best post of this and any other year for my money.
Congratulations to Powmill, too, for a Boro carol that works really well.
Tomorrow, 2-0 to the Boro, though I wouldn’t be surprised if Ayala, fancying yet another Christmas at home, gets himself sent off, or repeats a Wolves-type error and is dropped for Boxing Day.
Since every manager in the league knows what our main weakness is- the unmarked extra man on our right-side far post, and the acres of space down our right-hand side, as both Christie and Downing go missing-it’s about time that our manager dealt with it. A cost-benefit analysis of Christie’s forays away from home are starting to reveal that they are not worth it. The lad should stay back and demonstrate what has yet to be proven: that he is capable of defending.
Len I agree but the problem is that I don’t think he is.
Not forgetting the acres of space behind Fabio too…..
Merry Christmas to all.
A special thank you to Werder, RR, OFB, and Simon for a year’s endeavours that have gone well beyond the call of duty, and to every contributor and reader, all of whom help make this the best blog around.
Many thanks Len we all contribute as posters to a brilliant blog
What a fantastic read Weder! I doff my hat to you sir, enjoy the Gluwein!
I am hoping that Wednesday will gift us some presents tomorrow and that Boro dont decide that the joy is in the giving not the receiving. Otherwise Bleak House it is.
I suspect that it will be a 1 1 draw and 1 point towards the 10 we need.
This is a comment from Steven Rennison on facebook ref GM interview on MFC…
I’ve just sat and wasted 21 mins of my life listening to the drivel from the wet blanket that’s our “manager” he repeated the same 3 phrases 8 times in 21 mins he then said the problem was a “fractured dressing room” you have changed the squad you melt
He also said the players left have been drilled in a different way ” you have changed the squad you melt
Boring it’s almost like he has cue cards and phrases he uses over and over no passion flat as a fart
I haven’t really said monk out I’ve criticised our performances even when we win we look terrible
Need someone in with an ounce of personality the only time monk looked bothered was when he was asked about Swansea
I don’t know who the answer is and no doubt Gibson will stick by monk
I was even thinking to myself just to make the press conferences more interesting bring ravenelli in (I know he’s crap and has no track record and nicked someone’s seatee when he left but at least you would see someone who is a tiny bit bothered no emotion from monk nothing
All we have had recently from Middlesbrough social media is videos of when Karanka was manager showing “great performances” and “team goals”
What ever you thought of karanka in the prem he’s double the manager monk is in the championship
Such a shame hopefully monk will go and we can bring someone in that has more charisma than a carrot
I thought his early press conferences weren’t too bad and he seemed quite natural in front of the media but as the season has progressed they’ve appeared more staged and have noticed the constant repetition of a few key phrases – I don’t know if he was sent on a media course or whether someone related to the club has badly advised him on the art of saying nothing meaningful to the media.
I would suggest the latter as I spoke to him at some length early in the season!
(Damn why didn’t I think of the In2Views at that stage !)
Anyway he was very open and talked about everything associated with the club.
No matter what he says I think his confidence has taken a knock. Or he has been worn down by others!
A nice guy, but then so were Tony Blair and David Cameron whom I met and whatever happened ro them??
OFB
Yes, you could have asked him about the weapons of self destruction that the club had been stockpiling…
Bunkered up!
Once again many thanks for all your generous comments that show a true festive spirit exists on the blog – though Len’s opinion of it being his best ever means I’ve already received the best present for Christmas. Anyway, I hope the inspiration will keep coming but when I sat down yesterday to write a preview thankfully Christmas offers many possibilities. Though I would never attempted to fob you all off with a ‘Christmas Special’ in the guise of what seems the staple of TV channels this coming week – Not only are they seldom special but they are just selective repeats edited together to fill up the schedules without thinking that perhaps people may quite like to watch something they haven’t already seen!
So all the best to all the Diasboro contributors and followers this Christmas – thanks to everyone for their continued support and thoughtful contributions – but a special thanks must go to Redcar Red for his remarkable consistently brilliant match reports that he’s produced within hours of the game ending week in week out – it’s an essential part of the blog and we’re lucky he is able to capture the games so eloquently despite the often difficult viewing.
Not forgetting of course OFB and Simon for their continued regular contributions that add an extra dimension to the blog along with Ian, Powmill and Forever Dormo for taking the time to have chipped in and written articles. Though everyone who makes a comment and posts their thoughts and ideas adds to the richness of the blog!
I Hope everyone enjoys their festive celebrations and let’s hope Boro start us off on the right note on Saturday – preferably B sharp rather than A flat performance!
Here here! And to think that this fantastic blog only rose from the ashes less than 12 months ago.
So from this periodical contributer, a very Merry Christmas to all and to a prosperous New Year!
Amd the same to you !
It better being a periodical than an annual !
Here here
And A Here Here too!
Thanks Werder
When you started this journey no one could have foreseen what a resounding success it was going to be
I must confess that my own humble efforts were only an attempt to lighten your load!
Perhaps we should publish these posts
A year in the life of Diasboro…..
We seem to be getting a bit of attention from the media and other blogs these days as they recognise it isn’t a “Typical Blog”. No ranting and raving, no playing the man, no expletives!
Instead we have well balanced, well reasoned posters with erudite and witty comments who as you say all deserve praise.
I too am amazed that RR can produce such accurate match reports and we will have to make sure the G men come looking to hire these loaded guns.
So merry Xmas to all
No bum notes this afternoon
All players sharp
Everyone In harmony
And a chorus of approval
OFB
Great Christmas story – and what narrative to kick off the holiday with.
Today the 23rd is my birthday which has always been the first day of the season for me – presents early if I am luck and this afternoon Bein have obliged with live coverage so no internet for us all at my football birthday bash jus real live commentary.
I hope the contents match the wrapping and that full of Christmas fayre and red wine the show is worth watching.
Happy Birthday
Hope we all get an early Xmas present today!
Have a good one and the best present (which, if you dont mind sharing with us all) would be 3 points!
Now what are the historic results for your birthday game?
What is like to know is where is that damn campervan today??
Anyone know ?
The Campervan? It’s parked on my drive of course.
There you have it 3 points and sadly a goodbye to the manager… he failed to impress right form the start.
Richard Sutcliffe in the Yorkshire Post has written a short story of the life of Chris Kamara, the jovial Sky TV interviewer on “Goals on Sunday”. Although a schoolboy friend of Steve Gibson, he was a staunch Leeds United fan and only played briefly for Boro. Along with Jeff Stelling he is a somewhat of a celebrity on Teesside, and it struck me as a popular prospective interviewee for OFB in the Summer, although on reflection maybe not Boro-orientated enough for Diasboro.
I saw him play for Boro at the end of his career
If he ever comes to the Boro I’ll be there to chat with him as he brings a lot to football
OFB
Amazing blog and very well written. Such insight into the goings on at Middlesbrough. Definitely following you. We write a general football blog at https://threemenandafootball.wordpress.com so will look out for interesting / relevant Boro stories from your site.
Thank you for the comments we have some amazing people on this blog
Thanks also for following us
Steve Gibson is totally to blame for the Steve Agnew situation. When Garry Monk was interviewed for the position he was apparently aware that Pep Clotet wished not to join him at Boro. In my opinion SG should then have made it a condition that he would only appoint Monk if Aggers was to be his assistant – take it or leave it. Despite what SG had said previously about Aggers, he obviously was thick set on appointing Monk ahead of him. With hindsight a big mistake?
I seem to remember at the time of appointing Monk, Neil Bausor was asked about whether he would have an assistant and he seemed to indicate they were still discussing the matter. Whilst it may have been the club’s preferred option, I think it would have been a difficult call to bring in Agnew as Monk’s assistant as the club were looking for a fresh start and obviously Aggers had first been coaching the players in the style of Karanka before trying out some less defensive ideas, which didn’t come off, before reverting back to a more cautious approach.
The other factor was that Agnew had wanted the head coach’s job on a more permanent basis and it perhaps would have left Monk in a difficult position of wondering whether he was adding to his team someone who would necessarily watch his back or end up chatting with Steve Gibson on what how he thought the new man was doing.
It’s also possible Agnew didn’t want to go back to being a number two at Boro and instead preferred to move on – it has sounded like the Villa job had been waiting for the chairman to sanction the move for quite some time.
I think it’s probably right for Agnew to move on at this point as once you’ve been the number one at a club everything else would seem like a demotion.
Whilst Aggers as a number 2 may have helped Boro, my take is that it would have been untenable for all concerned as Weder highlights.
Leadership can be lonely and i suspect GM is struggling with it and not able to bounce ideas off or for the number 2 to question him along the lines of “Are you really sure that (insert dubious plan of choice) is such a good idea?”
If nothing else it would force him to think of a possible alternative which is not happening right now.
Despite my 1 1 prediction, i am hoping to be wrong with a last gasp goal!
Come on Boro
Don’t forget Monk brought in James Beattie to work with him but it is difficult to easily find the club structure on the new website. Managers are able to bounce ideas off their coaching team. I don’t know if an official number 2 would help, it may well do.
Elsewhere Steve Bruce bemoans the trip to Boro next Saturday, there may be many Boro fans doing the same.
First up is the trip to Wednesday, a win for Boro may well see the end of their manager. A win for Wednesday would heap great pressure on Monk and co – that includes the players.
They have to deliver, AV thinks it is largely social media chatter at the moment. From what RR, OFB and others who regularly attend it appears there are mutterings amongst the ranks.
I suspect this blog whilst more restrained is probably fairly close to the general feelings of fans. To many of us on here this is only a small part of our Boro history, we have seen many ups and downs, football didn’t start with the premiership or the Riverside, It didn’t start in 1986 when the new MFC was born.
Many of us on here pre date the Ayresome Angels.
Our current situation is but a passing season in our collective experience. Players come and go as do managers and chairmen and stadiums.
MFC is a corporate entity, Boro is the soul.
Steve Bruce has a point about fans having to travel long distances at this time of year. It should surely be possible for The Premier League and Football League to formulate the fixtures to enable most clubs to play local derbies at Christmas.
However l don’t want to hear managers complaining about having to play 4 matches in 10 days. Before the 1958/59 season teams played reverse fixtures on Christmas Day and Boxing Day often entailing 3 matches in 4 days. New Years Day in those days was not a public holiday except in Scotland and the North East of England, and Boro often brought forward a game to be played on that day also. Easter was just as congested with clubs playing Good Friday, Saturday and Easter Monday also (3 more games in 4 days), and that continued right up to 1971. Incidentally in 1949 Boro won all three Christmas matches – Huddersfield at home and a double over Newcastle. They also won all three Easter matches in 1952 – Aston Villa at home sandwiched between another double over Newcastle all of which I attended. They repeated the feat in 1957 against Sheffield United and a double over Huddersfield.
But just think about Rugby League players who at the time were only part time professionals. In 1947,1952 and 1958 when Christmas Day was on a Thursday, there was a full programme of fixtures that day, on Boxing Day and also on the following Saturday (3 matches in 3 days).
I do not find a link for a match day pass at Sheffield Wednesday website. I can log in iFollow at the Wednesday web page, though but cannot find a link to buy a TV coverage on their match center.
Or should I have purchased the pass yesterday and not on match day? UBT!
Jarkko, It states on the EFL website that Sheffield Wednesday vs Middlesbrough is unavailable to be watched live on iFollow – this means it has probably been selected for live TV by another company – I think Allan said earlier it is being screened live by Bein, which may mean an internet feed for the game may be available on the unofficial channels.
Ok, Thanks for info. I was wondering if it was my internet clamsiness or something. Just wonder why the site does not say so. It just says subscribe from the Match Center. And in there could be a message – now it says the stream is available just before the match starts.
Internet is illogical quite often. Hardly they think us as a customers.
I hope a 0-2 will keep me happy, though. Up the Boro!
I’m currently wrapping Christmas presents with Sky News on in the background, which is ably demonstrating the lack of news by constantly referring to a fire at London Zoo’s cafe, where no person or animal was injured but the news has developed to the surreal statement that ‘an aardvark is currently unaccounted for’ – perhaps the list of missing will escalate as they work their way through the alphabet zoo of animals…
Priceless Werder. I have just read out your post to an assembled throng here and you would have been gratified by the gales of laughter that it produced.
And talk about multi-tasking. Wrapping presents, watching TV, and simultaneously writing a blog must qualify you as the ultimate Renaissance man.
Len,
I said before that he is becoming a polymath!
UTB,
John
Thanks Len – I’ll keep your guests posted on any major developments, though I fear the search for the Zebras may be left until it’s too late!
I hear some leopards have been spotted !
Sadly I’ve just seen the following headline on the BBC website…
Zoo devastated by aardvark fire death
Though the news could get comparably worse as four Meerkats are now unaccounted for…
ITS when we hear that they’ve sighted Noah we know we have problems!
No sign of a big star in the Sky is there ?
Just had a quick look at Monk’s pre-match interview on the Ministry of Truth’s website.
The opening is stilted: a formulaic, largely meaningless response to pre-set questions. But as he gets into his stride, he has some thoughtful things to say about the tension between the demands for instant success and the need for time for players to breathe and develop, particularly given the major changes that have taken place over the past few months. He wasn’t making excuses, he didn’t blame anyone else and he took full responsibility for recent performances. His demeanour when he began was that of a primary school teacher who has just realised that he is actually in charge of a Victorian lunatic asylum, but ultimately he came across as someone who is emerging from a period of severe shock, and regaining some degree of calmness and self-assurance. He’s a thoughtful and reflective guy.
Understandably he is far more articulate than AK ever was, and the Facebook trolling reproduced above contains the kind of comments that the writer would not dare to say to his subject’s face.
Another brilliant Headliner Werder, backed up by the continuous excellent posts as always by the bloggers.
I too would like to add to all the previous thanks given to Werder for setting up the Blog” in the first place and the unstinting support from Redcar Red for his (alive) match reports, OFB for his new Int2views and Simon for his articulate Talking Points.
There are just too many individual posters to mention and not miss any who give this Blog a truly wide-ranging and varied read.
But Len, Ken, Ian, Spartak, Powmill (lovely poem), Forever, KP, GHW,… and the list goes on and on…..who all contribute with some short but profound statements and others with more lengthy reasoned opinions.
And that is what it is all about……Opinions, written in the nicest terms, putting your point of view, but accepting that others have a different one and just may be right. Thank you BoroPhil, Jarkko and Exmil for your posts as well.
So what will it be this afternoon…….the start of an upward climb into the top six or more of the recent same. I for one would like Mr Monk to succeed, whether he will appears to be doubtful at this time. Lets hope that somebody above is smiling down on him and gives him a break. But as much as SD is not my favourite player and would not be in my team….I have to agree when he said the problem is with the players. Or is it with who bought them?
So fingers crossed and lets wish for that much needed win.
Great Post and thank you
Pedro
I apologise in advance for what i am going to say.
When you wish for our manager to “get a break” my heart sinks.
His problems will not be sorted by “getting a break”
The very real fears on this blog are based on the fact that he was employed by Swansea(and failed). A well run club
He was employed by Leeds (and failed) a club desperate to rise.
We employed him after experiencing success under a German coach (after the sheer torture of a series of English ” coaches”)
We have experienced a series of collapses under this man (that is, the game being lost in five minutes, furthermore we knew that the game had gone and was not going to come back anytime soon)
This is not sustainable.
This calls for action.
Like now.
My opinion, and that is all it can be.
This collection of, group, coach, backroom staff, higher management, have lost any sense of who they are, their place in the world of football, and their idea of what is achievable. If that means they are adrift without a rudder, then it does not bode well for them.
Notice that downing is gliding around the field like a class player, does that mean he will be moving in January ( for nothing)?
This afternoon?
I cannot see them standing up to your typical Champ. team, bags of muscle, plenty of running, plenty of aggression. That combination has been more than enough for us many times this season.
Excellent post, Pedro.
Re today’s match.
I am one of the lucky ones (well depending on the quality of the game and result) as I have been able to purchase a match day pass for the game via iFOLLOW.
This is because the EFL does not have a broadcast partner in Spain and when I contacted iFOLLOW earlier in the year they acknowledged this fact and agreed to unblock me so that I can watch matches that are being broadcast elsewhere.
Pedro – not sure if you are aware of this and have made contact with iFOLLOW.
This may apply to other DIASBORO in other parts of the world and may be worth some individuals exploring further. Hope this is of use.
I’ve decided not to follow every minute of the game today. Instead it’s back to the late 1950’s waiting for the music on Sports Report and listening to the results read out in a family silence because dad would be checking to see if he had £75,000 on the Littlewoods. Woe betide you if you spoke.
Then it would arrive: Sheffield Wednesday 2 Middlesbrough, bugger it.
Shades of Michael Bentine’s reading of the Football results it is this evening.
UTB,
John
Same here but I’m with Mrs OFB and two youngest granddaughters at Metro Radio Arena watching Joe Mc in the music Joseph!
They’re word perfect !
I’m looking forward to the words in the song
I CLOSE MY EYES!
A quick look back to March 2017
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-4310434/Stewart-Downing-blazing-row-Aitor-Karanka.html
Can I just add my praise from the dark and wet side of the Pennines to everyone involved with this Blog?
I know we were all traumatised when AV disappeared from Untypical Boro over a year ago, but I’m sure we’ll all agree that this particular Phoenix is much stronger since it rose from the ashes.
Keep up the good work, everyone and a Merry Xmas from rainy Lancashire.
UTB.
So Shotton in the team , hope I am wrong but he does not fill me with confidence !
0-0 at the moment, keep that up when the match actually kicks off.
Shotton ??
Shotton
MOM
Owls of anguish as Wednesday score.
Possession 55% to 45%, shots 6 to 4, on target 0 to 1, score 0 to 1.
Half time, entertaining game according to commentary, losing.
Bamford should really have done better before they scored……..however some woeful final balls inspite of some nice work by SD.
No RB or righ thand CB for their goal. How many times is that now. Mid field poor and Grant getting by-passed time and again.
Need to step up in the second half and the forwards into the game more.
Watching the match on a foreign channel. Boro did’nt fold after the goal and had at least 4 chances to score. Bamford missed a sitter before WED scored.
didn’t **
Managed to get an ‘unofficial’ stream to work after negotiating a few Damian Green style pop-ups and two virus threats. As yet not been rewarded by the score and it could be an uphill struggle for Boro to make a rare comeback. Bamford should have scored first but headed a lovely Christie cross wide when he found himself unchallenged on the penalty spot. Downing has looked Boro’s best again and has been at the centre of our best moves. Christie has looked decent too but Leadbitter has looked a bit sloppy. Again Braithwaite seems to have lost his mojo and it’s not working for him – though Assombalonga has looked a bit sharper than of late.
Wednesday scored from an Adam Reach run and cross that was laid off to be tucked away on Randolph’s right – fairly even game played at a good pace but quite a lot of misplaced passes – at least Boro didn’t collapse after conceding but let’s see if they can negotiate the first five minutes of the second half and find a way back!
O dear me, it doesnt sound good with the same old issues appearing.
Christmas hasnt come early yet!
I will now make a wayward pass in the hope that lurker Gill is around!
nips in
Is the flag up
And another one
Braithwaite been very poor today. Now replaced by Johnson.
A miracle!
OMG, as the youngsters say! SHOTTON puts Boro ahead with about 10 to go. Eeek !
‘Boro in set-piece goal shocker!’
I was there the last time Boro scored from a corner. 1978, I think it was…….
Hadnt seen the live text! Howson makes up for Grants lapse!
Shows how much I know about football ! Shotton scores !
As BB says -now pacing the room in nerves!
Santa delivers a present early with 3 points, only 9 more needed before the decorations come down!
We have turned the corner in darkest winter. Nights are starting to lengthen. And a little matter of three points for the Boro…..
Boro complete a rare comeback and deservedly so – they stuck to their guns and never let their heads drop. I thought when Leadbitter had his penalty saved we were going to be left hanging as it was not going to be our day – but Boro recycled the parried save and 20 seconds later Howson rifled in his first goal for the club thanks to a fumble by the previously hero keeper as the ball dipped in front of him and ricocheted off the turf. Not to be outdone, Shott-gunned a perfect header into the top-left from a Stewy corner to give Wednesday both barrels as the big defender celebrated making only his second start.
A mixture of the good, the average and the ugly but a fistful of festive points means we won’t have a manager with no name in the near future as Monk rides out the immediate storm and stays in the Boro saddle.
If that was bad then good I’m sure I must be the ugly
One of the best matches I have seen on “TV” this season. We played well all match and should have won 1-3. Plenty of positives from this match and a nice Xmas present.
Leads was due to miss a penalty kick – luckily it did not matter. BamBam should have scored as well as Braithwaite – real sitters missed. Three in a match if we include the pen.
Really injoyed the show. Better than the el Clasico a few hours earlier. Even I have the red-tinted specs on.
Happy. Up the Boro!
Watched the match via iFOLLOW as I posted earlier.
Good that we managed to come from behind and win and bank the three points. We did however yet again make hard work of it against a very average team.
We are still not clinical enough when chances present themselves and this was clearly demonstrated in added time. We broke with three against two and instead of playing a through ball into the box the pass was delayed, played sideways and taken to the corner flag by Howson. The correct decision in the end but we should really have had an attempt on goal.
I am not a SD fan but he was clearly influential at times if also somewhat lax with his free kick attempts and some of his crosses but clearly a contender for MOTM alongside Howson and Leadbitter who despite his miss and one or two misplaced passes, battled away all Match long and drove us on.
Need to beat Bolton and Villa if this is to count for anything.
Great to get an away win and good to see the attitude and application of the team was better than last week at Millwall. But the overall performance was still nowhere near the level it should be bearing in mind the time Monk has had to deliver. For me the jury is still well and truly out.
Redcar Red’s match report was already waiting for me after finishing dinner – so here is the story of an early Christmas present from Boro as they wrapped up victory and placed it under the Championship tree…
https://diasboro.club/2017/12/22/sheff-wed-vs-boro/#MatchReport
BTW Good result between Villa and Sheff Utd – a 2-2 draw to keep Boro just three points from the playoffs.
Former West Bromwich Albion boss Tony Pulis is the frontrunner for the vacant manager’s job at Middlesbrough, according to sources close to the manager.
Middlesbrough are searching for a new manager following the sacking of Garry Monk just hours after the win over Sheffield Wednesday.
Pulis, who was sacked by West Brom last month, has been linked with the jobs at Swansea City and Stoke City recently, but Middlesbrough are hoping to lure him to the Riverside.
Former Swansea and Leeds United boss Monk took charge of Middlesbrough in the summer and was tasked with leading them back to the Premier League this season.
However, despite spending heavily in the transfer market Middlesbrough have struggled in the Championship, winning just 10 of their 23 league games to leave them in ninth spot.
Middlesbrough are now ready to turn to Pulis to try and get their promotion bid back on track.
The Welshman, who has also managed Stoke City and Crystal Palace in the Premier League, is keen to get back into management after leaving West Brom and open to the idea of taking over at Middlesbrough.
Monk sacked or a daft rumour?
I know that distance lends enchantment but, watching the match when I woke up this morning, I thought that Boro looked a lot better. They just seemed to be a more dangerous team than in other recent games. Having said that, Braithwaite seems a bit lost at present and Bamford’s first touch seems a bit dodgy at times but Downing really does look like a player renewed. I’m glad that Shotton got his chance and he certainly looked up to the job as a big solid Championship defender. Also glad to see Howson get the reward for his effort. There’s no question, we have the players, they just need to keep their head.
Looking elsewhere, all of the results pretty much went our way except Wolves and I’m happy to see then beat everybody else as we battle the rest. Who’d have picked Cardiff to lose at Bolton. The division could look quite different by the time we get to the FA Cup break. It’s a key time for us. At least seven points from the three games must be the target.
Best wishes to everyone from a very hot Sydney. 30 deg plus expected today. What’s the temperature for you Jarkko?
UTB
Breaking: Boro have parted company with manager Garry Monk. #boro
Web site been hacked looks like fake news
Looks like Monk has gone. Can anyone confirm?
Yes on sky sports news
Middlesbrough part company with Gary Monk on MFC website.
Come on BORO.
So, who is going to be the next manager? Or is somebody already under the Christmas tree?
Questions and more questions.
However it was good to be wrong today.
Utb,
John
Oh well the Monk is no more!
I’m guessing the new man is waiting in the wings.
Tony Pulis ?
I wouldn’t be surprised.
They must have a new manager lined up. It’s the only reason for the timing of the decision to part company with GM.
Let’s not be too sentimental, GM will be very handsomely paid for his short stint. Nice work if you can get it.
After a straw poll of fans i.e. I texted my brother, we’re glad Pardew already has a job, conflicted on Pulis, and would consider Big Nige.
I’m neither glad or sad he has gone. I did feel today’s result was Christmas wrapping paper over the cracks, it appears Steve Gibson agreed. Though I suspect the decision was made prior to today’s game.
The new manager is currently employed until Monday, but then he will have completed his duties.
He’s used to performing small miracles at this time of the year, as thousands of children will attest. His first job will be a dressing room clear out.
Now who’s been naughty and who’s been nice……
So long, Garry A. Monk. I wanted it to work but a lack of identity and any kind of frequent upward momentum played its part. When you’ve been given so much money so soon the best impression to leave is, promotion or not, the idea and feeling that your team is laying the foundations for something big or moving towards something exciting.
Under Monk? We saw neither.
Boro were so appalling in the first half that I turned of the radio believing another defeat against poor opposition. I reckon SG had seen enough and made his decision to sack Monk at the end of the match. The fact that Boro won might have given him second thoughts for a couple of hours, but he’d probably already got someone lined up. I now await Tony Pulis’s appointment after Christmas, probably before the Villa match.
It’s never pleasant to see a manager sacked especially just a couple of days before Christmas but as grovehilwallah says above he will be handsomely compensated. But the reality is that he has not been good enough to deliver the potential the current squad of players should be capable of achieving.
Now, Mr Gibson, please appoint someone with experience, a proper track record and a strong personality to get the Boro to where they have to be. I would like to see Nigel Pearson appointed but I fear it will be Tony Pulis whose ethics and style of play I dislike intensely.
Still, I suppose you can’t have everything, even at Christmas.
I have seen some amazing examples of management from Boro, but, really, this takes the biscuit.
Yes, his time was up, yes he was going to get his marching orders, but after an away win, on the eve of Christmas. “tell me it ain’t so” as some one or other said in some dreadful film.
Looked at under the microscope, it is quite frightening, pointing to a certain lack of joined up thought.
A ruthless and determined management would have had his notice ready for the next defeat (or, of course the last defeat)
This looks like something put together with a bit of glue and sticky paper.
At the time of writing it’s former West Brom boss Tony Pulis who has been installed as the early favourite for the Boro post, with the likes of Nigel Pearson, Paul Clement, and Ronald Koeman all featuring in the betting.
Agreed!
To Plato’s comment that is _ too much red wine consumed
A bit surprised at the timing but the right decision dependant on who is lined up,
SG has some conjones at last!
Sky say monk resigned and it was accepted
Also have him installed as second favourite for the Swans job. I’d better fill my tank up just in case, after all a promise is a promise!
Despite what Sky say I’d be very surprised if Monk offered his resignation following his after match comments. After Pulis’s sacking by West Brom some reports suggested that he was looking forward to spending Christmas with his family, but I think he has already been approached by Gibson and indicated that he would be interested in managing Boro after a suitable break.
Steve Gibson must be very confident that he can entice Pulis to take the job before the Villa match (maybe even a done deal before today’s match) as it would be a big risk to be managerless for such an important game.
I think a lot of people on this site will be happy, until the next manager is appointed, four managers in a calendar year we have now become a sacking club.
Come on BORO.
Well I did not see that coming!!!
Northern Echo has Criag Liddle taking over for Boxing Day match. Seems difficult to believe that SG has not at least got somebody lined up or a list of potential available replacements??
May be AK until the season end??
As suspected by a few on here Agnew’s emergence from the Garden and subsequent travels to Villa was merely the start of a series of events which has now led to the club and GM parting company. GM’s after match interview last week was that of a man drained and out of ideas, the victory today was welcome but not convincing and too little too late.
My wish is that the new man is experienced and knows how to manage a football club both at this level and the next. Anything less than that is not going to cut it, we will no doubt discuss and debate the merits of the new guy but the objective is a purely cold commercial one. Pretty football can wait if needs be if the results say the club is moving forward. Standing still or worse declining is not an option be it with dire or exciting football.
Hopefully this time SG will go with his head and not his heart.
Sat watching a film with the family and a text arrived from JP that Monk has left.
This is all well and good but of more importance is our Christmas Eve buffet, my daughter says we should leave cooking the Ham until Boxing Day. My son says the ham is part of the celebration – last years was the best ever, no pressure there.
Being a diplomat, I suggested we could do without home made sausage rolls or salmon.
Mrs G and the daughter disagreed so I dived in with the judgement of Job (or Ian). If they want certain things then so can my son.
That is now settled, we will have ham, as for Monk, sadly, his time was limited but I thought the win at Wednesday would have extended his stay. I still think that would have only delayed matters, there appears to be confusion in the way we have played.
It is still very sad.
Confused, me too!
In all the posts surrounding developments, we may have missed RRs usual fantastic match review, and having read it, the usual excellent standards are there, so a big thank you and Merry Christmas!
I am sure more will come out in due course although the timing of the news strikes me as slightly odd. Presumably GM had returned to Teesside to be told that his services were no longer required although the club statement of”parted company” is not exactly clear as to who parted with whom.
Anyway, I am sure it will become clear when I am sober!
UTB!
I was going to post that Monk lives to fight another day!
Pulis may now get Ben Gibson without spending 20M.
There will be baseball caps at the Riverside after all.
James Morrison anyone………
Dissapointed. We look like Geordies now or Sunderland. How many managers we have had in 2017? At least four.
I hope the next appointed will be similar to Monk in playing style -I mean we should not start selling over ten players and buying a dosen.
We need continuity above all. How that can be archieved?
I must add that RR knew more than I did. He saw this coming.
Hoping for the best. Up the Boro!
I hope it is not someone met in a loo by accident…..
And that this does not spoil Werder’s Christmas. Now there is plenty to write about …
Up the Boro!
Watched the game on replay this morning. Thought it was a poor quality game, poorly officiated, with Boro marginally the better and Downing head and shoulders above anyone else. But why is he playing on the right. As I watched thought that Monk was trying to motivate /encourage by ESP as he never seemed to be talking or shouting whenever the camera picked him out. At least if it is Pulis or Pearson there will be a little more animation on the touchline.
Or wrestling in Pearson’s case
Have anyone seen RR lately? Oops, he was last seen driving towards Swansea with a Monkey in his car.
But who is the chap he is bringing back with him? UTB!
My favourite for the job is …. Mogga. Bring him back, he likes attacking football and now we have some money to give him.
Or Southgate, or Bilic. I don’t know. But not Pulis – anyway he has two offers on the table on Wales that might keep him busy.
Up the Boro!
It has been an underwhelming six months and ultimately colourless and heading nowhere. Monk had to go and Gibbo will have made his mind up before last night – this is not a case of a few Christmas ales sparking a sacking.
It will not be Pulis though, can’t be. SG has been, rightly, dismissive of the Allardyce, Bruce, Pulis mould before and it makes no sense to turn there now. The whole club needs bringing together and bonding in a Rioch type manner with a shared passion and purpose. Pulis is not that man, he’s a strong but divisive and pig headed bugger. Yes we probably need a man with experience but not a baseball cap attired nob.
And equally, why would he turn to Pearson now when he wasn’t considered in June?
SG invariably goes for a fresh manager, Bilic maybe and we know Gibbo likes his ex Man Utd players. Giggs and Gary Nev?
Not sure on the Pulis connection, isn’t his main claim to fame that he hasn’t been relegated from the Premier League, surely totally different attributes required grinding out draws week after week in the Prem to winning consistently in a competitive Championship. My choice a bit left field but our only foreign manager to date didn’t do to badly so it’s Peter Bosz who has just lost his job at Dortmund, did a great job at Vitesse and Ajax in Holland.
Surprised at the news but enjoyed the match in full HD and with Bien commentary.
We were all in a festive mood and very vocal washing our sore throats with copius red wines, port and tucking inot birthday Pork belly bacon sausage and ribs.
I think the win showed that we are a mid table coaster although with only 3 points adrift from the playoffs a new manager may inject some urgancy into the squad.
We may have to budget for a playoff final and the usual wembley curse.
Anyhow lets see, I think GA would not have been able to get any points from villa so lets see what the squad can do without him.
Another great write-up RR. Thank you. It was strange not constantly checking the score but a relief when I did hear it!
What next? Do we have weeks of chaos and uncertainty or is a manager as good as in place, who knows? I cannot believe Mr Gibson hasn’t a plan, but…
Anyway about to pack the car to go to our daughters and son in-law’s place in Maidenhead until Boxing Day, the first time in 43 years we haven’t catered, washed-up and provided the bar. Excellent.
A Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year to everyone. Enjoy it. Enjoy the win and enjoy manager musing.
UTB,
John
Just awake early and came through to the lounge to watch the Channel 5 highlights. Top of the bill for a change and good to us win, but from the highlights alone, it looked like we should have buried Wednesday. But, I predicted 2-1, coming back from a goal down, so I’ll take that win……
But wait, what… BBC news announced GM is no more!!
Sad about the timing, for the man, not a nice thing to be sacked on Christmas Eve (well, as good as). However, it had to happen ( should probably have happened already ) and I am relieved. As others have already commented, SG must have someone lined up and I imagine we will see a new man in place on Wednesday.
I would be happy with substance over style just now. It is, afterall, a results game and we need a much greater proportion of good results than bad results over the rest of the season than we have been used to seeing over the last couple of years if we are going to get promoted this year.
How the team perform on Boxing Day, without GM at the helm, will be interesting. Bolton could be in for a right pasting.
COB.
… Sorry RR, your excellent match report has been overshadowed by all this, but appreciated all the same.
It will be busy today and tomorrow, so I don’t expect to get to post again , so Happy Christmas everyone…I’m feeling optimistic again 😊
I think Monk was fired after discussions regarding the Transfer window.
At his pre game conference he made the statement nobody will be leaving,and that’s the kicker , I think he went to Gibson with a list of players he wanted out and Gibbo basically told him your nuts.
You can put the names to them but it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to know who.
Monk and Boro was a marriage made in hell, the guy hadnt proved anything,and I even made the statement on this blog on his selection ,he would be gone by January.
Now we have to get it right, Pulis for me is the man,no matter what anyone thinks for me ,he gets the best out of what he had.
COB
And Merry Christmas to all.
I would say Pulis but Gibson has previously sneered at him x
Ryan Giggs
ofb…no no no , players would have to lock up their wives !!
Only just had time to come on here and read Werders brilliantly funny pre match post and Redcar Reds as always great match report!
So the inevitable has happened and Monk has gone.
I too don’t think today’s result had any bearing on his sacking it was inevitable. We may have got the win but it was the same old same old performance.
Our defence is a shambles,a decent team would have had the game put to bed in the first half.
The fans have lost heart and belief,players were booed off at half time, Braithwaites terrible second half free kick was met with a loud chorus of “What the flaming hell (or something stronger) was that over and over again. Despite the win everyone knows another defeat is just around the corner.
Several rumours going around the Monk was getting sacked last week until Leo’s accident and Gibson didn’t want to overshadow that??
Another that Monk had been in touch with Swansea or vice versus although if that was the case Gibson could have got some compo from them and gladly gift wrapped him up.
Monk did unusually come over to the fans at the end to clap us,my take on that is he knew he was off.
Someone must be lined up,I’d take Pearson I wanted him back in the summer anyway.
Pulis would mean a huge change of heart from Gibson who said pre Karanka “There will be no Pulis caps in my club shop”
Big decision for Gibson to make,surely this time he has to go for a very experienced manager who knows the league and has got clubs promoted. He can’t be appointing an inexperienced up and coming manager,he can’t afford to. Whoever comes in should only be getting 18 months with a huge bonus on gaining promotion. Monk had a four year deal, Karanka has not long signed a new four year deal before he was sacked and look how costly that has been to Gibson!
Great festive report RR which very much reflected my own views having watched via iFOLLOW.
Having reflected overnight I was thinking is this just another false dawn during a season of mediocrity and that this has delayed GM’s departure only to discover this morning that GM has gone!
I had thought that SG would not act until the play offs were mathematically beyond us but clearly he feels after his pre season comments and investment that GM was not delevering with the assets at his disposal.
I agree with Powmill that the timing is far from ideal being just before .Christmas but has no doubt been driven by organising a replacement. The rumour is that Tony Pulis wanted to spend time with his family this Christmas before considering another job – watch this space! This has shades of the Southgate dismissal albeit we are much lower in the league table.
I went to bed earlier yesterday as today as it’s our day to celebrate Christmas in Germany and I’ve got busy day of preparations and cooking for eight.
Anyway, woke up this morning to see Monk has departed, no doubt in ‘mutual consent’ and Boro are once again in the market for a new manager. I can’t say it comes as a massive shock as if Steve Gibson was going to make a change then getting a new man in before the January window opens was always going to be the obvious time.
It seems my pre-match headline ‘Is the season of goodwill over for Monk?’ has been well and truly answered – perhaps Steve Gibson has had those ethereal visitations after all and has decided to act early so his money in January will be better spent.
Though I’m sure the decision was made long before yesterday’s game and here are a couple of comments I made on Monday on hearing Agnew was off to Villa…
Interesting news that OFB has just broken – So Steve Agnew is off to Villa in January to assist Steve Bruce with their promotion push. Given that it’s finally been sanctioned by Steve Gibson is it a sign that he’s resigned to accepting Boro are perhaps unlikely to be promotion contenders this season? or is he clearing the decks for a new managerial appointment?
Then…
All of which means there is no obvious candidate to take the reigns should Monk leave suddenly – perhaps Academy manager Craig Liddle is the only possible contender having been caretaker manager at Darlington previously.
As for who the new man will be? Well whilst I’m giving you a few repeated comments, here were my thoughts on 3 December in answer to Pedro asking for suggestions…
Not sure who is the best man to take over but perhaps someone a little older with more stature is needed for the task at hand. Big Nige and Tony Pullis are perhaps strong characters but perhaps too strong for Steve Gibson to handle – Ronald Koeman would be my suggestion but he may be looking at a return to the top-flight.
OK, I’ll have no time to post today and Mrs Werder is already giving me the eyes as I type this one – I’ll save my thoughts for the Bolton pre-match, which I’ll write tomorrow.
BTW Don’t forget to check out Redcar Red’s match report in all the excitement as it was another excellent read!
Yes, belated thanks to Redcar Red. Events overtook reading his report.
A come from behind win playing some some good football, at times some not so good, with a controlled panic last 10 minutes which was quite Moggaesque but without conceding at the death. All the while watching with several pints of Mashams finest in front of me. Not at the same time I hasten to add!
Poor defending for their goal by Howson for not attempting to get a foot in on Reach(?) and Fabio drifting to the ball like the proverbial moth/flame interface. The fact Bamford missed that absolute sitter early doors pointed to another typical Boro performance.
But no! Downing pinging balls about with aplomb, when called upon the defence stood resolute, Howson picked up the baton that Grant uncharictoristicly kept dropping and the substitutions slotted in fine. It was, in my opinion, a game that we thoroughly deserved to win as we were the better side, played the better football and on another day could have had a couple more goals.
Another false dawn as eluded to by previous posters? Maybe, but certainly a step in the right direction. What I take from yesterday’s and the Ipswich performances is that if you play like that against most of the teams in this league you have a good chance you will beat most of the teams in this league.
Am I glad to see Monk lose his job as Boro manager? Yes but not 2 days before Xmas. It will make for a not so merry time of year for his family no matter what compensation package he gets. Imo he should’ve gone after the Bristol game or at the latest after last weeks debacle at Millwall. The chairman has done the right thing but a couple of weeks too late. I’m assuming (guessing/hoping) he has someone lined up but can’t agree with those who want Pulis, negative hoofball, or Big Nige, borderline psychotic.
As to who I would go for, I’m really not sure. A bit left field maybe but Denis Bergkamp has left Ajax after a “shake up” of their coaching staff. Unproven I know but a world class footballer. Unfortunately probably not what we need at the moment.
Finally a big thank you for all those that make this blog the must read that it is for all Boro fans near and far. However I really must give a special mention to Werder, RR, OFB and Simon for the quality and quantity of their pieces. Also a more than honourable shout out (as the younger people say) to Jarrko for his unstinting and unwavering positivity in all things Boro.
A Merry Christmas to you all.
Thanks merry Xmas to you as well
Dogs ~ Christmas Hazards
1. Christmas Presents and Tree Decorations
The Christmas tree is looking wonderful with presents for friends and family round the base. Of course your dog has presents too. Beware – your dog cannot tell the difference between his doggie treats and
the expensive chocolates or any other gift-wrapped food present and remember he can smell the goodies through any amount of cardboard and wrapping. All sorts of gifts can be a magnet for the curious pooch. Children’s toys, socks, scarves, gadgets, etc can all be potentially fatal if swallowed so be very careful what you put round your tree.
2. Don’t forget about the tree decorations – chocolate contains theobromine, which is poisonous to dogs – so be sensible about what fancy baubles you decorate your tree with. Be aware that tinsel can cause intestinal obstruction. It’s probably the safest idea to have the tree in a room which is out-of-bounds to
your dog.
3. Christmas Dinner
Many of you will feel mean if you don’t give your dog some Christmas Dinner. If you do, your dog may end up with a very sore stomach, diarrhoea, sickness and even potentially fatal pancreatitis as a result of feeding fatty foods and trimmings. Not only do dogs like routine but so do their digestive systems. So please don’t be tempted to indulge your dog.
Don’t leave your turkey to cool where your dog may have the opportunity to snaffle some or all of it! An aquaintance of mine did just that and her beautiful black Labrador grabbed and swallowed a whole leg in-one go. He was dead two days later.
4. Christmas Plants
“Deck the halls with boughs of holly” and “kissing under the mistletoe” are all part of the festivities at Christmas time. Beware Poinsettias, mistletoe, holly berries and some Christmas trees (cedar) are poisonous so keep them well away from your dog or your dog well away from them!
5. Guests and Visitors – Revellers!
There are usually lots of friends and family visiting over the festive period. Family routine
changes and so, consequently, does your dog’s. This in itself can cause stress. Try to make sure your dog is fed and exercised at his/her usual time.
Closely supervise visiting children who may not know how to properly behave around dogs. A dog pushed to his/her limit may well nip or even bite – and whose fault would it be?!
Festive wishes to all, woof! woof!
Carlos Carvalhal for Boro? If the swap with Swansea does not work with…
Experienced, knows the league and attacking style.
Up the Boro!
Bad Apples 2 Managers 0
Len
You’ve said what quite a few of us have been thinking.
Interesting times ahead.
Whilst Monk really can’t have any complaints after the first half of the season, I’m not convinced about the timing. I felt really upbeat after yesterday’s comeback and thought we could push on in the next 3 games (with 2 v direct rivals above us) and now I feel a bit deflated. It sounds a bit daft to say we had some momentum after one scrappy win but now we have a caretaker in charge for at least one match (good luck to Craig Liddle…)
But – hopefully we get the right man in – I have no real opinion on who it should be – I’d be happy enough with Pulis, Bilic or Pearson. My only fear with Pulis is, whist he could be successful, his brand of football is very Karanka-like and that won’t go down well with a section of our fans.
What’s the target for the new manager? Presumably 6th place?
Len
The manager gets the bullet, the players say we let the manager down, the cycle repeats itself.
Strange the conflicting reports about the relationship between SG and Pulis. The remark supposedly made by SG that “no baseball caps here” was probably a throw away remark over the speculation of who would replace Karanka. The situation is different now and Jonno states that The Sun reports that SG “has a good relationship with Pulis”, however I myself stopped reading ‘comics’ nearly 65 years ago.
I do believe though that SG would have persevered with Karanka despite relegation if he hadn’t been prone to throwing tantrums. I believe also that SG had the utmost faith that Karanka’s system of playing would be the best choice to get Boro promoted again, but realised that wouldn’t go down well with some of the players.
Tony Pulis has a similar style to Karanka and was particularly adept at making Stoke City a very difficult team to beat especially at home. Also he was very successful at West Brom in coaching his players to be dead-ball specialists and being adept at defending set pieces, something Boro players have lacked in their make-up. Boro may not play attractive football under Pulis but will be effective.
The trick now is to make sure of a playoff spot (which Monk would never have made), win promotion at Wembley, and then gradually improve Boro as he did at Stoke and establish us as a middle-placed Premier League team. The hardest part will be winning the playoffs. On current form neither Bolton nor Villa will be easy fixtures, but I’m more hopeful now that Boro can reach the playoffs; promotion then becomes a lottery, but I doubt anyone outside of Huddersfield would have expected them to win the playoffs which they did without any of their players scoring a goal in open play, the only goal being an own goal in the Semifinal 2nd leg. So promotion is still possible!
Very true Ian. With the added “benefit” that the new manager has usually been relieved of his duties by his previous club due to a poor run of results!
I think SG has made a good call although it may be that GM went before he was pushed (strange if he did as presumably no payoff?). It gives the new guy a bit of time to decide what he wants to do in the window with the players we have.
As to who i would prefer, I really don’t know. I think experience is called for and someone who can motivate this bunch of underperforming players. Koeman wouldn’t be a bad call with a season long contract with Brucey bonus if we get promoted.
Anyway Happy Christmas to all as Mrs BBD is calling for my one handed assistance to prepare for tomorrow!
UTB
Conflicting news about whether he was pushed or they heard he was speaking to Swansea
SG decided to sack Monk after the Millwall debacle I reckon, has already head hunted Pulis, possibly even discussed what salary he would require, and has arranged a formal interview before the New Year. In my opinion Monk had no idea what was going on behind his back, and I can’t see Swansea entertaining appointing a manager they had already sacked. That would be like Boro appointing Mowbray or Karanka – hang on, just wait a minute!!!
Tony Pulis playing style based on current stats.
Plays with width, crosses are attempted often, likes a consistent first eleven, team play long balls and attempt a lot of shots, mainly been attacking down the left side. His team plays aggressively.
I think the club should have a playing system that the previous manager had, the current one follow as well as the next one. Like Ajax have.
But I am afraid the British system is that a new manager comes in with new ideas, new staff and buys new players. Totally loosing time and a lot of money in the process.
I think Swansea were knows for a fotballing philosofy as did Liverpol do during their glory era. The next manager came from inside the club.
I hope the change needed is as small as possible at Boro in January. There is no need to waste time and money to start from zero.
Up the Boro!
First off thanks to RR for his match report in full HD reality. Papering over the cracks against a poor lower team.
Well as Wereder has already brought up, back to my previous question, “if you sack Mr Monk, who would you choose from the long list of suiters?
It has to be one of experience and looking around, who is there really available. Certainly less than when SG choose Mr Monk in the summer.
And of course without another long-ish term contract you will not attract anybody decent that is available, plus their back up boys.
So we have Pulis begrudgingly put forward by the majority at the moment. Keoman from Werder I think? The guy sacked from Dortmand, apologies to who suggested him, Pearson and now Bilic.
All were with Premier clubs and consequentially will command a higher salary, unless the contract is bonus flavoured.
So whilst we all ponder and revisit google to if we have missed anybody, Craig Liddle will have to miss his Christmas lunch trying to gee-up the troops for Boxing day.
A very good representation of what I saw yesterday RR, all be it on the telly and not live.
I totally agree that at times we are, as a team, too nice. I’m not saying we should be going round kicking lumps out of the opposition, but putting the ball out because one of their players has gone down with cramp. Seriously, cramp! I must say I directed a few Anglo Saxon words at the tv when we did that.
It was also a nice change to see a Boro centre half certainly giving as good as he got against their giant centre forward. Well done Ryan Shotton.
In my last post I mentioned the last 10 minute of comedy defending, most of which seemed to involve Ben rather a lot. I hope this was just down to him trying too hard trying to close the game out and getting in the others way as opposed to having a bit of a mare in those closing minutes. Can’t fault his effort though to be fair.
How a supporter looks at the progress of his team depends on perspective.
So – Boro fought back yesterday after being 1-0 down away from home, and missing a penalty, to win 1-2. Sounds OK? So – Boro now stand 9th in the table, 3 points behind Villa in the last play-off position. Sounds OK? It depends on your perspective.
Looked at through the eyes of a supporter of Burton Albion, now out of the bottom three in the table following their win yesterday, Boro’s position would be heaven. Or a Barnsley fan, whose team has 24 points less than Boro at present. They’d be very happy to swap position with Boro.
But let’s look at this through different eyes. Manchester City is a team clearly smashing the Premier League. Unbeaten after 19 games and top of the league by 13 points, they have an almost perfect record. They have qualified well for the knock-out stages of the Champions League and, although they have spent money and pay wages that many even in the cash-rich Premier League would be jealous about, they have at least delivered on the pitch so the investment appears to be paying off. Manchester United is another big spending club and, although 13 points behind their “noisy neighbours”, are at least second in the table and have also qualified easily for the knock-out stages in Europe.
I know I have mentioned this before but, in order to smash the Championship, Boro would have to be playing the same role in our league as the Manchester clubs are currently playing in their league. If Manchester City, or United, were currently lying 9th in the Premier League, would their club hierarchies, or their fans, be happy? So, looked at from their perspective, if their clubs were showing the same level of performance/success as Boro, they would be VERY unhappy. Their managers would be very worried for their futures.
A win away from home, and coming from behind to achieve it, sounds good, but that doesn’t show the whole picture. What counts is the overall trend. Did it seem as though progress was being made? Did it seem as though players in the squad were being improved or did it look as if many were stale, coasting, not really rolling up their sleeves and pulling out every ounce of effort? Did it look as though, if things went wrong (as they will inevitably do in some games throughout a long Championship season), some concrete measures would be taken to put things right, to correct the failings and return improved for the second half, the next game, or whatever? Did it look as though the players were confident on the field, confident in their own ability, or confident in the manager? I would venture to suggest that they did not.
I guess we will now be regailed with accounts from the players about how well things were going in training, about how well they got on with the manager and his staff, about the fact some of them felt they had “let him down”. Well, I don’t put much store on that. Football is a results game, we are constantly told, and Boro’s results, from the perspective of the Chairman and most of the supporters, were not good enough. Players aren’t playing for the manager, they are playing for the team, the club, the shirt, their supporters and, ultimately for their own pride. The fact that this makes many of them richer than we could dream of, is a by-product of that. Managers come and go – not normally with this speed at Boro, but plenty of other teams seem to have a revolving door to the manager’s office.
What we won’t hear is Player X saying he knew from the start that Manager Y didn’t like him, and that the manager didn’t give Players A, B, C & D a fair crack of the whip, so those players felt sidelined, de-motivated and unable to give of their best. You won’t hear Player Z saying it was his view, and the view of colleagues E, F, G and H that the tactics being used were wrong, that they’d spoken to the Manager about it and, as a result, had been told,they might as well look for new clubs. These things do happen but, of course, we get a varnished account, pumped full of nice fragrances to make everything seem as fresh as Spring. Really, what players say to the Press, or what the manager might say in interviews after games, is quite meaningless.
About the only thing we learned from Mr Monk’s recent interviews was what we could see from watching the games: that he had no idea what to do to change things, that there was no real plan, and that he seemed trapped like a rabbit in the car headlights at night.
Those who see the tweets of @boroform will have learned that, for his 23 games in charge, Mr Monk actually did better than other recent managers. Monk achieved an average of 1.52 points per game – better than 1.30 (shared by Karanka and Mowbray), 1.17 (Southgate) and 1.09 (Strachan). But who amongst us, supporters of a comparatively well-resourced club compared to most of our Championship competitors, had confidence this season was going to end well? And compare that to the number feeling that we would end the season with another whimper?
I am not surprised that the manager and club have gone their separate ways. I strongly suspect that, if he can be persuaded to come, Tony Pulis will be the man to take up the mantle laid down by Mr Monk.
But let’s not get too down about it, on behalf of Monk. He had a 4 year contract and was only 6 months into it, He will not have left the club worrying about how to pay next month’s mortgage. He will probably see a payment into his bank account that will be larger than a lifetime’s earnings for most of us on this Blog, or at the ground on Boxing Day. I wouldn’t be surprised if he enjoys Christmas more than most, this year. No team to prepare for a game in 2 days’ time, and another in 6 days. No more worrying about results, what he might say in answer to more inane questions after yet another game, and no more looking, blinkingly, into those headlights.
He will sleep well tonight. At least I hope he does, because I wish him well. Sometimes, at a particular club, and no matter what a chap does, things just don’t turn out well. That was the position here for Mr Monk, at our club. But he will move on, and get a job elsewhere. He’ll be OK. Clough survived, prospered even, after being sacked following 6 weeks at Leeds United. It’s not a tragedy for Mr Monk, just an unfortunate blip in his career. Not like the closing of a mine in Easington or the steel works at Redcar.
So,as Scarlett said, tomorrow is another day…….
Great Post FD
And that my friend puts the whole sacking into perspective.
FD
I think some of the wins were inspite of Monk, a team that cost what ours did should of.
Frankly my dear I don’t give a damn
I see the Avatar has gone missing. You just can’t trust those whales!
Great post FD and sums up the situation perfectly.
Reality is that GM will get his monthly salary as normal up until his contract date ends or he decides to take up a new post in which case there will be a bit of negotiating and wiggle room between GM and MFC as to how much to finally terminate things as there will likely have been with Aggers in his quest for freedom.
In terms of who comes in to take the reigns its important that we have a bit of perspective. Outside of the top 6 in the Premiership the other clubs are in survival mode. Granted a few play some pretty football and are acknowledged for it like Bournemouth and Swansea for example. Sean Dyche and his Burnley squad play effective football, same with allardyce etc. anyone who wants the days of Rav and TLF back are romantics who forget how that all ended.
To succesfully play like Barcelona or Real Madrid and “compete” (as oppose to being whipping boys) will require a cash injection of upwards of £1bn (just ask Rafa). Meanwhile we need to operate and function effectively within our budget that to me means a somewhat pragmatic approach to management. So please no to the untried and untested (Giggs and/or Neville) and no to Ajax philosophies (which has brought them nothing in European football for decades now) much as the romanticism of it may initially appeal.
Meanwhile a very Merry Christmas to all on here but our thoughts and hearts go out to Leo and his devastated family at this very difficult time. Once a part of the Boro family always a part of the Boro family.
Well said RR.
Yes I had the same problem had to reregister and reboot
Does anybody know if Monks staff have left?
I am concerned that the new boss will come with his own staff and may want to change half the team in January.
I cannot see why a lot of posters fear Pulis. He knows how to set teams up and he gets results.
Don’t get me on boring football as I have endured it for the last 4 years watching the teams of AK and GM. Results matter, sexy football can wait.
Quiz question- which game at the end of 2017 ended with both managers being sacked???
Hear, hear.
To RR’s post, that is. Thanks too for another excellent report.
Good post, Dormo.
A great post Forever Dormo and also RR too.
Here is a handy page that has a lot of news about MFC from most newspapers
http://www.newsnow.co.uk/h/Sport/Football/Championship/Middlesbrough
You lot in the UK may be rushing around for last minute shopping but in OZ Christmas is here, it’s quarter past midnight and I am heading to bed.
Merry Christmas to all at diasboro and a happy New year.
Thanks to all posters for making this the best read for Boro news.
And a prayer for Leo his passion will be remembered on Teesside
I don’t think Boro have given RE-SULTS this season, but plenty of IN-SULTS in their performances.
Latest on twitter
Monk sacked in breach of his contract after speaking to Swansea without the clubs permission. Pulis in place to take over after Bolton. Announcement after the game? The ginger mourinho to come in as his right hand man?
ofb …wow !
When Boro played at West Brom last season it was widely considered to be the worst Premier League game ever broadcast on Sky. We were bad , but as the home team the Baggies were far worse. If I were to hazard a guess at the number of Boro fans that day who believed that Pulis was a manager we might seriously look at in the future,It would be, give or take a few per cent, zero.
When Pulis was manager at Stoke, with his up -and- under style, playing for throw-ins, and free-kicks and encouraging physical intimidation, how many Boro fans thought,”The very fellow. We could be doing with a bit more of that”? Give or take a few per cent?
In the end even the most rabid Stoke fans couldn’t take the purgatory any more.
Gibson’s brief to Monk was to move the club away from AK’s dour defensive style and play a more expansive game. If Pulis is appointed you should able to hear the sound of yet another reversing gears all the way to Australia.
It all depends on what you want.
Pulis has a record of survival in the premier league. He got stoke promoted. We will never compete with top six premier league so we’re do you want to be?
Yo- yo suits us as we can have the sniff of premier league and the defeats that go with it. Also the excitement of promotion and winning games in the championship.
The only available managers with this experience are Pulis and Pearson( not sure if he us in a job), or AK, take your pick.
Also, that game at west Brom I seem to remember they had a lot of injuries and Pulis was still trying to add numbers to a small squad before the deadline.
When we played West Brom the club had literally shafted Pulis and things were not good at the Hawthorns. Pulis had only been able to add one permanent signing during the summer, Matt Phillips from QPR, and a loan defender Galloway from Everton.
Pulis had been stating (it was end of August with the window still open for a few more days) that the club needed to sign at least five players to stand still.The board were less than supportive (very similar to Rafa’s situation at Newcastle) of him, short arms and deep pockets. Things in terms of the depth of the West Brom squad were so stretched that he gave teenager Sam Field his league debut as a Sub. Added to that there was the Saido Berahino circus to deal with.
After the match Pulis told interviewers “I have said before we need five players to come in because there are players here we need to move on who aren’t going to play. “There are 14 or 15 players who were here two years ago, when we were struggling near the bottom, who are fantastic and work so hard but we need to freshen up.” At the time it was regarded by the press and media as a genuine reflection on the state the club was in and a missed opportunity for AK for many of us on here.
On Facebook today is that monk had a press conference scheduled for Thursday but said he would like to change it to Friday due to family commitments but secretly he was meeting Swansea Gibson found out and said he was in breach of contract for confidentiality so they agreed to go with no compensation for monk
If true this begs the question of whether Steve Gibson would have taken any action if Monk hadn’t spoken with Swansea. I would like to think that he would but………..would he?
Summed it up beautifully, this will end in tears if this comes to fruition
The club’s players trained on Sunday and will do so again on Christmas Day under the watchful eye of academy director Craig Liddle, who has been placed in temporary charge.
Liddle will be assisted by Jonathan Woodgate after Monk’s assistant James Beattie and backroom staff were also sacked.
Liddle and Woodgate will take charge of the Boxing Day match with Bolton – unless a new man is appointed before then.
OFB
So no compo for Monk,
Breach of contract?
Has his back room also left?
Don’t know about the backroom team
I welcome the decision to get rid of the manager and dont feel sorry for him as financially he will be ok.
It has been obvious since the first few games that there was no pattern to the play, he did not know how to change things, no idea on motivation and no spark.
However, we have constantly been told that having spent megamoney we have the best group of players in the championship when it was so obvious we had paid through the nose- just consider the higher fees paid for braithwaite and fletcher and compare to cheaper and better players eg reach and adomah.
The result is a worse team than last year and playing worse football.
People will disagree but I tend to think that had Karanka got 2 premiership forwards as he wanted during the transfer window and the Arsenal defender had not been injured towards the end of the season then the team may have survived.
But thats all in the past and the issue is a new manager.
There will be unknown managers ala Wagner who not only got promotion but this year has bought about 9 players and with the possible exception of Ince at £9million have all have increased in value – (compare the Ince fee to eg Fletcher !!)
However now is not the time to gamble and so go for a tried and tested man. I think there is only one – Pullis, that is if he could be persuaded as he is a Premiership manager
So who else – possibly O’Neil, although youth not on his side, possibly Pearson but he has only been at his new club for a short time and so may not be tempted, Warnock would have been ok but he is doing wonders at Cardiff and so is a non starter.
A manager who never gets a mention and wont be coming but would sort out the players and tactics is McCarthy from Ipswich who I think has consistently done well without any sizeable money- I think his total outlay this year was around £2 million.
The obvious issue is to make an appointment in the next few days and hopefully get some consistency in improved play and get into the playoffs.
Question to OFB :
Now that our Garry has had a ‘slight change’ in his Family Fortunes, who’s your money on to take over the Monk House Bob ?…
The next four games will define our season.
Apparently Pulis is the favourite and also said he wanted to spend Christmas with his family but to shown intent Gibson has actually flown out to talk to Him and agreed a new 3 year contract and also bringing his own backroom staff Including Gary Megson
Trying to post this via phone. Last 2 were on laptop and I had to sign in (which I don’t normally have to do) and the Avatar had gone. Eeeeek!
Been a bug in the system lost mine and had to restart from scratch again
I remember catching Stoke play a home game in Europe one evening.
I looked at the match after 20 minutes but there was a problem with the picture, I looked at the TV manual but no resolution. There was like a ghost effect on the screen with a set of pale blue lines inside the white pitch markings.
Remember the multi sport markings in sports halls? It was like a kids pitch marked out inside the white adult pitch. They had to mask out Stoke’s Premier League pitch and mark out a UEFA sized pitch.
Of course, this was nothing to do with the fact Stoke relied on long throws and free kicks. The Premier pitch must have been at least 15 yards narrower and shorter.
McCarthy, why not!
Boro fans eh, you’ve got love them.
Let’s get realistic, we are a middling Championship club with aspirations to the PL. The only reason anyone will take up the job is money.
We’ll get the best manager the chairman is prepared to pay for.
GHW
A dangerous attitude to take.
The world of football is full of Walter Mitty’s and other fantasists, any one of whom would take you to the cleaners.
As usual it is far too late to be assessing candidates, the time for that is gone.
When the next great manager comes to the fore, his CV will be there for all to see. Only we will not have even known that he existed.
The annoying thing is they are out there, the next generation, longing to get a chance with a team of some weight in the game.
On reflection, we should be regarding our AK experience with great pleasure, and seeking to repeat it.
You cannot beat organisation.
It is entirely possible that Man City’s glory is all the result of organisation.
Not sure I know what you mean. I don’t see a queue beating down the door. Are we a club, “with some weight in the game” that’s very debatable.
Man City is a poor analogy as it’s taken a heck of a lot more money than we will ever have to get where they are.
I don’t think SG is in a position to gamble on another managerial project. It’s time for tried and trusted.
Adams and Beattie must have both gone if Liddle is in charge. I noticed Ryan Needs (head of Performance Analysis who Monk brought with him from Leeds) retweeted a post last night showing Monk had the highest points per game in his opening spell of all recent Boro mangers. Comparing apples with oranges though.
The timing does feel like there is more to this than solely the league position. Especially as Pulis isn’t guaranteed to come.
I certainly take the points about results over performances but plenty of people told us during AK’s reign that results weren’t the only thing that mattered and we needed to see better football. I can’t imagine they will be happy with Pulis if results ever turn. I do also wonder about his motivation and whether he can really get himself up for this after years in the PL.
Tony Pulis & Gary Megson
I really, really hope not.
God bless us, every one.
OFB you have not mentioned Ancelotti or Mancini. !
Conflicting stories, manager lined up yet caught out talking to Swansea a couple of days ago !
Come on BORO.
There is one successful manager who ticks all of the boxes in terms of knowledge of the club, contacts, availability, and the ability to unite the fans. Judging from this link, somebody else has had the same idea as me:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Juninho_Paulista
That would be a great Christmas present.
Welcome back, Werner. You’ve been missed.
And now, on Christmas Eve, it’s my Quote Of The Day.
It’s Henry Winter on Pulis after the snoozzzzzzeworthy 0-0 with us last August.
“For Premier League football clubs, appointing Pulis as manager is beginning to seem like a Faustian pact. You are buying survival at the cost of creativity and flair. Once, West Brom’s fans, tired of coming up only to go back down, would have taken that deal. But the boos at the end of this, the third game of Pulis’s third season at the club, suggests that they are beginning to wonder whether pogoing between the top two divisions was more fun than this grim, glacial stasis. Whether they would rather be a yo-yo club than a so-so club.”
Errr let me think about it.
Do I want to see Millwall or Chelsea ?
Fulham or Arsenal?
QPR or Spurs?
Bolton or Man Utd?
Preston or Liverpool ?
I’ll stick to watching the Premiership thanks !
The ultimate faustian pact. Surrender our club to Pulis and we’ll be rewarded with Premier League football. Just hand over your soul and be doomed to an eternity of dire football.
I’m really starting to question the long term planning at the club. Agnew was handed the reigns and told to take the shackles off, problem is he didn’t have the key. Monk comes in to add pace and flair and presides over a shambles. Pulis is a complete about turn in approach. What is our identity as a club? What is our style? Or do we just hitch our wagon to the next messiah who walks through the door at Rockcliffe?
Is this a good holy sign for you ?
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1441918679250324&set=a.511541922288009.1073741826.100002966181402&type=3
Sorry it was deleted
If you can summon up divine intervention for the Boro cause in 2018 we’ll all give you a hail Mary OFB, or should that be a hail Bob!
Three hail Bobs!
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1441918679250324&set=a.511541922288009.1073741826.100002966181402&type=3
Third time lucky or I give up
https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=1441918679250324&set=a.511541922288009.1073741826.100002966181402&type=3
If the suggestions about theSwansea meeting are true then Monk is guilty of betraying Steve Gibson and that was always going to get him sacked. WHether or not there was a payoff will depend on the contract and the attitude taken by Monk. However, if this was the reason, it does raise the question whether Gibson would have acted if he hadn’t had provocation.
Anyway he’s gone. The problem with Monk was that he didn’t add enough to th strength if the whole Boro unit. It seemed haphazard whether they would play well or not on any given day. We certainly have the players but he wasn’t bringing anything extra. That seems to me to be the obvious requirement for a new manager. He has to make the team more than just the sum of its parts. Personally, I don’t want a return to boring minimalist football and fear Pulis would bring that but, to be fair, we should also ask what he might bring to a technically superior squad. It’s not a position that he has been in before.
UTB
Interesting looking at the media that there is a clear contrast between Boro fans who are almost universally agree with Monk going and non-Boro fans who seem shocked at the decision. He had to go unfortunately, I felt the “display” at Leeds was the point of no return.
Not sure I believe this story that Monk had discussed the Swansea job, does not really make sense as why would he be so blatant to meet with him and why would Swansea want him back (Swansea fan I work thought it would not be a popular appointment amongst the Jack faithful) .The media was reporting they would have a new manager within 24 hours of the sacking of Clement too, which does not indicate the target was otherwise employed.
Seems to be a consensus that Pulis will be the new manager. Not overly thrilled but if we 15th in the PL going into the new decade in two years hence will accept worth the likely tedium. We have to get back to the PL and be the right side of the trapdoor before the ladder gets pulled up for ever.
Not sure I agree with the gazette claiming 2017 has been the worse year since liquidation. 1989, 1993 and 2009 were equally grim. The excitement of Ravenelli, Juninho etc masks how few games we won in 1996 too. My worse year would be 2013 though, sheer hopelessness prior to Karanka is certainly my lowest point as a fan.
My take on the Monk affair – a sorry business – is it seems something fishy has been going on. If you were going to sack the manager, surely the time to do it was after the Millwall debacle, not immediately after a positive away win and just before two vital home games? And I read online that the Daily Mail, that organ of truth, honesty and reliability, is saying Gibbo had met Monk just on Wednesday of this week to discuss January transfer targets. So why sack the manager now? I said to my brother that I don’t get it. The timing seems all wrong, even if Gibbo has been building up a charge sheet over some time. Well, if indeed there have been shenanigans behind the scenes involving another club – and we may never know- then that would leave the Chairman with no choice. It might also explain Boro’s mute silence on the issue and the very terse, grudging public statement.
May I wish you all a very happy Christmas, and express my thanks to all bloggers for your splendid efforts, especially RR and Werdermouth for continuing brilliance in the face of football mediocrity!
And may I sincerely apologise for using the name, above, of a rag which normally I would be loathe to wipe my bottom with. Really sorry to put you all off your Christmas dinners!
When Pulis’s job was under threat last month one of the W Midlands papers ran a poll amongst Albion fans asking whether they backed him.
87% of those polled said they didn’t. That’s some landslide.
He hadn’t won a game since mid- August.
Fans were fed up with the lack of creativity (sound familiar), zero entertainment, and a degree of pragmatism that was barely tolerable, even when they were winning. When they weren’t, the club (which historically has a fine tradition for playing attractive football) had nothing going for it.
I won’t be buying a baseball cap- that universal symbol of arrested adolescence, unreconstructed machismo, and Trumpism- anytime soon.
Nor will I contribute a single penny towards defraying Pulis’s £5million black hole, the consequence of his being condemned by a judge of fraudulent behaviour when Palace manager, the principal reason that he needs one more lucrative contract, and the motive behind his reported statement that he would only be interested in the Boro job for big money.
We shouldn’t allow him anywhere near our club
I’m with you 100% Len.
If Gibson appoints Pulis then my estimation of our esteemed Chairman will take another big hit and my concerns about his competence grow further.
Couldn’t agree more Len in regards to Pulis. Yes let, s not go down the Ajax route ,they made the Europa League Final last year despite continually selling their best players every year ( Suarez, Classen, Cillessen, Davidson Sanchez to name a few and having limited funds) Lets go with the modern day version of Harry Bassett, won,t have to worry about creative midfielders, we can by pass them, has Andy Long hung up his boots?
Maybe Wolves best piece of business was removing Paul Lambert who knows the Championship with a “foreign” manager who doesn’t.
Pulis kept West Brom in the Premiership on very limited rescourses, what was he supposed to do?
Burnley, Watford, Stoke, etc they all do the same, but Noooooooo the great Boro are expected by the fans to go out and play like some Starlit team from the universe.
Let’s get real ,we need to get back,then with Gibson’s backing and better recruitment, establish ourselves.
Good morning campers….
Rise and shine – xmas is here.
Sun is shining here on the Fantasy Island known as the Kingom of Bahrain [the original Magic Kingdom] and we are all set for a trip to the Royal Golf Club for lunch.
Great blog and this weeks topic is the hottest for a long while. We hope to get the match on the internet tomorrow and hopefuly a goal fest.
So happy christmas to all and enjoy your extended weekend.
When the kids were young it was ‘dad, is it time to get up yet?’.
Now it is leisurely and I have time to send my best wishes to all Diasboro before getting stuck in to Christmas.
By the way, we still put out a carrot and mince pie for important visitors.
🙂
The latest craze with my youngest [7yo – thats another story] is to sprinlke flour around the stocking to see if santa or rudolph leave footprints!!
Well looks like a storm is brewing up over the forthcoming arrival of the new messiah.
I do hope SG has got an ace up his sleeve this time and has been thinking long and hard about the Christmas present he is belatedly going to buy us.
Cannot believe all these Facebook and Twitter tripe stories, not for one minute.
Nobody generally takes another clubs Manager during the season these days.
No it looks like it will be because of results and the failure to deliver anything like.
So who will it be. Pulis, I have to say I hope not. Then I would also have to say, I have not got a clue who to suggest.
Enjoy your day bloggers.
Sorry to have to report that I have heard that Leo’s second daughter has passed away during the night, I have passed a message back to him that the whole BORO world have him and his family in our thoughts.
On a personal note, my 45 yr old Downes Syndrome sister Ruth, lost her battle against cancer yesterday at 15:30. We should all be thankful for having our families with us, especially at this time of year.
My best wishes to everyone and hopefully we will all have wonderful 2018.
Come on BORO.
Exmil
So sorry to hear your sad news and also of a further loss of a daughter for Leo. My condolences to both of you.
The woes that are Boro pale into insignificance in such circumstances.
I am sure that yours and Leo’s family will be a source of comfort and support at this sad time.
Truly awful news Exmil, firstly my deepest sympathy to hear about the loss of your sister and also quite an unimaginable loss for Leo and his family to lose two young children – the only comforting news is that I hear his son is no longer critical and is said to be stable. I’m sure everyone at Diasboro would want to send their best wishes at this terrible time. Certainly puts the small matter of losing a job into perspective.
Deepest condolences, Exmil. Very sad news indeed. I’m sure the whole Diasboro sends our deepest sympathies.
I am so sorry to hear your news Emil and the news from Brazil about Leo’s daughter. I have no words, just that yours and Leo’s family will be in my prayers.
I have heard that Pulis was at Rockcliffe yesterday.
Come on BORO.
Exmil
My sympathies to your family and of course to Leo.
Please celebrate Christmas and all your sister brought to the family life.
Has anyone managed to get a match pass for the Bolton game.
It say purchase from the match centre but Can’t seem to find the match centre on their website.
The iFollow test is the hardest I have ever done – it is a nightmare to find anything – good luck. If you find post it and I will do the same.
Here is the link to the appropriate page – the match pass link is on the bottom right of the header graphic
https://www.bwfc.co.uk/matches/fixtures/first-team/2017-18/december/middlesbrough-vs-bolton-wanderers-on-26-dec-17/
Thanks Werder,
Here’s hoping we go in a run and put the post Christmas slumps behind us. Whoever is in charge.
Exmil, deepest condolences and all my best wishes for you and your family at this point of time.
And also for Leo. I am really gutted for him. He and his wife are in my thought this Chrismas. Devastating.
I will try to see the Bolton match. Just to see the 5th minute of the second half. Let’s respect Leo’s family then.
Somehow I feel Garry Monk is not the saddest man today. Leo’s and Exmil’s experiences gives some reality to following football. These things are much more significant than a win or two.
But let’s beat Bolton tomorrow and dedicate the win for Leo’s family. Up the Boro!
Just to echo others sympathy to Exmil and for Leo on his further tragic loss.
There can be nothing worse than to lose children, particularly at this time of year.
Deepest sympathy to you, exmil, at your sad loss. To Leo,too. To lose two children is unimaginable. It’s not something you can ever recover from, and I hope that the club can do something which will enable all of our fans to express their sympathy and support.
I agree with all the comments above directed to Leo P and to Exmil. At such times football really isn’t such a big deal. When the crowd shouts out for Leo at the match tomorrow, it will be truly from the heart.
Condolences to Exmil and to Leo and his family.
On another matter I do get irritated when professional journalists and reporters cannot tell the difference between a verb and a noun. I would expect them to have at least passed some examination in English.
For example, ‘replace’ is a verb, and ‘replacing’ is the present participle of that verb which makes it a noun. Therefore one cannot write ‘him replacing Garry Monk’. The correct English is ‘his replacing Garry Monk’.
It’s a bad habit !
I get irrigated too with bad grammar usually with the Indian type however this one has really got me…. we refer to him replacing something or his replacement with something of… language is always evolving and who knows – if it sounds right it usually is. Anyhow let’s see who the replacement is.. or let’s see who is the replacement.
Ken
I sympathise with your comments on grammar ( the use of)
The problem is we have built a language that is so malleable that anything can be done with it, and it still works just fine.
We started by being surprised and outraged by the American free for all attitude to it with plenty of words copied across from, Indian, Mexican, Italian, German, Scandinavian, and so forth.
Now as it becomes the world lingo, we can stand by for more adjustments by grateful users.
It will be fine, I’m sure.
Just watched the highlights from the match from Hillsborough.
I was wrong in saying earlier that we should have won by 1-3. Oh no, we should have won by 1-4. Perhaps SG agreed as dismissed Monk.
We played well on Saturday. Up the Boro!
At first it looked like a slam dunk, now I’m not so sure.
He’s left.
No he was fired.
No, he broke his contract.
Not good.
We have a manager lined up.
No, we are looking for one.
We will not stand for safety first football.
We are interested in Pulis.
Does not compute, ( I think we are in the usual disorganised spin and it will end in tears.)
Plato, spot on so business as usual at MFC.
Apologies for the three duplicates oats but been having a bit of trouble posting past few days as have a few others.
Believe me it wasn’t the beer or the white or the red wine which caused it ! Hic
Seasons greetings and have a wonderful time this Xmas
OFB
Posts Posts Posts
Right that’s the sound of the last post !
Sad news to hear of Exmil’s and Leo’s loss overnight. Puts all football concerns at the moment into perspective. Thoughts and prayers with both families.
People saying not to forget about Jesus this Christmas as if de Bruyne and Silva haven’t been the stand-outs.
I still think more about Leo than the match result tomorrow.
Leo, our thought are with your family. Up the Boro!
While you’re all sleeping off your festive feasting on the sofa I’ve been putting together a preview for Bolton and the search for a new manager – though Christmas was yesterday over here so I’m ahead of the game…
https://diasboro.club/2017/12/25/championship-boro-vs-bolton/
Interestingly I’ve heard from someone who I regard as a “sensible” source that after the game there were some words exchanged in the Boro Dressing Room. The source was the same individual who first tipped me off about Monk arriving in the Summer well before it was common knowledge.
It may have been that it was just a general “disagreement” about the defending for the Wednesday goal and voices were simply raised or as intimated to me it was slightly more than just raised voices. It didn’t involve Downing but another “key” squad player.
The two incidents may be entirely unrelated but it may explain the abrupt nature of events with so many games coming up over a short period and no apparent immediate replacement plus the lack of detail on the official announcement.
RR
Yea I heard that as well RR and the altercation was serious and with Ben allegedly !
OFB
RR
Just like my post if you agree!
This is getting worse.
It is no surprise to hear of outrage at the idiotic defending.
These players have had the pleasure of many clean sheets by using organisation( that word again)
Once a piece of knowledge is in the public arena, it cannot be put back in the bottle.
We know how good Ben is, so to have your reputation trashed in public is no fun.
Regardless of form, any collapse taking place during a match is a serious business and cannot be dismissed lightly, it is down to the manager. End of.
I would not pretend to know who or what triggered the explosion, but it was going to happen, when not if was the only question.
The more versions of events that surface, the more certain it is that events are out of control.
We did not have a plan.
We did not have any contact with any manager.
We do not have a plan right now.
Pulis will almost certainly wait to test the water for a while(common sense i would have thought)
And yet, we could not go on in this fashion.
The fault lines on the pitch have opened so wide that they are unbridgeable.
No defence, no midfield, no attack,
No idea whatsoever at deadball situations
No idea how to convert what chances we do get.
No speed in the team. But the fastest man in the Champ on our payroll.
No shots on goal.
No part of the game is being coached during the week(see above)