| Middlesbrough | Sunderland | ||
| Gestede Braithwaite |
10′ 42′ |
||
| Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls |
51% 17 8 7 16 |
Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls |
49% 7 3 5 7 |
Toothless Black Cats limp out of Cup
All the talk before the game was about who TP would select and if Chris Coleman even had 11 fit players to select. Many in the Boro fraternity thought that Pulis would give his squad a run out in the Cup with the likes of Dimi getting a game but when the side was announced, far from it. It was as clear as the hail stones which had battered the Riverside just minutes before that Mr Pulis was taking the FA Cup seriously and respecting all its traditions and the fee paying fans.
Britt was dropped to the bench with Paddy out of the squad altogether and seating space made for Clayts and Forshaw with Gestede alone up front. Downing was in a free roaming central role with Traore right once again and Braithwaite on the left. The Makems had brought 4,500 with them which from my personal visual memory was probably the biggest away following at the Riverside since the visit of Everton in the Cup on a Tuesday (or was it a Wednesday?) night a while back. Whilst they attended in numbers they were largely quiet for the most part and as the game commenced it was little wonder that the 4,500 at times sounded more like 450.
As visiting teams go this Sunderland side was one of the poorest and should they inevitably drop to League One I suspect that they may keep dropping such was the paucity of their threat. In truth Sunderland were shocking and the score line is more a reflection on how mundane Boro looked in truth. The early stages saw a bit of Sunderland possession but without really hurting us and once Adama picked up the ball in the middle of the pitch he went on one of his mazy dribbles where nobody including his own team mates have a clue where he is going to end up but by the time he had left half the Sunderland side dizzy he played Gestede through with a well weighted ball and the big striker stroked the ball past ex Boro Goalie Steele. 1-0 up and only ten minutes gone and immediately the Sunderland team and fans looked very flat and disillusioned.
At this stage there was the likelihood and indeed strong expectations that the floodgates would open. Sunderland had little phases of possession but Boro were knocking the ball around confidently and with one or two slick interplays which gave a statement of intent that this Boro side had more goals in them. A Downing corner saw a familiar Steele flap at the cross with Shotton I think trying to get to the ball and somehow hook it to Braithwaite who poked home from six yards out to make it 2-0 just minutes before half time. So far Adama had terrified them, Braithwaite was a lot more effective than of late, Downing as usual was pulling strings but Howson was the one who caught the eye, full of running and energy in both breaking up and setting up attacks.
Both sides came out for the second half unchanged and Sunderland went on the offensive in a desperate effort to get back into the game but the quality in their final balls was less than atrocious. It was so bad it literally felt like pantomime season had been extended. Prior to the first half kick-off as the Teams entered the pitch the Red Faction held up a banner of a small Black Cat being dwarfed and growled at by a huge intimidating Lion, as the game wore on that banner was looking very prophetic indeed. Bereft of their star Striker Lewis Grabban who had enough and threw the towel in to return to his parent club Bournemouth in the week the Black Cats looked toothless and clawless. The young lad Maja was left on his own to fight for scraps which he did manfully to his credit but he was never a match for Gibson and Ayala at this level who probably had their easiest game in years. In many ways it was a sad site to look down upon as despite being local rivals it does the region no good economically in the wider context not to have sides competing at the top end of the Football League structure.
Throughout the second half Boro sat back and at times too deep, inviting pressure on themselves and apart from a Gordon Banks style Randolph save from a point blank header from Browning they never really looked in trouble. The home fans had been looking forward to an action packed second half goal fest but like our previous games of late it was a game of two halves although this time thanks to that Randolph save we kept a clean sheet against a much weakened side. Whilst Boro were underwhelming in comparison to our first half endeavours Sunderland’s efforts were extremely poor and the second half has to rank as pure rank!
It was poor as a spectacle and whilst we did enjoy a series of “ole’s” as we passed the ball around teasing the Makems it wasn’t really entertaining. High balls lumped up to Gestede were not creating anything as he won his share of headers but then what? Perhaps TP’s mantra was simply sit back, keep it tight and hang on to the clean sheet and play them on the break and used the game to instil a mind-set for the longer term good of the club rather than get carried away chasing meaningless goals. If so then it has undoubtedly served as a useful exercise in the grand scheme of things.
Adam Clayton received a rousing cheer as he warmed up on the touchline and eventually came on for Braithwaite in the 65th minute as TP sensed the Black Cats were a solitary goal away from making the game a nervy finish for Boro. With that Substitution, Downing went right and Adama left presumably to be within ear shot of Pulis and Kemp coaching from the side-line. Howson pushed further forward to support Gestede while Grant and Clayts renewed their former roles anchoring the middle. With ten minutes remaining Adama was then subbed for Marvin Johnson, which gave the ex-Oxford wide man come erstwhile left back some game time to impress and he did have a few good touches in his short cameo to his credit.
It was good to see Adama receive a standing ovation for his efforts from the Riverside faithful with his name being chanted as he made way for Johnson and then high fived the entire bench after receiving a Pulis hug. I suspect the lad is very much a confidence player and the experience will have done him good to hear his name deservedly echoing around and ringing in his ears.
In the four minutes of injury time George was clattered on his right knee and looked to be in great discomfort and despite strapping and bloody minded courage the bench took the right decision in putting on Christie to see the dying seconds out. My MOM was almost Traore for sheer excitement and creating the opener brilliantly for Gestede and for forcing a stretching Steele save in the second half but for all round steady involvement and contribution I think Howson just edged it with Downing and Leadbitter also having decent games, the latter of which received a round of applause from the visitors when taking a corner in front of them in a nice show of appreciation to their former player.
This result then chalks up another victory for TP, the first half of which showed lots of promise, the second half was perhaps a little too measured and controlled but we kept a clean sheet and scored two goals so job done. What did concern me though was that the opposition was poor and against a better side on another day that level of performance in the second half will see us punished more often than not so something for Dave Kemp and Tony Pulis to mull over. In the after game interview Pulis did say that the players would be back in for double training sessions this week which I guess answers my concerns that the Manager himself knows it isn’t the finished article yet. That message was further reinforced further by goal scorer Rudy Gestede’s interview saying that the training methodology under Pulis is totally different to Garry Monk’s in terms of emphasising roles, duties and responsibilities. For me I still am more concerned with the Championship and the thought of our Home Sheffield Wednesday game now shuffled out to a mid-week sometime but I can’t deny I will be looking out for ball 19 on Monday nights draw!
Pulis enters the third round of
his assessment of the Boro squad
So once again it’s that time of year when the players pulses quicken and their hearts jump while they eagerly await the teamsheet as the early January excitement of the FA Cup takes on an extra significance. As Tony Pulis takes charge of his third full game, the players will soon discover if they have been selected to prove they deserve one last chance to secure a place in his squad as the transfer window creaks open. The de-romanticised supporters up and down the country have long since put their practical heads on and now see the third round of the FA Cup as little more than a chance to rest players after the exertions of the congested festive fixture programme. Even the followers of middle to lower end Premier League clubs have lost the notion of the early rounds being the beginning of the Wembley dream and their chance to experience glory – in fact ‘cup’ and ‘glory’ have become etymological strangers in the lexicon most football supporters.
However, for many Boro supporters the fact that the game is against local rivals Sunderland automatically elevates the contest beyond a game that they can nonchalantly retrospectively claim in the event of losing that it wasn’t their priority to progress in the Cup. Neither I suspect will supporters of the Black Cats claim they are free to concentrate on the league, as so far as I can see they’ve seemingly failed miserably to concentrate on winning league games in a very long time. If you thought Boro fans were glad to see the back of 2017, then spare a thought (no matter how fleeting) for those who have turned up to witness the gloom at the Stadium of Light in those twelve dark months, which saw the Mackems win just one solitary league game – a 1-0 victory in mid-december against Fulham that only just prevented them having the indignation of a miserable winless calendar year. Indeed, if it hadn’t been for Sunderland, Boro would have had to chalk off half their Premier League victories last season – so it was a little more than the usually schadenfreude in our case.
To add injury to insult, Sunderland are currently struggling to field a team on Saturday with 9-10 players currently sidelined – including Lee Cattermole, Didier Ndong, Darron Gibson with Aiden McGeady and Paddy McNair both claimed to be major doubts. Manager Chris Coleman has indicated his bench will likely consist of mainly academy boys drafted in to make up the numbers – so on the face of it this is a tie Boro should be hopeful of progressing in. Sunderland are planning to bring in a couple of midfielders in January and Adam Clayton has been muted as a target – though news that Aitor Karanka is bookies favourite for the Forest job has fuelled speculation in the press that he may come shopping at Teesside and already quite a few Boro players are being linked – including his former midfield destroyer.
Tony Pulis has indicated that he will use Saturday’s game to have a look at some of those players he’s still undecided on. The danger is whether we’ll see them deliver a first-half Deepdale-type display if it ends up being a cobbled together team lacking balance. The Boro boss must have already learned that he maybe only has a limited squad and without a few key players on the pitch it then becomes scary to watch. Perhaps Christie has already had his card marked defensively but it’s possible he could still be a right-sided attacking option, who we know also has a long throw and a decent cross and shot in his game. I suspect some of our academy players will also looking for a chance to impress and what better place than a local derby. Besides, Sunderland have only managed to score three goals in their last six games so it may not be too dangerous for Pulis to experiment a little.
| Middlesbrough | Sunderland | ||
| Tony Pulis | Chris Coleman | ||
| 3rd Round History Sheff Wed (H) Burnley (H) Barnsley (A) Hull (H) Hastings (H) Shrewsbury (H) |
SEASON F-T 2016-17 3:0 W 2015-16 1:2 L 2014-15 2:0 W 2013-14 0:2 L 2012-13 4:1 W 2011-12 1:0 W |
3rd Round History Burnley (A) Arsenal (A) Leeds (H) Carlisle (H) Bolton (H) Peterborough (A) |
SEASON F-T 2016-17 0:2 L 2015-16 1:3 L 2014-15 1:0 W 2013-14 3:1 W 2012-13 0:2 L 2011-12 2:0 W |
| Last 6 Games Preston (A) Aston Villa (H) Bolton (H) Sheff Wed (A) Millwall (A) Ipswich (H) |
F-T (H-T) 3:2 (1:2) W 0:1 (0:0) L 2:0 (0:0) W 2:1 (0:1) W 1:2 (0:2) L 2:0 (1:0) W |
Last 6 Games Barnsley (H) Nottm Forest (A) Sheff Utd (A) Birmingham (H) Fulham (H) Wolves (A) |
F-T (H-T) 0:1 (0:0) L 1:0 (1:0) W 0:3 (0:1) L 1:1 (1:1) D 1:0 (0:0) W 0:0 (0:0) D |
Ahead of the FA Cup game against Sunderland, Tony Pulis has been busy putting his coaching team together with news that his 64-year old long-time assistant Dave Kemp has come out of retirement and the garden shed to join him at Boro as his number two – along with his former goalkeeping coach at West Brom in Bobby Gould’s son Jonathan. It’s been quite a good day for Jonathans as Woodgate is also to remain as a first-team coach too. Though the most interesting news to emerge was that Pulis has only signed a 18-month contract – perhaps that may indicate he’s potentially on big bucks as coincidentally that is when Boro’s parachute payments run out. Clearly Pulis is an appointment solely geared towards the Premier League and I fancy a manager who has spent the last ten years managing in the top flight wouldn’t sign up to the prospect of needing to be a selling manager in the Championship come the 2019-20 season – particularly with the prospect of Brexit suddenly limiting his buying options of European former bargains who may soon need to qualify on the international criteria.
For new Boro boss Tony Pulis, the Cup is essentially his first ‘pre-season’ game and a chance to look over some of the players that are probably not foremost in his mind as he gets ready to prepare to trim the overgrowth of his over-sized squad. Those who have yet to feature in the new boss’s selections must be doubting their future at Boro – particularly the likes of Clayton and Forshaw, who were overlooked in favour of the invisible lad from Watford who stunned supporters after he took off his precious rusty ring and magically appeared in the starting XI. Also someone likely to be feeling a little depressed as he hopes to hitchhike his way into the boss’s plans is the so far overlooked Marvin Johnson, who will be even more paranoid if he’s only on the bench.
Guedioura has barely kicked a ball since he was a surprise £3m deadline day arrival at Boro almost a year ago and although he’s previously worked with Pulis it would be an even bigger surprise if suddenly became part of his plans – especially if that significant fee was dependent on him making three appearances. Other players yet to get a glimpse of the pitch under Tony Pulis are loanee Lewis Baker and youngsters Dael Fry and Marcus Tavernier – I suspect he’s under no immediate hurry to test the academy boys but with Ryan Shotton now becoming his first choice right-back, then Fry is the only other available recognised centre-back in the squad and the Boro boss will want to cast his eye over his potential. As for Baker, well when you want to trim the squad a non-playing loanee is as pretty surplus as they come and Connor Roberts has already unsurprisingly returned to Swansea after barely getting a chance to move his career forward – though Baker is a year-long deal so it might be a case of not picking him to make Chelsea cancel the deal for us.
I raised the point previously that shifting players who arrived on inflated fees and contracts is not going to be easy if they decide they don’t want to lose out financially. Whether Boro are prepared to subsidise their moves to other clubs is not known but if individuals are informed that they are not in Tony Pulis’s plans then it must be clear it is for their foreseeable future and beyond. Ashley Fletcher in theory could be offered the chance to go out on loan if as anticipated there is little interest in paying anything approaching £7m for a player who rarely makes the Boro bench – but then again I presume Villa never thought a Premier League team would pay £6m for their bench-warmer Gestede a year ago so you never know.
Perhaps the club will keep an open mind and will listen to offers on most players bar those Pulis is 100% determined to keep hold of. One player with a question mark over him is surprisingly (or not) Britt Assombalonga, who hasn’t got off to the best start under the new manager – he doesn’t appear overly suited to being a Pulis-style target man as he’s not a striker who likes to play with his back to goal nor is he comfortable anticipating knock-downs from a target man either. In theory, he could be the Plan B striker if he’s being fed from Downing on the left and Adama on the right – but you imagine he’ll be waiting on the bench if he doesn’t fit into the shape of things to come from what recent games have shown us. I suspect only a PL club would pay anything like £15m for him and it may well be that his value will only be redeemable while he’s still viewed as a 1 in 2 scorer – albeit with 90% of his goals coming against the bottom six Championship teams. The problem is also once you advertise a player as unwanted his value will likely fall – perhaps the club will play their cards close to their chest in a similar way to the summer selling, which realised pretty good value on players we knew were facing the exit.
Some players have seemingly already impressed Tony Pulis enough to be singled out for special mention, with perhaps Adama Traore being a surprise full 94-minute participant against Preston. The speedy ex-Barcelona graduate divides opinion between those who think he flatters to deceive and other who believe he is potentially a deceptively good player. It’s possible to make an argument about the potential of any player but we can only judge someone on what they have so far shown – undoubtedly Adama is quick, possibly the quickest but as yet his game consists of receiving the ball, mainly in a stationary position, before attempting to use his explosive pace to get past anyone ahead of him – at least he can now look up and make a pass but so far hasn’t shown that he has the ability to collect himself to shoot on target. The other aspect of his game missing is the ability to move into space to make himself available for a pass or anticipate where a ball may be delivered from by a team-mate.
In terms of where to play him, Adama has been more effective playing on the right rather than the left where he can be more easily dispossessed when turning into traffic. Many may think such pace is better utilised in a more central position but unless he discovers aspects to his game that are currently not evident then it’s only hypothetical that Traore has the ability to play a more sophisticated role. Pace is a valuable weapon and if Adama perfects the right-sided role of getting to the by-line and crossing the ball into dangerous areas then that will be more than useful at this point in time – maybe we’ll see his understanding of the wider aspects of the game develop but often when someone has the gift of lightening speed their personal understanding of what happens on the pitch is skewed towards using their main talent. At the very least he makes the opposition think of how to stop him and that sometimes creates space for other Boro players to exploit. Indeed, there is an argument to have him stand close to the halfway line when defending corners with instruction to his team-mates to hoof the ball – plus I suspect he’d be attended by at least two opposition players.
There has also been mention that maybe Bamford is not a Tony Pulis player, though I would like to see Paddy given until at least the end of the season to get a fair crack at playing the supporting striker behind the target man. We know Bamford is an intelligent player and can also score goals, but he needs regular time on the pitch to sharpen his game and it’s hard to imagine other players with his all-round game will be readily available in January. Given the choice between Braithwaite and Bamford, I’d lean towards the latter as whilst the Dane has looked busy and occasionally explosive, he has quite often looked a little uninterested at times and has drifted out of too many games in the last few months. However, Bamford must have been the happiest man on the bench when his number came up just after half-time instead of the last ten minutes under Monk – though I suspect Preston’s unused sub Kevin O’Connor was probably the happiest man on the bench, as even though he didn’t play, his numbers unbelievably came up on the lottery ticket his uncle bought him for Christmas, which remarkably netted him a cool one million Euros! Just how happy his aunty is pretending to be is not known.
So will the Boro players show Tony Pulis they are just the ticket as they collect more winnings from the Sunderland AFC gift that keeps on giving? Or will our lucky streak come to an end as the Black Cats walk across our path to the next round of the FA Cup? As usual your predictions for score, scorers and team selection – plus which Boro players numbers will be up when the manger sits down with the chairman to decide who’s not worth a gamble?
I do have memories of Forshaw hitting a lovely pass through to Negredo, who could have scored but laid it on for Stuani to finish the job.
Nice team goal… and it was at the Stadium Of Light.
Nowhere near my favourite AKBoro goal, though. (That would be Bamford’s beautiful opener v Millwall. The confidence and technique in the team play was eye-popping.)
00
Alright I’m joking !
I’ll go for 3 0 with Howson, Ayala and Assambalonga
If Marvin Johnson were as robotic as you suggest, he might be more reliable. Though I suspect as far as his first team chances go, he’ll be better off grabbing a towel and heading off to the beach at hyper-speed.
Possibly with the Golgafrincham telephone sanitisers.
Two nil to us lot.
I like the way you Share and Enjoy your messages.
Plankwalkers 2 Catwalkers 0
I can’t find any evidence of the game being on TV. It’s not showing on the Bet365 website here in Oz and ESPN – which has Australian rights to the FA Cup – is showing Fleetwood v Leicester. Also, there is no link to buy it on the Sunderland site. Has anybody had any luck finding a broadcast of the game.
Entering into the player debate, I would like to see us keep both Clayton and Traore. Clayton because we know that he can do a job in this division in the event of injury or suspension and Traore because he is so unpredictable. Everybody says that he has done nothing and then forgets the goals that he laid on for Assombalonga. Forshaw seems set to leave and I don’t have an issue with that. Christie looks to have no future as a right back but could perhaps play further forward. Conversely, Johnson may have value as a cover for left back. Fletcher may well be a question of economics. Can we offload him and does that mean that we take the loss and sell him or send him out on loan. That leaves Braithwaite and Assombalonga as the big question marks for me. Part of me can’t believe that we will look to offload someone who delivers goals on a semi-regular basis and so I’m expecting Britt to stay unless someone offers us what we paid for him. That leaves Braithwaite who might just attract a good offer from a team who can see his undoubted talents. One could even argue that he would be more at home in the premiership than the Championship.
Hovering around under all this are the very talented younger players with Fry and Tavernier as the two leaders but a lot of other up-and-comers who, from their successful loans or good U-23 performances, look to be able to do a job.
In summary, clearing out Fabio, Forshaw, Fletcher and possibly Braithwaite would make economic sense and would certainly leave space for a targeted acquisition or not, as Pulis thinks fit.
UTB
Selwynoz
I do not believe anyone is showing the match live and it will be back to paying MFC £3 to listen to Radio Tees via the club website which I have just done.
Apparently Boro are playing hardball with Fabio and demanding a fee of 3m
His contract runs out on July but they are prepared to take up the 1 year option so they get a fee
The Brazilian clubs are unwilling to pay a sizeable fee so he may be stuck with us
So we wait and see
I believe the game kicks off at one because of policing issues. The police felt that an early kick off would make for fewer problems, as Sunderland have sold their allocation of 4000+.
As to the team and those who may leave, I think Braithwaite may ask to go if he is not in TP’s plans as he will need to play if he wants to go to the World Cup. Fry will probably play on Saturday with Gibson rested.
We may still be able to pick it up on the dark web
Nobody is broadcasting it according to……
http://liveonsat.com/quickindex.html
In terms of the number of outgoing players in January, a lot will depend on how many players Pulis wishes to bring in. If he wants to reduce the size of the squad then any new additions will also need to be matched by further reductions.
With Fabio and Connor Roberts already confirmed as leavers and Shotton looking like being his favoured right-back, then you would expect he may require at least one more centre-back. Whether he will be looking at any more fullbacks depends on a number of issues – if Christie stays then Shotton can still act as cover for central defence but on the left it will depend if Pulis sees either Johnson or Tavernier as cover options for Friend and even George’s position as first choice is not 100%. Therefore, perhaps we’ll look at adding a fullback in January who could cover left and right-back but the club may have difficulty doing a loan deal for a non-starting role.
In midfield perhaps one of Forshaw or Clayton may leave or possibly both – it may depend on whether either player are also looking to leave. Clayton has been conspicuous by his absence and in theory he should demand a decent fee. Forshaw spent a long time playing second fiddle to the Clayton-Leadbitter pairing and is now in a similar position of rarely playing. It may be time for him to move on develop his career elsewhere as I presume you can only keep a player keen and sharp for so long as a non-starter.
It’s in attack where many of our big ticket players reside and it does appear that Pulis won’t be able to keep everyone happy. It looks like he’s leaning towards the trio of Downing, Gestede and Adama as they have distinct skillsets with passing, height and speed – there are probably another couple of slots available for the likes of Assombalonga, Bamford, Braithwaite, Johnson and Fletcher but if Pulis is looking at trying to bring in a forward more suited to his style then maybe he’ll be looking to move on two or three of his forwards in January.
Another good article Werder, it is interesting that our thoughts are more focussed on comings and goings rather than the fact it is FA Cup third round.
I couldn’t find it listed anywhere so as noted above it must be on police advice.
I have not seen it mentioned, maybe I have missed it, but Premium Boro seems to have disappeared. I would say with a whimper but even a whimper can be noticed.
Have a look at Boro Streams
“Borostreamz on Twitter
Thanks for another excellent article Werder. Got “man flu” so needed something to occupy me whilst I sit on the sofa feeling sorry for myself and foregoing my Friday golf.
I haven’t got a clue what team will be picked, I just hope that they are able to do a job and see off Sunderland.
I do hope that TP gives everyone a game before he decides which players are surplus to his needs.
I think to date he has tend to use those players that have been in the match day squads under GM toward the end of his tenure (exception of the former Watford lad who he knows) and hence why we have not seen Clayton/Forshaw.
They can both do a job in the Championship but offer similar skill sets and as a consequence of AK’s demands, have tended to become too defensively minded and are more likely to pass sideways or backwards than forwards.
It will be interesting to see if they are included on Saturday and if not then OFB is probably correct and they will be on their way.
Boro 2-0 Sunderland
(Gestede & Bamford)
Crowd 31, 013
CoB. 😎🤒🤧
I had man flu twice over these holidays, I know how you feel. Get well soon.
Thanks Simon. A win tomorrow will be just the tonic I need.
I have been struggling with coughs and colds ever since my visit back to Stockton in November. Don’t normally suffer – must have gone soft as a result of moving away from the area in the early seventies!
Gosh if you moved in the early seventies you must be really old now !
I’m far from convinced that Boro have turned the corner and think in the league may still show too many inconsistencies to win more than two successive wins at any one time. I tend to think that it might be Easter before we reach a playoff position. Now though thoughts turn to the FA Cup where it certainly wouldn’t surprise me if we lost. Personally I would be happy with a replay because I reckon Pulis needs more games to decide who he wishes to retain and who he would like to release, so I’m inclined to go for a 1-1 draw with a crowd of 27,100.
Ken
We will have turned the corner when we stop having horrendous halves and collapses.
When we start putting together two halves of decent play in to a match on a regular basis and we are in a play off position then we can think about corners being turned.
Ian,
I’m with you on that. We are just not consistent, we have a good half and a bad half and that situation does not average out as consistent. Two halves of equal constant effort and the corner we need to turn could be in sight.
As for the Sunderland game we are talking about ‘Typical Boro” here but despite that and OFB’s joking eyes I’m going for Boro 2 – 1 Sunderland.
The worry for me is that some will be trying too hard rather than playing calmly and methodically.
Then Stoke or West Brom in the next round!
UTB,
John
Great pre match piece again Werder thank you.
MW
It is indeed a 1 o’clock kick off due to orders from the police rather than because it’s on telly. If the boys in blue thought there was cause for concern why allow the club to increase the away allocation to 4400 when the initial allocation of 2500 sold out?
Well done again, Werder. Great piece.
Now, entirely off topic, but – how many of you caught Derry Girls on C4 last night? It’s a massive deal in my part of the world (I am Derry born and bred), but there’s more to recommend it than the local element – it’s actually very sharp and funny.
For we “Derry wans”, even those who now live in Belfast, like me, it’s the tale of a small city finding itself in the spotlight – like a small town in Europe.
Perhaps it’s no wonder now why I grew attached to Boro.
Great piece Werder as ever!
Si, I watched Derry Girls and have to say that I enjoyed it, probably more because of the constant amusement along with a bit of nostalgia for the era (circa 25 years ago) than outright belly laughs but overall I found it very amiable “chuckle entertainment” and have set my box to record the series.
On to the excitement of the FA Cup, well for me the shine dulled and tarnished a long time ago and long gone for me at least is the romance of the Cup. I could name the sides, main players and scorelines of Cup Finals and probably even many Semi’s from the 50’s, 60’s and early 70’s but I couldn’t tell you who won it over the last 15 to 20 years let alone who played in the Finals and much less could I care. I do however remember one particular final that I wish I could erase from memory but I digress.
Football has changed and not for the better. We used to laugh at the two horse joke that was the Scottish League but now the English Premiership and FA Cup are little different. For Blackburn and Leicester in the Premiership over the last 1/4 Century read Wigan and Portsmouth in the Cup. I’m not sure how to fix it for even if the stakes were raised and a Champions League spot was available we could all name the semi finalists with only the anomaly of a “random” (coughs) draw perhaps enabling a token no mark trip a to the Semi’s or heaven forbid (and £1 billion or so) even the final.
As suggested above this game has all the trademark of a pre season warm up rather than an exciting Cup tie. I bought my ticket yesterday and unsurprisingly my SC seat was still available such is the excitement on Teesside despite it being against the Makems and discounted pricing. Thats not a slur on the MFC just a sad reflection of what the FA have sold their souls for.
I’m guessing Dimi in goal with Christie being coached on the sort of defending and picking up players by anticipating the next phase of play rather than chasing the ball this week given a chance to “try it”. I suspect we will see Tav wide left with maybe Johnson behind at LB being told there is an opening here should you wish to grab it. I think Traore will once again be given a start but on the right with Christie instructed to hold back and keep it tight. Dael I imagine will get his opportunity to strut his stuff alongside one from Shotton, Ayala or Ben.
Centrally will be interesting. Will Cheslea want Baker cup tied if he is to return despite the season long nature of the deal? Grant may be of mixed emotion against his former side and probably needs a rest in any case for more important battles ahead. Howson has just come into form so will he be encouraged to continue the momentum or rested? Forshaw I think will definitely come into contention but there again would that affect any potential transfer (and fee). There are so many rumours and stories concerning Clayts that who knows if he is persona non grata or just out of favour but the same cup tied mentality may be a consideration if he is to be shipped out?
Goodnight Adlene, Goodnight Adlene, I’ll see you in my dreams (or nightmares more like) may get another chance to show North Korea in a good light in terms of rocket trajectory and reliability. So by my reckoning that leaves space for a big lad (I suspect Fletcher may get the chance) along with a supporting act who I think will be Bamford.
So a much changed side with a view on looking at those who are on the fringes (of Siberia in some cases) to see what they can do. The run out and observations to me is more important than the result as I can confidently predict that one of the two Manchester sides will buy it or Arsene will look to hang on for another year on the strength of it. A Conte/Klopp/Pochettino select will likely comprise some semi final amusement en route unless the balls haven’t been warmed up.
FAA
Possibly the police think it is better to have 4,400 safely corralled than have 2,500 tucked in the corner and other Sunderland fans scattered around the stadium.
Jarsue
Two halves of constant effort are great as long as the constant is not first half at Preston or second half against Derby.
Ian,
The constant effort ought to be when we play football not aimless, wandering, not my responsibility don’t know what to do ball. I think Mr Pulis will get there with them and some knowing or thinking they are on notice may sharpen some attitudes.
Werder, great piece as well.
UTB,
John
It will be interesting to see if the Police actually turn up and if they do what formation and tactics they will employ!
Their presence and effectiveness when in attendance have been more questionable than Boro’s defending this season. No doubt we will get the blue light blue pill equivalent with the full Helicopter experience as of course that is a massive deterrent to drunken louts at great cost and expense to the Club, the taxpayer and ultimately out of their own scant resources. The logic that they could like as not buy dozens of drones for the price of the fuel and overheads on the day will be beyond those in Ivory towers.
Whatever they do decide I hope there is a bit more thought and intelligence given to the policing of the game than there was at the Sheffield United match. Prevention rather than delayed, short sighted, underpowered reaction is always better than cure. Most fans from both sides go to enjoy the game, support their team and a bit of banter but there sadly will always be the minuscule knuckle dragging minority who have other intentions. Personally I’d prefer the old fashioned batons drawn and riot shield approach but I gather that isn’t very PC nowadays as our Judiciary seem to favour the “47 previous assaults” approach and a whip round for the fine and a good sesh afterwards.
Fair point Ian.
If I remember correctly, shortly after the cup draw was made it was announced that the game would be a 1300 kick off on police advice.
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbrough-vs-sunderland-fa-cup-14026375
Come on BORO.
Overall we looked really effective in the 4-1-4-1 formation during the second half at Preston, we were compact defensively and threatening going forward. The only one who looked slightly clunky was Bamford out on the left as his strengths lie more towards a central striker berth, but we do have Johnson, Tav or Braithwaite to try out there as an alternative. We don’t have the same depth of backup to Adama on the right but as the role requires someone with pace, trickery, good crossing delivery and an eye for tracking back could we not try Christie out there?? especially if Shotton is already playing right back, seems like it could work to me.
Billog
That is the role that Derby fans Christie is best suited too.
Just had a chuckle and remembered something about Traore’s football brain.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yH97lImrr0Q
According to Football Espana Victor Valdes has officially retired. I won’t make any comment on that and just let it sink in through my devastation and deep sense of loss.
As I said to Si previously on twitter I thought he retired a year ago !
Victor Valdes did retire a while ago. He went under the radar because he’d taken off his Cuban heels.
I must admit when I was doing the header graphic and saw it was an early kick-off I did first assume it was going to be screened on some TV station but then when checking out where discovered it was only likely to be showing on Cleveland Constabulary CCTV – perhaps because it neither involves a big PL club or a small non-league team and therefore of no interest to anyone outside the area.
There’s always the outside chance of there being an unofficial feed but not confident we’ll get to see much other than the 37 seconds of ‘action’ it will no doubt receive in the highlights programme.
Many thanks for all your comments on the article, which I almost thought was not going to be squeezed in this week – plus a special mention to Ian, KP, FAA, Simon, RR, OFB and John. Not to mention a speedy recovery to KP and fellow sufferers of Man-flu, though I’d recommend the Man-jab for next year if anyone is considering visiting Stockton.
As a suggestion I would search for a link on Facebook of all things that’s how I watched the game against preston !
Thanks for the thoughful article Werder,……….. but very difficult to second guess what Mr Gibson, MFC and TP will be thinking about in terms of the original statement that “the squad is too large”
Mr Gibson will want to please TP, in as much as he can within the economics of releasing players. I would think that Clayton, Forshaw, Christie and may be one or two others could bring in a reasonable fee, (but not the value that MFC paid) despite their reasonably high wages.
Others though will be far more difficult to shift unless it is on sale or return. More like a season end loan. That may cover the wages for the likes of Braithwaite and Fletcher, the Watford Lad,with little or no Loan Fee. Britt I cannot see moving because of his proven/potential goals and his high wages, irrespective of a lower transfer fee.
Economics has to come into all of this……as TP has already said, SG has spent a shed load of loot. In the end it may be more difficult than envisaged, but of course we probably will never see or hear the true deals. So I think it will all be down to how much success MFC have in off-loading a few, before TP gets to bring in one or two replacements.
Thanks Pedro – I think Boro will stick to their guns on their valuations of players but it may be tricky to drum up interest in those players who have not featured recently and are on a decent whack. Sometimes you need to move on players who are peripheral figures as they just lose their edge after too long on the sidelines or at worst become a negative cynical influence on those around them.
Forgot to say…..got a reduced price ticket for tomorrow. Do not know the ticket sales, but will say around 25000 and a dodgy win for the Boro. (only because it is a Cup Match). The team will be nothing like the one TP picks for the Fulham game.
The Police might turn up? What, with Sting up front!
4-0 tomorrow, cant get too excited, need to make the 5th round before the adrenaline kicks in.
If you believe SG then the Police will turn up. They sent him a message in a bottle.
I think you used to say Valdes made Hollywood saves, RR. I think that’s just about right. With his pedigree, reputation and worldies he *looked* and *felt* like a classy ‘keeper but without the warmth, dependability and relatability we associated with Dimi. One took one look at Dimi and thought, he feels like one of us. One looked at Valdes and sensed that he thought we should be grateful this big name is lending “Little Boro” his services.
Valdes, Negredo and even AK, to a point, can be lumped in with the foreign commercialism and safety first nature of the modern PL – it may be unfair to do so, but that’s how it is. The quality, or lack of it, in our 2016-17 play didn’t help.
I bet Valdes was the smallest goalkeeper that boro have ever had!
It’s being reported that Lewis wing has been sent out on loan to yeovil town for the rest of the season
And now, from Belfast, it’s my Quote Of The Day.
From a guy named “ExPhotoG”. What happened to him? This is a gem. It focuses on disappointing Riverside atmosphere and attendances and what they’re proportionate to. Penned in April 2015.
“The social deprivation, comparatively speaking, means a notable number of genuine fans no longer live in close proximity to the stadium. This is, in part, why our away support is not proportionate to our home attendances.
“Living in Cambridge (for example – Si) means travelling to Teesside for a cold winter mid-week fixture is simply not an option. Those who do live closer may also be feeling the financial pinch, particularly in the post Christmas weeks.”
He added, however, that this was only part of the problem…
“Historically, our attendances have been proportionate to our style of play.
“In (2001-02) Boro weren’t exactly setting the Premiership alight. So when drawn against Manchester United in the FA Cup’s fourth round, the game attracted only 17,000 fans.
“And you can bet at least a third were supporting United. It’s unimaginable that the finest team in the land playing Boro would attract such apathy from Teesside’s so-called faithful.
“But the fans were bored that year. And the game was on TV. So they preferred to save their hard earned cash and watch it in the pub. We have attracted bigger crowds for non-league opposition!”
When the Claude Puels of this world are sacked for a cup-final place and a mid-table finish at a frankly middling club, the long-distance fan can bellow “Results are results are results” until he’s blue in the face. It’ll cut no ice with the season-ticket holder who sees his team making no sense of progression.
Apparently Clayton and Forshaw have been nursing injuries and that is why they haven’t been playing
We had that with Tomlin and his tummy bug, and Valdes and his ribs. (Not that I’m being cynical.)
Braithwaite doubt for cup tie, no problem, get rid; despite what AV said about him, I think he’s the MOST overrated player Boro have signed since Alves. Might get £3k for him.
How anyone can have a “bit” of a flu I can’t imagine; probably a bit of a chill. Influenza (flu) can be quite serious, and probably means up to a week in bed. Even a heavy cold would preclude a player from training because of the risk of infection. The saying is akin to saying “a bit of tuberculosis”.
And now TP is expecting 110% effort from every player in every game. Perhaps that means we could get more than 3 points per game!
It’s likely he’ll struggle to get that unfeasible extra 10% he’s demanding from the players.
When working self employed I used to drag myself into clients offices half dead get out of my coffin and start to do the job!
Remember when Bert Trautmann played with a broken neck ?
I’m not saying players are pampered but a bit of pneumonia shouldn’t stop them from playing!
OFB
Or “a bit pregnant”.
OR a bit of a headache tonight Darling !
My head’s buzzing with thoughts today.
Derry Girls brought up another… that while we (Derry) are sometimes ahead of the game, we tend to lag behind or are late to catch on, either to trends or to decisions that need to be made for the good of the community. Bit like at Boro, I suppose.
The Riverside opened its gates roughly a month before a new shopping centre called Foyleside opened in Derry.
Until it did, we didn’t have a M & S, a Body Shop, an Argos, an Eason’s, a Virgin or a McDonald’s – all of which our neighbours (now where I live) seventy miles east already had, for some time.
Eight years later, in 2003, it expanded to include our first Debenhams – but again, we were late to the game.
Most of the time, I’ve concluded “better late than never” and appreciated that we got there in the end. But that doesn’t mean we can’t stop and ponder what might have been.
Imagine if Boro had qualified for the UEFA Cup in the 1990s and not the noughties. I wouldn’t trade Lazio, Steaua etc for anything, of course, but that competition had more worth in the days when the champions and champions alone reached the Champions League. From 1997 onwards the CL bloated as the elite clubs’ desire for more money grew, and the now-Europa League grew less and less relevant.
By 1999, the Cup Winners’ Cup, which produced some of the most memorable European knockout games of my teenage years, had ceased to exist. By 2005, Boro were bringing European football to the Riverside on a regular basis… and attracting crowds of roughly 9,000. (Ouch.)
By the time we brought in a coach who could teach us in the ways of continental solidity and the usefulness of backwards-and-sideways passing, his national team’s then dependably successful style was a matter of months away from being found out, with the passing regressing into increasingly dour, negative patterns.
I think European competitions were elevated in importance because of the midweek TV coverage and indeed the FA Cup used to be the only live game on the box so it had everyone’s attention. The blanket Premier League live coverage over three or more days plus midweek Champions League fixtures has somehow cheapened football as a commodity to the point that people prioritise games based on importance or star quality.
There is little room in people’s thoughts for those early rounds in the cup competitions that now see second string teams ‘compete’ until the quarter finals. I remember Boro’s UEFA Cup exploits were shown on ITV4 and I must admit I’ve rarely felt the urge to watch these games as a neutral because they barely matter if it’s not your club.
Too true, Werder! I remember the days when I used to cheer on a pre-Ranieri, pre-Abramovich Chelsea in the Cup Winners’ Cup, or Gregory’s Villa in the UEFA Cup. The games looked and felt more exciting in the same way many things look and feel more exciting until they’re everywhere.
“Nothing is fun if you can get as much of it as you want.”
— Roald Dahl
I spent some time composing a post about keepers and height only for the internet to go down. All my research gone. So from memory.
I first saw Valdes in the flesh in the pre season friendly at Villa. In the warm up there was this little bloke between the sticks, eventually it dawned on me he was the keeper.
Victor Valdes is 6 ft according to Wikipedia. He was a shot stopper for Barca and Spain, a slightly different proposition to facing an Premier League bombardment.
Shorter Boro keepers? Danny Coyne was 6ft, Shay Given was 6ft 1in. OFB’s victim, sorry, interview guest, Jim Platt was 6ft but he seemed taller to me. Stephen Pears was 6ft 1/2in.I thought maybe Ben Roberts because I always remember the shot in the cup final sailing over his head but he was £6ft 1in.
There is a curve ball. One season under Mogga, Championship teams were only allowed three substitutes so Tony McMahon was the nominated keeper to free up a place on the bench. He was 5Ft 11in. Does that count?
Difficult to get information from too far in to the past.
Hate, hate, hate it when that happens Ian. So sorry.
That said, sometimes I’ve penned a long post only for it to ramble uncontrollably – causing me to delete the whole thing and re-write it more concisely.
I’ve done the same with several of my entertainment reviews.
I Know !
I know the feeling with my In2views !
We should all be thankful for small Murphys 🍺😊
I think players from Jim Platt’s era looked taller because of those ridiculously short shorts they wore.
And then they walked on tiptoe to look taller otherwise they would have been strangled !
Good points but Jim Platt looks well over 6’ in the flesh
Ian
If I was spending the winter at home I could have helped you with players heights as I have almost a complete set of pocket football annuals going back to 1956.
I walked past Pat Jennings at White Hart Lane last season and my impression was he was shorter than me, I’m 6’1″.
If it is true Pat Jennings was only 6ft 1in, then he PLAYED as if he was 6ft 5in. And with enormous hands. What a great keeper.
The usual great article from Weder and some interesting views from others.
I am making a trip up tomorrow although who knows what the team will be and probably won’t help me make my mind up on TP’s plans!
GM was like a kid in a sweet shop with his purchases and left TP with an interesting decision as to who to offload.
I’m not sure who I would let go at this stage.
So for me, I will say 2 0 to Boro after a hard slog and only scoring in the 88th and 90th minutes.
Many thanks and I hope your trip to the Riverside is rewarded with a decent game!
So Braithwaite, Clayton and Foreshaw are all doubtful for tomorrow as they’re nursing “injuries”. Now I’m not being cynical but it smacks of a bit of a porkie on the part of Pulis. I suppose not being cup tied may help with their sell on value.
Looking forward to an evening off after a week where the day ended around 10.00pm and heading to the sofa with a glass of red or two by watching the prelude to the north-east derby that is being played on Merseyside – could be an interesting game with both managers fielding pretty strong teams. Will the non-league Blues (albeit non-Champions League) outfit come a cropper or will they stop the top Klopp Kop favourites? Though I won’t attempt that sentence once the bottle of Dornfelder Spätburgunder has seen some action.
FAA
Think you may be right about sell on value.
Werder
Yet another good read and I would also choose Bamford over Braithwaite, the latter has been a big disappointment given his price tag.
Thanks Steely – I had high hopes for Braithwaite after seeing him play in the pre-season friendly that was streamed by Boro but he then got injured and after returning looked initially lively but has struggled to make an impression for quite a few weeks now. For a player who cost nearly £10m and was billed by Downing as too good for the Championship, he has looked quite ordinary and ineffective on the whole.
Perhaps he joined Boro on the hype of smashing the league and wasn’t expecting to have to fight for the privilege of promotion – or maybe the struggle and confusion under Monk took the edge off his game. Unless he gets back to what he was then Bamford is way ahead of him in terms of starting for me.
Thinking of former boro goalkeepers who were not very tall, does anyone remember Bob Appleby, a local lad who I think was only 18 when making his debut who was very agile but not very tall – no where near 6 feet. He had a good start to his career but was soon troubled by back problems and seemed to fade away .
I guess this was around the late 50’s /early 60’s.
Before my Boro watching days I’m afraid
I was talking to Alan Peacock on Boxing Day amd was suprised how few games he actually played for Boro.
He said he was only part time to begin with and used to go to work them play.
A bit different to the current players professional life !
OFB
As OFB pointed out earlier, I am really old and can remember Bob Appleby playing toward the end of his Boro career in 1966!
I believe he was succeeded by Willie Whigham but Ken will probably be able to confirm or not.
Of course I do, Phil. Hope you enjoyed Christmas In Lanzarote and that Val has a good birthday, card on the way. I’ll give you a ring from Portugal shortly.
Looks like we might have dodged a bullet with Lindelhof too.
Does anyone know if Gary Megson is going to get a job again with TP?
TP said in the presser for the Sunderland match that he expects another two appointments to the coaching staff
An interesting story from Alan Green and Graeme Sharp.
The local authority in Liverpool decided it would be great for both Everton and Liverpool to have a joint, two bus parade around Liverpool after the FA Cup Final.
A classic case of non joined up thinking. Everton had finished as runners up to Liverpool in the league and defeated finalists in the cup as Liverpool did the double.
No doubt the council thought it was a good idea. Alan Green was on the Everton bus as a reporter for radio 2 and tried to get an interview with an Everton player without much success. No one revealed what happened to the microphone or if it needed a local or general anaesthetic to retrieve it.
Philhud
Remember Bob Abbleby, same era Esmond Million,Des Mcpartland, then Eddie Connachan, all about 5 ft 8″,
Used to see them in Reas cafe after training,
Kept a weather ‘ear’ on the ManU v Derby score then watched the highlights.
The bare facts are that ManU had 66% possession, 28 shots with 10 on target, hit the woodwork twice and Carson made a string of fine saves.
Commentator said the score line a bit harsh on Derby.
It shows how statistics and goals can blur the truth. Derby had battled hard and succumbed to two late goals so were deemed a little unfortunate.
If Manu had scored in both halves it would have been a comfortable, routine victory.
I am not even going to try and predict todays score though I wouldn’t be surprised at a replay.
The Magic of the FA Cup. Sadly this has become lost over recent seasons due mainly to an excess of football on television. Years ago a home FA Cup match usually attracted the biggest attendance of the season for most clubs, especially for the Boro; now sadly with the advent of season tickets, crowds are usually a clubs lowest gate especially in the first few rounds except for lower league clubs when drawn against opponents from a higher league where a chance of a giant-killing result might occur, or where the top-flight clubs might be in opposition against eachother.
My first recollection of an FA Cup Final was listening to the radio broadcast of the 1948 Final when Manchester United beat Blackpool 4-2 after being 1-2 down at halftime. I can even remember the make-up of the two teams that day, but now struggle to remember who last season’s finalists were. I seem to remember that because of a bad winter the two finalists in 1948 played a rescheduled league match 3 or 4 days later at Bloomfield Road which Blackpool won.
As far as the Boro were concerned, we reached the 5th Round but lost at home to Derby County 1-2 although I don’t remember attending that match. The following season Boro lost away to 2nd Division Brentford in the 3rd Round on a day when I visited Ayresome Park for a reserve match in the North-Eastern League purely to get updates of the Cup match on the scoreboard. When I left the scoreboard showed 2-2 so I was anticipating a replay, but on returning home I found out that Brentford had scored a late winner. I did see my first FA Cup match though the next season, a goalless replay against Aston Villa after a 2-2 draw. For the record, Boro won the second replay 3-0 at Elland Road on the Monday but then lost 0-4 in the league to Villa on the next Saturday and subsequently 2-3 away to Chesterfield in the next round. Typical Boro!
The first FA Cup Final l saw on television was the “Matthews Final” in 1953 when Blackpool beat Bolton Wanderers 4-3 and Stan Mortenson scored a hat trick. Unluckily for Bolton, fullback Bell was injured whilst Bolton were leading 3-1 and therefore, before the use of substitutes were allowed, hobbled along on the wing as was the custom for injured players at the time.
In 1956 I went to Bradford to see us beat Park Avenue (remember them?) 4-0, and then travelling to London where we lost 1-3 to Tottenham Hotspur in a fog-bound match. I remember that match particularly well as Newcastle were also playing in London that day, winning at Fulham 4-3. I was getting some hassle after the match from some Spurs fans on my way to Kings Cross (a lot of pushing and man-handling) when a group of Geordies celebrating their win appeared and chased off the Spurs fans. Grateful for them that day.
In 1959 I remember shivering in a 3rd Round home tie which was thankfully abandoned because of an icebound pitch with the score 1-1, but of course we lost the rescheduled match 0-1. I also recall seeing three FA Cup matches in 1962 – beating Cardiff City 1-0, Shrewsbury Town 5-1 in a replay before a huge crowd, then travelling to Blackburn where we lost 1-2. The following year Boro were drawn away to Blackburn again, this time in the 3rd Round, but that was the winter of the great freeze when it started to snow before Christmas and freezing temperatures thereafter meant that the match (the last of the 3rd Round matches) wasn’t played until 5th March. I can’t recall how many postponements that entailed, but the match ended 1-1. Boro won the replay before a large crowd 3-1 on the following Monday, then lost the 4th Round match in front of another large crowd 0-2 to Leeds United on the following Saturday when most teams were playing their 5th Round matches.
Subsequent FA Cup matches l can recall attending were against West Ham United including Bobby Moore in 1970 (won 2-1) and the Quarterfinal tie against the Manchester United side including Charlton, Law and Best (1-1 draw in front of 40,000, lost the replay 1-2). We beat United 2-1 in a replay the next season, although I couldn’t get a ticket so missed that one, and then United again the next season in the 5th Round when, because of the “three day working week”, it was played midweek in the afternoon. A lot of my council colleagues and I took a half days leave to watch that match, but Boro lost 0-3. That was the last FA Cup match I ever saw, as stated in an earlier blog, most of my spare time was then devoted to following Castleford around the north.
As Boro devotees will recall, Boro suffered subsequent FA Cup Quarterfinal defeats to Birmingham City (1975), Liverpool (1977), Leyton Orient (1978) and Wolves (1981) before reaching the Final in 1997. Since then Boro have had a good record in the FA Cup losing to Arsenal (2002 Semifinal), West Ham United (2006 Semifinal), Manchester United (2007 Quarterfinal), Cardiff City (2008 Quarterfinal), Everton (2009 Quarterfinal) and Manchester City (2017 Quarterfinal), many of which Boro were expected to win, but I don’t think it has the same appeal today despite its being a local derby. Pity really, but some of the memories still linger on.
Ken
I have memories of the FA Cup but not going as far back.
In early days we lost 2-0 at home to Leicester when they were a top side.
I saw the West Ham game but I think that was a 3-1 win. They ran us ragged for half an hour with Clyde Best unplayable but we rallied and trotted out the winners.
The home draw with Manu saw me jammed in the Holgate end. I could Hickton hit the ball in from the left edge of the penalty area but never saw it enter the net.
I also saw the 0-3 at home to ManU. We had drawn 0-0 at ManU where the memory was of Boam marking Law. They were stood outside the Boro box squaring up to each other, Dennis smacked Stuart square on the chin and stood in horror as Boam just stood there before Stuart poleaxed him. Both stayed on the pitch.
I had been to the earlier round against Citeh. Went to the first game where we drew 1-1, I was stood with my Citeh supporting friend and a neutral in the Kippax stand. When Hickton scored I was leaping around with glee to be stopped by my friends because I was an awfully lonely Boro fan in a sea of pale blue.
Citeh equalised with a trademark Francis Lee penalty. For younger supporters he was a barrel chested winger/striker whose prize trick was to run at defenders, when I say at I mean at. He would get right up to them, slip the ball past and run in to the defender and go down.
The replay was an evening kick off and we went 1-0 up then Lee Wun Pen tried his party trick. This time Boam or Maddren (cant remember which but I think it was Willie) stepped forward to meet him then moved out of his way, Lee went down with no one near him and no penalty.
I was at Leeds at the time so we travelled back The weather was snowy and our connection to Leeds was cancelled so we asked the staff what to do. Get to York and ask there, you will be fine. At York there was a train waiting for us, as soon as we got on it went off to Leeds – the probable truth is that it was being repositioned to Leeds and we happened to get there in time.
Ken/Ian
Thanks for some great reminders of FA cup matches, a number of which I had the pleasure/disappointment to be present at.
I was at the games against West Ham and Man U with Law, Best & Charlton. Not forgetting Nobby Stiles who later played for us. I was also at the quarter final games against Orient and Brum which we lost. Exciting times gone by despite the fact we lost!
Ian
I was also at that Leicester match, a 5th Round match, but the score was actually 0-3. I saw the two previous rounds that year also Oldham Athletic 6-2 and a replay against Charlton Athletic before another large crowd 2-1.
The score in the West Ham match in 1970 was definitely 2-1 which was followed by a 4-1 home win over York City and then a 2-1 win at Carlisle before a crowd of 27,500 which equals the ground record for Brunton Park. Then of course followed that Quarterfinal against Manchester United.
Ian,
I remember that Leicester game. I was working in the old Half-time scoreboard above the ‘bob-end’ and heard some Leicester supporters talking before the game kicked-off and one said, “Second Division rubbish, we’ll win, why did we bother coming up to this dump”, the others just nodded in agreement. I’ve disliked Leicester City ever since.
UTB,
John
Fabio has left the club and is back in Brazil
Forshaw and Clayton definitely going
OFB
should that be “definitely going to be on the bench today”.
Apparently he was late turning up for the Boxing Day Match and incurred the wrath of TP
When he came on today he played in a more forward midfield place than we are used to seeing. He had a couple of nice touches but he’s still supposed to be leAving the club
OFB
On Sunderland, not only do they have a lot of injuries, I had missed that Grabban has jumped ship and gone back to Bournemouth after scoring 12 goals in 19 games hoping that his form helps him break in to the squad.
Ken
Fine with the scores, memories play tricks.
I remember the York match well, it was the first time we wore the blue and black away strip. Very smart.
Like the white hoop/band/stripe it has become something we like on our kits.
The white has existed for far longer, the first I can remember was when Dickie Rooks played when the shoulder of the shirt was white.
Georgie Smiths cracker form outside of the box comes to mind
Yes they called it a yoke, or was that a joke.
Nota lot of time for me to be in here this week
Great read again Werder.
In short goalies I recall Ipswich had a couple of shorties in goal during their successful years under Bobby Robson.
On Sunderland and FA Cup, one of my all time favourite memories was watching lightning fast Bobby Murdoch race all the way through the middle in the mud to place home the equaliser for Boro at the Holgate End….
On to today… 2-2
Randolph, Shotton, Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Howson, Leadbitter, Downing, Braithwaite, Traore, Gestede – strong team
Clayton sub apparently was going to be in squad last home game but turned up late
So are the two Adams going or staying, or just “playing”
Going as far as the Talk at the training ground chatter
What can we read in to the squad?
No Bamford but I expect him to stay.
Clayton, Forshaw and Fletcher on the bench. A chance for all three?
Guedioura – absence wont make my heart grew fonder.
Got the tees commentary on,keeps cutting out . Anyone else having the same problem?
Same here, very annoying not on TV and commentary unlistenable 🙁
I had the same problem but after restarting my laptop the stream now seems normal
If you go on to the BBC website it is on radio tees. May not be available oversees.
2 0, so far so good.
My estimated attendance of 27,100 not too bad, just 107 too many and 76 of those were Sunderland fans!
Comfortable win, would have been happier if we had put them to the sword. Sunderland sounded poor.
As we commented _ you could see why Sunderland are where they are. That said, we were fairly poor in the second half.
The Si of old would have said, “wins are wins are wins”.
The Si of today wonders if it’s wise to get carried away when the opposition are that feeble.
On the plus side? Better than MonksBoro.
Are we calling TP’s Boro IronoPulis?
I think we are.
Okay.
Just caught up with the highlights, and I’m a wee bit happier.
Plenty of positives to take.
– Adama looks like he has more than something resembling a concrete end product after all. That run and through ball for Gestede’s opener was a joy. Which brings me on to…
– Rudy Rudy Rudy Rudy! A very intelligent finish for his goal, a nice hold up for Braithwaite and unlucky not to get a second. Every bit the really useful forward I wanted him to be, if perhaps not the most exciting.
– The way Gestede’s finish was taken was evidence that forwards of his, and Rhodes’s, ilk might not need wingers to thrive – the right balls through the middle and from the full backs might be enough.
– Randolph. A genuinely excellent shot stopper who the defence look to have confidence in. (I’m not biased because I’m Irish. Oh, no.)
– When we attacked for Braithwaite’s two opportunities our passing looked rather fluid and pacy. Not as confident and commanding as AKBoro passing, but with more intent and forward-thinking purpose. Which was good.
Also.
– Braithwaite, I’m still undecided on. Nice opportunism for the goal and good positional sense for his chances, but for the money spent I expected him to blow me away this season. He hasn’t.
– Jason Steele highlighted RR’s point from a long time ago that Victor Valdes was a more expensive, older version of him. Someone as adept at making tremendous saves as failing to command his area or gain full trust from his defence like the most dependable, if not the most technically gifted, goalkeepers do.
I think I know now what separates the Dimis from the Mejias’s/Steeles/Valdes’s.
And now, my choice of pun-tastic match reports from the Twitter waves.
Starting with my own:
Coleman’s coal men ran out of gas and looked fuel-ish as newly fired up Boro let off steam to give them an easy peat-ing.
Ian Smith:
Rudy Rudy Rudy Rudy! Let it never be said, that the romance of the cup is dead. Wasn’t the riot many predicted, but Boro were the Chiefs.
Anthony McCarthy:
Adama was up for the Cup and like a Knife through butter as his Saucery made a Mug of the Mackems to put one on a Plate for Rudy.
I later said to him that we were “a cut-lery above”.
He said, “Mind you, they were forking awful.”
My response? They were “Worthy of the wooden spoon. I bet there was a dressing room spat-ula”.
But he prefers Pulis to Craig Ladle.
Apparently Fabio wasn’t allowed to go back to Brazil yet where it reported he has a family problem
He turned up at the ground today but left before the end
Had a brief chat with Braithwaite and Rudy Gestede after the game. Rudy sporting a huge Black right eye! He said he got it from the Aston Villa game.
Both players were enthusiastic about the win Rudy saying it was a team effort and Braithwaite saying everyone was running for each other today to win the game
I thought both players did well hope they both stay
OFB
Traore played well
Swapped sides to be near to Pulis and coaching. Gestede probably had his best game for us. Shotton was really good today and so was Ayala.
For some reason Ben is still guilty of the odd mistake and is not playing to his best.
George was hit and miss and had to come off after taking a nasty knock
Leadbitter was steady but is slow these days
Interesting to see what RR makes if it
It’s always a pleasure to beat Sunderland… but this is a very weak Sunderland side. If supporting Boro is character building; supporting our neighbours up the road must be total demoralisation. However, the fiasco that is our football club off the field is leaving me in state of exasperation!
1. Ticket Office: After ordering 3 tickets online to be collected at the red kiosk I thought what can go wrong… think again, incompetence personified! 40 minutes for these people to find my tickets missing the first 15 minutes and the first goal is not the customer service I was expecting.
2. Ball Boys: Do we have them? sometimes the odd one pops up and half heartedly gives the ball back… we want to be entertained and have the ball in play to keep the tempo up.. some of our players do more ball boy duty than playing the game.. The Teesside junior football alliance is the biggest local junior football league in Europe so I hear; must be a few ball boys amongst them?
3. Food and Drink in the ground: Nothing left at half time! staff that seem to just stand around… I won’t go on, you have all been there I guess…
Regarding today on the field; this manager is starting to get them playing, good tempo, Howson busting a gut to get forward, Adama picking the right moments to attack and playing with his head up.. great player in there somewhere and TP seems to be eeking it out.
Fulham next week and what a cracking young full back they have in Ryan Sessegnon, that would be 7 or 8 million well spent. Really looking forward to this game, the buzz is back.
UTB
Jed, Good post. Thanks.
Jed.
I think Fulham turned down more than £20m for Sessegnon in the summer. I think it was Spurs who made the bid.
Jed
I’ll pass your comments on to the Boro it should be run more professionally
I agree with you that this manager is apparently getting the most out of a Traore
It was nice to see him get a huge hug from TP when he was substituted it counts for a lot
OFB
Sometimes the best way to get the results you want from people is to put your arm around them… it certainly was a nice touch..
Jed
I have sent an email to
Carleigh.stafford@mfc.co.uk
Quoting your problems today. Could you please send her another email with your name and address and what tickets you bought and request a response
Regards
OFB
Would you please send
Thanks OFB…
OFB
Maybe TP is starting to get something out of Traore because Pulus isn’t a young technocrat.
I have read several times that he looks to get the best out of what players can do rather than concentrate on what they cant.
True, Defenders that defend and attackers that attack.. a simple game?
A kit change at Carrow Road, Chelsea are in grey because their blue shirts and shorts with white socks clash with Norwich’s canary yellow shirts and socks with green shorts.
Obvious really.
OFB
Maybe TP is getting more out of Traore because Pulis isn’t a young technocratic manager. I have read several times that he concentrates on getting the best out of players that they do well rather than what they cant do.
The other side of it may be what is between Adama’s ears.
Let us just hope it continues because Adama playing well will terrorise teams.
Time will tell.
Ian
AV has done a nice piece on Pulis and Traore calling them “the odd couple”
Ian
I remember in the 1950s when both teams, home and away, were obliged to play in their away strips for Cup matches. I never understood the reasoning or logic behind that.
I repeated the bit about TP and Adama because the post just disappeared. Now it is back!!
Re. Todays match, it looks like TP is going to make Traore fully paid up member of the team, and I think he is improving him.
The first goal was from his ball into the danger area.
Two more should have followed from his supply, (standing about like statues)
He could have had a simple header at the back post in the second half from a beauty cross from Downing? Failed to head for the back post(simple chance really)
All up, a work in progress, coming along nicely, Ayala is getting his Mojo back, Friend is slowly following his example.
Hate to mention it but the first goal came from Traore moving into the centre of the park and placing the ball front and centre of the penna box.
I would agree here, haven’t seen Traore in the flesh for a while and was pleasantly surprised. There was an incident in the first half when a ball was played down the right side and I thought there was no way he would get it. On came the after burners and he did followed by what I think was an intended ball at the defender to win a corner.
The first goal was well made although on occasions he didn’t pass and then lost the ball or played the wrong ball.
Still there is hope and TP does appear to be getting the best from the players.
However, the second half saw us back to what has been seen before and if they had scored then I would have been concerned.
Think TP gave them Horlicks at half time rather than Red Bull!
“The mistake myself and the staff made with Jordan (Rhodes) was, we discussed what he couldn’t do, instead of what he could do.”
— Roy Keane
Ayala and Adama are confidence players of the highest order.
When they’re on top of the game, we tend to be.
The question is: is their inconsistency, moodiness and, in Ayala’s case, injury history, forgivable?
Arguably so. The consistent class a certain Basque man was looking for, and was too used to working and playing with at Real Madrid, was out of Boro’s price range.
I would agree here, haven’t seen Traore in the flesh for a while and was pleasantly surprised. There was an incident in the first half when a ball was played down the right side and I thought there was no way he would get it. On came the after burners and he did followed by what I think was an intended ball at the defender to win a corner.
The first goal was well made although on occasions he didn’t pass and then lost the ball or played the wrong ball.
Still there is hope and TP does appear to be getting the best from the players.
However, the second half saw us back to what has been seen before and if they had scored then I would have been concerned.
Think TP gave them Horlicks at half time rather than Red Bull
I didn’t see the game as there were no video feeds to be found and even the audio commentary from MFC kept breaking up in the first half – so only really caught the last 15 minutes of the first half. The second half sounded pretty dull so tried to catch up on the Diasboro Archives while waiting for something to happen.
Anyway, Redcar Red has filed his match report and hopefully it will prove to be the most entertaining part of the today’s tie…
https://diasboro.club/2018/01/04/fa-cup-boro-vs-sunderland/#MatchReport
Just on another note , I have complained to MFC on the manager press interviews that yes you can hear the manager no problem but very difficult to hear the questions being asked by the media. Even today I could hardly hear the questions being asked. Surely they can invest in more
microphones. You will be glad to know, I never received a reply from the club !
Have you complained on writing ?
I sent an email to the club ofb
I have been annoyed by the same thing, too. And I thought it was partly my English why I did not “understand” the questions.
With Monk I did not always understand the answers either but that was because he never said anything meaningful in his pressers!
Quite funny really, for some reason I do not miss Monk. But still long for Karanka and Mogga. They were charming gentlemen and somehow more connectable than the mild Monk. I hope you understand what I mean.
And I am usually against the change of a manager as statistically that does not often help. The troubles are deeper than just one man. It is a team game.
Up the Boro!
Apparently there are to be two further appointments to the Boro coaching team under Tony Pulis
It is quite significant that on a few occasions he had mentioned that Steve Gibson has asked him to look at all the activities at the Club and advise what changes are needed.
I would think that means an overhaul of the scouting facilities in particular.
OFB
Braveheart1967
I agree with your point, I also can barely hear the questions posed by the press
Try emailing Bob Tait, Head of Digital and Marketing Development, Middlesbrough Football Club. Bob.Tait@MFC.co.uk.
I have always found him to be responsive and helpful.
Thanks KP , I am going to send an email now.
The usual high standards of match reporting RR
Thank you it’s much appreciated
I had a chat with Archie Stephens today and he was talking about Tony Pulis
They were together at Bristol for a while amd Archie said TP was a strict disciplinarian and it was his way or the High way
TP was only a junior coach In those days but Archie said it was obvious he was going to make it as a top manager and thought Boro had achieved something by appointing him
No comment about our previous manager !
OFB
In the 1980’s I always stayed in Great Ayton when we were to the UK to see my bonnie Boro. My pen pal lived at the Wheatlands and Archie lived nearly next door to him.
I was too chamed never to talk to Archie that time. He was a professional footballer and I was just a foreign fan.
I know he still lives in Great Ayton nowadays. I hope you could interview Archie one day, Bob.
Up the Boro!
Yes Archie confirmed he will do an In2views for us and I have his contact details for this to happen
To be fair Bob, I think he was the wrong person in the wrong post. I think if he can find the right club, he will do well. Anyway I wish him well.
In2View with John Hendrie today a really nice bubbly guy.
I’ll write it up and it will go on the back burner for when we have a slack period in the posts
If there are any particular questions you would like me to add to the chats please let me know
OFB
Looked like a fairly routine win today. Good to see Traore provide an assist with ball to feet.
Can anyone tell me who at the club decides about players going out on loan, is it the manager? As I see that Wing has gone to Yeovil for the rest of the season.
Also next weeks game v Fulham is on live here in Oz on BeIn so should be available in other parts of the world.
THanks for the heads up on that I will keep my eye on the TV schedules
I hope so as I seem to recall Fulham were charging £10 for their stream last time.
My understanding is that if this is being shown on live on TV by one of the EFL partners eg beIN Sports, then it will not be available to be watched via ifollow elsewhere in the world unless you are in a country where the EFL do not have a broadcast partner and you have contacted ifollow and they have agreed to unblock your account to enable you to watch such matches.
The match may be available from “pirated” internet sources elsewhere as a consequence of it being shown live on TV.
Hope this makes sense.
Thanks MW,
That’s good to know. Traore up aganst Sessegnon will be interesting to watch.
If Gestede is now plan A, I wonder what Plan B is.
UTB
Werder, an excellent preview to the third round match. Really enjoyed that.
I forgot that it was an early kick-off so I just followed the results via my phone while eating out with my missus.
AV gave 8 to about five of the Boro players and I understood Boro played well. But some people like NeverGiveUpBoro tweeted it was not so good performance in the second half.
So many commented that Sunderland were terrible. But is it just typical Boro fans that it is never us who dictated the play and made the opposition to look terrible?
Perhaps I should see the 90 min from the Boro web page when available?
Up the Boro!
Thanks Jarkko – I must admit it did sound from the Radio Tees commentary that Sunderland were pretty bad – in fact the commentators were laughing out loud on occasions at some of their attempted crosses and shots. They did seem to suggest the second half was a bit of a none event from Boro’s point of view as they didn’t really need to get out of third gear for most of the last 45. It was a case of job done at HT.
The only problem the second half was George getting injured which looked quite nasty on his knee
I’m genuinely sorry for the Sunderland fans as my next door neighbour is from Washington, but his allegiance is 50/50 to the Mackems and the Boro. We sometimes criticise MFC but Sunderland have been badly run for many years, and it’s always the fans that suffer. Chris Coleman is a fine manager, and I hope with judicious loan signings he can turn things round.
Thanks to Redcar Red for the match report, which was considerably more substantial than the afterthought coverage of what we got on MOTD – though I’d initially predicted we’d get 37 seconds but in the end Boro were given a massive additional 20 seconds. OK it was right at the end and Boro were given a bit less time than Conte was gifted to continue his schoolboy spat with Jose “little man’ Mourinho, as they follow the lead from Trump and Kim Jong-un in their pre-nuclear exchanges – though whether the Special One will respond by also be tweeting he is a ‘stable genius’ is uncertain.
The first goal definitely showed the power and pace of Adama – plus it was good to hear not only that he had a good effective game but Tony Pulis seemed to be pleased with his performance too. It sounds like Traore has nailed down his starting place under the new manager, which has seen Downing shift over to the left and perhaps Pulis will be keen to see more of Stewy’s left foot deliveries aimed at Gestede. Incidentally, another start for the big Boro forward looks like he may have also taken over as number one choice ahead of Assombalonga.
As for the game, it sounded like Sunderland played even worse than their bottom place indicated – they’ve still got half a season and the January window to mount a rescue mission but it’s looking like continued misery for Black Cat supporters. Though Boro did enough to ease into the next round without having to overly exert themselves after the interval. Hopefully we don’t draw Man City in the next round as these are useful games for Tony Pulis to get his team playing in the way he wants.
I actually didn’t understand Villa making 10 changes as they exited meekly from the Cup – there are no midweek games in the Championship until the 20th February so it’s not as if there is fixture congestion – indeed there are only three midweek games left this season (one in March and April), so why not just give it a go against lesser teams like Peterborough and Sunderland.
I forgot to add that the MOTD coverage edited in BBC local radio coverage to add some commentary – which sounded all a bit cliched as at least twice we got an Alan Partridge style ‘back of the net’ shouted at us.
I suppose Villa didn’t want their scheduled League game on the 27th to be rescheduled. In the past there were no scheduled matches for Second tier clubs on the day 4th Round FA Cup were played, but replays took place during the week after the ordinal fixture. I suppose the present system has been adopted on police advice. Perhaps Championship matches should automatically have been scheduled during the week following the 4th Round matches now as any replays would now have arranged a week later.
Andy – Brilliant stuff Ironopulis – maybe you should start printing the T-shirts now and make your fortune!
btw, with Stoke sacking Hughes maybe Gibson got his man just in time as he may have been tempted to return.
Fingers crossed that Gary Rowett – who is rumoured to be on Stoke’s list of potentials – gets the job. That could really open up second place.
Did we pass our Diasboro anniversary without sending each other best wishes.
Redcar Red, thanks for the report.
I got a facebook message….reminding me this morning – Congrats to all.
Happy Birthday to us etc etc
Ironopulis is excellent, I think Andy should copyright it before the Gazette use it in an article.
Yes, Villa made the mistake by meddling in the cup and coming unstuck. They made an even bigger mistake and did it in front of their own fans.
Excellent report RR summing up how I pretty much saw things.
That was Traores best home performance for me by a long way and hopefully Pulis can continue to improve his all round game.
After cruising the first half and being 2 up I think the general consensus was let’s have more of the same second half. Not quite how it panned out. Second half was very scrappy and I thought Boro were playing well within themselves just holding what we had and seeing what Sunderland could offer, which I assume all came from the orders given by Pulis at half time.
Now a more exciting second half would’ve been easier on the eye but that wasn’t to be. Brilliant save from Randolph kept the clean sheet the teamwork Boro displayed deserved. I agree about Howson as motm but there were a good few others who were contenders as well with an honourable mention for Shotton who I thought defended excellently and got up the right wing to support the attacking play.
Sunderland were abject and looked like a team bereft of ideas and with their confidence shot, and after the Randolph save their heads dropped and they looked to have given up. I realise they have a lot of injuries atm but they really did have the look of a team going nowhere but down.
In a pre match post I said Pulis was telling porkies about Braithwaite, Clayton and Foreshaw having injuries. Appears he was but not as an excuse not to play them!
Werder and Redcar Red, two excellent reports thank you.
Boro won, maybe it was only Sunderland but I do have some sympathy for their fans, they must be beside themselves and feeling a real supporter or fans frustration.
Yesterday’s win is just another step along along the road to team confidence and belief and Mr Pulis does seem to be building Traore up bit by bit, little by little because he has identified his worth and value to team. Exciting stuff.
Andy your Ironopulis is brilliant, start work on the revival shirt for next season no doubt Ken will be able to give the correct colours and OFB can sell it to the club. That name cheered me up, on top of the result of course.
UTB,
John
I agree the name of IRONOPULIS is an inspired idea which will take off I’m sure
If everyone agrees I can probably get a flag made for the Red Faction In the south stand to hold up and fly….
Let me know if this is what we agree on ?
OFB
OFB,
Great idea. An Ironopulis flag, excellent. As long as it doesn’t have the (00) eyes on it!
UTB,
John
Jarsue
Apparently the Ironopolis shirts were also red but a darker shade than the Boro’s, but wait for it, they also had a white sash similar to Boro’s last season though without any blue. However, the shorts and socks were completely black with no trimmings.
There were rumours recently that Sunderland had financial problems, and even talk of liquidation, with point deductions.
It makes you wonder if the players are getting paid on time, hence , their interest.
I guess if players leave this window it will tell.
Thanks RR for another professional report which reflected very much what I heard, in between bouts of the commentary breaking up and emailing the support service to advise them and eventually getting it sorted!
Some good performances and the core of the TP team is taking shape. I would venture to suggest that the following are now nailed on starters: Randolph, Shotton, Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Leadbitter, Howson, Downing, Traore, Gestede. Leaving Brathwaite, Assombalonga and Bamford to fight for the final slot.
I was a bit surprised that Dimi did not get a run out yesterday. I wonder if that might come back and haunt us, in the event of injury to Randolph, as Dimi is certainly ring rusty.
It was still disappointing that we did not perform for the whole of the match and it turned again into a game of two halves – more work needed in that respect and on imposing ourselves on the opposition.
That being said, I would rather be a Boro supporter watching a team with our inadequacies than be a Sunderland fan!
I have a nagging doubt that I read “Ironopulis” somewhere previously, most likely in the Gazette (it’s got AV all over it to be fair).
Great to see Traore starting to deliver. As we mentioned here upon Pulis’ appointment, AT was the one to follow closely and see how it works, though my confidence was low. What we’re seeing gives me real confidence in Pulis.
Howson has been steadily improving all season but he too looks energised by Pulis, whilst it’s good to see both Shotton and Gestede looking more worthy of their respective fees.
Bamford and Braithwaite were the other two we said would be interesting to monitor. I’m not sure we’re too much closer to concluding their suitability. Assombalonga has perhaps now replaced Traore as the the most interesting player/manager dynamic to unfold.
So having had a few games to take a look, what should we expect from the transfer window? For me, not much to be honest. I expect Baker to go back and at least one of Clayton, Forshaw and Guedioura to go. It should not be Clayton (please). Fabio looks likely to go.
Maybe one full-back in?
A modern-day Emmanuel Pogatetz would seem a very good fit if there’s one out there.
Far be it for Diasboro to borrow any ideas from AV 🙂
A quick google on ‘Ironopulis’ discovered two previous incarnations…
A Twitter account: https://twitter.com/ironopulis
A Podcast: https://www.acast.com/msspodcast/ironopulis
I fear it’s almost impossible these days to think of something that hasn’t been already thought of given the sheer amount of internet traffic and social media postings – still it would make a great T-shirt and there’s probably no trademark on the name as of yet!
Bugger (as AV would say)!
I don’t do Twitter any more but at least you’ve pointed me to a new podcast!
Baker is on a season long loan…
I’m sure either side could terminate if they really wanted to. He can’t be happy with us and I can’t see a reason to keep him.
A great banner from Red Faction
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/gallery-boro-fans-enjoy-fa-cup-success
Agree that Howson was MOTM. He is turning into the player we expected him to be.
Thought the Gazette were a bit generous with the 8’s, given the game of two halves scenario.
A routine win but need to see some90 minute performances if promotion is the aim.
Sunlun were the worst team I have seen for a long time, that we were only marginally better means we’ve a long way to go yet.
Agree with you there GHW……..a long way to go , especially with this squad!!!
I thought we were significantly better than them first half and they only came back into it 2nd half because we got the deckchairs out. It really was like playing League Two or Conference opposition.
Howson played well, but I’d have given my stars to Gestede, Leadbitter and Randolph (just for that save).
Good performances all round and the look of a settled team. Hard to see how Britt gets back in at the moment, but maybe we should just be pleased at the dilemma of having a £15m striker on the bench.
As an aside, interesting to see Connor Roberts went straight into Swansea’s team yesterday.
And that banner was superb – took me a few moments to realise it was a black cat!
I’m in agreement there BP. Significantly is the word I’d use as well.
I believe a poster on this thread, could’ve been Plato, suggested that Traore was a footballing demi-god or thereabouts. All it needed was a coach with man management ability to bring forth the divine. Others… well the less said the better.
Some people will be eating excessive amounts of humble pie come the end of the season me thinks.
Well done Plato, keep them posts coming!!!
GHW
Our efforts were confined to the first half, (which is not a good habit) but Sunderland are really in trouble, and it is not nice, because they are football supporters just like us, and who knows where it will end.
There is a run of bad form and there is a permanent drop in standards, which can lead who knows where( down a division?)
One can only wish them the best of luck.
Adama can’t be counted upon to do the business all the time. For tactic-heavy, control-focused, safety-first managers – in other words, those who want to stabilise their teams at the very top, regardless of entertainment value – that’s anathema.
But on his game, he makes me smile, as he is a throwback to the days when football was less evolved, when you could derive much more enjoyment from watching a mercurial talent “on fire”.
He’s one of those players who keeps you coming back to watch football – because there’s always a chance you’ll see something you can’t quite believe.
Simon
I think that he was tarred with the tag of crazy dribbler when he arrived, we then bought it and could not get it out of our minds.
We have played a static game for a while now(hopefully Pulis will eradicate it) everyone gives a pass( slowly) to a colleague who is stood still and waits for the ball to reach him.
Traore has not played many minutes since his arrival.
His laid on scoring chances are very high indeed, three on Saturday, first half across the goal, unguarded near post, two of ours standing approx. five yards away, neither went for the front post for the easy knock in.
He laid on the winner against Villa, six yard box, before they scored, no one interested.
Last season against West Ham three rolled along their goal line. No takers.
As for the idea that he is never available for a pass, Saturday he stood patiently waiting for the ball In front of the manager, three times the entire team tried to force the ball over to the other wing, at the fourth attempt they succeeded, he was still unmarked, still waiting.
I think that he would be very successful in a very good team, speed is a feature of all good teams, and they never pass to anyone who is stood with his feet planted( that would be us)
I can just hear my father now….
“Another bloody Dicky Dancer”
Adama’s best PL game for us. No question.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aAo2i38t3rg
With a bit more luck, and a bit more belief, we’d have won. That said, after the Watford horror any result at the Emirates would be perceived as a plus.
Well I’ve had a word with the guy who rallies the south faction supporters and organises the flags about a IRONOPULIS flag and we’ll see what happens !
Werder sent you a filed copy today
Hello friends. Ref my post about press conferences by the manager and not being able to hear the questions asked by media. I have tried to email Bob Tait at MFC as advised but email addresses I was given and others don’t seem to work. However he is on Facebook so I have sent him a message. Lets wait and see. Thanks .
Braveheart
bob.tait@mfc.co.uk has always worked fine for me unless he has changed it.
Boro are ball number 19 in tonight’s FA Cup draw. The draw is usually made by a couple of players who may have some connection with clubs whose numbers are in the draw. Now I’m not suggesting that there might be any impropriety in the draw, but in the interests of fair play, shouldn’t each of the numbered balls be in screwed up container so that the numbers cannot be seen until opened, or am I being pedantic?
This stand-off between the Gazette and MFC is getting ridiculous. We now have a weekly article by Philip Tallentire under the heading “Questions we would have asked the manager if we had attended press conferences”. I just don’t understand the point of these articles.
Bullseye.
Let’s have a look at what you could have won.
Oh I see you live in the middle of the country and I’m sure that the speedboat would have been really useful to you !
OFB
When are you conducting a “this is what I would have asked” style In2view with George Camsell?
Followed up with similar exclusives with Wilf and the great George Hardwick!
You could go to Albert Park and interview the legendary Brian Clough statue and report back on what you would have asked him had he been there.
RR
That would make for an interesting series of In2views!
It’s been hard enough trying to tie down Alan Peacock for the past few weeks to have a sit down. I’ve seen him at the last three home games and he still has the Q&A list I gave him in his pocket!
I met Brian Clough at the Boro at a former players dinner a few years ago and actually was friends of George Hardwicks Son Whilst younger. If only I had had the foresight to interview them then. George often used to give me a lift home after I had been at his house and he was a really nice guy.
I met Bobby Murdochs widow and two sons a few months ago before I started doing the In2views and regret not having talked to her as she was very knowledgeable about the Boro amd Football.
OFB
Ken Smith
Being a bit mischievous I had the thought that as the Gazette lads are so principled I am surprised they haven’t handed their press passes back in solidarity with the Gazette Two and paid for their own tickets and scran.
On to the Boro, these are the thoughts I would have put to Tony Pulis if I had a press pass.
Are we near the corner yet?
Beating Sunderland is a result we would expect giving the results so far this season. Team near the bottom in poor form, one issue is that we would like to be putting that sort of team to the sword leading 2-0 at half time, but a win is a win.
Which is more representative of our current form? The defeat by Villa or win at Preston?
All three games showed we only really played one half.
Fulham up next who are three points behind us but have 10 points from the last four games. They lost at home on Saturday in the cup to Soton, whilst they had more possession – they are a good footballing side, the Saints had enough good chances to make it more decisive than 1-0
This is the type of match to show if we are getting there, will we turn the corner or run off in to the gravel?
I noted last night Lawro and Co. in the MOTD studio drooling and dribbling over Wanyama’s performances for Spurs and how his cultured range pf passing techniques sets up attacks.
They were undoubtedly well placed balls and showed composure in finding his Strikers but to me it was simply a long ball up the pitch over the heads of the midfield and onto the Strikers. So my anxiety now has me perplexed to the point where I’m at a loss to identify when is a long ball out of defence up to a Striker a thing of beauty and when is it a Hoof?
I suspect the answer is that if its from a Manchelskiarsepool Hotspur player then its a thing of beauty to behold and admire but if its from a Pulis or Allardyce team then its a Hoof.
My draw for the FA Cup is about to take place, we are ball number 19.
To ensure impartiality the home teams will be drawn out by myself and the awy teams drawn out by, er, me. I will leave you to google the teams.
🙂 🙂
Here goes
8 v 15
23 v 2
28 v 4
19 v 1 – Boro at home draw against Sheffield Untited
22 v 26
25 v 6
3 v 5
17 v 9
32 v 10
7 v 27
24 v 11
31 v 30
21 v 20
16 v 14
29 v 18
13 v 12
All ties to be played over as many TV slots as possible, the most inconvenient times will be for fans with the longest distance to travel.
Thanks for the alternative “Match Report” Redcar and I think that we saw the game in the same light.
The surprise was that TP went with probably his current starting eleven with an assorted bench to possibly give one or two who have not featured some minutes on the pitch. Unless MFC or TP have a list of probable available players to bring in, despite the statements it would be difficult to off-load, say Clayton, because he would have to be replaced with someone better than we have.
Injuries and suspensions, which we have been rather lucky with, have to be factored in, so I would have thought the “Watford Lad” and Forshaw are the most likely to be moved on……well if you could in fact get someone interested in the former. Forshaw I think would have interest. After that Johnson has not impressed when given the opportunity, neither has Fletcher and Baker has not even featured under TP.
I my opinion, if we seriously want to get into the “play off places” then the current squad will need a rather big-ish cull and possibly three or four new better players brought in….which I would agree to be rather difficult.
Saturdays match once more showed up our main deficiency, which is lack of pace. In the first half especially, Adama did what he had to do and got the ball into the box. Unfortunately apart from his slide rule pass to Gestede, his crosses from wide where delivered into the box void of Red Shirts, well apart from Gestede????
Apart from Howson, who was my MOTM by far the support at times in the final third was woeful…….no pace in the team, or is it the players not reacting or under orders to not stray too far up field. I thought that Grant had a steady game doing what he does best now, but if we are serious in trying for the top six, then I am afraid he is not the man now, or Clayton or Forshaw to get us there.
Who are the players that are going to score the goals to win the matches on a consistent basis against the better teams competing for those same top six spots. Gestede? not a chance, SD? the same, Braithwaite? unlikely, Howson? playing further forward as he is now, possibly he will chip in with a few. Britt looks like he is going to warm the bench, so who does that leave….may be Ayala?
Against a very poor, unlucky team with a mountain of injuries, we did not impose ourselves as we should have. Where we complacent, possibly, but after a reasonable first half, Sunderland could of had two goals if it had not been for Randolph and the woodwork.
Fulham will be a very different team to compete against and a performance like the second half will leave us pointless. and another step back.
Upon reflection I strongly suspect the second half was played as per instructions from TP and used almost as a training ground exercise. When we are 2-0 up sit deep, keep it tight and frustrate the opposition. They have to push forward thereby leaving themselves vulnerable to a break (or hoof). If we become good at keeping a clean sheet especially with a two goal advantage we would need to throw away three goals.
In that context then I see the logic of the second half especially as it will stand us in good stead against the better sides (or the entire Championship in reality based on Sunderland’s showing). Apparently in training I’ve read/heard that after Adama Downing is the quickest sprinter despite his ageing limbs and Zimmer as some would have it.
It is looking like TP has already sussed out the squad and has ten of his preferred starting eleven sorted. On top of that he will need his Subs so that means 18 match day players at least then a few extras for changing it around and cover for injuries and suspensions. I recall AK said he wanted a squad of about 23 players because any more was too big and I think Pulis will think the same.
The nailed on remainers I think will be:
Randolph
Shotton
Ayala
Gibson
Friend
Leadbitter
Howson
Downing
Traore
Gestede
Then the squad/fringe players to add to the above ten:
Dimi
Christie
Bamford
Assombalonga
Braithwaite
Clayton
Forshaw
Johnson
Plus Academy:
Fry
Tavernier
Likely Exiteers:
Guedioura
Fletcher (loan)
Baker
Fabio
Mejias
Its unlikely that anyone will come in for Mejias and perhaps Baker is stuck here under the terms of his loan. The “Squad/Fringe” list could see some exits and I wouldn’t be surprised if Forshaw perhaps went if the money was right and one of Bamford, Braithwaite or Assombalonga based on if a too good to turn offer was received for one of them. Fabio looks to be going but there is a small matter of a fee big or large or perhaps the club will resolve that as “undisclosed”. Christie may even be tempted to look elsewhere if some interest materialises but personally I think he should stay as injuries will hit and long term Pulis will make him face his weaknesses and improve his defending.
As it stands with those top two lists thats 18 players plus Tav and Fry and that will be the core pool. We know we need a LB (maybe more so with Friend perhaps injured) and maybe another CB depending on what TP thinks of Fry. By now TP and DK will have binge watched videos so will have an understanding on who offers what and Saturday’s team selection probably showed that he doesn’t feel the need to “see” them in the flesh.
The interest in Hutton is an interesting one as he fits the Pulis back line profile so I suspect that there is mileage in that one as he seems to like big experienced defenders who can do a job now rather than sometime in the future. Should he or similar arrive that is simply a replacement for Fabio so the main emphasis will be on the “Exiteers” group and a surprise or two perhaps from the “Fringes” permitting possible incoming tweaks. Personally I think that what TP has currently is more than good enough but accept the fact that what he has are perhaps not best suited to what he ideally wants and of course there are a few too many.
Wouldn’t have Hutton in a Lucky Bag.
I must confess I’ve never rated him but then it’s not up to me and it hasn’t happened yet
I’ve not heard a figure from Tony Pulis of what he deems as the number of players he wants in his squad – he only said Boro’s was too big and bigger than the one he had at West Brom (though looking at the the current size of the Baggies squad then it appears to be the same size as Boro’s with 25 players).
Who leaves from those who are regarded as his fringe players may be dependent on offers received – but I’d expect he’ll want to lose a lot more than the likes of Mejias, Baker, Fletcher and Guedioura, who have not really featured in the matchday squad. If he’s thinking of bringing in players too then perhaps half of those fringe players may be on their way in January – especially as he also has some academy players to make up the numbers too.
I don’t think the club will actively advertise anyone in particular is for sale but the message that Boro want to reduce their squad will probably encourage a few offers and it’s clear from the apparent rejection of the initial Fabio bid that nobody will leave on the cheap.
I agree with all that RR albeit I am not sure that we are necessarily desperate for a left back as Fabio has not yet gone.
In the event that George is injured then Ben could be moved across and either Fry or Shotton played at Centre Back. TP has said that he likes players who can play in more than one position.
He also mentioned a total of 24 players as being ideal made up of 18 outfield players + 2 keepers + 4 from the development squad so that would be very close to what he has with the likely exiteers being those you have listed + Fabio eventually. The only thing that may change is if an offer is received for some one which is regarded as too good to refuse.
An offer for Assambalonga ?
That figure of 18 senior outfield players sounds sensible as it doesn’t appear to leave them thinking they are too far on the fringe when not selected in the first XI. Though if you look at Redcar Red’s list I counted 20, including Guedioura who was training with the development squad under Monk – plus Connor Roberts has left now.
It would then only mean losing two senior players to make 18 and with Fabio wanting out and the lad from Watford looking decidedly rusty – that doesn’t sound like much of a change – though it sounds like he’s looking to move Fletcher on too. I suspect he may want to bring in a central defender/full-back so maybe then it will be down to one in one out if he wants to bring anyone new in.
Werder
Did you get my emails ok?
Just checked – I received the John Hendrie file yesterday 🙂
Werder
I think you’re right about not making too many changes
I think that Fletcher will probably go out on loan. Ipswich were keen on taking him at the start of the season before we bought him. It’s game time he needs and unfortunately we need players who can hit the ground running to catch up in the second half of the season.
I wonder if he would have Wheater back at the Boro?
We could lend Bolton a player or two like Forshaw and Fletcher and it wouldn’t particularly hurt us.
I think we will lend Sunderland a few players as they are so short and he will be helping out an old friend.
The second spot is up for grabs never mind a play off spot and we should go for it!
UTB
OFB
GHW
I too probably wouldn’t see Hutton as “ideal” but the Villa fans are up in arms saying he is one of their best players and to offer us De Laet or Bree instead. My view of Hutton is that at Rangers he looked far too good for the Scottish Premiership then at Spurs he disappointed based on the anticipation and has seemed (from a distance) to be no more than mediocre at best to me.
All that said if fans are up in arms then its usually a decent indicator as to the Players true ability. Not always admittedly but I suspect that in this case the Villa fans rebuttal of even the suggestion of it is probably a better indicator than my limited personal view of the lad from afar.
The two clubs do have “previous” in coveting each others assets and what could be interesting is if there is a swap involved.
Just to let everyone know that over the last few days I’ve now completed work on producing the Diasboro Archive pages. There is now a separate page for each month of 2017 (January – December) – though the summer period is combined into a June-July page. Each month page shows a header graphic plus a brief explanatory sentence and the headline that links to the article. There were 133 articles published in 2017.
You can access this page through the Menu at the top of the page under archive (i.e. HOME – ABOUT – CONTACT – ARCHIVES)
Alternatively, you can click on the following link…
https://diasboro.club/archives/
Great stuff !
Werder
What a star, much appreciated.
I am going to give some praise to Shotton who could turn in to a key player.
I tended to forget that he is not just a centre back at right back but has played a lot of games there over the years. He isn’t like Christie when he goes forward but he looks better than when I have seen the likes of Wheater at full back.
Have to agree Ian. My opinion of Shotton was bad to poor based on the limited times I’d seen him play plus an Brummie supporting ex work colleagues opinion. Its still early days. his Brentford debut was one to forget but since then his outings have been strong, dependable and looking comfortable. The change of Manager will I suspect have helped him greatly as it has Ayala, Traore and hopefully Ben to follow!
RR
I thought Shotton has been getting better each game and Saturday was his best.
I must confess I didn’t see Ayala being stronger of the two with his partnership with Ben but Ben has been below par all season.
George was better on Saturday but don’t know how his knee is he seemed to be in a lot of pain.
One difference I’ve noticed between this manager and Monk is he keeps his players in the dressing room after the game a lot longer.
I think he must be having a debrief of their individual performances and collective team display. Either that or they are spending more time on front of the mirror !
Nearly forgot – outstanding save From our keeper Randolph it was world class and that’s no exaggeration
OFB
TP, by saying he wants a smaller squad, means that the For Sale sign is up.
As we know, all players have their price.
Just going back to Ken’s earlier point that there didn’t used to be a full fixture programme for the 4th Round of the FA Cup in the top two divisions. Just had a look at how many Championship teams actually made it through the 3rd round this year – at the moment only 8 of the 24 teams are definitely into the 4th round with four teams facing replays (two away at PL opposition).
Sadly Villa’s apparent ploy to concentrate on the league and play their Championship game as scheduled has failed as their opponents Sheff Utd are still in the Cup. Perhaps it will be a winter break in the sun for them instead.
Werder
In my FA Cup draw we play Sheff Utd at home.
I’d settle for that but I’m hoping for Yeovil at home!
Can’t see any sense at all in signing a 33year old right back, when we already have Shotten and Christie. The latter who I think TP could improve all round.
As I understand it like Fabio although right footed (glad this isn’t a Glasgow Celtic/Rangers board) he can and has played LB (apparently seven of his nineteen games for Villa this Season have been at LB). There again does it maybe say something about Christie that we are presently unaware of or just simply that Hutton will be RB with Shotton moved back to CB to keep the pressure on Ben and Dani?
Strong rumours from the Midlands that AK has been offered the Forest job.
If true you can guess tonights cup draw!
Confirmed he is favourite on the news at 6
Werder,
Brilliant work on the archive. Thanks for all of your time, skill and effort. It will be a great resource.
I guess the Home draw against either Brighton or Palace will be a good bench mark test for TP to see how far off we are or how well we have progressed.
Boro are keen on signing Wolves defender Kortney Hause on loan #boro #wwfc (via @SportsPeteO)
Whilst his tenure on Teesside ended badly, I hope AK is given a good reception when he returns with Forest.
Meanwhile, Palace to win tonight so we face one of TP’s old teams next?
I think if it turns out to be Palace, then we are guaranteed the manager will want to win the tie.
Steely
AK will get a good reception, no reason not to. Play off final and a promotion, financially better off than for years.
There will be some who thought he shouldn’t have been sacked, I am not one of that number – his time was ended as shown by his behaviour. Their argument will be that if it was all his fault there should have been a dead cat bounce once the players were relieved of his malevolent presence, as it was all we got was dead cat.
Either way, there will be some goodwill.
There comes the usual warning, no cats were harmed typing this post.
So the claws aren’t out?
I would prefer a neutered response when he comes !
Will we be on TV?
First thought is unlikely but……………….
Lower premiership team against a Pulis led Championship team. Pulis v Palace.
A Friday or Monday night trip to the Riverside is perfect inconvenience factor for Palace or Brighton, if Brighton win it will be nailed on. The back up is Saturday or Sunday lunchtime. Late Saturday or Sunday are not out of the question.
The more you think about it, the chance of stuffing away fans seems too good to miss.
AK signs 2.5 year deal to manage Forest. What’s the odds the meltdown master won’t see out his contract? His immediate predecessor lasted 9 months.
Spartak is not impressed!
Spart
A little forecast for you.
A K will be speaking better English.
Forest will suddenly have a better defence.
The forest board will not let any unhappy player(s) have any say in the running of the club.
And they will suddenly start dealing in players and making money.
And finally watch them have a very good cup run.
Plato
I do sincerely hope you’re right. I do not forget the rapid improvements that initially came when AK was appointed at the Boro. However, he got the easy bit right ie. defensive football. Unfortuantely, as time passed by he lost the plot because he was out of his depth when it came to the need to play more than one style of footie. He lost the majority of the dressing room before the Charlton game and had to rely on his new Spanish players to keep him afloat.
I saw the look on SG’s face after the Brighton draw and promo- it was far from ecstatic and that will be my most abiding memory of AK’s reign at the Boro.
Meanwhile, it appears TP has been given a free rein to re-jig the Boro from top to bottom. Wasn’t someone on this blog (out of sync with many) calling for just that some many months ago?
Spartak
A mismatch made in heaven.
So Brighton it is after their win against bitter rivals Palace. Unlike our non derby with nearly 27,000 in the ground the southern luvvies managed 14,507 between them.
Brighton player Dale Stephens say it was a big game for the fans, clearly they couldn’t face the stress and stayed at home.
Will we see articles bemoaning the sea of blue seats?
I still rate Karanka – and definitely higher than Monk. I wish him all the best at Forest. We own him a lot. He knew what he wanted. Up the Boro!
It will be interesting to see if now having had time to reflect if he changes some of his Karankology. A lot of it was very effective and undoubtedly worked but his achilles heel was his inability to accept the parts that didn’t work let alone accountability.
I wish him well and hope he succeeds as he certainly left us in a better place than where he found us. Just a shame that he couldn’t open his mind and see why and what wasn’t working towards the end of his tenure.
I wish him well, he showed us what was possible and that in the end he was human like the rest of us.
Good luck AK!!
What’s that famous saying again – To be human is to… err, I forgot what it is now…
What I’ll be drinking tonight
De vine !
Nearly half of Mogga and AK’s “leftovers” – Ayala, Gibson, Friend, Leads and Adama (whether Downing was an AK signing or not is up for debate. What I’ve read and seen suggests not) are still regular first team fixtures.
Of course I’d applaud them on their return to the Riverside! And Robbo.
Add Gestede and Bamford to that list, and it’s not a bad legacy. Happy, as well, that the club were able to at least break even on Rhodes, Fischer, De Roon, Stuani and Espinosa.
The whole “Aitor At Forest” thing?
It may go the same way as Keane At Ipswich if the Basque man’s not careful. If, like Keane, he complains that he doesn’t feel the trust with the board, or the chemistry’s not right with the club, and he focuses less on what players can do and more what they can’t (something he did at Boro with creative players, repeatedly), then, well, trouble.
At least, unlike Keane, he’ll still be working in red. (The whole “I don’t like *expletive* blue, because my rivals Rangers and City wear blue” excuse is hilarious.)
Best thing for Aitor? Do what I think Pulis is doing. Accept that you’ve been hired to do a job and do it well.
On the other hand, he’ll be reunited with Muzzy. That’s going to be awkward…
so who will AK target from Boro,
Clayton perhaps? maybe Forshaw or Grant.
Or how about his “rescued from exile” ex forest player Paddy. I would not be surprised to see that happen. AK knows how to get the best out of him and I think there is mutual respect.
I don’t think Downing will be on his shopping list.
Will Leo return to these shores?
Will AK alter his style of man management or his game tactics?
I am sure we will all be watching with interest and hope he gets a good reception on his return to the Riverside but his team gets a drubbing.
Quick thanks to Len, Ian and OFB for their comments on the archives and to those who clicked the like button too. Definitely something to while away those international breaks in future.
I also would not be surprised to see the Clayton to Forest rumours start up. He wouldn’t be on my list to go, as i think he could do a solid job in the Championship, but for whatever reason his face doesn’t currently fit and he could probably be moved on. I would want us to bring in cover though, as Grant’s legs will not get through the rest of the fixture list.
I would be loathe to lose Bamford, as I think he is a great striker at this level, and has more to offer in a Pulis style system, or as a big man little man partnership. However, reuniting with Karanka at his former club seems to be written in the stars and perhaps will come to pass.
Onto Sunderland, I would like to see us help them out with some loanees. In my view, why not loan them Fletcher? They don’t have a striker, he is a raw big lad who roughly fits the Grabban mould, although not as polished, and would be a good replacement for them. I’d also like to see Tavernier and Fry given a loan spell, and up the road would be the perfect time to give them a spell of toughening up and becoming the men that Pulis seems to like. Plus, if they play well, and with commitment they could become very popular.
I’m not overly enamoured with Hutton, especially as i presume he would be looking for an 18mth+ contract, and i don’t see him being useful for more than the next 6mths, but perhaps it’s worth paying for if he gives us something we lack. I’m just not sure what that “something” is.
AV has written an article in the Gazette lambasting the behaviour of Sunderland fans chanting what he describes as “parochial poison” at Boro fans in Saturday’s FA Cup match and also at previous matches between the two clubs. Quite right too!
But he then goes on to write that some banter is acceptable and adds to the atmosphere. But surely any banter or sledging fuels the uneducated to retaliate in the only way they know with their moronic chanting. One only has to read some of the responses by some Boro fans on Gazette articles where such abuse is rife to any opinion that differs from their own.
When AV wrote his “Untypical Boro” articles which preceded this forum, he quite rightly wouldn’t tolerate any abusive comments by bloggers whose opinions weren’t shared by others, a maxim that I’m pleased to say Werdermouth has continued on this forum which separates it from the Gazette forum.
Now I can’t imagine any bloggers on this forum shouting vitriolic abuse at opposition fans at the Riverside, but then I’m an old fogey who doesn’t attend matches anymore. Of course I would get incensed with opponents committing dirty fouls, or with referees making what I might consider wrong decisions, but wouldn’t have resorted to chanting doubting the target’s parentage.
Society has changed; in my day banter might have been merely a discussion as to the comparative merits of one player over another, much like what may be discussed in writing on this forum. I guess it would be naive to think that decorum shown on this forum would manifest itself on the terraces, but am I alone in thinking that today’s banter is the precursor that fuels the acceleration of what now is deemed unacceptable? Or am I past my sellby date?
Ken
Re your last paragraph: no I don’t think you’re naive or past your sell by date but, then again, I suppose I’m an old fogey too. I do, however, think that we do, as a society, seem to have descended into a downward spiral as to what is acceptable behaviour, particularly in public places.
Today’s media appears to encourage moronic behaviour, e.g. “reality” TV, and the Internet, which has a lot of good points, has, unwittingly, provided a voice for every Tom, Dick or Donald to virtually say what they like.
Rant over.
Boro Streams @ifollowboro reports
Currently the Fulham website lists the next game to subscribe to as Burton Albion (their match after Boro).
Have messaged Fulham to find out if Boro will be available to subscribe to.
OFB
My understanding is that this game is being shown live by one of ifollow’s partners (Australia and elsewhere) and as such will not be available on ifollow.
I am in Spain and would normally have been able to watch via ifollow because there is not an ifollow spanish broadcast partner and ifollow have kindly unblocked me for matches which are being shown live elsewhere in the world. For this reason I was able to watch the match at Sheffield which was shown live elsewhere in the world.
There is, however, an added complication here in that Fulham have their own TV system and are not entirely reliant on ifollow and it appears they have decided not to show the match.
I have discovered that it may be streamed via Bet365 in Spain (Bet365.es) but don’t believe it is available on Bet365.com.
Back to good old BBC Tees and the club website for most of us!
Wolves are ready to hand Kortney Hause a new deal before allowing him to go out on loan in a January double deal, Football Insider sources understand.
The centre-back, 22, has been unable to command a place in Nuno Espírito Santo’s starting XI this season with the club riding high at the top of the Championship and a number of clubs are ready to offer him regular first-team football.
A well placed source has told Football Insider that Championship rivals Middlesbrough, Preston and Millwall are all keen on taking Hause on loan for the second half of the season as they look to bolster their defensive options.
I think Karanka’s strength is also his weakness – his attention to detail and his control freakery will sort out many of a team’s problems but unless he can accept that it’s impossible to control everything then he’s destined to stoke up tensions and ultimately start the volcano within him erupting and reaching another meltdown as the irritation of mistakes become unbearable. I guess only managers who can let things lie and move on will probably retain their sanity.
In theory, joining Forest at this point in the season gives him plenty of time to get his players imbued with his methodology without the expectation being placed upon him of needing to reach the playoffs. Next season he may be expected to kick-on with possibly a top six on the agenda so it’s probably a good 18 months before the pressure kicks in.
I watched him on TV at the Boro away game at Stoke and saw his meltdown. Mrs OFB and I commented that we had never seen such a manager be so mentally distraught during what is after all a game!
I think that is why Gibson made the decision to have the parting of the ways as he saw what the stress was doing to AK amd I’m turn rebounding on all who worked with him.
OFB
Weirder
That was precisely the situation with us, and that turned out quite well, I think that their fans will be very happy, I would be.
Ken
I have been to away matches were some Boro and opposition fans don’t watch the match but hurl foam flecked abuse at each other. It would be much cheaper to get a four pack of beer and stand in front of a mirror at home.
I don’t mind amusing banter, the Sunderland fans in white overalls was witty, so was the Trophy Virgins banner, the banner from Saturday was clever. The small town in Yorkshire chant was turned in to small town in europe by ourselves.
When we were in Europe ‘Geordies at home, watching the Bill’ brought a chuckle..
Our fans chanting about rent boys is unacceptable as are chants about children. The Munich and Hillsborough insults flying backward and forward are a disgrace.
Knuckle draggers still exist and that is key, the fans were much worse in years gone by, pitched battles and racial abuse common place.
Nothing wrong with humour just some persons version of humour isn’t humorous.
Rather than selling Clayton, I expect him to be a permanent fixture in the starting XI before too long. Certainly by the end of the season. At present, he’s coming back from being frozen out and maybe a niggle or two but I expect him to replace Leadbitter at some point.
Grant was crucial to Garry Monk’s side to bring some leadership but under Pulis I expect us to have more structure and organisation from the training ground, lessening the need for a Grant’s vocal ability.
Fletcher and Tavernier are good candidates to go out on loan, possibly Forshaw also. Guedioura should be sold if a buyer can be found, possibly Forshaw too. I would let Johnson go if there was a reasonable offer as well.
I would agree with you Andy.
Fletcher has promise and could be developed into a good player. There is some talk about him being loaned out to Rangers which might toughen him up.
Forshaw seems to have gone backwards the past year and he is one of the players who infuriated me with his windscreen wiper style of football even under Gary Monk
Whatever has gone on behind the scenes with Clayton it should be cleared away and he should be part of the first team and not just the squad. It would make sense for Leadbitter to play his normal game and use energy then replace his tiring legs with Clayton.
Don’t get me wrong I admire Leadbitter for what he has done for the club but for me it’s time to change.
Guediora I cannot really comment on as I haven’t seen him play much at all in a Boro shirt and when he was warming up on the touchline at the last home game I had to think hard who he was!
The big stumbling block appears to be Bamford amd Assambalonga. It wouldn’t surprise me to see Bamford join AK at Forest which is a shame as he is intelligent and could me made into the right player who scored all those goals for us when he was on loan. No it’s Assambalonga who worries me the most. The crowd who sit next to me think he is a lazy player and Pulis won’t accept anyone not doing their fair share of the work. Viduka was the same just waiting for the ball to come to him. If we are prepared to lose a lot of money then we could see him shipped out and it’s not something you would normally see with your leading goal scorer. Therefore the obvious answer is to find a system that allows him to play in the team.
Glad I’m not the manager !
OFB
Ian
I take your point about the banners being amusing and
I understand that to some supporters, football has become tribal, but most of what some call banter today is provocative obscene chanting, though I do agree that we don’t have the open warfare of the seventies and eighties when supporters were caged in enclosures like wild animals, but the police today still seem to treat all fans in that vein.k However when l used to attend away matches there was no segregation of supporters. It was much like watching cricket or rugby today. I just turned up wearing my red and white scarf and occasionally having friendly banter with the home fans, but of course in those days there were few organised supporters trips to away matches except for cupties. Also there was little club football shown on television, just the FA Cup Final and only one match on MOTD or “Shoot “ on Tyne-Tees TV (how many of you remember George Taylor and the friendly banter he was subjected to when he visited Ayresome Park with his camera crew?). Maybe TV has a lot to do with behavioural patterns of change in society today and not only at football matches.
There didn’t seem to be the animosity shown to your rivals either in those days. Stan Anderson, for example, played for all three North East clubs; Brian Clough left Boro for Sunderland; Stuart Boam left Boro for Newcastle; John Craggs left Newcastle for Boro, and I don’t recall much animosity shown to those players by fans of their former clubs about those transfers at the time, but contrast that when Sol Campbell left Spurs for Arsenal, or when Ashley Cole left Arsenal for Chelsea. Maybe we were much more tolerant in days of yore.
I’m going to share an extract today which will be relevant to certain players moving in this transfer window. It’s from what’s rapidly becoming, to me, the best football book around – The Secret Footballer’s How To Win.
“I was in my late twenties when I secured a move for some millions to a Premier League club… (with a wage of around) £30,000 a week.
“I could buy everything I had ever wanted. I had the status, the reputation, the lot. I had officially made it.
“There was one problem: I had to move away from everything that I knew. My home, my extended family, my friends and my old life. My wife had to do the same, but she had to do it with a newborn baby. She knew nobody when we arrived in our new home (and) nobody when we left it a year later…
“It was a disaster for us both… when we actually talked to each other, we wished and prayed that we could be delivered back to the place where we had felt loved, and safest. Nobody outside of (me and her) knew what was going on. (They) simply saw a player who wasn’t succeeding (as) they thought he would.
“We needed reassurance and comfort from somebody we could trust and love… unconditionally, people who couldn’t care less about how the football was going.
“And I needed better support at the club. The manager who loved me on the afternoon of transfer deadline day decided that he didn’t love me anymore. His attitude was that it wasn’t him, it was me… I wanted to play and do well. He wasn’t interested…
“…All the while, I was dragging (my family) deeper into our own pit of despair. I was hard to live with, hard to be around. (Financially) I had succeeded… but I knew that (I) was a long way from fulfilment and happiness. And worse, deep down I had always sensed this wasn’t the club for me.
“…I’m afraid that the world doesn’t run on love. Lift the lid on football and it is a cruel, selfish, ruthless little world. There are moments that fool you into believing that the dream is actually your reality, and you learn to grab those moments. For the rest of the world, those moments are all that anybody sees.”
Maybe I should have bought that book. Sounds very interesting and poignant.
We live in an age that is ruled by the “offended”.
It’s, “Twitter in meltdown!” “Vile abuse” and always “ the “fury”.
Social media is populated by cyber, Curtain Twitchers. To be honest I think it’s all knee jerk reaction.
Of course their is no place for racism or homophobia but do we have to be offended by every little thing.
I’m reminded once again of my father who would say. “ Before you you react, consider the source”.
Grove – The world is now a pantomime of sorts?
I know it’s the silly season transfer window season again, but it is so annoying that names are thrown out Willy nilly, why would we be interested in Hutton, unless of course you intend selling Ben to accommodate another centre back on the books, I don’t see any incomings TP has stated it really.
Maybe some outgoings but until it’s definite will the gazette and the like please stop with copying blog posters not in the know speculation.
🔴 I added your first post to the end of this one as you accidentally posted it under your real name – btw for the last few weeks all your post are currently ending up in my spam filter for approval – nothing I’ve done but it may be related to your IP address – werdermouth
Len
I remember those days as well, a lot of the violence in football developed after I had moved away from Middlesbrough in the early eighties.
So are you saying it was you that caused it Ian?
For your midweek reading, I’ve just posted up OFB’s In2views piece with Alan Foggon…
https://diasboro.club/2018/01/09/in2views-alan-foggon/
Love the cup draw, a by into the next round.
Our lifetime record, both home and away to Brighton is so good that it puts us into their all time bogey team category.
We can treat it as an unimportant game, so what can possibly go wrong?
As the draw was made, the Brighton fans were asked for their views, someone said ” we have some very unhappy memories of them”
They can certainly say that, up to and including 9-0
Should be a great game regardless of the score. There may even be a few sparks if one or two get involved with a bit of banter. [Snip]
🔴 I don’t want to deal with any fallout from that thank you very much, I believe those kind of comparisons are still quite offensive to people – Werdermouth
[Snip]
UTB
🔴 Do you seriously believe people are not deeply offended when the ‘N’ word is directed at them? Please make those kind of arguments elsewhere as I don’t want to deal with any fallout from that either! I’m not sure where you’re going with these recent posts but sadly I think the approve list is the safest option for me – Werdermouth
The ‘N’ word, Werder!
And there lies the point. Whether it be the N-bomb [edited] or nonsense the sensitivities of those who would be offended, especially on social media, MUST be paramount – this I now understand, for if anyone should breach such unwritten protocol then the gods will be called upon to cast that person to the ground, where either they submit to a tyranny or they are banished forthwith from civil society.
It happened to Socrates, so I suppose nothing much changes.
UTB
🔴 My view is quite simple, I personally don’t want to deal with the fallout or spend the time dealing with the issues that may arise from you wanting to make an argument that people are overly offended by such matters – they are historically offensive so I’m not about to accept otherwise.
If you’re are keen to explore these points then it’s quite easy to setup your own blog in WordPress and write a piece about it – you can then post a link to see if anyone is interested in reading your take on the matter. However, it will then be you yourself dealing with any fallout that arises on your blog and not me having to sort out any potential consequences that may follow on Diasboro. – Werdermouth
Show some common sense, Werder has enough to do and certainly deserves better, be your own censor and allow him to do what he does so admirably.
Really do we need these issues to lower the tone of a fantastic site.
Michael
[edit]
And so to the points I wished to raise but were ‘moderated’. As Werder so clearly stated it is not the points themselves so much as the degree of harassment they would purportedly attract that is the salient issue. Thus, these issues of importance to our ability to discuss are in effect suppressed through the fear of a ‘reaction’.
Now I’m not naive as to the extent of how social media operates, but I am concerned at the febrile atmosphere where you cannot, must not upset the slightest of sensitivities. To me, obviously lacking in common sense, I believe it’s all bordering on a hysterical nonsense.
I shall leave it there and mention ‘sensitive’ issues no more.
I thank you for your time and patience.
UTB
🔴 I removed your first point because it refers to a specific case of a specific person of which I’m only vaguely familiar with the details and don’t wish to spend time checking the validity of – plus it expands on the topic and don’t want to bring it into discussion.
I’ve made a suggestion of how you can write on controversial topics (i.e. create your own blog) without it falling on me to spend time and decide what is going to cause me or the blog problems. I would also add it falls on the poster to use some ‘common sense’ as Michael succinctly put it when deciding whether to even make that kind of post in the first place.
OK, I’ve allowed you your right of reply to Michael but I’m now considering the subject closed for discussion. Your posts are currently required to be approved as I’m not 100% confident that you won’t post something that won’t cause me problems and I’m not always available to catch something quickly – In fact your previous post used a word (albeit in a particular context) that I don’t want to see used in the blog where I’m ultimately legally responsible for the content – Werdermouth