Boro v W.B.A.
Saturday 23rd December 2023
Riverside Stadium
Turning to the match preview for the last home game at the Riverside for Boro before Xmas, it got me wondering if we could expect any presents in the form of returning first team players from injury, to brighten up our season?
With niggling injury doubts hanging over Latte Cappuccino, Izzy Jones and others, coupled with the obviously tiring legs of Crooks, I wondered if perhaps there is a solution for replacement players already within the ranks? Perhaps desperate times require desperate measures and is the solution that far fetched? Perhaps the spirit of Christmas Past can turn the clock back and provide the answer to our problems?
Our first team coach Aaron Danks was hired as a youth coach at W.B.A. working for the club for over a decade between 2005 and 2016, before leaving after being selected by the F.A. to become Head of Specialist Coaching and Lead Offensive Specialist Coach for various levels of the England national team. Danks was also part of the coaching staff for the England U20 team that won the 2017 World Cup. Surely his knowledge of players that came through the ranks at WBA means he can register as a player, pull on a pair of boots and get amongst them on Saturday?
He would not be alone of course, as our midfield could be beefed up by our former Captain and midfield terrier Grant Leadbitter. He could rise off his comfortable leather designer sports seat in the dugout and score goals from long range, snarl at and terrify a few players (on both teams!) and even blast a few penalties?
As I warmed to this theme, I then thought that this dream team of players past, could be augmented by our assistant head coach, Jonathan Woodgate. A player whose ability to read the game and identify threats from the centre of defence could result in a clean sheet on Saturday?
To cap it all, we would then have the icing on the Xmas cake with our chief coach/manager and ex England International Michael Carrick pulling the strings in midfield alongside his coaching staff. He could even help by dropping back into defence where he played sometimes for Manchester United.
Whilst this might smack of nonsensical whimsy, the Boro do have precedence for plucking the coaching staff from the bench and thrusting them into the playing spotlight. During the days just before the Riverside Revolution, when injuries had hit the Boro hard, our then Manager, the great Bryan Robson and his assistant Viv Anderson had to pull on their playing strips and strut their stuff in a league game against, would you believe it.? None other than the team we play on Saturday, West Bromwich Albion
West Brom, which was where Robson had started his senior career as a player, were struggling at the other end of the table , so this was three points which Boro desperately needed. Unfortunately Robson was struggling to find a third centre-back due to a run of defensive injuries.The absent defenders included our inspirational skipper Nigel Pearson, who was arguably Robson’s best signing so far when he was prised away from Sheffield Wednesday for a fee of £750,000. So Viv Anderson, who had not played any competitive football for almost 12 months, accepted that “needs must” and that his playing days were about to begin again.
Viv was in good company because Bryan was also in the Boro starting line-up at The Hawthorns in his usual midfield role. Robbo operated with three centre-backs more often than not and Anderson, who routinely had been a right-back, slotted in alongside Steve Vickers and Derek Whyte.
The performance of Anderson was remarkable, considering he was just 15 months away from his 40 birthday.
Viv got through the match winning game with flying colours but it’s a fair bet that the aches and pains lasted two to three weeks. Just long enough, therefore, for him to recover and make his second Boro appearance at Oakwell against his former club Barnsley where the Boro drew 1 1, a match that I saw first hand standing in the rain. Anderson was again solid throughout, which fully justified the decision by Robson to register him as a player that season.
Hopefully the substitutions of Latte Lath, Morgan Roger’s and Jones were precautionary and Boro can field the semblance of a first team on Saturday. I fully expect Rav Ven de Berg and Seny Dieng to return to the Boro ranks. We may also see Hayden Hackney return to the squad on Saturday, albeit sitting on the bench watching the game.
Johnny Howson rolled back the years on Tuesday evening and perhaps the dangling of another 12 month contract may lure him into extending his playing career for the Boro. Paddy McNair is another Boro stalwart whose contract is up this season and it will be interesting to see if he is offered a renewed deal. I hope both players stay with the club as I think both of them have something to offer.
It was also nice to see young Kavanagh enter the fray and make his first team debut against Port Vale and he nearly celebrated his introduction with a goal that just narrowly evaded him, but he certainly put a shift in and hopefully he will go on to have a great career with Boro. Another youngster displaying a maturity beyond his years and a good range of passing skills was 17-year-old Law McCabe - born over two years after Boro won this competition.
West Brom are unbeaten in their last three matches against Middlesbrough, and won 3-2 earlier on in the season. Cedric Kipre, John Swift, Brandon Thomas-Asante and Jeremy Sarmiento were all on target for Carlos,Corberons side that day, and will be hoping for a similar outcome when they travel to North Yorkshire.
The club has been through a pretty rocky period since Jeremy Peace bought and then sold his investment, and moved to Jersey.
Financial analysts report “There’s been a number of lenders who, whilst they’re okay, these are specific lenders they aren’t football fans. The club is looking to be sold again very soon.
“They’re not interested in the long-term sustainability of West Bromwich Albion, they're looking to get a financial return. So if there are new owners coming in, I think there’s two or three interested parties, one would presume that we’d move to a period of exclusivity with regards to one of them and then we move on from there with new owners. Clearly the existing owner Guochuan Lai hasn’t worked out."
West Bromwich Albion have 'asked a company that owes them £5 million when and if the loan will be repaid' amid growing financial problems at the club, it has been reported. Guochuan Lai, owner of the Midlands club since 2016, loaned the money two years ago to Wisdom Smart, a Hong Kong based company which he also owns.
It aimed to help Lai's other businesses recover after fallout from the pandemic, but the club is yet to see the money returned.
Several teams are playing on Friday night, and so West Brom's position could change by then, however a win would for sure make a further distance between themselves, and the chasing pack below them. Three points would get them closer to in-form Southampton, and would likely ensure a top-six spot at the half-way point of the campaign. Middlesbhrough are currently in 13th, and a win for them would take them to as high as eighth if results went in their favour.
It’s not only the Boro who have injury problems, as the baggies have a few players who aren’t available.
1. Josh Maja (West Brom) - out
Just weeks after returning from an ankle ligaments injury, Maja suffered a similar blow to the same ankle in the defeat at Sunderland. Could be out for a long while once again
5. Daryl Dike (West Brom) - out
Spent the last nine months on the sidelines with an Achilles injury. Could return after the festive period.
7. Matt Phillips (West Brom) - OUT
Phillips picked up a hamstring injury in the game against Leicester City and is to be sidelined for a considerable period.
9. Adam Reach (West Brom) - out
The former Boro player has recovered from his quad issue and is now building fitness with the under-23s and could make a return to the matchday squad in the next few weeks.
20. Martin Kelly (West Brom) - out
Finally in full training again after a serious knee injury but needs minutes with the youth side before featuring for the senior team.
Corberan has not been pleased with his wide players and the lack of quality in creativity, productivity and supply from the flanks. Often you'll see Corberan on the touch-line spreading his arms to its entire wingspan, pointing at either side of the pitch, encouraging his players to get the ball wide. Hopefully this is something that our Boro manager and coaches have identified and will utilise as our attacking strengths if Jones is fit for Saturday.
So it’s nearly the end of what has been a roller coaster year with highs and lows and hopefully we shall be ending on a high again.
Well all you Diasborians it’s the forecast time again ???
What do we think?
Oh it’s the festive season so I’m going with Boro3
Merry Christmas everyone 🥳
OFB
Cracking starter OFB and some interesting reminiscences of past emergencies. I had quite forgotten Bryan Robson and Viv Anderson pulling on the shirt in that WBA fixture until reading your header.
I suspect we are not going to see any of your fantasy coaching standbys taking to the Riverside pitch on Saturday, but I do hope you are right in respect of Dieng. Jones, Morgan and RDV. We should also have Greenwood avaliable again shouldn't we? Certainly I think the team will be bursting with adrenalin following Tuesday night's victory, so good prospects for a win in front of what should be a big and enthusiastic crowd in festive mood.
Regardless of our injury woes I am confident of a good result. I will share your Boro3 festive optimism Bob, but still expect we will concede. I think 3-2 as a result would make for an exciting afternoon and all the Boro faithful to be left happy as they hang up their Christmas socks by the fire.
CoB
Thanks for the starter, OFB. I hope the main course is as good or better on Saturday.
Was the Ashley Fletcher wonder goal scored at WBA a few years ago? The one he scored from near the center line. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=45y3cIoHs9M
Up the Boro!
OFB,
Thanks for that starter, a nice tune up and warm up for the game.
I have to admit I have a soft spot for West Brom, maybe it was a West Brom player on a bubble gum card when I was a kid, I was always impressed with the artwork and the strip. Then there was the proper name with 'Albion' at the end. I used to wonder why was that addition in the name of a team from The Black Country, a bit like the addition of 'Argyle', 'Rangers' and 'Orient'. No Wikipedia or web in those days to help you out. I was also at Wembley in 1968 when Albion played Everton and Astle scored that superb goal in extra time to win the game.
Now what about Saturday? No prediction from me because I don't want to put a Hex on Boro, all I'll say is I hope that OFB checked the tea leaves, turkey entrails and runes before making his ever optimistic prediction! Must try those foam hand fumes...
Best wishes to everyone and probably there's only Jarkko with snow at Christmas! We're off down to our son and daughter-in-law for Christmas in Leigh-on-Sea with the rest of the family turning up on Boxing Day so I'll take in a game down there at some point.
All the best everyone.
UTB,
John
I love your brilliant starter, OFB!
Given our horrendous catalogue of injuries, I can’t see us winning this one. I’d settle for a draw. Or perhaps we could ring the EFL, speak to one of the juniors and tell them we’re cancelling the game as we can’t put out a team? Oh wait, ……….. tried that once before……..
Thanks Bob. An opener that was both entertaining and very informative.
Many seem to think that West Brom are nailed on for the 5th spot with a large field competing for 6th position.
I'm not so sure.
Whilst the Baggies have a fine coach and are well organised, they have a squad made up of ageing pros and a job lot of recent signings. As you point out, like every team in the division they are having to struggle with injuries and the age profile of their best players suggests to me that they may cope with the end- of- the- season run-in less well than many of the other teams around them.
The chaos behind the scenes doesn't help them either, though like Boro they have over 20,000season ticket holders to urge them on, which may count for a lot come the season's end.
I expect West Brom to come to the Riverside to defend, hoping to catch us on the break, so we could be in for a repeat of the Hull game in terms of tactics.
Whether the result will be similar will depend on our ability to cash in on any opportunities that we do create. I hope that we can this time.
Boro 2 Baggies 1
What a week!
We have 14 first team players injured and we got to the Semi-Finals of the EFL Cup. That would have been our best ever achievement before the Riverside Revolution. I am old enough to remember that.
And some said we have not a decent squad. I would say we have super Michael Carrick! Up the Boro!
From Craig Johns
On the 12th day of Christmas the football gods sent to me, an injury crisis to rival any. Apologies for the hijacking of a festive classic. But that is the tune Middlesbrough head coach Michael Carrick may be humming now as he seemingly grows shorter of selection options with every game that passes, amid mounting injuries and suspensions.
With festive football coming thick and fast, Boro are running perilously short of round pegs for round holes. But with the notoriously challenging winter transfer window still weeks away, Carrick will have to wait for external reinforcements. So, could this mean that the Boro boss will seek help from the club’s academy should his current luck persist?
Well, that may not necessarily be a cause for concern, as Rockliffe’s recent success stories in Hayden Hackney, Josh Coburn, Marcus Tavernier and Djed Spence to name a few, suggest a golden era of talent on Teesside may well be in full swing. But who are the next cabs in the Boro homegrown production line? Here, we take a look at five youngsters who could come to Carrick’s rescue should they receive his call.
READ MORE: Middlesbrough's full 14-man injury list as Boro hope for positive news ahead of West Brom
Calum Kavanagh
The 20-year-old, who has represented the Republic of Ireland U17s on multiple occasions, has scored 12 goals in 11 games so far this season for Boro's under-21s. The exciting Irishman caught the attention of Middlesbrough fans again recently, as he netted four goals against Crystal Palace U21s, including a brilliant first-half hat-trick to take the match ball home.
Kavanagh has been touted by many supporters for a first-team call-up, with Josh Coburn out injured recently and Emmanuel Latte Lath needing to come off at half-time at Port Vale. With seven league goals between the pair this season, neither Coburn or Latte Lath are in particularly blistering goalscoring form.
Interestingly, Coburn and Kavanagh have followed a similar path of scoring academy goals, before both enjoying fruitful and valuable loan spells in the EFL. Spending last season on loan at Newport County in League Two, Kavanagh helped steer the Welsh side clear of the relegation zone, scoring two goals, with County boss Graham Coughlan previously hinting he would want the Irishman to return to South Wales.
Having made his first-team debut from the bench at Port Vale and almost scoring with his very first touch, Kavanagh will surely be at the forefront of Carrick’s mind if he has to look for someone to turn to, at the very least for matchday squad inclusion.
Finlay Cartwright
At the tender age of 16 years and 161 days, Finlay Cartwright became Boro’s second youngest player to ever wear the shirt back in August, when he made his first-team debut away at Huddersfield Town in the Carabao Cup. Since then, the midfielder has received international recognition on multiple occasions.
Cartwright was called up for England U17 friendlies in September, and did enough to receive the call once more for England’s UEFA U17 European Championship qualifiers in November. As another marker of his talent, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported that Chelsea had registered their interest this summer, with further admirers also rumoured.
If this interest had been followed up, Boro could’ve lost their young starlet for next to nothing. As is the law, clubs cannot offer a professional contract to players until they turn 17, and with Cartwright not celebrating that all-important milestone until February of next year.
Thankfully that interest hasn’t materialised, and perhaps as a show of Boro’s belief in him, he has now become a regular feature in Carrick’s matchday squads. Should Hackney continue to be sidelined, Cartwright is perhaps a further injury/suspension away from being called upon to make his full league debut.
Law McCabe
Law McCabe is senior to Cartwright in terms of age, but not by much. The 17-year-old has been a feature of Carrick’s last three matchday squads, and even made his Championship and first-team debut against Preston in a 4-0 victory at the Riverside last month.
This breakthrough has been met with the club offering him his first professional contract, to which there was no apparent hesitation in signing. Yet another signpost of the fantastic work being carried out by academy manager Craig Liddle and his staff.
Previously, the young midfielder has been an ever-present in Boro’s U18s side this season, as well as making a handful of appearances for the U21 side. He was called up to represent England’s U18 squad in September 2023, contesting the Tournoi International in Limoges, France.
His lack of experience may be problematic, but that hasn’t proved to be a hurdle for opportunity for others during Carrick’s reign at the club. The vast experience of Jonny Howson could also be a point of reprieve if McCabe was to be trusted to play in the Middlesbrough midfield.
Isaac Fletcher
One player who has been patiently waiting for his Middlesbrough breakthrough is midfielder Isaac Fletcher. Boro-born, Fletcher has been a part of the club’s academy system since the age of 10, and 11 years later, his big chance could be the fall of a domino or two away from presenting itself.
Since signing his first professional contract at the Riverside back in November 2020, he’s been a key figure in the U21 squad. He was involved in an FA Cup matchday squad away at Brentford in 2021, but hasn’t replicated that feat since. The attacking midfield player, who can also operate from a deeper position, has been quietly building up his senior experience in 2022, with loan spells at Hartlepool United and Scunthorpe respectively.
Now 21, his future as a Boro player appears to be reaching a crossroads, as his contract is due to expire next summer. Therefore, he’ll undoubtedly be chomping at the bit to show what he can do before then, and perhaps earn himself another contract on Teesside.
Aidan James (AJ) Bridge
Local lad AJ Bridge is very highly thought of at Middlesbrough, and that’s been shown in recent weeks as the midfielder - who can also play in central defence - has been training with the senior squad. It’s this versatility that will undoubtedly be standing him in good stead for first-team opportunities.
2023 has been another year of exciting progress for the 18-year-old, which began back in January, as he was handed a professional contract with the club. Since then, he’s done nothing but continue to impress, as he moulds his game into that of a highly valuable, multi- positional player.
Despite only being on the books since U15 level, Bridge has already racked up 49 appearances for Boro’s U18s, adding an impressive 12 goals and seven assists in that time. He’s also been entrusted to step up to U21 level on 12 occasions, adding a goal and assist at that level also.
It now appears that he’s captured the eye of the Boro boss too, as he was rewarded with a place in the matchday squad in the recent loss to Ipswich Town, and there's every chance that he will continue to be involved over the festive period.
From Craig Johns...Carricks view on injuries.
Michael Carrick is going to leave it is as long as possible to see which, if any, of the players who suffered injury issues omn Tuesday evening will be fit enough to play West Brom on Saturday.
Boro beat Port Vale in the quarter-final of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday evening, but as well as nine players already being absent, there were five new injury concerns added during the win. They were Emmanuel Latte Lath (hamstring issue), Isaiah Jones (hamstring), Matt Crooks (leg strain), Rav van den Berg (back problem) and Morgan Rogers (knee).
While some were withdrawn more as a precaution, it remains unknown whether any will be capable of playing at the Riverside on Saturday or not, with Boro's current list of injury absentees or doubts at 14. It's quite an unprecedented crisis when considering that, by contrast, there are just 13 senior players - two of whom are goalkeepers - who are definitely fit.
READ MORE: Middlesbrough's full 14-man injury list as Boro hope for positive news ahead of West Brom
Asked for an update, Carrick said: "We’re still giving the boys as long as possible to recover. Over this period because of the injuries and a couple of suspensions, training has been quite light and to a minimum and the focus has been on recovery.
"We're trying to keep everyone maintained and ticking over. We’ll give the boys as long as we can to be ready for Saturday. We’re still assessing that list as it goes on."
As far as those players who missed out on Tuesday evening, there was mixed news, with the potential for Seny Dieng, Riley McGree and Josh Coburn to be back involved on Saturday, though Hayden Hackney still isn't quite ready.
"Not particularly, no, not to start," Carrick said when asked if there was a chance of anyone returning. "Maybe touch and go in and around it, maybe. Maybe Josh, maybe Riley but not to the point where they’ll be ready to play.
"Seny's was a thigh problem. It looks like it will be a matter of days rather than anything longer. It’s not too long now. It was probably four or five weeks from when he did it. He’s got a little bit longer to go, two weeks, maybe not even that. We’ll see how he goes."
Dieng was this week named in a 55-man preliminary squad for Senegal's AFCON campaign in the New Year, suggesting his injury hasn't proven to be too serious. He is likely to make the final cut when head coach Aliou Cisse makes his picks.
A Christmas cracker of an opener OFB, many thanks.
I agree with Len that the baggies will, as they have previously, defend in numbers and look to hit us on the break, as they have before!
I can’t see a high scoring game and like Clive would settle for a draw now but it would be nice if Boro could serve us up with a couple of presents over Christmas.
Hopefully, we see the injury crisis start to unwind with a few players returning, if only on the bench. CoB 😎
Many thanks for the opener OFB.
Can I ask why the openers have switched from 23-24 to Middlesbrough FC, is this the platform for the rest of the season 🤔.
Come on BORO.
Both Mcgree and Silvera in Socceroos squad. No Glover.
Merry Christmas to everyone. I hope the Boro will give us all a suitable present tomorrow or latest on Boxing day. For Carrick I hape the niggles and short-term injuries are over.
We have had snow here in Finland for a month now, even it it started to melt on Monday and Tuesday. But not totally gone.And today we will get 10 to 20 cm more here is the South Coast. In the north they have up to half a meter already. So a quaranteed Whie Xmas over here.
Up the Boro!
I've moved the Port Vale and WBA threads to the 2023-24 Forum - I guess OFB had posted them under the festive season instead of the 2023-24 season 😉
Many thanks OFB for another enjoyable and comprehensive opener - two in a week is pretty amazing! While Aaron Danks sounds as if he's got plenty of experience under his belt, I like the sound of having the job title: Offensive Specialist Coach - though I may have misunderstood whether the role involves swearing at a lot of people and telling them to pull their finger out.
While I'm sure Robbo and Viv gave a good account of themselves back in the day when training in the pub was part of the pre-match routine, I suspect fitness levels today are more demanding and turning up with your boots at 40 after a year off would only see eyes being rolled.
Anyway, I suspect it will be a tough game tomorrow and a lot will depend on who's available - I'm not sure if Rogers will have recovered in time as it looked like a dead leg and may still be quite sore - at least Greenwood is available and given it's 3 games in a week to come we may see some youngsters on the pitch again.
Still, Boro need a win tomorrow and definitely can't afford to lose as they don't want to find themselves 9 points behind the Baggies - or indeed 9 points off the play-offs if Hull win this evening!
Middlesbrough have received some good news on the goalkeeper front ahead of the hectic Christmas period. The Championship club feared the possibility of losing both Seny Dieng and Tom Glover to international duty next month.
First-choice shot-stopper Dieng has been included in Senegal's provisional squad for the African Cup of Nations while there was also the prospect of Glover earning an Australia call-up ahead of their Asian Cup campaign. But Glover, who recorded a clean sheet in Boro's Carabao Cup quarter-final win over Port Vale in midweek, has been left out of the Socceroos squad, meaning he will remain on Teesside in the New Year. Attacking duo Riley McGree and Sammy Silvera have both been selected by Australia.
With Dieng currently sidelined with a minor thigh injury that he sustained at Swansea City last weekend, Glover may get the nod in between the sticks for Saturday's visit of promotion rivals West Bromwich Albion. He has started six times for Middlesbrough this term.
Read more: Alex Mowatt relishing Riverside return and has Middlesbrough warning for West Brom
It will be interesting to see what head coach Michael Carrick decides to do following Glover's international omission. He has previously spoken about the possibility of recalling one of the club's three goalkeepers who are currently out on loan: Liam Roberts Sol Brynn and Zach Hemming.
As for McGree and Silvera, the pair could miss as many as nine matches between January and February. They are set to link up with the squad on New Year's Day ahead of the Asian Cup starting on January 12. The tournament runs until February 10.
McGree, fit-again after recovering from a plantar fascia injury, could make his first Boro appearance in over two months this weekend.
A very merry Christmas to all bloggers. May it bring you all much joy and tons of lovely Boro points!
Thanks OFB for another Opener. You are doing overtime! Speaking only for myself, though I suspect it is the same for all of us on here, I enjoy reading the Openers on this Blog. When others contribute, as we have now started to do, it makes one realise the work involved in preparing the pieces. So thanks to all (and belated thanks for the efforts of OFB, Werder and Redcar Red in past seasons when they had the burden mostly if not exclusively to themselves).
And a Merry Christmas & Happy New Year to @Jarkjko (and Eija) - I got your card from Finland, thanks - and all the Diasborians on here. Would it help if we all sent a note up the chimney for Father Christmas, asking for some relief for Boro on the injury front for the rest of the 2023-24 season?
HAS ANYONE LOOKED AT THE FORTHCOMING BORO FIXTURES:
Sat 23.12.23 BORO v WBA
Tue 26.12.23 Rotherham v BORO
Fri 29.12.23 H'field T v BORO
Mon 01.01.24 BORO v Coventry
Sat 06.01.24 BORO v A Villa (FA Cup)
Tue 09.01.24 BORO v Chelsea (League Cup S-F)
Sat 13.01.24 Millwall v BORO
Sat 20.01.24 BORO v Rotherham
Tue 23.01.24 Chelsea v BORO (League Cup S-F)
Sat 27.01.24 WRBC v BORO.
In other words, 10 (TEN) games in 36 days and that includes FOUR home games within 20 days. I forgot to get my ticket for the Villa game in time to guarantee getting my usual seat (which had to be done by 5pm on 21st December, when the tickets were to go on general sale). But when I looked at the club website today there were LOADS of seats available on the West Stand Upper, so I was able to get my usual seat without trouble. I might be lonely up there for the game unless a ticket-rush breaks out. Only £15 for a man of my advanced years so I suppose, seeing a team flying high in the Premier League, that's probably a bit of a bargain. However with a home League Cup Semi-Final tie against Chelsea listed 3 days later, I guess in these difficult financial times some people might not be able to afford to buy tickets for both games, and both may very well be shown on TV in any event. The arrangements for the Chelsea match tickets have not yet been finalised.
I’ve known Andy Campbell the ex Boro player since he was a young boy and kept in touch over the years. When I did my In2View with him some years ago for Diasboro, I remarked on what Bryan Robson and Viv Anderson were like in training.
“Robbo, no one can touch him or get near him to take the ball off him. He’s still so good and impressive.” Said Andy.
“I expected that of him” I said “but what about Viv?”
“Well he organises the blind card and the raffle and also does the bingo when we stay overnight somewhere.”
“Yes but what else?” I asked Andy.
“Oh he organises the meat draw and also picks out what places we’re going to go on a pub crawl” he laughed.
“But” I said persistently “what’s he like on the training ground with the lads?”
“Oh we never see him on the training pitch he’s far too busy with the social side to get involved in that”……..I shook my head.
I know Viv had a good relationship with Robbo and it seems that he was there at the Boro as a friend of the manager rather than a coaching colleague….
I didn’t include all that in the In2view !
For the general reader it’s all a fairy story and all made up ?
OFB
Best wishes and a Merry Christmas to everyone. The red (of course1) Honda HRV is loaded and ready for the trip to the Essex coast so enjoy yourselves and be happy everyone. Now you do your bit Boro.
UTB,
John
PS Don't overdo the Single Malts either!
Merry Christmas and a very Happy and Healthy New Year to all. 🍾
@john-richardson - I'm not taking up THAT promise. This is the time of year to pour a Single Malt for the red-coated beardy guy whose job is actually quite like a burglar in reverse. And if you leave one out for him, together with a chunk of carrot for Rudolph, it would be impolite not to have tried out the whisky first. I mean, for such an important visitor, you'd want to give him some of your best. So basicially the tenor of the holiday is made clear on Christmas Eve. If it's a Single Malt you know quite well, it's always worth your while trying the liquor before pouring out a double for your late-night visitor because you MIGHT have chanced upon a bad batch. Or if the bottle has already been broached then, again, it's best to give it the taste test. You wouldn't want to be responsible for the children's disappointment if the Old Man becomes unwell due to having been poisoned by a less-than-good whisky. To be fair, it isn't always possible to give a rounded view on the adequacy (or otherwise) of the chosen dram by tasting only ONE glass. At least TWO doubles, then, just to be sure.
Of course, then there is Christmas Day. The dilemma: I've been bought a couple of bottles; do I taste just the one on Christmas Day itself or do I taste and compare both of them? By the afternoon, when you started either with Bucks Fizz, and/or had some Champagne with your smoked salmon & scrambled eggs breakfast, you've probably had a sherry or two before the Christmas Dinner starter appeared on the table, and then you shared some white Burgundy and some Italian heavyweight (sadly only available in magnums!) with the main course, and then had a few glasses of PX or a port with the pudding and/or cheese, and by this stage your defences are down. The "taste both and compare" becomes the default mode of behaviour. And the same rule applies - it can't be a fair test only to have the ONE glass of each. And after you've had two, you can't REALLY be sure it was your second, so a THIRD becomes a likelihood.
Sadly, with all this, there is very little chance that the Single Malts will be consumed in an abstemious way - a drowning of the tonsils becomes the most likely outcome. And if that were not enough, in light of your state the next morning, a "hair of the dog" seems the sensible way to start Boxing Day (St Stephen's Day), so the whole shebang begins again. When Joni Mitchell was singing about the Circle Game, who knew she meant this....?
@original-fat-bob. “For the general reader it’s all a fairy story and all made up ?”.
Oh no it isn’t. 😉😎
I've not seen but does anyone know what the prize money is for reaching semi final
@gt - I know it isn't very much in football terms. Only £100K for winning it and £50K for runners-up! Premier League teams don't really want to dirty their kit for that.
@forever-dormo I love that reply. I haven't had a single malt for nearly two years, call it a form of panic but I am going to sample one when we get back from Essex. Now, will it taste different after so long, or better. Fear not I'll report back on my findings. I may even buy a special one just for me. How selfish! But after the last year and a half why not? Anyway enjoy yours and don't snore too much on the couch.
All the best,
UTB,
John
Big result for Boro tonight - Hull were 2-1 up at Bristol City at HT but the Robins scored twice in the second half to beat the Tigers 3-2 - stopped Hull going 9 points clear of Boro in 5th and will keep the playoffs in reach if we can beat WBA tomorrow and get within 3 points of them both.