Courtesy of the BBC
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In Football League history, only two sides – West Brom (29) and Preston (28) have lost more games on New Year’s Day than Middlesbrough (27).
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Middlesbrough have lost their opening league game of the year in just one of the last 11 years (W6 D4) but did lose 3-1 to Coventry on New Year's Day last year.
I could maybe simplify it to…
(20 + 25)2 = 2025
or if you prefer…
(20 + 25)(20 + 25) = 2025
and if you remember how to multiply brackets then…
20x20 + 20x25 + 25x20 + 25x25 = 2025
which is…
400 + 500 + 500 + 625 = 2025
Hopefully that has helped to cure any hangovers 😏
Unfortunately I was in bed by 10pm with slight fever and shivers but am much better this morning and sore throat has gone
I’m going with the second stat 🙂
me too.I’m going with the second stat 🙂
Sorry you had to come off the pitch before the final bell last night Werder, but glad you are feeling better this morning.
Hope it's just a temporary glitch and you are match fit again soon
Looks like my self medication worked last night, as I’m feeling much better today. Two bottles of fizz and a couple of single malt nightcaps helped me to stay up until 2am, although I may need an afternoon nap if I’m going to be match fit for a 5.30pm kick off.
Zach Hemming's been recalled:
https://www.leytonorient.com/news/2025/january/01/zach-hemming-recalled-by-middlesbrough/
A Happy New Year to one & all!
Four changes - RvdB, Engel, Jones & McGree in for Edmundson, Borges, Doak & Burgzorg
Boro v Swansea ?
OFB
As per the Gazette's live match page! Well spotted, Bob. Didn't actually notice it myself. *red face* Blame CJ! 😉
Speaking of the latter, his analysis of the line-up:
That's an interesting selection from Michael Carrick then. In my predicted team I went for one change - that being Rav in for Edmundson after suspension. Harsh maybe on Edmundson, but being ruthless, that starting two today feels like Boro's strongest.
The other three changes comes as a surprise though. Didn't think he'd put Engel in over Borges so soon, but he has after Engel's bright cameo from the bench. Can the new competition help Engel raise his game to another level? Big opportunity for him.
As it is for Isaiah Jones, with suggestions recently he's unhappy with his game-time. Boro are cautious of overworking Ben Doak and risking a fatigue injury - particularly with Liverpool watching closely and having a recall clause this month. That decision, you'd assume, is made as a means of showing Liverpool they will protect Doak and not over-rely on him. For Jones, this is his chance to stake his claim. he's struggled for form for sometime now.
Finally, McGree back in for Burgzorg after he was bright off the bench against Burnley in a game that Burgzorg was quite wasteful in. One of the more intriguing battles for a Boro starting spot right now, with the pair regularly swapping between one another as neither do much wrong, but don't completely cement their place either.
As Carrick said, still no injured players back. They'd been hoping to at least have Morris and Forss back by now, but no such luck. Young academy players Shea Connor and Law McCabe both on the bench again as a result.
Just to note that Giles starts the match on the Hull bench.
Another CJ comment:
In the 90th minute at Elland Road, Leeds have scored a penalty to go 1-0 up against Blackburn Rovers. It means a victory for Boro today will see them climb to fifth.
That put the mockers on it, as Blackburn equalised through our old friend, Danny Batth, two minutes later. Doesn't affect the accuracy of his statement, though, apparently.
Perhaps Jones might play in the left with McGree on the right and roaming around the front line?
OFB
I’ve seen the light !
it’s getting clearer !
it’s the return !!!
its !!!
BORO3
Oh yea oh yea oh yea !
OFB
@werdermouth - Good to hear about your health improving. Here's hoping you'll get a further boost to that health as a result of Hull v Boro starting in 12 minutes or so.
Another opportunity for Boro to make up ground on the teams above given today’s results. Just heard only two teams have lost at Hull, what could go wrong!
CoB now is the time! 😎
@stircrazy - VERY interesting. If I were a Hull City defender, I'd be delighted Ben Doak has been dropped/rested/rotated. But if I were I Jones I'd be busting a gut to demonstrate I SHOULD be in the starting line-up every week.
The spine lacks leadership again for me. I really don’t like the Hackney/Barlaser partnership in midfield as think both want to do a similar job but there aren’t alternatives at the moment. Fry and RvdB are both fine defenders but I’d prefer a talker in there, especially with a third choice keeper behind.
All that said, I still think we’ve got more in the locker than Hull and am hopeful of the three points.
Hull 1-3 Boro
@lenmasterman Belated thanks Len for another superb Headliner delivered with your usual very high standards.
Only just seen the team news as I have turned on the TV.
Hoping against hope for the right “Boro” turning up.
HULL CITY 1-2 BORO (my prediction as the game kicks off).
Not sounding as if it's the (best) Match of the Day at HT - a "drab affair" per BBC Tees.
Not sounding as if it's the (best) Match of the Day at HT - a "drab affair" per BBC Tees.
CJ agrees:
Poor game overall. Both sides' best efforts have been speculative long-range efforts. Boro ended the half the stronger having got a grip of the game, but have struggled for final-third quality to break the hosts down
A first half that was anything but easy on the eye. A change in attitude, skill or maybe personnel needed in the second half.
Not the greatest game in the first half. A couple of loose balls from Boro, but overall it is good to see us playing down the left. Engel has offered so much more than Borges. Some disappointing last balls into the middle. I'd like to see Jonesy trying to get around the back of their right back. Azaz needs to sharpen up in the second half. This does look like a winnable game for us.
The thing affecting most in this game at Hull is the turf. It is what I would call a potato field.
So far the worst match to watch. A boring 0-0 at half time, though Azaz have had two shots over the bar, and McGree had a nice shot to the middle and the goalie was able to palm it over.
I hope we continue where we finished the half. We were taking ball and KEEPING it finally. But as I said, the grass (or where there are none) is awful.
Up the Boro!
The thing affecting most in this game at Hull is the turf. It is what I would call a potato field.
CJ's comment in the second minute:
Pitch here at MKM looks awful. Not often you see so much visable [sic] brown on it. Really cut up
Off topic, Barlaser booked in the 14th minute.
I agree that the pitch is not good but it is the same for both sides and a challenge which has to be overcome.
So far it is same old Boro, plenty of possession but no quality in the final third. 😎
No changes for Boro at the start of the second half, but Ryan Giles has replaced Gustavo Puerta as one of two Hull changes.