Boro will perhaps head to near promotion-rivals Leeds in confident anticipation knowing that they have already scored six goals at Elland Road in 2024. Nevertheless, despite this prolific feat the Teessiders have not gained three points at their West Yorkshire counterparts in their last nine visits. A confusing clash of stats that can only be resolved in the knowledge that those six goals came via a highly entertaining but ultimately an honourable 4-3 defeat last season plus a dominant 3-0 victory in the first round of the Carabao Cup in mid-August.
Indeed, we have to go back to 2011 to find Boro's last league victory at Elland Road - a 1-0 win courtesy of a Marvin Emnes goal. Though it's a game Jonny Howson will no doubt remember well as he was one of two Leeds players to be sent off as they seemingly failed miserably to shake off that 'dirties' moniker. To be fair, Tony McMahon also saw red for Boro with all three players getting their marching orders in three separate incidents.
The previous victory before that at Leeds was a notable Premier League one 20 years ago as Steve McClaren's side romped to a 3-0 win with goals from Bolo Zenden, Joseph-Desire Job and a late Michael Rickets penalty a few minutes after coming on to replace Juninho. Boro finished the season in a comfortable 11th place and of course lifted the League Cup to qualify for European football - Leeds on the other hand were relegated after finishing second bottom, which was the start of their 16-year sabbatical from the top tier.
It all seems a lifetime ago now when this fixture was a top-flight local derby - though I use that phrase guardedly since it's one that is probably as hotly contested as the actual game. We'd perhaps better leave it to dyed-in-the-wool Venn diagram enthusiasts (it's a tight-knit circle) to attempt to describe the overlapping set of both team's supporters who believe that Leeds versus Boro is actually a local derby - it's surely why Yorkshire-born John Venn invented his trademark diagram...
In favour are that both towns have proud Yorkshire heritage but the distances may stretch the definition of local with it being 55 miles as the crow flies and for the non-corvids among us, who in the absence of a private helicopter, must instead travel around 70 miles by road. Though, I should mention that scientific observation concluded that crows don't particularly fly in straight lines - so you may well find the longest route is actually the one taken by our figurative feathered friend!
In addition, it possibly didn't help the argument of the derby camp with the confusion of losing Yorkshire status back in 1968 when the event known by absolutely nobody back then (or indeed now) as 'Yexit' occurred. Middlesbrough, as everyone will know, instead became part of the 'County Borough of Teesside', which well thought out plan was swiftly replaced by the 'County of Cleveland' six years later - before it was itself abolished in 1996 and we reverted to being part of the 'Ceremonial County' of North Yorkshire.
Local Government aficionados will happily inform you that a ceremonial county has no administrative or even postal function and is mainly a nod to history and cultural identity. All of which makes me wonder if the whole Brexit thing could've been avoided by simply having the 'Ceremonial Country of England'? OK, maybe not - just forget I mentioned it!
Incidentally, the definition of a ceremonial county seemingly revolves around the appointment a Lord-lieutenant, who is the personal representative of the monarch. Thankfully that role is also now strictly ceremonial (think chunky jewelry and robes) and they are no longer tasked with forming a local militia by calling on all able-bodied to fight when needed - that duty is of course now left to Wetherspoons to organise after the pubs close on a Friday night.
Talking of calling on the able-bodied to fight on Friday night, Michael Carrick's men battled admirably in almost biblical conditions (other non-religious meteorological metaphors are available) at Turf Moor in the pre-weekend hors d'oeuvres (excuse my french) to come away with a well-earned point against Scott of the Parker's mean machine - incidentally, hors d'oeuvres literally translates as 'outside of work' so probably fits nicely with pre-weekend unless of course you have a Saturday job like footballers.
The game saw Boro take a promising early goal advantage and but for a lack of spring in goalkeeper Dieng's feet it may have even been a famous victory - though several players also squandered decent chances to get a winning goal in a second half that Boro probably edged. I suspect both managers will settle for the point even though both felt upset not to win the game - Parker claimed: "I thought we were well worth three points tonight" with Carrick reflecting: "The boys are a bit disappointed that we haven't won the game."
With Scott Parker having the demeanor of a man who appears like he could burst out crying at any second, you could almost detect his lip beginning to quiver as he tried to make sense of conceding a goal for the first time in five games - "It's something we need to look at in that we gifted that a little bit in terms of the way we positioned ourselves." Obviously he did well to hold it together in the post-match interview but perhaps the secret to The Claret's resolute defence is forged on avoiding culpability over the need to offer solace to an inconsolable manager. Still, sympathy on Teesside at Parker's misfortune in conceding his team's seventh goal of the season was probably only marginally above Greg Wallace levels.
So a point gained sets Boro up nicely for the next test as they prepare to face a Leeds side who moved into top spot after victory in the early Saturday kick-off - one that nobody in West Yorkshire would dispute was a Derby game. That 2-0 win over the Rams by Daniel Farke team saw them keep a fourth successive clean sheet at Elland Road and rather worryingly they have only conceded two goals at home in nine games since that mid-August 3-0 defeat by Boro in the Carabao Cup - a 1-0 defeat against Burnley and a 2-1 win over Watford.
It's a defence that is proving just as mean as Burnley's on home soil but is also matched with an attack where the Elland Road faithful has witnessed 22 goals by their team. On paper, it looks an even tougher prospect than Friday's Burnley fixture given Leeds are just as prolific as Boro with both netting 33 so far this season.
Michael Carrick will have to decide on whether he needs to make changes but whether any of the sentimental options of either Luke Ayling or Jonny Howson will be in his mind is possibly unlikely. Dijksteel would feel extremely hard done by to lose his place on his last two excellent displays - plus Barlaser has certainly shown his ability since he returned to the side. While Hackney is still not at his best, neither is Howson and he looked a bit ponderous at times on the ball in his last outing.
The only changes I can imagine is either Latte Lath starting ahead of Conway and McGree for Burgzorg. Thankfully both Doak and Edmundson survived the Game-19 five yellow card cut-off and avoided missing this crucial encounter. With Dale Fry slotting seamlessly back into central defence after a long absence, he has added some extra balance to the team as Clarke had looked a bit jaded in recent weeks. Also welcome was the performance of Neto Borges at Burnley, who probably had one of his best outings in a Boro shirt.
So it's another big game to look forward to on Tuesday and if Boro can come away with three points then it will keep the hopes of an automatic spot in reach. Defeat would see the gap to Leeds stretch to ten points and likely dropping out of the top six - so as they say - it's all to play for!
Perhaps with 66 goals between them this season all we can be certain of is it probably won't finish nil-nil - providing of course the football gods aren't listening and nobody draws a Venn diagram showing two circles that don't overlap!
Boro play Leeds at Elland Road on Tuesday 10 December at 8pm
Brilliant work Werder, with many highlights, my favourite of which was "dyed-in-the-wool Venn diagram enthusiasts (it's a tight-knit circle)"
@werdermouth. A perfect starter which had Mrs B asking what I was laughing out loud about. You’d think she’d be used to me lolling about by now.
We’ve spent the weekend putting up the decorations - I’d prefer our team to forget the red and white resemblance to the corpulent gift giver and to keep the three points to themselves.
It’ll be quite a game I think and I can’t wait to see it. After my successful foreseeing at Burnley, 1-1 is once again my prediction for this one.
Welcome back to the leader spot, Werder, with a typically clever, informative and witty piece.
The Venn diagrams of those who appreciate the range and variety of the leaders' multiple authorship, and those who have missed your own more regular contributions must be almost identical. I certainly find myself in both camps. Many thanks
An excellent starter, Werder. I enjoyed it a lot.
I will be travelling on Monday and Tuesday - so a lot of sitting in a car. But I will back home on Tuesday afternoon - in time for the TV match at Leeds.
The teams are totally different to the teams there in the August League Cup match. And a more important match, too. A very similar match to the one at Burnley, but even more difficult game as Werder told us. Leeds can defend, but also score goals.
One player, who has not yet scored a goal this season, is Patrick Bamford. He has played in seven Championship matches this season and a total of 70 min. At best, he will be on the bench versus his former club on Tuesday. Bamford has one and half years left in his contract at Elland Road. He is 31 year old now.
I will be expecting a very tight match. So small margings again. But if lucky we can get a draw or even win. We have a very good team now. Up the Boro!
Thank you Werder for a superb starter in your own highly accomplished style; enjoyable, informative and amusing, so much so that I will forgive you if we lose! 😉
As you have said, this is likely to be even tougher than Friday and we will do well to come away with a point, all three might be a stretch given their strengths at both ends of the pitch but one can hope.
I think this is another game where we will miss Morris to patrol and clear up in front of the defence.
I don’t see MC being sentimental and injury/fatigue apart, I would expect to see the same starting line up as Friday. CoB 😎
Does the Antonio broken leg makes the Hammers coming in for ELL even more probable? Hopefully they will be desperate and we will extract every drop of blood from stone.
@paulinboro. I hope not, despite what might be a significant offer I think if we truly want promotion then we have to keep him until the end of the season.
If he has to go somewhere then I would prefer Southampton on the basis of structuring a deal with Cameron Archer coming to us. 😎
Unfortunately money talks when you don't have much
A superb Headliner Werder, crafted with the pen of a professional. Metaphorically speaking. 😎
I was more than pleased with the performance against Burnley, even though disappointed in the end with the result. However, Leeds are on a roll on home turf and it will be a big ask for Boro to go one better and win.
I am still concerned with the midfield defensively, and as against Burnley, think they will struggle somewhat. Leeds will come at us down the wings and so both Dijksteel and Borges will need another good performance, aided by their left sided colleagues. I would keep Burgzorg in the team rather than McGree for that reason. Possibly LL over Conway to try and stretch their defence.
A very difficult game. Play well, we may get something from the game. Underperform just a little and we could get stuffed.
Werder,
An enjoyable and substantial read and a great starter. Thank you for that.
I feel quietly confident about tomorrow, quite scary really and I hope I haven't put the hex on the team with that comment. Worryingly the Marton Oracle is still in his cave. Are there any eyes visible in his cave or beneath the water of his Magic Rock Pool?
UTB,
John
An excellent opener from werdermouth, thank you. I am also pleased we managed to pass the 5 yellow point without further suspensions, well done the players especially Edmundson and Doak. It will be another very difficult game but not a season breaker no matter what the result as there will be another 26 after the Leeds game and we have Burnley and Leeds to play at the Riverside.
Come on BORO.
@werdermouth hits the bullseye and, once again, it's as good to read as it always has been. I don't know what field he works in other than it is located in Germany, but he seems well suited to sports journalism (unless one takes the cynical view that journalism generally is presently in a particularly deep trench which he is much better out of).
Leeds games must be the football equivalent of being lined up in that trench, waiting for the whistle to blow as the command to go over the top. It's cold, wet and very uncomfortable in the trench but that might be almost pleasant compared to what awaits when the whistle blows. I don't go to many away games but to me Leeds has always seemed particularly hostile to away supporters. There is very rarely anything that might pass for a generous spirit let alone festive cheer on offer for visiting football fans there. You've had a good day if you get out of the city unscathed. Actually there have been occasions on which I have taken a wrong turn somewhere and ended up trying to leave Leeds but with the compass pointing in the wrong direction. Surely not Halifax AGAIN...! I mean, Leeds is so far south and west as to almost be in another country far away from the broad acres of beautiful North Yorkshire.
I would be happy with a draw at Elland Road, but ecstatic with a win!
@forever-dormo I got involved in conversation with a couple of Loiners last year at a family weekend near Lytham St Anne’s. They were keen Dirties fans and it turns out that they refer to the Boro as Yorkshire Rejects!
Hit the ‘vein’ and the heart of the things that needed to be said in your opening preview for the Leeds game, well done and many thanks for your input. I will never know how you managed to do every match preview originally and it’s nice to be reminded of what we read every week with your high standard of journalistic skills.
Turning to my own thoughts of the Leeds game I would agree with others that not many changes will be made to the Boro lineup unless some illness or injury precludes selection. Dijksteel should keep his place after his MOM display and despite the homecoming to Leeds of their former player Luke Ayling. I also think that Howson despite his original affiliation to Leeds has at long last been usurped by Barlaser who is steadily working his way into being a key player in the Boro team.
Would I change our goalkeeper? Mmmm! Although Dieng made a positional mistake for the Burnley goal and a lucky flap at the ball when he managed to fumble it over for a corner, he did actually make a couple or two good saves. Carrick likes his ability to play out from the back and we must accept that on Friday evening the weather conditions did make a telling contribution to the way that the ball moved around.
H2 despite his bleary eyed and unkempt appearance seemed to wale up a bit in the second half and played some more telling passes and broke up opposition play. It’s never easy for a player returning to the first team after injury which makes Fry’s performances so tremendous.
So is it going to be Boro3 .?
Is it the 👁️👁️ in the sky ?
I’ll go with Martin’s forecast and say 1-1
OFB
Yes, I've never got the hang of getting out of Leeds. There's something about those ring roads which seems to have some sort of reverse centrifugal force, no matter how hard you try to escape. My only tip is to ignore all the road signs and take a run at it.
Many thanks for all your generous comments on the opener - much appreciated as ever and glad you enjoyed the preview!
Just to add, glad you've taken up the Venn diagram theme Len and thanks as I have always found you very encouraging and appreciative of mine and others writing on Diasboro - though not sure where I found the time to write one every week.
Hopefully KP won't have to forgive me for another defeat on my watch and I'm looking to get the first win under my belt on Tuesday!
Also many thanks Dormo but my work background as been a mixture of graphic design and programming and database related - though in recent years my semi-retirement sees me most as an all round general handyman, cook and gardener...
Lastly thanks OFB and that's two of us who don't know how I come up with ideas 🙂
@peter-surtees - Yes! I always found it quite easy to get INTO Leeds, it was always the escape route that provided the problems. Once upon a time I went to Leeds a few or even several times a year (work reasons, sometimes cricket, occasionally a football match, to visit the Royal Armouries etc) but I now feel less need to go there at all. Certainly not for shopping!
A few years ago, three of us rode the canal towpath from Liverpool to Leeds. It took us 3 days and was a struggle for me as I was taken ill along the way, but decided to stick with it. It’s the only the time I’ve been glad to get to Leeds!
@forever-dormo I used to be an external examiner for degree students there and getting in was OK but that road system I felt that you could become the Flying Dutchman forever doomed to wander the ring roads. I was always glad to break free.
UTB,
John
@john-richardson I understand your feelings. I had an office there for a number of years: I knew certain routes well ( A1 to City Centre, City Centre to Airport) but if I strayed off the beaten path I could be hours late after a ride around the one-way system!
P.S.OXEN very good, thank you😃
Werdermouth thank you for your pre-match article. There was a lot of work there and quite a few laughs ("Greg Wallace levels").
I reckon Leeds will win the league but there is no reason why we shouldn't give them a game tomorrow.
Having had some experience of Leeds supporters they either believe their team are 1970 Brazil or total pants - there is little moderation. If we get the first tomorrow -and after our 0-3 cup win earlier this season - the crowd will get on their backs.
UTB Chris
Boro’s cup win isn’t really relevant to tomorrow’s game as both teams made lots of changes.
Leeds are on a very good run particularly at home and score more goals than Burnley which makes me think that tomorrow’s game may be more difficult than Fridays game.
However Boro are on a good run and capable of scoring goals. If only we could keep a clean sheet then I’d be going for an away win.But we can’t and so I’ll be delighted with another scoring draw.
Philip of Huddersfield 👍🤗
Thanks for the intro Werder.
Had a look at the line ups for the League Cup game earlier in the season of the Leeds team who played on Saturday 8 of their starting 11 were on the field at sometime in that game, whilst only 5 of ours were. So another team who don't concede at home 4 games since they last conceded and only 5 all season, so if we can do it at Turf Moor then why not Elland Road? They also like Burnley give away a few free kicks and have had two players who have already accumulated 6 yellows. Somebody mentioned Patrick Bamford earlier he has played 77 minutes this season.
Yes only 2 clean sheets since September - though they were both in 1-0 wins over West Brom and Sheff Utd - so cause for some hope!
Thanks for another brilliant, very funny starter, werder!
I would be very happy not to lose tonight. Come on Boro - play our usual game and we can get something against the Dirties!
Breaking news: Neil Harris is to step down as Millwall manager after the Boro game on Saturday, it is reported due to his “thicko” comments about some of the Millwall fans.
Come on BORO.
News of Nigel Pearson’s recovery in this Guardian article. https://www.theguardian.com/football/2024/dec/10/nigel-pearson-had-to-learn-to-walk-again-after-neurological-situation?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
A slightly belated thanks to Werder for weaving his magic and opening this thread, craftily stitching together carefully selected remnants into an amusing, yet informative essay that, without being too sheepish about it, gave a gentle nod to the historic wealth that wool endowed to one of Yorkshire's western outposts while at the same time provided us sufficient warning that by no means can we expect Leeds to be taken as lambs to the slaughter tonight.
I have not had much time available to contribute in this thread, but every word has been read. So, as I said, Thanks to Werder for a great opening post and to the many in here that have added their own reminiscences of the city that I like to describe as the exception that proves the rule that Yorkshire is a great place. Not sure how tonight will pan out. On paper this could be another great game and could go either way. Finger crossed it is our way, but so long as we don't lose.
CoB