I thought the trend for real men was now ice baths 😉
Thankfully, it looks like I'm going to be able to catch today's game after all as Mrs Werder has agreed to take our son to his handball Christmas party this afternoon on her own and visit her aunt while waiting - she must have been impressed by my carpet tile laying skills this week 😀
Anyway, looking forward to the game and fancy there will be a few goals today as it will no doubt be a fairly open game between the former Red Devil coaches.
Talking of Man Utd, I wonder if Carrick can persuade a loan move for out-of-favour Rashford in January to restore his mojo given it appears nobody can afford his wages for a proper transfer! Quite ironic that he was given a £18-20m a season five-year contract last year to avoid him leaving on free and now nobody willing to pay anywhere near that for an out-of-form player who always looks miserable on the pitch - with his now rare goal celebrations being the antithesis of an actual celebration.
Definitely a lesson in what happens when a player's head is not right and has too many distractions - still how do these super-rich players motivate themselves when his net worth is estimated from anything between £60-160m - he apparently owns a fleet of Rolls Royce's and has spent 4 years building a £2.5m luxury eco-house in Cheshire that is still not finished. He's also now reported dating former love island 'star' Grace Jackson - though having never watched the program I believe it's a bit of cross between Blind Date and I'm a celebrity get me out of here restricted to beautiful people.
It sounds like Marcus Rashford has it all but is still not happy - I suspect only he himself can rescue his football career from one that never fulfilled his talent - maybe he's just not hungry enough or has a big enough ego like Ronaldo to show he's the best.
Anyway, he's certainly solve Boro's left-sided problem if he's up for it...
I thought the trend for real men was now ice baths 😉
So that’s where I’ve been going wrong!
I think it’s a question of having too much money, having bought anything and everything he thinks he needs and now having no real purpose in life. He’s won a few trophies, represented England ( although not ever again) and so what could be his football targets.
Remember him saying he can’t cook but then added he cooked pasta about 2 years ago but then said he wouldn’t know how to do it now !!!
He’s never had to do anything in his life as others do things for him.
Of course, a stronger character would not have got into the mess he’s in . I’ve no sympathy for players like him .
Who will have him. No Club will pay a decent fee nor anywhere near his salary. This applies to many United players who paid over the odds and inflated salaries. I’m sure some of the players United would like to get rid of will just sit tight and so hinder the rise of United.
Perhaps Boro are in a much better place!!
Philip of Huddersfield
@philip-of-huddersfield Maybe we need to cut him a little slack because of the work he’s done with Fareshare. https://fareshare.org.uk/marcus-rashford/
He's certainly not going to be at the front of any queue when sympathy is being handed out - though I do wonder if he's really got that motivation in his career that he had 5 years ago. What happens when you've made it and will never need to earn another penny to have everything you could ever need.
Maybe his work on other causes has dulled the importance of football to him - though since he's accepted a huge mega-contract with Man Utd he maybe should try to focus on repaying them with what they expected his level was going to be. What it does show is that it's probably a mistake to give such massive long contracts to anyone in the hope they'll deliver. Few players have stayed at the very top for their whole career - those that do are generally highly motivated individuals where football is their life.
Team News...
Brynn continues in goal but at the other end Conway starts up top ahead of Latte Lath - McGree also starts instead of Burgzorg with Howson and Hackney continuing in midfield.
Interesting that it's Glover on the subs' bench rather than Dieng!
@martin-bellamy
ok , fair point . I agree
philip Of Huddersfield
Interesting that it's Glover on the subs' bench rather than Dieng!
Yes, it could mean something or maybe it's just a long way to Plymouth to sit on the bench 😉
CJ's comments:
Three changes as Dijksteel, McGree and Conway are in for Ayling, Burgzorg and Latte Lath.
Dijksteel change was expected after Ayling's injury against Millwall while the McGree change is a bit of a surprise given how well Burgzorg has been doing.
The interesting call is Conway for Latte Lath and it will be interesting to hear what Carrick has to say about that after. Latte Lath's agent this week talking about an exit from the club in January, and you can't help but feel that might have influenced the decision to start Conway over him today. They were unneeded comments that cause a distraction. I suspect Carrick won't say as much after, even if that is the reason, but he will be asked nevertheless.
Elsewhere, no Dieng in the squad today. Tom Glover on the bench. Will try and find out a reason for that.
My bold.
I note that Morgan Rogers scored the winner for Villa in a 2-1 win earlier over the Mancs AND assisted Durán with the first goal...
@martin-bellamy I think the cost of the class has a lot to with, even second class is expensive now and it is also unreliable. We posted ours, seventy of them, on December 1st and one to Ramsgate got there next but I reckon that at least twenty per cent still haven't arrived. Those to America and Europe have! Do I work out, cut, print and finish them next year? Iraher think the days of 'if you post it before eleven on Baker Street Watson it'll be in South Norwood by this afternoon' have long gone.
Sad really, I like to receive a letter or postcard.
Back to festive football, I think today will be tricky so I'll just say don't lose and pray that Azaz has an Indian sign on them.
All the best to everyone.
UTB,
John
PS OFB, are you going to lobby for Middlessbrough3 as a new name?!
PPS Martin have you got your card?
Hadn't heard that Latte Lath's agent was talking about him leaving but I believe we discussed Craig John's article posted by Len about him possibly leaving in the January window and how if he did then Conway is ready to take his place - today is maybe a chance to show that!
Uncle Eric's back - the Boro defence strengthened by the return of Dael Fry & RvdB:
Ben Doak:
And two player of the season candidates in addition to Doak (Tommy Conway & George Edmundson):
Shame about "perception" for "perfection" in the first article, but nice to read some properly written articles instead of the dross Craig Johns churns out. 🙂
@john-richardson No card yet - did ours arrive with you?
You’re right about postage costs. It’s cost a fortune this year.
@martin-bellamy Yours arrived at midday today. For ours 21 days in the system so far, not bad for crossing the wilds of North Norfolk, all of Lincolnshire and up to the south of the North Yorkshire Moors. All that for about 18 shillings in old money. I have one left, let me know and I'll send it as a 'New Year Card'. Hopefully 2025 not 2026.
UTB,
John
Apologies Len for the very late reply to your rather excellent Headliner.
I have been busy this week catching up as we countdown to Christmas here in the North East.
Apart from the first five/ten minutes, Boro have generally been poor. The midfield continues to underperform and is Azaz really playing this afternoon.
Plymouth have had the better chances and as I write this they score. The way it is going at the moment, it is looking very much a Plymouth win.
Here we go again - CJ, 38th minute:
Boro behind. Can't say that hasn't been coming. Boro can only clear a free-kick to the edge where it's recycled out wide to Galloway who has plenty of space to pick his cross. He finds Gibson unmarked to head home from close range.
As expected an open game but it's been Plymouth who have moved the ball quicker with slick passing and movement - Borges looks unable to cope on the left and is being beaten most times. No surprise to see Plymouth hit the back of the net given the number of opportunities but the goal was offside and shouldn't have counted. Up front Conway is playing too wide to be the lone target striker and has often crossed the ball to a non-existent striker.
In midfield both Howson and Hackney have not been at their best and have struggled to keep the ball. McGree has looked sharp when he's had the ball and surely Doak needs to receive the ball more often than he has since the tenth minute. I would bring on Jones for Borges as we need pace down the left and perhaps Latte Lath will offer a better target down the middle.
As bad as stoke match?
As expected an open game but it's been Plymouth who have moved the ball quicker with slick passing and movement - Borges looks unable to cope on the left and is being beaten most times. No surprise to see Plymouth hit the back of the net given the number of opportunities but the goal was offside and shouldn't have counted. Up front Conway is playing too wide to be the lone target striker and has often crossed the ball to a non-existent striker.
In midfield both Howson and Hackney have not been at their best and have struggled to keep the ball. McGree has looked sharp when he's had the ball and surely Doak needs to receive the ball more often than he has since the tenth minute. I would bring on Jones for Borges as we need pace down the left and perhaps Latte Lath will offer a better target down the middle.
No changes at the start of the second half. 🙁
Jonny H equalises in the 50th minute - CJ:
Boro level! Doak the architect. He does well to beat his man and get to the byline. His cross is headed away but only as far as Howson on the penalty spot. He shapes well and his half-volley is deflected beyond Grimshaw.
Jonny H equalises in the 50th minute - CJ:
Boro level! Doak the architect. He does well to beat his man and get to the byline. His cross is headed away but only as far as Howson on the penalty spot. He shapes well and his half-volley is deflected beyond Grimshaw.
Equality doesn't last long: the Pilgrims retake the lead in the 72nd minute. 🙁
CJ:
Boro behind again. Comes down Boro's left again. Mumba knocks it beyond Borges for Bundu and Edmundson slips giving the Plymouth time and space to cutback for Gyabi to fire home. Boro's left flank been exposed all afternoon.
Barlaser, Burgzorg & ELL on for Howson, McGree & Conway in the 78th minute & Boro level again through HH three minutes later - CJ:
Burgzorg makes an instant impact. He comes inside and ina congested area, slips a lovely ball in behind for Hackney. First effort is saved by the legs of Grimshaw but Hackney finishes with the second attempt.
Fry on for Edmundson in the 79th minute.
Barlaser, Burgzorg & ELL on for Howson, McGree & Conway in the 78th minute & Boro level again through HH three minutes later - CJ:
Burgzorg makes an instant impact. He comes inside and ina congested area, slips a lovely ball in behind for Hackney. First effort is saved by the legs of Grimshaw but Hackney finishes with the second attempt.
Fry on for Edmundson in the 79th minute.
And no sooner are the scores level than Bundu makes it 3-2!
Barlaser, Burgzorg & ELL on for Howson, McGree & Conway in the 78th minute & Boro level again through HH three minutes later - CJ:
Burgzorg makes an instant impact. He comes inside and ina congested area, slips a lovely ball in behind for Hackney. First effort is saved by the legs of Grimshaw but Hackney finishes with the second attempt.
Fry on for Edmundson in the 79th minute.
And no sooner are the scores level than Bundu makes it 3-2!
A repeat of last season's away match: ELL doing what he does best in the 84th minute!
Alex Gilbert on for Azaz in the 85th minute.
Well not the open game we hoped for - it was far more open than that! Credit to Boro for coming back three times but also credit to Plymouth for playing well and looking anything but the bottom side. I guess we could say two points dropped but can't complain about a highly entertaining breathless game. Perhaps what it did highlight was Borges struggled on the left but I though Dijksteel on the other side was probably Boro's best player - strong and quick in defence and a willing overlapper in supporting Doak going forward - I suspect he had more touches than any other player. At least we're still in the top six, which I think is where we'll finish ultimately.