Latest paper talk. Anyone for Bielsa? At 70 years old I am not so sure.
it was bad enough having Neil Warmock and his assistants at 70 odd year olds - embarrassing!
OFB
Watched the Charlton game Gilbert played the Morgan Rogers roll, drifting into different areas of the field, did some decent things wanted the ball wanted to be involved, sometimes I think he was a little ahead of the forwards, they didn't read him, I do think he's a little lightweight though, needs to bulk up a bit.
Adam Reach played for Wicham LB, was ok
Sorry to see Dijksteel is to leave. He performed better than some other players although they will be staying as they’re still under contract. Better player than Ayling who, unfortunately, is getting passed it and is starting to look a bit injury prone.
surely the club can’t be serious about giving Howson another season - he’s been so consistent for many years but all good things come to an end. Perhaps he will be considered for some kind of coaching job but I’ve not seen anything to say he’s got the appropriate qualifications.
Philip of Huddersfield ☹️☹️
@philip-of-huddersfield I have to agree. As good as he been, if we want to do better next season, then we need better players with pace and can tackle in the midfield area.
A defender he is not.
@philip-of-huddersfield We are stuck with Ayling and his 30K a week for another year.
We can only hope he can get fit again and turn the clock back.
the thing is when I look at players I look to see if the game comes easy to them, they're comfortable on the ball they see the field ,
Dykesteel like others seem to fight the ball, it doesn't flow through them first touch is hard which why they end up going sideways and back, Hackney apparently is at the top of the charts in Europe for positive passes in attack
Echo what everyone else said OFB, hoping the new meds will have a positive impact. Along with Dijksteel we also released 10 Academy players , including two who have actually made it onto the pitch in a first team game. I had a look back at all of the time that MC has been here and there have, apart from Hackney and Fry, only 10 academy players to feature in the League, and only Law Mcabe has made a start and 4 of those are no longer at the club. As OFB said we need a right back. I had a look at the League 1 and 2 teams of the season to see who was about in the lower leagues. The League 1 winner plays for Wrexham who have just been promoted so he is unlikely to move. The League 2 was Connor Barrett from Walsall, only 23, and might be worth a look if they don't go up.
@mw-in-darwin Anther season without any success coming out of the Academy.
MFC put good money into the set up and apart from (hopefully Sol Brynn) have produced nothing of note since Hackney, and even he may have been missed if not for Leo.
Carrick talks the talk about the youngsters and plays lip service by placing a few on the bench.
However considering our injury hit season, only Brynn was given a go. A damning indictment on the Club, Academy and possibly Carrick.
If we cannot produce a product of Championship quality once in a while, then shut it down and save some money.
In defence of Ayling, in a period when the lack of leadership and experience has been bemoaned, Ayling has both.
This is the lull !
The time when all is quiet !
The retained list has been issued !
The surplus players disposed of !
The targets identified discussed stats compared and value for money compared and ranked accordingly.
The scouting staff have done their homework and prepared their reports.
The manager has rang a few of his mates to see if any of their team’s young players need blooding in the championship.
Or
Lets just all go on holiday and enjoy ourselves and pick up the pieces in a few weeks ?
Which Boro scenario is the right one ?
OFB
Just to say the reason I love this blog it seems to be of a certain generation , who can disagree or have different views, I see from my fellow speakers the their issues in health, and it's great we are among it, I too have ,I've had a heart bypass ,and stents three induced, , so when I get a little impatient, about my club , forgive I'm gonna be critical
By the way anyone with heart issues and I've lived with them everyday shot of whiskey couple of times,a day pinch of Cayenne pepper, ginger, Cumin , walk,
Many thanks but alcohol strictly a no no on these latest meds I’m on as they give a severe reaction.
ITS APPRECIATED THOUGH !
OFB
As one of the few who thought there was a footballer in him, I see that this player is reported to be on Aston Villa’s wanted transfer list, he is on Napoli’s agenda this summer also, a certain Martin Payero.
Come on BORO.
I've done this ten years, I'm not saying you know drinking all all day, but go online and check it out, whiskey opens your veins allowing your blood to flow better,
Do your own research, mate
Ive done the research and online it says do not drink any alcohol !
Its a new drug but thanks
OFB
Definitely pinch of Cayenne pepper mate, in tea or water all the best
Hi Bob ,
it is good that you feel able to share your health problems. Sadly , as we get older many of us have health issues. All we can do is to soldier on and do what we can whether eg it’s a shorter walk than we used to do, bit of gardening or whatever gives us a sense of achievement.
And keep taking the tablets !!
I find getting older it’s the simpler things of life eg relaxing in the conservatory listening to relaxing music (and often nodding off !!) or eg going out for a coffee etc.
I am sure Bob you’ve got your own way of handling your health issues.
Best wishes and looking forward to your interesting and thoughtful blogs.
Philip of Huddersfield 👍😁
Your right Phil relax is the key , and don't feel like you should be doing something,when you don't have to.
Surprise surprise Riley Mcgree fit to join up with the Socceroos for their training camp in Abu Dhabi before their World Cup qualifier next month.
Glover also in the squad
Middlesbrough are planning to extend Head of Football Kieran Scott’s contract. (Alan Nixon - Patreon)
OFB
@original-fat-bob Does that mean Mr Carrick will be gone? Or not? Ah, the politics and machinations of the close season. I would have thought the managers position was more important to confirm but it's all down to perspectives I suppose.
UTB and take care OFB,
John
Just an update
As it’s the close season and things are quiet I’ve started working on an In2View.
Someone closely connected to the club who has agreed to sit down and answer some questions but nothing contentious!
Should be done in a few days !
OFB
The next step for Cifuentes is unknown; the West Brom avenue looks to have been closed, so he will have to consider alternative choices.
There are various job openings, but FLW’s QPR fan analyst Louis Moir believes Cifuentes might join Middlesbrough if Steve Gibson parted ways with Michael Carrick following another failed play-off drive.
“I think Cifuentes – obviously nobody knows where he’s going to go, it might not be in the Championship, it might not even be in England, a club abroad might want him, which wouldn’t be a shock,” Louis commented on FLW.
“But I simply have a sense that if Middlesbrough gets rid of Michael Carrick, they’ll come in for Marti.
“I could see him heading to Middlesbrough, but there are other Championship clubs searching for a manager, and anyone could come in for him, I suppose.
“But I believe there would be more interest in him in the Championship and in staying in England than in moving abroad, so staying in England is the more likely outcome for him.”
“For me, I believe Middlesbrough could work. I believe they would be interested in him, and if they were to get rid of Carrick, Marti’s name would likely be toward the top of their list.
“I think he’ll be staying in England personally.”
Middlesbrough may have sights set higher than Marti Cifuentes if Michael Carrick leaves
Middlesbrough have yet to make a decision on Carrick’s future, although FLW exclusively revealed shortly after the 2024-25 season ended that his employment at the Riverside Stadium was under threat.
Boro have failed to reach the Championship play-offs in the last two seasons, despite a good squad and significant investment each time, and Carrick may have brought them as far as he could.
If Steve Gibson decides a change is required, Boro may aspire higher than a manager who, despite his potential, ended 15th with QPR this season.
It may have been where the Hoops anticipated to finish given their lack of spending on their first-team players, but Cifuentes, although having the ability to accomplish more with a larger budget, could lose out to a bigger and more established figure, such as Steve Cooper.
OFB
@original-fat-bob I just do not see MFC, Mr Gibson sacking Carrick.
If he was going to be sacked, why wait, it achieves nothing to delay the chop. The only scenario is if MFC are putting him under pressure to changes his ways or may be his Assistant as well. That way a negotiated parting could be played out saving MFC part of his outstanding two year’s contract.
Let’s be honest, after the January disaster and wasted money from the LL sale, MFC cannot afford to pour any more money down the drain. Added to that, the silence in ST sales does not bode well.
I am just reading a local newspaper in Finland now. And there was Boro mentioned in an article about Wrexham FC.
"Humphrey Ker, one of Wrexham's directors and currently the community director, says in a video interview that the atmosphere is very happy, but new challenges are also emerging.
"Ker estimates that the team will need to sign between six and ten new players. The team was already strengthened during the transfer window last January – and then Ker surprises by saying that Finnish striker Marcus Forss, who plays for Middlesbrough in the Championship, was on Wrexham's radar.
"We talked about several names in January and he was on the table. However, Forss was only available on loan, and we wanted to buy him, so that became a problem," Ker says."
So we could have loaned Forss out in January but not selling him. I think this was quite natural as he was injured and needed minutes to get fit.
Up the Boro!
Apparently the Boro are extending the early bird deadline for season ticket sales due to poor response and take up by the fans.
I know a lot of family and friends who have said they are not renewing who have been Boro supporters for many years.
I think there could be a poor attendance at the stadium next season !
I agree that if we were going to change our manager it would have been done by now !
OFB