Great work P-N - I really enjoyed your handiwork and invention and hope the words are an inspiration to us all. Three points are a must on Monday. 

Is there no end to the creativity and imagination of this blog's leader writers?

The strictly true answer to that question is "yes", since my turn is coming up soon.

But this is a lovely piece, Powmill: festive, true to the original, very relevant to the Boro's current situation and a well deserved tribute to our new coach.

Thanks, Powmill, for a clever and very enjoyable read.

What Len said in paragraphs 1, 3 and 4.

Thanks Powmill for another amazing piece, I am in awe of this blog’s leader writers; if Boro performed as well you all do we would be nailed on for promotion. 😎

Excellent work Powmill! Surely one of the alterations wasn’t that we scored seven on the feast of Stephen!

If so I will drink whatever you are having. 

A win is needed on Monday otherwise I will be starting to think that the Boro Christmas blues has struck again.

As mentioned on the Blackburn thread, January window is going to be crucial to our continued success and a lot will depend on how much money Mr Gibson can be persuaded to part with and that we can obtain a striker than can actually score goals on a regular basis.

i am not sure what an acceptable percentage is although when Akpom scored 28, that was 33% of all our goals and last season Conways 13 was 20%.

I will try to do a more in depth analysis tomorrow.

Powmill

Many thanks for writing such an enjoyable preview during such a busy time for everyone during the festive season

Great stuff it’s always appreciated 

OFB

I was surprised at the amount of disappointed with the performance against Blackburn, I didn't think it was that bad, both teams had ago, Blackburn are not that bad ,I've seen them a number of times , dominate games, but fail in front of goal

The only thing of concern about Boro is we've had chances to put a big gap between us and third  really we could be eight points above, 

It's obvious were a team than needs to score first , to get the momentum going, if Whittaker's shot against the post goes in we win easy, 

Hull will come for revenge, and we are hurting real bad, Fry looked totally off it when he came on, Jones?, Edmondson?, I'm guessing a debut for a defender might happen, Tommy needs a rest ,can Hackney keep going, one thing last game , they were running and we looked knackered , 

Were a big scalp ,now , It's not gonna get easier, unless a number leave , I don't see signings , a genuine wide man maybe , if a different forward someone like Beto at Everton on loan isn't in favour might fit.

It's all gonna start now

COB

A decent centre back and centre forward needed in jan, Burgzorg nypan Hamilton not good enough, you need a bench that can change a game we don’t have one.

No complaints with the manager or coaching team and I’m not being a pessimist just a realist 

OFB

Having piqued my own interest in top goal scorers as as percentage of total goals scored, I have looked at the last 11 full seasons and Akpoms 33% with 28 was the best. Closely followed by Negrdo at 32% with 9 goals in the relegation season.

Assombalonga and Fletcher both scored 11 in 19/20 so at 44%, the best we have seen.

Bamford with his 17 was 25% in 14/15 and Nugent managed 8 at 12% in the promotion season.

Rest of the years round about the high teens low 20% mark.

Ravanelli scored 16 at 31% in the league in the 3 Rs season.

As a sanity check just looked to see what Salah did last year 29 goals which was 33% of all goals and in 22/23 Haaland at 38% with 36 goals.

Back in 73/74 Alan Foggon top scored with 19 goals which was 25% of goals scored although Mills and Hickton had 11 each.

Not sure what conclusion I can come to apart from the apparent fact that 30% looks like a good return for a top striker accepting that the game has changed from the days of Clough perhaps and that you need a regular goal scorer with someone to support.

Anyway, back to the Christmas chocolates that need eating!

@original-fat-bob.  I agree with the exception of Nypan; he is young and clearly talented but I don’t think he has been given a long enough run in the side to get up to speed and intensity of the Championship.  

If a non scoring forward is picked week in week out then why not give Nypan a run of games before discarding him.

I would also add Silvera to the list of those not good enough. 😎

Many thanks Powmill for another festive treat - Good King Wenceslas was a very appropriate choice for Boro connections as you may know that the original lyrics were written by John Neale 😉 

Hopefully, Boro will find their scoring boots again after failing to feast against Blackburn on the Feast of Stephen...

Thank you Powmill for a lovely and nicely delivered, seasonal Headliner.

I would make no predictions as to what to expect tomorrow night. Which Boro will turn up, especially given our current injury list, is difficult to guess. 

As Malcolm alluded to and I commented on in my previous post on the Blackburn thread, I just do not believe that the first team players can keep up with Hellbergball and his high press requirement, combined with ball retention and energy attacks. 

I think it is just too big an ask and not helped by our inability to score the first half goals to give the team a second half cushion. As MW told us, we do not have to wherewithal to continue the pace during the second 45 minutes and score the goals if necessary. This is not helped by the lack of any bench changers as OFB said.

KP, whilst Nypan is still very young in terms of his introduction to the Championship, I honestly believe he has had sufficient game time to prove if he is worth including in the 25 man squad.

For me, I am not yet convinced. I also believe this could be our best chance of the auto’s for many a year and the top six should in reality, be a given, otherwise Hellberg will have failed.

If Mr Gibson can afford it (given PSR limits) and twists and does not stick, with one or two more, on top of Malander (in theory KH has a month to see if he is the real deal) then our chances should increase.

We need to scrape enough points together, starting tomorrow and into January to keep a points cushion. Out of interest, our next five away games are

Derby, WBA, Soke, Sheffield Utd, Coventry.

Then MFC, need to be ruthless and dispense with those players that cannot help change a game when coming off the bench or if given a chance to start a game.

Burgzorg, Silvera, Lenihan, Edmundson, Engels and maybe even Nypan, if we want to cover for McGree who once more is looking to be a 25 inclusive gamble. 

Depending on Mr Gibson’s pot of money, the players available out there, that can hit the ground running, then Kieran Scott really needs to step up to the mark with his acquisitions, given last January and this summers signings. 

Thank you for the kind comments everyone.

BBD, you did pick out the bit I needed to change. I had thought we were sure to win, making a lot of goal scoring opportunites, so maybe "..could even have scored seven", but realistically that, "All the same victorious, although the score more frugal". So a disappointing no score draw made a nonsense of what I had already written.

Werder, you had me googling if the composer of Good King Wenceslas hailed from Middlesbrough, till the penny dropped. Very clever and spot on!!

As for transfers, I think there is broad concensus we need players providing width and goal scoring ability. Before then let us hope for a similar scoreline on Monday night, to the game at Hull earlier this month.

A number have commented on us needing players with goal scoring ability, whilst I believe we have them.  

What we really need is a fit and functioning RM or someone who can perform his role of linking the midfield and strikers, as well as scoring. 😎

Posted by: @k-p-in-spain

↑

What we really need is a fit and functioning RM or someone who can perform his role of linking the midfield and strikers, as well as scoring. 😎

Not a lot to ask...  😉

I enjoyed your little ditty, Powmill! The sheer variety of openers on here is amazing. What a talented bunch you all are! 

Btw, did you know that Good King Wenceslas invented pizza? …….. He liked them deep pan, crisp and even. I’ll get me coat……… 

I think the outcome of tomorrow’s game will depend on two obvious key factors: 

1] How many fit defenders will we have? I can’t see Hellberg starting with a back 3 in this one, as we appear to have only Fry and Ayling as fit centre-backs. I think a back four makes more sense, which presumably will give us Brittan, Ayling, Fry and Bangura? 
2] Can we actually create and score goals? Have we anybody who can adequately replace McGree’s creativity? I might start with Browne and push Gilbert further forward, but I’d really like to see Hansen given a chance, to see if he can get behind the Hull defence. 

I really don’t think this game will be anything like as easy as the away game. Hull will want revenge and will presumably be better prepared to face our attacking threat this time round. We know they score a lot of goals, but they also concede a lot. So, it’s not an easy game, obviously, but if we can put them under sustained pressure like we did at their place, then we should be ok. Everything crossed. 

@clive-hurren   You beat me to it Clive. I have wondered myself if Gilbert could fit into that left position. Although he is basically right footed, he can use his left foot. Possibly coming in from the left would give him an opportunity to shoot with his right also.

@pedro.  For me he is weak defensively so pushing him further forward may be the answer and make us more solid in the midfield; that being said with KH’s system we have been exposed on the flanks recently. 😎

I'm a big fan of Gilbert in central midfield as he, reads the game, has a good range of passing and quick feet - I think it's let Hackney drive forward more. I think the main problem is lack of pace in the channels and composure from the strikers. If Boro had taken their chances in the last two games they'd have been 10 points clear of third and sitting pretty - as it is a few doubts have crept in but a win tomorrow will get the team back on track and hopefully McGree will return soon. Having Bangura at right-back will add some pace but the strikers need to start scoring goals rather than falling over at the slightest invitation!

I’ve promised to take Mrs B out tomorrow - she’s got a bit stir crazy as she’s been stuck at home after some surgery on her hand. Adding in our dog, Ralf, having an op to remove a fatty lump and no opportunity to see our geographically scattered offspring and grandchildren over Xmas has left her a bit low. I’m thinking a drive to the Cinder Track at Ravenscar for a dog walk to Boggle Hole (his cone of shame can come off at last) then maybe fish and chips in Whitby before driving back home over the NYM in time for the game. 

Please keep your fingers crossed for a dry day. 

Thanks for the entertaining opener. Hopefully the Boro can tame the Tigers on Monday night. They are in pretty good form and are unbeaten since our 4-1 win there. They do have injury problems leading scorer Geldhart is out but they do have Ollie Mcburnie back, 3 goals in last 4 games. Probably also missing Belloumi who looked lively when he came on at the MKM. Following BBD's % analysis Geldhart have scored 49% of Hull's goals this season, 19/39. Morgan Whittaker has 24% of ours,8/33. As many have said we probably need another goalscorer, as do many teams. Many Ipswich fans are saying the same they are not enamoured by Chuba and their other loan striker. The referee is Leigh Doughty who has never refereed at the Riverside but was in charge of our win at Norwich this season and the 1-0 win at Hull last season.

@mw-in-darwin 

Probably a good job that their top scorer is out - 49% is impressive to say the least!

@boro-beckys-dad 

Should have been McBurnie and Geldhart have 49% between them. Also Joseph has 6 goals so three players with 2/3rd of their goals.

Naemore of that sort of stuff, Powmill, or people will be VERY nervous about writing Match Previews.  Especially those of us who may have some powers of reason, but very little talent as far as concerns rhyme.  I did enjoy reading it, though, and the responses received so far.

We are worried about lots of things. Injuries decimating the defenders, the inability of the players to perform in the second half after exhausting themselves during the first, the lack of goals from the strikers,  the number of players in our squad of 25 who people are convinced will never make it and therefore should have their numbers removed (or be sold or loaned out) to make space for incomers.... It's all doom and gloom at the darkest time of the year, isn't it?

And yet, and yet, and yet ...  Where does Boro sit in the league table? Still second and still FIVE points clear of the nearest teams below! 

Look on the bright side. Ipswich (3rd in the table) play leaders Coventry tomorrow whilst Hull (4th) play Boro - so we have it in our own hands.  If things go right - let's say Boro win whilst Coventry and Ipswich draw, Coventry will still be top on 52 points, Boro will still be second on 46 points, and Ipswich will be on 39 points with Hull on 38.  Even if Boro should lose, 2nd place is still safe.

Imagine reading that in August, for the league positions after 24 games. 

I know we all want the best performance from the team and a win on Monday evening.  But let's not stress too much about it. Of course if Boro should lose the Hull game....

Well I’m looking forward,to watching the game on the box as I’m going stir crazy after keeping a low profile whilst waiting for my heartfelt trip to my home county!

Hopefully no angst during this game and Boro to win comfortablyl I must admit to some apprehension though, as Hull know what they have to face now and will be prepared.

KH and his coaching team will have had a couple of days to get the cobwebs out of the Boro team and set out some game plans on the training pitches and perhaps a surprise inclusion of another player in the side ! KH seems to be using his squad to determine their capabilities and get a quick evaluation of what he has to work with as he hasn’t had the benefit of a pre season to work with the players.

All teams have injuries and perhaps some youngster may step up to the first team for an important debut.

I am not going to be rash with my predictions for this game and will settle for the 👀 in the sky !

HAPPY NEW YEAR EVERYONE 2026 PROMOTION!

OFB

I don’t know how true it is but I have heard that Strelec has picked up an injury 😱.

Why no pre match presser today 🤔

3 days prior to the transfer window opening and no reliable transfer (in/out) News, which is unusual.

Come on BORO.

So what Boro performance will we get tonight?    A repeat of the first 4 games  with the new coach. That would be great as we can then say that we are back on track and we have a coach who can put right disappointing performances.

Or, will it be a repeat of the disappointing last home game. In which case the doom and gloom merchants will be out.

All I know is that it should  be a much more difficult game to the last recent 4-1 victory over Hull particularly as they have won 3 games and drawn the other one of their subsequent games.

They are in a better run of results plus Boro have significant defensive problems. I assume Fry will have to start the game - let’s hope his fitness holds up.  l believe we have enough fit defenders to put out a decent team.

 The problem we all know is the two main attackers are not scoring and don’t play as a twosome.  Plus, we don’t have attacking players who have,so far, not demonstrated that if brought on , can positively influence the game.

So, my wish is first and foremost a convincing performance and i will take the result it deserves with a goal or two from our main attackers. 
Not a lot to ask ??
philip of Huddersfield 

👍🤔🤔

I wouldn't be surprised to see a few changes today - maybe Sene and Burgzorg up top and/or possibly Hansen given those that started against Blackburn were unable to be subbed. Though the defence has limited options given all the injuries and I'm not sure how fit Dael Fry is given Edmundson initially came off the bench as a replacement for Jones. 

I am thinking it might be a good idea to start Bangura wide left and Whitaker wide right. I might also be tempted to start with Hackney and Brown in the middle, with Gilbert linking to Strelec (if fit) or Sène up front.

I am sure KH will have his own ideas. I am feeling positive, but perhaps not expecting as easy a ride as we had in Hull.