@paulinboro Walk up prices are generally around £30 for the cheapest seats. That is a lot of money for many MFC supporters on Teesside.
I think the club could do better, especially for the night matches. Why can’t they for example, match the lowest ST price in the area of choice. I do not think for one minute ST holders would complain.
Behind our seats in the NW stand, the rather expensive West Stand areas always have lots of vacant blocks empty
Saturday games could be cheaper also. Watching football for many is expensive. How we get so many supporters at the away games is hard to believe.
Behind our seats in the NW stand, the rather expensive West Stand areas always have lots of vacant blocks empty
Tommy Conway’s reaction to that penalty said everything. You could almost feel the weight lift off his shoulders. When a striker has been grafting without the goals to show for it, that moment can be huge for momentum and belief.
Disappointed that he was subbed.
Still, it’s great to see him back on the scoresheet. If he builds on that, it could be a turning point in his season.
@malcolm Yes, it was heartening to see his relief. I think he’ll have an even broader grin when he scores from open play. I shudder to think what it would have done to his confidence if the keeper had saved his penalty.
Quite.@malcolm Yes, it was heartening to see his relief. I think he’ll have an even broader grin when he scores from open play. I shudder to think what it would have done to his confidence if the keeper had saved his penalty.
Let us hope he does get some goals now and goes on to be included in the World Cup squad. His energy and huge contribution, including tracking back, but especially up front is what has been lacking for Scotland, even in the brilliant victory over Denmark.
Hellberg likes him and recognises what he brings to Boro's game. Goals now please, to be the icing on his cake.
@powmillnaemore Absolutely, we need him in the Scotland Squad.without a doubt. I hope Clarke makes a visit to the Riverside. We have a lack of forwards in the team.
@simonfallaha - No prize for me, then. My first thought was the music to " Brown Eyed Girl"....
Thank you, folks, for the pleasure you have given me. I have REALLY enjoyed reading your posts. Everything feels good after a win but a win in a good performance is even better.
It will be interesting to see how Tommy Conway performs in the next match, after having scored from the penalty spot yesterday. That might give him the confidence that has been mentioned in previous posts. He was having a massive struggle to make things happen until the penalty went in. I guess every Boro supporter and player was wreathed in smiles after the ball hit the net. As pleased as Conway was!
It is good that goals are being spread around, even if Whittaker is taking more than his fair share (not that I am complaining!)
It has been a pleasure to watch recent games. And I note the manager thinks there is more to come. That is a frightening prospect for other Championship teams.
To pick up on some other recent points: to be fair to him, Finn Azaz has been coming into good form at Southampton. I always felt that when Boro was on top in games, he came to the fore. He could open up teams and could curl the ball into the net like Whittaker has been doing recently. But he wasn't so good when Boro was under the cosh. "Tracking back? Surely that's not my job?". In cricketing terms, when on a good batting track and especially with the bowlers tiring, he'd flay the ball to all parts of the ground and often clear the ropes. But on a difficult wicket with the ball swinging, he'd be playing and missing before eventually nicking one behind or failing to play a ball that hits the off stump at bail height.
I was disappointed with only 24K at the QPR match. Of course the visitors didn't bring many. I can only assume that the weather in recent days and the forecast 40+ mph winds put people off. And the fact it is just before Christmas. What I think MIGHT happen if things carry on as in recent weeks, is that there will be big crowds over Christmas/New Year and people will buy for themselves, of have bought for them by Santa, the Half-Season tickets being advertised.
If Boro remains second (let's dream, maybe higher?) in the league and automatic promotion begins to look more probable than possible, supporters may look forward to the Premier League. They might calculate that, if promoted, games against Sunderland, Newcastle, Man City, Man Utd, Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool et al will be sell-outs (or at least they may not be able to sit where they would prefer). The only way to guarantee that seat may be to get your name on it NOW.
Things are looking upwards at Boro just now. Let's (1) enjoy it but (2) not get TOO far ahead of ourselves.
It was easier for me to spot, having played Dick Deadeye in a production of Pinafore about 37 years ago, so be.ing familiar with the score@simonfallaha - No prize for me, then. My first thought was the music to " Brown Eyed Girl"....
@powmillnaemore - on the other hand, with a nod to classic BBC Radio Four shows, it reminds me of '"I'm Sorry, I Haven't a Clue" ("I'd like you to sing My Old Man's a Dustman to the music of "Land Of Hope And Glory"...,)
Back in the day, whenever I used to live an work in and around London and the South East of England I used to commute a lot in my car. As well as taking in The Archers, I used to look forward to the half an hour commedy slot immediately before that. yes you are indeed right, it is exactly like that.
Back in the day, whenever I used to live an work in and around London and the South East of England I used to commute a lot in my car. As well as taking in The Archers, I used to look forward to the half an hour commedy slot immediately before that. yes you are indeed right, it is exactly like that.
I’m sorry I haven’t a clue was a sequel to I’m sorry I’ll Read That Again (ISIRTA) which started around 1964. I remember listening to ISIRTA in bed. It featured the long-running and incredibly dumb story of The Curse of the Flying Wombat. Very happy memories. Does anyone else remember ISIRTA?
@selwynoz - Ah! Angus Prune and Lady Constance. Where are they now?
I must have gone to University 9 years too late! I mean, basically at University you joined the Footlights or did some Am Dram at the ADC and a jaunt to the Fringe at Edinburgh (where, to be fair, Mrs Dormo DID perform) and then, as if by magic, people at the BBC dangled contracts and series options in front of you and you got to do much as you pleased so long as it was whacky (and often irreverant). Fame and fortune came searching for you, and it would have been a different course to trudging up and down to courts mostly in Yorkshire, Teesside and County Durham (occasionally Newcastle) to sample the often seedier side of life.
And I certainly do remember ISIHAC, which is STILL being broadcast to this day. (Sorry about the fat fingers).
Tommy’s next game, presumably, is away at ……. Bristol City, where he’s sure to get a frosty, nay hostile, reception from the home crowd. My bet is he’ll want to silence them by banging in a goal or two. Let’s hope he does.
Hi
some news
I have a pre-op next week then on New Year’s Eve cardiac surgery at Newcastle Freeman Hospital.
Apparently it’s a new form of procedure only started this year and I’m lucky to be able to get it done.
The next game I’m scheduled to preview is West Brom away on the 17th of March and I’m unsure whether I’ll be fit enough to do it so if someone could be on standby to carry out the preview on my behalf, I would be more grateful.
OFB
I remember both shows which was like a combination of The goodies and Monty Python and Fawlty Towers.
i must admit that I did consider writing comedy for a living but was persuaded by my mother that a nice career was safer. !
Ah but I could have been a millionaire 💰💰💰
OFB
@original-fat-bob Hello Bob, all the best with your surgery.
If I can help I will be happy to give it a go. I am not much of a writer but if people will put up with a poor quality sub from the bench I will lace up my boots and give it a go!
UT B Chris
Great stuff Si
I penned a song but a bit more downmarket!
To the tune of Tome Jones Sex Bomb !
Hell Ball Hell Ball
Do the Hell Ball
Hell Ball He’ll Ball
Do the Hell Ball
etc
OFB
@chris-from-barlby You beat me to it Chris. Be aware the fixture is now the Friday evenening Sky choice, so will be on 16th Jan, rather than the 17th as Bob mentioned. Thanks for volunteering, it will be great to see a new name on board!
@original-fat-bob. Wishing you all the best for Christmas and your upcoming procedure as well as a healthy 2026. 😎
@original-fat-bob I am sure we will all be keeping our fingers crossed. Hope all goes well and, above all else, that it will make a noticeable difference for you 🤞
@original-fat-bob Good luck with the new procedure. Hopefully, the Boro will have accumulated many more points for you by then. As for your truncated comedy writing career, at least you know you’re going to be in stitches soon…
Groooaaaaan. You can't beat a good bit of medical humour....
@powmillnaemore @original-fat-bob - OFB said his next Match Preview was for 17th MARCH so, was that a typing error and he meant 17th Jan (not that I should crirticise with my fat fingers!)?
I must admit I didn’t like Azaz in my opinion he never tracked back and seemed reluctant to put the effort in.
Whilst I concede that his stats were superb and his goals were often spectacular I still didn’t like him.
i must also confess that i didn’t rate Whittaker as he sensed to be lazy player and didn’t track back and didn’t help his full back from being overrun. The penny seems to have dropped for Whittaker and he looks a different player.
This is my 60 th season supporting the Boro and the first half of the game against QPR was the most dominant exciting and skilful piece of football I have ever seen a Boro team play.
Long may it continue 👌
OFB
It’s quite common for new coaches to have a good start in terms of results no doubt due to a combination of factors. eg players regularly picked wanting to confirm that they are worthy of continued selection, players chosen regularly as a squad player wanting to show they are worthy of selection and players who are not in the frame wanting to prove they are worthy of a chance.
Then there is an inevitable change of tactics and style of play which opposition managers won’t be familiar with, plus changes to formations during a game. This must be a real advantage to the new coach. Added to this is the feel good factor of the fans whose heightened enthusiasm can only help the team.
So, this is an opportunity to get off to a good start which our coach has taken with both hands and been rightly praised by many football people.
Of course there is the other side of the coin which is the new coach may not be aware of the playing style of his opponents.
The test is how long the new coach can continue the good start to his tenure. Most suffer a drop in points gained and the effectiveness of the team. There are exceptions and having watched Sunderland’s impressive performance against Newcastle yesterday then I think the Sunderland coach is an exception (although he’s not strictly a new coach any longer)
So the real test for our guy is about to start. Let’s hope he comes through with flying colours starting with Bristol City on Saturday.
Philip of Huddersfield
👍👍🤗
@powmillnaemore @original-fat-bob - OFB said his next Match Preview was for 17th MARCH so, was that a typing error and he meant 17th Jan (not that I should crirticise with my fat fingers!)?
WBA away is very definitely an 8pm kick off on Friday 16th January. Just double checked. Also double checked the roster that AndyR put together and Bob is definitely down for this fixture.
So all good in the hood, as Mrs Powmill is fond of saying to me.
Are you getting a wee bit carried away Bob ?!
I have always thought the era with Juninho was the most exciting for me. I can vividly remember when he got the ball around the half way line and set off towards the opponents half of the field the home supporters stood up in anticipation of something exciting happening. Some of the attacking players were miles ahead of the current players - you only have to look at the quality of the goals they scored.
Although a different era etc, I can also remember the days of Brian Clough and a first match of the season when they won 9-0 and the return away game 6-4 against Brighton and was it the same season when they drew 6-6 at Charlton. We saw exciting football with loads of goals - the only trouble was the team were likely to score almost 100 goals in the season but concede a similar number.
Happy memories,
philip of Huddersfield 👍👋🤗
@original-fat-bob Thank you for the Christmas card. Received it last week.
Aĺl the best for the up-coming op. I hope you will feel stronger after that. Like Boro under the guidance of Kim Helberg.
About Azaz, I once saw him live playing for Ireland at the Finnish Olympic Stadium. He was non-exsistant - I couldn't remember him doing anything in the game. At the time I thought it was because the Irish team was poor and his Boro team mates were better.
So I was neither sorry to see him go. But he has scored seven for Southampton this season. And some belteers for us before his tranfer to the Saints.
Up the Boro!