Would you believe it ?!!
 Usual performance in the first half and then score 4 goals in the second half. All is not sorted but a win and the bonus of 4 goals is more than we could have dreamed of.

So we look forward to to the next game in a better frame of mind.

Philip of Huddersfield 😁👍👍

@martin-bellamy Alan Browne was good, excellent even as a full back.

BTW, you can see the goals today at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MCy2642AV_s

Up the Boro!

@jarkko - Oh boy, Jarkko, you certainly DID miss something....!

That was a nice surprise to get up and see this morning. Good to score some goals and not just in the first half, and keep a clean sheet as well. Looking forward to the highlights later today. Whittaker now joint second in Championship goalscorers chart one behind Armstrong. I suspect not many saw that coming after booing him off at Preston. Looks like Law Mcabe's loan at Plymouth may be cut short, so and addition to the squad but not counted in the 25 as he is only 19. Unfortunately he played for Plymouth in the cup and is not available for Saturday, and as he played for us earlier in the season can't go anywhere else in January.

@martin-bellamy - VERY good, Martin.

I'm back! With some (hopefully) useful insights.

Ahead of the game, I wrote of KH's bad luck - the Christmas period, particularly the home fixtures, is usually a great time to get fans on board, with attendances being higher than usual. Both Blackburn and Hull drew over 31,000, well ahead of today's attendance of over 26,000. So to blank in both those games, especially after such a wonderful start for KHBoro? I really felt the pain.

But all of that pain vanished, albeit temporarily, following the second half today. What a way to end a drought which had run, if my calculations are correct, for 454 minutes if you don't count the injury times. (So that's got to be over 500 with them, at least.) That's - yikes - over seven and a half hours without a goal. Not as bad at the AKBoro drought of 2013-14, but it felt like it was about to be.

'Twas not the only AKBoro connection, for better or worse. In those games of 2013-14, we didn't score any but we didn't concede a lot either. We scored none for, according to my calculations, 733 minutes, but only conceded four. This time we only conceded four as well, an average of less than one goal conceded per game. Which isn't bad, considering the defensive injuries that seem to be happening alarmingly frequently.

This brings me to my next point - the "new player" or "recovered star" bounce. After a dreadful winter run in 2005-06, we beat Mourinho's Chelsea 3-0 the day that totem George Boateng was fit enough to make the bench. The presence of a defensive star, "exciting new arrival", able deputy or natural leader on or near the pitch can drive the team on - and so it was today with Malanda. His block near the start of the second half was as crucial as Whittaker's opener.

Look back to 2015-16 and recall how the presence of an in-form and fully fit Dani Ayala, or players that played like him, as Tommy Kalas did in the 1-0 win over Hull, drove the team on even during tough times. Defenders under Karanka, and to a point Rob Edwards, had licence to move forward, even though the build-up play could be disappointingly slow, and how they played clearly increased the team's confidence as an attacking force - if you know you've got a solid base behind you, with players who might also be keen to get on the scoresheet themselves if they can, you can't help but have that extra bit of inspiration. That's how I see it anyway.

I'd also like to address the excellent point KP in Spain made, that being, the majority of our wins have come against teams who've tried to take us on at our own game. This is where the other AKBoro comparison comes in.

At this stage, just over ten years ago, we'd taken sixteen points from twenty-one against promotion rivals - six from Sheffield Wednesday, four from Derby (and it was so nearly six), and three each from Burnley and Brighton. Yet we'd dropped points against comparatively worse sides like Bristol City, Reading and Fulham. Before long, Bristol City would beat us again, we'd draw with MK Dons and we'd lose at relegation-threatened Rotherham.

Point being? Perhaps the bigger teams were more likely to come out of their shell and play against us whereas smaller sides may have been more inclined to sit tight and not give our team the space for controlling games that it probably grew accustomed to. Once a team becomes used to getting its way, as AKBoro and KHBoro seemed to, it's a lot harder when it suddenly doesn't - and KP's post has made me ponder if, great though today has been, it's really been a day of evolution and more a return to "how things used to be" following a reduced level of expectation that can take the pressure off. I was happy to take any kind of win before the game, that's how my expectations were - KH's next test will be bigger now that expectations, in general, have surely risen again.

On the other hand, it's likely we've got our momentum back. And that's wonderful.

@forever-dormo I think you will find the Riverside Stadium is in TS3, not TS1.

Come on BORO.

@exmil Maybe he was thinking about our beloved Ayresome Park. That was TS1 ...

Anyway, how often we have seen four goals at Riverside?

They were certainly very rare at AYRESOME since 1970 when I started to follow Boro. I can remember the Mickey Burns match - he scored FOUR in the 7-2 win over Chelsea (can we play them again, please). Must be a few more, but not many, I think.

Up the Boro!

@jarkko   Was it 6 - 2 against QPR. I cannot remember the season. Two nil down, and then Hughie Mcllmoyle scored four, I think. 

He played for the Boro 1969/1971, so you may have missed that game.

@pedro - The so-called McIlmoyle Match: September 1970. Boro 2-0 down within 5 minutes (Rodney Marsh got one of the goals) but stormed back to a 4-2 lead at Half-time before adding a further 2 in the second half.  McIlmoyle scored two of the goals but played a blinder. Hickton had a hat-trick and Derrick Downing bagged a goal.

I remember a short while ago, when reflecting on the number of times we had recently failed to score, making a point about "we might as well put a full-back up front - at some point he'd probably poke in a goal from 2 yards or the ball would bounce into the net from his knee off a deflected shot...". The great John Hickton was, of course, bought as a defender from Sheffield Wednesday but went on to be Boro's top scorer for several seasons  from 3rd Division to 1st Division and, yes, he'd WALK into today's team.  

Odd really, as I see he scored 21 goals from just over 50 games at Wednesday.... But he is ALWAYS known as a "former defender".

Re: Chris Rea

I have often wondered where was the Rea cafeteria near Ayresome Park. I had a cuppa with Terry Cochrane in 1980 - most propably in the Rea caffee shop. 

There is an article in the Gazette (Teesside Live, link below) that told it was opposite to the Middlesbrough Cenotaph, outside the entrance gates to Albert Park in front of the Dorman Museum.

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/chris-rea-school-memories-middlesbrough-33139183?utm_term=Autofeed&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Bluesky#Echobox=1767596457

But where was the former training ground? I think it was called Hutton Road and was propably lacated as here: https://maps.app.goo.gl/6KW59qvsC2k94KcK7

This is the only picture I could find of the field:  https://www.facebook.com/groups/teessidefootballhistory/posts/1766931013816049/

I am in a nostalgic mood after the 4-0 win on Sunday. Up the Boro! 

@forever-dormo.  Some great times to be a Boro supporter home and away; particularly the promotion season to the old Div 1 and the season after when, as the new boys, we surprised some of the established teams with Jack’s style of play. Happy Days.

Has any one got any information on how OFB is faring? 😎

@k-p-in-spain 

Hi Everyone 

I opened the blog this morning to see I was given a mention 

Quick update

Had heart surgery on New Year’s Eve but still have one blocked artery which they can’t do.

i can walk up the stairs without getting breathless !!

So very positive many thanks for the mention great camaraderie!

OFB

@jarkko 

Rea Coffee bar Linthorpe Road opposite Albert park and Cemotaph is now an Italian restaurant 

Hutton Road training ground was located at longlands Middlesbrough and is now a housing development and was sold when Rockliffe was opened. All the local non league cup finals were played there. 

All Boro teams of all ages trained at the ground using wooden cabins with no heating to change in !

i refereed many times there and used to ref the Boro trial matches at the ground for Harold Shepherdson the Boro assistant manager and England trainer. Saw many first teamers from a young age, Stan Cummins, Mark Proctor, Mogga. Spike Armstrong etc.

Thanks Jarkko had to trawl right back through my memories !

OFB

AND since I haven't mentioned it yet: (1) It WAS cold at the Riverside yesterday for the match against Southampton, but at least it was dry (2) I felt almost shock when the first goal went into the net and almost had to rummage around the recesses of my memory when working out how to react. Then instinct took over, with a leap into the air, numerous fist-pumps and a smile as wide as the mouth of the Tees.  Such a relief!

That first goal really did break the dam and a flood of goals followed. Boro could have scored four. (Actually Boro did, and it could have been more!).

The big take-away was the performance of Malanda who really looked good. He has an imposing physique and clearly possesses the skill, timing and, I suspect, the temperament, to be a top player. I won't go overboard yet as its better not to count chickens (etc) but I was massively impressed. That block he made when the game was still scoreless will probably be exaggerated (is that possible?)  and become a thing of Boro folklore in years to come. He looked good. I remember Juninho's😇 debut and the Ravanelli hat-trick start against Liverpool but Malanda's announcing himself on the Boro stage was just as impressive as those. 

I must have pressed a button somewhere on my mobile phone keypad and I see that a face appeared next to Juninho's name above. Somehow it seems appropriate so I will leave it there.  Let's see if it survives pressing the "send" button!

Anyway, back to the match! The difference in feeling leaving the stadium to entering was enormous. I can't remember enjoying a better 45 minutes than that second half. And, of course, the point has previously been made several times that Boro's players have recently so exerted themselves in the first 45+ minutes that they have tended to fall off in form for the second half. Not against Southampton! 

I recognise that Boro allowed the visitors a number of chances before taking the game by the scruff of its neck but it really would be seriously nit-picking to criticise a 4-0 home win against a money-bags parachute money team.

I quite enjoyed the appropriately timed pantomime booing of Azaz. He played well in the first half but no so much in the second. But that was like his time at Boro - he was good when given space and time but always seemed to suffer when the team was under the cosh (as Southampton was during the four-goal second half). 

A thoroughly enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. 

Will I go overboard about it?  Well, maybe, but I realise I shouldn't!  Keep feet well grounded.  Boro has returned to the Top Two, even if that was helped by the weather preventing Ipswich from playing. But if that result has given confidence back to the players, all will be fine. To look on the bright side, perhaps Boro has gone through a bad patch. All teams have them even if they go on to achieve glorious things. If that was Boro's bad patch, if some players become available over the next fortnight during the FA Cup break, and if the dam really has been smashed open, we can be optimistic again.

But I will not get carried away. I will NOT get carried away.  Honestly....

Posted by: @pedro

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@jarkko   Was it 6 - 2 against QPR. I cannot remember the season. Two nil down, and then Hughie Mcllmoyle scored four, I think. 

He played for the Boro 1969/1971, so you may have missed that game.

I remember that game, even though I wasn’t there - my Grandma sent the Pink ‘Un down to my Dad (we lived near London) every week and that season as a keen 10 year old, I made a scrap book of all things Boro which had the match reports of all the games!

Still have it somewhere in the loft I think.

Back to seeing lots of goals in flesh so to speak, the 8 against Sheffield Wednesday sticks in my mind along with 8 against Man City.

However, nothing beats the 4 against Steaua Bucharest for me!

@original-fat-bob.  Good to hear from you and that you are part mended and on the road to recovery.  

Best wishes from a very wet and cold Costa Blanca. 😎

Delighted to see you back @original-fat-bob , and so soon! Also glad there is a noticeable difference for you.

@simonfallaha I am continue to be absolutely amazed at the detail you have in your memories. More often than not I will forget why I have moved from one room to the next !!!

That sounds like positive news, OFB - great to hear from you and that you can progress upstairs in a breathless manner. 

It’s started snowing again here in Sherburn, albeit quite lightly at the moment. Xmas decorations are down so the place looks a bit bare as we enter the post holidays doom time. Hopefully the Boro will continue to light up our days before spring arrives. 

@original-fat-bob -  Good to hear from you and that the medical procedure you underwent has given some good results already.  Of course it would be too much to ask to return you to a fit 25 year old.  But hopefully the win against Southampton will have put some spring back into your step.

@martin - Some small flakes of white stuff are currently fallling here and it is cold enough to settle.  However I suspect it will be more frosty than snowy.  Unlike in Ullapool where I have seen this morning's photos showing deep snow with possibly 12 inches to fall later, though I have been assured the freezers and the cupboards are full of food and there is enough wood/logs to set the world alight.

The decorations will come down today at my place and there are grumblings from up north that they will have to go outside to dig out some of the lights and other decorations which are currently under cover.

AND FINALLY - Amorim has been sacked at Manchester United. The roundabout continues to turn.

Posted by: @original-fat-bob

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@jarkko 

Rea Coffee bar Linthorpe Road opposite Albert park and Cemotaph is now an Italian restaurant 

Hutton Road training ground was located at longlands Middlesbrough and is now a housing development and was sold when Rockliffe was opened. All the local non league cup finals were played there. 

All Boro teams of all ages trained at the ground using wooden cabins with no heating to change in !

i refereed many times there and used to ref the Boro trial matches at the ground for Harold Shepherdson the Boro assistant manager and England trainer. Saw many first teamers from a young age, Stan Cummins, Mark Proctor, Mogga. Spike Armstrong etc.

Thanks Jarkko had to trawl right back through my memories !

OFB

OFB firing on most cylinders better than firing on none and I hope your improvement continues as does the boros hopefully

@forever-dormo 

we have to take whatever comfort we can! Carried away, why not? It makes up for all those frustrated walks back from The Riverside that we have endured, some on here  more than others who don’t get there as often.

@k-p-in-spain 

Right now I would take wet and cold in Costa Blanca! Only 4 weeks until we head to the warm of Singapore and Australia 

@boro-beckys-dad. We enjoyed Singapore a few years ago although my wife said it had lost some of its character which she remembered from her childhood days, when visiting from Malaya where had Dad was stationed. I preferred Hong Kong out of the two. 

Loved Australia. Enjoy your trip and safe travelling. 😎

Posted by: @k-p-in-spain

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@boro-beckys-dad. We enjoyed Singapore a few years ago although my wife said it had lost some of its character which she remembered from her childhood days, when visiting from Malaya where had Dad was stationed. I preferred Hong Kong out of the two. 

Loved Australia. Enjoy your trip and safe travelling. 😎

Cheers - booked in my trip up the A1 and A19 for our next home game on 24th first!

Great news, OFB (well apart from the stubborn artery, but still….)

@forever-dormo Quite a bit of snow at our daughters’s place in Inverroy, although I suspect @Jarkko wouldn’t be terribly impressed. 

Come on OFB stop slacking, you should be running up and down those stairs as part of your get fit campaign, otherwise you might become known as the “McGree” of diasboro. Seriously great news, welcome back.

Come on BORO.