@pedro Thanks for that. I couldn’t see any availability for the game either but maybe it will show up later. Can you access the games via BoroLive from Spain?
Martin, Live Football on TV is showing Boro v Blackburn on SKY+
Recently the match passes have only been available less than 24 hours before kick off.
@pedro I was hoping to get the Bristol City game. I’ll get the Blackburn game on Now TV.
its been no problem getting the live game here in Oz but I do have an annual sub to Boro Live. However, as @mw-in-darwin says, they can be quite late in opening the site for payment. If I'm in another country, I use a VPN to get back 'home' to Australia.
Good luck
UTB
@martin-bellamy As you now live in Yorkshire, again I envy you that you are able to go to the Riverside for live experience. And retired, you can plan a visit to a few away matches, too. 😉
I know it is easy for me to say. I can see most Boro matches via BoroLive. The rest of League matches I can see via ViaPlay.
BTW, I see the FA Cup match at Fulham won't be televised for any country. But it cannot be seen at BoroLive, I presume. Or does anyone know more? I think the Cup matches are not included in my BoroLive subscription.
Up the Boro!
Many thanks for your excellently crafted opener Andy with great insights and analysis - it wouldn't look out of place in a broadsheet.
It's quite interesting how serendipitous Edwards defection to Wolves has been - results were probably better than performances and there was an anticipation that Boro's early-season lofted position was beginning to look fragile as Edwards had no real answers to how to make his team an attacking force - not dissimilar to his new gig at Wolves, who have only managed 2 goals so far.
It appears Hellberg has taken the best bits from Carrick's progressive style and Edwards improved solidity and melded them into an all round coherent, enjoyable and most importantly, winning combination.
I think in Hellberg, Selini and Viveash we have three details people who let's say have more depth than the Carrick, Woodgate and Carrick's brother could bring to the party - plus Hellberg appears to have a genuine and sincere outgoing personality that has rubbed off on the players. The players look to be enjoying their football and so are the Boro supporters!
@martin-bellamy. Not sure Martin if the system matches addresses to the ip address. The only way to find out is to try it.
It doesn’t have a problem in taking my money via a UK bank account so I suspect it doesn’t match up all the data.
If, in future, you need to use a VPN and want an overseas address, let me know and I am happy to help.
The EFL no longer has a broadcast partner in Spain so all matches (FA Cup excepted) should be available for streaming.😎
@jarkko. FA cup matches are not available for streaming. A restriction put in place by the FA so it will be back to the old days of radio commentary unless someone finds a dodgy stream! 😉😎
Martin. Sorry just realised that Pedro was talking about the Blackburn game, Bristol game is not on Sky Sports+ but the game will be on Boro live and tickets should be available to purchase later today.
If you want to use your VPN and need a Spanish address then email me at kevkar18@hotmail.co.uk and I will provide details. 😎
@werdermouth I fully agree with your first paragraph. And mention of Hellberg, Selini.and Viveash bringing more depth to the party than the trio you mentioned was so delicate and SPOT ON!
Thanks, Andy for a terrific opener. Sums up the Boro and Brissol situations exactly.
One thing I would like to add. Bristol City has had a tough programme in the league recently.
Saturday 13th December
Coventry City 1 , Bristol City 0 at Full time
Wednesday 10th December
Bristol City 2 , Leicester City 2 at Full time
Saturday 6th December
Bristol City 0 , Millwall 1 at Full time
Next, after the Boro game, they will play WBA and Millwall. So I do not envy them. But of course we have played two of the form teams recently in QPR and Hull. Derby was doing nicely at the time when we played them, too.
It will be a tough match at Aston Gate - they always are fro Boro. But I will go for a 0-2 win with Hackney and Strelec scoring. Up the Boro!
- •https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25707445.matt-targett-newcastle-middlesbrough-situation-explained /" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Matt Targett Middlesbrough questions answered after Newcastle loan recall admission
- •https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25704087.kim-hellberg-relishing-middlesbroughs-christmas-fixtures /" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Kim Hellberg identifies 'biggest difference' as he prepares for Middlesbrough first
- •https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25703027.adilson-malanda-middlesbrough-arrival-kim-hellberg /" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adilson Malanda possible debut date as Boro defender talks transfer & Kim Hellberg
Thanks for all the help with watching games on a Saturday. I’ve registered with BoroLive using my “Spanish” address and a VPN. I’m now waiting with bated breath for the announcement that the game is available for purchase.
@martin-bellamy. I have just checked and showing both available at my end. It might be worth closing everything down, then restart and connect the VPN first to your Spanish address then go to MFC and try login and purchase. 😎🤞
@k-p-in-spain Payment accepted. That’s my Saturday sorted.
@martin-bellamy. Great news. Hope Boro now do the business and banish the BC hoodo. 😎
Well done Martin, let's hope the Boro have the same success.
I think I would be happy with a point at this momement. I wonder if KH makes any changes, baring in mind the number of games to play in a very short period.
Sadly, he will probably be without his family on Christmas. Hopefully Mr Gibson with have invited him to Christmas Lunch. 😊
@pedro Xmas with your Boss? Not my idea of fun. I wonder when his family will be joining him.
@pedro Or perhaps Kim's father can join him in the Christmas time! Up the Boro!
Andy, may I join the chorus of voices congratulating you on your excellent preview - because it is. Particularly your superb contrast of REBoro and KHBoro. It is, admittedly, with the benefit of reflection, but I now recall how stodgy and slow our attacks against WBA were, as good as that performance and result was. I would, too, be most grateful for Brittain, Browne, A. Jones and Targett, along with the sense of "family" that RE fostered - which strengthened itself following the siege mentality that developed when the stability in the Boro world briefly transitioned into turmoil.
Just doing what I can at present to enjoy the moment and take every game that KHBoro play as it comes.
Now - what's next from me is part insight, part question.
Which of our forwards can be a line leader, dependent on direct service and direct service alone? And which our forwards needs support not only from passes, crosses or headers but from a person? A buddy?
Someone once said Jordan Rhodes was a Championship Ravanelli, but I've likened Rhodes more to Chicharito and Miroslav Klose - his goals weren't renowned for being telegenic but he knew where to be to put them in, and how to do it. The exemplary manner in which he contortioned himself to nudge the ball over the line at Bolton shouldn't be forgotten. He nonetheless benefitted from having an extra forward in there, to not only supply him but to draw defenders' attention, giving him more space.
Ravanelli, on the other hand? We tried partnering him with Mikkel Beck but it was an imbalanced partnership - two left footers, both of whom thrived better on service from deeper lying forwards. Even if Beck looked more in need of human support - and in Merson, he ultimately found it. With Rava you got the feeling he needed to lead the line himself to thrive - those closest to him in style would probably be Boksic, Negredo, or in the Championship, Bamford, telegenic goals and all.
I think we learn lot more about forwards from studying how they score rather than how many. Better still, I hear that KH said he'd watched all the Boro goals from our players from the last four years. Incredible preparation - and most valuable, too.
@martin-bellamy Apparently early in the New Year.
His wife has only recently had their second child, so obviously that delays moving to the North East.
At least he will have the luxurious surroundings of Rockcliffe Hall to ease the loneliness. Not an easy time to be fair.
@malcolm - Thanks for the information in your last post. I don't like opening links to TeessideLive or the Northern Echo. Apart from adverts I just KNOW the cheat (given maybe in the last thread by Andy R or Werder or someone who knows about these things) is something I'd get completely wrong. I'd probably blow my equipment or the whole internet! So I leave it alone. I am assuming some of the stuff in your post summarised information in the Echo articles about Kim Hellberg and the players. It was pleasing to read. Thanks, again.
It's really good to read Si's comments. I am REALLY hoping in 20 years time, to read a treatise (perhaps a few!) about the way in which Hellberg converted Boro from a "team that hoped to get into the Play-Offs every so often" to a 2020s and 2030s version of Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest early iteration. Not that I want to get ahead of myself. A promotion would be wonderful and staying up ("Doing a Sunderland "!) would be incredible.
A comparison of the qualities shown by Jack Charlton, Brian Clough, Aitor Karanka, and the Swedish Messiah might be interesting to read if I am spared into my late 80's. Not that I am asking much. On the other hand it is coming up Christmas (and in the words of the Incomparable Joni Mitchell they are putting up the trees...) and my ADULT son, on the late evening of 20th December has just delivered an A4 page. The heading is "Christmas List 2025" and starts:
"Dear Father Christmas, I was reminded by one of your Christmas elves ... that it has been some time since I delivered a Christmas List .... Here is a list, if the workshop is still in action ..."
I won't go into details but there are headings - Books, clothing, printing equipment, watch, pressure washer (!), mouse pad, MONEY... This would have all the trappings of an expensive affair if I followed the advice. I may need a rest after reading the detail.
Maybe watch some cricket first? And the FIRST ball I see is Head caught in the deep from a skier on 170 and Oz with a lead of 396 with 5 wickets and almost two days left to play. I bet Riley McGree is insufferable in the dressing room just now. It is currently 318-5 (at 00.14AM).
At least we can have hope for the game at Ashton Gate. UTB!!
EDIT - In the first third of the letter Santa will absolutely refuse to buy him Newcastle United kit! Unbelievable...
@malcolm - Thanks for the information in your last post. I don't like opening links to TeessideLive or the Northern Echo. Apart from adverts I just KNOW the cheat (given maybe in the last thread by Andy R or Werder or someone who knows about these things) is something I'd get completely wrong. I'd probably blow my equipment or the whole internet! So I leave it alone. I am assuming some of the stuff in your post summarised information in the Echo articles about Kim Hellberg and the players. It was pleasing to read. Thanks, again.
It's really good to read Si's comments. I am REALLY hoping in 20 years time, to read a treatise (perhaps a few!) about the way in which Hellberg converted Boro from a "team that hoped to get into the Play-Offs every so often" to a 2020s and 2030s version of Brian Clough's Nottingham Forest early iteration. Not that I want to get ahead of myself. A promotion would be wonderful and staying up ("Doing a Sunderland "!) would be incredible.
A comparison of the qualities shown by Jack Charlton, Brian Clough, Aitor Karanka, and the Swedish Messiah might be interesting to read if I am spared into my late 80's. Not that I am asking much. On the other hand it is coming up Christmas (and in the words of the Incomparable Joni Mitchell they are putting up the trees...) and my ADULT son, on the late evening of 20th December has just delivered an A4 page. The heading is "Christmas List 2025" and starts:
"Dear Father Christmas, I was reminded by one of your Christmas elves ... that it has been some time since I delivered a Christmas List .... Here is a list, if the workshop is still in action ..."
I won't go into details but there are headings - Books, clothing, printing equipment, watch, pressure washer (!), mouse pad, MONEY... This would have all the trappings of an expensive affair if I followed the advice. I may need a rest after reading the detail.
Maybe watch some cricket first? And the FIRST ball I see is Head caught in the deep from a skier on 170 and Oz with a lead of 396 with 5 wickets and almost two days left to play. I bet Riley McGree is insufferable in the dressing room just now. It is currently 318-5 (at 00.14AM).
At least we can have hope for the game at Ashton Gate. UTB!!
EDIT - In the first third of the letter Santa will absolutely refuse to buy him Newcastle United kit! Unbelievable...
I would get him a Sunderland one for that...
I’m really looking forward to the next few games to see how Hellball performs against the opposition.
I know it’s early days but KH is like a breath of fresh air and every time he talks with enthusiasm, knowledge of tactics, enthusiasm and knowledge gives me and obviously his players confidence. We have had managers (some recently) with international playing pedigree in their make up but I cannot remember any manager making such a big impact in such a short space of time other than big jack and look what he achieved.
Fate is a funny thing really and happenstance can sometimes turn things into something special and hopefully that is what we are daring to believe is happening to the Boro at this moment.
Everyone seems to have an extra spring in their step and hopefully our visit to Bristol will not puncture our party balloon.
KH was understandably coy about transfers at the recent press conference and I do expect some players to move on, either on loan or permanently. Not too many changes and hopefully not Newcastle poaching our left back because we have him playing like a premiership player again!
I know I caused a few raised eyebrows (John!) with my 0-4 forecast for a Boro win at Bristol but I still feel confident “!
OFB
Thanks to everyone for the very kind comments. It’s a joy to write for Diasboro.
Trips to Ashton Gate rarely end well for Boro it seems and as others have said, we are due to drop points but I just think there’s an X factor about us at the moment and a real sense of unity.
Bristol City 2-3 Boro