Time waits for no man - unless of course you're Rob Edwards where time briefly stood still last week until a younger fresher version was finally unveiled by the club as Boro's new man in charge. He brings with him a certain joie de Viveash (excuse the french) and 'arry Watling (soz about the cockney mate) as the men to help make Boro better than average again (MBBTAA caps are available soon).
So with the coaches now in place all they need now is some players and some games to ponder - as luck would have it today sees the release of the 2025-26 fixtures and the return of the players (well most of them) as they hope to fit in with the new plans!
It's always a sign that football is in the air when the nights start to draw in and despite it only being the end of June, the very observant on Teesside with stopwatches will have noticed the sun went down 15 seconds earlier than yesterday. Yes, it really is hard to believe the new season is only six weeks away and now nearly eight weeks since that 2-0 defeat at Coventry sealed Michael Carrick's fate.
The next few days will allow Rob Edwards to introduce himself and get to know the players as they check on their fitness and in some cases make decisions on their future at the club. Jonny Howson is waiting to find out if the new gaffer wants him to hang around for another season - I suspect he will as it might not help the mood music in the dressing room to ditch the captain after 8 years at the club. Despite an ageing body (not by Diasboro standards obviously), you would think he still has something to give at this level - especially given his versatility.
Actual training is not due to start until Monday but it appears fitness levels will be required to be much higher under Edwards' preferred high energy, high pressing tactics. Though it's early days and maybe we shouldn't second-guess what shape Boro will take but it will likely need different types of players than what is currently in the squad.
Edwards will be able to assess his players in pre-season and there are four friendlies planned before the big kick-off.
23 July - Bradford v Boro
26 July - Rangers v Boro
30 July - Hartlepool v Boro
2 August - Boro v Deportivo La Coruna
Perhaps some of the players entering the final year of their contracts may be vulnerable to an exit this summer with possibly Barlaser, Forss and Lenihan most at risk plus Dael Fry is also beginning his final year and could well be regarded as a saleable asset.
As usual the summer will see a reshaping of the squad and it's a squad with gaps in key positions and maybe a lack of quality or indeed reliable quality in several areas too - plus we don't know if some of the players that Edwards will prefer to keep will be subject to offers the club won't be prepared to turn down.
It's the reality of football today that money is the driving force and the priority of every club is no longer about success on the pitch. As we know the books come first as the financial challenge is now greater than the sporting one.
It's almost become a chase towards an impossible dream that has seen the last six clubs promoted returning back to where they started as the top 18 clubs in the Premier League remain untouchable and considerably more wealthy and able to out-muscle the aspiring wannabes.
So all of which means there will be six new guns in the Championship shootout this season as the fixture list gets released at high noon. Back from their sabbatical in the big time are Southampton, Ipswich and Leicester - who will all be armed with the bounty of parachute payments as their reward for failing.
Though, Leicester may well be receiving a deferred points deduction for exceeding spending rules in the season they got promoted - which could be anything up to 12 points but with more appeals could see that dwindle to the cost of an unexpected nil-nil draw. Despite all the rumours, Ruud van Nistelrooy is still in charge after his dismal record of only winning 2 of his 17 games in charge - hard to be convinced he'll still be there come the second weekend of August!
Joining the party from League One are Birmingham, Wrexham and Charlton. Wrexham are on a roll after three successive promotions under their new ownership of actors Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds. Incidentally, Reynolds was the world's second-highest earning actor in recent years with his movies reportedly picking up an unbelievable $6.5 billion - so the Welsh team shouldn't be short of resources! I wonder if it's too late to send Steve Gibson to RADA...
Birmingham are also backed by wealthy Americans too and arrive as League One champions under Chris Davies and may also fancy a shot at a top-six finish and will get money to spend.
It could well be a tougher league than last season with those missing out still in the hunt again. Coventry did well under Frank Lampard and Sheffield United may have ditched Chris Wilder but new man Ruben Selles has plenty of recent experience from managing Southampton, Reading and Hull.
Also, Bristol City have seen Liam Manning switch birds from the Robins to the Canaries and have now appointed Gerhard Struber - having lost out on Rob Edwards! One team who finished strongly but look to have problems is Sheffield Wednesday - who have been given a ban of buying players for three transfer windows after failing to pay their wages on time.
So it looks like plenty of tricky fixtures await Rob Edwards - I'm sure he'd hope for a home game in the opener against someone like Hull. I guess he'd rather not have Ipswich away or a long trip to Southampton so fingers crossed it's a winnable one.
I suppose he'd also be apprehensive if he thought I would be writing the opening preview too - though I'm hoping that particular curse was only limited to Michael Carrick! Maybe he's going to be a lucky head coach...
UPDATE: Well those first 10 games could've have been a lot easier for Edwards who will want a good start to his tenure at Boro...
2025-26 Fixtures
Sat 9 Aug: Swansea (H)
Tue 12 Aug: Doncaster (H) EFL Cup
Sat 16 Aug: Millwall (A)
Sat 23 Aug: Norwich (A)
Sat 30 Aug: Sheff Utd (H)
Mon 1 Sep: INTERNATIONAL BREAK
Sat 13 Sep: Preston (A)
Sat 20 Sep: West Brom (H)
Sat 27 Sep: Southampton (A)
Tue 30 Sep: Stoke (H)
Sat 4 Oct: Portsmouth (A)
Mon 6 Oct: INTERNATIONAL BREAK
Sat 18 Oct: Ipswich (H)
Wed 22 Oct: Sheff Wed (A)
Sat 25 Oct: Wrexham (H)
Sat 1 Nov: Watford (A)
Tue 4 Nov: Leicester (A)
Sat 8 Nov: Birmingham (H)
Mon 10 Nov: INTERNATIONAL BREAK
Sat 22 Nov: Oxford (A)
Tue 25 Nov: Coventry (H)
Sat 29 Nov: Derby (H)
Sat 6 Dec: Hull (A)
Tue 9 Dec: Charlton (A)
Sat 13 Dec: QPR (H)
Sat 20 Dec: Bristol City (A)
Fri 26 Dec: Blackburn (H)
Mon 29 Dec: Hull (H)
Thu 1 Jan: Derby (A)
Sun 4 Jan: Southampton (H)
Sat 10 Jan: FA Cup 3rd Round
Sat 17 Jan: West Brom (A)
Wed 21 Jan: Stoke (A)
Sat 24 Jan: Preston (H)
Sat 31 Jan: Norwich (H)
Sat 7 Feb: Sheff Utd (A)
Sat 14 Feb: Coventry (A)
Sat 21 Feb: Oxford (H)
Tue 24 Feb: Leicester (H)
Sat 28 Feb: Birmingham (A)
Sat 7 Mar: QPR (A)
Wed 11 Mar: Charlton (H)
Sat 14 Mar: Bristol City (H)
Sat 21 Mar: Blackburn (A)
Mon 23 Mar: INTERNATIONAL BREAK
Fri 3 Apr: Millwall (H)
Mon 6 Apr: Swansea (A)
Sat 11 Apr: Portsmouth (H)
Sat 18 Apr: Ipswich (A)
Tue 21 Apr: Sheffield (H)
Sat 25 Apr: Watford (H)
Sat 2 May: Wrexham (A)
Better to be a lucky coach Werder? The pressure is well and truly on now for Mr Edwards and his coaches and I'm quietly optimistic.
Great starter too with all of those probables and what ifs visible for all to speculate with and probably(!) some will say 'I told you so'. I wonder what the Oracle thinks?
The new season starts here as far as I am concerned, everything is heightened.
UTB,
John
Well Boro's first game for Edwards is home to Swansea followed by a trips to Millwall and Norwich and then back to the Riverside to face Sheffield United.
That could have been easier!
Note: I've now added the fixtures to the opener.
Lovely stuff Werder, the appetite has been whetted (is that a word?)!
Probably best in a separate thread but perhaps now is a good time to ask our regular starter writers if they still wish to continue for the forthcoming season, and also if anyone else would like to join the ranks?
I know there has not been any significant transfers in or out and it will be a while before pre season friendlies start but I am listing below our first 10 fixtures, what do people think would be a reasonable return points wise. I will repeat the question between Deportivo La Corina and Swansea (H) to see how peoples thoughts have changed:
Swansea (H)
Millwall (A)
Norwich (A)
Shef Utd (H)
PNE (A)
WBA (H)
Southampton (A)
Stoke (H)
Portsmouth (A)
Ipswich (A)
I will start off with 14 points.
Come on BORO.
@exmil I'd go along with you at 14, though that's low if we have promotion aspirations.
I only just realised that Boro also began with a home game against Swansea last season too - which they won 1-0
Boro also had 14 points after 10 games last season too - so that would be some kind of continuity at least 😉
Though that was already with defensive injuries as Ayling was playing in central defence with Doak just arriving after 5 games and Lathe Lath rotating with Conway. There were also quite few academy players on the bench too.
Yes it's a bit early to judge given there'll be no doubt some new arrivals to come but it looks a tricky opening 10 games on paper at the moment. If Edwards gets his way on preventing shots on goal then there could be a few draws in that selection.
btw Was just checking Ipswich's first 10 fixtures (who I fancy as favourites for promotion) - they also have a tough opening too and begin with a trip to newly promoted Birmingham (you never want that) then Southampton with a local derby against Norwich plus Sheff Utd and trips to Bristol City and Boro all to come.
@exmil I made it 13 for that first set.
However there are no new additions yet so it's a pessimistic Boro prediction from me. After five games we'll have more idea, I hope.
UTB,
John
@exmil I’ll venture an optimistic 18 points.
I’m happy to stick my head above the parapet to do some starters again this year. I’m sure Dave Allen would like me to be allocated the PNE games.
Thanks for starting up a new thread Werder. An informative little piece and like AndyR intimated, just enough to get the juices going again.
@AndyR - please keep me on the rota for headers, just so long as I don't get allocated PNE as I don't know Dave Allen.
Andy if you can find time to do the preview spreadsheet for the opening writer allocation I would be grateful.
I’m willling to do any team any date anywhere ! Shows how desperate I am to get my name in print doesn’t it?
Any lurkers or people who fancy writing a preview please shout up and add your name to the list.
Anyone who wrote a preview last season unable to do one this season.?
On the whole it has been a great success having so many differing opinions and points of view and all those who contributed are to be congratulated and many thanks it’s appreciated.
OFB
Caraboa Cup Draw Boro v Doncaster Rovers
Come on BORO.
Coburn signs a permanent contract with Millwall for an undisclosed fee. Sky Sports News report Coburn fee to be in excess of £5m if add ons are met 🤔.
Come on BORO.
Great Headliner werder, to get us all going again and the first ten that looks to be a hard-ish start. But they are they all.
Couple points. I had never heard of the two Wrexham owners, well not until last season when they did a hatrick of promotions.
Boxing day, home to another nemesis in Blackburn.
Looking at the match dates, (which will change as ever) I am assuming there are two international breaks, after August 30 and October 4.
As for the points tally, first ten games, 30 points to play for, twelve points won by Boro. Is that relegation form.
Hopefully I will be able to revise my tally upwards, before the Swansea game on the ninth.
Mr Edwards and his team of Coaches, whom I believe he did not know personally in a working capacity until recently, have one very difficult job to go at.
I can understand RE and even Watling being interested in the job, but Mark Robins side kick, I wonder what the pull was for him?
Surprised to hear that - I thought Coburn would've suited Edwards style of play - I guess he didn't even get to talk to him...
I'll add Doncaster to the fixture list once I find a date 🙂
Home to Doncaster in the first round of the Carabao Cup
OFB
There are 3 international breaks in 2025 - after August, after 4th October and another after 8th November. Only one league midweek games in those first ten games as well so it will get hectic with 6 games in 21 days between the 2nd and 3rd international breaks.
Thanks for starting up a new thread Werder. An informative little piece and like AndyR intimated, just enough to get the juices going again.
@AndyR - please keep me on the rota for headers, just so long as I don't get allocated PNE as I don't know Dave Allen.
You must remember PNE Dave! Tbf if you’d like to have the Preston games I’ll be happy to swap to other opposition, particularly as I’ve nothing new to say about Preston that I haven’t said before. I can add Dave’s thoughts as a post in your thread if you want to do the starters.
Thanks for starting up a new thread Werder. An informative little piece and like AndyR intimated, just enough to get the juices going again.
@AndyR - please keep me on the rota for headers, just so long as I don't get allocated PNE as I don't know Dave Allen.
You must remember PNE Dave! Tbf if you’d like to have the Preston games I’ll be happy to swap to other opposition, particularly as I’ve nothing new to say about Preston that I haven’t said before. I can add Dave’s thoughts as a post in your thread if you want to do the starters.
I meant that I do not know him personally, but that attempt at whimsy just fell flat didn't it 🙄.
PNE will always be yours to me Martin.
Just posted this on other thread, guess Scott didn't fancy him
Coburn sale was to offset FFP REGS
In essence, selling homegrown players allows clubs to:
- Comply with FFP: Generate income without incurring further costs (since the players were initially developed within the club's academy). ®
- Boost their finances: Realize a "pure profit" on their books, which can be used to offset losses or fund other transfers. ®
- Continue operating within regulations:
Avoid potential penalties for breaching FFP rules.
OFB
A timely and well written opener, Werder. Many thanks.
I fear that I must pull out of the roster of leader writers. I have been hospitalised for the past six weeks, and it doesn't look like I'll be released anytime soon, so all of my future commitments are on hold, I'm afraid.
10 points for me in the first 10 games. I know that puts me bottom of the league in terms of expectations, but I think I'm being optimistic. Oh, dear.
@lenmasterman Get well soon, Len - your contributions to the starters will be sadly missed. Maybe you’ll be able to pick up the mantle later in the season.
Must be bad if Coburn's sale was needed on top of Latte Lath's before the end of June - especially given the money from Akpom, Rogers and Spence are also in the three-year accounting period - sounds like the wage bill has drifted or payoffs to Carrick and co plus compensation to Luton has added extra expenses!
I hope they can get you on the mend soon Len and make you well enough to get back home again - take care and wish you a full recovery!
@werdermouth. Can I just echo that Len.
Sorry to hear of your issue. Be good..
That is rather disturbing if Coburn's sale is to help balance the books.
As werder said, previous sales should have covered costs one would have thought over the last three years. What is it now? Was it not increased from the 39 mil?
Whilst there will be Carrick and friends pay off, that will I am sure, payable over the next two seasons. Also with Edwards, one would think there would be a possibility of compromise there. Was he actually sacked or just on gardening leave. If sacked, then there should be no compensation. However one would assume all clubs pay any remaining contract over the remaining years.
Would Mr Gibson employ a new three man coaching team and give them no money to change the squad around. Would they come on that basis.
No, I just do not see that. Irrespective of selling HH or Azaz or VDB. I think there will be reasonable money available this season at least.
I think Coburn was always going to be sold. Once Carrick went, possibly Millwall jumped with an offer too good to refuse before MFC appointed a new Coach.
I hope I am wrong for the lads sake, but I think that is a decent sale if over 3 million guaranteed. Possibly protected with a sell on clause.