Just bought my season pass for Boro Live at €168 so am ready to watch the team unfold as the season progresses!
@werdermouth I agree fully with all your thoughts.
I think though, that we'd all more amenable/open minded to such signings if we didn't sell players like Josh Coburn to effectively fund projects like Hansen.
Losing Rav is acceptable but Josh and Jonny are sickeners and no matter what their playing qualities or not, selling players of such a genuine nature hurts. Such intangibles are a massive part of a football club and have to be part of any sale equation. But we seem fixated on the bottom line only. We could, surely, have afforded to keep them both?
@werdermouth Let's all hope that it is unfold and not 'fold'.
Rich I agree with your point on Howson and Coburn.
UTB,
John
I was just pondering about the relative strength of the French Ligue 2 (where Cheikh Sabaly plays) in comparison to the Championship.
Anyway, according to Global Football Rankings the Championship is rated as the 7th strongest League in the world - whereas Ligue 2 is ranked only 35th.
That initially sounded like quite a big gulf in quality until you compare the ranking scores - Championship (79.5) versus Ligue 2 (74.0) with the Scottish Premiership scoring 74.9 for comparison.
The other point to note is that there are only 18 teams in the French Ligue 2 so they play 12 games fewer each season. Personally, I've previously mentioned that the Championship should be reduced in size as 46 games is too many with the four international breaks.
Some people will search for negatives in everything 😱.@clive-hurren tell me it's not true
Come on BORO.
Further to the negativity about Sontje Hansen, he was that bad for Nijmegen, he played 65 out of a possible 68 games over the last two seasons and suddenly he is never going to play another game this season. It sounds to me that the author of the report is very upset at Sontje leaving 🤔.
Come on BORO.
Clive and powmill were just commenting on a negative report from Hansen's previous club, exmil, and hoping it wasn't true.
Just reading more about the Nypan loan signing from Man City - Arsenal and Villa also wanted him and he was in demand for a loan deal this season for both La Liga and Ligue 1 clubs - However, City wanted him to join a physical league to prepare him for next season and have chose a season loan at Boro. Sounds like he could another Doak-type signing who will add something extra for Boro this season and may be a key signing if he's as good as the reviews!
Btw Doak is set to sign for Bournemouth in a £25m deal.
John, as we are nearish neighbours meeting over a beer sounds a great idea. Give me a call and we can fix something.
werdermouth - btw I removed your phone number as probably not a good idea to have it published on the internet in case you end up getting spam calls - I'll email it to John in case he's not written it down.
@boroexile Will do we are with our son and daughter-in-law this weekend so I'll call you next week. Looking forward to it.
ATB,
UTB,
John
Have just been looking at some Nypan videos. Or salivating at them. The thing that hits you straightaway is his superb balance. Defenders were unable to get a tackle in on him and he allies this with explosive pace over a few yards. He looks streets ahead of any of our squad at the moment and his acquisition is a big game changer for this season as far as I am concerned. I can pay the lad no greater compliment than to say that in many respects he reminds me of Juninho and he is sure to be a big favourite with the Boro fans. It will be a pity if he he comes into a team that is transitioning from being a possession -based passing side into a longer ball team. The boy is as slick a mover and passer of the ball as you will ever see and he will be wasted if he is our sole creative spark and spends too many games watching the ball fly over his head.
For the first time in months I am starting to get excited.
The summary about Burgzorg was precisely what the Huddersfield supporters had been saying all season. He frustrated the coach so much that in one game when he refused to pass the ball to a colleague in a better position quickly followed by him missing a sitter he was immediately substituted to the sounds of booing against him by the Town supporters.
You would think that the people scouting him would have picked up his weaknesses. You only have to watch him 2 or 3 times to see what he is doing wrong. The question is , can Boro’s coaches change him ? If he was a teenager you would think yes, but , at his age I don’t think so, plus in the year he’s been here there’s been no significant improvement.
When the Town supporters heard that Boro had signed one of their players they assumed it must be Rudoni who was their stand out player. They were delighted when it was announced it was Burgzorg.
Digressing , it’s interesting how some players can blossom. Remember Muniz on loan from Fulham(?). He started ok then “went off” and played less and less as the season progressed. Sent back to Fulham and suddenly blossomed and is now being suggested as a move at something around £35 m. So there was a hidden talent which Boro didn’t unearth.
Meanwhile, I’m pessimistic about tomorrow’s game. I’d be delighted with a draw ,with or without goals but I’m expecting a defeat.
Philip of Huddersfield 👎☹️
@lenmasterman. “He looks streets ahead of any of our squad”. There in lies a problem, I don’t think any of them will be anywhere on the same wavelength.
As well as his ability on the ball, his vision and passing are first class in the videos I have seen; looks good enough to get into Cities first team. 😎
So if Boro sign a decent striker, added to wonderkid from City, keep hold of Hackney, get Azaz and McGree fit, see Whittaker show his form, then Hansen turns out to be decent, Morris continues to improve, Kante settles in along with Callum Brittain, Conway gets service and Lenihan and Bangura stay injury free, plus that left wing-back from the US arrives - then I may have to revise my 12th place finish 😉
So if Boro sign a decent striker, added to wonderkid from City, keep hold of Hackney, get Azaz and McGree fit, see Whittaker show his form, then Hansen turns out to be decent, Morris continues to improve, Kante settles in along with Callum Brittain, Conway gets service and Lenihan and Bangura stay injury free, plus that left wing-back from the US arrives - then I may have to revise my 12th place finish 😉
As bernie once did if that happens I will bare my rear in binns window, wait unfortunately all the department stores have gone
I think these days you need to auction a photo of said rear on eBay…
@werdermouth When you can come out with off the cuff jokes like that, you should be on the stage. 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
Referee on Saturday is Tom Nield. Was also the referee at the Den last season where we lost 1-0, probably going to get a repeat this time. We have never won when he referees us.
Middlesbrough are in advanced negotiations to sign Cheikj Sabaly (26) from Metz. The Senegalese international forward is eager to make the move to Teeside before the transfer window closes.
OFB
@original-fat-bob The last I read was Metz having turned down our bid.
However my concern is that he is apparently a right footed winger, five foot six inches tall, a similar profile to latest recruit Sontje Hansen.
Knowing we need a LWB and a “target man” forward who can score 15 goals, will we run out of money?
On the bus from Hamburg to Heidelberg today. So I can watch the Millwall matcwhile sitting on the bus. I just hope the mobile internet works as well in Germany as in Finland. You know, the first mobile phone call ever was made in Finland and with the Nokia history, we are used to good connections in Finland.
Anyway, Inhope Boro will play well and fight for a point. Up the Boro!
So it’s match day and for the first time in a very long time I’m not particularly bothered! In fact I’m not looking forward to it at all. I didn’t watch the toothy grin and smiles of our embullient manager give his post match report after the Doncaster game and certainly didn’t watch the presser for the Millwall game.!
Is it just me on a downer? Or do others feeel the same was as I do? Am I being too serious, after all it was only the league cup and it was only Doncaster Reserves and it was only 0 4 and we didn’t score!
Ah well I’ve had my moan, sorry to share my disappointment but when you see the other teams that used to be minnows now residing in the premiership it does make me green with envy, believe me when I turn green you won’t like me !
Hopefully a good result today will redress the balance and give me positive vibes but I do have a sense of foreboding about this season.
Question! Have you seen which manager has been tipped to be the first to be sacked from the Championship ?
OFB
Thanks Werder that’s kind of you but like most people these days I get a load of spam calls anyway so I wasn’t bothered. It seems that phone numbers are readily accessible to spammers these days on lists purloined and then made available for purchase by anyone.
John we are away in Yorkshire until midweek so give me a call Thursday or Friday.
A little side note thought of mentioning, I know it doesn't mean much, right now, but I thought Hamilton's little cameo on the right wing , he looked positive and bright , Edwards as got to decide the formation,seems disjointed right now.COB
Courtesy of CJ:
Courtesy of CJ:
One change from the team that started the Swansea win. Kante starts ahead of Burgzorg. Hansen on the bench, as are Azaz and EdmundsonStarting XI: Brynn, Ayling, Fry, Jones, Brittain, Kante, Morris, Silvera, Whittaker, Hackney, ConwaySubs: Glover, Borges, Edmundson, Barlaser, McCabe, Azaz, Hansen, Forss, BurgzorgAt least young Sol is back between the sticks! 😀
Needless to say, Big Josh starts for The Lions.
Fry has the captain's armband again.
Courtesy of CJ:
One change from the team that started the Swansea win. Kante starts ahead of Burgzorg. Hansen on the bench, as are Azaz and EdmundsonStarting XI: Brynn, Ayling, Fry, Jones, Brittain, Kante, Morris, Silvera, Whittaker, Hackney, ConwaySubs: Glover, Borges, Edmundson, Barlaser, McCabe, Azaz, Hansen, Forss, BurgzorgAt least young Sol is back between the sticks! 😀
Is it just me straining for optimistic notes or is the bench starting to look a bit stronger.
UTB