A lovely opener, Werder, carefully constructed, cleverly themed and seasoned with your usual flair and wit. Premiership quality in every syllable. A thoroughly enjoyable read. Many thanks
Another excellent starter, @werdermouth, both entertaining and enlightening in equal measure.
So, the men of Still, meet the men of steel, who can surely forge a win and bring back another three points. Your run of form must end sometime - let’s hope it turns around for you on Saturday.
I agree with Len and Martin, Werder. I loved your very funny opener, though am still ( not him) trying to get my head around all these stills! Will he still (not him grammatically and maybe not even him after Saturday?) be manager after our game with them? Let’s hope Boro inflict further pain on Southampton and ensure their season remains still-born.
This is a hard game, as you say, regardless of The Saints’ form so far. But surely this time you will break your duck and put points on the leader-board (leader as in opener)? A point for us would probably be a good result. In any case, whatever happens, we’ll STILL be top of the league!
Absolutely brilliant, Werder. You remain the master of the Diasboro opener!
As they say to the victorious defending champ in Boxing, “And STILL…”.
Simply the best Werder...
That's a wonderful piece of writing Werder. We're very lucky to be able to read something of that quality, whilst bathing in the glow of unexpected success.
As top as top can be.
Werder
Many thanks - STILL GOT IT !
Appreciated
OFB
Just a quick note as I was able listen to Rob Edwards last night. He was a guest at the weekly podcast of the Echo duo, Dom Shaw and Scott Wilson.
By listening to the show, you can learn more about Edwards as a person.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x2ZBnvgYy6o
Up the Boro!
Werder. That was a piece of journalism of the highest quality and puts many of the so called professionals to shame.
An enjoyable, informative and amusing piece which was a pleasure to read. Thank you.
We are truly blessed on this blog to have so many valued contributors. 😎
Many thanks for all your comments on the preview, they are very much appreciated. I'm back to my bathroom renovation project shortly after taking the morning off yesterday to write the opener and allowing Mrs Werder some peace and quiet in the home office - though I think she thought I was researching materials for the project 😉
@werdermouth Yes, an excellent starter again from you, (web)master. Enjoyed it and it also had info enough.
Southampton went out of the League Cup last night with a late winner for Liverpool at Anfield. So let's hope So'ton will be a bit tired on Saturday.
I will be very happy with a point from Saturday. Especially so as there was a curse on Boro when the blog starter comes from Germany. But perhaps the curse is removed now that Edwards in charge. Like the previous one was lifted when we moved away from Ayresome to the Riverside.
My prediction: 1-1 draw with Tommy Conway on 36th minute. Up the Boro!
Wow, what an opener, fantastic read Werder.
Anyone watch Southampton last night, I thought they looked quite impressive despite another defeat to an under strength Liverpool.
They do certainly seem to be in a rut though in that wins are proving very hard to come by for them, confidence is draining / drained, hopefully we can capitalise on that on Saturday but for me this will be the toughest game of the seven we will have had.
I really like Tom Fellows and have a feeling he will start on Saturday, could be their danger man.
Werder that’s a cracker!!
A very informative and amusing opening werdermouth, lets hope you can break your 🦆 this time around.
Come on BORO.
I didn't see the Liverpool v Southampton game but read that they played and defended quite well - though I noted the Saints had rested a few players too - Fellows didn't come on until the 88th minute and Azaz wasn't in the squad - I initially assumed he was cup-tied but just checked he wasn't in the squad when Boro played Doncaster either - maybe he's injured?
@werdermouth If Carlsberg did Football Reviews, they would “still” be only second best to werder.
@werdermouth yes they did rest quite a few, Fellows yes making a very late appearance, dont think he has started a game for them yet, not sure if that is down to injury or tactical.
I was also reading on some Southampton fans forums that Finn Azaz has so far been a big disappointment and isn't convincing them that he's worth the money paid and some calling him one of their worst signings ever and that he's the laziest player they've ever seen. He may well have been just dropped for the Liverpool game as no reports of any injury.
Great opener Werder. We don't have a particularly good record at St.Mary's, only one win there in 7 games with 3 draws, the win was a Premier League game in 2003.
Presidentjump Fellows has started their last two games but was taken off in both of them in the second half as was Finn Azaz. There leading scorer is Ryan Manning the left wing back with 2, they have only 7 goals in total. Apart from Archer and Wood they also have Jack Stephens who had a loan spell with Boro in 2015-6 and made one appearance. He is the captain and only outfield player to play every minute this season in the league
Great spot with Jack Stephens - I hope if he scores he doesn’t celebrate out of respect to that one appearance 10 years ago 😏
@werdermouth yes i read similar, however, also read a piece from Still who stated Azaz would be involved at the weekend and that the players around him need to get used to his style of play and the only way that will happen is with game time.
Nothing too different from the Southampton fans that us fans weren't saying when he was with us, lazy was definitely one of the things quoted by many, he certainly was very marmite across our fan base.
@mw-in-darwin Thanks MW, didn't realise he had started games for them, so not an injury then, obviously another one, similar to Azaz, who are getting used to their surroundings.
I think Southampton will come good, hopefully after we have played them.
Jack Stephens, couldn't even remember him.
His only appearance was in one of our best victories in the recent past, the night we won at Old Trafford in the league cup when we won 3-0 on penalties with Thomas Mijas playing a blinder. He was taken off injured and replaced by Adam Clayton.
- @mw-in-darwin his name definitely rings a bell, must have just been a young lad when he made that appearance.
So the news is that Lenihan is actually injured again and will be out for a "number of weeks" with an achilles injury - which was also responsible along with an ankle injury for missing the whole of last season. Fry is still not ready to return either but Edmundson is now ok to play.
It does mean that Boro now only have 3 fit centre-backs and hopefully 4 in another week as Fry has started light training. Sounds like it's going to be a bit tight in that department over the next three months unless an academy player can step in to fill the numbers.
Still got a few days left here in beautiful Dalyan in Turkey. We come for a month every June and September. Thanks Diasboro contributors for keeping me updated, with all the news. Let's hope for a win against Southampton.
@werdermouth its a real shame for Lenihan, i didn't see any indication of any troubles he was having against Preston but the concern set in pre WBA that something wasn't right again.
Lenihan is a class centre half when fit but how long can the club keep waiting for this to be the case, its no use to anybody being fit for one game then out for however many.
Similar with Fry, it seems a real problem for the club with injuries in that area, bringing in Jones was vital, we then have Malanda from January but it is a real worry area. Anyone know what is happening with Harley Hunt, I believe he is injured too ?
This makes the decision to send to send Luke Woolston out on loan this week even more surprising. He was heavily involved in preseason and has been on the bench as well. The Under 21's played on Friday night Bangura played the first half. George Mccormick was not involved so it looks like he is the academy player who is involved on Saturday.
Leicester equalise late on against West Brom. Illing-Junior with a great goal for WB.