It would be fair to say that I have been putting this off for a while, but here I am, at my workbench, fighting fit and ready to go. Let me see then, brush aside the old compost, crank open the laptop, set up my inspirational framed photo of Eric Paylor beside a mug of tea. I’m a bit nervous, this being my first attempt at an intro, but this writing lark can’t be all that difficult can it?
Time passes............ Nothing gets written. The page stares back at me as blank and white as my frosty lawn this morning. I am stuck. How do people do this? Eric’s photo appears to be looking at me with an angry frown, his glasses glinting in the wintry January sunlight. “Give me a break Eric, this is difficult stuff. The writing on this site is of a really high standard. They do expert analysis, forensic journalism, examine formations and statistics like XG, Martin has even started writing epic poetry. Frankly, it is intimidating. What can I do?”
Eric tuts. “It is obvious Chris. Tell the readers about the opposition.” Alright..
The Opposition
West Bromwich Albion Football Club, commonly known as West Brom, The Baggies or The Albion, was formed in 1878 and has played at its home ground, The Hawthorns (capacity 26,850), since 1900. The club was one of the twelve founder members of the Football league in 1888. West Brom have a long list of honours, to include champions of England and no less than 5 FA Cups. Last season they finished a respectable 9th in the Championship.
Other members have written outstanding pieces on West Bromwich Albion in recent seasons, particular favourites of mine being Powmill-Naemore’s introduction of the 1st October 2024 discussing “Throstles”, OFB’s trip down memory lane on the 23rd December 2023 and most of all I liked Len’s marvellous historic review of the 24th August 2023. What superb writing
There! I did the first section and feel pleased. What do you think Eric? “Rubbish. Reading that was possibly the most boring thing I have done in the past year, and I am a framed photograph. You copied most of it from Wikipedia as well.”
I am not sure about Eric’s photo. I thought he would be inspirational but it s not working out that way. I have a Michael Parkinson Parker pen in a drawer in the house, and that bad boy has some serious ju-ju. Maybe I have should have used that instead. Too late now, I am stuck with Eric. Onwards then...
Recent League Form
Over the last 6 league games this reads Boro W2 D1 L3 and West Brom W2 D0 L4.
What does this tell us? In their four games leading up to the Southampton game Boro’s scanty points tally suggested perhaps they were playing badly but Kim Hellberg defended his side, pointing out that they had numerous chances in the games concerned. The goal drought came to an end against Southampton and Boro fans will hope that this will signal a return to scoring ways against West Brom. A fighting loss away to Fulham in the FA Cup will not unduly dismay, particularly as we scored, with a goal from Hayden Hackney, who some may feel is uncomfortably prominent in this transfer window.
Fans of West Brom, with a similar points tally over the same period, possibly feel less cause for optimism; they sit 18th in the table on 31 points, some 10 points outside the play-off spots. Away form in particular has been a cause for concern, with 10 straight away losses in the league.
The Baggie’s ropey league form and lowly position has resulted in the dismissal of head coach Ryan Mason. Following West Brom’s FA Cup win against Swansea, with Boro’s own former midfielder James Morrison acting as caretaker manager, West Brom have appointed Minnesota United boss Eric Ramsay to replace Mason. Will West Brom experience a new manager (Boing Boing Baggies) bounce?
At this stage Eric rudely interrupts with “Chris you are having a shocker. I have never read such turgid guff in all my life. For heaven’s sake tell them about the West Brom side!” I have privately come to the conclusion that Eric is a very negative influence and resolve to take him on a one-way trip to my garden incinerator when this is finished. In the meantime I thank him, and as requested, would direct your attention to:-
West Bromwich Albion Players to Watch:
Aune Heggebo – striker: The 24 year old Norwegian international signed for West Brom in July 2025 and has scored 8 goals in 26 appearances so far this season. Strong on the ball, can hold up play for his teammates as well as having an eye for goal. Has a decent left foot and can head it as well, as we found out in September.
Samuel Iling- Junior – wing/wing back. The versatile 22 year old is a player well-known to Boro fans. He was arguably unlucky to come on loan to Boro at a time when the team was in something of a slump but I felt that there is a good player in there if it all “clicks” for him. As we know it tends to “click” for former players when they face us.
Jed Wallace – right winger. The influential 31 year old club captain is back from a calf injury which has kept him out for much of the season so far, and scored in last Sunday’s win at Swansea. His return should give the Baggies a boost.
Eric has told me to stop here; he says that he cannot take any more. So with a sigh of relief this is Chris signing off from his potting shed in Barlby, wishing everyone a Happy New Year, especially Bob and all those facing medical challenges right now. Also – to those truly skilled writers who post intros on this site on a regular basis – thank you for your work, it is much appreciated.
Now Eric, why don’t we go for a walk in the garden? There is something I want to show you...
For a first time effort Chris, that was a brilliant Headliner, well done.
Also a very different aspect of delivery, it certainly brought a smile to my face.
I would just like to add my best wishes for OFB and his ongoing journey along the road to recovery. Take our DiasBoro friend.
Well done Chris, that was a very entertaining and original preview that you've produced there - you've found your Diasboro voice and done so with style! Not sure why Eric wasn't impressed - maybe it was AI Eric...
btw There was a link to an instagram video in the text near the end - I wasn't sure if it was intended as didn't see a mention in the text so have edited it out - but I can put it back in if I've made a mistake.
Chris
A striking debut !
Eric will be proud !
Thanks for the good wishes everyone appreciated
OFB
Hope the recovery is coming along and take it easy running up the stairs 🙂
Superb Chris. It’s great to hear a new voice and I’m sure we’re all looking forward to another starter from you in the future.
I’m shivering here in Sherburn: the result of a heavy frost and the curse of Diasboro at the moment; a broken down heating system! I knew I’d spoken too soon.
Very original Chris and enjoyable, thank you.
Come on BORO.
Thanks Chris, I enjoyed that and well done on your first opener. Hopefully the first of many.
Not sure I would be able to get to that standard, it is almost 50 years since I somehow scraped a pass in my O level English!
I am a tad concerned about this game. New manager bounce and a poor run of form could mean a typical Boro result so I will be quite happy with a draw and Tommy Conway scoring.
In addition to the young left back from Villa, looks like we could be getting Jeremy Sarmiento from Brighton. Scored a total of 9 goals from 93 appearances across his senior career including loans since 2021. Mmm, let’s hope he doesn’t carry on the tradition of non scoring strikers that we appear to have form for signing!
Not sure where that leaves some of our other strikers though.
Your opener is excellent, Chris! It’s beautifully written. I think you’re having us on - you’re actually a seasoned scribe in disguise, aren’t you?! It’s far better than Uncle Eric could have produced even in his prime, let alone the anodyne, often pointless stuff he churns out now in his dotage!
Given the relative positions of the two sides, and the fact they have a new manager in his first game and unused to the Championship, I shall be disappointed if we don’t win this one. But we know it’s always difficult going to The Hawthorns. I hope we see Castledine. He could give us the added bite up front we have been lacking.
Excellent starter. I really enjoyed it and it made me lough. I think Uncle Eric was grinning a bit, too.
I would like to add one info on a West Brom player who will be missing the game on Friday.
West Bromwich Albion are without midfielder Ousmane Diakite, who has been granted a period of compassionate leave. The 25-year-old midfielder has returned to Mali to be with his family following the passing of his brother Madou.
So sad news on that front. He played in the win at Swansea over the weekend, but must miss the match vs. Boro next.
Up the Boro!
Top work, Chris. Thanks for stepping up and well done on a great starter. The internal monologue made me chuckle and is a novel approach.
Great stuff 👍 👍
Absolutely brilliant Chris. Very real, very imaginative and very entertaining. It takes a lot of courage to start any piece of writing from where you are, but you carry through your idea in a very engaging way. I have a soft spot for meta-discourses: for narratives about narratives, plays about plays etc and here you have given us a very funny opener on the problems of writing an opener. It works wonderfully well. Many thanks. Thanks too for your generous comments on one of my pieces from so far back I'm complimented that you could recall it.
Forrest after Marcus Tavernier , will we get a few more Bob into the coffers if it happens.
I'm sure W.Brom players will be out to impress the new coach, first ten minutes important quiet the crowd,
Just thinking the academy prospects have seemed to have dried up in recent seasons, why not move Ade to head of that area, I'm sure his experience would be invaluable.
Team selection gonna be interesting, might tell a story
COB
Follow up
Seems the transfer strategy now is young attacking players, skillful,direct, no fear, very positive thinking ,seems from what I can see ,they game is heading somewhat away from tippy tappy for ninety minutes, and easing into a more confident ideal.
I believe were gonna see some high scores in games
Well you have done it now Chris, broken your duck and with aplomb. That was a really enjoyable and amusing read and we all look forward to many more.
As for Friday, we should really be looking to win this if we want to show that prior to Southampton our results were just a blip; its never easy at the Hawthorns and with the prospect of “new manager bounce” I would not be unhappy with a point but hoping for more. 😎
Lets hope so providing they all know that their role is to put the round thing between the two posts with a stringy thing behind it!
Quite a lot of coverage that Sarmiento, a winger, is likely to sign for Boro. Good age , 23, has good experience in Championship but been on loan since 2023. Current loan deal this season has only seen him as a sub in 7 matches and not played since early November and so presumably not match fit.
Got to be a gamble- difficult to decide if likely to be successful or not.
Fridays sky match v West Brom has the advantage that West Brom are not in good form but with a new coach, the players will be out to impress and the crowd will play their part. Hopefully the Boro faithful will outshout them and Boro will emerge successful with 3 points.
philip of Huddersfield 🤔🤔🤔
Just caught up on a couple of days posting and would like to add my compliments to everyone else's. That is a fine opening opener Chris, well done. I loved the internal conversation you were having along the way, but boring, rubbish, shocker.... none of those are accurate descriptions. Your internal Eric was clearly not reading what the rest of us have just read. Congratulations.
As for Friday evening. I am nervous when I have a sense of expectation. Did we not play West Brom at home on the TV on Friday back in September? A similar outcome would be welcome and would put a bit of pressure on Coventry who are hosting Leicester on Saturday lunchtime.
As you know I've been very very busy the last few months and my general to-do list has been growing but I've just finally managed to update the home page and remove the photo of Rob Edwards (who?) and replace it with Kim Hellberg's - I also unfortunately had 13 matches to add since I last updated the home page so you can now get easy access to all the match reports, previews and highlights videos.
So I'd best keep on top of that...
Many thanks, Werder. Where would we be without you?
@werdermouth thanks for the all the work you put into this. I know it is your personal Wordpress account, but is/are there any thing(s) that someone else can help with? I am putting my head above the parapet here if I can be of any use.
Thanks Weredermouth.
Lukas Engel will leave Middlesbrough after a fee was agreed with Real Salt Lake. The deal could pocket Boro almost £750,000.
@werdermouth. Just wanted to add my thanks and appreciation for all the work that you do to aid our enjoyment and involvement. 😎
Well done Werder star ⭐ man it’s appreciated.
Sorry I wasn’t able to do this preview but we had another star find to step in and lead the way!
So many talented people on this blog we are fortuitous!
OFB
@werdermouth Where would we be without you? I just hope you appreciate how grateful we all are for the work you put in, in the background, to keep Diasboro flourishing. Thanks again for all your efforts.
Thanks everyone and also thanks for the offer Powmill but it's not that much work if I keep on top of everything instead of letting it build up over a couple of months - by far the most work was writing previews but that is now shared ably by a dozen capable people!
Hello all, I am just catching up with yesterday's posts and would like to say thank you for your very generous comments.
UTB