@forever-dormo We have been members of the Auckland Project for a number of years now. It must be one of the best value for money subscriptions in the country.
What Jonathan Ruffer has done for BA with this Trust has been beyond belief. It started with his purchase of Auckland Castle and has developed and grown from that.
The Spanish Gallery, now with a connection to the Prado in Madrid (many paintings have descriptions in English and Spanish) is something to be proud of. As are the Twelve Sons of Jacob by Francisco de Zubaran in the Castle Dining Room.
For those who are interested in history and art, it is probably one of the best places to visit in the North of England. People who visit from outside the area, just cannot believe what we have.
Internet, saying MFC exploring a possible loan move for Jack Clark. Maybe wishful thinking, but that would be a transfer.
@pedro - Seconded! The Twelve Sons of Jacob (actually a few are missing, being conserved and/or on loan to the British Museum until next year I think) were excellent.
A long time ago I had a Saturday job selling household goods, toys, all sorts of bits and pieces on a stall at Bishop Auckland market. One of our best-selling items were a series of framed prints of paintings by John Constable and L S Lowry. I reckon I sold a copy of "The Haywain" to half the households in that town. My contribution to local culture ! 😀
Ipswich have 27 senior players registered at the moment so need to ship out at least two as they are hopeful of signing some others having already spent 150 million pounds on 12 new players. All of which came from overseas except Chuba Akpom, who they had to buy as part of his loan agreement from last season. They have enough homegrown players to meet the criteria even if they let Clark leave.
Doncaster Rovers manager Grant McCann has challenged his players to ‘make a real statement’ when they host Middlesbrough in the second round of the Carabao Cup on Tuesday night.
The League One club have made a mixed start to the new season after a penalty shootout win in their first round tie with Stockport County was followed by collecting just one point from the first two games of the league campaign as they followed up a defeat at Mansfield Town with a home draw against Barnsley at the weekend.
All focus is Tuesday night’s cup clash as Rovers look to replicate their shock 4-0 win against Boro in the first round of last season’s Carabao Cup and make the most of an eye-catching run of home games. McCann described the tie as ‘another good test’ for his players and urged his players to make life difficult for Kim Hellberg and his players.
So we are favourites - as we were last season. We need to play better than at Balckburn but it is work in progress at Boro with nine (!) new arrival to bed in.
I hope to find a link to see the match tonight. Up the Boro!
Sam Byrom is a player I have always disliked as an opponent. A good competent player, but someone who embodies the "Dirty Leeds" tradition.
Good. It's just what we need.
As he says in his first Boro interview, sometimes you have to "win ugly".
One of our biggest weaknesses at the moment is that we are a bit of a soft touch, a team of nice guys. We need more experience and more steel.
More players in the Byrom mould.
@chris-from-barlby - One thing my visit tells me loud and clear is that Bishop Auckland is no cultural desert!
One thing I heard (for example a "short" by "Bonkers for Boro" before the Blackburn game) is that David Strelec has agreed personal terms to join PAOK in Athens. The clubs were said not yet to have agreed a fee. However I see no mention of it (yet) on the Club Website and I haven't heard anything further.
There were lots of tributes on Facebook from various Leeds groups, praising him as one of their own. He appeared to be a fan favourite and some of the clips showed some no nonsense tackling and a few goals.
@lenmasterman Let's all hope he's from the same mould as Grant Leadbitter. That will help the team, example, steel and resolve.
ATB, UTB,
John
Thinking about possible line ups for tonight. I would imagine that Finn Cartwright will get some game time as he has been on the bench for all three games. He didn't play for the Under 21's on Sunday whereas Cruz Ibeh played 60 minutes. I wonder if KH might start him to see if he has what it takes at this level. I would think that Lankshear will not start as we don't need him injured.
Jremember James Husband?
His record at few clubs:
| 2011–2014 | Doncaster Rovers | 64 | (4) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2014–2017 | Middlesbrough | 4 | (0) |
| 2015 | → Fulham (loan) | 5 | (0) |
| 2015 | → Fulham (loan) | 12 | (0) |
| 2016 | → Huddersfield Town (loan) | 11 | (0) |
| 2017–2020 | Norwich City | 19 | (0) |
James Husband, who returned for a second spell in DN4 this summer, is the closest to making his return. The experienced Rovers academy graduate, who formed part of the team’s League One title-winning squad in 2013, is yet to feature this season after arriving from Blackpool. He picked up an injury against Lincoln in pre-season which ruled him out for the start of the campaign, but McCann has revealed the defender is now back in first team training and edging closer to a comeback.
Up the Boro!
Many thanks Dormo for that truly absorbing and thoroughly interesting preview - hopefully, I'll be able to catch an unofficial stream this evening (I'll post a link if I find one Jarkko).
I've only just managed to delve into the forum since Saturday as I eat my late lunch as it seems my summer break is over and suddenly have a million jobs on the go - I'll try to catch up on the comments before the game but after resanding and varnishing the dining table, I'm not going onto the roof to repair the chimney (don't worry I've no plans to take an emu with me).
This is probably a game to continue getting players up to speed and resting those who need it Boro should have enough to win this but you can never tell if the opposition decide to practice their low block.
Anyway, one disappointing Rovers performance a week is surely enough - though Boro need some pace in this side and/or players who will take on their man if they are to solve their low-block issues.
Still, I thought Joseph added more directness when he came on (maybe the new Crooks) and I've now reassessed Hackney's successor from Berhalter to Peart-Harris after another performance where he looks so comfortable in tight areas all over the pitch. Still no sign that Vitek is offering a major upgrade to Sol but he's quite young and needs time to settle.
@werdermouth A big thank you in advance.
And even for trying if not succesfull. Then I will go to bed in the normal time if you draw a blank (no pun intended, Boro strikers).
Up the Boro!
@werdermouth It was nice to hear a very good appraisal of Hackney’s League debut.
@werdermouth Doncaster v Boro is live on Sky Sports +.
Come on BORO.
A gentle reminder that kick off is 7.30 tonight (I’ve been caught out before, tuning in 30 minutes after the game started).
@forever-dormo - Late to the party as usual but thanks for a terrific opener - as said before, if Boro were as classy as our preview writers then we would be back in Europe!!
I have no expectations for tonight - that way I won’t be disappointed- although I would hope that KH will have a mix of players in the team rather than a complete second team.
Like Phillip said, I am surprised that his namesake isn’t match fit yet, what had he been doing before he came to us one wonders? I would expect Alfie Jones to start along with Vivek who clearly needs to get up to speed. need to keep McGree and Lankshear fit so will be surprised if they start.
I know I said I have no expectations but I would really hope that we can win with ease.
UTB
Brynn in, Jones starts, Strelec on the bench:
Looks like it could be a back 3 with wing-backs but who will be right wing-back? Whittaker?
I’d say it’s 4-2-3-1 with Arfsten at right back.
I started the preview for West Brom today and included how two footed Arfsten looks, adding that he could cover Brittain by the looks of it but Hellberg has beaten me to the revelation it seems!
@boro-beckys-dad and I am even later to the party! Adding my thanks to FD for a(nother) great opener.
Hope we show up and avoid the same embarrassment as last year. I am sure we will look more secure at the back with Brynn...
Fingers are crossed.
CoB
CJ on the absence of Malanda:
No Malanda in the squad this evening. He is here, though, and out doing a bit of work alone on the pitch as the others warm up.
Will ask for details after but either he has a problem, albeit one not too serious that he can't do some work here, or he was intented [sic] to be in the squad this evening, but for whatever reason, has not been able to be named in the team.
I started the preview for West Brom today and included how two footed Arfsten looks, adding that he could cover Brittain by the looks of it but Hellberg has beaten me to the revelation it seems!
Andy, you may wish to point out in your piece that the match is being shown live on ITV1 from 12.00 (12.30 KO).
@stircrazy - Despite suggestions on the internet/interweb that Strelec may be on his way to PAOK Athens....
Waiting to watch the match on Sky+ via Now TV but apparently “We are experiencing technical difficulties”. It looks like it’s only for the Boro match. Gulp!
@stircrazy - Thanks for that crashing revelation! It's in my diary as a 3pm kick-off. I might very well have picked up the time-change before Saturday but, if not, it could have been grim!
Until looking at the weekend forecast I had been planning to go camping at Leyburn on Thursday until Monday 31st August (ie for a long Bank Holiday weekend). Now, it's possible, if the weather REALLY is as bad as forecast with thunder & lightning, I might decide to stay at home. I had intended to go from camp to the Riverside for the game then go back afterwards. If I'd arrived at my park-up to see people streaming away from the ground I would NOT have been happy.
Managed to find this link for those who can't get Sky
Note: You'll need to click on the video once it's playing and then close pop-up tab to get to volume control and full-screen