Andy, you have certainly stirred up, well not quite a hornets nest, but a very lively debate.
Again some very good follow up views, and some hard stances against at least a couple of players.
As for the summer defensive changes, which probably have had an effect on our poor goals against record, I think RLE was correct in that the loss of Targett was a blow.
Also some may argue so was Fry. However we could not match the formers wage demands, especially given his age and let’s remember, Fry did not contribute very much over the last three seasons or so. Again given his age and his demand for a three year contract, I think MFC made the right call.
However the biggest loss as werder said has been Hackney. We were never going to replace him and it is obvious when compared (no disrespect) to those midfielders brought in.
Whilst I gave Hellberg a seven, he really needs very quickly, to solve the goals against issue and quoting our low big chances given to the opposition, will not hold water for very long, as probably the scoring of goals from losing positions won’t last.
@pedro That was the aim, in full knowledge that respectful, thoughtful and lively debate is what we're good at here. I give us a 9.5.
That said, there's largely been general agreement. No-one has suggested ratings and comments that are wildly different. Vitek is the one seemingly dividing opinion the most, though nobody seems to think he's been great, it's just a mix of fine to poor, with an overarching "we expect to more".
@martin-bellamy Please remember that Tommy Conway had TWO operations in the summer and missed the whole of the pre-season 2026/27.
I think we might see the old TC near Xmas time. But hopefully a better version already after the current mini pre-season.
By the way, I suppose TC was NOT called up by Scotland. I do not know, if I am frank.
Up the Boro!
More about TC and his injury and time recovering from it:
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2026/september/24/tommy-conway-s-road-to-recovery/
Up the Boro!
Seem to have too many projects on the go again - I've just been preparing for the switch to optical fibre - which has meant installing a modem and a 20m cable to connect to a new wifi box in the living room - hopefully all good to go but now just waiting for the provider switch that will happen anytime between 6am and 5pm - hopefully nothing goes wrong as my son won't have internet all weekend - thankfully it's the international break!
Interesting to read all the views and opinions, which seems to think Boro in reality could've done better even if they have done better than nearly every other team - which I guess is what happens when you've watched the games and seen the mistakes and not just admired the table. Plus of course carrying the pain of somehow missing out last season when it only needed a few more decent results to have made the automatic places - the fear that Boro may fall a few results short again is the frustration of seeing points slip away again.
Anyway, it should be another exciting season what ever happens in the end - plus at least the football is good to watch rather than no-risk functional football that other managers stick to.
i have had an optical fibre at home for a few years now. Then came another supplier and I swithed to the new provider yesterday. The monthly fee halved, I got free wifi by them inside my house. And the connection took mechanically 5 min (exluding bolting the box to the wall) then I switched the thing on and logged in. It was funtioning the same minute as I had logged in. Simple!Seem to have too many projects on the go again - I've just been preparing for the switch to optical fibre - which has meant installing a modem and a 20m cable to connect to a new wifi box in the living room - hopefully all good to go but now just waiting for the provider switch that will happen anytime between 6am and 5pm - hopefully nothing goes wrong as my son won't have internet all weekend - thankfully it's the international break!
I did all that yesterday morning. Not a big job. Half the price compared to the first provider and the speed is twice as fast. They have faster options available, too. But this 65 year old does not need more than 1000 M connection.
Up the Boro!
Riley McGree just on as sub for last 15 minutes of friendly against Brazil
Lankshear scored England U21’s fourth goal on his international debut and was given the highest score on the BBC’s player-rating system, despite only coming on after 69 minutes! We seem to have found a real gem. Here’s praying for no injuries these 3 weeks, especially to WL and ACD, who perhaps surprisingly didn’t get on against Kazakhstan.
Many thanks to Andy for an excellent and most unexpected opener to this thread. I really can’t fault your analysis or your scores, Andy! I think you’ve got everything just about spot on.
Please forgive me if I change topic briefly, but there are some seismic developments happening in football right now.
Firstly, Eckert has had his EFL hearing this week and the outcome is awaited with bated breath both in Southampton and Middlesbrough. It seems the Sinners have prepared for the eventuality of losing their manager for a while, perhaps with the long suspension we all hope he gets. Incredibly, the most hated club in the land have apparently lined up one Rob Edwards as a potential replacement. If this happens, we’ll need to change our chant when we play them from ‘You cheating Southern b***s’ to ‘You lying Midlands b***’ You couldn’t make it up. Are they trying to infuriate Boro deliberately?
Secondly, the Premier League’s commission has at last completed their 8 year long investigation into Manchester City and have found the club guilty of 114 out of 115 charges of breaching financial rules. Goodness knows how much this fiasco has cost, but I reckon a few of m’learned friends in the courts must have ‘earned’ a few million quid each. Doubtless there are many more millions to be had by the lawyers as City appeal whatever punishment they get and all the other clubs wade in with their own claims for compensation. The sheer incompetence of the Prem’s management in letting this drag on so long is unbelievable - the decision wasn’t even reached during the close season. Instead, we get 5 games into a new season after City have appointed a new manager and spent billions on new players. So what does the Prem do now? Clearly there needs to be an extremely severe punishment, but what and when? The permutations are limitless. Do they continue letting City go on playing in the Prem this season? Do they dock them so many points they’re bound to go down, à la Sheffield Wednesday? Do they cancel all their trophies? What a mess, which will take forever to sort out. Personally, though, I have an equitable solution: relegate City NOW and replace them in the top flight with the team that lost the playoff final! We could be given an average of their points total to date, too, rather than calling all the previous matches null and void. Simples 😉😉😉
@wedermouth
The system has highlighted red my bit about the chant. I’ve deliberately asterisked the offending words. I hope I haven’t broken any rules?
Dream scenario and total wishful thinking on my part……..City’s PL appeal is dismissed in record time and are relegated from PL. In an uncharacteristic act of altruism, 3 teams are automatically promoted from the Championship instead of the usual 2 with a further team promoted via the play offs. 3 teams relegated from the PL as usual. Boro’s chances of going up automatically are enhanced.
Of course it is not going to happen….the appeal will take forever and we finish 3rd and miss out through the play offs again!
Clearly too much time on my hands with no league fixtures for another 2 weeks.
MAN. CITY
Given the penalty imposed on Everton and on Southampton then Man. City should , amongst other penalties, be kicked out of the Premiership next season. I don’t think this will happen.
i expect points deduction hopefully for a number of years which makes it very difficult for them to win the Premiership .
players would leave and new top players would be difficult to recruit.
philip of Huddersfield 🤔🤔🤔
ANDY R
Excellent assessment of Boro players. There’s nothing I’d really disagree with.
philip of Huddersfield 👍🤔
Been busy again (I thought retirement was supposed to allow more time to relax!) so late to the thread yet again - appreciate the intro Andy R and like Phillip, hard to disagree with the assessments.
Will read through all the other comments, which no doubt I will agree with! and add any thoughts although for me KH need to get the defence sorted out during the break and Linus Kandolin to drill Vitek to dominate the box better for set pieces!
@philip-of-huddersfield He was a consummate professional who’d been around the block and played at a high level. I recall we were all sad to see him leave.
I’m really enjoying this new thread - lots of informed comment and personal views, all shared in a supportive context. If only all Social Media was like this Forum…
Definitely the best forum to discuss all things Boro
Just heard that in totally unexpected news(not) Man City have said they will appeal the decision which I don’t think has been officially announced yet!!
I am a cynical so and so (that’s what spending years lending money makes you) and therefore think that the outcome will be a fudge. The EPL has too much to lose by kicking teams out or giving points deductions that really hurt. They can’t reduce the quality of the league otherwise they will lose worldwide TV money.
Interesting article in The Times today for those that can read it.
I saw something way back that said that the last game the “old” non contaminated Man City played was the last game of the season in 2008……………!!
Personally, I have long said that if Steve Gibson ever sells out to a foreign “sports washing” type, then I will start following the local National League team - rather than take the success at any cost approach. I enjoy being a supporter of my home town team that is owned by a local “boy done good”.
Seb Berhalter 28 minutes for the US in a 4-1 win v Peru, an assist and a goal. Highlights here
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iAnhDoTdSBA
Just heard that in totally unexpected news(not) Man City have said they will appeal the decision which I don’t think has been officially announced yet!!
I am a cynical so and so (that’s what spending years lending money makes you) and therefore think that the outcome will be a fudge. The EPL has too much to lose by kicking teams out or giving points deductions that really hurt. They can’t reduce the quality of the league otherwise they will lose worldwide TV money.
Interesting article in The Times today for those that can read it.
I saw something way back that said that the last game the “old” non contaminated Man City played was the last game of the season in 2008……………!!
Personally, I have long said that if Steve Gibson ever sells out to a foreign “sports washing” type, then I will start following the local National League team - rather than take the success at any cost approach. I enjoy being a supporter of my home town team that is owned by a local “boy done good”.
I'm a bit torn by the possible directions that Steve Gibson could go in selling out. It's logical to assume that, in the not too distant future, he will want to sell out and one would hope that he will want to do whatever he can to place the club on a sound financial footing. For me that means finding people who want to see the film reach/stay/prosper in the Premiership and who understand the importance of the club in the infrastructure of the local community. That may include some foreign interests (see Wrexham as an example) but, ideally, would be mainly people will personal ties to the area and they will have to be carefully selected and be ready to commit to long term support. There are perhaps half a dozen people/families who have equivalent or even greater wealth than SG and I hope that somewhere amongst them is someone who is suitable and interested in taking over.
UTB
Seb Berhalter 28 minutes for the US in a 4-1 win v Peru, an assist and a goal. Highlights here
Beautiful assist. Beautiful shot.
UTB
@selwynoz One cannot help but wonder what will happen to MFC in the future.
Mr Gibson is 68 years old, and given continuing good health, may soldier on for possibly another 10 years or so.
Bulkhaul covers all the losses at MFC , but how long will he want to continue working in a such a difficult environment. His partner and Chairman in Bulkhaul, Michael O’Neil is also 68, so both the drivers are not getting any younger as they saying goes.
Other local Teesside Business owners who are worth more than SG, Alister Powell and Peter Stephenson of Able UK are older and the same age.
Current value of MFC, is around 100 million, which would increase 2/3 times with promotion to the EPL. the values would depend on the debt at the time of course.
Maybe SG will look to finding another partner, but finding a local person or someone with a strong attachment to Teesside and “the Boro” will probably be nigh on impossible.
The rumour of an American being interested still lurks in the background.
Seb Berhalter 28 minutes for the US in a 4-1 win v Peru, an assist and a goal. Highlights here
Imagine having to listen to that commentary every week on BBC Radio Tees! Give me Neil Maddison every time.
@martin-bellamy I thought that myself. Generally I do not listen to the BBC commentary, favouring the opposition one. That was awful, and one would certainly have to turn off the sound.
@selwynoz - I can see what you mean about who will/may take over from SG at some stage in future. As you say, I am sure he will want it to be someone who, at the least, appreciates our history nd background.
My concern would be new owners in the mould of Newcastle’s or Man City.
Seb Berhalter 28 minutes for the US in a 4-1 win v Peru, an assist and a goal. Highlights here
Imagine having to listen to that commentary every week on BBC Radio Tees! Give me Neil Maddison every time.
I was expecting a commentary full of American hyperbole and being very “loud” so surprised at how understated it was. The way he just said “goal” made me chuckle. As you say, I couldn’t listen to it my more than I can the over excited stuff that often accompanies other games.
I still remember the “ Interesting, very interesting “ commentary from Barry Davies when Franny Lee scored back in the day!
Thanks for the technical tip, Peter. Ingenious and very helpful…….. or perhaps not? Why didn’t they teach us that at Acklam?
I’m glad you found my solution to the Man City crisis so elegant. I thought so, too. In fact, I’d even thought, like you, that no Championship club could possibly object: at a stroke they’d be losing one of the key promotion contenders while also acquiring in our stead a washed-up former Premiership champion team presumably docked hundreds of points. So both the relegation candidates and promotion hopefuls in the Championship would be happy. Win win all round.