That was a very eloquently written synopsis Dormo and if I actually knew where to post it, I would ask your permission to copy it in its entirety. Pitifully, on this side of the Atlantic and in the USA (or should that be the Disunited States of America) particularly, there are too many people with no sense, interest or knowledge of world history.
I think Ukraine and its citizens have been let down by a very weak response by the west in general.
I do not know how we will play today. It will be tough.
I hope Ukraine will win in the end. Somehow.
Up the Boro!
Believe me football is well down my list of priorities. I’ve lived through the Second World War, the 1962 Cuban misssile crisis that had the world in a panic for 13 days but beyond the control of the man in the street, the death of my father in a road accident a week before Christmas in 1969, the loss of my wife with cervical cancer in 2009, my own personal health problems having had prostate cancer since 2010, plantar fasciitis, a hiatus hernia, a tortuous colon now making me bowel incontinent, and the coronavirus pandemic not only making me housebound but now so disabled that I can’t walk more than 100 yards without the fear of falling over again. * I accept that most of these are of a personal nature, but I have survived them all with a cheery nature and a stiff upper lip whilst acknowledging that there are many people in the world worse off than myself.
So now we have a crisis in Ukraine which is also beyond the control of the man in the street, and some of us are in a panic once more. Yes, football sounds irrelevant compared to most of these problems, but I’ve spent over 7 hours today researching and posting what I thought was an interesting historical record of Boro’s centurion goalscorers to lighten the mood. Nobody asked me to do this, but I did it because of my love for Middlesbrough FC. Yes football is well down my priorities, so why do I waste my time writing about Middlesbrough FC when I have got other things to do and worry about in the little time remaining that I have left on this earth.
I’m not going to bother in future. That’s me finished with Diasboro now. I’m declaring at 84 not out.
Ken,
I respect the effort that you have put into this blog and, of course, I respect your right to call it a day. All that I would say is that, even in these times of great world stress we all have the right to take a moment's pleasure for ourselves and if that comes from continuing our lifelong support of our local football club, I don't see that as somehow reducing our concern for other people who are suffering. Do we have to maintain a sense of perspective? Of course. we do but perhaps the sense of solidarity and far-flung friendship that this blog brings may just help us face whatever the world is about to throw at us.
I for one will miss you.
Keep safe and utb
It’s been quite a busy week so apologies to OFB for not thanking you sooner for your excellent opener. Much appreciated, Bob.
On paper, it should be a Boro win today but Boro do need to keep their foot on the pedal.
Our away form has been nothing like our home form this calendar year and I also feel that a number of our better performances have come against sides in the top half.
Barnsley have found some kind of form so this is another banana skin that we’ll have to be up for.
Hopefully as the season begins to near it’s conclusion, that will concentrate minds and I’m also hoping that McGree in midfield and Tav at LWB will give us another gear from an attacking sense. If that happens I think we’ll win today.
It’s so tight that they’re all big games now, which makes the end to the season a lot more exciting than I was expecting this season.
@Andy R
"It’s so tight that they’re all big games now, which makes the end to the season a lot more exciting than I was expecting this season."
It has become quite a lot of fun, hasn't it. Good results and football worth watching. Makes a nice change.
UTB
Absolutely.
imagine it for a whole season next year - and that’s if we don’t go up. Win-win.
Very satisfied with Boro life at the moment.
Believe me football is well down my list of priorities. I’ve lived through the Second World War, the 1962 Cuban misssile crisis that had the world in a panic for 13 days but beyond the control of the man in the street, the death of my father in a road accident a week before Christmas in 1969, the loss of my wife with cervical cancer in 2009, my own personal health problems having had prostate cancer since 2010, plantar fasciitis, a hiatus hernia, a tortuous colon now making me bowel incontinent, and the coronavirus pandemic not only making me housebound but now so disabled that I can’t walk more than 100 yards without the fear of falling over again. * I accept that most of these are of a personal nature, but I have survived them all with a cheery nature and a stiff upper lip whilst acknowledging that there are many people in the world worse off than myself.
So now we have a crisis in Ukraine which is also beyond the control of the man in the street, and some of us are in a panic once more. Yes, football sounds irrelevant compared to most of these problems, but I’ve spent over 7 hours today researching and posting what I thought was an interesting historical record of Boro’s centurion goalscorers to lighten the mood. Nobody asked me to do this, but I did it because of my love for Middlesbrough FC. Yes football is well down my priorities, so why do I waste my time writing about Middlesbrough FC when I have got other things to do and worry about in the little time remaining that I have left on this earth.
I’m not going to bother in future. That’s me finished with Diasboro now. I’m declaring at 84 not out.
I very much respect any decision you make Ken, and if my comment has led to your leaving I apologise wholeheartedly. We all appreciate your contributions but sometimes we need to raise our eyes above the football to a wider issue. However, the two aspects aren’t mutually exclusive and essentially the Forum will always revert to our favourite team.
If you’re still logging in and reading comments, I’d hope that we can encourage you not to leave the family. If you chose not to re-engage I’d like to thank you nonetheless for all your contributions.
I don't think there is anyone in here that has not enjoyed and appreciated all of your so many contributions.
There is something quite shocking happening on Europe's doorstep that is going to have enormous consequences for all of us. It is conversation about which is at the for front for many many of us in all of our otherwise normal day to day activities. That includes reading and posting on Diasboro.
I do think, and no more, it was a little ill judged to begin a post suggesting posts in this particular matter should be parked away from the main forum.
Personally I feel a little numb when it comes to thinking about how we will line up against Barnsley while at the same time contemplating a megalomaniac mad man's egocentric fantasy that is destroying so many lives and more in Europe in 2022.
That doesn't mean I am not interested in how Boro will line up, or what people think about that. Just that I am a little subdued about it and really think it is quite right to be able to read Dormo's excellent essay in the main forum, side by side with reading your research on Boro strikers.
It is your choice to partake of Diasboro going forward. Please think twice about what I hope was no more than a knee jerk reaction to a perceived, but always mild criticism about consigning immensely important issues of the day to one of the side threads.
And for that matter, I don't think I thanked OFB for starting this thread. So, consider yourself thanked Bob.
As for the game, I hope we continue where we left off on Tuesday and come away with 3 points. But today as I watch events unfolding in Kiev I for one do have a little difficulty in finding all of my usual excitement about a game of football.
I for one do not want to get involved in a discussion on what should or should not be discussed on the blog or where it should be posted. I do however value the input of all Diasporians and particularly those of Ken, who has been a wealth of information for many years.
Ken, thank you for all your posts but please do re-consider as we will all miss your valued contributions. 😎
On a separate note regarding today's game, I am getting very worried. I think we will win! 😉😎
On a separate note regarding today's game, I am getting very worried. I think we will win! 😉😎
It's what you might call the Omicron of Untypical Boro Syndrome and we all seem to have caught a bit of it lately... 😷
Ken
Many thanks for your contributions which have been avidly read by all the bloggers.
Sometimes personal circumstances dictate what your priorities are in life but we all appreciate your input.
Perhaps you will dip in and out and have a read of our comments and have a chuckle or disagree ! But you are always welcome to join in when you feel able to.
Keep well from your friend
OFB
Ken,
To me the real beauty of this blog, or forum if you prefer, is the very pick and mix nature of the virtual environment. That the members feel that they can write about a very large political issue and place their post next to one on Barnsley v Boro without any form of abuse is brilliant and importantly in a small way free-speech without abuse. You only need to read some other forums to be shaking your head in disbelief at some of the verbal conduct and comments on them.
On here, for instance, Si returns after a long absence and it's like he's never been away, that's the beauty of the patchwork that is DiasBoro. So Ken, don't pack it all in because you are an integral part of the patchwork and it will be a lesser 'virtual pub' without you.
Tolerance in all things, goodness knows my wife has put up with me for fifty-two years and I tell her how lucky she is and only her eyebrows seem to react.
UTB,
John
Ken - I really hope that is NOT your last post for Diasboro. If you decide that is the position then "Thanks for the interesting posts you have made over the months and years".
But I hope, even if you now feel a little "down" or that there are more important things happening in the world than football right now, you come back as soon as you feel able. I am sure most Diasborians would miss you and your posts greatly.
Best Wishes.
Ken, Can just echo those posts above with regards to your input or not to this blog.
We will all miss you and I am sure you will miss us.
Please take time to reflect on your long contribution to this site. Thank you.
OFB, apologies for not saying thank you sooner for the Barnsley Headliner. Appreciated as always. In truth I have only just started to think about the games. Predictions, not from me.
Team News: So it's Sporar and Watmore up front but with McGree not in the squad and Crooks still suspended, Siliki makes a rare start...
It sounds like McGree has been left out of the squad as a precaution over a calf strain.
btw Thanks to OFB for the match preview and sadly it seems a repeat of the West Brom second-half dual-attack down the flanks with McGree pulling the strings will be put on hold until the Spurs game.
Still, hopefully Boro still have enough to beat Barnsley and get another valuable three points!
There does appear to be an unofficial stream for today's game...
Poor display from Boro in the first half - second best all over the pitch to bottom-club Barnsely - who have passed and moved well and exposed Boro's defence. Chris Wilder's side seem to lack physical presence and lack urgency. Too many long balls that Watmore has no chance of winning as Sporar has often come short to look for the ball. Maybe time to move Tav to left wing-back and bring on Coburn to give their defenders someone to battle with. Though hard to see Boro coming back on this performance.
Boro poor all over the pitch as Werder said. No Crooks, no McGree, no midfield.
Once more the lack of height in the Boro defence is showing. Generally McNair loses out when he has to deal with a high ball in the box. Although for the first goal he just went missing.
Second goal, no closing down and some will blame Lumley for not at least making an effort to save.
We are back to Jones creating and getting balls into the front two. Connolly and Balogun would make no difference.
Truth is the Boro squad is somewhat thin and light in places of cover.
Well that was unexpected and a reality check. I knew my new found optimism was misplaced.
No positives in that first half and little evidence that we can get anything from the game. Lea Siliki out of his depth. 😎
If Bristol City was a blip then today was a disaster against a team at the bottom of the League. Forget the 3-2 score - it glosses over nothing.
The home form is outstanding - don’t think any team has won more, but away form with 4 wins is just not good enough .
The enthusiasm and optimism has been a good ride but I think we need to face reality and realise that finishing 6 th in the League is looking a tall ask.
As ever, I hope I’m wrong. I feel sorry for the 5,000 travelling supporters.
Now , onto the cup match. The result doesn’t really matter - Boro were never going to win the cup. Just hope the team put on a decent performance - surely can’t be worse than today.
Philip of Huddersfield
After gifting Barnsley a third early in the second half it looked game over - however, Boro suddenly woke up and the last 40 minutes was non-stop attack and could easily have scored 4 or 5 goals with better finishing. Disappointed result after a poor first 50 minutes but in the end an exciting entertaining second half that couldn't undo the damage. A lesson learned but the return of Crooks and McGree will improve us.
Can’t disagree about the second half cavalry charge but we should never have been in that position.
We will be better with Crooks and McGree back but there is still the problem of scoring and I agree with Philip that top six is going to be a tall order given our away form; if home form drops off then we will be sliding down the table. 😎
Same result, same score and a very similar performance to the game that saw Mogga depart from the club.
The goals even came in the same order with Boro 3-0 down, fighting back, and eventually being somewhat unlucky not to salvage a draw.
It was the final straw for Mowbray and a black day for those Boro supporters who saw fit to abuse the Boro legend at half-time. For Wilder, a wake-up call and another indication of some now firmly established weaknesses: poor goalkeeping, terrible defending from Dijksteel in particular, and powder puff finishing from the strikers.
Appreciated Werder's stream, though I managed to lose it for much of the game.
From what I saw Tav played well and Balogun was unlucky not to score. But he does slow us down by dwelling on the ball for too long and being too easily brushed off it.
A terrible first half, and a second which we dominated though it always amounted to far too little too late.
Next league game is at home to Luton next Saturday followed by three consecutive away games at Sheffield, Millwall and Birmingham after which we then host Cardiff at home.
Could well be a defining period as far as our top six aspirations are concerned; unless there is a significant upturn in our away form then we could end up being mid table and our hopes gone - I hope not but positivity has disappeared after today’s inept performance! 🙁😎
Teams without clinical finishers and a decent goalkeeper typically don’t do well. I can’t see us getting into the top six this season and Wilder needs to fill the glaring gaps in the team in the summer. If he does that then they will be much better equipped to have a good shot at it next season.
I’ve been out all day so I’ve just seen the result - none of us were expecting that.
mots not too late to climb back into the top 6 but we’ll need to put a run of wins together and also hope for some of those above us to lose. 🤞🏻
Only caught bits and pieces of that but it seems like we finally paid for the number of defensive errors we've been making. I know everyone's an expert after a loss but since the Man Utd game we've been handing out gifts each game and been lucky that we haven't been totally punished for it.
I've been reasonably supportive of Lumley and certainly today none of the goals can be blamed on him. BUT... When he signed he was supposed to be an excellent shot-stopper who needed to improve his decision making. I can't remember the last time he made a save that was anything other than routine. He's ok at sweeping up and makes the occasional good punch or catch but I don't know if his confidence is just low or his reflexes have been coached out of him or what but right now he's basically offering very little. I can't imagine Wilder changing things but there are systemic failures in our defensive unit and the keeper is a part of that. Generally when players are making mistakes it's because they are struggling with a system; maybe they've all got a little too excited about bombing forwards.
You can certainly argue that we made decent chances and failed to score. It feels like our forward line is not much more than league one standard. Sporar has some good movement but isn't clinical. Watmore is an excellent impact sub. Connolly puts in a shift and Balogun has potential but neither of them look Championship standard.
I suspect that Wilder made a mistake starting JLS as the sitting midfielder. To be honest he probably made a mistake picking him at all.
Wilder did say there would be set backs and this is definitely one of those. Sometimes a rank bad performance is a chance to shake things up but there isn't really much we can do with the players we have.
Thankfully Crooks is back for the next match and hopefully McGree will be too. Hopefully this performance and result will buck up some ideas. The playoffs are still in sight but it's getting tighter than it looked a little while ago. I guess we'll see which players respond well to pressure and which ones crumble.