Keep going Ken. We need your excellent contributions to this forum.
Ken - Sorry to read your latest news. You are obviously aware that people on here, most of whom you've never met, wish you well and hope the new drug is successful without terrible side-effects. From my point of view, I am perfectly content to read your "...usually cheery if occasionally arrogant**...." posts on here. I look forward to your posts.
** Your words, not mine!
Now let’s write about football instead of me. Our home record against Blackburn doesn’t inspire much confidence from me especially in this century with only 3 league wins in 16 matches. In fact since 2012 there have been five 1-1 draws, one goalless draw and one 0-1defeat. The one positive result was in an FA Cup 5th round tie in 2002 when a late goal from the late Ugo Ehiogu put Boro into the Quarter Finals and subsequent Semifinal of the competition. However the most pleasing win was at the Riverside against Rovers in September 1955 when Premier League Champions Blackburn including Alan Shearer were put to the sword before a record crowd at the time 2-0 by the midget twins of Nick Barmby and Craig Hignett.
Oh for a repeat of a similar score line on Saturday, though I’d settle for any win this time around.
@ken moaner is the last thing I would call you, stoic is a better word, if everybody was a moaner like you the world would be a better place.
Has anybody else noticed the lack of rumours about the new manager today, has yesterday's reaction caused a lockdown
Hi Ken,
I know how you worry about increases in your PSA and the latest reading is very high. However, I hope you can take some comfort from the fact that previous treatments and medication has been successful in suppressing the cancer ( as you know it can’t kill it ) and also successful in stopping it spreading to other parts of your body.
So let’s hope that this latest medication, despite unpleasant side affects, continues to be as effective as previous treatments.
I hope you are able to keep up your considerable efforts in your research work which contribute to your blogs.
Philip of Huddersfield
Andy
Thanks again for another great opening post it’s appreciated as always. It’s nice to have alternative views and ideas with regard to the opening posts and it makes me try harder to come up with a post as interesting as yours. That’s what competition brings, hopefully quality for our blog.
Sorry for not responding sooner as Mrs OFB and I have been away in Edinburgh celebrating our anniversary.
One thing I would say to all our Diasborians don’t write off my Geordie compatriot for the managers job!
Watch this space…….
OFB
I have to say I’m very nervous about Saturday’s game. As Ken says, our recent record against Rovers is not good, though a glimmer of hope is that their away form is not wonderful and our home form is relatively positive. I just hope Leo and his team can inspire the troops to a home win, however undeserved it might prove, but boy, has he got his work cut out. I hate to be pessimistic, but the best I can see in the current circumstances is a draw. 1-1, I think.
Ken
As per all the Diasborians we’re all thinking of you and we know you’re going to see the Boro promoted soon !
Stay strong appreciate all your posts and research it’s invaluable!
OFB
...
One thing I would say to all our Diasborians don’t write off my Geordie compatriot for the managers job!
Watch this space…….
OFB
Not the Bruce Bob. Surely not the Bruce?
...
One thing I would say to all our Diasborians don’t write off my Geordie compatriot for the managers job!
Watch this space…….
OFB
Not the Bruce Bob. Surely not the Bruce?
If Bruce got the job I would have to change my name. I couldn't take the shame.
-Bruce
Did I mention Bruce ?
Another Geordie (Michael Carrick) was having dinner at Rockliffe Hall with Steve Gibson whilst at the same time the newspapers were awash with “news” that Carrick had discontinued talks with Boro and had decided not to return to coaching at this time.
mmmmm!
OFB
As I mentioned recently another fine selection of photographs on the BBC Weather website taken by our intrepid amateur photographers of Marske, Whitby, Lartington and especially the old ruined castle on the banks of the Tees of Barnard Castle which I shall miss now without a car. It does compensate though for the situation at Middlesbrough FC somewhat.
Perhaps Jarkko can match them with some of the Finnish lakes.
...
If Bruce got the job I would have to change my name. I couldn't take the shame.
-Bruce
But we’d think of Bruce Rioch, wouldn’t we!
Did I mention Bruce ?
Another Geordie (Michael Carrick) was having dinner at Rockliffe Hall with Steve Gibson whilst at the same time the newspapers were awash with “news” that Carrick had discontinued talks with Boro and had decided not to return to coaching at this time.
mmmmm!
OFB
Maybe Steve Gibson will hold his next interview of Michael Carrick at Wilton Castle. We all remember how delighted he was at snatching Bryan Robson’s signature at that venue.
Andy,
Many thanks for the headliner, excellent.
As always Boro keep us guessing and fulminating at the same time. By the time a new manager has been selected all those available now will be back in work or simply have retired. Maybe Boro are waiting for a manager yet to be fired, in say, February, or we are really negotiating in secret with the England Ladies manager.
Whatever the decision making process is it's like an Elephant's gestation period.
Personally I thought the Forest Green man would have been in post by now but as I say he'll probably sign for Wolves now.
Whatever happens not Bruce or Cattermole & co. Meanwhile Boro continue to sail in ever decreasing circles until the top level of management make a decision.
Best wishes to Ken,
UTB,
John
Is Gabriella Benson (alias Cherie Lunghi, the manageress of an unknown second division football club filmed at Reading’s former Elm Park Stadium) still available for interview for Boro’s next manager.
“I used to be indecisive, but now I’m not so sure”. Does this apply to Steve Gibson, Michael Carrick or both of them at this juncture?
Now let’s write about football instead of me. Our home record against Blackburn doesn’t inspire much confidence from me especially in this century with only 3 league wins in 16 matches. In fact since 2012 there have been five 1-1 draws, one goalless draw and one 0-1defeat. The one positive result was in an FA Cup 5th round tie in 2002 when a late goal from the late Ugo Ehiogu put Boro into the Quarter Finals and subsequent Semifinal of the competition. However the most pleasing win was at the Riverside against Rovers in September 1955 when Premier League Champions Blackburn including Alan Shearer were put to the sword before a record crowd at the time 2-0 by the midget twins of Nick Barmby and Craig Hignett.
Oh for a repeat of a similar score line on Saturday, though I’d settle for any win this time around.
Should have read September 1995 of course.
I used to enjoy the series of Ever Decreasing Circles about Martin Bryce played by the late Richard Briers. My wife used to say Bryce reminded him of me especially when rearranging the telephone cable dangling into the correct position after she had used it.
Was I really that much of a perfectionist?
Andy,
Many thanks for the headliner, excellent.
As always Boro keep us guessing and fulminating at the same time. By the time a new manager has been selected all those available now will be back in work or simply have retired. Maybe Boro are waiting for a manager yet to be fired, in say, February, or we are really negotiating in secret with the England Ladies manager.
Whatever the decision making process is it's like an Elephant's gestation period.
Personally I thought the Forest Green man would have been in post by now but as I say he'll probably sign for Wolves now.
Whatever happens not Bruce or Cattermole & co. Meanwhile Boro continue to sail in ever decreasing circles until the top level of management make a decision.
Best wishes to Ken,
UTB,
John
I’d be delighted to see Sarina Weigman in charge. I’d be quite pleased to see ANYONE in charge.
Boro need someone in charge who will carry out their strategy but be the fall guy if it goes wrong.
Kwasi Kwarteng is available.
@andy-r - Beat me to it ...!
You can add Liz Truss to the list, she will be out of a job soon 😀
You can add Liz Truss to the list, she will be out of a job soon 😀
Let’s hope so.
I see Daniel Ayala is not available for Blackburn tomorrow, I know it’s not winter yet but it is a lot cooler 😂.
Come on BORO.
Well without getting too political it seems Boro managers and Conservative PMs appear to being replaced at the same rate. Perhaps it's a symptom where both think a change of leadership will actually change the decision making or make the situation better.
I read today that Boro have paused their search for a new manager because some of the candidates have other options to consider before they'd be able to decide on Boro. Rob Edwards may be interesting Wolves, Michael Carrick could be on West Brom's shortlist and Carlos Corberan and Scott Parker are possibles but apparently have not been spoken to - whereas Lee Cattermole is too busy trying to help an interim manager discover how to bag another three points to engage in the process.
So in other words the decision on who to appoint is so important that it's probably better not to make any decisions just yet - which takes us back to the conservative party, who are now completely undecided as to whether keeping or sacking Liz Truss will make them appear worse in the eyes of the electorate.
Boro have the less daunting task but can't decide if appointing a new manager from those who definitely want it is worse than not appointing a new manager and continuing with the interim team. I suspect for both, the fallout from this weekend may push at least one of them into a decision - whether it's a decision that may well unravel before the end of the year is another matter but neither can afford to make the wrong decision - if indeed they decide they can make one!
“I read today that Boro have paused their search for a new manager because some of the candidates have other options to consider before they'd be able to decide on Boro.”
Apologies, but I have just returned home from a very pleasant evening out, with a modest amount of alcohol, and read your latest post which includes the above.
I am unsure if what you are saying is with tongue in cheek or if this is what you have actually read and is the stance being adopted by MFC?
If the latter, then I am not known for using Anglo Saxon terminology but I would tell both the applicants and MFC to go forth and multiply.
I hope it is the former because it beggars belief that MFC would be prepared to wait for any applicant to decide whether or not they wished to be our next manager, they are either committed to us or not.
On a separate note, if SG and MFC’s ambitions are truly committed to gaining promotion then why are they not prepared to spend money (ie compensation) to acquire a manager who is currently employed either in the Championship or elsewhere?
If MFC are prepared to spend money on players, why not on a manager who, after all, is as important if not more important than those that make up the team? 😎
Who knows if anything actually reported by either local journalists and the clickbait merchants elsewhere has any meaning beyond that they still don't have any information to go on.
Scott Wilson of the Echo said "Boro have called a temporary halt to their pursuit of Chris Wilder’s permanent successor with Leo Percovich remaining in interim charge for tomorrow’s Championship home game with Blackburn Rovers" but that may be just a throwaway line - though he argued that if they were leaning towards Rob Edwards as their first choice then it would be difficult for them to try and push through a move for him while he was in contention for the Wolves job - i.e. he'd probably prefer to go to Molineux if offered.
On the other hand, Craig Johns of the Gazette says "I would suspect over the weekend/early next week we could see significant movement." - a sentence that essentially is a vague time period with the caveat of "could", which equally can mean they won't. So it sounds more like: 'surely they'll be closer to a decision by the Wigan game next Wednesday.'
It is even suggested that Boro have likely spoken to candidates that have not even been mention in the media - i.e. they really don't know who the club have interviewed for the job.
Anyway, my previous post is simply an observation on what appears to be the problem of decision making or rather not wanting to make the wrong decision. Although Liz Truss takes some beating by declaring she was being decisive by reversing earlier hasty decisions that had proved not to have been the best decisions.
The line taken is that Boro are seemingly taking their time to decide in order to make sure they make the right decision - which would tend to rule out appointing Lee Cattermole as that would probably appear to the outside as an ill-thought-through hasty decision.
To be honest, I can't decide what to believe anymore...
@werdermouth To me, it just all appears to be “Typical MFC”
athough I would probably say, that the powers that be, are now somewhat paranoid at making the wrong decision. Based on past history, they are also probably thinking, will we get this wrong again.
I guess MFC and Mr Gibson are content in the knowledge that, well at least we were able to cash in on Spence and Tav and bank a little cash to pay for these mistakes wekeep making.