It always appeared likely to be a tough opening to Boro's 2020-21 campaign when the fixtures were released and showed they would start against two teams relegated from the Premier League. However, with the squad still looking light in several departments, matters just got even more difficult after manager Neil Warnock tested positive for Covid-19 and is now hunkered down back in Cornwall with what are described as mild symptoms by the club.
Nevertheless, we can only hope the 71-year comes through this illness without any complications and also doesn't pass on the virus to his wife Sharon, who back in April was reported as self-isolating due to her recent battle with breast cancer. No doubt the energetic Boro manager is keen to track and trace potential transfer targets and be in close contact with his coaching team who are now in charge during his absence - though the priority should really be rest and avoiding the risk of suffering more than necessary.
It does highlight that football is currently existing in a precarious bubble of optimism that it can operate as close to normal as possible during the pandemic. Indeed, the Riverside on Saturday has been selected as one of nine grounds experimenting with the limited return of supporters in the hope of ultimately expanding capacity to some kind of economically viable numbers.
Hopefully those 1,000 guinea pigbags will have been carefully selected from the loudest and proudest on Teesside in order to generate some much needed atmosphere. Although, it's still unclear if singing or shouting will be allowed in case the virus is inadvertently spread in what has been described as perfectly safe environment.
No doubt a few would have been hoping to get back into the banter by shouting "Warnock, Warnock gives us a wave", which sadly is no longer possible unless he's being live-streamed from Cornwall onto the big screen - though they may now be more worried about Neil Warnock giving Teesside a second wave. The introduction of curfews up the road is a stark warning that the return of lockdown is never far over the horizon and the notion of an October return to passing through the anti-viral wiped turnstiles is looking an increasingly isolated view.
As for the game itself on Saturday, Bournemouth arrive at the Riverside without their previously long-standing manager, Eddie Howe, in charge. After almost 12 years in charge (other than a brief spell at Burnley in 2011) of the Cherries, Howe decided it was time to give someone else a go. The south-coast club have opted to promote from within after Jason Tindall, who had been assistant to Howe since 2008, was given the top job. Just like Howe, Tindall has been a the club as player and coach for over 20 years and is probably the ultimate definition of a continuity candidate.
Under their 'new' manager, Bournemouth got off to a winning start last week by seeing off Mogga's Blackburn 3-2 and continued the momentum by knocking out Premier League opposition in Crystal Palace on penalties in the Caraboa Cup. Tindall has been happy with his side's performances as they've continued their trademark slick passing game under him - though happily for Boro they have also seemed to have continued their tendency to concede goals.
It's going to be big test for Boro under the caretaker coaching team of Blackwell and Jepson, who will somehow have to ensure their players can at least find the net after two goalless defeats. The worry is that our defence will struggle against a team renowned for their attacking pace and movement with few signs that the current arrangements look solid enough to build a platform.
OK, they were hardly troubled against Watford last week and looked comfortable in possession without really threatening to score but that was possibly down to the injury-hit opposition side appearing somewhat limited and lacking guile. Boro should at least start with new signing Sam Morsy shielding the makeshift defence but he'll need time to settle before being judged. The real problem for Boro is that quite a few players are still not playing to their potential (limited or otherwise) and nobody appeared overly keen to stake their claim in the midweek defeat against Barnsley.
Anyway, let's hope the players are at least inspired by the rare sight of supporters in the Riverside - albeit just a thousand spaced-out souls looking to end the afternoon on a high. A win is perhaps optimistic given the current unbalanced squad but a point would be welcome to at least get off the mark and avoid the risk of not being adequately socially distanced from the Owls in their less than splendid isolation at the foot of the table!
Thanks Werder.
I’m afraid that recent seasons have indeed shown us that teams that pass and move cut through us with ease, so I can’t see anything but defeat here.
Boro 0-2 Bournemouth
Hoping for a typical Boro performance out of nowhere.
I hope this works (should be the 2/3-page feature on the match in the shape of an interview with Ashley Fletcher in the "Match zone" section of today's Metro - most unusual!):
Ashley Fletcher keen to strike up potent partnership
In it he waxes lyrical about his partnership with Britt & seems to approve of what NW's doing...
🔴 Your link didn't work as it took you to a page to register to the metro online - but I think the one I replaced it with should be ok - werder
Thanks Werder for taking the time to do a match preview which is appreciated
It looks like Neil Warnock is not the only one to be infected with COVID-19 at the club as a player has been reported having the virus as well.
Werder, another great pre-match thread, along with the built in black humour.
As with Andy, and following on from Barnsley, albeit with a slightly different line up, I think we will be out passed around the pitch.
The defence is just not good enough and even our new keeper, highly praised by NW, looked not much better than we already have.
We have not added any creativity, and the rumours of ex Boro lad Jordon, fills me with despair. So on that latter note, I expect at least two goals against and possibly against the run of play, a reply from Britt.
@original-fat-bob Bob, can only hope it is the goalie who was not on the bench Tuesday.
Let's hope there aren't any more cases within the squad and hopefully Boro won't follow the lead of a German club who opted cautiously keep their players socially distanced - though a rule of six would probably improve our defence...
German football team socially distance from opponents, lose 37-0
Thanks Werder for another informative and humorous read whilst I sipped my coffee under a grey and wet sky in a not so sunny Spain!
Looks like my intended few holes of golf with Mrs P this afternoon are off the agenda! Yes definitely fair weather golfers - why play in the rain when you can play in the sun tomorrow!
I am afraid that I will have to add my voice of doom in support of the prior contributors; I have not seen anything that fills me with hope so far this season.
We are playing a team who play football and that fills me with dread given our record at the end of last season and so far to date. The fact that the opposition are prone to conceding also does nothing to ease my concerns given our lack of creativity and poor goal scoring record. I fear our failure to win at home in the league this year will continue.
Boro 0-2 Bournemouth.
There is always hope of the "other" typical Boro performance but it is a very slim chance in my view. CoB prove us all wrong. 😎☹️
In order to win matches you have to score goals, Bournemouth don’t seem to have a problem with that. Werder points out they have a propensity to let them in at the other end, but given our long standing inability to find the back off the net, I fear a heavy defeat, particularly as the manager is unavailable.
Sadly it will be another demonstration of Slick vs Slack
0-4
If I was a betting man, I would put money on Jordan Jones being announced shortly as another signing 😉
Come on BORO.
I hope this works (should be the 2/3-page feature on the match in the shape of an interview with Ashley Fletcher in the "Match zone" section of today's Metro - most unusual!):
Ashley Fletcher keen to strike up potent partnership
In it he waxes lyrical about his partnership with Britt & seems to approve of NW's doing...
🔴 Your link didn't work as it took you to a page to register to the metro online - but I think the one I replaced it with should be ok - werder
Cheers, Werder. 🙂
Slightly off topic, there should have been a "what" before "NW's", but it looks as though I can no longer edit the post. 🙁 Is there some kind of time limit on that?
@exmil I think the Club would be foolish in the extreme if they countenanced bringing him back. He had to leave the area to try and sort his head out and grow up. His recent driving charges up in Glasgow this summer hardly indicates he has matured any.
On purely footballing terms he is League Two at best, if he can't hack it with Rangers against the likes of St. Mirren, Hamilton and Inverness etc. then he isn't going to set the Championship alight. There are far better budget prospects out there with similar or more ability that don't come with baggage. The lad had talent but unfortunately like many others he has squandered the opportunity.
Slightly off topic, there should have been a "what" before "NW's", but it looks as though I can no longer edit the post. 🙁 Is there some kind of time limit on that?
Yes there's a 30 minute limit on being able to edit a post - I think it's designed to stop significant alterations once posters have replied but enough time to check for mistakes - btw I'll add the 'what' for you.
Thank you Werder, I reckon you've summed that up nicely and I'm going for 1 - 3. I just do not see a win and an OFB would be an achievement at the the Gypsy' Curse that is the Riverside.
UTB,
John
@exmil Why oh why would we buy another midfielder?? with a bit of history for injuries. If he cannot get in the Rangers team even when fit, I just do not see what he is going to add.
I am assuming that NW is having an input in these signings or recommendations and so I am really surprised and would be very disappointed if exmil is correct??
The defence has no proper full backs, is a CB short and we are looking at MF additions. One has to ask, is McNair going to a season long CB? Is there something going on in the background with regards to bids for some of our current MF players? Otherwise none of this makes any sense what so ever
To be fair, Jones is a winger/wide forward, which we're not overly stocked in, rather than a central midfielder.
That said, I agree with RR that there have to be alternatives with more potential and better value out there.
well, I managed to get a ticket but with the sterile environment and probable result I suspect it might be an anti-climax. quite exciting nevertheless although I do wonder if it is the wisest thing for us to be doing with the latest surge in cases.
@borophil: Please come back on after the match (obviously when you are able...not asking for a post immediately the whistle blows!) to let us know how many you think attended and what the atmosphere was like. Were the bars/food stalls and the loos shut, too?
@forever-dormo will do - I can answer part of it already - they've said no food/drink kiosks will be open (you can bring one 500ml bottle of water / soft drink...)
Nice one! - I knew it would be Teesside's loudest and proudest that they invited - we're all counting on you to make a difference!
btw no booing the team off at half time as we'll know it's you 😉
Like GHW I fear a big defeat coming. If Boro can keep the score down to 0-2 that will be a bonus. Just to remind folk though that Boro’s biggest home defeat as a Championship club was against West Brom as recently as 2009, although they did lose 1-6 at home to Arsenal in 1999 as a Premier League Club and way back in 1910 as a First Division club 0-5 at home to Bury.
However the good news is that they have never lost at home to Bournemouth albeit with only 5 wins out of 7 meetings, but including a 4-0 win in November 1986 after which both clubs were promoted to the Old Second Division that season.
Good morning fellow Diasborans,
Is there any news yet for the overseas video streaming package from our beloved MFC?
Would a VPN work if we purchase a match pass?
Yes you can get either a season pass for £140 or pay for individual games for £7 - MFC never got back to me in the end after my query and just sent me a link to live audio instead. Thankfully KP was on the case and had spotted they'd added the video subscriptions. Here's the link to the appropriate page...
I’m intrigued about Kevin Blackwell’s assertion that if Neil Warnock had only had normal ‘flu he’d have been back at his desk today. I’ve never had ‘flu but my mother had it twice when in her 40s and was in bed for between 7 and 10 days. Admittedly there were no influenza inoculations available in those days, but ‘flu was and still can be a killer especially for the aged and I recall how worried we all were when my mother contacted it. I think sometimes people confuse ‘flu with a heavy cold. There is no such thing as a bit of a ‘flu as anyone who has had influenza will testify. Perhaps Neil Warnock has only a touch of coronavirus, but I doubt it and wish him a full recovery.
Well I'll be watching the game today after opting out of the Barnsley game. After pondering whether or not to buy a season pass given all the signs are pointing to another lockdown in the UK, I decided to take a gamble and pay my £140 (€153). The other factor that made me hesitant was that the terms and conditions on the purchasing page said that if I subscribed I would be entitled to stream all available games for the 2018-19 season!
In the end I gave MFC the benefit of the doubt that they weren't trying to con me into paying to watch old games - though maybe I'd be better off watching those as we did win quite a few! Thankfully, it does state under my MFC-Live account that I've purchased a pass for this season.
Though the other unsatisfactory part of the purchasing process was that after submitting my payment details it didn't return me to an acknowledgement screen to confirm my transaction was successful but just logged me out and placed me on the Matchday Live page that was asking what kind of pass I'd like to buy.
The club really need to get their act together as this is just basics that they are failing on - especially if you add that their Matchday-Live information page is still stating "More information on the pricing and purchases of overseas video passes will follow shortly" and the reply to my email enquiry pointed me to an audio subscription and my subsequent reply pointing out the error has not been replied to in over a week. All of these issue could have been fixed in a matter of a few minutes yet it appears nobody is on top of managing their online product.
@allan-in-bahrain. Allan, I used a VPN to buy a match pass for the cup game against Barnsley - unfortunately! It was not broadcast overseas. I should imagine it will work for a league game. I always activate my VPN before getting onto the web and then to the MFC site to login.
That being said, I am not sure why you need a VPN if you are overseas as you are entitled to watch live streams at the prices mentioned by Werder. 😎
@werdermouth I suspect that those frustrations and questions regarding the competence of individuals to manage their department goes right through the organisation from top to bottom which is why it is in the state it is.
No chance to follow proceedings in here since Wednesday, but som excellent posts. Notably Forever Dormo's outstanding and intelligent post on the reality of the world we are living in.
Once Fat Bob is the perfect evolution of Old Fat Bob, soon you will always be to us. Just keep yourself well please... Ken too.
I can't see past a resounding defeat for us today and I have to confess to it still being difficult to be enthusiastic about it. I'll watch out for the result, but wont be watching or following in real time... too much going on at home that will keep me busy this afternoon.
So, not sure we will score, but imagine us shipping 3, so 0-3, perhaps 1-3 at the final whistle.
Hope to be so very wrong ... CoB