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Boro V Millwall
 

Boro V Millwall

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Posted by: @original-fat-bob

@ken

A lot of Boro fans are middle to old aged and Covid infections are still high in Middlesbrough. A lot of people are medically advised to shelter and not be in large crowds which impacts attendance at large sporting and other social events.

OFB

That and the football has continually been pretty dire for a number of seasons now!

Pulis entirely sucked the life out of me months before the end and the Woodgate farce just added insult to injury. Warnock was a strange one with no fans and then the inability to kick on this season was a bit of a downer. 

Falling back in love with Boro will take time for many.


Selwynoz
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@redcarred

your comment has started me thinking about possible differences between local supporters and far-flung fans. I seem to find it easier to forgive bad performances and errors than local fans and I wonder if this is a natural result of being so far away from the club.

The most obvious point to make is that ‘giving up’ on the team isn’t really an option. What am I going to do? Stop turning in the computer or TV to watch games and highlights? Stop reading blogs? The relatively small effort involved in remaining a fan and the desire for some feeling of contact with a club that I’ve supported from afar most of my life makes these options unrealistic. 

however, for local fans the disappointments are close up and immediate and the decision whether to go to a game or not is much more relevant.

I have never really checked but is this blog split into local waverers and foreign foam hands? 

in any case, it’s an exciting time to have a manager coming on board with talent at his disposal and a chance to make a run at the playoffs either this season or next.

utb


Clive Hurren
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Selwynoz

I’m neither a local waverer nor a foreign foam-hand, but I do live in North Wales now, so that makes me sort of foreign. It’s a hell of a journey, too, 190 miles each way (but obviously less than New South Wales, which might be somewhere near your neck of the woods!?) 

I’m still making the pilgrimage to Boro whenever I can, as I still have my season card, but evening games are now much more difficult. I’ve done two of  those so far this campaign, by dint of staying overnight with my brother in Stockport; if I didn’t, it would be approaching 3.00 am when I got home. 

People in my family think I’m bonkers. They’re probably right, but I’m intending to keep on going as long as I can. I did fall out of love with Boro during Pulis’s tenure, and in Woodgate’s, but still went, even if from a shorter distance in darkest Lancashire. Often times, though, it was more out of a sense of duty in supporting the team than of enjoyment, more one of wanting to stay in touch with my roots than of excitement, or even of anticipation at a good match. And many’s the time (too many!) I’ve driven home in despair, thinking, ‘Why the hell am I putting myself through this purgatory at my age?’

But there you go. I shall do it all again on Saturday against Millwall. I’m really looking forward to seeing how Wilder sets us up and am very hopeful that he can somehow turn this decidedly average team into a consistent, exciting force that challenges for the play-offs. 


Selwynoz
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@clive-hurren

I am indeed in New South Wales, Sydney to be precise. We are moving steadily into summer and some people are complaining because its only 23C today.

Kudos to you for making such a spirited effort. I hope that you are rewarded with a win on Saturday. I suppose that my definition of local or foreign depended on being able to regularly attend games. You've stretched the geographical envelope a bit.

My brothers were very like you. They live in London and for a number of years they drove up together for every game. It became a ritual including lunch or dinner at Central Park. They're a fair bit older than me and don't do it any more but when I get to the UK, I'll try to get them up there.

As for me, it's a question of whether I can stay awake for a 2.00am kick-off. The midweek night games are much easier as the time difference now makes it a comfortable 6.45am start.

UTB

 


Ken Smith
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Posted by: @original-fat-bob

@ken

A lot of Boro fans are middle to old aged and Covid infections are still high in Middlesbrough. A lot of people are medically advised to shelter and not be in large crowds which impacts attendance at large sporting and other social events.

OFB

 


   
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Ken Smith
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OFB

You’re right, and I’m one of them, though sometimes I feel as if I’m a leper and should stay away from society. I haven’t seen my brother (my only relative) for almost two years although we keep in touch by telephone. Thankfully I still receive a meal from Middlesbrough FC and my friends from Aged UK are allowed to visit me for coffee and a good chat and do shopping for me, my cleaner and chiropractor (a Spurs fan) are allowed to visit me, and I’ve never had ‘flu in my life never mind Covid. Without these visitors I sometimes think that it’s me that is being punished for my own good. I’m also thankful that Clive Hurren who I’ve never met regularly phones me for chats about the Boro and cricket. Good on you, Clive.

This post was modified 2 years ago by Ken Smith

Ken Smith
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Will Derby County’s impending relegation invoke memories for Hartlepool’s fans when the two teams slugged it out in the old 3rd Division North but only one team promoted in 1957 or will Derby still live in past glories when Brian Clough was their managerial?          

1st Derby County—46-26-11—9-63 points.             
2nd Hartlepool Utd 46-25—9-12-59 points 

This post was modified 2 years ago 3 times by Ken Smith

   
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@selwynoz I am now classed as a veteran supporter in some quarters ( not so much on this forum)  given I have had a season ticket for 33 years ( eversince I could afford to buy one)  and I must admit that my enthusiasm for going to the match is on the wane, must be a mixture of age and poor football. Thinking about it, it is more of an age thing, I started going in 1984 and I saw some poor football in those early seasons, but you couldnt beat the rush of attending away matches even though the football was of a low quality. I have been saying this is my last season on and off from about 2008 but what would I do with myself instead DIY yuck.


   
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Posted by: @selwynoz

I seem to find it easier to forgive bad performances and errors than local fans and I wonder if this is a natural result of being so far away from the club.

I think it's a case of absence makes the heart grow fonder. A bit like reminiscing about when we were much happier in years gone by when the reality was we were probably too busy and stressed to even appreciate it at the time. Up close and personal makes it more vivid and real I suppose therefore more painful.

The talk about falling asleep waiting up until 2.00am to watch a stream was equally true for those of us at the Riverside at 3.00pm watching Pulisball.


Ken Smith
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Posted by: Ken

Will Derby County’s impending relegation invoke memories for Hartlepool’s fans when the two teams slugged it out in the old 3rd Division North but only one team promoted in 1957, or will Derby still live in past glories when Brian Clough was their manager?     

1st Derby County—46-26-11—9-63 points.             
2nd Hartlepool Utd 46-25—9-12-59 points 

 

This post was modified 2 years ago 2 times by Ken Smith

   
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jarkko
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Just visited the web pages of the BBC and Championship. A few notes from recent days:

  • Middlesbrough are set to sign Wales international left-back Neil Taylor on a short-term contract.

    The 32-year-old, who has 43 caps for Wales.

  • Reading have been deducted six points by the English Football League for breaching financial rules.

    The EFL determined the Royals lost £57.8m between 2017 and 2021 - the EFL's limit for that period is £39m.

  • Middlesbrough winger Isaiah Jones has signed a new contract to keep him with the Championship club until 2025.

    The 22-year-old joined in the summer of 2019 from Tooting and Mitcham and has been a regular in the side this season.

  • Derby County have been deducted a further nine points after admitting breaches of English Football League accounting rules.

    The Championship club, docked 12 points for entering administration in September, have agreed to the dismissal of their appeal against that decision.

Just trying to say that we are happy to have Steve Gibson and we could be one of the most healthy clubs in the League now.

Sir Gibson deserves some glory on the field for a change. Up the Boro!


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Jarkko.  “We could be one of the most healthy clubs in the League now.”

I would wait and see what the next set of MFC accounts look like, they clearly won’t make good reading given the impact of covid despite the clear out of high earners. 😎


   
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Ken Smith
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What about this as an alternative:-

Division One 1974-75

1st Derby County 42-21-11-10-53.          
2nd Liverpool——-42-20-11-11-51.       
3rd Ipswich Town-42-23—5-14-51.       
4th Everton———-42-16-18–8–50.             
5th Stoke City——-42-17-15-10-49.          
6th Sheffield Utd—42-18-13-11-49.       
7th MIDDLESBRO’  42-18-12-12-48

18 months after Brian Clough had resigned, the above was the final league table under Dave Mackay. Boro led Derby 1-0 at halftime with a goal from David Mills but Kevin Hector equalised in the second half. If only Boro had won and drawn the next two away matches at Leicester and Wolves or won one of them, they would have won their first ever Division 1 Championship on goal difference over Derby as they beat Liverpool 1-0 and Coventry 2-0 in their final two matches. That was the nearest Boro have ever come in their long history to becoming First Division Champions.

This post was modified 2 years ago 2 times by Ken Smith

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Contract lengths of Boro players may be of interest to some:

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbrough-squad-contract-expiry-dates-22201169

Come on BORO.


   
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Selwynoz
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Posted by: @exmil

Contract lengths of Boro players may be of interest to some:

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/middlesbrough-squad-contract-expiry-dates-22201169

Come on BORO.

The club seems to have got itself into a solid position with regard to contracts. Very few significant contracts end in 2022 and my guess would be that the players involved would be only too happy to sign up for an extension.

UTB


   
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jarkko
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@k-p-in-spain I guess I meant that we are 'wealthy' and well run. Mainly because the others are not well run and many of our competitors in this league are having finacial trouble. Already two clubs have point reductions for their finance side.

We are not over rich, but most clubs are worse off. Which is sad really - the football is suffering as whole. Up the Boro! 


   
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@exmil:  His body is 15 years older than his birth ceritificate suggests.....


   
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@redcarred: I see the sense behind this.  The chap, aged over 70, who sits next to me at the Riverside hasn't been this season, I don't think (unless he came to the first game or two at home) but he certainly hasn't been for some time even though he has a season card. He is also awaiting an operation and therefore might come within that "shielding" group but I know he is feeling no urge to rush back to any place where he will be within a close crowd of people.  He is, however, looking to come back at some stage - he told me so.


   
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@k-p-in-spain: I agree with you but I guess a large majority of Champoinship clubs will post financial results for the last year which are DIRE in light of Covid and no-fans in attnedance for so long.  The financial fair play rules might have to be revisited as a result.


   
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Topic starter  

Boro V Millwall Stats

 

https://eflanalysis.com/analysis/efl-championship-preview-middlesbrough-vs-millwall

 

OFB


   
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Ken Smith
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Posted by: @original-fat-bob

Boro V Millwall Stats

 

https://eflanalysis.com/analysis/efl-championship-preview-middlesbrough-vs-millwall

 

OFB

Hey Bob, join the stats club. You’re quite correct about Jed Wallace. Without his contribution Millwall would be a massive 14 points worse off this season, and didn’t Boro want to buy him at the same time that they bought George Saville? Having lost only one of their last 5 league games and winning 3 of those only Bournemouth have beaten the Lions in that run yet they were held to a draw by Derby County. In fact only Bournemouth have lost fewer away games than Millwall’s two this season. Another annoying statistic is that Chris Wilder hasn’t won any of his first 3 matches as a debut manager, but against that Boro haven’t lost any of their last 5 home matches against Millwall twice recording 3-0 wins, one of those last season. David Prutton predicts a 2-1 win for Boro, but he is rarely right and I don’t think he will be today as I’m going for one better and a 3-1 win with perhaps all the goals being scored in the second half. However it’s likely that the first goal will be vital as ever in clashes with Millwall so the home crowd will need to be patient.

This post was modified 2 years ago by Ken Smith

   
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Well I've had a complete break from football for about ten days so I'm not really up to speed with all the latest Chris Wilder speculation on who will play and how he will set up. 

Anyway, I'm looking forward to seeing how Boro perform in his first game and which players are selected and in which positions. OK, it's only his first game so I'm not expecting a radical shift in the team's form but nevertheless it would be good if we see more emphasis on possession and playing on the front foot.

In theory the next three games are all winnable or indeed losable as we've often seen with Boro. We should probably forget the hype that comes with new managers - remember even Jonathan Woodgate promised a new dawn of scintillating football, which perhaps only lasted as long as his 3-3 debut at Luton!

Time to see if the new regime can make Boro more consistent and close that six-point gap on the top six - with 87 points still to play for, Chris Wilder has enough games to have a fair chance of making that target if he gets it right. Hopefully, we'll see that famous new manager bounce that others seem to get - though I'm not relying on it to have a good weekend 😉

btw Thanks to OFB for the opener - let's hope the thesaurus definitions of Wilder didn't include 'overrun' or 'unmanaged'


   
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@exmil

Yes, surprised to see both Fry and Tav apparently now contracted until June 2024 - last I'd seen both were only contracted until June 2023 according to club announcements.

However, after a quick Google just spotted this article in the Gazette last month, where they were also surprised to hear that Fry and Tav were both contracted until 2024...

"Interestingly, the most recent contract updates on both players said that their deals at the club would expire in 2023, though Teesside Live have since been told by sources that both players are actually contracted to the club for an extra 12 months"

That will certainly mean the club can see off in bids that don't meet their valuations in the next 18 months!


   
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Having sat back and observed I don't know what to expect today or in the near future what with hints at players leaving in January I sense more turbulence before calmer waters. So today I'll be happy with 1-1 but who knows what will happen after all it is Boro we are talking about.

New manager bounce? Off the boil after a break I reckon it's up in the air like Pulisball.

Here's hoping,

UTB,

John


   
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Image


   
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Matt Crooks gives Boro the lead (header) in the 15th minute, assisted by Duncn Watmore.  🙂


   
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And 12 minutes later, the Lions equalise through Benek Afobe.  🙁  Some things never change!  *shakes head* 


   
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Vic's view:

Hell on. Millwall level with deflection OG off Bamba after lino flagged for a foul on Watmore. Boro stopped, ref waved play on and Millwall took advantage. Sloppy but unjust. Fans not happy

So the ref ignored the lino's flag and a nasty facial injury after an elbow to the face and they scored. Neil Warnock would have gone full Krakatoa. He could have powered Teesside for a week

"This referee won't be on the Middlesbrough Christmas card list"


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Boro looking more positive than under Warnock and after the Crook's goal it looked like it would give the team the confidence to push on. However, the failure of the ref to spot a blatant elbow to the face in the build up to Bamba's unfortunate own goal ended up distracting the players. Still, Boro look lively and I suspect can still go on to win this one. So far encouraging to see Boro play some neat football.


   
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It didn't really happen in the second half - including the live MFC stream, which kept freezing for the first 15 minutes of that half. Anyway, Boro didn't keep possession very well in second 45 and despite getting int some promising positions perhaps dwelt on the ball too long. Still some old habits remaining with passing and as Boro went more direct in search of a winner they became less measured and effective compared to the first half. Could have won this game on another day and perhaps should have but lacked quality when it mattered. Let's see if they show some progression in midweek but Bola and Tav were the pick for me with Jones and Watmore showing some good pace and drive at times. Room for improvement but some encouraging signs to build on.


   
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