As the domestic circuit-breaker of another international break ends, the next mystifying pause in proceedings in a world heading towards increasing travel restrictions is unfortunately just three weeks away. All of which means that Championship clubs will attempt to squeeze in seven games in the next 21 days in order to allow players to once again briefly interchange bubbles without hopefully any of them popping.
Football it appears is one of the few businesses that seems to be busier that it can cope with as chairmen learn to juggle their time between the pressing domestic agenda of transfer deadlines, talk of restructuring the game and requests for financial bailouts - which is before we forget the small matter of activities on the pitch and a return to playing games.
It seems the big [six] picture unveiled last week turned out to be more of a thumbs-down thumbnail that failed to leave an impression once the sharper details were revealed. The over-stretched artistic licence of the minimalist movement exposed nothing more than self interest by those pretending to exhibit realism. Unsurprisingly, the plan was quickly splattered over the failure to canvas support and was unanimously dismissed as nothing more than a load of Jackson Pollocks by the other 14 Premier League clubs, who are still in search of a suitably measured collective adjective to rival 'big'.
On the back of that somewhat humiliating rejection, even the proposed £250m let-them-eat-cake EFL bailout was quickly downgraded to a crummy offer of £20m in grants and £30m fund placed in reserve to prevent any clubs from Leagues One and Two from going bust - with not even a slice from the PL just-desserts trolley for the Championship clubs to feed on. It was an offer described by one League One chairman as "embarrassing, disgraceful and disingenuous" and was subsequently rejected by the EFL as inadequate.
So on the back of such solidarity and altruism, Boro's Championship campaign resumes (for now) and it promises to be a testing time on the pitch as well as off it. First up are pace-setters Reading, who are currently just edged out of the top spot on goals scored by Tuesdays opponents Bristol City. Both have won all four games so far with the Royals having only conceded one goal this term after defeating Watford, Derby, Cardiff and Boro's recently-vanquished opponents Barnsley.
Reading have a new man in charge in former-Serbian under-21 coach Veljko Paunović, who also spent four years in Major League Soccer in charge of Chicago Fire. As a player, the 43-year old had a long and varied career in several countries including Serbia, Spain, Germany, Russia and the US. Indeed, Paunović is claimed to be fluent in six languages and has also worked as a football analyst on Spanish TV as well as having a sporting director degree. It seems this broad footballing education has held him in good stead and may prove to be a good appointment by ambitious Chinese owner Dai Yongge, who seems is keen on rubbing shoulders with some of his fellow countrymen in the Premier League.
As far as I know Neil Warnock has only needed to speak the one language in his 1500 games as a manager - though I believe he's more than fluent in non-verbal communication too. The Boro manager returned to his post after his bout of Covid in a rather understated manner in comparison to other over-70 leaders in recent weeks. He opted against a staged flying into the Riverside by helicopter and climbing up to the director's box to unmask and declare the virus was a gift from his chairman or that his team were now immune from relegation. Instead, the no-nonsense Warnock merely stood in the light Teesside drizzle inside his technical area to mastermind a famous victory over Barnsley. After the game, a tired Warnock declared: "Every Saturday I get those nerves and I say to myself, what are you doing? Do you need this? But when the whistle goes I love it. I love the game."
Incidentally, while making comparisons we should perhaps at this point mark the passing of one of the world's great metaphors as 'Trump on steroids' unfortunately became an expression of reality. It was a sad loss as many wordsmiths had been hoping to keep that metaphor in reserve in the unlikely event of the erratic bombastic bi-polar rapper and producer, Kanye West (also known as Yeezus by some), becoming US president - it's believed that there is now nowhere left to go for political commentators to describe such matters.
Anyway, at least it's now fake news that Boro haven't won a league game at the Riverside in 2020 and a few optimists on Teesside will even be hoping to add to that this weekend. Warnock will have new signing Patrick Roberts available to him after the loan finally went through after what had seemed a quite protracted affair. Whether he starts on the pitch or the bench will depend on his fitness but it's not that clear in which position he will play - he's certainly not a wing-back and perhaps a free role as an attacking midfielder is most likely. The question will be who then makes way to accommodate him.
Though the good news of the arrival of the Manchester City loanee will be balanced with reports in the local media that Ashley Fletcher's injury could be worse than anticipated and he could be out for a while. It has been suggested that Boro could make a move for Stoke's striker Lee Gregory, who apparently is out of favour - though whether the 32-year old is no longer wanted because of last season's return of just six goals is possibly the question that could concern some supporters. Also on the radar once again is Yannick Bolasie, who apparently is keen to join Boro after turning down a move to Teesside in favour of Villa a couple of seasons ago - a move that saw him sent back to Everton early before heading out to Belgium and then last season in Portugal.
Still on the shopping list is a left-sided defender come full-back and Warnock is reportedly looking at a few free agents as possible options. With seven games in three weeks the squad is going to be severely tested and it's not one that can cope with too many injuries in key positions - especially defence where Grant Hall is likely to miss the next few weeks before being fit again.
It could well be an important week as Boro play the top two and also make a trip to Cardiff - can they build on that Barnsley win or will it prove to be a blip on the way back down the table? Warnock's team have looked comfortable for spells in games without creating too many clear-cut chances and will now play a few sides who are both solid and more dangerous going forward. It's not as yet clear where this team belong in the league and if the new additions will add that extra quality where it is needed. Before the next international break, we will have already reached that important ten-game measure that often defines the way the season will progress - if indeed it does progress as the Covid winter bites. As ever the future for football followers remains uncertain both on and off the pitch in what could be a rather hectic and apprehensive few weeks.
A great topical and crafted piece of journalism, thank you Werder.
It is difficult to know what tomorrow will bring in both terms of team, formation and of course most importantly the result.
Given there has not been any announcement on new signings so far today and the deadline has passed to enable them to feature tomorrow, then I think it is safe to say that only Roberts is able to fill the "new boy" role.
Reading have clearly started well and based on the stats will be hard to break down. A ⚽️ - ⚽️ would be a good result but I fear they might be too strong for us and pinch it by the odd goal so it's 0-1 but hoping I am wrong. CoB 😎
Werder, thank you.
A thoughtfully written piece and in the search for a replacement for 'big' perhaps 'sensible and and considered' would help. Not catchy I know but something that helps everyone would really help and if they can't manage that maybe threatening to form a super league with some European clubs would help them. That would re-jig the 'Prem' instantantly.
Any way a great piece and the next international break comes before Christmas? That concept seems to become ever more preposterous.
Tomorrow I think Boro will win, what have I said? I'm going 2 - 1.
It's a mad, mad world.
Stay safe everyone.
UTB,
John
Werder, you have come back from the international break on absolutely fizzing form. That is a great piece. I love your ability to fit our Covid bubble that is the Boro, into the other really important current affairs catching the world's eye.
So. I have no idea what will happen tomorrow. I will let my optimism hold away and believe that it is tomorrow wd begin to see some consistent return for our improved performances.
2-1 to Boro. Assombalonga and Roberts on the score sheet.
CoB
A quite brilliant opener, Werder. Thanks as ever.
I suspect we’ll do well to get 4 points from the next 3 difficult games. If this were the start of last season, I’d probably have said two points overall. With a bit of luck and a following wind, we might just nick a win versus Reading - purely because of the Warnock factor. He sure knows how to get the best out of limited resources. But I think a draw is more likely tomorrow.
Another excellent piece Werder, interspersed with the usual humorous anecdotes.
As you state, these International Breaks do the Championship no favours at all. Seven matches in 21 days, or is that seven Pulis weeks, is very harsh even with a decent sized squad.
As for today’s game, I can only be optimistic, yes I know, not my usual trait, and hope for a draw at best if being realistic!!
The news this week gone, just gets worse in terms of the nation and even worse in terms of Lower League football. I think Mr Gibson could be correct. If one club folds, the domino effect could truly happen.
Thanks Werder. Really enjoyed reading that and many a pertinent point in your usual witty style.
I’m expecting Roberts to replace Saville today in an otherwise unchanged team but we shall see. I guess the plan would be to try and get a lead then replace Roberts in the second half with Saville to add some defensive energy. That, or the other way around.
Very hard to predict with confidence, as ever, but I’ll go for a 1-1 with Akpom continuing his goalscoring start. Scoring first will be the key I think and we could even win. I’m feeling optimistic that we’ll avoid defeat in any case but you really never know with Boro and the Championship as a whole.
Haven’t seen a post from Len in a little while and he’s usually pretty quick to post his thanks for a new post. Hope you’re ok, Len.
Good to see that there's lots of optimism on display in terms of score predictions against a Reading team that has so far won all their games - so far nobody seems to think they will continue their winning streak!
I'd agree with Andy that scoring first will be important as Reading have so far only conceded one goal. Although in terms of predictions I'm more inclined to go with KP's 0-0 but I hope I'm wrong as I'll be watching the live stream in anticipation of being entertained 😉
btw A bit baffling how the deal for Bolasie fell through because the paperwork didn't arrive on time - particularly in world of emails where surely all that is need is a scanned document with a signature agreeing the deal from both parties. Anyway, sounds like a stupid system with a false arbitrary deadline and now Bolasie probably won't play football for three months.
Thank you Werder for another inspired piece of journalism which is appreciated by us all.
so we didn’t sign Bellasie or anyone else come to that on deadline day.
So it’s off to the out of contract players now and see what we can scrape up out of the barrel.
itwas interesting that NI shared the midfield duties between McNair and Saville so I expect McNair to play the full game today and Saville to Replace Roberts after 70 minutes.
So what about the score ?
well it has to be eyeballs in the sky doesn’t it ?
⚽️⚽️
OFB
I’m afraid I can’t see anything other than a defeat today.
0-1
Any streams for the match today please
I am watcing via Riverside LIVE. The stream is OK except I do not have the audio. Just video without sound.
I restarted my computer but still no voice.
Anyone else having the same problem or am I doing something stupid?
Up the Boro!
Hi Pedro, obviously NW doesn't rate him.
11:30 played and the audio came on. I did nothing ..
Up the Boro!
Bright start from Boro, but once Reading got into their stride they have looked the better side, more inventive and with better control.
We are slightly lucky to be going in on level terms, and it says a lot about the difference between the two teams that they have tried to play their way through our defence, whist we have looked most dangerous from set pieces.
I've been surprised by how well Bola has played Meite, while Paddy and Dael have been solid at the back. We need more from Saville and Britt, and the midfield as as whole is lacking in pace. On the first half showing I'll be happy enough if we can hang on to a point.
@lenmasterman Agree Len, once more not enough from the midfield. Saville yet to make a tackle and not much more from Howson.
Bit scrappy but we worked really hard and the midfield did a great job closing people down and making it hard for Reading. McNair and Dijksteel getting better and better.
The simple fact is that last year this is a game that we would have lost. Now we have a structure and a team ethic that keeps us in it. Problem will be finding a way to beat teams
UTB I'm going to bed 🙂
So it was that solid if unspectacular 0-0 many had opted for in the end and whilst Boro played and pressed with plenty of energy with a good shape, they didn't really create much in the way of a clear-cut opportunity. I think Reading and Boro ultimately matched each other and were both comfortable defensively. Some good performances from Boro's back line and midfield with both Dijksteel and Bola impressing along with McNair and Fry - plus Saville, Morsy and Howson all did well in midfield.
Tav once again showed energy but most of it came to little and Akpom was fairly quiet once Britt went off. Some good runs from Johnson in the second half but ultimately nil-nil was a fair result and probably both managers will have been happy with a point. I suspect that's why Warnock didn't risk bringing on Roberts as he didn't want to risk losing a goal or perhaps risk a player with little defensive outlook.
So I was right !
now It doesn’t happen often but...
the eyeballs in the sky have it !
⚽️⚽️
OFB
A point is a point against a team who had more quality than us. We deserved our draw in the end.
I most enjoyed watching young Ovie Ejaria, about whom I knew nothing, but he just oozed quality and class and almost won the game for them with the best move and shot of the match.
We were solid but somewhat uninspiring, a mid-table, difficult-to-beat team, if ever there was one.
Paddy M-o-M again in every aspect of his game- defensively, bringing the ball out, and delivering from set-pieces. Fry excellent in support, and a shout out for Bola, whom I have never rated, but who gave his best performance yet.
Johnson, coming on as sub was also a plus, responding well to his "kick up the backside", and going forward with some attacking intent. Dijksteel continued his improved form.
Morsy seems to grow into the games. He always looks to me to be lacking in pace in the early stages, but as others begin to tire he comes more into his own as a solid performer who knows the game.
Tav disappointed after a promising start and Howson conceded too many needless free-kicks.
Saville made little impact. Nor did Akpom- a worry this since he now seems to be our sole fit striker.
Given Reading's start to the season this result is probably best seen as a point hard won rather than two home points lost.
Just wish we could turn up outstanding young talent like Ejaria so that I could stream every week in anticipation rather than uncertain hope.
Just watched the Howson disallowed ‘goal’ for Boro. As the hosts said if you followed the grounds mans lines cut in the grass Howson was onside and it should have stood. A poor decision by the assistant referee
@werdermouth I may be being picky, but thought the midfield once more, did not do enough.
Apologies to Werder for the delay in responding to another terrific leader.
Have just got around to reading it on a quiet Sunday morning after a busy few days.
And thanks for your concern, Andy. I'm fine personally. Just generally infuriated by the chaos of politics on both sides of the pond.
Hopefully the US will get back to some semblance of sanity soon, though it may need a landslide to achieve it.
As for our own government, its incompetence, arrogance, stupidity, lying, corruption and croneyism leaves me lost for words. Almost.
And that is not a controversial, still less a party political statement, but a litany of objectively verifiable conclusions supported not only by the facts but by the three previous Tory leaders, and large swathes of the pre- Johnson Conservative Party, who have been amongst this cabinet's most trenchant critics.
Thanks Len and after a long busy week we managed a day trip on Sunday to a wolf sanctuary of all places - in these difficult times I think it's important to observe how the professionals pick off the weak 😉
@werdermouth I may be being picky, but thought the midfield once more, did not do enough.
Yes, though I was only really commenting on them doing well in their defensive duties - in truth Boro's midfield hasn't really done enough going forward for at least four years if not longer!
I wish you would say what you mean Len, this mealy mouth stuff isn't going to cut it you know! I hope you don't expect an invite to the wedding?