Gazette ratings
Isaiah Jones - 7
He's liveliest performance for some time.
The Gazette really plumbing the depths of grammatical ignorance with that statement! *shakes head*
stir crazy
Nearly as bad as my grammatical errors !
OFB
PaulinBoro,
Or losing three home games on the trot?
UTB,
John
Stircrazy
I take your point, but I suspect the mistake is more a matter of rushing through copy without checking against a tight deadline rather than ignorance.
It happens to us all on here, typing in a hurry. For some reason I let a grocer's apostrophe get through on one of my recent contributions, though I spent more hours than I care to remember teaching about apostrophes in my early days as an English teacher.
I'm pedantic about apostrophes, which in a way is every bit as annoying as being ignorant of them.
More serious, probably, was a recent Gazette headline saying that Boro's strikers were not to blame for our lack of goals, according to Wilder.
In fact what Wilder said, and the story below the headline confirmed, was that it was not only the strikers who were responsible, which is the very opposite of what the headline stated.
Annoying as slipshod usage might be, inaccuracy concerns me more.
Strangely, in recent years I've noticed a slight disconnect between my fingers and brain when typing - it seems the memory muscles in my fingers occasionally over-rule my brain and opt to type a similar word with it's own auto-correct algorithm or even decide to omit a word in a bid to catch up. Then when I re-read the sentence I'm left wondering if I actually typed it.
I think I recall reading that there's this switching between the conscious and subconscious mind where the subconscious mind will take control of certain functions in order to leave your conscious mind free to make more important decisions or think about other matters - a bit like driving a car and suddenly finding ten minutes have passed without realising while you were daydreaming. Though some argue that making conscious decisions is all an illusion and it's the subsconscious that is actually in charge!
Werder
I think there's something in that.
I make mistakes when typing that I wouldn't when writing.
It's as though the physical act of forming the letters when encoding what you wish to say is a fully conscious activity whereas simply performing the same repetitive task by tapping a keyboard isn't differentiating enough to engage one's conscious mind for very long.
As you say, a bit like driving a car when one's inner computer takes over.
If these musings are in any way original, do you have any preferences on where we should collect our Ph Ds from?
I think the University of Diasboro may be able to make you Dr Len Masterman - but maybe you already are?
Werder
One from the University of Diasboro would mean a lot more.
Werder
One from the University of Diasboro would mean a lot more.
Len Masteman PhD (Posts here, Diasboro)
I always believed Len is a Professor. If I remember correctly he has worked in universities - maybe even in Finland. My bad I cannot remember all the details, sorry, Len.
Up the Boro!
Putting Doctorates to one side for a second but this afternoon as I was walking the Terriers I remembered that Fabrizio Ravanelli was supposed to be there, in person, at the Riverside yesterday. Did anyone see him? Did he meet Mr Gibson round the back of the Stand and get a slap for taking the light fittings? Have Boro taken him on as a coach for our misfiring strikers? It's all gone very quiet.
UTB,
John
Perhaps I should just say that my modest academic background is not really relevant to Diasboro as I have never been able to come up with a scrap of evidence, intellectual, academic, or even common-sensed to justify my support of the Boro.
@len it is love! That cannot - and no need to - be explained. We just love Boro!
Up the Boro!
@len it is love! That cannot - and no need to - be explained. We just love Boro!
Up the Boro!
We all deserve a B Phil; Boro Philia.
I was surprised by the team Wilder put out but it was a good overall performance and result apart from the late Stoke goal. It had been suggested on Diasboro that Tav should play as a left wing back but I was wary about this as I didn't think it had worked with him on the other wing but Tav did play well, the combination with McGree also worked and Tav was able to move infield at times. Crooks was much improved on his return and in spite of Jones not being fully fit he was more effective.
Ravanelli was being interviewed in front of the players entrance when I went to my seat about 15 minutes before kickoff but my hearing isn't good enough to make out what was being said when there is a lot of background crowd noise. I think he said his goal in the League Cup Final against Leicester wasn't a good memory as Leicester had equalised. He did get a good cheer from the crowd (and wasn't booed).
I was pleased that more than half of the crowd seemed to have stayed back for the players (with a lot of their children) to go around the ground though it took about 20 minutes for them to reappear. After a bit of a gap the coaching staff joined the players on a round to more applause and shouts of "Leo".
I expect Sheffield Utd to beat Fulham but it has mostly been better to watch than I was expecting after the way we started when an ordinary midfield place was all that looked likely. I didn't need a second glass of Rioja but did treat myself to a dessert.
I was always good at spelling difficult words, but nowadays find myself checking on Wikipedia instead of dictionaries as often the latter are only useful to confirm one’s original thoughts. If one is not sure of the spelling of a word, dictionaries are sometimes useless.
Also I was always taught to use “my” or “his” instead of “me” or “him” in front of words ending in “ing” which are present participles thus “my having” instead of “me having”. Learning foreign languages such as French or Spanish at school were always a help in that regard. Of course I’ve broken the rule of starting this paragraph with “also” which is a conjunction.
I must admit though that today when speaking French, Spanish, Italian or Portuguese I always use the present tense as I’ve often (or is that pronounced offen?) forgotten past, future or conditional tenses in those languages.
In compositions I’m never sure whether to use colons or semicolons, but one thing I despair of is the use of the word ‘of’ instead of ‘have’ as the former is never a verb.
Perhaps Len can put me right here on where I’m going wrong, as I’m too old now to enrol for evening classes at my time of life.
The parent of the child that stopped the match against Stoke by running onto the pitch, has received a life time ban from the Riverside. Apparently he encouraged the child to run on while filming it on his phone, when approached by stewards and they were asked to leave the stadium, he became abusive and threatening. The children who entered the pitch during the walk around by players are also facing bans for their parents, I totally agree with the policy.
Come on BORO.
I agree too, Exmil. It seems to a “thing” on social media at the moment.
On a different subject, I’m not keen on the end of year awards and dinner that’s happened before the end of the season. I’d rather the players waited until after the last game before getting in a party mood.
‘Data experts’ deliver promotion verdict on Middlesbrough, Nottingham Forest, Sheffield United and Millwall as playoff race to go to final day shootout. Middlesbrough have just one game left of the season - will they finish the campaign in a play-off place?
According to Hartlepool Mail their verdict is the following about boro:
- Predicted finish = 7th
- Predicted points = 72 (+12 GD)
- Chances of playoff place = 25%
- Chances of promotion = 6%
- Chances of finishing 7th = 66%
Interestingly, Boro has 70 points today. And they predict us to finish on 72 points! Apparently they must think us to draw two games still this season - in the one match at Preston. I have never trusted the computes or data experts.
They say that Sheffield United will have a predicted finish = 6th. And predicted points = 73 (+14 GD). So they 'will draw' with Fulham.
Anyway, Saturday will be interesting. Up the Boro!
Something positive coming out of Newcastle:
Newcastle Women attracted a crowd of more than 22,000 on their debut at St James’ Park. That is almost 1,400 more than watched Burnley win at Watford in the Premier League on Saturday afternoon.
The attendance at the Riverside was 24,942 on Saturday. I think that was above the average we have had this season.
Up the Boro!
Ken, I always struggled with the tenses when learning Spanish, made worse by the Andalusian accent when conversing with the locals.
It is so much easier when speaking to somebody that comes from Madrid. As long as they slow down a little. 😎
@Ken-Smith
Like many children educated in the state system since the 1960s, I was subject to the decision to stop teaching English grammar beyond the very basic concepts (nouns, pronouns, verbs, adverbs, adjectives) - apparently it was thought grammar was too hard for children to learn and instead they should focus on facilitating expression and creative writing and would only be taught further grammatical concepts when needed or would discover them for themselves.
All of which meant it was only when learning a foreign language that many of these grammatical concepts arose and I had no relatable English equivalents readily available - e.g. future perfect etc. While I normally know instinctively the correct grammar to use, it wasn't because I was taught the concepts but through years of reading, writing and occasional self study.
It was only in the late 1980s that the structured teaching of English grammar was re-introduced into the National Curriculum after it was shown literacy standards in children leaving school had fallen dramatically. Interestingly, part of the problem may have been English teachers who were educated in the 1960s and 70s had not being taught grammar.
Anyway, if anyone is interested, this paper: English Grammar and teaching in the twentieth century - gives an overview of the teaching of English grammar in the UK
Just watched Fulham destroy Luton 7 - 0.
Come on BORO.
The gazette is reminding us that it was 30 years ago today that Boro gained promotion to the inaugural Premiership as it was first called. I do remember the day well though as I was at Wembley that day having taken a coach from Castleford with my cousin-in-law’s eldest son’s first Rugby League Challenge Cup Final to see if Cas could end Wigan’s monopoly of Challenge Cup wins. I have to say Cas couldn’t as they lost 12-28. I’d almost forgotten about Boro that day feeling somewhat dejected. Perhaps Martin Bellamy was also at Wembley that afternoon!
I’ve never before seen the video recording of Boro’s match that day, and am ashamed to say that I had forgotten the significance of Boro winning it until I drove back from Castleford to Redcar that same evening.
ExMill
That result puts a lot of pressure on Luton now as they need some quick return to form if they are to beat Reading at home on Saturday to retain their playoff providing of course that Boro win at Preston. Boro could even finish 5th now, making us all wonder what was all the fuss about.
You never "go wrong", Ken. Your writing is excellent because you are interested in what you are writing and convey that enthusiasm in everything that you write. You have a clear sense of who your audience is and use language that is appropriate to it. Your style is lively and you never resort to cliche or pre-packaged expressions.
The standard of writing on here is very high for much the same reasons. People contribute because they are enthusiasts, who have something positive (even if it's critical) to say and they know that their audience will give them a fair hearing and not resort to personal comments if they disagree. This builds up confidence in any writer, and it is one of the main reasons why so many who write on the blog have done so for many years.
Indeed, affiliation to this blog is rooted in respect for language and lively expression. Many of us came to it through our admiration for the the work of Anthony Vickers and the creative and playful use of language, embodied in its very title, is exemplified in most of the excellent leading pieces produced by Werder, Redcar Red, Bob, Andy as well as the contributions of pretty much everyone else
Compared with these qualities, issues of grammar and usage are minor matters, which should not be any deterrent to anyone wishing to contribute to or enjoy this blog.
Len Masterman
Thanks Len. You’re right about Diasboro. I rarely contribute to other forums nowadays because some contributors can’t accept points of view different to those of myself. I don’t mind criticism and points of view which differ from mine, but sometimes the arguments become too heated for my liking and it’s better to ignore them and not reply.
You never "go wrong", Ken. Your writing is excellent because you are interested in what you are writing and convey that enthusiasm in everything that you write. You have a clear sense of who your audience is and use language that is appropriate to it. Your style is lively and you never resort to cliche or pre-packaged expressions.
The standard of writing on here is very high for much the same reasons. People contribute because they are enthusiasts, who have something positive (even if it's critical) to say and they know that their audience will give them a fair hearing and not resort to personal comments if they disagree. This builds up confidence in any writer, and it is one of the main reasons why so many who write on the blog have done so for many years.
Indeed, affiliation to this blog is rooted in respect for language and lively expression. Many of us came to it through our admiration for the the work of Anthony Vickers and the creative and playful use of language, embodied in its very title, is exemplified in most of the excellent leading pieces produced by Werder, Redcar Red, Bob, Andy as well as the contributions of pretty much everyone else
Compared with these qualities, issues of grammar and usage are minor matters, which should not be any deterrent to anyone wishing to contribute to or enjoy this blog.
That’s a very fine post, Len, and one in which I wholeheartedly endorse every word and every sentiment.
Fulham’s destruction of Luton tonight has opened up a real chance for Boro. Suddenly, our goal difference is 5 better than the Hatters’ ! As Ken said, that should put them under real pressure on Saturday and my bet is that Kenilworth Road will be a nervy, anxious place for both fans and players. Boro should just turn up and enjoy the occasion, meanwhile - we have nothing to lose and will be backed by a huge crowd. It’s very unfortunate for us, though, that Luton’s home game is against a very poor Reading side who have been dreadful all season. But a point apiece at Luton would be good enough for Boro, provided we win our game.
I rather bet Sheffield United will be a trifle anxious, too, after watching Fulham hit 7. That’s the opposite side of the coin for us compared with Luton. It’s great that the Blades have to face the best side the division has seen for some years! Yes, I know that Fulham have now won the league and can perhaps relax a little, but I doubt they’ll want to lose, and I guess Mitrovic will be keen to add further to his record 43 goals. So anything is possible, come Saturday!
But permit me a word of caution. I’m sure Wilder won’t allow any complacency to creep in, but PNE away is never easy. They’re an ornery, stubborn bunch who defend stoutly. However, if we turn up and play in the relaxed, free-flowing way we showed against Stoke, then we can win.
Keep everything crossed. Keep away from ladders and stroke as many black cats as you can find this week. If you pray, then say your prayers. If you wear lucky underpants, keep on wearing them. if you know of any local Blarney stones, then go out and kiss them!
But it won’t be a matter of luck if the real Boro turns up and turns it on. Come on Boro - we can do this!