Football managers are often renown for their mantra of taking one game at a time and not looking too far ahead, which given the current circumstances is pretty much how many will now be viewing the season unfold (or even possibly fold should Covid cases continue to rise).
Despite reported as having just mild symptoms, it's unlikely Neil Warnock will be back in the dugout when Boro make the trip to one of his former clubs in Queens Park Rangers - there has been no further updates of the 71-year old's condition after testing positive for Covid-19 - though it's just been announced that he's due back in Rockliffe today but won't make the trip to London. Good news but it would seem somewhat premature to rush back to physically being in charge - especially given how his assistants managed quite well against Bournemouth last weekend as Boro got off the mark with a well-deserved point.
With this week also seeing the first game postponed due to a Covid outbreak and more players and managers testing positive, the need for caution is apparent. At least Boro didn't need to observe the rule of six midweek at Stamford Bridge in the Carabao Cup after responsibly self-isolating themselves from the third round following a meek exit against Barnsley - sadly for the Tykes, a strong Chelsea side easily distanced themselves from any remote possibility of an upset by punishing them with a 6-0 thrashing so they can also now properly concentrate on the league.
So with that in mind and still in theory 44 games to concentrate on, Boro head to the stadium formerly known as Loftus Road with hopes of getting their first win on the board. Incidentally, Loftus Road has been renamed to the 'Kiyan Prince Foundation Stadium', which was set up in memory of a 15-year old QPR academy player who was stabbed death when he tried to break up a fight outside his school. Yet another tragic reminder of the problem of knife crime that has blighted society and in particular young men.
After Mark Warburton's side won their opening fixture 2-0 against Forest, they suffered a 3-2 defeat at Coventry last week. The Hoops manager admitted to being impressed with Boro's opening two performances against relegated sides and believes we are a side full of talented players - though he didn't actually specify what their talents were we can presume it was football.
Although, to be fair to the Boro players they have looked far more competitive this season even if they've not yet found that vital touch of quality in the final third that would convert effort into actual decent efforts on goal. Hopefully, the arrival of new signing Chuba Akprom from Greece will add a new dimension to the attack - the former Arsenal player (as we are contractually obliged to call him) was apparently sold on a move to Teesside after speaking to Neil Warnock on the phone, who told him that he could make him into a Premier League player. It's not clear if the gaffer's call was made while he was starting to suffer symptoms of covid delirium but it certainly seemed to be a fever pitch to the player that persuaded him to ditch the Champions League for the Championship.
Anyway, let's hope he is an inspired signing as with Ashley Fletcher limping off against Bournemouth, the Boro squad is not exactly packed with striking options - though Marcus Browne did at least look lively in his brief cameo that saw him get the all important equaliser. Britt Assombalonga will be hoping to explore the possibility of getting off the mark as captain too before comparisons with another exploring captain start to be made - "I'm just going out to score a goal, I may be some time" will not be received as noble gesture for those looking for cold comfort on Teesside.
Another player looking forward to Saturday will be Grant Hall, as he returns to his old stomping ground but whether he can stamp his authority on Boro's defence is not yet certain and he's yet to totally convince that he deserves his place ahead of either Fry, Dijksteel or McNair. The latter has probably been the pick of the Boro players this season in his reprised role as a central defender - indeed, Dijksteel has equally impressed in his new more central role in the back three and both would probably be complemented by a return of the poised six-foot-four frame of Dael Fry - who is surely not expecting to become a permanent bench-warmer.
The difference this week for the players is that they will not be lifted by the noise and sight of supporters should encouragement be needed. The refreshing sight of seeing and hearing a few fans in the stadium as a precursor to them returning in greater numbers has been nipped in the bud by the government before the seed had barely germinated as they are once more under pressure to avoid another lockdown. With the prospect of even tighter measures being in place for the next six months, it raises the real prospect that the whole season will now be played behind closed doors if it were to last the distance.
One wonders if that had been advocated before the season started instead of the planned return of supporters after just a few games whether many clubs would have questioned the point of having a short summer break and then embarking on a 46-game season again. Indeed, why were those making decisions surprised that the virus has 'returned' after a summer relaxation of restrictions saw many holiday-makers returning into quarantine. All the evidence was pointing to a second wave even before the first was deemed over.
While we can admire the optimism to follow the overly-worn T-shirt's advice to simply keep calm and carry on and hope for the best, it has sadly been the kind of unfounded optimism that most from Teesside are generally immune from. The football suits pleas that football is losing £100m a month and should be made a special case is laughable given the billions the UK governments has been forced to pump into the economy to prevent further economic meltdown.
So as we approach just game three of long season that ultimately may be much shorter than envisaged or even perhaps a stop-start jumbled affair that drifts uncertainly along for some clubs and stops for others, the enthusiasm of remote passive supporters fully embracing a campaign that could quickly become nothing more than a distraction is now a real danger. Nevertheless, there's something quite typically English about just pretending everything is OK and carrying on as normal as if living out a Kipling poem. Though, it's certainly now a big 'if' whether the football season will reach a conclusion - but for now we can all only follow the managers cliche of taking one game at a time!
Thanks, Werder, for bringing us back to football.
Just saw the KB presser and it was more about COVID than football. But it is what it is at the moment.
I will predict a 1-2 win for the mighty Boro. Assombalonga and Howson scoring.
Up the Boro!
Thanks, Werder, another excellent piece, beautifully written, as ever, and hitting precisely the right tone of uncertain expectancy.
Another tough game tomorrow, and likely to be the most difficult of our opening three fixtures. The first two, challenging on paper, proved to be a little less so on the pitch. However we were given the run around by QPR on our own midden only a few weeks ago, so this could be a daunting challenge if Rangers' passing qualities have us chasing the ball for most of the game.
Still, we have a settled team and are playing with enough skill and confidence to give us some hope that we can come out of this game with something. I'd be happy with a draw, and although 2 points from the first three games might seem to be an ominously paltry return, it will be better than the LLL I'd feared.
Whatever the result we should look at the over all performance, take heart from the fact that we will have faced three of our most difficult games, and not beat up ourselves or the team too much, should we find ourselves in the lower reaches of the division, come tomorrow night.
Werdermouth, thanks for the opening article but if I can just correct you on 3 points, without upsetting anyone:
1. QPR beat Forest 2-0
2. QPR lost to Coventry 3-2
3. As stated on Blackwell presser, NW has always been in Middlesbrough since he got Covid 19 as he could not travel as per protocols.
Come on BORO.
Thanks for spotting the error with the scores - I'd seen QPR in the table had three points and checked the score of their last game on a site that stated it was an away game at Coventry with a 2-3 score. Unfortunately, I just noticed that they'd used the convention of giving the score relative to the team being displayed rather than as the home team first. I'll correct the article.
As for Neil Warnock having being self isolating in Middlesbrough that's news to me as it had previously been reported that he was self-isolating at home in Cornwall. He must have opted against the government approved traditional eye-test drive.
Yes, he has been close to Rockcliffe so I would presume Darlington. Up the Boro!
Thanks Werder for another excellent and humorous article. I particularly liked the bit about our "talented players and not knowing exactly what the talents are" which has been puzzling many of us for a few seasons.
Like Len, I would be happy with a point but fearful that QPR will demolish us again with their slick passing game. If I remember correctly, we hardly laid a finger on them at the Riverside so let's hope we have learnt from the experience and build on last week's more solid and organised display. I predict 1-1 and expect Morsby to make his league debut and provide more solidity in midfield. CoB 😎
BGT ( Boro’s Got Talent)
Will it be a Susan Boyle performance or Four Red Buzzers?
I like to Dream a Dream and go for 1-3
Assombalonga Akpom and A N Other.
I see our wilfully obtuse media have highlighted Kevin Blackwell “ criticising” the government over the suspension of the scheme to allow fans into stadiums.
Two birds with one stone, an attack on the government and a backhanded slap at Middlesbrough.
@grovehillwallah. I must have missed that, when did we sign A N Other? Is he any good! 😎
Thank you once more Werder for another great opening article.
I'm kind of in mind that Watford and Bournemouth have only flattered to deceive against us as the recent Premier big boys in as much as they could only flatter as much as we allowed them to.
Time will tell of course, and the nearest in time for us now is QPR tomorrow. I'd be happy enough with one point, but have that sneaking feeling we will win all three. 2-1 to Boro, coming back from the statutory soft giveaway opening goal.
What will be really interesting is home to the Tykes next weekend. That might give us our best indication of how we are progressing, and the difference between our current preferred choice, than a trial match for the wannabes.
CoB
Hopefully Boro have not gone off the Boyle since we last took the stage...
I missed our signing of A N Other as well.
Apparently we signed him in a job lot with S O Else.
Interesting to read that Spurs have been awarded a bye into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after Orient were charged with failing to fulfil a fixture due to the positive Covid tests in their squad - I wonder if this sets a precedent for other games cancelled due to a positive Covid test? Will clubs be awarded three points? More importantly is the Boro fax machine on standby?
@werdermouth. A poor decision in my view and shows a real lack of empathy with what clubs and society are having to deal with.
I agree that it's a case now of watch this space - how many other clubs are going to be turfed out of the competition or deducted/awarded three league points because it is unsafe on health grounds to play matches. 😎
Interesting to read that Spurs have been awarded a bye into the fourth round of the Carabao Cup after Orient were charged with failing to fulfil a fixture due to the positive Covid tests in their squad - I wonder if this sets a precedent for other games cancelled due to a positive Covid test? Will clubs be awarded three points? More importantly is the Boro fax machine on standby?
It will now encourage Clubs to fudge or hide positive results. Another case of the EFL being totally and utterly unfit for purpose. Do the right thing to protect and save lives and then be punished for it! Only those geniuses headquartered in Preston could come up with that line of thinking.
That said it was probably cheaper for Orient not to stage the match than to play it which of course opens up another can of worms.
yep, and I'm sure that was in Hull's thinking - manager Grant McCann
“We felt we were fine, no one is showing any symptoms or anything like that – we always monitor the players wellbeing on a daily basis, whether they’re feeling good or not.
“We can get tested whenever we want, we’re following the guidelines of the EFL, that’s what we’re doing.
“Just because somebody offers you free testing, doesn’t mean you do.”
Good job covid can't be transmitted without symptoms eh
@grovehillwallah. I must have missed that, when did we sign A N Other? Is he any good! 😎
I think you must have been thinking of S O Else or maybe the two Chinese players We-Wun-Wonce or Ow-Long-Since.
A nice humorous prelude from Werdermouth or should that be a prologue as used in Frankie Howerd’s TV series of ‘Up Pompeii’,although perhaps before your time.
Werder, A fine introduction, thank you, and as for the result I'm going for an OFB on steroids. It'll be 2 - 2 in a sterile and empty stadium. It's all a little difficult to work up any enthusiasm for really.
The transfer market rumbles on trying to pretend nothing has happened and meanwhile there's an air of unreality about the whole football experience. Are we still having an International break? If we are, why?
I just hope the clubs realise, finally, how important the fans are but should we ever return to 'normality' there will be a reversion to type.
Stay safe everyone.
UTB,
John
I've heard of it but as you suggest the last episode was screened when I was only six 🙂
I've heard of it but as you suggest the last episode was screened when I was only six 🙂
Titter ye not missus
We get the PL complaining that they're losing a £100m a month while at the same time clubs are signing players for £30m or more and no doubt giving them multi-million contracts.
And indeed what is the point of international breaks if people are not even allowed to mix with the household next door let alone let players and staff travel to different countries to play a game of football.
As for the European club competitions still taking place - how's that ever going to operate beyond the next few weeks. Football has definitely got its head in the sand when it comes to Covid, which was demonstrated by Orient being kicked out of the Carabao Cup for having their squad catch the virus - I wonder if spurs will be kicked out if they fall down with cases after playing Israeli club Maccabi Haifa, whose country has just gone into full lockdown? I doubt it.
Thanks Werder. An excellent opener as always.
Like many others it seems, my instincts say “draw” today but it’s very hard to predict given the inconsistent nature of clubs like ours and QPR. They’ve started ok, we’ve started ok performance-wise. I feel that with every passing week the players should get a better understanding of what Warnock and his coaches want from them and wouldn’t be surprised with a win but equally we’re perfectly capable of throwing in a shocker!
I’ll go for 1-1.
I haven’t read into the Orient/Spurs story but I wonder if the outcome was agreed by all parties. It certainly seems to suit everyone involved.
Spurs were complaining about fixture congestion already with Premier League, Europa League and the fast-tracked Carabao Cup games. A postponement was a bit of a disaster for them. Orient, I imagine, were quite happy for the game not to take place and to exit a competition that not only they couldn’t win but was probably doing no more than breaking even for them, maybe even costing them to enter. I suspect Spurs might have enquires about a bye and Orient were quite happy to go along with it.
I don’t think it will set a precedent, though questions will be asked when, inevitably, a similar situation arises.
Just to add on the Orient expulsion, from what I read yesterday Orient didn't sound that pleased as they were hoping to pick up £150,000 from the screening of the game on TV.
Also, interesting to read this morning that the PL are considering a £250m deal to support the EFL during Covid - though it was suggested that would be on the proviso that should the season be affected by the virus then there would be no relegation from the PL or indeed promotion to it. Sounds like insurance money!
Given that we’re unlikely to be promoted, I think that deal would probably suit us!
What a mess it would make of the Championship though if around half the clubs had nothing to play for. The season would have to be cancelled, but would that then mean no relegation to League One?
Difficult to see how such a move could be workable.
Some strange statistics about QPR this year. Each of their 8 victories in 2020 have come on the back of a draw or defeat in their previous match. Also in their last 27 matches conceding the first goal doesn’t seem to inhibit them as much as the majority of teams as they fought back to win 5 of them and draw another 5 also. At home more goals have been scored at their ground than any other venue in the Championship in the last 24 matches, an average exceeding 3.5 goals per match, so if today’s match ends in a draw it’s more likely to finish 2-2.
As for Boro since the relegation season of 2008/09 they have always won at least one of their first 3 league matches of the season so maybe those statistics might suggest either a 3-1 defeat or a 3-1 win. Take your pick, but today’s match must put an end to one set of those statistics. Who is brave enough to suggest the latter? Although even under Gordon Strachan Boro won there 5-1 and have won there twice more since.
I must say that Kevin Blackwell talks a lot of sense in his appraisal of allowing fans into football grounds if the protocol that Middlesbrough FC is strictly adhered to. The trouble is there’s always likely to be one idiot who breaks the rules and spoils it for everyone else.
While £250m may sound like a lot of money, last season PL teams received between them £2.45 billion in prize money (excluding European money). Indeed, should relegation be banned I've calculated that the PL would save up to £270m in potential parachute payments, which work out at between £75-90m per relegated club, depending on if they've been in the PL for more than a season and don't get re-promoted.
In fact the PL currently pays £260m to just nine clubs in parachute payments from a total of £400m that it gives to the EFL in solidarity payments. Apparently, the EFL have been in discussions about abolishing parachute payments as they says it skews the league and prefer a different system.
However, the threat of no promotion if the season is affected by Covid is essentially no promotion given what is likely. Is there much point in spending to compete in the Championship without the prospect of promotion - why would any club risk debts or even maintain larger squads if there was no potential pay-back? Doesn't sound like a good deal to me and the clubs should just say thanks but no thanks!