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Swansea v Boro
 

Swansea v Boro

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@Deleriad

Interesting about Wilder's link with Burnley's owners - perhaps it's then simpler than it appears, in that Wilder won't definitively rule out the job at Turf Moor because he hasn't actually ruled out taking the job and is making that known to Burnley's owners!

That's possibly the problem with social media rumours not going away and him still being the bookies favourite - football players are notorious consumers of social media and if they see their manager refusing to rule out leaving Boro it's ultimately bound to fuel speculation between them and ultimately may affect their performance and team spirit.

A bad state of affairs and we can only hope it doesn't cost us more than a manager - indeed, Boro could be out of the play-off running by this time next week unless the team performs at Swansea and against Cardiff and Wilder could then jump ship with nothing left to play for - though I'm sure Steve Gibson would find a way to make that drag out.

Will everyone be professional enough to not let the situation affect them? Let's hope so!

 


Ken Smith
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What a couple of amazing goals this week from Newcastle United and Rochdale!  Firstly the Magpies Joe Willock’s run along the left wing in the 5th minute of added time being met by Bruno Guimaraes who ran like a sprinter anticipating the low cross and dived full length to head the ball without stopping to score the winning goal against Leicester City.

And not quite as spectacular but worthy of a mention, Eoghan O’Connell’s run also in the 5th minute of added time, from his own penalty area into Hartlepool’s penalty area to beat Pool’s goalkeeper Ben Killip and seal a win for Rochdale and assuring the Lancastrians of another season in League Two of the EFL.

In both cases the home teams came from a goal down to win their matches 2-1. Those are the types of moments that Boro need if they are to save their season.

On another matter both Marske United and Stockton Town have reached the playoffs in the Northern Premier League Division One Eastern Region. United finished second by only three points to Liversidge, whilst Stockton finished 3rd so may meet in the playoffs to see who can join Whitby Town in the higher echelons of the Northern Premier League. It was only a couple of years ago that the two former Northern League sides met in the FA Vase semifinal. It’s even more amazing for Stockton as they were in the Wearside League before that and 3 successive promotions have put them in this position. 

 From Ken Smith, still trying to champion the efforts of our local minor football clubs.

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

   
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Great post deleriad and the best analysis of the Wilder situation, along with Werder's response, that I've yet seen. 

Any road up, it's very de-stablising and likely to continue to be so into the foreseeable future.

Not good for the Boro whether he stays or goes.


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Thanks OFB for having the enthusiasm to write the preview; can't say I am pleased to read about Swansea's strengths. I expect it will be Andy who has the job for the final match against Preston which may require some effort.

I still feel down following the Huddersfield match and am hoping Wilder stays and fulfills his original longer term plan to get us promoted.

This post was modified 2 years ago by David in Cumbria

   
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I'm not particularly concerned about Wilder being the bookies' favourite for the Burnley job. These markets see relatively few bets placed and are therefore extremely volatile. A modest number of bets of equally modest sums can take an outsider towards the top of the odds very quickly in these markets.

What concerns me is Wilder's intentions. It's so, so easy to rule yourself out and we see it time and again in relation to managerial vacancies. He hasn't. Why?

Exmil is correct that he doesn't have to do so and responding to every rumour doing the rounds wouldn't be worth the effort, but there is enough fuel behind this particular rumour - be it the bets that have clearly been placed on him, be it the relationship that he has with Burnley that Deleriad has mentioned, be it the social media speculation, or, perhaps most importantly, be it the lack of clarity in his own statements - to warrant an unequivocal response if he has no intention of joining them. Even if there is nothing to the story whatsoever, Wilder and club have a fanbase to manage or even season tickets to sell. Being ambiguous helps no-one if there's no story to be had here.

I can only conclude, therefore, that there is interest from both sides. As mentioned previously, this doesn't mean it will happen, but it's uncomfortable.

Of course, this frustration is purely because I rate Wilder extremely highly and see a bright future for Boro if he stays and if he's committed. I completely understand why Burnley would be interested and even more so if there's a pre-existing relationship there. To be perfectly honest, I think Wilder could be aiming higher than Burnley but clearly the quality of the chairman/board is important to him and if he rates the Burnley hierarchy then it could have appeal for him.


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@ Andy R. Another good post along side those of Deleriad and Werdermouth on this hot topic. 

CW is due to hold his usual press conference tomorrow and let’s hope the journalists present ask the right questions and CW provides a definitive response.

Any more responses along the lines of I don’t think you should be asking me that question as the manager of Middlesbrough FC will only add more fuel to the speculation. 😎


   
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jarkko
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It's five years since Carling Cup hero Ugo Ehiogu sadly passed away. See a nice video on mfc.co.uk site:

https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/ugo-ehiogu-five-years-on-a-tribute

I loved the man and he is club legend after the Cardiff win. So sad we lost him so early. RIP. Up the Boro!


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(To Exmil, about the Boro Predictor, Part III):  I daren't look.  I fear this is turning out even worse than the pessimist in me predicted.....

This post was modified 2 years ago by Forever Dormo

   
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I think it's a bit of a false argument to say that Chris Wilder can't respond to every rumour as I can't recall ever hearing of any other rumour related to Chris Wilder since he joined Boro. It almost is beginning to sound to an outsider like Wilder wants to keep his options open until he knows whether Boro's promotion campaign is over or if Burnley are better placed to remain in the PL - i.e. what is it in my best interests to say or not say!

As Andy said, fans who are thinking of renewing their season tickets may want to know if Chris Wilder will still be manager - though since the early bird renewal has just passed it probably doesn't matter now until the season has ended. Indeed, many may have renewed on the basis that even if Boro are not promoted this season, a full season next campaign under Chris Wilder will likely be even better. 

Interestingly, the Gazette are of the view that Wilder is probably on Burnley's short list but as yet hasn't been officially approached. They mention a similar case when he was linked with Sunderland when at Sheff Utd...

He took a similar stance in 2018 when linked with the vacant role at Sunderland. The Black Cats had just been taken over by former Oxford United shareholder Stewart Donald who knew Wilder well as a result. They made a hard pitch to Wilder to convince him to leave Sheffield United, of which publicly then his comments were almost identical to those he makes now at Boro. What ultimately happened? He stayed at Sheffield United and that season guided them to Premier League promotion.

While the Gazette concluded he ultimately stayed with the Blades, which was also his boyhood club, it doesn't mean to say he'll arrive at the same decision this time and opt to stay at Boro. What it actually says is - yes that's how evasively Chris Wilder behaves when he's considering an opportunity to join another club. So it merely adds to the speculation that he may yet join Burnley.


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I agree, Werder.

If having to respond to rumours is what irks Wilder, then - unfortunately for him - the best way to stop the rumours is to give a clear response. It doesn't make sense to allow rumours to persist if you can't stand them.

I worry that he could become tarnished if he does stay, which we have to say is still the most likely outcome. Becoming distrusted won't help him, or us.


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We won eight? Home fixtures on the trot. With some Good play, and players! I would like to know how we have managed to enter a slump from such a high, it is important, these things matter, and for heads to go down and effort to drop to such a level is requiring an answer, but non is forthcoming. We meander on towards the next match, away, well it would be wouldn't it, chances of us turning them over? I would say nil. Play offs? Dream on, foolish selections, poor performers, we are seeing a complete loss of control, strange selections, stranger tactics, no determination about us whatsoever, a pushover? Not unkind, or untrue. 


Pedro de Espana
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Great Headliner OFB with a lot of effort put in. Very interesting.

Well everybody knows the old cliché - - "there's no smoke without fire"

As much as I am disappointed with the fall off of performances and points, I was hoping beyond hope that we would sneak into the playoffs (not expecting to win promotion), earn some more money and set ourselves up for a good go at a top six place next season under Mr Wilder.

I was looking forward to an interesting summer of ins and outs and then out of the blue, this unwanted and unsettling issue. There are some really good posts above, well thought out and presented. Me in my simplicity believes that CW will leave and as with Mr Warnock, the players believed he would leave or should I say replaced.

It is all about timing, Burnley play Southampton at home tonight.

We play on Saturday. Lose as expected (possibly) and our chances of the top six must be really goosed.

Sunday sees Burnley at home again to Wolves. Everton away to Liverpool.

So two winnable games for Burnley and an expected defeat for Everton. May be Mr Wilder will jump on Monday.

 

This post was modified 2 years ago by Pedro de Espana

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Posted by: @malcolm

https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/chris-wilder-middlesbrough-burnley-conference-23747734

With reference to the above, will Wilder take the conference or will he send his assistant.


   
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Philip of Huddersfield
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All this talk of Burnley and Chris Wilder can only have a negative effect on the players and supporters. I would think that the senior players have asked the question- he owes them and particularly the Owner,  a straight answer.

Not heard the Managers press conference re Swansea and so the position may be clearer, or maybe not.

I can’t see a win tomorrow-  Swansea are in good form and so, “a backs to the wall “ defensive performance may  be the best we can hope for.

But that will be no good for sneaking into sixth position - the only trouble is that if the team go all out attack we haven’t the players to create chances and forwards to take them.

Philip of top 6 Huddersfield!!

 


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EXMIL CHALLENGE 2022 - Part 3 - Reminder 

Just a quick post to remind people that there is under 24 hours to the deadline of 1900 hrs tomorrow night to get your entry in for part 3.

Come on BORO.


   
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Philip of Huddersfield
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 Haven’t seen a CW press conference for the Swansea game .

usually on  NewsnowMFC  ( and elsewhere) but no sign of it.

Does this mean he didn’t do one ? Does anybody know?

Philip of Huddersfield 


   
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Posted by: @philip-of-huddersfield

 Haven’t seen a CW press conference for the Swansea game .

usually on  NewsnowMFC  ( and elsewhere) but no sign of it.

Does this mean he didn’t do one ? Does anybody know?

Philip of Huddersfield 

it's tomorrow Philip


   
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Powmill-Naemore
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It will be interesting indeed if CW will lay to rest the rumours at the press conference tomorrow or not.

Someone mentioned that managers get little loyalty from their employers and so it is quite reasonable that they might show no loyalty back the way.

The one thing is though, as managers get sacked it is invariably with their contract being paid up. In this kind of situation I don’t think the manager will be buying out his contact to compensate his employers in quite the same way.

If he has the intention to go then he needs to do so immediately and I will be very disappointed for Boro  but also very disappointed in the man. If he has no intention of leaving the job half-started, then he needs to state that unequivocally and steady the boat.

Either way, the players and the fans and the chairman all deserve to know.

Whatever. I had rather liked the idea of a famous old club like Everton getting relegated. Now I hope they will be safe.

This post was modified 2 years ago by Powmill-Naemore

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I've been hellish busy with work but keep dipping in and reading DiasBoro, and the useless EG. As another take, and first of all, I think Mr Gibson is keeping quiet and watching developments. He won't fire him, despite what could be seen as extreme provocation, after all it would cost him to line Wilder's nest so he could walk straight into another job. If he wants the job make him resign along with his assistants.

Then there is the illegal approach by whatever nefarious and oblique means and that can be allied to Wilder's continued obfuscation. He knows what straight and plain speaking is and as members have said all he has to do is say it and stop apparently 'playing hard to get'. Plain speaking, straight talking and it's sorted but it is going on too long. He could teach Stevie Mac a thing or two about devious.

If we don't get an air clearing statement tomorrow at the Press Conference, (from the EG?) it will happen and then Mr Gibson will get mighty pi55ed off. Beware Burnley.

Do you want him to stay or to be honest and do a Strachan?

On top of all that I don't think I like Burnley at all.

UTB,

John

PS Forget the play-offs

 

 

 


Pedro de Espana
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Let’s hope Craig Johns gets to ask the question Malcolm at the presser tomorrow.

It needs to be pushed and it needs to be answered. Mr Wilder should not dismiss it and needs to be honest, the fans deserve that.

Good win for Burnley tonight.


Selwynoz
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For those of you who haven't participated in the Exmil challenge - you could still give part 3 a go just for the fun of it - the consensus so far seems to be that we could still have a shot at the playoffs with 71 points, albeit it could then come down to goal difference. That is two wins and two draws. Three wins could well see us sneak into sixth so a loss to Swansea might not be terminal but, personally, I'd hate to rely on a win at Preson on the last day.

I see the Swansea game as probably the hardest of the four and so a draw wouldn't be a terminal failure. However, a sneaky win and we'll all go foam-handed again.

I have to say also that it would be upsetting to see Wilder head off now after eveything that he has said about MFC being a long term project. He must have known that a premeirship manager would be sacked at some stage so it's no surprise that it has happened and one would have accepted a quicker response by now.

UTB


jarkko
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Posted by: @pedro

Let’s hope Craig Johns gets to ask the question Malcolm at the presser tomorrow.

It needs to be pushed and it needs to be answered. Mr Wilder should not dismiss it and needs to be honest, the fans deserve that.

Good win for Burnley tonight.

At least Craig tweeted that that is the sole question - or rather an answer to it - everybody is waiting to. So the presser will be an interesting one to look forward to.

I am quite surprised about the amount of time people have used on this matter. Wilder's history has shown that he is in a job long term, hasn't it. And he has talked a lot about his medium and long term plans at Boro. So where has this all come from?

I would rather concentrate on the Swansea match. I will predict a 1-2 win as the Swans cannot sit deep at home, can they? And that will suit us more.

Up the Boro!


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https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/chris-wilder-issues-clear-stance-on-his-middlesbrough-future-amid-burnley-managerial-links/

Some of us kept the faith.

Come on BORO.

This post was modified 2 years ago by exmil

   
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Martin Bellamy
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Posted by: @exmil

https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/chris-wilder-issues-clear-stance-on-his-middlesbrough-future-amid-burnley-managerial-links/

Some of us kept the faith.

Come on BORO.

Let’s hope that the article is completely factual and also, if he’s staying, that the fans get back behind him and the team. 

I was going to speculate that maybe he didn’t find the club systems and protocols as advertised when he joined us, but hopefully we can all move on. If he did want the Burnley job and has been blocked from taking it, I hope he can remain committed - we all know what players can be like when they want away (Yakubu at Wigan, anyone?). 


   
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What I take from all this. Wilder is going nowhere and there will be a club statement to that end before the press conference. 

Pleased that this has been put to bed and that I was (mostly) right. Maybe this will have concentrated some minds and we'll get a response on the pitch. Swansea are on good current form tending to score and concede a lot but also struggling slightly to convert draws into wins. That may be good for us; if both teams go for it we might rediscover our attacking mojo. Or get mullered if the players have lost a bit of faith in Wilder. 

I'm going to predict 4-1 to either them or us.


   
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Martin, we may never know but I wouldn’t mind betting that Steve Gibson, management and players (the important people) have known all along CW wasn’t going to Burnley and besides all week has been about “will he, won’t he” not really much about the slump or players performances 🤔.

Come on BORO.


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Just as back up for the sceptical:

https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/20086223.chris-wilder-insists-fully-committed-middlesbrough/

Come on BORO.


   
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@Exmil

Just to add that the article is based entirely on this Tweet...

https://twitter.com/bbcteessport/status/1517417316815982592?s=21&t=9cbNqsNBDAEsdj0y6QA48Q

Middlesbrough manager Chris Wilder has told BBC Radio Tees Sport that he’s met with Chairman Steve Gibson this week & he’s ‘all in’ at #Boro Wilder also discussed plans for the summer & the Burnley speculation

I look forward to hearing the full interview when it is made available

Perhaps the meeting with Steve Gibson where they seemed to have discussed the plans and budget for next season may have removed any doubts over whether staying at Boro was the best option.

This post was modified 2 years ago by werdermouth

   
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OK, The Northern Echo article does reassure the sceptic in me 😀 


   
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