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Swansea v Boro
 

Swansea v Boro

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I have to confess that at half time yesterday I was beginning to fear that it was going to turn out as one of those days where however hard you try you just don’t get the right outcome; very similar to me on the golf course! 

Credit to MC and the team who stuck to their task and beliefs and duly came out on top as deserved winners.

Whilst the forwards quiet rightly get a lot of accolades, there are, I believe, a number of unsung heroes within the team who are producing telling performances week in and week out eg Darragh Lenihan, Tommy Smith and Jonny Howson whose experience and excellent skills allow the team to function and produce the performances we now expect every time they play. 

I have long held the belief that in my time supporting and watching the Boro, Jack’s promotion winning side was the best but without a doubt this Boro team is more attractive to watch and fully deserves to be promoted via whichever means.  

I can’t wait for Tuesday to come around and to hopefully crank up the pressure on the blades even further. 😎


Powmill-Naemore
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@Ken I can imagine it now, you will be busy researching and reporting on the time when the first pearly gates were installed and who was the first to pass through them and who came up with the concept of Cloud9 and who designed the plumbing so it rains down here whenever the angels take a shower... No doubt you will regail the heavenly throng in verse as well.

However, while accepting that whatever will be when it will be, there really isn't any rush for you to leave us behind and wouldn't it be a fine thing for you to see the Boro back where they belong in the top flight. So hang in there, your contributions are as valuable as they are unique.


   
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Martin Bellamy
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@ken I suspect you’re in a small minority of viewers who would prefer not to have pundits and commentators on MOTD or other sports tv. 

You say that the RFL pundits who you mention are anathema and unintelligible to “most viewers “  I’m not sure where you’re data comes from but, personally, I enjoy their contributions and, for me,  the Sky presentation would be less entertaining without them. I wouldn’t presume to speak for most viewers though, particularly as RFL fans are notoriously difficult to please. I certainly don’t hanker for the days of Eddie Waring  .

 


   
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Posted by: @andy-r

Thanks for the kind words, Ken. Appreciated.

It’s certainly true that the number of contributors to this blog is declining and that we’ve lost some excellent posters along the way. I think the conversation has also changed as well as the comments about todays Boro are fewer and fewer with the discussion often about other subjects. That’s fine of course and reflects the remaining readership but I wonder if it discourages new membership if the general discussion isn’t as much “on point”.

I’m not sure what the answer is. Perhaps longer form discussion such as this just isn’t what the masses want, with people more inclined to use Twitter etc in shorter bursts.

Andy, I think you may have hit the nail on the head, despite there being “General discussion” topics such as cricket, non Boro subjects, even Ken has his own forum. The relevant topic (ie the forth coming Boro match) becomes cluttered with other items, so a “newcomer” looking to join could come to the opinion that it isn’t a site about the Boro and move on to other dedicated sites such as Smoggies on tour (other sites are available). You are also correct it is full of mainly older generation (I am 72 this month) I did try to get my girlfriends two sons (in their 40’s) to join some time ago and after looking at the site a couple of times, I got the replies “No thanks it’s full of grumpy old men” and that is not a reference to anyone in particular but a general consensus. I don’t know what the answer is as I once I see the general content of a post (ie not really relevant to the subject matter) I scroll past it. This is purely my opinion as to why we have less than 20 real contributors, including the loss of the originator (werdermouth) among a lot of others.

Come on BORO.


   
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Topic starter  

@andy-r 

Good post Andy

i must admit that I do wonder where Diasboro goes as a blog after this season finishes.

Werder who designed and maintained the technical side of the blog has been very quiet this year and not posted for a while.

 I’m not sure what his workload is or if he wants to continue with Diasboro.

It would be a shame if the blog was to disappear without trace as there are some good posts on here and not all of it Football or Boro based.

A few of us have a secondary group on Twitter called Diasborians

They include 

Myself

Forever Dormo

Martin Bellamy 

Jarkko

Si’s Insights

Powmill

It could be that perhaps short pithy posts may be the future of the blog and the format location gravitate to Twitter.

Personally I would like this blog to survive and do hope it hasn’t become an onerous task for Werder to maintain.

Thoughts appreciated 

OFB


   
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Great result for Sunderland and us beating Norwich 0-1 at Carrow Road.  

Fingers crossed they do the same at home on Wednesday against the blades. 😎


   
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@original-fat-bob 

I didn’t intend to open a can of worms but maybe we need a new thread creating to discuss the future of the blog, what people want from it, suggestions etc.

I do enjoy writing previews and making comments but it does take time away from a busy schedule of full time work and looking after a youngish family, so I’m keen to ensure it’s a worthwhile going forwards.


   
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@original-fat-bob.  I very much enjoy the blog and the fact that we all have a common interest.

It doesn’t bother me if other topics are discussed, if you don’t like them or are not interested then just move on; bit like tv programmes you don’t like, either turn over or switch off.

I particularly like OFB and Andy’s pre match posts and miss Redcar Red’s post match reports, not forgetting the historical perspective that Ken is able to provide from his vast record library.

I do appreciate the time and trouble these contributors go to and can well understand when other issues have to take priority. 

Hopefully we can continue in some format as I would not wish to lose the connection I feel with many of you who are spread across the diaspora.  😎

This post was modified 1 year ago by K P in Spain

   
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Pedro de Espana
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Just question from yesterdays match. What are the thoughts of our posters regarding MC’s substitutions?

I have to admit to being a little surprised at Barlaser not been given any real game time since his arrival. There were four subs used yesterday, some last minute, but no Barlaser. I also did notice Howson blowing quite a bit during the last ten minutes or so. 3 - 1 up would hive been ideal to give him some game tome. Howson could get suspended yet.


   
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@plato 

Plato, as I've already outlined, coming from behind and winning is a magnificent attribute, but constantly affording the opposition the opportunity to go a goal or two up before you've even put our shin pads in to our socks can only lead to a WBA repeat.  That's a repeat we can't afford to be handing out each week, Middlesbrough3 has a shelf life and fortunately at the moment we have the luxury of being able to take one down each week, but it won't last forever, we need to steel the defence.

I was all for the manager being brought on board, not because I had a crystal ball and could see all of what he's done unfolding when his name was in the mix, my choice was simply down to the fact that out of the names of the usual suspects being touted to take Wilders place left me totally deflated, whereas our pedigree in breeding top quality managers from green shoots lead me to believe that we had sod all to lose but everything to gain, point proved as it turns out.

There's a balance scale in life and at the moment MC's plus plate is in the roof, let's hope that when the negative plate starts to balance out that we cut him a hell of a lot of slack, I'm thinking promotion and struggling with the big boys here, and not at this level where I think he'll not only swim but walk on water.


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@pedro.  I think it was all about ensuring we maintained the balance across the team.  

It was not surprising that Howson was blowing given the amount of ground he covers and one misplaced pass apart early on, I thought he was outstanding yesterday and has been since MC arrived. 😎


   
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This blog has kept me on an even keel when my Black Dog was haunting me a while back, the support I received from all of you contributors was absolutely fantastic, I ended up feeding BD the biscuits you lot gave to which kept him at bay.  Not only that, a few of the contributors actually came out and admitted that there was a few dark coloured canines bothering others, for me that makes forums such as this priceless, where else would anyone open up about such subjects.

My take is that 90% of talk is Boro related and obviously full on come game time, but isn't it great that we can go off topic and still throw in our twopenny's worth.  I hold my hand up and admit that my past contribution was somewhat sketchy, but now I have a kennel for BD and embracing retirement, I'd like nothing more than spending more time at Dormo's local and feel comfortable in the company that I currently keep.

There's really nothing wrong with being old and waning to exchange experiences, the plus point is that we've got so more many experiences than the young bucks that can't take their faces away from their phones, no wonder they need social media to find a partner, I met mine at the Buccaneer.


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@peasepudinperth

I'm with you on that one. The blog, as I recovered from a twelve and a half hour operation and six weeks of radio therapy has been an absolute godsend. I may not have been able to write because of the 'brain fog' but reading all the contributions and feeling the support was brilliant. I think we all owe one another thanks in a way in that you don't know how good this forum is until you need it. A support group, a virtual bedside visitor and a psychiatrists couch and enthusiasm for Boro, you certainly can't get that on the brilliant NHS.

As van Morrison and Them said. 'Baby please don't go'!

Then there was Saturday's result. Well done OFB! The Boss and I will coming through Marton in the summer so I may have to touch your robes to help with the lottery numbers.

All the best.

UTB,

John

 

PS perhaps this should have gone into OFB's 'discussion about DiasBoro' post.

This post was modified 1 year ago by John Richardson

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Topic starter  

 

@john-richardson 

Thanks John

let me know when you get your passport renewed to visit Marton and love to see you just contact me when

OFB


   
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@original-fat-bob

I'll bring a bottle or two for you and your good lady.

ATB, UTB

John


   
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Topic starter  

@john-richardson 

🍷🍷🍷


   
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Just realised that our win on Saturday took us to 63 points and safe from relegation! 😉😎


Philip of Huddersfield
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As a Boro supporter living about 90 miles away I’ve always enjoyed the views of Boro supporters who actually see games and/ or nearer to the action as I am able to be.

However , my enjoyment of reading the comments has reduced in the last couple of years as more and more non Boro topics have appeared and which , at times , has cluttered the Boro views etc.

Personally , I’d like the site to be about Boro only, but if other topics are introduced then please put them elsewhere.

This is just my personal view and I’m not saying I’m therefore right.

Perhaps a discussion on what the site should be about / boundaries could be useful.

I am also thinking there are thousands of younger supporters who I’m sure could make useful and interesting comments but , for whatever reason, don’t join in. Perhaps, if they have ever looked at the site they’ve come to the conclusion that it’s only for us oldies.

Philip of Huddersfield 


Clive Hurren
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@ken 

Hang on in there, my friend. Youve got to see Boro back in the Premiership and England winning the Ashes again yet before you can even  think about casting off your mortal coil! At the very least! Keep on keeping on with your fabulous Boro history! 


   
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Clive Hurren
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Posted by: @martin-bellamy

I certainly don’t hanker for the days of Eddie Waring.

Ah, the great Eddie. Famous for such gems as, ‘Oh, he’s going for an early bath! Well, at least he’ll get the clean towel!’  All delivered in those mellifluous West Yorkshire tones! 

I once had the pleasure of (almost) meeting him. I was watching It’s a Knockout live in Nice as a young student. During a break, he popped out the back of the commentary box. My fellow students and I shouted across to him - ‘Hello Eddie. Are y’alright?’   ‘A bit warm!’ was Eddie’s considered, W Yorkshire reply.  Stuart Hall also came outside. In retrospect, it’s much less of a pleasure having almost met him. 

Sorry, friends, just as we’re talking about being off-track, I contribute something off-track. 

I hope this blog continues. There’s nothing like it. I love how it gives me a flavour of Middlesbrough, and Boro especially, from Teessiders around the world. One small happy family, united by a common bond. Yet, I understand how onerous this must be for OFB and Andy in particular - you must now feel obliged to produce something in advance of every game, and you must be starting to dread it being your turn. I really admire your stickability and your amazing efforts, both of you, on our behalf, as I do Ken’s histories. But if it continues next season, I really don’t think you should feel obliged. For example, I’m sure we could set up a rota of colleagues who would be willing to write something, which might cut down individual burdens considerably. 

I don’t know how we expand the membership. I know others still read the blog - I have a mate (Hi Peter!) who enjoys reading the comments, but doesn’t contribute. Fair enough. There’s absolutely no pressure to do so. But in terms of widening our base, would it be possible for werdermouth (if you’re still involved, mate?) as a one-off to contact everyone who used to take part to remind them of its existence and ask if they’d like to get involved again? Just a thought. 


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I enjoy reading the entries/posts on this Blog.  I enjoy the starting pieces for each game by OFB and by Andy R, and the historical/records pieces by Ken.  It would be a genuine sadness to see the Blog go, but I see there is a thread specifically about that subject, so I will go over to read that.

One thing I would say is that this is the time of times to be a Boro supporter.  We are currently seeing great performances and results and have the tantalising prospect of catching up Sheffield United and securing automatic promotion by finishing second in the league. Even if that is NOT achieved (I'd say it is 40/60 but those proportions may change significantly if Boro wins its next two games whilst the Blades continue in their recent "iffy" form) it seems very unilkely that Boro would not be involved in the drama of the play-offs. So promotion is very much "on".  And that fills me with great pleasure and anticipation which is all the greater as Michael Carrick took on his management role after Boro had made a very poor start to the season, when promotion seemed ridiculously unlikely.

It would be good to share the joy which I hope is coming our way, with others on this Blog.  And my fingers are crossed that @Ken will be one of those enjoying promotion (and the Ashes!) this summer.


Ken Smith
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Joined: 4 years ago
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As Philip from Huddersfield states there is maybe too much non-Boro information shown on the regular previews of forthcoming fixtures, but that’s because some bloggers tend to sway off course on the subject. The current total of postings seem to suggest that I monopolise the number of postings with 2044 posts against OFB’s 1955, but on analysis this doesn’t reflect the number of posts on different subjects. For example 101 of my posts have been about cricket (which I have always admitted is my favourite sport). A further 37 have been about classical music, 3 about speedway, and one about golf, but in most cases I have posted them in their separate sub-divisions. I have always maintained that very few diasborians share my passion about the history of our great football club. That passion or nostalgia is wasted on the young who I’m sure don’t want to read about the ramblings of an old fogey like me, and I can understand that.

It is also true that in the former diasboro.world press, now extinct but still available for anyone remotely interested, covers a further 17 posts not included in the current statistics. I had always wanted to write about classical music and was grateful that Werdermouth allowed me to do that, also about the history of our favourite benefactors of the steel industry, the German Henry Bolckow and the West Countryman John Vaughan from Worcester who gave Teesside its birthright.

I’m as proud to be a Yorkshireman as I am to be a historical supporter of Middlesbrough Football Club, though there are more important issues in my life than Yorkshire cricket and the Boro, though I have to admit that like many others I didn’t forsee either Yorkshire CCC being relegated nor Boro being close to promotion. Life is full of surprises!

 

This post was modified 1 year ago by Ken Smith

   
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Selwynoz
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@ken 

I was brought up in Linthorpe in the fifties and sixties and always felt myself as part of Yorkshire and the Boro. I left in my mid-teens and have maintained those allegiances from afar.

Your forays off into Boro history and other sports add fascinating context to the current life of MFC and the surrounding area and act as a bridge to me between now and then.

Your other essays are always interesting and give me something to dip into when I’m in the mood. Maybe you’re right in saying that the next generation doesn’t want to read some of the musical content but there are others who do.

Keep well and I look forward to sharing promotion with you and the rest of the Diasboro.

utb


   
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