With the previous disrupted season ending just over six weeks ago under the shadow of Covid-19, the short break is now over and it's time once again to get another Championship campaign underway. However, the penumbral shadow of the global pandemic is still dimly affecting matters and the recent ban on gatherings of over six people appears to have stymied a return to having crowds back next month. In addition, there is still a real risk that 2020-21 will also be ultimately paused or even curtailed should cases begin to climb further towards those lockdown levels.
Still, many are looking forward to the uncertain surprises that a new football season brings - whether they'll turnout to be pleasant or unwelcome ones only time will tell. Perhaps those searching for good omens for a possible flirtation with a return to the top flight may have preferred Boro to have not commenced proceedings on the anniversary of 9/11. Nevertheless, this term under Neil Warnock will surely not replicate the bumpy ride under Woodgate and his crew, which never appeared it would ever get off the ground and struggled to gain altitude in the table from the off before threatening to land badly in the foothills of League One.
Thankfully, a seemingly slumbering Steve Gibson was awoken just in time to the threat of relegation by his ground proximity warning system and the controls were quickly handed over to a more experienced pilot. Warnock's reward was to remain in the hot seat for another full campaign but this time it's even more of a no-frills low-budget Boro airline than the not so Easy Jet that Woody was ejected from.
So what are the prospects of an improved journey this time? As we know the Championship is a long haul and generally the stronger squads will ultimately prevail. Unfortunately, Boro currently have little strength in depth and are already beginning with a bare-bones defence and few options beyond Britt and Fletcher up front. OK, they're not alone in being shy over recruiting new players as the uncertainty over the finances caused by playing in empty stadiums has seen a reluctance to pander to clubs and agents demands.
As Boro prepare for kick-off it appears hopes are rising of adding to the signing of defender Grant Hall with Fulham keeper Marcus Bettenelli looking a safe bet to up the Marcus count, former Arsenal striker (or rather former unwanted Arsenal sent out on loan striker) Yaya Sanogo, who sounds a half-decent player (that's the Yaya half incidentally) and a Clayton-type replacement from Wigan in Sam Morsy, who is a lot more prolific with an average of two goals per season (name your price Lactics!).
OK, I did mention this was now officially Budget Boro and with Messi unable to wriggle out of his €700m buyout clause from Barcelona options have been limited. Besides we need defenders rather than fancy-dan dribblers now that Sam Stubbs - a proper footballer's name and as the son of Alan Stubbs was genetically bred to defend - has also surprisingly left Teesside to join Fleetwood.
It's looking increasingly as if Paddy McNair will be employed once more in his own box rather than driving into the opposition's from midfield. Whether Warnock will opt for a back three this term is unclear but as things stand he only just about has three central defenders. I suspect he'll contemplate a back four as his main tactic but presumably he's keen on Grant Hall starting to offer that so-called leadership on the pitch that he's been in search of - although perhaps it will be Hall, Fry and Paddy with Nathan Wood ready to step in if needed.
After seemingly impressing Warnock in pre-season with their free-scoring total football, the Boro players were less than convincing in edging out Shrewsbury 4-3 in the Carabao Cup and it was mainly thanks to a couple of embarrassing gifts by the League One outfit's keeper that spared our own blushes. It certainly wasn't a convincing performances and didn't appear to demonstrate the team had progressed much from the one that struggle to maintain their Championship status. The midfield looked pedestrian and the defence was looking like it would get overrun or even run over on a pedestrian crossing.
So Boro travel to Watford on Friday evening to measure their readiness to compete, which will certainly be a bigger test than Shrewsbury and much much tougher than the Newcastle pre-season loosener that inadvertently briefly offered misplaced hope to many. The Hornets were in many ways unlucky to fall out of the Premier League after Boro old boy Nigel Pearson had seemingly almost done the hard work in preserving their top-flight status as they stood four-points clear of the bottom three with three games to go. Sadly they appeared disinterested in their next game against the Hammers and the club then surprisingly ditched Big Nige with rumours of a half-time bust-up. Watford subsequently lost their last two games against Man City and Arsenal under caretaker Hayden Mullins and were relegated.
The new man in charge is a 43-year old Serb called Vladimir Ivić, who so far has had a short but successful career in management, winning the Greek Cup with PAOK in his first season and then two-successive league titles in Israel with Maccabi Tel Aviv. He now becomes Watford's twelfth manager in eight years since a young Sean Dyche started his managerial career at Vicarage Road back in 2011-12 before heading to Burnley. Since then we've seen the likes of Zola, Giuseppe Sannino, Oscar Garcia, Billy McKinlay, Slavisa Jokanovic, Quique Sanchez Flores, Walter Mazzarri, Marco Silva, Javi Gracia, Flores (again) and Nigel Pearson enter and leave through the Watford revolving door.
Still, whoever is in charge it will not be easy for Boro against recent Premier league opposition - though the good news for Neil Warnock is that Watford are struggling with injuries with some notable players like Troy Deeney, Gerard Deulofeu, Andre Gray and Danny Wellbeck all likely to miss the opener along with another half-a-dozen or so other players currently sidelined. Perhaps now is the best time to play them before they get up to full or even half strength - with any luck they may have also not heard of typical Boro too!
I suspect the Boro team more or less picks itself on Friday as there isn't much beyond a First XI to make the experienced Warnock scratch his chin and ponder. He needs performances from some key players going forward like Tavernier, Spence, Johnson, Wing and Fletcher if he is going to threaten a win - while at the same time seeing his team much more switched on defensively to avoid conceding sloppy goals.
A good start is important in any campaign but particularly in the Championship where pressure soon mounts if you're looking up the table and those who get into their stride quickly can confidently pick up points and set themselves up for a comfortable season.
So as we prepare for take-off, time to fasten those seat belts and reach for the in-flight refreshments (while checking you're securely wearing your mask of pessimism to ensure any germs of optimism aren't carelessly spread) and then pay attention to the safety demonstration as it's usually only a matter of time before being told to assume the brace position as we enter another season of unexpected turbulence!
As usual your predictions on team selection and scores. Plus your predictions on how you see the season panning out - will Boro reach for the skies or will it nosedive again after quickly stalling?
Thanks Werder, great stuff.
It will be interesting to see if the three expected signings come in in time and if so, if any of them are ready to start the game. Probably not on the latter.
As you say, the team will largely pick itself. It looks like a back three from Hall, Fry, Djiksteel or possibly McNair or even Howson. Johnson, Fletcher and Assombalonga are pretty much definites, with Tavernier not far behind. Frankly, it's the worst Boro squad I can remember.
However, it's definitely a good time to play Watford. They have a new manager with no Championship experience, a long injury list and several others who also don't know much about this league. I would sooner play them now whilst there may be some complacency to supplement the injuries.
Perhaps if we make a quick start we can grow in confidence whilst making them panic a little in what they will surely consider to be a straightforward game. If they score first, it could be a long night.
Thanks Werdermouth for getting the season started with your excellent preview. This may well be a good time to play Watford not only in getting a long journey without Boro fans out of the way, but also the fact that Boro’s record is not too bad with 6 wins and 3 draws at Vicarage Road in 18 meetings. However outside of the top divisions in recent times only one win and a couple of draws in the last 8 meetings doesn’t fill me with too much confidence despite the Hornets having several players injured for tomorrow’s match. Nevertheless, Neil Warnock must be gratified that Troy Deeney, and especially the mercurial Gerard Deulofeu who I recall terrorised Boro’s defence whilst playing for Everton against us in a cup tie 5 years ago, are also unavailable. A draw would be acceptable tomorrow, but I fear that in the long term Boro will again find themselves in the bottom third of the League come the season’s end, if indeed there isn’t a second wave of Coronavirus to put the whole season in jeopardy once again.
On a prediction for the season as a whole, I think we'll achieve more or less what we intended to achieve last season: midtable.
Assuming we play a full season, despite my view on the squad, I do think we have a Championship manager up there with the best of them and quite an ideal fit for a northern club in a bit of a crisis. I think he'll keep us clear of the relegation dogfight by the end of the season. I don't expect any more than that, though he's performed miracles in the past and there are plenty of other squads that look less than fearsome.
13th.
Two interesting little snippets from NW’s pre match presser...
Right at the beginning he said that the transfer of Grant Hall was already done before he came to the club. Later on he revealed that he had been asked about the player before the club signed him.
This leads me to believe that he had been talking to MFC ( Gibson) for sometime before Woodgate was given the heave-ho.
With regards to the match tomorrow it seemed like he was getting his excuses in first, and anything other than a defeat would be a bonus.
A great piece to kick off the new season thank you Werder and certainly not of the budget variety but clearly a high flying article.
I expect Bettinelli will play if he has been registered in time with a back three of Dijksteel, Hall and Fry, a midfield of Spence, Howson, Tavernier, Saville and Johnson with Fletcher and Assombalonga up front.
As Assombalonga has been named as Captain does this mean he is guaranteed his place all season? NW talked on his arrival about needing some steel in the side and players who could lead and that is not exactly what I have seen so far in BA. Perhaps there is some psychology involved in seeking to get the best from BA - we shall see.
Ken has pointed out that whilst our recent record is not good at Vicarage Rd it is respectable overall and as they are depleted of some of their stronger players and have a new manager, then what could go wrong!
As others have said a draw would be a very good result but I am fearing the worst and that we will be badly stung by the hornets depleted side or not 3-0.
As far as the season is concerned, we remain a middle to lower league side with the current personnel and we are weaker as a side than last season. Despite NW's best efforts you can't make a silk purse out of a sow's ear and I still think we will have a fight on our hands to stay clear of the relegation zone. I truly hope I am wrong. CoB. 😎
In terms of Boro's potential this season, I'm hopeful that we'll be better organised under Warnock and will at a minimum be a mid-table side as despite the lack of depth we still have enough quality to avoid being drawn into a relegation scrap - especially if you consider how teams with far fewer resources performed last season.
If I was to put my optimistic head on, then I would be looking at what could happen should some of our young players like Tavernier, Spence, Wing, Fletcher, Coulson, Fry and Dijksteel move up to the next level. I think if they were to play to their potential on a consistent basis we could see Boro grow into a force if others more senior players like Howson, McNair, Saville and Britt could reach the level they have in the past at other clubs.
It may all be down to man-management and confidence obtained by getting off to a good start and not having to play under pressure. Although, I'd agree that Boro do lack leadership and if Warnock really sees Britt as leadership material then we really are in trouble - plus he's often dislocated from most of his team-mates in his striker role. OK a streetwise strong personality of a striker could be a leader but he's certainly no Troy Deeney. Personally, from what I've seen on the pitch I would regard Tavernier as someone who shows leadership and is often quite vocal - granted he's young but put him side-by-side with Britt and I'd only choose one of them to lead.
Another key will be if Boro can acquire some quality in PL loans in the next four weeks - I'm sure there are young hungry players with that little bit extra pace or skill who could give an extra dimension.
The other unknown is whether this season ends up like the last and gets paused or even cancelled - as things stand at the moment it only looks to be heading for lockdown - whether that be local or national. Exactly what happens if local restrictions stop some clubs from playing for weeks or months is hard to say. The Championship may just about have enough money to pay for testing and keep running but that may depend on some young players sticking to the rules and not endangering the viability of squads being quarantined.
Season Prediction: probably not quite a play-off challenge unless it's a really good start but not fearing a relegation battle.
Wigan and Boro agree fee, Morsy to have medical tomorrow.
Come on BORO.
I must say I’m not in favour of a striker being captain of a club, and certainly not Britt. I’ve always thought captaincy should be awarded to either a central defender or a central midfielder.
Basically NW is saying to Assombalonga, you’re my Captain, so you’ll be playing every game. May turn out to be a master stroke.
Leicester was in lockdown when they played a home game at the Stadium of Crisps. I’m sure the powers that be will find a way to complete the season, ( for financial reasons) even if it means putting all players in a “ Bio-Bubble”
Hmm, so now our defence and our attack are susceptible to pedestrian crossing.
Britt’s a poor choice as captain. Not for lack of effort, but because as others have said, he’s often too isolated. Plus, it’s not great for your captain to be hooked or dropped on a regular basis.
Leicester was in lockdown when they played a home game at the Stadium of Crisps. I’m sure the powers that be will find a way to complete the season, ( for financial reasons) even if it means putting all players in a “ Bio-Bubble”
Yes, I think both the PL and most Championship clubs should have the resources to continually test their players and staff to keep on top of cases but I doubt League One and below could afford to keep running in such circumstances as where will their income come from? Of course, should clubs start getting a significant number of cases then it may be restricted from playing - plus there's the issue of Boro having a manager in the vulnerable over 70s cohort.
Had a look at Bettinelli on Football Manager and they have him on £35k/week which seems high. Can't imagine we are paying the full whack of that if true.
Prediction wise I'm going for an OFB: bit of a non-event.
I think we will have the same team bar Bettinelli in for Stojanovic. Possibly McNair in for Dijksteel.
1-1.
and...will Britt now be on pens again? 😐
Warnock said that Watford are the best team in the division. He could be right about Watford - but on paper only. But they have again changed the manager, have about ten first team players injured. And they can still be disappointed still about going down.
I think it is a good time to play them now. So I will go for a 2-2 draw that will catapult us to the top of the league as M is before W in the alphabet. So perfect start to the season.
Up the Boro!
Talking of captains, I listened to an interesting programme a few months ago with Watford's Troy Deeney, who was interviewed during lockdown by famous documentary maker Louis Theroux on Radio Four - he spoke openly of his early life and sometimes problematic upbringing before getting a break and a route into professional football that literally changed his life - though they were some ups and downs along the way. All of which made him into the strong character he has become.
Well worth a listen and a far cry from the stereotypical footballer image of a pampered player and someone who doesn't think beyond their privileged life. Here's the link if anyone is interested...
Yes I listened to that too. An excellent interview I thought and Deeney came across very well.
Oh well. Here we go for real again. So, first things first and thanks to Werder for another great and quite witty piece to keep us all occupied as we wait in the departure lounge for take off.
I must confess it is all very strange and I am finding it harder to be excited at the start of a season than ever before in my memory. How the season is going to pan out, well none of us can know. I imagine there is going to be more serious disruption and we wont get though to the end of the season without at least one total shutdown and no doubt several partial shutdowns where one or more clubs are forced into a self isolation position. The potential for lots of legal wrangling at the back end I think will be enormous. Also I think that unlike a typical season, we might not see the same separation between the teams from top to bottom as enforced breaks disrupt runs of both good and bad form.
Of course, as stadiums themselves become redundant, well at least the stands, many more clubs will benefit from the life saving and talent purchasing benefits of simply selling their real estate and not even having to bother leasing it back, prompting those that acted too soon and that currently are exposed to huge and long lasting lease arrangements into further legal dispute with the league over the unfair advantage the stadium-less will be enjoying.
But I digress.
For Boro, I actually imagine NW has what it takes to use what we have and with minimal additions (as this week) to steer us safely into the upper mid table and if the runes fall favourably to be somewhere in the reckoning towards the end of the season.
After really not taming the shrews last week I expect we will put in a much more convincing performance, but equally Watford, depleted they may be, will want to impose their recent Premier quality on us. I think it will be tight. Assuming a more convincing keeper between the sticks , I can see this being an entertaining and close run scoring draw. 2-2.
CoB.
Oh well. Here we go for real again. So, first things first and thanks to Werder for another great and quite witty piece to keep us all occupied as we wait in the departure lounge for take off.
I must confess it is all very strange and I am finding it harder to be excited at the start of a season than ever before in my memory. How the season is going to pan out, well none of us can know. I imagine there is going to be more serious disruption and we wont get though to the end of the season without at least one total shutdown and no doubt several partial shutdowns where one or more clubs are forced into a self isolation position. The potential for lots of legal wrangling at the back end I think will be enormous. Also I think that unlike a typical season, we might not see the same separation between the teams from top to bottom as enforced breaks disrupt runs of both good and bad form.
Of course, as stadiums themselves become redundant, well at least the stands, many more clubs will benefit from the life saving and talent purchasing benefits of simply selling their real estate and not even having to bother leasing it back, prompting those that acted too soon and that currently are exposed to huge and long lasting lease arrangements into further legal dispute with the league over the unfair advantage the stadium-less will be enjoying.
But I digress.
For Boro, I actually imagine NW has what it takes to use what we have and with minimal additions (as this week) to steer us safely into the upper mid table and if the runes fall favourably to be somewhere in the reckoning towards the end of the season.
After really not taming the shrews last week I expect we will put in a much more convincing performance, but equally Watford, depleted they may be, will want to impose their recent Premier quality on us. I think it will be tight. Assuming a more convincing keeper between the sticks , I can see this being an entertaining and close run scoring draw. 2-2.
CoB.
Have to agree with all that Powmill about struggling to get excited or up for the season ahead. It has an inevitable feeling of futility I think in the scheme of things with likely future lockdowns imminent as soon as the Universities go back and the rate soars uncontrollably and yet sadly predictably. Relying on our Politicians to chart a way out of this mess doesn't fill me with any confidence as they lurch from one blunder to the next farcical howler and all while believing in their own hype.
Matches played out in soulless empty Stadiums just about sums it all up. Add in my general disaffection with Boro since the shameless farce of last summer and the inevitability of what was to unfold along with the local press frightened to ask unscripted questions and I'm pretty blasé about whatever the club now comes out with. Then there is the blatant unsporting, cheating and manipulation by certain clubs and the EFL's gross incompetence in managing and controlling the same and its increasingly difficult to be bothered let alone excited.
Two Carabao Cup draws just to satisfy the greed which has corrupted the game to its very core and its clearly no longer a sporting event. Football is now seemingly contested to a large extent by spoilt, petulant and overpaid brats whose behaviour lacks even the most basic modicum of intelligence only too rarely interrupted by the deeds of Marcus Rashford outshining his peers and our morally bereft politicians.
In all this madness I'm glad Warnock is with Boro. Hopefully he will guide us to a better place under the circumstances, given the required tools along with the opportunity to complete the season without Covid disruption. In the grand scheme of things Football just doesn't seem that important or relevant right now.
If we play as well as after the lockdown, I will be happy. And they could even play better as Warnock has had his barbeque ja even some training with the players.
I am quite excited. Up the Boro!
I'd have to agree with Powmill and RR that it's really hard to imagine that the season won't at some point get overtaken by increased Covid cases - so are we just being over-optimistic in thinking a 46-game season is viable before there is a vaccine.
Indeed it seems almost inevitable if our experience with my son's school is anything to go by. Basically our son started secondary school last week and they've put in all possible measures such as social distancing, hand washing and wearing of masks when outside the classroom - even outside. Anyway, after just over a week our son developed a sore throat then a slight fever and was off school the last two days - today he has a full-blown cold with a streaming nose.
OK, thankfully it isn't Covid but it's still a virus that now a quarter of his class have got and indeed two teachers are now also off sick - it means that for all the measures in place a virus (which could have been Covid) has been easily passed between school kids. Therefore, it seems almost impossible to prevent a virus spreading if people are spending a significant amount of time in the same room unless they are wearing PPE and avoiding contact.
In reality nothing has changed since the last lockdown and it's really only avoiding contact with people that slows the spread below the magic R value of 1 - I read today that the UK cases are now doubling every 8 days so we know where that will end!
Team news...
Looks like a back three with McNair replacing Fry and Saville also replacing Wing in midfield - Bettinelli makes his debut in goal. More of a solid than creative midfield with the wing-backs and Tav supplying the front two.
