THINGS looked bad before kick-off. The slow bubble of pre-match optimism faded fast with the news that Scott McDonald hadn't travelled and turned to panic as the team-sheet appeared. Justin Hoyte in central midfiled? What madness is this? Andrew Taylor back in the team in the vacant Adam Johnson berth.

Things looked worse as Ipswich scored after 22 seconds in a moment of disjointed defensive chaos. And in the spell that followed it looked as if the roof would cave in as Ipswich piled forward in waves,ripping down a fragile Boro left flank and peppering the box with balls that were being desperately, untidily, frantically scrambled away. We were so bad that Daryl Murphy and David Healy looked good.

HERE we go for the real start of the Strachanovite revolution. With seven new recruits in January plus a hardcore of the old team having bought into the new ethic of hard work, a high line, an emphasis on patient retention in the middle, closing quickly and 96 minutes of concentration and determination, this is now very much Strachan's side.

At Ipswich the most important part of the jigsaw - the much needed front man who is supposed to score the goal - is dropped into place as Scott McDonald is set for his debut. Fellow new boy Lee Miller may be alongside him, expererienced Steve McManus will add the leadership qualities at the back and Kyle Naughton - who was excellent in this league last year - will probably go in at right-back.
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HERE we go again: the transfer window bring and buy scramble again and where the last few have been tumble weed affairs this one could get a bit busy.

I'll try and keep you updated as the day unfolds and news comes in from our bank of telephones and the official Hurworth hotline. It will be like Sky Sports News only without the rolling yellow ticker tape. Or a frozen looking bloke stood shivering to camera.

So read on....

A FEW months back we'd have lost that. The squandered chances would have set the jitters off, Bristol's bright start to the second half would have fostered and the red card would have led to the slow motion retreat and fear creeping in. We would have finished the game scrambling balls away from the box in blind panic and no doubt crumbled an conceded from a dead-ball in stoppage time.

JONNO struck two sweet goals and set up another in front of scouts from Spurs and no doubt the rest of the Premiership posse too. That will grab the headlines in the nationals, (although when quizzed GS2 brushed the questions aside) but the real story here is another few pieces of the Strachan jigsaw fell into place.

BORO needed the luck of the Irish to claw back a precious point as Willo the wisp's jammy cross from the right somehow curled and dipped and sneaked in at the far post with the keeper furiously back-pedalling. We'll take it. After all, it wasn't a game for the purists.

GORDON Strachan has a little list of players who "want to come to Boro". Well, he'd better get a move on with getting some of them in quickly because we are running out of time and bodies if we are serious about making the play-offs.

Boro are heading into what could be a watershed run of six "winnable" fixtures that they must cash in to have any hope - and they have an injury ravaged squad that is thinner than ever after a fruitless and frustrating transfer window so far.

SO, BORO unleashed their three new Celtic Tigers and still there is no bite. A bit more of a roar in the first half maybe but no ruthless predatory instinct. No teeth.

Gordon Strachan blooded all three of his old bhoys at Sheffield United and all offered some promise. Robson had some nice touches and some deft deliveries but was maybe wasted out on the right; Flood showed plenty of industry, a bit of a snarl and a willingness to put a foot in; and Killen worked hard and won plenty of aerial flick-ons.

But while adding bodies and options in midfield is a tentative step forward it will take a radical revamp at the back and a lot of added punch up front to transform this squad into an effective unit that can flourish in the Championship.

SIGNINGS imminent: let the pre-emptive bitching begin....

In times past fresh faces arriving on Teesside would be met with curdled mutterings over a pint of Olde Pessimist in the Chickenrunners Arms.

New recruits would be systematically dismantled with cruel relish. If teh club managed to sign them without dropping a clanger. Too young, too old, too slow, two left feet, can't pass, can't control, can't tackle, won't score, never fit, no brain, no heart, no pedigree, no quality, no future. Fat. Lightweight. Drunkard. Idiot. Complete useless waste of time and money. Wouldn't get a game with the Blind School. They'll fit in well with the rest of this shower. Welcome to Teesside.

BORO will probably get the Celtic lads. The personal kudos of Strachan with players he bought for the Bhoys and led to domestic and European glory will ensure that while they can easily meet the financial demands of fee and wages. But Kris Boyd? I think not.