King Signs
MARLON KING has signed on loan for the rest of the season. As a striker with lots of baggage who doesn't take kindly to sitting on the bench he will slot straight in for Mido.
Well, it beats calling Tom Craddock back from his loan deal.
Watson was expected on Teesside today to talk over a move to Boro.
Meanwhile for any anyone who missed my live test run of a GazetteLive Boro webchat today here, BBC style, is another chance to see it....
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Not sure what that live webchat window is supposed to show, but...
Just been agreeing with my brother that the signing of King and the potential signing of Watson would have left us utterly underwhelmed at any other time, but in the current climate it is music to the ears! With any luck they'll be enthusiastic and willing players who will be trying to prove something on the pitch. With a little more luck, that enthusiasm might spread to the rest of the squad!
I really like Southgate and had high hopes for him, as he seems an intelligent, thoughtful guy who could motivate players through earning their respect, rather than hairdrying, publicly humiliating or snidely cajoling them (like purple nose, orange-face and Mr Jowls). The tank-top-n-tie might have gotten in the way early doors, of course.
However, he has been very poor in the transfer market, and that's the main reason we are where we are. Sure, the purse strings have been cut, but (though I haven't added up the total) a lot of transfer money has passed through his hands since he took over.
Mido was a disastrous signing, with more baggage than terminal 5 on opening day. ã6 million gone. Alves? I don't blame him for the signing, but we all knew we were paying at least ã2 or 3 million over the odds. With hindsight, a lot more. O'Neil? Initially promising, ultimately distinctly average. Emnes? Forgotten; probably hidden at the bottom of a cupboard somewhere until someone remembers he's there and he becomes the next "Like a new signing!" Gazette piece. Jason Euell, Lee Dong Gook, need I go on?
I'm pretty sure the Tuncay signing was more by luck than judgment, evidenced by the gothgoat playing him wide right, then not at all for a while, before finally figuring out how good he could be in the right position.
So here's what I hope happens: we get a boost from these new signings, climb out of the relegation zone then eventually just scrape over the survival line at season's end. Then Gibson says "Thank you Gothgoat, but we need a shrewder head in the transfer market than yours during this rebuilding phase, so good luck at your next club" and we move on. At the very least, we need that shrewd head alongside him because he just can't pick a player.
**AV writes: The web chat was just testing some new software really. I was just the guinea pig. It could be quite a useful tool for quickfire interaction on specific big issues: deadline day maybe, or after a new signing or a sacking say.
As far as the Gazette it isn't just limited to football. Maybe we could use the system for people to quiz candidates in the next election or let people go head-to-head with Ray Mallon. The possibilities are endless.
As to the question of signings, if we have less money to play with then there is less scope to get them wrong. If we are to follow this new course we must have the best possible scouting network to make it work.
Sorry if this is a repeat of a comment made on the previous blog....
The signing of Ben Watson (who?)is a backhanded admission that selling Cattermole and Boateng, and releasing Rochemback, were big mistakes. This is a real 'treading water' signing, the typical sort made in the January window.
It's also a precursor to O'Neill moving on in the summer.
A good job all round eh Gareth!
I really enjoyed reading the chat today and it is a very good addition to the site, allowing direct access to people. Nice one all. With a bit of luck it can be used to let fans talk directly to the powers that be at the club too.
Although this signing isn't exactly breathtaking I welcome any signings and hope that they pay off.
TB
Some of us were working and didn't get the chance to read your "live webchat" until late evening. Seems like a good idea.
Here is another one: the Gazette would no doubt be happy to give you an afternoon off once a week (so you could spend a happy afternoon with the good lady wife, maybe shopping, maybe going out and about, for a meal etc while the kids are at school) on the basis that one evening a week you do a live webchat. Your audience (or at least that part of it not working in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Australia etc) would be at home and able to take part, to converse with you in live cybertime.
And finally, I think we should field our strongest team at Wolves. It is a difficult game and I think we are second favourites as they are top of the Championship and we are sinking heavily towards the bottom of the Premier League. They will fancy their chances whereas our players probably wouldn't fancy themselves against the Reserves.
(Actually that's another point. I played "another game" for 25 years. The Club 1st XI played the 2nd XI in regular fixtures every year. The so-called 2nd XI had a better record, and it wasn't even marginal. They were desperate to win and fired up whilst the Firsts expected to win despite the evidence of history. Hard work, determination and organisation can overcome quality on its own).
A win for us would be a welcome relief in a sea of troubles. A draw would be a good result - one "against the head", and would have us back at home and looking forward hopefully to a home draw in the next round if we got through. We are a club that needs the money and let us not forget the FA Cup is the only glory left for us this season.
A defeat on the other hand, even if we sent out a "less than optimum team" would continue our dismal run that already goes back far too long. Our club's spirits need lifting and that might be done by putting out a full squad and "going for it". It will not be done by putting out a weakened team and being beaten (we are sick enough of that already). The longer and steeper the dive, the greater is the velocity achieved, and the more difficult it becomes to avoid a fatal crash.
Go for it at the Wolves! A loss is bad enough. But at least, if we were to go out (of the Cup), it would be better having gone out with a bang rather than a whimper. And we could win the tie and the chance of further games, gate money, TV money etc - which we clearly need.
Ah, once I unblocked coveritlive.com, it all made sense! I was getting some kind of default nonsense in that window.
The main thing that gives me optimism over this current transfer activity is that it shows that the club are not just sitting on their hands, and that they, like us, realise that the status quo will not see us in the Premiership next season.
I only wish that the club could be, and could have been, more positive in their statements to the outside world. Managing fans' expectations (downwards) is one thing, but fostering a sense of doom and gloom only makes it harder to attract players (a difficult enough job anyway), and to keep the ones we've got. That Bausor(?) fella needs to work a little harder - like most of our signings, he had a promising start then tailed away...
And anyway, managing fans' expectations is of limited value. A mathematical physicist would call it an "NP-hard many body problem", where the bodies are feline and the problem is herding them. Better to concentrate on the expectations of players within and without, and leave us fans to do the fickle flip-flopping that we do so well.
I'm looking forward to the Wolves game - the aforementioned expectations are rock bottom and it's an away match - the players can go out and enjoy themselves and hopefully some good football will be on show.
Amateurs r us..........God!
OK, when you make an offer for a player and the other team says yes you put a 'but' you give us three days before you broadcast to the world clause!
We had the 'Ben' down today did the bits and bobs had Gareth saying we hope to complete today then guess what? Nothing! I am not a genius but i know how to make money and the first thing you do is not tell others your hand or what your plans are!
Boro is run by amateurs employing amateurs and living on a dream. If Gibson has run his company like he runs Boro then god he has been a very lucky ,lucky man.
**AV writes: It doesn't work like that. Clubs aren't buying and selling cattle. The moment an offer is on the table no matter if the clubs agree to keep it quiet the agent immediately goes to any other club interested and asks them to match whatever offer is on the table.
Then the player has to decide if he wants to leave and goes back to his own club to negotiate his loyalty bonus exit package, unravel existing sponsorships, image rights and slice of the players' pool.
There is no such thing as a quick deal these days.
Your memories of the game at Molineux in 1981 don't seem to co-incide with mine.
As I recall, Boro were battered throughout, lucky to get the equaliser when we did, had a brief passage of hope, before Kenny Hibbert hit the bar more than once and then we (no doubt, bravely) succumbed. Heartbreaking at the time, but let's not deny the truth of the matter.
The chance of glory, the great leap forward, call it what you will, had evaporated in the home tie when the Neal team (Proctor, Hodgson, Johnston, Cochrane et al) failed to perform.
Just thought I'd lighten the mood :-)
As jc says - this would previously have been underwhelming news, however now it feels almost like a regal event. Let's just hope come May it's "long live the King" and long live our Premiership status.
Whilst both Mido and King appear to have an attitude problem at least King doesn't seem to have an "injury" problem to go with it. Mido was a panic buy and if we can eventually get back our ã6m, or even ã4.5m from Wigan, then it will be a good way to cut our losses.
Let's just hope that Watson was suitably impressed with Rockcliffe (which presumably has the largest "treatment" room in the league) and signs on the dotted line today.
From all accounts he's young and hungry, a little like Cattermole, but without a gang of mates giving him a bad example, unlike Cattermole. With Digard alongside him that could prove to be quite a mobile combination. But let's not count chickens...
The question is, will GS play King and Alves? King & Tuncay? Tuncay, King AND Alves? Who knows. Arguably King & Alves upfront with Tuncay in the hole would be best, but it involves telling Stuey to get out left and stay there. Hmmm.
The news on the signing(s) may yet turn out to be even more underwhelming than folks seem to think.
Despite Gate's hope that the deal for Watson could be struck yesterday, this morning breaks with no news - except the continued rumour that another club (not Fulham or West Ham but maybe Wigan) have matched Boro's bid.
So it may yet be back to the drawing board if that falls through.
I think that a loan signing of King is likely to work out well - for the reasons I set out in an earlier post. I'll look forward to seeing Alves playing off him at Stamford Bridge on Wednesday.
I also think that moving Mido on is a positive boon - on and off the pitch. What he says to the Egyptian papers after he's gone may be quite illuminating.
I was surprised that Hull had managed to agree a fee for Bullard and that it had got to the stage of a medical before the player has gone off to consider whether Hull is the right thing for him.
The fee seemed to be around what we could get from Pompey for Gary O'Neil.
Why don't we try a hijack of the Bullard deal after a quick call to Peter Storrie at Pompey?
A midfield 4 of Stewie, Digard, Watson/Walker and Bullard would be a significant improvement.
If that is the case why was Southgate stating at around 3 o clock yesterday that he was hoping to have the player signed and finished with yesterday? Interesting to note also that he has the same agent as Gary o'neil + we know he wants away!
I don't think we should hijack the Bullard deal even though he's probably the type of leader we need right now to get us out of this mess.
The problem is that he's 28 and has suffered a few serious injuries in his career and given our record on that front it would only be a matter of time before he's Crockliffed.
I think ã5m is overpriced especially as he's unlikely to have a sell-on value so it's ã5m we'll never see again - then again Alves has probably lost at least ã5m of his value too.
In addition, he's leaving Fulham to try and double his wages so that doesn't fit our spending model either - in short it would be a panic buy.
Regarding Ben Watson and the lack of news - Southgate seemed pretty confident he's going to sign as does The Guardian.
Forever Dormo 10.45
- I agree, we must put out our strongest team. And for another reason.. the travelling support deserve nothing less for the money and time they invest in that game. The fans won't be getting a rebate if we - we? sorry, I mean if Gothgoat fields a team of reserves.. It's not just the players who lack confidence and faith at the moment.
Now that we have King we must play him; he's big, strong and mobile. Think Heskey but with a first touch. He must run interference for Alves who surely by the law of averages must score at some point.. Also King provides a target for Downing's crosses - Downing must be told to go to the wing and stay there. Likewise Johno on the right, and play him from the off.
Tuncay. The poor bloke. Clearly our best player and the manager shunts him about all over the place, no wonder he's hacked off. Stick him in the hole. GON behind him covering the defence. The defence which must go man to man, I've never seen a zone score a goal..
AV, missed the webchat but like the idea.
Finally - Got to http://blogs.mirror.co.uk/opposite-of-work/
It's not even subtle, it has the transporter bridge, gibbo, I think Roseberry Topping and the correct spelling of middlesbrough in stone! Awesome!
John Powls has said what I and probably most BORO supporters are thinking.
"The fee seemed to be around what we could get from Pompey for Gary O'Neil.
Why don't we try a hijack of the Bullard deal after a quick call to Peter Storrie at Pompey?"
Southgate/Lamb, get on the phone and try to sort this deal out!
WATCH THIS SPACE: MIDO OFF TO WIGAN and he will play all games no injuries.
This club has arecord of buying players with injuries HUTH, HOYTE and now WATSON has not played since December due to groin strain. We sold CATTERMOLE (who is playing out of his skin )at Wigan.
I am sorry Mr Southgate you lost the plot a long time ago, your buys have been very poor to say the least. I have been impressed by King in the past and I only hope that he produces his best here and does not go into the comfort zone like many other of the players at this club.
We need a very strict manager not someone who was one of the boys. I would give Southgate the next 2 games and if no result do the honourable thing and go.
In todays Gazette article, Garth Sockgroat is quoted as saying:
âÂÂWhat I have seen in Marvin is that he wants to prove himself at this level and he wants to come here to do it."
Does he actually know who he's signing? Or is the name-mangling meme spreading?
If Ben Watson has two legs, can run for 95 minutes and knows how to tackle, pass or prefferably both, he will be a huge boost for our disfunctional midfield.
Digard is good when fit or not suspended but we need at least one other one who can put in decent shift. Forget Arca and Shawky on this seasons efforts.
Just hope Watson chooses Boro over the cockerneez.
King may be handy and could even help big softie Alves......wishful thinking....
I have been banging on for a while about signing Bullard - and now he is defo available for approximately the same as wantaway, underperforming O'Neil.
But we won't even make an attempt to sign him as i have said previously, we will only be looking at signing championship class players. We are clearly accepting relegation and don't want to stretch the wage bill.
**AV writes: Bullard wants ã50k per week and a four year deal. That is ã10m in wages, ã5m fee, ã500,000 signing on fee.... at a time when we are cutting costs there is no way the club can sanction a ã15.5m investment on a 28-year-old of limited resale value and with a questionable injury record.
AV, I also see it as strange that GS expected to have Watson in the bag yesterday and we've heard nothing yet. while GS is honest, he's also media savvy and would know the implications of his comments.
In your professional pundits opinion, would you care to stick your finger in the air and give us a guess as to what the percentage chance you feel him signing for us is?
**AV writes: I think his agent is seeing hat he could get elsewhere then come back to Boro to see if it is still the best deal on the table. Boro's trump card could be that he would have a virtual guarantee of first team football. So, 76%.
Ben Watson is in talks with Wigan as we speak.....so maybe we shall see today if Boro have been 'robbed'.
Dont be surprised if oneill is gone at the weekend,and we sign Chris Eagles,who i think has more potential,
Seems like Wigan are the opposition for Watson - I'm not optimistic.
Being first in the queue as Gate was suggesting made us favourites isn't the same as best in the queue. Difficult to deny that prospects at Wigan for this season are better than at Boro.
It also seems the Bullard to Hull is deal is moving on. Surely, they can't be offering a better deal than Boro could do - assuming O'Neil goes to Pompey. No other club has qualms about hijacking Boro's deals - hence the reason Watson's at Wigan.
Let's hope Gibbo, The Count and Gate don't feel they have to do an 'after you, Claude'.
Too late came the cry!
Hull confirmed the transfer of Bullard as I was typing the last posting.
Interesting times. Potentially get rid of one bag of trouble (Mido) and bring in a similar bag of trouble with King.
I find it incredulous that Boro are allowing themselves to take this course of action, when it was made very public that King had a bust up with the apprentice Fat Sam - Brown, because he wasn't in the starting line up for Hull against Arsenal.
So what happens when Southgate puts him on the bench, is he going to throw all his toys out of the pram again ?
I also notice that there hasn't been any further news on the Eaglet Watson today. Have we bought him or not ? Rumours are that he might be going to Wigan instead. I also notice that the article they put on the Club's website on Thursday about a dual signing has conveniently disappeared.
Come on Boro, stop keeping the fans in the broom cupboard and let us know what is going on.
I will be at Wolves tomorrow giving up my hard earned time and cash to watch the club I have always given my loyalty to, so how about giving something back in return - like the truth.....
Boro confirm on their website that Mido has gone to Wigan. At least we got a fitter player in King - eventhough older.
Any news on Wilson yet, AV?
I want to record in the strongest possible terms my disagreement with AV's assessment at 1.28pm. 76% is ridiculous! Another example of the Press giving the facts a hearty spin.
There is no way on earth the figure could be higher than 74.85%. I have gone through the calulation four times and have the same result each time. I hope you don't do the household accounts, Vic.
**AV writes: You'll have to get the calculator back out.Wigan have had a bid for Reading midfielder Steven Hunt accepted... by my reckoning that has nudged it up to 83.6% now.
Well if we dont sign Watson then we will have to try and get someone else in with 1 week to go. Steve Harper from Reading now looks a good move considering what we've got.
Mido when fit and motivated is a better player than King but fitness and motivation are not what we are getting out of him. King seems to be chomping at the bit and could have a big say in where we finish this season if you know what I mean.
I would try Tuncay next to O'Neil with King and Alves up front and Downing and Johnson wide. Hopefully King can hold the ball up till the cavalry arrives .
I think we have missed Hoyte and of course after a bit of a lay off it will take him a while to get up to speed- Same with Aliadiere.
Bring on Wolves!
Some late breaking news on Wilson for Jarkko - he's just beaten Heath in the 1974 election...
Well looks like those high percentages mean't nothing.....he is signing for Wigan...
**AV writes: It will be interesting to see what percentage of games he plays there. And if it is higher than Mido.
Chris from Beverley:
You're being a bit harsh on Boro and Southgate, Chris. It may be becoming "in vogue" to knock the management at the moment, but that doesn't make it right to accuse them of deliberately misleading or intentionally with-holding non-information or even lying about transfer activity. Because that's what you're saying by accusing them of not telling the truth!
There are perfectly understandable and sensible reasons for the way communications are being made, or not, and frankly, it doesn't take too much imagination, or life experience, to have an insight into what they are.
Ben Watson will be considering and weighing up his options. It's out of Boro's hands at present - they've made their offer and he's mulling it over. They'll let everyone know when there's something to announce either way!
Additionally, its inappropriate to conduct negotiations in public. And with the transfer activity situation being as fluid as it apparently is at this time, positions will be changing all the time. It's only appropriate to release information at certain milestones in the process and clearly, we're between milestones at the moment.
Sorry to be thick, but I don't get GARTH GOTHGOAT, can someone explain please.
By the way, Jimmy Bullard is 31 this yes(20.10.79) A really good player, but looking at AV's figures, miles to expensive at this time.
Sign of the times perhaps; we used to miss out to Newcastle ie Rob Lee and Gavin Peacock etc' now it's possibly the mighty Wigan if Watson ( a very in and out player at Palace)goes there.
**AV writes: Boro's boss was dyslexicated Garth Sockgoat by one our cartoon character posters, the board's very own Badly Spelled Boy Adam Newton.
Apparently Bullard is 31 this year, so if correct far too old for a four year contract. However looks as though Watson is off to Wigan. Come on Vic, better info here. Its all starting to hot up now. Not sure about Mido only going on loan, something we have missed here?
My comments about Gibson violating his principle of "not strengthening our opposition" by doing everything possible to strengthen Wigan, are further validated today by loaning our top striker (in goals scored and goals per minute) to Wigan, at the same time as Wigan has signed the one player we desperately need, a defensive midfielder to replace the one we sold to - of course - Wigan.
I'll review: Big 4 are now joined by perennial #5 Everton, and now Villa seem clear to be in European place every year as well. Our role in the Premiership seems to be to insure that Wigan lock down that #7 place every year and insure that upstarts like Boro never end in the top half of the table again.
The only other team likely to be in the top 8 is Spurs, since they obviously have more funds than any of the other bottom 12 teams, and now have a smart, experienced manager (which is true, despite the emotional Cockney hatred of Boro fans who deny it).
So, while we have publicly declined to sell to teams like Spurs who can buy anyone else they want (and have done so the past week), instead we are giving teams with limited resources exactly what they need - our best striker to pair with their best striker, both of whom, wait for it, have played together for years in their national team.
And, since we cannot do too many favors for Wigan, we have taken off their hands their most troublesome and disruptive player, to insure peace in their locker room, and more discord in ours.
In order to win any matches the rest of the season, we desperately need another defensive midfielder similar to Watson. As supply decreases, price goes up, and we are not likely to find a player who can start in the Premiership now for less than ã5 million.
Since we are not going to pay that much, it is fortunate that Setanta has broadcasts of the Championship out here...
Sky Sports are reporting that we missed out on Watson. He has gone to Wigan.
Sky sports news reports Wigan have won the race for Watson. All stories related to him have disappeared from the MFC website. Yesterday it seemed done and dusted. Another PR disaster me thinks.
Whilst many seem to be very underwhelmed by the Marlon King loan deal I have to say that I am pretty much overwhelmed (perhaps I am easily pleased though!).
In between coming up to the Riverside and watching the Boro when they are in town I go to Watford for my footie fix. I saw quite alot of Marlon King during his Watford days and have to say he's quick, mobile,knows where the back of the net is and perhaps most importantly given our current position puts a full shift in.
Not only that given his temperament I think he will be out to prove a point if not to Hull certainly to Wigan and that can only work in our favour. This is some welcome good news.
Well that was good Gareth,once again. King in Mido out. We all knew his face did not fit. That's the real reason why he has not been playing this season.
Then the player you have been doing background research on surprises you with his wage demands. So why did you think he refused a new contract at Crystal Palace. For God Sake Wake Up and Smell the Coffee. King for Mido? You're having a laugh at us. I know who will score more - not King. How much more do we have to take?
I understand why Steve Gibson and a few others support Gareth, hes a nice guy but he is going to take the club you and I love DOWN. Then I fear that Steve Gibson does not have the drive or cash to start all over again.
This is killing me here. I have tried to be supportive and I have backed the management up until the last week. But no more Southgate has to go. Why,quite simple he cannot manage.So please for the BORO he must go.
It looks like Watson is off to Wigan rather than Boro. I think most players would move to Wigan over Boro looking at the league table at the moment.
However, I don't think Watson is the type of player we need. He seems too much like what we already have in Digard and Walker. We need a more Tim Cahill type player in the middle of the park. The cheapest option is to put Tuncay in that position, like 'SonOfShaft' said in an earlier post.
Use that ã2million and buy Chris Eagles with it from Burnley!!! He might cost more than ã2million but he would be worth it. We need a natural right winger and he is perfect for that role.
If we got him I think we would see more balanced performances from Boro. The team would be something like:
GK - Turnbull
RB - McMahon/Hoyte
LB - Pogatetz
CB - Wheater
CB - Huth
RM - Eagles
LM - Downing/Johnson
CM - Digard
CM - Walker
AM - Tuncay
CF - King/Alves
In the summer selling Downing wouldn't be a bad idea. It would leave us with ã15 million to strengthen the team in the left back, centre midfield and striker area.
Re your response to Forever Dormo at 4.19, AV, Stephen Hunt or no, you may well be backing a loser & it's beginning to look suspiciously as though the management team at The Riverside couldn't organise the proverbial in a brewery. This piece is now on the SSN site:
"Skysports.com understands Wigan Athletic have won the race to land Crystal Palace midfielder Ben Watson.
Middlesbrough were the first side to have a bid for the 23-year-old accepted and news of their interest soon alerted a number of other Premier League clubs.
West Ham, Fulham and Blackburn were all linked with possible moves for Watson, but it is Wigan who have stolen a march on their rivals.
Having spoken to both Latics boss Steve Bruce and his Boro counterpart, Gareth Southgate, Watson has decided on a switch to The JJB.
Official confirmation of the deal is expected in the none too distant future."
Watsons going to Wigan!
I dont hold much with the doom and gloom merchants, but we have lost all the ground and credibility that we worked so hard to build up, as for the financial realism, well its all well and good and we may well be trendsetters but I think its another way of preparing for the lower leagues. Gareth's reign is looking more and more like Robbos. Football is a simple game that we are making look complicated.
If things dont change we are doomed to repeat the early 80's slide yet again, the Wolves game again could be a watershed.
Change is needed from the chief executive downwards because as everyone can see, its just not working and hasnt been for a long time, for all McClarens faults he papered over some long standing faults.
Steven Hunt.....
Now theres a player i woudn't mind having. A terrier like, goal grabbing wind up merchant, who the opposition love to hate, the sort of player who winds everybody up around him, even his own players. Lets face it, somebody needs to winds this useless bunch up........
I think he would be ideal in the midfield, because he would have come from the championship and would try his damnedest to make sure he head straight back there. He goads and winds up the opposition and i'm sure he could do the same to us, for the better.
i think it has prospects..........
COME ON LETS HAVE IT!!!!!!!!!!
Sending Mido to Wigan at the same time? Are we stupid?
No wonder Watson decided to not join the almost sunk boro ship!
If's buts pots pans we will all be Man utd.....i will enjoy our time in the championship.
Forget Watson,Lewis Magugan at Forrest is just as good,we should try for him
Here is an article from Mido on the Sporting Life website. What type of guy is this? He was wanted by Southgate? Did he not want to play for us?
He was another Gazza, come to Boro as a meal ticket. I guarantee you he will not be injured at Wigan as much as he was at Boro.
"When a man like Steve Bruce, who has achieved so much in the game, says he wants you, you have to take up opportunities like that.
"My focus now is entirely on making sure we reach safety and then progress as far as we can this season.
"I'm also really pleased to be teaming up with Zaki. He is a top player and a good friend and it always helps when there are familiar faces when you join a new club.
"Now I just want to show the Wigan public what I am all about and play football."
Bruce is quoted as saying 'Mido brings great experience to the table'.
Did he mean the physio's table?
It's been reported that Boro are going to lose out on Ben Watson because we wouldn't match his ã20K a week pay demands - which is about ã1m per year.
I didn't realise there were still Premiership first team regulars prepared to play for less than ã1m a year. This doesn't make sense from a Boro perspective, as you said earlier AV that the Boro wage bill was probably around ã35m a year - then this would make him one of the lowest paid players in the squad.
I can't imagine what kind of players we're looking to attract on these packages?
A room at Crockcliffe.
Gate; Hello, Ben sit down. Flight OK?
Ben Watson; Fine thanks but it isnâÂÂt exactly Gatwick. Nice to meet you though, my dad is a big fan of yours from your Palace days.
Gate; Yes, I remember going down with Palace, never could quite work out why.
Ben; It is a great facility here. WhatâÂÂs the screaming?
Gate; DonâÂÂt worry, Josh damaged his ankle against Sunderland and is receiving treatment from our medics. The only problem is he canâÂÂt stand leeches on his skin and hates the sight of chicken entrails. How is your injury? Do you want our people to have a look at it?
Ben; It is just about cleared up thanks, no need for any more treatment.
Gate; We would be sort of quite pleased if you came here even, we are in the bottom three but you are well equipped for the Championship.
Ben; What are you plans for the rest of the season to get out of the bottom three.
Gate; Plans? Mmmm. I will have to check with Keith to see what he has in mind.
Ben; Will I be seeing him again?
Gate: No, we donâÂÂt see much of him during the day.
Ben; What position will I play.
Gate; Not quite certain, we tend to change it about and draw lots before the match. The lads are great here they pretend to not like the surprise. You should have seen TuncayâÂÂs face when he was drawn right midfield one week and then left side the next. Coops and I had a real chortle when that came out of the bag.
Ben; Several players appear to be unhappy.
Gate; I wouldnâÂÂt say that. More a case of they see their futures elsewhere.
Ben; What are the fans like?
Gate; You will love Teesside humour. West Brom were 3-0 up and they started singing âÂÂyoure getting sacked in the morningâ to Tony Mowbray! He took it in good part and just shook his head. He came over and said sorry about that but I told not to take it personally because he is doing a great job there.
Ben; Look, I must be honest. I have to leave for Wigan now.
Gate; Stop right there. As you flew up how will are you planning to get over.
Ben; Well, I was thinking of getting a Taxi.
Gate; We treat players properly here, wouldnâÂÂt dream of a Taxi. Here is a coincidence, Mr GibsonâÂÂs driver is taking Mido over to meet Steve Bruce. Why donâÂÂt you travel with him. He will be able to fill you in on the club and drop you off where you want.
Ben; ThatâÂÂs great, thanks.
Gate; Come on, Mido is just about to leave.
John Gibson
Most of the Mido brings to the table comes from Greggs.
There again they make great pies over there, what a great boost to local businesses.
Very funny Mr Gill!! though realistically I think Mido would have been transported to Wigan using Bulkhaul rather than a Taxi.
Perhaps you could work on a piece where Gareth explains to Marlon King that he's starting on the bench against Blackburn after scoring both goals in Boro's 2-2 draw against Chelsea.
I don't think there is any need for more debate over Watson - that one's dead and I can't say blame the lad if he goes to Wigan. I didnâÂÂt know that Ian Gill had Crockliffe bugged â good âÂÂun Ian!
If there's a couple of million to spend - and we could throw in McMahon who we know they want - the other alternative might be Eagles from Burnley.
He would at least give us some genuine width on the right and, like Stewie, he's been an every minute of every game man for them - so he's not the shrinking violet the hairband might suggest. HeâÂÂs out of the ManUre stable so should have had a reasonable football upbringing.
Stephen Hunt is also spoken for elsewhere. Aside from which he is strongly left sided and our need â if StewieâÂÂs staying â is for right sided midfielders.
Talking about club communication there is another rooting quote from Gate this morning to add to the Crosby (who?) foot-in-mouth earlier in the week. "We'll all be grateful for the end of January, then we'll have to get some results." - what? Not bothered before the end of January? Writing off Wolves and Chelski? Blackburn? Hello.... Earth to Gate!
Today's Times has an interesting piece from Gary Lineker on coaching strikers â or rather the lack of it. He talks about his own approach when playing and what it has in common with other great strikers he has talked to.
But then he adds, âÂÂI donâÂÂt think itâÂÂs difficult to work out how to score goals but IâÂÂm not sure how many of them (strikers) really think about it or really care. ItâÂÂs not rocket science, but only a few seem to understand. I donâÂÂt think that many strikers get good coaching because many managers donâÂÂt understand it, having not been great strikers themselves.âÂÂ
He even offers to help on a one to one basis if someone rings him up. Can't we give Alves' interpreter his number?
Now that Marlon King has arrived, will someone remind Gareth that unlike Alfonso Alves, he is a more traditional target man type centre forward and therefore could play alongside Alves, thereby freeing him up to play his more natural game.
At home at least, this would allow Tuncay to play as an attacking midfielder, with Dowling on the left and Allie or GON on the right of midfield and Digard (when available) to play in the centre, in front of the back four.
Good win today. Lets get behind Gareth. I mean heck, we could've had Keane in charge who spent way more than GS and then just sulked out of the club like a baby.
Reading through these comments it is pretty apparrent that money is an issue when talking about new players coming in.
AV talked about a "ã15.5 Million" package for Bullard and "Not fitting in with the current wage structure" but would that not be offset with in the close season with out-goings ( O'Neil, Downing, Mido, etc) and the ã60 Million in Premier League revenue.
For me, we need a strong leader in the middle of the park and some decent supply for the forwards. Bullard is still on the brink of the England set-up and is also a proven Premier League player (less time to settle in).
You say he will be too expensive to buy overall BUT against the alternative, relegation, he could just prove to be cost effective.
Good result yesterday and it seems that 100% was forthcoming from the whole team....now there's a big suprise!I Must be honest, I thought we were going to get thumped! But I tip my hat to the team they played and did well!
I see today Mido has started his media slagging of Boro stating he has hated it for the last two months and the bad run of form has brought lots of old problems out of the closet......i wonder what he means by that?He obviously has no intention of returning even though it is only a loan spell. But would we want him back? Hell no!
For once we came through successfully yesterday against an awkward team that plays direct and for the most part, ugly football.
Listening to the commentary it should have been a more comfortable victory but that is how we are this season. I have lost confidence in Southgate's management but it is clear he is not going to resign and Gibson is not going to sack him.
Therefore what is left? Change and improvement in what we do and getting rid of Mido was a good start. Here is a footballer who didn't want to play football, one who had an injury record worse than Boksic and yet some are bemoaning his departure. Let us see how King plays and operates for us, before leaping to judge.
As for the rest of the season we need to become a team that is is simply harder to beat, starting with a good performance against Chelsea. Southgate if he has any chance of redeeming faith and confidence with supporters, has to put an exceptional run of results together for the rest of the season.Nothing less will do.
Regarding Watson I thought we stopped paying good money to mercenary players. By all accounts he is a decent,journeyman Championship player- he'll fit in well at Wigan.
A great result yesterday, beating Wolves at Molineux is no mean feat. Also good to see a great goal from Alves after a superb assist from Tuncay. Emnes took his goal well to, I'd like to see him in the team a bit more.
I'm looking forward to Chelsea now, realistically it should be nul points but there is always a chance and I hope to see a good Boro performance.
I must wholeheartedly agree with Ken (Jan 23rd 7:13pm)
This two-way loan swap deal is bizarre to say the least. Without repeating everything Ken said, why would we allow Mido to go anywhere other than to a Championship side.
Other than the fact we may have been stuck with a "non-player's" wages for the rest of the season, Mido should have been left to kick his heels in the stiff's, King deal or not. It's utter madness, and lets pray that he doesn't come back here and sink us at The Riverside, unless both clubs have got an agreement that neither can play against the other.
As for Watson's decision to also go to Wigan, I guess you can't blame him, and it is hardly worth blaming MFC. I just hope there is a plan B, but I wouldn't bet on it after listening to Southgate's interview post Wolves.
Neil (Korea):
Surely Boro are savvy enough to include a clause excluding Mido playing against us? Surely? Oh, hang on, this is MFC we're talking about. If Mido is allowed to play, stake everything you've got on him scoring - because as Boro fans we KNOW he will.
Boro have a kind knack of allowing debut managers to get the first victory, debut PL teams their first home/away victory, debut strikers a debut goal, debut keepers a first clean sheet etc etc. Oh, I forgot, if a striker is returning from injury, or back in the side after a long barren run - we'll give him a goal too.
However, despite the fact Mido will almost certainly play every game until the end of the season and get 10+ goals, I still believe it was worth getting rid. Southgate mismanaged him, the relationship turned sour, and you can bet that he is the type who chips away at others telling them to be more ambitious and move on. He could even be the catalyst behind others being unsettled.
We still need a new midfielder though, and if Bullard and Watson are gone - we need to have something up our sleeve and be quick about getting it sorted.
We shouldnt be worried abot what Mido achieves at Wigan. History suggests he is not a stabilising influence. If he does well at Wigan, good luck to him, he may do well alongside Zaki. There again he may resort to type after a few games.
Just after he joined us I was on holiday in Greece and our Egyptian waiter said that the problem was he is rich in his own right in Egypt and the football was almost an addition to his life. He never stayed anywhere long. If he wasnt happy here and was disruptive, even if it wasnt deliberate, then he is better out of the club.
If King is here to make a point then great, get on and make it. It is possible he will end up sulking but if he has a good spell, scores some goals and helps towards safety it may be risk worth taking.
Finally a good result on Saturday, shame we didnt take more of our first half chances especially Johnson. Which takes me to my next item.
I listened to Ali and Gary Gill (a fine name if I may say so even if we are not related). I had Skysports on in the background and they went over to their reporter when Alves scored. He told us about the fine finish from Alves but that he had missed several earlier chances including one cleared off the line.
Now correct me if I am wrong but I would find it hard not to differentiate between Alves and Johnno. Apart from the physique, hair, the fact one is left and the other right footed, there is a subtle difference in skin tone.
A question to you AV, do they actually go to the match or sit in a local pub and listen to the commentary?
**AV writes: Sky have reporters at games but as they didn't have rights to screen the game it won't have been one of their regular Premiership big hitters. More likely a local guy more used to covering Wolves/Birmingham/Walsall so chances are he would be unfamiliar with Boro players plus, stuck up on the gantry it is not so easy to lean over and ask a Teesside reporter 'who was that then?'.
Neil
I may be wrong but I thought that it was part of Prem/FA loan rules, rather than just contractual, that loanees couldn't play against the team they are loaned from.
So, for Boro v. Wigan in February, neither Mido nor King plays.
It seems like now that a certain Egyptian of independent means has gone on loan to Wigan - probably with his litigious lawyers in pursuit - the 'd' word that I used about him and which was edited out previously is now allowable.
Here's part of what I meant.
After the debacle at West Brom, Phil and I went our separate ways from Ian and Alex. We made the trek back to the car that entailed going round three sides of the ground from the away end.
As we tried to cross HalfordâÂÂs Lane that borders The Hawthorns (it's where the team coaches drop off and pick up the players) we were held back by the police as two chauffeur driven limoâÂÂs reversed into the road from the main A41. Someone asked the Coppers, âÂÂWhose are those?â âÂÂTheyâÂÂre both MidoâÂÂs,â was the reply.
After witnessing what we had, that did the same wonders for the team spirit and morale of Phil and I as it must have done to the rest of the squad getting back on their Compass Royston best.
Well the past few days have shown us a few reminders as tio why football is in its present state.
Firstly GREED. Watson choses a pretty nondescript club like Wigan over us because of a higher pay-packet. Lets see how he likes the subs bench week in week out because I cant see him ousting Cattermole from the side.
But Wigan - how embarassing is it to be gazumped by a tin pot RL outfit like them? I wont be wondering what might have been. Good riddance.
And then of course STUPIDITY. Mido shouts his mouth off about being unhappy at Boro, not wanting to go in and train - presumably the novelty wore off early in the season as he hasnt done much of it over the last few eyars has he?
He needs a reminder that he is only away from Boro ON LOAN and unless he wakes his ideas up and behaves somewhat differently at Wigan than he has throughout his career to date then he will find himself back here with his tail between his legs and even less marketable than he appears to be now.
Someone should remind him that Job once did the same thing when he Left Boro only on loan and found himself back here when no-one else wanted him.
Good riddance to Mido - I doubt he will play against us in any case - he will have been sussed long before then. More than likely he will be begging us to take him back when Bruce's boys turn up at the Riverside.
Just when you think that 'Tales of Crockliffe' can't get any more scary we learn now that it isn't that Huth is just out of favour, nor that he's nursing the sort of lower limb problems that he's had ever since he came to Boro - but now he's got some kind of chronic gastric problem that has stopped him from training - but up until Saturday hadn't stopped him from being on the bench.
You couldn't make this stuff up.
Nice one Mido, you signed a deal/ contract mate and your comments prove you are not up for the fight together with your employers to turn the situation round. Mido out might be the most constructive move for the team this January!
However, I hope we get another midfielder in before the window closes. No news is good news as keeping it quiet means we wont be gazumped. Bleeding agents!
Alves's goal was a peach against wolves, I hope his Achilles is not badly damaged as I am dusting off the goal machine banner for the front of the house again.
Nice to see Emnes scoring and good assists from Tuncay and Downing.
I always thought the cup could do us some good as far as confidence goes. But I also knew that the injuries that are part and parcel of the cup games could also overstretch an already small squad with injuries and suspensions from the league games.
I say let King start against Chelsea and GIVE EM HELL.
Good win on Saturday, it was worth the petrol money and ticket just to see the sublime finish from Alfie Alves.
It should have been all over by half time. Jinky needs to rid himself of the 'too clever tab' and concentrate on the basics. He should not could have had a hatful.
Great determination from Batsey to set up the winner. Great atmosphere in the away end. Good team spirit now they have got rid of the Sphinx (or is that Jinx).
Long may it continue....
The Wolves games was all about the result. It was a good morale shot in the arm and hopefully it will give us a much needed boost.
I'm glad Mido has gone as he always looked heavy, out of shape and injury prone to me and his replacement, whatever he does, was worth taking the risk for as he can't do any worse. So even if this guy doesn't pan out I won't be having a go. I'd much rather have a hungry player trying to resurrect his career rather than Mido who has a CV that shows him up for what he really is.
We need results though and we need them fast. Here's hoping...
TB
Great result - all that mattered as TB said.
Why don't stick to a following line up now:
Forwards: Alves & King
MF: Downing Tuncay A.Johnson
Defending MF: Digard (Arca/O'Neal)
D: Pogatetz Riggott, Wheater, McMahon
GK: Turnbull
Of course after the Chelsea & Blackburn matches as Digard is still out. But long term?
Mido...not fit enough, not good enough, not man enough! End of story!
Time to get behind those who do want to play for the club.
Next 2 or 3 games will be interesting. I would not be surprised if our form doesn`t improve, that we go into our 5th round cup game at West Ham under our new manager, perhaps Alan Irvine from Preston as he could be the bookies favourite if Southgate is sacked. What price that, 33/1?.
In the Boro Banter blog,
http://borobanter.gazettelive.co.uk/2009/01/steve-gibsons-magic-pockets.html
I received a commment from a Watford supporter. I thought people on here would be interested in his cheering perspective.
"Watford Dave said:
"If Southgate can get the best out of Marlon King, this could prove to be the best bit of business since Juninho. Whether Southgate can manage King's ego, however, remains to be seen."
In response to a query from me, I got back:
"Watford Dave said:
"Johnson was class for us - it's no surprise that Watford's season tailed off badly when he left. But, of the two, I'd take King over Johnson any day. King's first touch is as good as it gets, he's solid, he can hold the ball up, drift out wide and score from anywhere. He'll work well with Johnson, as he did with Ashley Young. I'd be pretty happy with Downing, King and Johnson in attack to be honest. And I'd take King over Mido any day. It all depends on his attitude, though. I really hope it works out."
I also notice a few comments here on Mido's departure. I think we're all pretty much in agreement!
http://borobanter.gazettelive.co.uk/2009/01/pharoahs-gone---long-live-the.html
Fingers crossed!!
I'm looking forward to King playing for us. He must be a better bet than Mido.
I just hope we don't continually thump long balls up to him to nod on - when we did that with Mido, and with Alves, it was just an open invitation for the 2 big centre-halves to nod it back again. After you, Claude. Let's play to our strengths, play it through Stewy, Johnno and Tuncay, and watch the goals come.
Great performance at Wolves. We looked like a Prem side at last and played some great`stuff. Wolves looked ordinary and their fans must have thought they have much to do to bridge the gap between the Championship and the Prem. Let's use that boost as the springboard for the rest of the season!
Come on Boro!
JP,
Yes you are correct: EPL Rule M7 states:
7.1 a Temporary Transfer to a Club may not take place in the Transfer Window in which the Transferor Club acquired the PlayerâÂÂs registration;
7.2 during the period of the Temporary Transfer of his contract registration a Player shall not play against the Transferor Club;
7.3 if during the period of a Temporary Transfer the PlayerâÂÂs registration is transferred permanently from the Transferor Club to the Transferee Club, the two Clubs may agree in writing (to be copied to the League) that the Player shall not play against the Transferor Club for the remainder of the Season;
If Mido should come along as a spectator to the Wigan game (not that I believe he would have the bottle) the car park stewards should ensure that all slots are "taken", and advise him there is plenty of room to park his limo's outside the Captain Cook.
He might also wish to know that if he gets there early they do a mean pie and chips aswell.
It just shows the depth our injury crisis has reached. The morning the Sky Sports News banner announces that Boro's Andrew Davies is out of the Chelsea match with an ankle injury.
AV,
You came up with a reasonable attempt for an excuse for mixing up Alves and Johnson, lets see what you can do with this one. No doubt it will be a staff reporters fault.
**AV writes: It wasn't an excuse, I can't speak for other people. What I offered was a plausible explanation. There is no excuse for getting an easily checked Premier League regular's name wrong from the comfort of a studio.
I see that Gate has had the dreaded 'Vote of Confidence' from The Count on behalf of Gibbo.
Not surprisingly, many are interpreting it as though it should be dreaded by Gate. The Count, of course, is savvy enough to know that's how it would be read.
The rumour about Harper from Reading for ã5m has surfaced again. Is this just lazy and unimaginative national journos raking through past rumours now that the Watson deal is dead? Or is it the lazy and unimaginative scouting system at Boro?
I also saw the ã5m Harper rumour re-surface.
All I can say is that if we have ã5m for Harper we also had it for Bullard. I'd even rather the ã5m went on Stephen Hunt from Reading - he seems to be a proper 100% player.
I suspect it's just paper talk now that GS has said that he is keeping any other cards close to his chest.
I was pleasantly surprised that Boro eased past Wolves to reach the next round - though Boro must have been even more pleasantly surprised to see that Wolves fielded a weakened side - still a win's a win.
Perhaps Boro's team spirit was helped by the absence of "2 Lim's Mido" - i'm sure he'll get an easier time with the gentle Steve Bruce on his case rather than having Steely Southgate to answer to.
I see also that the silence of the Lamb has finally been broken and the Slothgoat has been given the dreaded vote of confidence - though i think this is primarily for saving ã7m off the wage bill.
Finally, having lost out on the ã2m rated Watson the papers this morning seem to indicate that Boro have resurfaced their interest in the ã5m rated Harper - I don't get it, if we have ã5m to spend why didn't we offer Watson a better deal?
Did anyone see on skysports.com that Thomas Graveson is retiring from football at the age of 32? He was released by Celtic and no one else came in for the "tough tackling midfielder".
Surely someone like him could do a job at the BORO on a 6 month contract. That is exactly what we need - a tough tackling, experienced! midfielder, with no transfer fee.
Just a thought.
Come on BORO
AV
You are right, it is just sloppy reporting.
Truth is we all get things wrong on occasion, you only have to look at the spelling and grammar on the postings, I am as guilty as anyone. We probably dont notice all the other errors because we focus on things Boro.
If Alves is fit for tomorrow night, I sincerely hope that we start with two up front against Chelski.
I think that there's very little point in trying to 'park the bus' and then, inevitably, conceding and losing. Far better to be front foot and go for a rousing performance in a game where nobody expects anything. Alves and King will also then get a chance to strike up their partnership with Blackburn in mind.
Although Chelski are putting it together going forward again and despite having Terry fit again they have been vulnerable at the back.
Tuncay could then take the attacking central midfield role with Matt Bates behind him in the holding midfield role (assuming Shawky's still not fit and that this role is definitely not for Arca!).
As well as looking to supply Alves & King, Tuncay can also give Mikel a hard time in his holding role and disrupt him being the base of their continuity passing game.
Stewie and Gary O'Neil can play wide and will have to occupy their respective wing-backs going forward and back (that's why I'd put GO'N there rather than Johnno). Partnering with Hoyte and Pogi that should give Cashley Cole and Bosingwa plenty to think about.
John Powls:
Admirable thoughts, but that leaves Matty Bates, inexperienced possible midfielder, squaring off against Lampard and Ballack. Somehow I think I know who would win that battle...
The thing with Chelsea is they don't have width, so if you put 5 across the midfield it will get nice and choked. Another point is that Mikel might start the passing moves, but he sure as hell doesn't finish anything. Better to stifle Lampard and Ballack.
We'll still need width though, so I'd keep Jonno and Downing, but O'Neill and Bates will be needed through the middle to literally just sit and pick up Ballack and Lampard. Tuncay can play up front, effectively just behind, Alves.
If we can keep Ballack and Lampard quiet then hopefully Jonno/Downing/Alves can get in behind the fullbacks and we can spring them on the break.
Hmmmm...the dreaded vote of confidence. Except that our club usually means what it says, so it looks like gate will have until the end of the season.
I really hope the King deal works out. Very encouraging comments from the Watford fan, Richard. Ian, I too noticed the Sky Sports gaffe. Wonder what they're paying these journalists...
I'm in agreement with JP, we need to play two up against Chelsea, although with regard to the midfield I suspect we'll see O'Neil in the middle alongside Bates and Tuncay on the right.
I have high hopes and low expectations for the Chelsea match, its not a place where we traditionally pop up with an occasional upset, but you never know, this is football after all......
Smoggy In Exile
So, no place for King? Alves certainly isn't going to defend from the front or run the channels.
With one up and one off we're not going to pass our way through Chelski, however clever Tuncay is. They're far too used to defending against that - they do it every day in training; that's how their forwards play, only they have one up and two off.
And it depends on a precision Boro have only been able to produce against lower league opposition in the last dozen games and not often before that. And Chelski ain't Wolves or Barrow, obviously.
Where they are vulnerable is in the air from crosses and when they get turned if you can get the ball into the space behind the full backs.
Alves can't head a ball to save his life and isn't going to give Terry or Alex a hard time. See above for him turning them - or not. With King there's an out ball and a chance for him to hold it up whilst the rest join him. With Alves......
Once we get pressed back we don't get out and what starts 4-4-1-1 ends up with trying to 'park the bus'.
But, if you're going to go 4-4-1-1 then it has to be King rather than Alves, surely.
In the formation I suggested, I'd expect Stewie and G'ON to tuck in and help Bates too with Pogi and Hoyte pressing up to cover their full backs. Wheats and Riggs to cover behind in the same way that Terry and Carvalho/Alex do for Chelski.
So, going forward you're 4-1-3-2 and defending you're 2-5-1-2. Any sort of line up is a challenge and they're full of world class players wherever you look but the Mikel role (it would be Essien, were he fit) is crucial to the way Chelski play.
Great as Ballack and Lampard are, it's difficult for them too if they don't get the ball. So, cut off the supply.
Also, when Chelski defend and the two full backs are upfield Mikel drops back between Terry and Carvalho/Alex. Having Tuncay or King follow him in there risks, for them, splitting their central defenders and must make them wary of covering wide. If they stick to the centre it leaves Boro the flanks to get crosses in.
Isn't it good to debate a football match!
Pat on the back for Keith LambâÂÂs supportive comment towards the manager.
However, he could leave the club tomorrow, because we don't need an accountant we need someone who knows football.Who can GS turn to in the club who has a wealth of football in their blood?
A further thought is whether it is worth risking Alves. It sounds like the type of injury where another knock could put him out for Saturday.
The formation is less critical than the attitude and application. One risk of Tuncay in the middle is his discipline. He has a great work ethic but he is a free spirit. I would rather he 'marks' Mikel and keeps him busy. A couple of nutmegs or Tuncay turns could well wind Mikel up, his disciplinary record is not the best. Get the other side of him and you are in with a chance to run at Terry and Carvalho, like most defenders they dont like people running at them.
If O'Neill and Bates hold the fort that would leave Downing and Johnson/M&S free to bomb on and keep the full backs occupied.
Interesting interview with Ben Watson on Sky this evening.
He insists that he had agreed personal terms with Boro as well as having the medical and the clubs agreeing the fee.
So, according to him, he didn't choose Wigan for more wages but because of their league prospects, ambition and the manager.
By extension.....?
Its got to be Tuncay in the middle of a 5 man midfield with Jinky and Stewy on the flanks v. Chelski. This will keep their full backs pushed deep and occupied whilst Tuncay can use his magic and creative skills with Gon/Arca and/or Bates scrapping and spoiling things for their pretty boys in the middle.
Up front it has to be King to give Terry something to think about and with Jinky and Stewy cutting in from the wings and putting in crosses along with Tuncay pushing up it will cause Chelski enough of a headache to avoid another whitewash and with the bonus of hope that we just might ruin their title hopes.
On the subject of a Mido, we all seen the sublime brilliance of him when it suited but unfortunately it was balanced up by his immature and spoilt attitude. Our gain is Wigan's loss, which is a shame as I believe he will look back on his career here and realise that Boro is where he could have been someone and a real Hero.
Instead he will start 4 games on fire for the Latics scoring 3 goals then resort to type. Let's face it his legacy goes before him and by the end of the season he will probably have mysteriously misssed 6 games, thrown a strop, called Bruce an Imbecile, piled on 3 stone and ran home to his Mummy........again!
Unfortunately come August he will still be a Boro player and he will come back pleading forgiveness and looking 6 stone lighter and promising us the Earth and that he was "misquoted" and never wanted to leave Pizza Hut er I mean the Riverside!
Why on Earth are we letting Craddock go? He never got a sniff (just like Walker this season) surely he was worth a few 20 minute spells just to see if he even remotely looked the part? I realise we can't hold onto everyone but he always seemed to score goals wherever and whenever he played. It must be because we have such a huge squad packed with 20 goals a season Strikers?
John Powls at 3.55pm - Do you wonder whether, as I type this, Gareth and Coops are having the same debate about players and formations?
In particular can you imagine, over a coffee or in front of a whiteboard, Gate saying the words in your penultimate paragraph ("Also, when Chelski defend....") to Coops?
Or is it a case of: "X played rubbish last week but he only played in that position because Y was injured. But Y had been rubbish when he played the week before. Should we try Z there? I know it's not his position but he tries hard in training and he hasn't had a go in midfield yet. He might be OK. Or do we give X another go?"
The Mackems win last night was a blow, I expected at least a draw with Fulham.
If Blackburn beat Bolton tonight, we could find ourselves detached in the bottom 3, and even worse if the Barcodes beat Citeh. That puts Saturday's game against Blackburn as a must win, not even a must not lose.
If ever Ian Gill's mantra of "points can come from unusual places" is destined to materialise, tonights game at The Bridge is it.
John Powls....
Do you believe the literal truth of everything you read in the papers or see on the television? Or is it only those thing which help you see Boro in a bad light?
I have noticed a trend with you to flag up every little totally unsubstantiated website rumour linking us with player X and slating the player as not good enough one day then slating the club the next day as lacking ambition because he signed for someone else, even when there was never the slightest suggestion he was a target.
I think you have talked yourself into a crisis of confidence over this. You falling repeatedly for tabloid guesses does not constitute a body of evidence it just shows that you are either naive or getting your knickers in a twist over nothing.
Now you are reading between the lines over Watson's press conference at Wigan and finding imaginary nuances that are not there. He is at a new club and being unveiled for the cameras... what do you expect him to say? "Wigan are poor, the boss is an idiot, the fans are thick and I only joined for the money"?
Redcar Red:
Tom Craddock?
1. Unless it's a loan deal aimed at developing him, he must be viewed as far enough down the pecking order that he won't make it at Premier League level by age 23/24, which is where he'd need to be, I guess, to figure in the MFC business strategy.
2. Luton wanted him and we consider we won't need him - at least this term.
3. SG can use the money.
4. Even if its only a loan deal, it helps keep squad salary costs down.
5. If its a transfer, the deal will have further kick-backs to MFC for appearances or if he's subsequently sold on for a profit to another club. All part of the MFC business strategy, I suspect, as a feeder club for academy-developed talent.
Maybe it'll be clearer when the "further information" apppears on the Boro website.
So, Keith Lamb speaks and Gareth is saved, eh? Wow, thanks Keith, and remember, if "Sir Stuart of the Safe Seat" ever finally calls it a day, maybe that'd be the final shoo-in that would see you home and hosed, eh? Why not, you've got all the right credentials.
Come on, John! Watson joined Wigan because they offered him more moolah. Nuff said.
On the subject of Gate and formations....I think he does overthink it at times (ok...fairly often), but one man's tinkering is another man's genius. Luke Young has been playing left back for Villa, keeping out Nickey Shorey and O'Neill looks like a genius. Let's face it, if we can scrape some wins together, then we'll be happy again with our young manager and his plan to turn us into a young, exciting team.
BLT
Q - Do you believe the literal truth of everything you read in the papers or see on the television?
A - No. If you bothered to read much of what I write on here and elsewhere, I'm as sceptical of things in the media as anyone else. It was only the other day that our own dear AV was ticking me off for daring to state that there might be economy with the truth or failure to ask the right questions for example.
I said that this interview with Watson was interesting - part of the reason was that it was an interview with the lad directly and not reported second hand.
The particularly interesting bit was what he said about having agreed personal terms with Boro, because there were strong assertions, including a lot on here, that he was driven purely by some huge wage offer that Boro wouldn't meet when he went to Wigan. Of course, he may be a bare-faced liar.
Of course, he could have been offered some huge sum at Wigan without them being aware of the deal at Boro but, equally, I have seen nothing to indicate that they then went back to Boro and asked them to match or better that deal. Again, I concede that that might have happened too.
Q - Or is it only those thing which help you see Boro in a bad light?
A - No. In fact - if you can be bothered to read it as an example - you will notice that I've been pretty positive about the loan of King from rumour to reality where others have been decidedly underwhelmed.
Q - I have noticed a trend with you to flag up every little totally unsubstantiated website rumour linking us with player X and slating the player as not good enough one day then slating the club the next day as lacking ambition because he signed for someone else, even when there was never the slightest suggestion he was a target.
A - Are you suggesting that Watson wasn't a target for Boro? If that's so, why did Gate say that he and others had spent 3 months trying to get him? Actually, I don't rate Watson that highly and have said so many times when we've been linked with him in the past too.
But it does say something when we can't nail the signing of a so-so player from a Championship club when we've put three months work into getting him and had him at Rockcliffe and through a medical. And Gate (and I saw him say this too - unless he was lying) saying they were confident to have the lad signed that evening. The club website was trumpeting the impending success before Watson hit the road for Wigan and then pulled the story later in the evening. Sorry if you don't like that.
The only other current rumours that I'm aware of and have commented on are Harper - and you're right if you think I'm not impressed with yet another workaday Championship midfielder. How will that improve us? - and Eagles from Burnley where I have been pretty positive. Please read above.
Q - I think you have talked yourself into a crisis of confidence over this. You falling repeatedly for tabloid guesses does not constitute a body of evidence it just shows that you are either naive or getting your knickers in a twist over nothing.
A - Thanks for the deft insight into my psychology. Forgive me if I don't indulge in the same with yours, though it could prove interesting.
Q - Now you are reading between the lines over Watson's press conference at Wigan and finding imaginary nuances that are not there. He is at a new club and being unveiled for the cameras... what do you expect him to say? "Wigan are poor, the boss is an idiot, the fans are thick and I only joined for the money"?
A - As I said above, I didn't need to read between the lines, I just quoted what the lad said. Of course I don't expect him to say anything less than the standard 'new signing' lines. I've set out above what was, I thought, new and interesting info - to me, at least, if not for you.
I concede that the lad may be bare faced lying. But assuming he wasn't - what is your reason for why, in the circumstances, he chose Wigan - not exactly the centre of the footballing universe?
Well to be beaten 2-0 by Chelsea at home is not a bad result when we compare our standing in football with Chelsea's millions Available for players situation.
What did stand out was that Boro defended admirably - except for the goals! How on earth could Kalou have so much space to himself for both goals? Who was supposed to be marking him? And Wheater once again with a weak headed clearance, this is the second time recently that Wheater has gifted the ball to an opponent who scores directly from a weak headed clearance.
King put himself about more than Alves usually does but I do not see him being any more effective playing a lone role up front than Alves. Both these players need another striker to play off with the old one two passing game, not long balls up the middle. I can not understand Gareth:s selections when he can afford to leave Tuncay on the bench for any game let alone one against Chelsea.
With Blackburn getting a point and Sunderland winning the only bright spot was Newcastle losing. So here we go for the most important end to a season for the Boro in many a year.
I watched two Boro discards play a pivotal role in Wigans 1-1 draw with Liverpool. Mido looked 100% fit and running all over the place defending when required and creating openings in the Liverpool defence.
He looked what he is supposed to be a class player, how come he could not produce this form for the Boro? Could it be he was cheesed off with for ever being on the bench and playing second fiddle to a less quality player in Alves?
I think that may have been at the bottom of Mido:s problem, players who feel that the Manager has faith in them always play better than players with a chip on their shoulder caused by bad man management.
As for for our midfield problems we have given away or sent out on loan better players than we are now scrambling to sign before the window closes. Cattermole is obviously a better player than the two latest candidates that Southgate has been chasing, he had an outstanding game for Wigan and has been an ever present in Wigan"s very successful team since moving from the Boro.
Is this another case of the Boro management not knowing the value of players on their books. Ten hours from now we will know whether will be going down this season, for if we lose against Blackburn I fear there is no hope for us.