Scouse Show Can Turn Tide
IF LETTERGATE was this season's Season Ticket Chucking moment that channelled the anger and frustrations of the crowd into a noisy defiant unity, then bubbling Boro's 2-0 win over big boys Liverpool will be seen as the equivalent of the 3-0 defeat of champions elect Chelsea in the next game that launched the Riverside revival.
It can be the result - and the performance - that turns the tide after a long barren spell. Liverpool were unbeaten in 15 league games and had seen off Real Madrid away in midweek. Gareth Southgate's shot-shy side had gone 14 without a Premiership win and had scored one goal in nine games. No wonder there was a buzz of confidence around the ground. This one had 'typical Boro' written all over it.
We should have seen it coming. History was in our favour - Boro were unbeaten in six league games against the bin dippers at the Riverside - and the players were burning with confidence. When Stewart Downing said as much in the Gazette after the polished performance in the FA Cup win over West Ham the chicken runners and cynics choked on their parmos.
But the players had reason to be confident. Fans and pundits may have looked at the stark statistics of the traumatic tailspin towards the trapdoor and feared the worst but the players never wavered. Now we are starting to see that confidence had some foundation.
The conventional measure of recent form is six games and over that span Boro have only lost once. The previous three league games at home were drawn while the defeat came at a Manchester City inspired by a Shay Given dream debut. In the other two games Boro went to form side West Ham - a ground where Boro usually get turned over - and were only pegged back late on and then emphatically won the replay.
So in the short term Boro had gone back to basics and stopped the rot. That run of six games had produced three clean sheets. The points return from the league games - three from four games - was not fantastic and it is not surprising that panic crept in as the table tightened like a noose but the players confidence was slowly seeping back.
The West Ham game ignited the season, and not just because of the fans' reaction to Sue Watson's cack-handed missive. It was a good performance too. The team had a better balance, the return of Jeremie Aliadiere added pace and options down the right and the partnership of the French forward and resurgent Tuncay suddenly gave Boro a cutting edge in and around the box.
The same team, the same shape, the same urgency and the same passion from the crowd brought a much deserved and long awaited win over Liverpool and suddenly the stats and the smiles suddenly look brighter. Four points from high-flying Wigan and Liverpool is an excellent return. One goal conceded in four league games. Three successive clean sheets. Four goals in two games. An FA Cup quarter-final next week. We are not out of the woods yet but now there are concrete reasons to believe we can engineer an upturn rather than just a vague faith.
Let's not over-egg the pudding. It was far from a perfect performance. Liverpool created a lot of chances, several times got behind the defence and once again Brad Jones had to earn his corn with some excellent saves while there is no denying Boro's opener was spawny, but hey, we'll take it. It was exactly the kind of break that has been going against us all season so we were due one and we have been saying for weeks it may take a freak one going in off someone's arse to ignite us. You make your own luck in this game. Some observations:
Wing Wizard: Stewart Downing has played as well in the past month as at any time in his career and in the past two matches has been simply awesome. It is no surprise that Juventus are said to be watching him. It would be more of a surprise if they - and others - weren't. When he leaves Boro as now seems inevitable in the summer he can do far, far better than Spurs, the Geordies of London.
His touch, close control, vision and instinct to get forward make him Boro's most potent weapon and digging in to keep him in January when the big cheque was dangled was a key decision the club got right. Against West Ham his cushioned lay-back for Tuncay was exquisite. Against Liverpool time and again he beat his man to put in teasing crosses. He is always an available outlet, he rarely loses the ball and when Boro put together fluid attacking moves he is invariably at the heart of them.
The Real Deal: It is so good to have the real Tuncay back. Those few months when he was distracted by whispers about Chelsea and it appeared he had been replaced by his useless twin brother were awful. He has the tricks and flicks to make things happen and when on song is a delight to watch. In the past two games he has revelled in a renewed flexible front pairing with Aliadiere who, schooled in high tempo precision passing at Arsenal, anticipates and makes use of his audacious magic.
Fans United: Men of the moment, the Red Faction, hogged the limelight after Lettergate and there was a certain amount of unhelpful message board point scoring between the leather lunged loyalists in the South East Corner and the Block 17 crew over who was the loudest or most passionate. But it doesn't matter who starts the songs just that someone does and that every joins in and that happened today. The Riverside was rocking from start to finish and every stand played their part. It was a brilliant atmosphere and it shows what we can do when everyone - players, dug-out, crowd, safety officers - are singing from the same songsheet.
What's It All About Alfie? Where to now for Afonso Alves? The £12.7m (£13m... £14m... £15m... and rising) record buy and 'Goal Machine' has been shunted into the sidings. He was dropped against the Hammers and the team was transformed.
The new front two - neither of who are 'real' strikers - offered movement, troubled the defence and, crucially, held the ball up effectively instead of moves breaking down as the main man stumbled over good passes or was easily brushed aside. What a difference. It has helped relieve the pressure on the defence as they know that balls forward are not coming straight back at them and it has helped the midfield show more creativity because both Tunks and Ali can hold the ball up and bring them into play in more advanced positions. Suddenly we can hurt teams. Four goals in a week is practically a new golden age of net busting.
What should be more worrying for Alves than seeing the team suddenly display teeth without him is watching the substitutions being made. Against West Ham when Ali came off it was Emnes who went on. Against Liverpool when the ex-Arsenal man went off it was Marlon King who was introduced and then when the Turk was subbed it was Adam Johnson who replaced him. That puts Alves sat uncomfortably close to the exit door unless he responds very quickly to this salutory switch in style by showing he is worth his place and can produce what he was bought for. Unless he comes back and has a real impact his long term future must now be open to question.
Calm Down, Calm Down: It is always nice to beat Rick Parry. Not just Liverpool and the "fat Spanish waiter" , although that is something to savour too, especially as those playground glory hunters who refer to the Mickey Mousers as "we" in broad Teesside accents stream away chuntering under their breath and hiding the shirts they were proudly displaying as they walked up to the ground.
It must be said that generally I don't have a lot of time for the bean counters who have hijacked the game and turned it into market of competing brands but I think most Boro fans (and a lot of Scouse fans too) reserve a special antipathy for Parry.
The three points. The Ziege secret clause. The High Court battle to avoid having to abide by the Premier League rules he drew up and was so zealous in applying to the letter against Boro over the no-show at Blackburn. There is something about the bloke who brings out the small minded bloody minded parochial Teessider in me so it is always nice to beat his club. If having their title chances torpedoed means he is forced out of Anfield even more quickly and empty handed so much the better.
In Our Own Hands Now: The recent back to basics platform building and defeat of Liverpool have helped Boro claw out of the drop spots. We must not waste this opportunity now. The improvement - in performance levels and points return - must continue through the massive challenge of the next five league games: Spurs away, Portsmouth at home then trips to Stoke and Bolton before Hull at the Riverside.
We messed up the last run like that in January. We can't do it again.
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Anthony Vickers
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Want to get on here as quick as I can to say well done to the Boro. Watched the game on satellite. We got a break for the first, but the second was sublime.
Another clean sheet and some great saves by Brad Jones. Is this Agnew guy having anything to do with this revival I wonder? Downing's fee must go up every time he plays. No if's or buts well done lads
Great result today, 2-0 against Liverpool, couldn't be better. Not only have we scored a couple, suddenly we have a defence meaner than Mr. Scrooge! Next up Spurs, hopefully we'll catch them with their eye of the ball following the Carling Cup final. For the first time in weeks I see a glimmer of hope, I'm off to enjoy the Sky highlights, followed by MOTD!
O,LAY O,LAY O,LAY Yes the impossible suddenly looks all possible. Is it the AGNEW FACTOR? I don't know. He certainly is at the forefront of everything now instead of Cooper. Is it that the penny has dropped with Southgate?Again, I don't know. But what I do know is that we are experiencing a minor miracle.
BORO were deserved winners against in form West Ham in the F.A. Cup and once again deserved winners against Championship chasing Liverpool. No flukes, deserved wins both and we were chasing a better goal average by the end of today's game. Shame King never read todays script.
Now, all readers of this blog know I have not got any faith in Southgate, however if he turns things around with what looks to me to be more than a little helping hand from Steve Agnew then good on him. Back to losing ways next week .NO CHANCE. Its Premier Safety for us and the FA Cup. Now that would be a miricle.
Credit where credit is due and another superb performance full of energy and spirit in the space of a few days. I won't whine on about why the tactics that are now so effective weren't adapted (or in fairness to Gareth resurrected from early season) earlier.
Today I saw performances from players who stepped up to the mark. Stewy was in another class, Tuncay back to his best, the defence solid and supportive of one another, Aliadiere ran and ran and perhaps it is no coincidence that his return has started the reinvigoration of "My Boro" (as oppose to MFC) along with Brad Jones (stand up and take a bow lad because I would never have believed the transformation possible 7 months ago).
The biggest congrats for me today go to Arca and GO'N who played possibly their best game for me today in a Boro shirt, they weren't MOM but their endeavour immense and their contribution magnificent (to use a McClarenism!). Lets kick on now in this new vein of form, even Gareth's substitutions today made sense!
I think the point has now been proved that the Boro have been playing with ten men all season with Alves in the team.
A brilliant display against West Ham followed up with this recent offering against Liverpool. Passion and and endeavour from all eleven players on the field, wonderful stuff, a great display of football with the finishing to put the icing on the cake with Tuncay's beautiful fully worked goal.
Alves must be put out of his misery and allowed to play in the reserves for the remainder of the season. He must learn how to put 100% into his games rather than the 50% he has offered so far this season.
So can we have an end now to all those pathetically pessimistic claims from the navel-gazers and Private Frazers amongst us who have been claiming that we are finished and already down?
The two results this week have shown just how absurd those comments were. If the players had the same defeatist attitude as some of the contributors here, you lot would be indignantly running on to the pitch to hurl your torn-up red books in their faces. Good job they have been focussing on the job in hand instead of reading this drivel, innit? You are my Tuncay, my only Tuncay.....
Three points at last! One of Ian Gill's "points from unexpected sources".
Nice to be out of the bottom 3 even if it's only for a day or two. How quickly things can change. We are running into a bit of form at a handy time. Unbeaten in last four games, only two defeats in last eight games, only two goals conceded in last six games. Even the goals scored have picked up a bit (seven in eight is not too bad). And five points from the last 12 available in the league.
All we've got to do now is keep it up until the end of the season and we should be safe - that's the tricky part. Well done to all.
Matthew Bates was up against Alonso, Gerrard and Mascherano, to say he wasn't found wanting is putting it mildly. He reminded me of Bobby Murdoch when he came to the Boro. Considering his past injury woes he was magnificent. I hope he is tied up to a new contract immediately.
Liverpool were reminded that when you play against Middlesbrough you are up against not just 11 players, but the whole town.
Come on Boro.
Cracking game, great atmosphere. I don't agree about Sue Watson/the letter being the catalyst though. I put it down to Stewie.
He's been £20m quality for the last few weeks. At Upton Park he was class. The early free-kick against West Ham in the replay got that game sizzling and he took Liverpool apart. Brilliant.
Its not just him though. Tuncay and GON look interested again, Ali is back again and we've had the same defence for a few games running now, plus the goal machine has been taken out of the equation. It has been coming for a few games now.
The great escape is on now but we can't afford to mess up in the next run of games against the relegation sides.
All you raras are getting carried well away. If we win at Spurs you'll all be talking about Europe again. Some people never learn.
West Ham were poor and Liverpool were poor. If Torres had been playing they'd have won by three or four. All this talk about new defensive solidity makes me laugh. How many times did L'Pool rip Boro open?
Lets wait to see how we get on against Spurs. Portsmouth and Stoke before we start cutting the top off the double decker eh?
Firstly, Vic, exactly what do you mean by putting your piece into the blog just when all decent Boro supporters were on their way to(or already at) the pub to give today's game its deserved reward.
It is important to weigh carefully and compare the fruits of the brewer's art with the quality displayed by our hero artisans on the football field. And to debate this tackle, that move, the Man of the Match etc. It can't be done at home!
Several pints of "Dirty Tackle" at the Tortured Parrot, and even the own goal (scored so very generously on our behalf by our cultured friends from the north west) had developed a beauty, a class, that would grace a Cup Final.
As for Tuncay's goal and its build-up, some of the inebriates at the pub are still cuddling each other (in a manly way, you will understand) and celebrating the rebirth of our talented Turkish forward. The man playing for us against West Ham and against Liverpool was clearly not the same chap who has been wearing his shirt for the last couple of months. Thank God we have rid ourselves of the imposter and have restored Tuncay to the team.
I had begun almost to dread going to games in the last few months. This week has seen a welcome return to form. We can now begin to enjoy football again, and to rush to the game with renewed enthusiasm.
That was a cracking way to spend the afternoon. I had spent some time in advance asking myself whether a barter with God - you give me a win for Middlesbrough and I will sacrifice the rugby - was proper. He took it out of my hands.
I defy anyone of our supporters to have attended the game and NOT at various times during the afternoon to have been nervous, excited, surprised and ultimately delighted at the performance and the result. Get in!
Credit where credits due! I was never completely sold on Downing, but I must admit over the last few weeks ,and probably due to his future being sorted,
he is a different player and for me is now playing up to all the hype that has been
bestowed on him. He is now playing up to his potential. And his hundred percent efforts are infectious to the whole squad.
Not to mention the debilitating affect Alves had on the side, King looked a better bet when he came on, he at least stays on his feet and can hold the ball up. The plan now must be to keep the same side on the pitch and let them gel into the confident side we have all been pleading for.
A win at white heart lane would be great.
P S How much easier it is to sleep after a win
Phew! Watched the game live here in NZ and, despite the evidence before me, didn't feel confident until the 2nd of the 4 minutes added time - where was our usual last minute concentration lapse?
Let's hope the corner is turned now. Boro's style suits playing the stronger teams, absorbing pressure and hitting them on the break. This may also work away to Spurs next week but then GS has to tweak the system ready for the slogs against the lower-ranked teams. Fingers crossed he does the job.
The most reassuring thing for me was that this wasn't an isolated game - the gradual improvement has been there in the last 4 to 6.
--
AV: Does Ross Turnbull finding himself on the bench have anything to do with contract signing? Brad is doing great, but I was wondering whether it is a coincidence that he has signed his contract and as far as I know, Ross has not...
**AV writes: Now that is a very good question....
AV
Obviously you are too young but what about the unashamed poaching of Sounness, Johnston and Hodgson. Thats a fact!
Nearer to home is the Scousers belief rules dont apply to them. Not enough tickets for Athens? Not our fault, its UEFA, we will break into the ground. I seem to recall they have got into grounds before without tickets. Thats a fact!
Didnt qualify for the champions league by the rules, well break them cos we won the Champions League. Thats a fact!
There is some delicious irony in another FACT. Keane is in London preparing for a Cup Final having been treated shabbily by Rafa whilst an almost Scouseless side are missing Torres and chances at the Riverside.
Enough of my anti Liverpool rant but it was a pleasure.
A great result and well done the lads. In another place I posted that the West Ham result was down to KISS. Keep it Simple Stupid. Try and put players in the right positions, do the basics well.
The final words concerned Arca - get the coaching team whispering KISS in his ear. The words of Radio 5 commentator as he came off that he hadnt been his creative self but had worked hard at closing down. In my language he cut out a lot of the twirls and dragbacks and did his job.
There is still the balance between foam handers and chicken runners. We were fortunate that Rafa's tinkering put Skirtel at right back and they missed some chances. I will take the three points.
For the foam handers, we would not be where we are without some bad luck and injuries. But, a huge contribution to our plight is self inflicted through poor communication, poor selection and an element of apparent confusion over tactics.
Oddly those critics of the tactics, selections and formations cant lose. If we had continued being so incompetent we would definitely have been relegated. Having now changed the way we are playing we may well be safe but we have to continue in sensible selection and formations.
But I have just watched MOTD for the second time and it cheered me up.
I did post last week that the form improves with the weather and the heat of the spring sunshine. 150 miles south of Teesside the temperature has certainly risen this week, how about on Teesside?
The most significant change for me is 'getting the rub of the green'. Every chance by the opposition is no longer hitting the net and we are getting a bit of good furtune. This, of course, is also down to a lot of hard work by the players. I'm delighted for Southgate.
I also want to say that Hoyte is making a huge difference at full back. He's one of the unsung heroes, but it's great to have a proper, decent full back at last.
I will correct what I stated a couple of weeks ago that I can't see where the next goal is coming from. I think we should not forget Alves because he we need him to be able to come off the bench and change a game before the season ends. I still think he can do that.
I have no doubts that Downing will leave in the summer, I hope he chooses his move wisely. Juve sounds like a great move if he can cope with the problems of moving abroad. I hope he doesn't unvalue himself and make the wrong move.
Chicken Runner
Wouldn't have put it quite that way - and I'm certainly not going to be critical of the last two games (if only because Gate has started doing what many of us on here have been imploring him to do - and it has worked) - but, of course, you're right that we have to keep perspective.
Yesterday was a big step - but only one step. If the results go against us we will be back in the bottom three by this evening.
What will tell is what we do against Spurs on Wednesday, Stoke after that and in the run of four games that follow. All against 'must win' teams but none of them that bring their own motivation with them.
But, hell, I'd rather be facing that run with three points from yesterday than none!!
AV,
A week is a long time in politics, its even longer in football!
I moaned about lack of passion, goals and sheer guts after the Wigan game. As if by magic, the boys turn in two excellent results gainst the Hammers and the scousers. Very pleasing to watch in the FA Cup some great individual performances and a solid team show too.
The scousers - outstanding! Yes we rode our luck but we deserved it! It was pure joy to watch MOTD and see the lads up first instead of last game filler. The two scousers were gutted. It made my Saturday. Lets keep the momentum going and dig deep....the talent is there (always has been) but the passion has returned too.
Mass
I agree with the following comments on Tuncay made by Forever Dormo.
"As for Tuncay's goal and its build-up, some of the inebriates at the pub are still cuddling each other (in a manly way, you will understand) and celebrating the rebirth of our talented Turkish forward. The man playing for us against West Ham and against Liverpool was clearly not the same chap who has been wearing his shirt for the last couple of months. Thank God we have rid ourselves of the imposter and have restored Tuncay to the team."
I have no idea why Tuncay has been playing poorly recently but Thank God, he is back now! I listened to him live on a Turkish TV channel last night. He sounded very happy with the win against Liverpool and promised to be much better in the near future.
By the way, did you know that his last name means, any of the following.
Turkish - English translation for "şanlı"
1. glorious. 2. bright. 3. renowned. 4. illustrious. 5. famous, glorious, great.
I hope from now on, he can keep up with the meaning of that more often.:-)
Excellent column and in all fairness I think you believed time would turn things around.
When Hull City go down with Stoke and West Brom my bet is up. I think those three teams will be cut loose shortly, because they are poorer than poor.
The tide has turned and a draw at Spurs would be a seen as a progressive result.
Where is Alves I wonder? Now the pressure is reduced he may score quite a few goals. Well done to Steve Gibson for proving once again why he is the master technician.
The Gazette football supplement tomorrow should be a cracker.
**AV writes: Isn't it always?
Approaching the final minutes of normal time in the Carling Cup. Extra time would do nicely but have mixed feelings over the who I want to win. It is all based on what is best for us.
On balance a ManU win after extra time would suit as we play Spurs on Wednesday.
**AV writes: There you go, as requested. Let's hope they are rock bottom in morale and have picked up a few injuries too.
Excellent game,full house, some brilliant performances, fantastic result.
Without doubt, Stewie Downing's game has moved up a notch and he is becoming a genuinely class player. Just a thought, but could this have anything to do with GS and his coaching staff?
Congratulations to the manager and the team after a superb professional performance against Liverpool. It was quite simple really, an unchanged team, persevering with the same defence, keeping compact and dropping Alves and injecting pace up front.
We had a bit of luck in the first half which we were owed. A special mention for Bates who seems to be a quick learner in the holding role and spoke very well in the post match interview about the team and his development. I see no reason why our original objectives of a good cup run and a top half finish cannot be achieved in the run in.
We have had back to back victories and strung two good performances together- can we keep it going? - Spurs weakened and tired after today's exertions will be the first test.
WHAT A WEEK! Gareth is trusted again and Gibson is still a hero. We done to every one - the players and GS.
It is such a change to read posts here - eventhough Chicken Runner seems to miss the winless run.
Three Boro players here: Look Garth Crooks' team of the week at BBC:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/score_on_bbci/7631245.stm
But I still think Huth needs credit after the few games he has been involved. The Berlin Wall is back.
Joining AV in wishing the Spurs team are down after the defeat to ManU. A draw on Wednesday is possible!
Up the Boro!
**AV writes: A draw? I'm expecting a win.
Well done to all, to Gareth Southgate and his backroom staff, the team and
mostly the fans. As Gareth said we are all in this together and as fans we can do our bit.
When we were last in this situation it was Gareth who locked McClaren out of
the dressing room and told other players what he thought, he give the lads
the belief they could do it,it was Gareth who got us out of trouble then and
with our noisy support he can do it again.
Steve James a proud and loud Smoggy
Keep dreaming Anthony, you will awaken to reality soon enough! Yesterday at the Riverside was notable for three things:
1. Full seats!
2. No crowd noise even when winning!!
3. Opposition that have hit the wall!!!
Basically it was like playing Hartlepool reserves because Lubberpool have run out of gas, and now they have a few injuries it is very clear they are far from being a champions level team.
Watching the Mugpies today and seeing the Hull result it is clear that it will all hinge on two matches involving the three teams. Hard to say which will be the unlucky ones because at some point Hull will get their rub of the green. Possibly two of the three are going down. It cannot be all three because of WBA.
AV, Great performances the last few games. Interesting to note that the team began to play well when:
a) Mido was moved out
b) Alves was relegated to the bench.
Regarding Alves he is obviously too slow and does not possess the skill and toughness required for EPL football. He is also not a 90 minute player and seems to coast through most games. The MFC "talent scouts" sure missed the boat on this guy, too bad because the money could have been more wisely spent.
So whats the English-Brazilian translation for 'Alves'?,
Nothing much to add to the above, loved Jones nonchalant save from Kuyt. Bates excellent, Huth immense, Tuncay everywhere, Downing sublime.
UP THE BORO, THE BORO'S STAYING UP!!
Not just Garth Crooks singling out Boro players for praise! Three more Boro players in Team of the Week on SkySports.com, including Stewart Downing as Player of the Weekend.
Check out: http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11096_4991129,00.html
Come on Boro!!!
Well I take my hat off and hold my hands up and say well done BORO over the last two games. I asked where the goals were going to come from and we found out. LEAVE ALVES OUT and the team will score goals. We can say only what if????
The games have been much better than usual but is it not the law of averages, that those around us also won/draw, at least a few teams above the relegation line got beat and now only a couple of points(but game in hand) seperate us.
Now for the "big one on Wednesday" they will be a little down after the defeat yesterday, so go at them. As we saw at Hull the goalkeeper Cudicini is awful on crosses, so go Downing and tease him all night.
Some results went for us and some against but the main thing was we moved back towards the pack with 'points from unexpected sources'. It shows what a tough task it is that we are still a little adrift having played more games than many.
A quick look at the midweek fixtures shows the top half against the bottom half except for our game at Spurs. At the moment we are still dependent on others but a good result at Spurs would leave our destiny in our own hands.
Two great results at the weekend, obviously Boro beating L'pool, but the Carling Cup final couldn't have been better for Boro, 120 minutes of tough football, losing on penaties, Spurs will be knackered and gutted.... Wednesday is the perfect time for Boro to play them. We need to be ruthless, determined and focused and go for the jugular, there are three points to be had.
Reading the above posts what strikes me is that all eleven players receive praise and quite rightly. Huth is awesome at the moment, Bates has quickly filled Digards role superbly, Hoyte is returning to top form and fitness, I even saw Pogi charging into the Liverpool box at one point, fantastic!
But for me the big difference is the superb attacking play produced by O'Neil, Aliadiere, Tuncay and best of all the awesome Downing. Boro's attacking play has been transformed in the space of two games, its unbelievable.
not quite the original Norwegian version, but...
We are the best in the world! We are best in the world! We have beaten Liverpool 2-0 in football! It is completely unbelievable! We have beaten Liverpool! Liverpool, birthplace of Freddie Boswell. Ken Dodd and the Diddy Men, Trevor Jordache, Sonia, Big Brother's Craig, The Liver Birds, Yosser Hughes, Lily Savage – we have beaten them all. We have beaten them all. Cilla Black, can you hear me? Cilla Black, your boys took a hell of a beating! Your boys took a hell of a beating!
Great result on Saturday, coming from Plymouth where there are an unbelivable amount of Man U fans I had alot of drinks brought for me that night. Glad we can start looking up again, and after the ripping we got on sky by Paul Merson in the early afternoon his face at the end was a picture.
The look on the Tottenham players after the penalties yesterday suggest they will be down on wed night but an early goal wouldn't go amiss
Up the BORO
Excellent result at the weekend, and congratulations to Gareth for having the courage to keep it the same after Wednesday. Lets just hope he keeps the courage and goes "same again" for the Spurs match.
Ali coming back has been a huge boost, and Tuncay clearly is on the same wavelength. We also got the best result possible in the CC Final, extra time and a demoralising penalty shoot out. Also consider that perma-crock King has played the full 120mins, which must make him a doubt and Woodgate is nursing his Achilles, and we've got a great chance with our lightening counter attacks. A repeat of the West Ham game is what we need, two early goals then torture them on the break.
All 11 players deserve credit for the past two games, and Wheater's comments after the Liverpool game about it being "comfortable" towards the end are pleasing. Let's just hope they keep the swagger up and get stuck into Spurs.
AV
Just read your match report and reckon you must be on for a move to The Grauniad. I take it the rpeort is typed in reel time and so you havent got a chance to psellchekc it.
No offence meant.
**AV writes: Yeah, live and direct and high on the drama of a famous Boro victory. Did a few typos sneak through again? I'll give it a quick brush-up.
It is no coincidence that our upturn in fortune has something to do with the return of the ex-Arsenal Gooners. Ali and Hoyte (in my opinion) have provided some fantastic balance down the right, leaving Gary O'Neil to roam and forage at will.
Saturday, whilst suprising, was still a fantastic result, which has got to fill the players with a new found confidence.
A lot of fans are now wondering where we go with Alves. I think he just needs a little time out of the pressure cooker and he will come back with a bang and start scoring again. Wishful thinking ? Who knows, only time will tell.
A few thoughts:
ALVES is an anagram of LEAV(e)S - I wonder?
All those who slated the MotD coverage of the Wigan match should recant. There was so little to show they had to highlight Alves' pathetic dive, which in turn is what may have forced GS' hand into dropping him.
Boro have shown in the last two games what they can do. Just as they have in the three games previous to that. They have got to win (not draw) on Wednesday to convince me and I suspect many others that this is not a flash in the pan. I'm still sticking to my 35 point prediction for now.
And while everyone is slating Alves what about Marlon King? What a tub of lard, he looks incapable and disinterested. Don't even wait till the end of the season, ship him out now. The definition of a desperation signing. If Emnes had come on instead of King we would have scored more on Sat. He must feature if we are to survive.
AV please can you ask GS for clarification on the following statement after Sat's game: "this win has given us an unbelievable amount of belief". Or maybe you're not the only master wordsmith in town?
**AV writes: Maybe he really believes there is an unbelieveable amount of belief.
James, Alves dived for the cause. So did O'Neil and also got booked but you didn't mention that one. Not a problem at all lets just soak it up and enjoy the moment well done to the Boro, the fans and all.
I think a win at Spurs will hurt my liver. Come on Boro.
We have played better this season many times and lost, including the corresponding fixture at Anfield. We have created more chances in games, many times, and lost
An own goal, a cross from Ali to Tuncay that just snuck though a defenders legs, missed chances by Liverpool - it all adds up to the fact that on the day the Gods were with us. About bloody time too. Where the heck have they been for the past umpteen weeks?
Maybe after GS's desperately sad team selection of five centre backs for a home game against lowly Blackburn they probably decided that enough is enough. Time to stop taking the Michael of much maligned Boro.
I've been one of the ones knocking Southgate. It was a great result and I believe in the power of positive thinking but if we lose against Spurs then that's not too bad, its the two or three games after that that will be crucial.
I did the BBC predictor and I have us finishing 14th without a win against Liverpool and it also includes a loss against Spurs, mind you I had a draw for Hull and Blackburn yesterday. Hopefully Hull will be pulled right down into the bottom three.
Come on Boro
Cue Gate in an Andy Williams cardie 'to believe,the unbelievable belief....' That shows my age.
On to things Boro. Radio 5 had its usual chat with Mottie, Claridge and McGarry as I drove home. They were discussing the relegation battle and were very complementary about Boro and thought we had a great chance to get stay up.
Let's get something from Spurs and we can start to believe the unbelievable belief.
Three points against a tired and Wembley weary Spuds team could put a whole new slant on the end of season run-in.
The big ask though is are we going to revert to type and turn up for the big games and roll over for our fellow strugglers? A determined and ruthless performance on Wednesday would go a long long way to dispelling those "Typical Boro" myths at least for a week or so!
Interesting that GS said that there was an element of complacency settling into the dressing room attitudes before the Liverpool game and that they needed a good rollicking to get them fired up. Lets hope that those wimpering mid season displays are now banished to the history books.
Some people on here said at great length that Boro were down, that Downing was a busted flush, that Tuncay and O'Neil weren't interested, that Aliadiere brought nothing to the team, that Bates couldn't play in midfield, that Jones would get us relegated, that we had no chance against Liverpool and that if only Southgate would listen to them everything would be OK.
I think those people should eat some humble pie and admit that the management know more about the game the players than they do and that they were right to have faith in their principles and their squad and not to panic and start using computer game tactics.
Everyone has a right to an opinion but that doesn't mean that their opinion carries any weight. There are too many self appointed experts spouting off on phone ins and the internet who don't have a clue... sorry AV, I know it is your job but it is true.
A supporters job is to go to games and cheer the lads on and offer unconditional support for 90 minutes then that's it until the next Saturday. All the other 24 hour a day navel gazing is a waste of time from people who have an inflated opinion of their own worth.
Sorry to rant on but it really gets on my wick that for weeks now all these so called supporters have been slaughtering the players, the boss and the chairman and now suddenly are claiming some kind of credit as if they were right all along.
Boro were never really as bad as some people said they were. Neither are they suddenly as good as some people now seem to believe.
Boro are an average lower mid-table side with a decent first XI but a small and young squad and have suffered from a few injuries and a few going off the boil.
Now there's a few back from knocks and a few others have perked up a bit and started to shone and we've had a few good results. We are good enough to stay up but there's no need to get carried away.
So loads of people on here have been saying for nearly three months now that we should be playing 4-4-2.
We play 4-4-2 twice and we win twice and now Mr BLT is berating them and asking them to eat humble pie.
Why didn't we play 4-4-2 three months ago ?
BLT
Bless. Too right mate, but beware. You rightly claim 'told you so' with hindsight.
The truth is that the club, players and coaches deserved slaughtering. Those who still went to matches, didnt boo, cheered them on such as myself could see that things were wrong. We kept our criticisms for the message board, others voiced it at the grounds disatisfied with players getting paid in a week what they get paid in a year (if they were lucky)
We didnt decide we didnt need to replace the all the players we sold.
We listened and read the words about the window and tranfers and no money and and we are badly done to. We did not write those words.
We did not tell the world that if offers came in then we may not be in a position to do anything about it.
We did not select centre halves at right back with full backs on the bench.
We did not play Downing in the hole and Tuncay on the left against West Brom.
It wasnt us who said there was complacency in the dressing room - Gate said that. He and the coaching staff are paid to prevent it.
It wasnt us who championed Zonal marking despite admitting it didnt work. That is the source of a lot of Jones improved form, he has always been a good shot stopper but was poor commanding his box. Now he can get to the ball instead of fighting ten red shirts (luckliy Rafa is still a zonal fan and we are grateful for that, Alonso's goal was a classic).
We paid our money and turned up on time, did the players turn up and earn it?
None of that is our fault. We can only look in from the outside and comment on the evidence of our eyes.
What we can say is that we can apply hindsight and foresight. Foresight that we said things were wrong and talked about them and hindsight that since the coaching staff changed things our performances are looking up. It is only what we see in front of us. So that is told you so twice. Aliadiere coming back was a boost.
We are in with a great chance of climbing the table as long as we keep performing. We must also remember there are other clubs trying to climb out of trouble as well.
As long as we give it our best shot that is all we can ask. What we do know is that if something wasnt done we would be doomed.
Aliadierre brings pace going forward , dribbling , hold up play and great passing in and around the box bringing other players into the attack -thank God hes back!
Alves's dive against our very own Cattermole made Gates mind up. Keep the same attack , if not the same team against Spurs. They will be expecting it but will they handle it? I also think that Emnes's style of play suits the way we are playing right now more than Alves or King.
BLT:
And it gets on my wick that other people are quick to jump on here and say "those people should eat some humble pie" and adopt a high and mighty, holier than thou attitude.
This is a message board/blog. If everyone towed the party line, gazed into the middle distance, hand on heart, saying "I believe..." then it would be boring. Part of what makes it interesting is people do "get on your wick" and have different opinions.
I like to read the different views of the fans. The realists, the pessimists, the optimists and the those of the foam appendages, it makes things interesting. Plus, you vent your spleen about all that you see which is damaging the club you love, and go to the match refreshed and ready to cheer again.
We're not out of the woods yet, but the last two games have been a massive improvement. Let's just hope that now GS has recognised the potential "complacency" that he can nip it in the bud. He didn't last year and we ended up getting embarrased by Cardiff. And it's no time to be complacent when you're still in the bottom three.
Fair do's to BLT. All he is saying is that he is a first and foremost a Boro supporter and he doesn't pretend that he can second guess the gaffer and out-think Fergie.
I know where he is coming from. Sometimes I thing I am the only one on this blog that doesnt have a UEFA Pro-licence, run a junior team or have a degree in sports science.
Sometimes we can over analyise things to death. It wears you down. It used to be you went to the match and that was it. Read the Sports Gazette, maybe get a snippet of the goals on Shoot or Match of the Day but then that was it until the next game.
Now there is no escape. Sky Sports, phone-ins and the internet. There is no escape and you can't be a fan now unless you have an opinion on 352 wingbacks or know about some no-mark from a Spanish side we have been linked with.
There's too many experts now.
Ste Mac
The absence of the licence may prove a blessing.
Oddly most of our dialogue has been for simplicity, nowt fancy, just play people in sensible positions. Couldnt second guess a lot of what has come out of Rockcliffe, you need some logic in the original thinking to try and second guess it!
The Sundeland boss Sbragia has said the removal of the “fear factor” that existed under Roy Keane had resulted in a ten per cent improvement from his Sunderland squad. I hope this ends the calls for a "tough" guy in place of GS by us, the Boro fans. I think we are OK with "nice and clever" GS (and SG).
We need to progress slowly. As I said previously, better learn to walk before trying to run. Hoping for a win tomorrow but happy with a draw, too. Up the Boro!
Sorry, can't resist this...
I notice our resident Sunderland supporter suggested our win against Liverpool at the weekend was nothing to write home about as "Basically it was like playing Hartlepool reserves because Lubberpool have run out of gas".
It was heartening then to see the result last night:
Hartlepool Reserves 2 Sunderland 0.
Looking forward to tonight's game, but not expecting much. I think we are all due a dose of reality and I am expecting us to get beat, but keeping everything crossed.
Great results for us tonight. No we have to make sure against Droopy's boys. A win will give us a serious leg up and set the alarm bells off at Sid James Park after Man U declare at half-time.
Tonights results and tomorrows results could see the bottom of the table go topsy turvy, it could also see us back in "detached" mode. I prefer to be otimistic and feel we will get something from Spurs, and for once we will take advantage of other teams demise.
Saturday was indeed a watershed and many now believe that after this and recent FA Cup exploits that Southgate and Agnew (is it coincidence that since SA has appeared at touchline level things have improved??) are turning things around, and it seems that Boro are hitting form at a time when others are starting falter.
Let's hope it continues.
Interesting how the foam handers are suddenly condemning our "unqualified" judgements over the past few months over zonal marking, square peggism, one striker, etc. etc.
Now those gripes have finally been addressed and adopted as a last resort by the management (after a record breaking losing streak) and produced relative success (short term at least) we are told we were wrong all along and should have had more faith in Gareth and his newly won Coaching badges (as endorsed by no less than Howard Wilkinson).
Nobody posting on here took any pleasure in highlighting our deficiencies, and nobody would have been more joyous than all the pseudo UEFA Pro-licence owners, junior team managers or those of us who apparently may have a degree in sports science posting on here had Gareth sorted his head and tactics out sooner. Once is an accident, twice unfortunate, but fourteen times?
A great chance to get our season back onto some form of track.
This series of midweek fixtures is very much top half against bottom apart from our match at Spurs. That gives us the opportunity to make some ground up and get into the pack looking backwards rather than up.
It is true we have some games at the back end that look very tough on paper. All matches are tough at the moment so we should worry about what is in front of us.
We have all talked about Spurs and the cup loss. There will be some fallout but with modern coaching and fitness they will be ready. But, there may be an opportunity to get at them early, they may not be 100% straight away but if so will soon run off any stiffness. That is what we did at Villa and put them on the back foot. Let us do it again, if they have better players and play better so be it, but give it a go.
Does it really matter who said what, and when?
A football season comprises of Wins, Draws and Defeats. After 38 games the league table doesn't tell lies. Hopefully we will have done enough to warrant another season in the Premier League. If not, then so be it. The club and the fans will still exist.
Come on Boro.
Tonight is the BIGGEST fixture programme of the season so far. Not just for Boro.
Geordies v Man U
Stoke v Bolton
Blackburn v Everton
Fulham v Hull
Spuds v Boro
If we win tonight we could go above ALL of them teams. We need them all to drop points and Blackburn to give Everton a right battering and leaving the likes of Cahill and the one with the Afro crocked for Sunday.
Ste Mac:
Must admit the thought of Blackburn giving Everton a good kicking but Everton winning would be a fairly good outcome. I dont wish any player ill but a few niggles wouldnt go amiss.
Ignore my last posting.
The idea was for us to get the early goal not Spurs be two up inside 15 minutes.
In fact, it was not a great set of results tonight. Nothing we can do now but focus on the rest of the season.
There is one one consolation for home fans. At least the let down was away from home though John Powls will be incandesant when he reads that on his return to Reading.
I still think 36 points wont be enough, the old 40 point mark looks likely to be the target.
Oh dear,another false dawn?
IS THE END NIGH FOR ALVES, YET ANOTHER BUM WARMER AND WE WERE GETTING BEAT, AS SOUTHGATE FINALLY REALISED THIS GUY IS NO GOOD. SATURDAY RESULTS WENT FOR US, LAST NIGHT EVERY RESULT WENT AGAINST US, AT LEAST WE CAN PAIR 3 FROM 6 INSTEAD OF 3 FROM 4. WE CAN ONLY HOPE OTHER GAMES WILL GO IN OUR FAVOUR.