Kitson: Red Heads This Way To Spice It Up
DAVE KITSON should be here tomorrow. Boro have agreed a two month loan with the henna hitman. Great. I've long argued that Boro's central flaw is a distinct lack of gingeosity.
Seriously, it has been all downhill for Boro since the exit of 'strawberry blond' Steve McClaren and Ray Parlour. Duracell powered boss - Carling Cup success, highest ever Prem position and the UEFA Cup final. Coincidence? I think not.
We have already taken big steps towards solving the problem by bringing in Gordon Strachan, although he is closer to wirey yard brush yellow than full on scorched Titian.
But to be truely successful we need to get a few fiery flameheads out on the pitch too.
It is a long standing office joke that resurfaces every transfer window when I argue earnestly for a ginger/terrier dream team to give a soft touch team a bit of malice.
In fact, last summer on a lazy day I devised and produced Dulux style ginger colour chart card to measure prospective Boro targets. It ranged from the neutral pastel passable-as-blond-in-a-certain light sandy shades of Scholes Sunrise to the brazen metallic copper extreme of Vibrant Kitson (via Pale Lennon, Burnt Butt, Russet Riise, Sidwell Shimmer and Deep Lomas).
I can't find it right now but I shall dig it out and publish. After I have copyrighted the names of the shades in a bid to pre-empt the next fashion phase in the fast changing world of interior design.
I canvassed long and hard last January and then again in the summer for a fiery Dave Kitson/Paul Dickov dream team up front to combine height and speed with a touch of temper and hair triggered half-pint snarling Scots street fighter to rip into defences.
Boro's problem has long been the lack of sufficiently high levels of the pigment pheomelanin, the so called Bremner chromosome. It brings with it a fierce take-no-prisoners will to win and an intimidating demeanour when roused, especially when concentrated in small bundles below five fot six or so.
And before anyone accuses me of irrational gingerphobic tendencies let me point of that some of my best offspring have the MC1R recessive gene, indeed in the sunlight the boy has a positively copper halo. There is going to be a retina burning colour clash with KItson and the red shirt, I can tell you (away kits only for my boy.)
And it could get lively on the training ground. Boro have some history with Kitson.
On his Premier League debut with Reading (and Southgate's managerial bow for Boro) he crocked another new boy Julio Arca in the first half but football's karmic balance was restored after the break when the striker ruptured a medial ligament during a similar hefty tackle by Chris Riggott.
He then spent six months on the sidelines moaning about it at every opportunity.
That could be the hottest training reunion since John Hendrie and Jon Gittens.
But his arrival is still much needed. As Strachan pointed out, you don't need a UEFA Pro Licence to see where Boro's problems lie. Emnes and Aliadiere don't score goals; Folan is a crock after an unimpressive hour and his stats hardly screamed "20 goal a season striker"; Lita has had his moments but enough of them have been filled with bare-chested celebrations while Marcus Bent has added height and strength and was probably the best available frontman at very short notice but let's be honest, he wouldn't be first choice in many people's fantasy team.
Kitson comes with problems. His free-scoring days at Reading are long gone. He had a nightmare spell after joining Stoke as their ã5.5m record buy and failed to score in 18 games in his first season before being shuffled off back to the Royals on loan. He got two in 12 there then after returning to Stoke has managed three in eight this term, one of them in the Carling Cup. So five in his last 38 games. Hardly prolific in recent years.
That said, he is Stoke's top scorer in the league, is ahead of Tuncay in the pecking order and his hasty exit has caused some bemusement among City fans and some unsubstantiated muttering about a training ground bust up with in no way abrasive new No 2 Peter Reid.
He comes with some big plusses. He is fast, has height and is a handful in the box and has a point to prove. He knows Leroy Lita inside out and the pair enjoyed their most prolific spells as a partnership at this level in Reading's promotion surge - although looking through the Royals record books it was one or the other with the pair rarely getting on the scoresheet in the same game (one rare occasion was in the 3-2 winning Premier League bow against Boro, naturally).
Crucially though he will offer genuine options up front. That two of Strachan's first three loan signings have been strikers screams a marked lack of confidence in Marvin 'the Project' Emnes as a viable choice up front. And if the two out the three we have who who have done it at this level - Kitson, Lita and Bent - can establish themselves with the other offering a Plan B on the bench it probably raises questionmarks over the prospect of Jeremie Alaidiere regaining what seemed an automatic selection under the old regime.
*****
NUMBER-crunchers... hot on the heels of last week's discussion on the blog about the relative points per quid return of Southgate and McClaren here is the mega multi-manager relative stat attack from the Gazette.
First a season by season breakdownb of won, drawn, lost, position and expenditure....
Then a direct comparision of results in the Premier League only to iron out those variables from Robbo's two promotions and Southgate's decent start in the Fizzy Pop.
And finally, a home and away break down of Premier League points returns.
*****
Also, I am looking for feedback on the live blog. I don't know about you but from my end it feels clunky and far from free flowing. There are certain problems that come with doing a live report legally tied to set windows, not least when the majority of those following it are posting comments that show they are actually ahead of the action via other sources.
What I want to do is provide a service that is useful to the reader as a live experience but which flows and has some integrity as a report for those reading back later.
Those of you who use it, what do you want from it and get from it? More quirky colour or a genuine attempt at a match report? More or less comments and score updates from other posters? Questions answered? Am I wasting my time on an unsatisfying beast that falls between several stools? Your thoughts on this would be appreciated.
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Sky seem a little bit more certain about Kitson than others. It would be good news if he did come. He did well in The Championship for Reading and in the Prem for them in their successful first season - including against Boro, sadly.
Struggled a bit since and lost his way - but he's big and strong, can lead a line and hold the ball up and - back to his best - knows how to get goals with his feet and head. I'd rate him a better bet than Bent and certainly than Forlorn.
**AV writes: We understand it is true and he could be here as soon as tomorrow.
Looks like Kitson is a done deal on loan till january....seems a good move.
Been away for a while without access to the blog .... Agree that Kitson could be a useful addition and agree with the concept of having four strikers to choose from and to mix and match.
Also noted that we have been leaking goals again and that Corporal Jones looks as if he might be first choice. I heard on Five Live that Ben Foster is unhappy being 3rd choice at ManU. Now that would be a good loan signing with a view to a permanent move in January.
Promottion is still a real possibility this season, but it will need Kitson or whichever of our journeyman strikeforce to start contributing against Forest on Saturday.
I hope these Dave Kitson rumours are true. We clearly need a target man up front and Kitson appears to have scored a few goals in his career to boot, notably at Reading.
AV, perhaps you can help me here. Was it Kitson who was crocked on the opening day of the season by Chris Riggott a couple of years ago, denying him half a maiden Premiership season? I wonder if footballers hold grudges.
If we can get Kitson, perhaps that will help us play a more direct game at home, where it seems that some opponents have come to "park the bus". When the opposition focuses on having everyone behind the ball, defending deep and sticking rigidly to their shape, it seems counterintuitive to try a slower, more measured build up as surely that makes it easier for them to get players back.
Not to mention the fact that we lack a creative central midfielder. A target man would help us to get the ball forward more quickly, with more potential for catching the opposition out of position.
Also having someone up front who is a danger in the air would make it more risky for the opposition to employ a deep defensive line, as crosses into the box would carry a bigger threat. This might force them to push up a little, and leave more space for our pacier players to exploit as they have done away from home this season. Sign him up.
PS I'd also like to join BoroPhil as an exception to Mr Average's rule. I like Strachan and I hope he tears this division up.
The latest entrant in "Boro TV's"
"I'm a Failed Striker, Get Me Outta Here."
Let's hope Kitson and Lita still remember how to play together. They could get the goals to take us up.
From the first two games I pretty much take it that Strachan doesn't fancy half the squad he's inherited.
â â â â¬
WhatâÂÂs that you cry? More Haiku? Well ok then.
Red headed warrior
Slays all before him with
Grace, Honour, Victory
I think Mr Churchill may return tomorrow as we turn up the bombasticometer.
Victory on the 21st
powmill
Yup, I heard the Foster 'come and get me' plea.
All we need now is for Capello to re-assure him that a full season between the sticks for Boro in The Championship is better than languishing in the stiffs for ManUre. Trouble is, that's where he's been and he still got picked ahead of Green on Saturday!
AV - as the husband of a woman with definite pre-Raphaelite looks (yes, she is looking over my shoulder), I'm liking your 'copper mining'.
Going back to the closed season when we thought we were going to get some experience, I'm particualarly taken with the idea of Scholesy.
He may think he's got more to learn from Strachs - if he still wants a start as a player coach as he seemed to indicate then - than from the previous Boro managerial regime and he's also looking more off the pace now in ManUre's eleven.
If he came to Boro he could defo be the Murdoch for the new era.
I would like to see GSII make a phone call to Mr Bruce to check on the availability of David Healy. At this level I'd reckon he would be a nailed on certainty to score goals especially with Kitson to play off. His experience as well would be invaluable to the squad instead of rusting away in the Mackem's reserves.
Meanwhile if Hull and Fulham mare willing to pay good money for Alihardlyeverthere I'd snap their hands off, I'd maybe even do a "Bogof" with Marvelous Marvin.
Good loan signing.! more midfielder needed though.
Great signing. Now let's get back into that top two.
His stats aren't good, 2 in 13 games. Being Titian, strawberry blonde or just plain carrot top wont guarantee us goals people. We are in the smelly stuff and need a PROLIFIC goal scorer if we have any hopes of going back up.
Sorry peeps, I'm not feeling your enthusiasm here. With his current goal tally, he should feel right at home at the Boro.
Oh how I miss McClaren right now
Nice piece, AV. I, too, hope Kitson can help ginger up our attack.
I also hope GS2 can effect an injection of confidence in our teams but, most of all, we need three points and then another three points, to get us back on track. Otherwise it won't be pleasant on the terraces, because I get a feeling that there is little patience left.
I know our new leader has only had two games and clearly the annoyance is not aimed at him. Sadly it is an accumulation of perceived slights towards supporters, misinformation, poor spending, poor organisation and poor individual performances that see us where we are. And it takes a leap of faith to believe it can be put right straight away.
Any chance of getting Derren Brown onto the field at half time for the next game? He might persuade the fans that we WILL go up. Better still, how much would it cost to get him to go into the Home Changing Room before the game?
Gingeosity, terriers - what a load of white tripe AV. The "game" is all about a hunger to win - a team hunger to win no matter what gene, colour or creed for that matter.
Quite simply the team we have just arenâÂÂt up for it enough - mentally, physically or emotionally!
**AV writes: I wasn't making a serious scientific claim. I know there is a distinct lack of 'strawberry blond' in the Brazil, Inter and Real Madrid sides. Indulge me.
I like the Kitson loan signing, but we still need a prolific striker.
We really should be in to sign Jermaine Beckford in January. ã3m is a snip, and he can obviously score goals at this level!
Powmill - I like the idea of four strikers. Now where are they?
Redcar Red - I think GS2 should not speak to Bruce, I suspect the conversation would rapidly turn to one of our players.
When is Forlorn going back to Hull? He is a bit like the guest at the party that no one invited and no one knows why he is there. So over to you AV, has anyone got a clue what is going on?
Now then. Feedback on the live blog. It does feel clunky and rather less than free flowing but I thought that that was inferred in live reporting on the Boro, rather than a characteristic of the software.
Many who use the live blog do seem to be ahead of the live action as reported but I think this comes from either radio or the notorious inconsistency of "live TV" feeds. Now we are aware, are we not, of some difficulties with radio coverage? "Live TV" matchstick men action:some dodgy old gadgees buffering about freeze framed into zonal defense mode like the Boro back four.
Quicker, however, than the BBC, Sky and other alter narratives. It's a multi clicking, multi window, multi tasking, multi timezone, multi continental experience that has the virtue of localism at your finger tips.
As such, not so much a match report,especially for later consumption because there is plenty of such coverage available, but the antics of the support, questions answered (What no Digard again?), poster comments and updates and a ton of "quirky colour".
Suggest also a little discipline: red and yellow cards for the cyberchicken runners. Straight red, of course, for the use of the B word, and yellow for doing the DIY whilst online. A warning for a yellow, two yellows is a red and a ban for the next game.
Unmoderated cyberspora comments at half time, is that possible? Stale bread and gruel at half time AV? Yerjokanarnya?
And, one day, Erimus.
**AV writes: I think there may be a button to allow unmoderated comments from pre-decided trusted posters. That would save me a few clicks I suppose. Any other thoughts from the 500 or so people who have been using it?
Good to see someone bigging up our forwards AV - I don't know what the antithesis of a fanasy league is but we're getting close starting one at Boro.
Take away Adam Johnson and our scoring record would have been even worse than last year's record drought - if that were possible.
You can root for the ginger fraternity all you like but Kitson seems to fit the profile of all the usual suspects - He's over six foot and used to be good once but can't get a game at the moment.
This is surely yet another no win situation - if we're lucky he'll get match fit in a couple of weeks and hopefully knock a few in and his club will say thank you and take him back into the fold after two months and we'll be back to square one - or he'll show why he's not wanted and fail to solve our goal-scoring problem.
Still, there's always a chance he'll remember where the net is but I would have prefered a in-form lower league forward to an out-of-form PL forward.
Is it The Sun, Mrs. Doubtfire - or both - that lack energy, imagination or the bus fare to get beyond Hurworth? The SoS 'mounting a raid' spotlight has - allegedly - moved on from Johnno to Wheats.
Mind you, it's not so much different to Strachs being linked with most of Celtic's squad that Boro could afford. But at least he's worked with those players.
It will be good to get to Saturday and have some football to talk about again.
Werdermouth, I read that Kitson is the top scorer at Stoke but cannot get a regular game. I think the same applies to Tuncay - he has been starting from the bench so far!
I just wonder why GS2 gets the go-ahead to loan so many new players - and the original GS no. Anyway, I have a feeling that when we hit a run we gonna catch them (top two)...
Up the Boro!
PS. I support BBB and like to see the live blog continue. Nothing to add to BBB's comments here.
Mr Vickers, do try and raise your game, judging by this article - it just can't be that difficult. If you can assure me that this is one of your 'finer' journalistic moments, then I wish you well on your quest to reach the giddy heights of mediocrity. You have my best wishes sir
**AV writes: LOL (as I believe the young people say).
You're right Jarkko, Kitson is top gun at Stoke with 2 PL goals and one in the League Cup. Though Tuncay is still our third highest scorer with 2 goals, one behind blind Ali - I think maybe I've underestimated my understanding of underwhelming underachievement.
BBB: A yellow card for following the matchday live blog whilst undertaking DIY is maybe a bit harsh. Though perhaps AV should keep a pocketfull of red cards ready for the carefully selected trusted posters.
Jakko, I think SG kept something back which would have been given to GS if he was still here in Jan but he obviously had to have something to offer a new manger coming in.
As for Kitson, good signing but as others have said a gamble as he is not doing the buisness right now. Hopefully we have the type of players in the squad to get the best out of him. Will reserve judgement for now.
AV I enjoy the live blog. I dont always get it live but definitly look it up later.
Sorry to be old and a bore, but Ive been wondering for ages now. What exactly does LOL mean?
**AV writes: It is a multi-faceted phrase that notionally means "laugh out loud" but in this case was delivered with that patronising little laugh and the "W" sign.
â â â â¬
Talk about wasting no time. Dave âÂÂRed of Hairâ (Red Adair) Kitson this morning rallied the troops in the canteen. I know this because my UncleâÂÂs only siblingsâ only son works there.
He stood in his training kit on a table straddling the Macaroni cheese and spam fritters wielding a half eaten banana. Even though he has only been here two minutes he was able sum up the situation quite well.
'What Gareth Southgate called the Battle for Survival is over. I expect that the Battle for Promotion is about to begin. Upon this battle depends the survival of Middlesbrough Football Club. Upon it depends our own supporterâÂÂs well being, and the long continuity of our institutions and our town.
"The whole fury and might of the enemy must very soon be turned on us. Billy Davies knows that he will have to break us in this town or lose the game. If we can stand up to him, all Coca-cola championship teams may be free and the life of the world may move forward into broad, sunlit uplands.
"But if we fail, then the whole world, including the Premier league, including all that we have known and cared for, will sink into the abyss of a new Dark Age made more sinister, and perhaps more protracted, by the lights of perverted science. Let us therefore brace ourselves to our duties, and so bear ourselves that, if MFC is to last for a thousand years, men will still say, "This was their finest hour."
Victory on the 21st
AV wrote:
"That Strachan's first two loan signings have been strikers"
What about "Iron man Osbourne" then? The forgotten man already! No wonder he's a bit Paranoid! No more War Pigs have the power it would seem
Back to Fairies Wear Boots then
**AV writes: D'oh! Maybe we are saving him for the Sabbath Bloody Sabbath battles with the twin forces of beelzebub, Cardiff and Newcastle.
Those number-crunchers make interesting reading. Shame we've all taken a vow of silence on the matter, or have I spoken too soon....
Hi AV. First time post no the blog but long time reader.
Really enjoy the live blog though I think I've only had chance to catch it live once as i've been to most of the games since you started it. Always enjoy reading back on it and seeing the game from another perspective and reading other user's comments.
Like you say, you're restricted with legal shizzle so i'm not entirely sure what to suggest to improve. The "allow unmoderated comments" button thing for regular posters would definitely speed things up and would make user participation/ interaction much more freeflowing though, filling in gaps and passing the time between your updates.
Keep up the good work AV.
MR K J Frimrat
Sorry to be pedantic AV but you've made a mistake in your calculations.
If you look at Southgate's record - in Total PL you have him on 120 pts (or 1.05 per game). Yet when you look at his home and away record in PL (same no of games - not surprisngly) - he's suddenly got 132 pts!
Sorry to be pedantic but I only noticed because:
a) I'm a geek
b) His home and away avg points looked wrong vs Robbo's (especially when you are showing a bigger gap in Total PL games).
Oh well - least you write well (most of the time)
**AV writes: I don't have the raw data to hand but will check this discrepancy.
No worries - I was just working off the tables you had in the story - no idea if they're right or not!
â â â â¬
Being a classically trained home economist, sorry economist I have cast my expert eye over the stats. I wish I hadnâÂÂt it makes very depressing reading.
What I noticed is that our average PL finish was 12.69 place.
An average of 11 wins a season. 11 wins in 365 days, 52 weeks. What a depressing thought. Over a month between victories!! Why didnâÂÂt we all just give up years ago?
An average of 45 points a season. The Season we qualified for Europe via the league we only needed 55 points. We were probably only two or three results a season away from being consistently top half.
The goals per game stat is very interesting. For all three prem managers it shows number of goals per game = points per game. A team is only as good as its strikers. GS2 could well be onto something here.
The futureâÂÂs bright,
The futureâÂÂs Ginger
Victory on the 21st
Kitson - a man with some fire in his belly, a good start. Lets hope he is re-energised (Duracell style) and starts banging in a few goals.
Now that it would appear that the Emnes striker project has hit the buffers he should be tried on the right wing. As for Aliadiere he needs to find a new profession in a non-contact sport.
I would also like to see someone with passion playing in the middle, John Powls idea of approaching Scholes again seems spot on to me.
Smogonthetyne - what is with the morse code ? AV by the way is .- / ...-
First Lita, now Kitson - am I glad we didn't sign Harper ! In hindsight, I'm suprised we didn't go the full monty and bring Copell in as manager.
If Strachan is poached for the Scotland job - who knows....
I`m a big fan of the live blog. Stuck out here in the middle east it`s a Boro wasteland, so it`s great fun to read what is actually going on in the game. Keep the comments as well, it`s something to read during the 7 minute gaps you have to do.
Just wonder how you would define a regular and trusted poster? Can I be one if I promise not to use the B word?
By the time some of you guys have finished dreaming about new and potential signings, we could have a team of Belisha beacons! All we'd then need is for them to put on Newcastle United strips to complete the visuals!
Even if they don't score many more, their crossing ought to be better!
Well said Nigel - get Emnes back on the wing and officially terminate the ill-fated striker conversion project. Same goes for Rhys Williams in the MF - the lad is first choice RB for a formidable Socceroos side and our continued square-peggism with him will only stunt his international growth.
AV - perhaps a less is more approach to the live blog? Most of us are following the match on other mediums of choice, so instead of being usurped by other posters with more current match happenings, give us more local flavour.
Use your eagle-eye view to impart things glossed over by other commentators, or not visible if viewing via a dubious internet feed. That, with your standard wit and wisdom, will do fine to placate...we're easy!
Every now and again I read something on here which causes me to crease with laughter. This time its Nigels refernece to ali finding a non contact sport. Hilarious
Smog on the tyne. You really must type "Hitler realises southgate will remain in charge" into U tube. That will get your churchillian juices flowing.
No chance of Scholes coming here. He's always said he wants to finish his career at Oldham. Lets get Johnson from Man city on loan, or Patrick Viera.
With the best will in the world to the Mark Yeates, Danny Coynes and Dave Kitsons of this world, this club seems to have regressed 20 years to the days when the Gazette would try and generate excitement about the prospect of Derek Whyte, Andy Payton or Tommy Wright signing for us.
We really are a second division (in the true sense of the word) provincial club again and it's as if the Ravanellis, Juninhos or Boatengs never existed at all.
I am reminded of the song .... "Once I built a railroad; now it's done. Brother, can you spare a dime?"
**AV writes: It is like that stepping out of the shower to find it had all been adream moment in Dallas. It's official! Boro have jumped the shark.
Dave Kitson was Stoke's record buy at the time. I would assume he is on pretty decent wages. It is fair to say that he has been a failure.
What we need is a striker in scoring form. If we are looking for failed strikers, then we have quite a few pretty close to home. I'm afraid none of our loan players have instilled confidence in me. Ultimately a manager is judged by the players he considers good enough for his team. The fact that GS2 doesn't consider Digard good enough for his side speaks volumes to me.
Bring Shawky back into the fold. The hacks would love him for the headline....
"The Shawkyshank Redemption"
**AV writes: "The Invisible Man"
Grove Hill Wallah: Enjoying your Merc then?
I agree with your observation about failed and in-form strikers. Dead right!
One piece of possible controversy however - you also point out that, "Ultimately a manager is judged by the players he considers good enough for his team."
I'm not necessarily going to argue with that, because that's probably how most supporters actually see it. But there IS a bigger picture out there, alluded to in James C's post at 10:22PM, and AV's response to it.
So, is it fair to judge the manager without reference to that bigger picture? Should it be the manager that is judged or is there a bigger shadow being thrown?
Dallas - ha! Does that mean Steve Gibson is the Miss Ellie of Boro?
I think we know which Sky pundit was the Sue Ellen ...
Here's that Boro does Dallas cast in full:
- Miss Ellie... Steve 'it's my family' Gibson
- JR... Keith 'don't shoot me' Lamb
- Jock Ewing... Gordon Strachan
- Bobby Ewing... Jeremi 'no pushover' Aliadiere
- Ray 'Land' Krebbs... Julio Arca
- Pamela Ewing... Gareth 'victory in principal' Southgate
- Sue Ellen... Didier 'swellin' Digard (unfit muther)
- Lucy Ewing... Emnes & Forlorn (2 massive boobs up front)
- Cliff Barnes... Afonso 'do barns have doors' Alves
â â â â¬ (der der der dung, think the start of BeethovenâÂÂs 5th)
Chris from Beverley,
IâÂÂm surprised you are not aware of the V for Victory on the 21st camping. ItâÂÂs sweeping Teesside and must be on the verge of consuming the Humberside area by now.
I can now exclusively reveal the Gazette will be having a two page spread in FridayâÂÂs edition. The people of Teesside have really got behind the campaign. When I meet fellow supporters they great me with the V sign, even those I donâÂÂt know are all too happy to give the V for Victory sign too. Some have even taken to making a 0 sign with their other hand whilst giving the V sign. This sight really does raise my spirits, 2-0 what a great score that would be.
Also a big thank you to the fellow bloggers who have got right behind the campaign and resisted from using the name of Saturdays opposition. Much appreciated.
Victory on the 21st
AV
In most of the stories about Kitson's loan there is a little phrase tucked away and not elaborated on, to the effect of 'highly unlikely to stay beyond the loan period'.
Any background to that?
Is it the likely fee that Stoke would want to recoup the ã5.5m they paid for him or most of it? Is he determined to go back to The Prem - hopefully with a few goals for Boro under his belt and his career back on track? Someone else with first refusal? Strachs only fancies him as a short term measure and he has someone else in mind for January? Or what???
**AV writes: When he was asked about it he stressed he was going back to Stoke at the end of the loan and he hoped to have done enough at Boro by then to have played his way into the first team... but then, he would say that. There was no indication at all though from any quarter that he was here to do a St Ledger.
The most interesting thing was that he said he had not played a lot alongside Lita. It seems that at Reading it was either/or situation.
Werdermouth - Very good, I like that.
Speaking to fans in Derby and they think we could have a good ex Reading strike partnership. Even if Ginger comes off the bench to make it three strikers we can throw the Kitson sink at them.
What do expect? Quality?
No wonder Boro let in so many goals in the last 5 minutes of the games.Many of the team were thinking of the booze when they got back to the dressing room. Sort that one out Mr Strachan
I think some of us on here must be suffering some sort of Football Starvation. Either that or Werdermouth's work commitments in Germany are drying up (loved the 8.48am Dallas cast, incidentally).
Morse code, Churchillian prose (actually it sounded a bit like Henry V geeing up the troops just before battle - on this St Crispin/Crispian's day), hair-colourism, pedantry, statistics: does this Blog know no bounds?
If we are not careful we might stray onto football soon. But then again, it has been an interval in which we haven't lost, and it might just be that GS2 has had some time to weave his magic.
Now, Merlin, there WAS a magician. Did John Powls know him as a lad?
I found that bit about Kitson not staying very interesting as well - I took it to mean that Stoke have no intention of selling him, he's just here to keep match fit get into some form. I also assume that they could recall him whenever they liked?
Hopefully he'll score a few goals and everyone will benefit.
**AV writes: They can't recall him within 28 days. It is a bit strange really as he has been playing, is Stoke's top scorer and they have one striker injured, one a single yellow away from suspension and a Fancy Dan Turk who doesn't really fit into the way they play and was a surreal signing from day one.
One suggestion from that end is that he had a falling out with Peter Reid but 28 days won't solve that. I imagine Stoke's thinking is that if he scores a shedful at Boro then it is easier to flog him in the Prem for something close to the ã5.5m they paid and maybe the player himself sees merit in that scenario. Boro meanwhile get a short term solution that hopefully will see them through to January when they will have more leeway in solving the problem once and for all.
Forever Dormo - John knew Merlin when the magician was but a babe in arms.
He also knew King Arthur and always said 'there is more chance of getting a sword out of a stone than getting Charlie Amer to put his hand in his pocket'. Charlie actually bought Arthur a pint in the inn at olde Marton and that is where the Arthurian legend came from.
There again I am even older than Powls, but he was grumpy even when we used to watch Ironopolis.
Moving off topic a bit! I hope the Boro Fans give St Ledger a Hero's welcome on Saturday. I thought he had a fantastic game and played his heart out for the Republic only to be defeated by a cheat.
Its a sad indictment for Henry who had been respected and applauded even by opposition fans (myself included on numerous occasions) throughout his career only for him to end his career in such an embarrasing and disgraceful way. I say end because what goes round comes round and I'm just waiting for his cruciate or metatarsal circa April 2010.
I wonder what Platini has to say on the topic as he normally likes the sound of his own voice................my money is on him disappearing for a few weeks!
Anyway well done Ledge you done yourself and your Irish team mates proud, take a huge bow son!
Totally agree on the Ledge, Redcar Red!
Did you wonder whether his price might be going up, though? Did you hope the loan-that's-not-a-loan-really arrangement was watertight? I certainly did!
Regarding feedback on the live matchday blog - I think it gives the blog followers almost a feeling of watching the game together in a virtual pub environment.
AV, you're probably right that it's not possible to give anything that can compete with commentary, but given that most people are also either listening to the radio or following text commentary, then your role is to act as a virtual Lawro and add to the commentary with pearls of wisdom that normally go unreported - you are our man on location.
Also if it is possible for some 'responsible' posters to post live comments (with abusers being sent off with the prospect of a lengthy ban) then that would help give it more immediacy and allow people to respond to other comments - though whether you would then also have moderated posts from unkown newbies is probably dependent on how much work you wish to take on.
Redcar Red -
Do not forget Henry had a go at diving denied by an excellant referee. Go back to the last world cup and I believe he was guilty of simulation that resulted in a sending off. His past does lend one to think he would take a chance if it was there.
We remember Zidane and almost forgive his attack on Materazzi yet conveniently forget the other 12 sending offs for mostly violence against opponents. The same goes for Bergkamp and his habit of GBH when it suited him.
Gerrard is a terrible diver, sorry he is terrible at diving. Our own studless Johnno is no angel in the box and Aliadioveragain has the same boot manufacturer.
We as fans have a duty and I am going to praise ours. Many a time our fans have got onto our players for going down by accusing them of being Jessies but we are no angels.
If we cant have video technology at the game we can retrospetively punish players as in Rugby. Anyone handballing in the area to deny a goalscoring opportunity is a sending off. How about a three match ban for Henry in World Cup games?
Knowing that there is no escape would concentrate minds.
Why wont it happen? Because the powers that be have their trotters in the golden trough. Never mind corruption just consider the perks, when was the last UEFA or World Cup draw to take place in the Navigation?
The officials are not bothered about rights and wrongs, they dont care as long as the glitter is there, as long as there is no end to their comfy exisitence they wont vote against powerful teams.
I havent even had a go at Platini or Septic Bladder.
I think we have missed numbers - our squad have been very thin in numbers. And that was not original GS's fault - he just followed instruction. So the loan signings make sense.
I don't understand where the money comes from now but I am delighted! If the rumors are correct that we are after a right sided midfielder then we are quite near to be a real promotion unit.
Meanwhile I like the idea of trying Emnes at right midfield as someone suggested before. Looking forward to the Saturday afternoon. UTB!
I agree Ian that ultimately the message from FIFA is that fair play is only desirable as long as it doesn't get in the way of their commercial priorities.
Why should any player think that they shouldn't cheat if they can get a result for the team? FIFA won't demand the game is replayed now that it has been shown clearly that France qualified because of cheating.
As for Henry - surely only banning him for the whole tournament would perhaps discourage other players from thinking they are untouchable - but that won't stop some players from taking a bullet for the team.
Noticed another of the central midfield 'possibles' in the Republic's team last night -Darron Gibson. Can barely get on ManUre's bench, though he can get a game for his country and stand up well against that quality of opposition.
If Strachs can't keep up the Titian motif with Scholesy, how about a punt for Gibson and some lobbying by Ledge?
Yours,
Methuselah
Werdermouth
I went off Henry when we played Arsenal in the cup semi and were beaten when his corner came over only for Festa to slice it into the net. He stood there with his arms raised to the heavens as if he had just been made Pope. The little poem about General DeGaulle sprang to mind.
In my life there are three loves,
My loves number three,
In my life there are three loves,
I, Myself and Me.
It is rumoured that in his latter stages at Arsenal, when he was injured, he wound Wender up by walking around the technical area in his suit and smart clothes acting as if he was the manager.
And he is French, as is Platini, so I am clearly being very fair.
As I work in Reading I thought you might be interested in the thoughts of a Reading season-ticket holder mate on Mr Kitson......
"I think he could be a good signing. I am not sure how often they played together though. A certain Mr Kevin Doyle was the main striker and then it was perm one from two/three if you include Shane Long.
"When Kits first joined us he was superb. He would put so much effort into each game that you suspected he wouldn't last two halves (he did of course) Chasing lost causes, shutting down defenders clearances, etc. A real hard worker.
"Ironically, it was the Boro who crippled him in our first ever game in the Prem. When he came back (6-7 months later) he wasn't quite the same. I hope he responds to the warmer climate!"
Sounds like he could become a quick crowd favourite if his legs can still put that much energy into the game, we like hard workers here. However, as mentioned, he never really played with Lita and wasn't a 'week in week out' player either - maybe he is a supersub to fire up the second half? We'll see soon enough!