Blue Nose Boyd, Snow Threat To Swansea And The Fans' Crisis Of Faith
BORO will probably get the Celtic lads. The personal kudos of Strachan with players he bought for the Bhoys and led to domestic and European glory will ensure that while they can easily meet the financial demands of fee and wages. But Kris Boyd? I think not.
The Boro boss wants Boyd and you can understand that. He is the Scottish Premier League's record scorer having just nudged past the Swedish Sideshow Bob-alike Henrik Larsson and is keen to prove he can do it in a league with more than two teams while Rangers are run by their bankers and are under a lot of pressure to sell in January.
But that personal kudos thing will come into play again - and Boyd's former Rangers boss Alec McLeish wants him at Birmingham. Even if we discount any possible imaginary flute playing sectarian subtext in a straight choice between the ex-Blues and ex-Hoops managers (and it is difficult to do that with anyone who has spent years in Old Firm political pressure cooker) the money and status will tell.
Super-rich Birmingham have money burning a hole after their long drawn out Hong Kong take over. McLeish has been given a £40m transfer warchest to beef up their surprise push for glory. They can top any Boro package of wages, signing on fee, relocation fee, help with housing, free flights home and sash allowance comfortably. And money talks.
But even if Boro pushed the boat out and Gibbo found the money down the back of the sette to match what Birmingham could offer, there would still be a stark choice to be made by Boyd: the Premier League now with Big Heck or the stiff challenge of maybe getting there under WGS. Sadly, I think it would be no contest.
**********
BRITAIN'S evil weather men have plunged the country into the deep freeze. And don't they just love it? Bumped up from their tail end Charlie spot on the news to 24 hour domination of the screens with their permafrost smiles and sarcastic sub-zero sentencing of innocent civilians to a Siberian icy hell. Evil. They are enjoying this too much. Just because they got a bit of stick for that "barbeque summer" forecast cock-up.
Anyway, I digress .... an early shout that the match on Saturday has got to be in doubt. Surely. The polar snap looks set to continue and already sporting events across the country have gone the journey, not to mention Keith Lamb's shopping trip to Scotland. Precedents have been set. Blackburn called their Carling Cup semi-final with Villa off last night not because of the pitch but because of problems for fans intending to travel.
Given that Swansea have six hours driving through some of the wost hit areas and a journey that includes the ascent of the feared West face of the M62, and given that 2,000 or so City fans were prevented from travelling along that stretch last week, Boro will be under a lot of pressure to make an early decision on the game. Expect the council and police safety committee to meet on Friday morning.
Having the game off would suit Boro .... not that will be in any way a factor you understand. Perish the thought. But with injuriy problems still dogging Strachan and the hopes of early incoming new faces as yet frustrated, a week's breathing space could be a Godsend for the boss.
Does anyone have Jeff Winter's number? There's an inspection to be done.
"Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow"........
******
AND BY popular request (well, two e-mails and a request from a relative who 'forgot' to buy the paper yesterday) here's this week's Big Picture column, usually a print only added value feature of the steam driven old format paper version of the Gazette....
HOW MUCH money Steve Gibson puts on the table in January will be a measure of the levels of ambition at Boro. But even if it is a fair wedge - and Gordon Strachan will need plenty if he is to reshape this unbalanced squad into a promotion winning side - it could be too little, too late. Short of some bank-breaking Juninhoesque flourish there is little that can be done to refire the imagination and blast away the gathering gloom.
Boro's biggest single problem now is not the dearth of strikers or creative midfielders. You can always buy them. Boro's central problem now is a widespread crisis of faith.
I can't remember such a widespread feeling of helplessness since the last dark days of Lennie Lawrence's lame duck managership when there was little for a demotivated and patched up side to play for.
Whole layers of loyalists, some with 20, 30, 40 years service under their belt, are not so much in revolt as resigned. Resigned to what appears a rudderless club stagnating, stalling or even slipping further backwards. Some can even see the drifting wreck crashing on the rocks no matter how loud or often the warning klaxons are sounded.
Boro are a club still deep in financial trouble, with a dysfunctional team mismatched with their manager, mired in mid-table mediocrity, in their biggest slump in form since the early eighties and also, and most dangerous of all, increasingly estranged from their fans - yet the prevailing mood is not one of anger but apathy.
For fans ground down by an attritional post-Eindhoven era of reduced budgets and downsized horizons under Gareth Southgate and left markedly ungalvanised by the as yet fruitless arrival of Strachan, the fires of passion have just about gone out.
Crowds are now in freefall. The pitiful turn out for Manchester City - there were well under 10,000 Boro fans - makes that visible and inescapable.
No amount of massaging the figures - the word "attendance" is now not really fit for purpose when describing Boro's league gates as it includes many who do not go - can disguise the alarming evaporation of support. From last season's average of 28,000 plus league gates are now around the 16,000... if you believe the declared figures.
The City turnout is a frightening glimpse of the shape of things to come. If Boro do not offer something in the New Year to excite and inspire then season-tickets could dip to below 10,000 next term. Crowds will be at Ayresome levels.
The club are in great danger of finding themselves right back at square one, exactly where they were the day before Bryan Robson walked through the door, only with a bigger ground and a far bigger debt.
Now you can blame the atrocious weather for the City gate if you want, although it seems that the whiteout stopped more away fans travelling across the M62 than home supporters making the arduous trek from Ingleby. But most of the refuseniks decided long before snow started to fall that they weren't going.
You can blame the FA Cup losing its lustre, and yes, Wigan v Hull attracted only 5,335 - but that was a meeting of mediocre equals. But look at Reading v Liverpool, a recently ex-Premiership club hosting one of the glamour boys and a game much more analogous to Boro's game: that drew a crowd of 25,000.
And you can certainly blame delusional pricing. There is no question that actually upping the cost to ten pounds above the season ticket norm just after Christmas and with a recession ravaging Teesside was an act of marketing madness.
But worse, it shows how far out of touch with the political and economic realities on the ground the clubs' chiefs are. And how insensitive. It is only a month ago they were forced to scrap a bizarre scheme to give buyers of a half-season ticket a full refund if the team won their first four league games after Christmas (like that was going to happen!) - a marketing wheeze that caused uproar among insulted existing season ticket holders.
But then, this is a club who at the very top levels think nothing of sending letters to their most passionate fans to tell them to pipe down. Or indeed brand half their potential market a town full of Mackems.
And there is the real problem. A yawning gulf has opened up between the club and the fans and all the dreams nurtured in an unprecedented decade of glory and success are now being shoveled furiously into it.
Many supporters have lost faith with Boro because they no longer see a club with a coherent direction, strong leadership and a burning desire to get back to where we were just a few years ago.
They see a rump of team left over after the fire-sales, a shell of a thread-bare squad who are mentally weak, inexperienced and lacking firepower. A team that is an indictment of three years of poor recruitment and resource management.
Relegation was accepted meekly, indeed they "didn't see it coming." There was no sacking of a struggling boss when that may still have had an effect and no show of intent last January when new faces may still have saved the day.
After the car-wreck relegation heads never rolled and the promised root and branch reform never took place in the summer - unless we are to believe Malcolm Crosby was the architect of our downfall - and when the axe finally fell the timing was all wrong.
All that still rankles with many supporters. They did their bit. ' kept the faith' and showed incredible patience. Thy can not be blamed in the slightest for the current crisis. And they are resigned to their fate.
The abiding fear is that the club too are now resigned to their fate and are ready to accept life in the second tier.
And if there is no ambition, no spark, then why should fans stump up to watch a team go through the motions?
The bottom line is that many fans, even those who have already paid, don't want to go because on the whole games have been dire for years.
It is a chore to drag themselves along to suffer dull football, poor results and a stultifying matchday experience - and there seems little prospect of that changing any time soon.
That 's what the club need to tackle, the soul-sapping collapse in identity and energy on Planet Boro. People want to feel part of something special. They want to have hope.
If Boro want to get them back they must articulate a new vision of where we are and where we are going, engage with fans and encourage their role to make going to the match a vibrant and inclusive event.
Most fans are shrewd enough to understand that the money has run out and will accept that but will not accept the sullen wall of silence over what Plan B is. If there is one.
It is down to Boro to get fans back on board not just by putting a team on the pitch that can win games regularly and show a bit of passion. They must also point out clearly a new direction and rebuild the crumbling relationship with their fans.
Older/Newer
« Blunt Boro Picked Off By Big Guns | Cyber Cynics, Viral Vitriol And A Time Honoured Attack On Boro's New Wasters »
118 Comments
Leave a comment
Profile
Anthony Vickers
Keep up to date
Follow Untypical Boro on
AV the Crisis of Faith article is bang on, although I understand you can only go so far. The two posts I have submitted are from before this season started and again pre xmas. I don't know how many read the twe12thman articles, so I was advised to post on this blog.
AV, Crisis of Faith article absolutely hits the nail on the head.
I wondered if I was the only one in reality land when last January GS was not sacked and at the very least no Mentor of any substance brought in to help. Then to let him form the squad for the promotion push!
I am in despair and if Strachen turns this season round to where Boro can at least get some back-to-back results never mind a good run to the playoffs he should be given a medal. But he needs these new faces. People who he can trust to repond to what he wants. DO YOU THINK MAYBE IT'S THE ACCENT?
**AV writes: I asked Poggi if he was struggling with the Asutrian/Scots language barrier and he said: "No, if the gaffer shouts in training it doesn't matter if I don't understand a word, I just run a bit faster."
Part of a defence for Strachan perhaps? Quote from Tony Mowbray
" Tony Mowbray today admitted the size and complexity of the Celtic manager’s job has exceeded the challenge he believed he was accepting.
And the Parkhead boss reckons even the doyens of the managerial game in Britain, Sir Alex Ferguson and Arsene Wenger, would have made the same discovery.
Speaking on Club TV, to be aired tonight on BBC Alba, Mowbray explained: “I don’t think anything prepares you for this job.
“I’m pretty sure Sir Alex Ferguson or Arsene Wenger could come and do this job and find it different from the one they are doing.”
There's an article in todays Northern Echo website giving info about Boro's latest financial accounts. Shows a lot of commitment by Steve Gibson, pity he isnt a multi billionaire.
**AV writes: Yes but it is based in figures over a year old. A lot has changed behind the scenes since then.
AV wrote: BRITAIN'S evil weather men have plunged the country into the deep freeze. And don't they just love it?
Not all meteorologist's are evil, and not all Weather Companies had a BBQ summer in their prognosis. Howevever, at least one Company correctly forecast a colder than average winter.
Good job then that this Meteorologist is a Boro fan!
**AV writes: Oooops. That's another valued reader I've upset. It is an in-joke about a colleague who seems to thinks met men MAKE the weather. No offence.
AV I agree with every word of your Big Picture column and so will the vast majority - a brilliant and honest account of Boro. A copy should be winged over to Gibson, pinned up on his door, or on his email marked URGENT!
I'm not sure and can't find it on t'nternet, didn't we call off a game against Coventry City a while ago when we had injuries due to snow and was Strachan on the receiving end of that master stroke?
You should make your Big Picture column available for purchase somehow online.
From a Mackem born in North Tees Hospital!
**AV writes: No, I thought Coventry was quite a late call and it was because the underpasses were impassable and the car park was a skating rink. It was as bad as now I think. Newcastle was the one that smelled a little bit of rodent.
It may be worth SG's and KL's while to consider having a "behind closed doors, 4 walls rule" forum with some of the regular contributors on here to create a joint working party on how to leave the past behind and move forward.
To do nothing will only see the decline continue. MFC have to stop digging now because as each month goes by they are digging in deeper and deeper. Despite differences of opinion, nobody on Teesside wants to see the decline of the club. The wish and objective of all of us (Foamee's and Bedwetters alike) is ultimately the same goal.
Interesting article AV that highlights the overall fears of the fans that 'the club we can afford' was actually worse than even what the most pessimistic supporters expected.
The whole crisis of faith has been on the whole created from the top with more than a little help from those employed to communicate to the fans.
Regarding the issue of this apparent £77m debt - the problem seems to be the pass the parcel [of debt] that has been played within the Gibson O'Neill umbrella company - one minute MFC is heavily in debt, the next it's virtually debt free. This is just nonsense unless real money is being injected into the group as a whole.
Though it doesn't really matter now as should any link in the chain fail then the bank will want the assets from the others to cover the losses - i.e. Bulkhaul supports MFC, MFC supports Rockcliffe, Rockcliffe supports MFC, MFC supports Bulkhaul, Bulkhaul supports Rockcliffe.
MFC can't survive unscathed if the others fail - though it would be possible to sell the club as a going concern if the worse came to the worse, as it wouldn't be worth much to the bank if it wasn't a football club.
Anyway, back to matters on the pitch - I'm sure the fans will return if Boro manage to build a team that they can believe is going forward - whether that happens in January will depend on how sucessful the club is in selling the 'new' Boro to any prospective players and fans alike. Though it's definitely looking like it will be a tartan academy mixture - it could even work if we get enough players with a positive mindset.
Article spot on, AV. Football has been dire for more years than people will want to admit. Gibson's had his Blind Faith and more.
The team now is full of third-rate talents (and perhaps that might be flattering to some of them). We have bought too many poor players, for too much money, on too high wages.
We rarely get any money back on these players once they have finally proven how useless they are.
We employ coaches who are clueless.
We employ scouts who have not found us any worthwhile players in donkey's years.
Gibson moans about the depression and unemployment in the area, and then sticks another tenner onto the price of FA Cup tickets. He got the attendance he deserved.
We have another three weeks to save our season. Gibson needs to put his hand in his pocket, and Strachan needs to use the money wisely.
We will not even make the playoffs with the current squad of players.
Jesus! I've never read a more depressing article about the Boro. We only need a couple of wins and were back in the play offs. No wonder no-ones turning up at the games if their reading this sort of stuff. It's slit your wrist material AV. Financial crisis? Strachen trying to sign four players this week so it cant be that bad?
AV - You made me doubt myself for a moment!! I remember smelling a very bad stench for the Coventry game and I now come back with evidence, five injuries and a further three maybes.
"Middlesbrough's Premiership match against Coventry City yesterday was called off because of a frozen pitch, even though the club has a special tent which is inflated over the ground to avoid such problems.
A spokesman for the club said the tent had been up since late Sunday morning after the Meteorological Office had advised the club that a frost would set in on Sunday evening. However, the frost had unexpectedly set in by early Sunday morning.
"Although the cover protected the pitch from further frost, it is not designed to take the frost out of the pitch, so large areas remained frozen throughout the cold spell of the last few days," the spokesman said.
Coventry's chairman, Bryan Richardson, expressed disappointment at the postponement as the squad had already travelled north. He could not understand how Sunderland could have played on Tuesday night in perfect conditions and yet Boro had been caught out. No new date has been set for the game.
Boro's fans may also be disappointed but Robson will not be too unhappy as injuries threatened undermine his side's attempt to come back from the Boxing Day defeat by Sheffield Wednesday. Boro have Paul Ince, Paul Gascoigne, Colin Cooper, Gary Pallister and Christian Ziege out injured, and doubts over Brian Deane, Gianluca Festa and Mark Summerbell"
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/middlesbrough-bid-pound5m-for-striker-hughes-742593.html
Was Strachan on the end of that master stroke?
AV
Excellent 'Big Picture' piece - like many others, I agree with every word.
On the meteorologist debate - everyone knows that (like everything else) this exceptionally awful winter is not the fault of the weathermen/women but is down to the inaction of this Government.
All they would have to do is appoint a 'Snow Czar' and we'd be searching for the factor 30 by the weekend!
So, come on Gordon - extract the digit - but not before Saturday's game is postponed!!
I'm watching Sky News this afternoon and the coverage of a team everyone loved ten years ago falling apart at the seams, directionless, inward looking and totally out of touch with its supporters is awfully familiar...
**AV writes: It's been downhill all the way since they change the badge....
AV
After the Toon match pictures were shown of the approaches being OK but I recall that wasnt the only problem.
By nature of a cover it prevents snow getting onto the pitch. What it doesnt do is melt it and put it down a drainage system. I believe there were huge areas inside the ground where snow had blown into the stands and thoroughfares creating sheets of ice. The temperature was barely above freezing and being in the shade they hadnt melted.
There was also the problem of what to do with the snow on the cover. Even removing a small part of the cover had left a huge mound of snow, there was even a picture of it at the time.
The Coventry game came after a thoroughly miserable game at Wednesday. Another spoilt Boxing Day!
Maybe Mr Gibson should look at the way Bolton have handled their relegation crisis and learn a thing or two?? The main things being :
1.(& most important) They have accepted that relegation is a possibility and they HAVE got a crisis.
2. They have admitted appointing Megson a mistake and got rid.
3. They have sought out a Manager who has a track record of good results with a limited budget, AND, should the worst happen, has a track record of getting a team into the Premier League.
SG is in real danger of going out on a downward spiral and being only remembered for the bad things over the last 3-4 years rather than all the good things he has done for this club.
Ian Gill, despite the result at Wednesday on Boxing day '99, I had a great day out, we took a huge number down to Hillsborough, I remember them turning off the music on the PA system before the game because we were singing along to every song - HI Ho Silver being the highlight.
I also have recollections of their brass band going rather quiet when Marinelli (the new Maradona) came on at half-time playing some great stuff with Juninho. It's just a shame that the good days have left both clubs....... well I only really care about Boro!
AV
The wife was feeling a little depressed today, what with winter blues, so i made her read your blog,thinking if she thinks she has it bad look at what other people are going through. Shes been locked in the bathroom for the last hour, do you think it helped?
Great article AV,every nail hit fairly and squarely on the head. Let's hope the people who have got us into this mess read it and respond in a positive way.
Consolidation is the name of the game this season, then Strachan can rebuild over the summer and mount a genuine challenge next year. And I totally agree with the poster who lamented our wholly inadequate scouting network. Bring in some proper scouts and get rid of the old boys(players)network.
**AV writes: It's been downhill all the way since they change the badge....
Ah, I'm glad somebody's noticed. Good intention spoilt by poor conception and execution. It sums up the way the club is managed.
Spot on with the crisis of faith, AV, you could be a psychotherapist.
Living in Nottingham I mainly get to away games and the silver lining to relegation for me was the number of games in the East Midlands and South Yorkshire within easy reach. Early part of the season away days at Wednesday, Forest and even Coventry were more fun than I gather the Riverside fans were having.
We decided to come up for the Man City game and so were looking forward to a winter of Cardiff and Newcastle games on TV and going to Barnsley and the City game - but after experiencing those four (especially second half at Oakwell)I simply can't raise the enthusiasm to send off for Sheff Utd tickets, or persuade my lad to come with me. I probably will in the end but with a perverse conviction that I'll regret it afterwards and be unable to face watching a defeat at Doncaster.
beeline, "**AV writes: It's been downhill all the way since they change the badge....
Ah, I'm glad somebody's noticed. Good intention spoilt by poor conception and execution. It sums up the way the club is managed."
Back on Dec 13th I wrote "I also wonder if changing the club badge has anything to do with our demise, I seem to remember Lamb saying were changing the badge because when in Europe clubs thought we were only formed in '86 well he shouldn't of bothered or worried cos we'll never see Europe again..... Well maybe a pre-season if were lucky."
http://anthonyvickers.boroblogs.co.uk/2009/12/hope-fading-fas.html#comment-4668616
It is an awful cheap nasty badge. Like voting on the stadium name and new strips the club should of put up different badges to vote on. Personally I really liked the '86 badge.
You wouldn't believe how many lonmg time, dyed in the wool ST holders are telling me they are definitely NOT renewing next year
Did you see Tuncay's master-class performance ( motm until he was injured ) this week against Fulham? His deft touches seemed to even rub off on some of the Stoke donkeys around him.
Why did he go flat last season - was he disallusioned with what was going on in the background, as well as on the pitch. It must have been dismaying when you had Alves/King etc on the other end of your efforts.
John Aus
The only virtue in buying Kris Boyd is that it might upset 'the Huns' push for the SPL title. He's a rabbit killer - he'll get you loads of goals against 'Hen-house Manure' but won't be any good for us next year in the Premiership.
McGregor the Rangers goalie - now that would be a good target !!
I see Brum are in for K Jones. Maybe they will get him and Boyd comes to us.
Any more news on the Celtic trio or are waiting for rooms to be let at Hurworth? Went to school in Hurworth by the way.
I see Brum are in for K Jones maybe they will get him and Boyd comes to us.
Any more news on the Celtic trio or are waiting for rooms to be let at Hurworth went to school in Hurworth by the way.
Now Anthony, put down the razor blade and step away from the edge of the building...
**AV writes: It's not me. I remain philosophical and relatively upbeat, if a bit cynical. I'm just surveying the current psychological landscape of a Teesside coming to terms with a post-Premiership reality ... and its not pretty out there.
7 Days gone.
Signings-0
AV, you are completely correct.
The club have reached a "tipping point". This should also be a warning to other football clubs, without the fans they will cease to exist. The powers that be at MFC need to act, and act now! Steve Gibson should come forward and explain to everyone, what, and how they plan to do about the current predicament.
Players could and should have been lined up, to sign immediately the transfer window opened. It is not just about throwing money at the problem, the right players -"horses for courses" - need to be added to the playing staff.
If the 20 richest men in the world bought the 20 Premier League teams, one would win the league and three would be relegated. Let us just hope that Mr Strachan uses whatever funds are available wisely.
The fans are voting with their feet, give them a reason to walk back to the Riverside.
At the risk of sounding pedantic, Grove Hill wallah said "If the 20 richest men in the world bought the 20 Premier League teams, one would win the league and three would be relegated" - but I'm sure if that were the case they'd rename it the Super League and abolish relegation.
Anyway, I think football has yet to feel the full impact of the credit crunch - I'm sure many clubs are stuggling with their debts and the banks are getting a bit twitchy with clubs staring at relegation (or failure to qualify for the Champions League cash cow in the case of Liverpool).
The lessons of Leeds' fall from the top flight have probably not been taken on board by many clubs chasing the impossible dream. Pumping money into football just creates inflation and doesn't necessarily improve the overall ability of the players or make them more professional.
We've seen at Boro that paying players big wages doesn't guarantee you get better players - it only means that they're harder to get rid of once you realise they were just over-hyped and over-paid mercenaries.
Though I hope after all the pain of downsizing Gibson doesn't now overstretch the club, not chasing a dream, but trying to avoid the nightmare of his own creation and failing to make the playoffs - especially since the club debt is no longer appears to be as small as was originally communicated.
What happened to the good old British siege mentality? Why is everyone so soft these days? I mean, there's a few inches of snow outside and the whole of the country stops, businesses can't run, buses stop, schools can't open. It's devastation all around! The end of the World is here! I'd better stay at home.
And our football team, who we've been supporting all our years, is going through tough times. We're getting beaten frequently, we don't have good players anymore, this isn't supposed to happen, we're rubbish now, nobody cares, nobody is trying, we've got no money, we can't compete with the big boys, everybody hates us. Well guess I'd better stay at home.
This cloud of depression over the club is seemingly made 100 times worse by us fans. Nobody can do anything right because no matter what the club or players do now there's always someone ready to kick the boot in, ready to speculate, ready to think the worst.
You can sit and blame it on whoever you want for our downfall, but the fact remains we still have a football club which is owned by an actual fan, which takes on local talent and gives them some hope. But are they not good enough for us anymore?
Leadership we need..right? I mean if nobody tells us what to do we don't know what to do so we'll just continue our depression. We'll wait for somebody to make the effort to bring us back. We'll wait for the good times again, I mean surely there's a rich Arab who was once born in Middlesbrough ready to inject a few hundred million into the club so that the Juninho's and Ravanelli's can come back?
The days of the Premier League are gone, we'll never see the likes of Juninho and Ravanelli here again until football implodes and the billionaires can't keep spending their billions on toys.
We have little money to buy players of that quality and we won't see that kind of football again. Having watched many Championship games this season I'm confident in saying that most Championship level football is poor and hardly quality to watch compared to the Premier League, not just Middlesbrough.
Maybe we've been spoilt over the years? Maybe we just don't have the fans who are truly interested? Maybe people just can't afford it anymore?
I'll make one last comment. The club do need to make new efforts to reforge the broken link between the club and the fans. But our fans need to be ready to accept our club as it is now and meet the club half way and be ready to support, whether it be Brazilians, Teessiders or Scots running about on that pitch. Negativity only breeds more of the same.
Spot on AV, everyone knew last season that Gibson and Lamb didnt want us to stay up last season, they are now getting what they deserve with another clueless manager who is going to bring in a load of dross players from Celtic. There is no way we are even making the play offs this year. Just think where we would be if we brought in a good manager after the Uefa cup final.
Just a quick one, we are back to the level of Lennies reign, but a quick look at who has done most for the club since 86 would give you
Rioch
Robson
McClaren
Either side and inbetween these people the club has masqueraded as being well run, SG has been the main focus of the club since 86 even before he took sole ownership.
Yeah we have the big ground, but without spending money the club has not prospered in any period. All the guys above had money to spend to back up their visions but non could sustain the success, I know Mac left us on a relative high, but the slide had already started in the league.
SG's loyalty is a virtue, but without getting into more debt or a huge windfall Boro are back in their rightful place, it pains me to say that, but hand on heart, you know I am right.
Oh yeah I nearly forgot, sack Lamb!
Guzi... the celtic players are better than the ones we have now
AV is correct. My son, 24 years a supporter, fits the bill as discribed. Us older supporters have seen it all before but it did not seem so important back then. I am sure Mr Gibson only wants the best for the Boro and the despite the finances and forced restucture of MFC and the subsequent problems he is still the best man for the job. And with GS2 we will be back at the top sooner than later
AV- I dont think you will find too many disagreeing with your "crisis of faith" article. It summarises what many have been posting on here over an extended period of time.
Moving to current matters I must admit I find it worrying that, Boyd excepted, the only players we are linked with are from Celtic. Strachan and his assistant have 15 years experience in management.They must have a wealth of knowledge and contacts about players.Is this the sum total of what they can come up with?
"A journey (from Swansea)that includes an ascent of the feared West face of the dreaded M62" Forget waxing lyrical AV and get a road map printed since the M42 was opened.
**AV writes: "Forget waxing lyrical"? Are you trying to do me out of a job?
AV
When Tolkien wrote Lord of the Rings he was asked was it about the war and facism and he replied the story grew in the telling.
Your blog piece is the same, it catalogues the withering of hope and expectation supervised by the Guardians of our club. They have no control over events in the world outside Planet Boro and cannot be blamed for the external environment.
I always comment that I dont know enough about the financial background to the club so dont pontificate about actions taken. You just get the feeling the havent controlled the controllable, that we have drifted, taking wrong choices over the last three years.
They certainly havent taken the fans with them and have now reached the stage where whatever is said by MFC is met with suspicion and in many cases derision.
Very sad. Summed up by the fact it looks like Digsoft is going back to France. When we needed to bring in someone to replace all the experience we let go we end up with an injured, half fit midfielder for the future. Well his future isnt here it seems.
John at January 7, 2010 11:22 AM.
Spot on. Yes, the times have changed and we just must accept this. As I said earlier I wouldn't swop plaices with Portsmouth right now.
Let's be happy that we have a club to support!
Werdermouth:
...."We've seen at Boro that paying players big wages doesn't guarantee you get better players - it only means that they're harder to get rid of once you realise they were just over-hyped and over-paid mercenaries."
The way things are in professional football these days, if you don't pay big wages, you're guaranteed not to get good players. Having to pay big money is the norm because of the inflationary nature of the game's finances and the global commercialisation of the Premier League and the Champions League via TV.
I agree fully with the "guarantee" part of your observation. What you tend to get, statistically, is a better chance that you'll get a better player. However, as you say, and as we know, nothing is guaranteed.
If it WAS as simple as just spending, Man City ought to win the league. But we know it's not that simple. What spending a lot does do, on balance, is to increase your chances of ending up with better players (and more of them, of course).
What IS virtually guaranteed, is that if you spend a little, you'll end up with second rate or third rate players who can't, or won't, for some deficiency reason or other, perform as well as those that cost a lot to get and to employ.
If you get the first bit wrong - i.e. pay too much for what turns out to be a prima donna, a feeble-minded mummy's boy, a permacrock or a donkey - then you're in the crap and you end up precisely where the last part of your observation states.
It's not only Boro who have difficulties in that regard however, but, as I say, on statistical balance, the probability of getting it more right more often, lies with those who have the money to spend.
For those who have less, it rather emphasises the importance of thorough and wholly professional recruitment procedures, to mitigate the risk of getting it wrong. When it does go wrong for smaller clubs, the effects are more grave because there's generally less headroom to manoeuvre. If you go for a big throw like Alves, or Mido, for example, then you'd better have done all your homework on every aspect of what you're paying for.
I guess Boro have found out the hard way in some notable cases - and at a critical time in the club's recent history, given the exposure of Gibson's finances to the global economic downturn.
While one might be prepared to accept financial tightening and occasional error of management judgement as part of life, what is more difficult to live with is the lack of appropriate communication with the supporters with whom Steve Gibson is supposed to have a rapport, on what has been happening at the club for the past four years.
As I've said before, Blind Faith doesn't cut it! Fans who have emotional investment as well as consumer interests feel they need to know what they're buying into. And many, like I do, feel that they've been misled by a management high on personal ambition, but sometimes lacking in good judgement, professionalism and marketing and retail know-how.
Too much gloom, too little belief.
Were not doing the players or club any favours by this overwhelming fan-depression. Nowadays it seems to be all about which players is the worst, who cant score goals and which defender is to blame for the late goal(s..).
What about the young gun Luke, which made it into the history books, ot McMahon, a loyal captain-in-the-making back in form. Or young Franks impressive display in the start of the City game. These, and other, moments seems to be totally forgotten because of the never ending gloom.
AV: That being said, your piece was excellent, and I agree in most of what you said. But in a broader sense I think its time some of us (and hopefully someone in the local media as well) start focus on the positives, because its there. But its get harder to spot with every negative comment.
I grew up as a Man Utd fan, in the days of Arthur Albiston and Gary Baily. Which means when the club was something like Everton today, or even Bolton. I lost interest around 1990, which of course made me lose out on the glory. Being a fanatic Robson fan, I followed him to the Boro, and had the pleasure of building a relationship with a new and fantastic club.
When Robson left I was of course sad, but my bonds with the club had grown to strong to follow him ant further. (Would have been an interesting experiment, though: Bradford, West Brom, Shef UTD and...Thailand...)
Coming from the "outside", what strikes me now is the demands and expectations of the fans. Fans of a club which, in all fairness, isnt used to glory. Being a Boro fan and demanding top premiership status doesnt fit, period.
Don't mind what the club bosses tell you about this and that, all club bosses has visions. (Believe me, I know. Being a Norwegian Im used to the Norwegian clubs stating their visions of Scandinavian supremacy within 5 years, and reaching the Champions League and bla bla.).
Nevermind losing Robson (welcome back, anytime, with Juninho as your assistant!) Losing Southgate was worse, cause the results was actually good, and he was (tried to be) tactically visionary (I would have agreed to sacking him last january or in the summer, of course). Despite this, I cant let myself get down and start hate everything about the club I love. Now its Strachan, and now its a new beginning.
I guess what Im trying to say is that we have become like spoilt children, with the big transfers the cup finals. Sorry to be honest about it, but we cant except that more than every fifty years.
Its time to appreciate the work being done by the players to push for the playoffs, and realize that that is were we are now and were we probably belong. And then we have to appreciate the most important thing we posess, which is the academy and the local players.
Its time to appreciate the glory days as great memories, and get on with the loyal (and hopeful) job of being a fan.
**AV writes: I think the problem is not where we are (in modern times Boro have spent long spells just outside the second tier promotion shake-up) but where we have come from. The fall from Eindhoven to the present grim reality is a steep and painful one. A lot of people don't want to get used to it, or accept it.
But I think the malaise goes deeper than just recognising where we are and not liking it. It is not dummmy spitting. I think a lot of deep felt grievances that have built up over the years festered and ate away at the core of the unconditional belief that makes people fans (you would not believe how long the crime sheet is when some people start to unburden themselves) but those grievances were held in check because of the undoubted success delivered by the Gibson regime.
Now that success has gone and the barrier protecting the club has gone too. Now the problem is that no one within the club is offering a defence to the criticism.No one is articulating the reasons why fans should stick with the club. There is no stirring vision of how we rebuild and return to the big time, no clarion call of defiance, no flame of passion. It seems to me that the club is shrugging its shoulders with the same resigned apathy that has enveloped many fans.
I think people need to be offered hope.
'Settle for what you've got and be happy with your lot' is not something that I think is necessary or acceptable - so, I won't accept it.
I can't join AV in being 'philosophical' and nothing in my recent experience of MFC & Boro leads me towards being upbeat - even relatively.
Settling/accepting is also dangerous because the strong likelihood is that you'll end up with less that what you think you've got or less than what you thought your lot was.
As AV points out, the totally unnecessary relegation last season was presided over by people who - by their own admission - were complacent and 'didn't see it coming'. Frankly, there were enough sleepwalkers across the DiasBoro too.
You never hold things steady in reality - you're either going forward or you're actually going backwards.
The results of the last three years, exacerbated by what's still going on this season is all about continuing regression. And this time round it's regression in a very poor quality and, largely, entertainment free league. Is that the lot that we're being asked to accept? No way.
That - and all the other MFC issues that are well rehearsed on here are why we're seeing record low attendances week in week out.
You can't, either, make the argument that we can't succeed back in The Prem. If that's what you believe then what's the point of striving to do well in this godforsaken league since that's the only prize on offer?
Also, the facts are that despite some well publicised strugglers there are also teams with the same resource profile and crowd potential as Boro and who are English owned who are holding their own or doing pretty well, thank-you very much.
And had Gibbo and The Count taken only some of the courses of action that AV points out above that they didn't take (because they, complacently, 'didn't see it coming') Boro would still have been in The Prem too.
Richard's 2:57 of today is right on the mark about this stuff as well.
Getting back to The Prem and some decent quality footy and holding our own with a chance of decent Cup runs is a reasonable and achievable ambition and target for Boro.
It may still be achievable via play-offs this season but the longer time goes on without the rebuild in place, the less likely it is. And I do just wonder whether the ambitions at the club are now more about next season than this. That's bad enough.
But, if I thought that their ambitions - exemplified in their actions not just their too far devalued words - were only about long term wallowing in this league then, never mind the 20, 30 or 40 year veterans that AV refers to, this 50 year veteran would not be just resigned but, I'm afraid, my active support would cease.
Over a decade and more we have seen and experienced what is possible. It remains still very possible and, having seen and experienced it, I'm not prepared now to accept less.
braveheart, no they are not. Caldwell is not better than Riggot, Pogi or Wheater. Robson is not better than Digard or Oneil. Willow Flood is not better than anyone at MFC full stop.
I hold it true, whate'er befall;
I feel it, when I sorrow most;
'Tis better to have loved and lost
Than never to have loved at all.
I understand the bitterness, the disappointment, the anger. But we should also remember the pride, the courage and outstanding precociousness.
There are very few men I would forgive if I found him lying with my wife – but SG is one ( Juninho is the other ). A question! who do you hold responsible? Name the names AV, pin the tail on the donkey!!
Remembe Hughie Macalmoyle dont know if i spelt it right but he was a fighter whee are the fighters today.
Gutted.
Many apologies that I missed your post.
I remember before the match that as we parked up we saw saw a young man buy a pie from the burger van. We posed the question and he said he was Stampy's brother. He looked the absolute spitting image.
Chris Killen!!!!
When I suggested buying a complete team from Celtic, it was meant to be tongue in cheek!
Its fair to say many of us are confused and hope for answers as to to how the fall as happened. I cant believe it was intentional. Maybe Steve was too loyal to everyone involved but my hope is it might come as a godsend in the sense,the financial climate is horrific for all clubs bar a few.
I'm hoping Steve has regrouped and has a long term plan that puts the club back to where we want to be, on a competitive position not only on the field but off it.
I believe the Prem has peaked. I know internationally the rest of the world are only interested in the champions league and I think within 5 years that's where the majority of the money will end up,a proper Champions league,a lot of so called big clubs will end up in the very lower leagues if they survive at all. I dont want us to.
Bottom line is, accept where we are and support the club to help them get back up to where apparently everyone wants, although I have to laugh at all the callers in to the radio call ins,90% of them start off with "I wasnt at the game but..."
latest from scottish press
"MIDDLESBROUGH are still trying to strike a deal for four Celts - Gary Caldwell, Barry Robson, Willo Flood and Chris Killen.
Boss Gordon Strachan had been desperate to land the "job lot" before this weekend's Championship clash with Swansea.
I can reveal he had tabled a bid of £2m for the Gang of Four who all joined Strachan at Celtic for a combined cost of £1m.
But Lawwell continues to hold out for more and frustrated Strachan may now have to fill his injury-hit side with teenagers for the Swansea match. Free agent Caldwell has also been in talks with Wigan and could earn more by joining them."
AV
Are there more issues with the site accepting posts?
Of the last three I've sent, only one has got through - despite all being available on preview and then receiving the acknowledgement that they had been received.
**AV writes: I haven't been notified of any current problems but I will ask.
AV said: "There is no stirring vision of how we rebuild and return to the big time, no clarion call of defiance, no flame of passion. It seems to me that the club is shrugging its shoulders with the same resigned apathy that has enveloped many fans.
I think people need to be offered hope."
When the club does offer this and sells the long term dream or even hints at a rosier future, then does not deliver on the promise - world class manager etc these are the sticks, some fans, choose to beat the club with. So they are screwed if they don't, then screwed if they do but fall short of the dream they are selling.
To avoid the beating, the statement needs to be moderated down, then they take another beating for not being bold enough!
Regardless of what the club comes out with (and I think they need to say something!) some will chose to find fault with it regardlessly. Then there is some stuff that they rightly take stick for - please all sit and be quiet and town full of mackems!
Its hardly surprising when sometimes, like now, they choose to sit tight and wait for some positive results before speaking at all.
The players from Celtic are good players for league two the only good player they have is Aidan Mcgeady .. Boyd would be a good buy, SPL all time scorer. Mr Vickers have u seen any of the Celtic players in action? If so u will no how bad they really are. I would go for Boyd, Miller and Novo
OK Richard I agree with your argument that basically you generally get what you pay for, but when shopping for bargains you better do your homework and be able to distinguish tat from a potential good purchase.
Though I believe there are so few players that are actually worth the millions in terms of what extra they bring over the average 'top' player that it always seems like Boro waste money on defective goods - Besides, the really good players aren't interested in coming to a club outside the Champion's League candidates.
What's interesting is that the skewed marketplace means that Boro can afford to compete on wages with the top clubs over the border like Rangers and Celtic who have a massive fan bases.
What it seems is about to happen at Boro is January rebuilding being financed by the cull of foreign players, who were nothing more than that over-priced gambles, and the auctioning off of our latest academy hopeful to desperate PL clubs.
What matters now is that we create a team that the fans find at least mildly entertaining to watch whist steadily climbing up this poor league of thud and blunder merchants.
I might be wrong but checking Killen's scoring stats since Feb 2006 shows:
3 goals for NZ first team
1 goal for NZ under 23's
2 goals for Celtic
Does not appear to be the regular goal scorer that the team needs.
C'Mon Boro!
**AV writes: I think he is ear-marked for the crucial 4th choice striker role after Lita and two others.
Since Eindhoven………..blah blah blah. I’m sick of reading/hearing about our decline since Eindhoven.
The team that got to the Uefa cup final was not some world beating 11. We finished 14th that season in the league. Granted had we have beaten West Ham in the semi we would have got European football again. But at what cost? The season we reached the UEFA cup final, really should have been our most lucrative, but we made a loss of £13m.
Also as magical as our cup run was to Eindhoven, it was only that, a cup run. Think Chesterfield, Wycombe, Millwall and this seasons FA Cup winners Forest Green. We could easily have gone out to Stuttgart and Roma, not to mention the brilliant Riverside come backs.
Eindhoven was a great achievement but the team wasn’t anywhere near the top half of the premier league. The problems had already begun to bite.
**AV writes: I agree with that but it was not only a high-water mark against which people will always measure our status but it was also a visible opportunity: dug-out vacancy, highest ever profile, never a better chance to attract a quality manager and lucrative sponsorships, a feel-good factor.... the widespread belief remains that the Eindhoven dividend was squandered and I think that will harden with time. It is a massive political hurdle for the club to over-come as they rebuild.
GS must be getting someone in why else would Digard be allowed to go? Constant complaints of how small and weak the squad is has not been helped by Digard's departure, even if it was obvious that GS was not a fan of his.
C'Mon Boro!
**AV writes: Digard has been shipped out because GS2 doesn't rate him or believe he is mentally (or physically) capable of beingin tune with what he wants at Boro. Letting him go loan frees up a decent gap in the wage structure.
I think a loan is risky. A sale would be better. On loan we run the risk of him being either injured or exposed as no good in the full glare of the French media when that is the only viable market to flog him in.
WE can all enjoy our weekend - the game is off!!
gt
By nature of the Saturday phone ins most of the fans who go to matches are crossing the wilderness, braving the underpasses, crowding the Navi or sat on the A66 trying to get home.
I have occasionally called once I have got to the car but rarely get anywhere near the researcher so I guess it is normally non attendees who tend to get on air. The national, radio five 606 shows are the same.
Anyway, there is no match tomorrow so a chance to get players fit or new faces in though I think the new faces will be at the end of the month.
Anthony - your response to Anlov, our Norwegian friend - bullseye!
Werdermouth:
"What matters now is that we create a team that the fans find at least mildly entertaining to watch whist steadily climbing up this poor league of thud and blunder merchants."
Agreed - with one "adjustment". I'd prefer to substitute "Wildly" for your "Mildly"! But as Mao Tse Tung reminded us, (or was it Chang Kai Shek? - or Lee Dong Gook?), The Long March started with one small step.
In keeping with the tenor of AV's article however, I feel there is a need for Gibson - or someone credible in authority - to lay some cards on the table, outline the vision, describe the current reality and fill in some of the spaces.
Without articulation of a credible recovery project vision - consistent with available evidence and not just knitted from clouds of unsubstantive hope or grossly overblown sentiment - the collapse of credibility of the club management will prevail, based on public scepticism of real motive and intent.
Unless such vision articulation and supporting evidence is forthcoming, the present local atmosphere of cynicism, mistrust and general disappointment, by increasing numbers of the public, will continue to corrode the chances of recovery, as many people will stay away.
I take Boro Doug's point about "damned if they do and damned if they don't", but the way to deal with that is NOT to retrench and say/do nothing! Especially when it's clear that your customer base is being drastically eroded! That's what I mean by the absence of retail and PR know-how being an intrinsic weakness in MFC's management structure. You can't run an "entertainment" business like a bulk haulier's business! The markets are entirely different.
I'm coming to the suspicion that MFC has never been seen by Steve Gibson to be a business, as such. It's been a hobby-addition to his main business focus. And so, much of what happens within the club is open to accusations of unprofessional and inadequate procedures and systems.
I guess when Neil Bausor was appointed, we hoped that a change was in the pipeline and that it was signalling a new era of professional marketing, expansion and growth, building upon earlier on-field success. It's disappointing to those of us who believed in the "Project Boro" that took us to the Millennium Stadium and to Eindhoven, that the new era has proved to be one of contraction on all fronts.
Re post Eindhoven post
The dug out vacancy wasn’t such an attractive opportunity to would be managers. Talk of Teesside-Sur-Rhine was surely masking the fact that any big name manager would have wanted big name budget. We simply didn’t have that and therefore couldn’t attract the type of figure we may have wanted.
As for lucrative sponsors would only have been available if we had been in Europe. We weren’t. Our TV exposure was akin to a frightened vole on Bill Oddies springwatch.
New years resolution broken. Non football related post I’m afraid.
Does Nunthorpe have it’s own micro climate? Whenever I turn off the A19 on to the 174 it starts snowing. By the time I hit ‘thorpe it’s a full on blizzard. Hardly any snow in comparison in Boro and toon land.
Any thoughts?
If GS buys Killen, 4th choice striker, lets hope so!
I agree loaning players out is risky, is Mido coming back next season?
C'Mon Boro!
Richard wrote:
"But as Mao Tse Tung reminded us, (or was it Chang Kai Shek? - or Lee Dong Gook?), The Long March started with one small step"
"A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step", attributed to Lao Tzu (Chinese philosopher, 6th century BC).
Mao Tse Tung was communist, and so unlikely to have quoted a Taoist philospher.
Chang Kai-Shek was leader of the Kuomintang, opposed to Mao, and so unlikely to have talked about the Long March.
Lee Dong Gook was an alleged professional footballer, and so unlikely to have said anything remotely interesting.
**AV writes: Digard has been shipped out because GS2 doesn't rate him ......."
It's official then; Strachan knows bugger all about football!
The snow is a Godsend. Swansea are well organised, hard working, can play a bit... they would have battered us. Now we have a bit of breathing space for Strachan to get a few of his own people in.
As for Digard... technically a good player but he lacks bottle, steel. When GS2 talked last week about some needing to get in some players who would give 100% and work hard for the team, who were leaders, who were 'men' Digard was not the kind he meant.
There's a few more of them we need to get shot of as well, the ones who fancy themselves as footballers but who are mentally weak, the ones who disappear when the going gets tough - Arca, Aliadiere, Emnes, Hoyte. Pretty much all Southgate's signings really.
If strachan wants to bring in a few 'men' who are lesser players but better battlers and who can kick and scrap a bit then that is just fine with me.
Holgate Ender
Fine with me too. Provided they can also score goals.
I normally admire your writing AV but I'm sorry, on this occasion I dont find this piece "spot on" as others have descibed it.
It strikes me that there are far too many people who seem to be enjoying this whole thing. I believe the term is "wallowing". Each setback, no matter how minor allows the hyperbole to be ratcheted up another notch.
The "I told you so's" wheel out old posts to remind you how prescient they were, and go on to tell us we are in crisis, free-fall, whatever. Everyone associated with the club becomes incompetent, the manager, the players, the targets, the scouts, the chairman, the CEO. Ex-players suddenly become geniuses, even relatively anonymous ones like James Morrison.
It's become one massive, internet-fueled wallow in our own misery and has turned into a nasty, self perpetuating spiral of decline - and your article panders to the wallow and perpetuates the spiral...and offers no perspective.
There's a good reason the Australian's call the English "whingeing poms", and I'd say a good proportion of our internet connected fan base has never been happier now that they have something good to whinge about.
Well I'm not joining in the collective wallow. I see a club that has been narrowly relegated from a very competitive league after several years of struggle. I see a club that has acted early and sensibly to cut costs and provide a stable platform for re-building whilst other clubs are still playing with fire.
I see a reasonably successful season to date, with more victories and goals to enjoy than in many recent seasons. I see a league position just below the play-offs at half way through the season and every possibility of a promotion challenge. I see a successful local businessman who genuinely cares for the club providing excellent Chairmanship, and a Chief Executive who has presided over the most succesful period in the history of the club and must rank as one of the best Chief Executives in the business. I see a strong and experienced manager who I think has a very strong chance of returning us to the Premiership and keeping us there, making us competitive there.
And I'm enjoying this season very much. In fact the only thing I've stopped enjoying is reading this blog... it seems to have been taken over by whingeing poms!
**AV writes: I actually agree with much of what you say in objective terms and generally I am among the most strident voices saying "stop moaning," condemning Teesside's institutional pessimism and looking at the positives. Yes, I am actually one of the more upbeat citizens of Planet Boro.
And for all the problems and deflation the club are not actually far short of igniting a promotion push. It would probably only take three players and sharp kick up the backside to get the bangwagon rolling in what is a very poor division.
But there is a stark subtext on Teesside that maybe you are insulated from by your distance - and that is the widespread collapse of morale that has enveloped not just the club but the town and the whole area. Things are bleak right now.
And it is not just 'wallowing': there is a harsh reality about what is happening. The job cuts, the prospect of economic implosion, the collapse in productivity, the fall in markets, the lack of local leadership, the lack of a clear plan to attract investment and redevelop a stagnant and/or failing institution ... all that can easily be seen as applying as much to the club as to the steel or chemical industry and our moribund urban authorties.
This is an area that badly needs a spark of some sort.
Digard can play a bit when he's fit and if he feels like it. The problem is that since he's been at the BORO those 2 things haven't happened often enough.
We are in the position of having a small squad and everyone needs to have the right attitiude to go with their talent. GS2 was clearly pretty unimpressed when Emnes came off with his "knock in the ribs" after going on as sub against Citeh.
I don't think that a mix of talent for their role and a desire to play games is too much to ask for in any Championship player - especially when money is tight.
The BBC reports that Celtic have accepted an offer from Middlesbrough for defender Gary Caldwell and midfielder Barry Robson. Boro manager Gordon Strachan, who signed both players in his time at Celtic, must now persuade the duo to join him in Teeside.
AV, I know Caldwell is a centre back but even though Robson sounds familiar (!) as a midfielder could you tell more about him?
We just need a couple of leaders a goal scorer. Sounds good. Up the Boro!
I was looking forward to joining AV's live match coverage but then the match was called off, there again the live match has suffered from inclement weather in recent weeks.
I wonder if there is a virtual equivalent of global warming, is there enough grit for the electronic highway?
Apart from one failing undersoil heating system the top matches are being called off due to concerns about the surrounding areas.
We have been relatively lucky in Derby though it is snowing again as I type but their ground is as the Riverside should have been with surrounding retail outlets, hotels and eateries (with apologies to the Navi and sundry burger vans).
There seems little hope of a swift change in the weather. In a look back I remember setting off from school to play rugby and the Beggs bus being unable to get up Burke Brow with little prospect of either getting to Scarborough or the Boro match being on.
There was a quite amazing thaw at lunchtime and 4 or 5 inches of snow melted and Boro won.
Breaking news, deals agreed with Celtic for Robson and Caldwell but no deal for Jan van missing link.
All I can say to the negativity brigade is 'yes you are absolutely correct' - but you can all sod off and hide behind the sofa.
I'm still turning up and will renew my ST every year. This is MY club and has been since I saw my first game in 1955. Sure the good times have gone, but that's NO reason to head wingeing and wineing for the exits.
Mal from Ingleby
**AV writes: As a long time sufferer you will know that dips in success levels are always followed by corresponding dips in attendance and interest. And worst, that with the down-swings come not just apathy from people who no longer attend but also some quite alarming levels of bitterness and hostility. This time we are coming from an unprecedented high so expect unprecedented vitriol.
I watched the West Brom v Forest last night.Forest confirmed the good impression I had of them following their 1-1 draw at the Riverside.They fully merited their 3-1 win to climb into second place.
It shows what can be achieved with a group of fully committed players to the club,their manager and their team mates.
I have been less than impressed with Strachan to date but I recognise he must have a chance to put a team together that he wants on the pitch.
Recreate the Forest spirit, ship out the pea hearts and those that would rather be elsewhere and I believe the fans will rally round.All is not lost yet.
**AV writes: As a long time sufferer you will know that dips in success levels are always followed by corresponding dips in attendance and interest......."
When the Riverside was opened, it wasn't filled with disgruntled stayaway Ayresome Park fans. This was a whole new fan base.
Promised an era of successful football the new fans were happy to buy into a new age for MFC. The danger is that this new breed of Boro fan have many more alternatives to spend their disposable earnings on. Once gone they may not come back.
Ian Gill said:
"Breaking news, deals agreed with Celtic for Robson and Caldwell but no deal for Jan van missing link."
I think Jan Venegoor of Hesselink is at Hull City now?
jwm367t
Never said he was at Celtic but there is still no deal for him.
If the sentance gave the impression the non deal was with Celtic my apologies are due.
The only foreign players I would scout would be Russian, Serbian, Polish and other players who are use to our weather conditions. At least there would put up a fight during the winter.
As for Strachan taking a big gamble on these Celtic players, I think this could back-fire. Remember when The Toon got rid of Caldwell and Man City got rid of Willo (The Wisp) Flood! Enough said,
Also heard that Mido (The Parmo-Eater) Is unhappy and wants to cut his loan short. Played 10 scored 1.He must miss the Parmo's. Cmon Boro 6 game unbeaten run will get us back In Touch with the Top Two! Miracles Can Happen!
AV,
Yes, I accept that I am insulated from the grim reality facing Teeside in these times, for which I can only be thankful. I can understand that the area needs a spark.
But that's no reason to take it out on Steve Gibson, Gordon Strachan, Keith Lamb or any of the players. Like those of us still lucky enough to possess one, they're just trying to do their job as best they can.
From my geographically distant perch I see some problems and mistakes being made, but certainly not the scale of calamity that get's described week in week out in this blog.
By the way, quick change of subject. Christmas this year brought a copy of "A season with Verona" by Tim Parks. I could highly recommend it to all posters. With the exception of the racism theme, you could replace the word 'Verona' with 'Boro' and it would strike very true. I haven't finished it yet so I don't know whether they end up getting relegated or not.
As another one (thankfully) insulated by distance let me say that the Aussie exile is spot on about the non-stop whinging and bitter belly-aching which has helped envelope the club (and the area) in a cloak of defeatism.
I think Boro fans are now getting the club they deserve. Not all but a large, gobby, persistantly pessimistic section of bitter and nasty Boro fans have moaned non-stop all the way through the golden age and somehow made us believe that the past decade has been an unmitigated disaster.
They moaned about Robbo buying big names and about Southgate buying prospects. They moaned about Gibbo not spending and now about the results of spending too much. They moaned McClaren's defensive approach even though it brought our best ever Prem finish, a first ever trophy and Europe. They moaned about losing at Wembley (and Eindoven)as if it was a birthright to win.
They moaned coming back from Cardiff, they moaned coming back from Lisbon, Rome, from Eindhoven. They slagged off Robson, McClaren, Southgate, pretty much every player, Brownlea, Paylor, Fordy, the kitman, Lamb and now Gibson.
THESE PEOPLE WILL NEVER BE HAPPY!
Boro should stop pandering to these half-wits (they should never have withdrawn the half ST offer) and other fans should stop kow-towing to cynical and emotionally stunted pathetic individuals locked in self-defeating competitive moaning. And not just about football. They pretty much hate everything, including themselves.
Don't let them set the agenda in the puvs and clubs, on the suicidal phone-in shows, on other message boards and on here.
THis is a great club representing a gritty (but not pretty) town and we have just enjoyed our best ever spell of success. Let's take strength from that, regroup and have another crack. We have proved it can be done. Let's do it again.
AV: You're right in your response to Bob.
The area does need a spark and, at the moment, it's difficult to see where that's going to come from in either industrial or civic terms. There are a number of initiatives and organisations working, but in a relatively small way to try to innovate, but there isn't, in any field, the critical mass of either expertise or connection with centres of excellence, power or attraction that would make the area nationally, let alone globally, important.
We got close when ICI Petrochemicals Division was headquartered here and when there was greater steel product output. But, like Tyneside's loss of coal-mining and other heavy manufacturing industry, Teesside hasn't yet re-invented itself.
That's what needs to be further identified, worked on and followed through, if the area is to flourish as most of us hope it will in future.
Tees Exile: How can you say "thankfully" you're insulated, in acknowledgement of stuff being not great here and then go on to savage those of us who aren't so insulated and who see and "feel" the tangible disappointment and frustration each and every home outing at the Riverside and then every other week as another Gazette headline tells us how many more Teesside jobs are disappearing or what the percentages of population are in Middlesbrough claiming benefits and what the teenage pregnancy rates are (the two are directly linked!)?
Bob (the Aussie or non-whingeing Pom) and you may claim to have the "right", "positive" attitude. However, the way you personally exercised that positivity was to leave Teesside in search of better prospects. There are many here on Teesside for whom that is NOT a feasible proposition. People no less passionate and capable than yourselves are tied to the area by some bonds or constraints and yet recognise and care about things being better than they presently are. They choose to work from within to try to make that happen.
There are matters and circumstances at play which are entirely outside of most people's control which they don't like and would change if they had the necessary power and control to do it.
It's a bit rich being lectured to by someone who's beat a retreat from the area, on how great it's been and how fantastically lucky we should consider ourselves to have been living in the area you chose to vacate because........... it was so great(?)!
In the meantime, some of us choose to have a bitch about it publicly on a forum such as this because it's a way in which the displeasure and concerns of the population can be made known to those who are in positions to make positive stuff happen.
If you were on Teesside, wouldn't you be calling for something better - just as you chose to leave Teesside in pursuit of your own "better" prospects?
Absence makes the heart grow fonder or so it would appear with some of our rose tinted ex-pat contributors who had the luxury of leaving the area but hyper sensitive to the place of their ancestry.
Having a heightened sense of protectionism towards all things Teesside is all well and good but very blinkered, a bit like the Marconi operators on the Titanic who were so busy with social messages for the aristocrats on board that they asctually told one ship who was warning them of Icebergs to "shut up".
Being isolated and cocooned sometimes gives a false selse of wellbeing (not too dissimilar to spending 10 minutes de-icing our cars this week and then after driving for 10 minutes in a nice and warm car forgetting its still -8 out on the roads).
The contibutors to phone-in shows or indeed blogs such as this are the people who are the intended target market audience for MFC and when they spend several years complaining about what ills the club and what will happen in the future if their warnings go unheeded and they are proved correct as the club fell from grace was and is more than just a bit galling.
Football is all about opinions and supporters will always have their favourite players and villains, some Managers, Directors and Chairmen will have charisma and some (if not most) will not in the fans eyes.
The bottom line is whether or not the resources available are being utilised to their maximum efficiency. In the case of MFC this has been intermittent at best and often woeful (especially over the last few years). During the McClaren/Robson "moaning" era's the Riverside was well attended despite the "moaners".
The current problem is different to the anti Robbo/Mac individuals because during that time they (the "moaners") still turned up, paid and supported the Boro.
Continued errors behind closed doors (even silly things like badges and white band) combined with appalling customer relations (tantamount to a "let them eat cake" attitude), tactical and selection faux pas out on the pitch, tested even the most ardent follower.
The club is part of the relatively short history and heritage of this proud town (and surrounding area including Stockton). The general populus of Teesside are decendants of hard working individuals who came to the area from Ireland, Wales, Durham and across the UK in search of work, people who needed to provide for their families and who ironically were ex-pats themselves at the time.
That background and ancestry shapes the attitude and mindset of Teessiders today, no-nonsense, no bull and hard grafters. Their is no flowery artistic "grey areas" in that profile, perhaps another 150 years of Teesside evolution may provide that luxury.
When Teessiders don't like what they see they say it and call it the way it is. We don't do sensitivity, we call a spade a spade not a long handled digging implement. Contrast attendances for a league game at Norwich versus Exeter yesterday in League 1 of 25,000 and at Derby v. Scunny in the Championship of 28,000 and then Boro's rapidly dwindling support of disenchanted, disheartened and disillusioned die hards of circa 14,000 at best and falling (despite the "official" spin figures).
If the Club listens to the long distance romancers then thats fine but they don't pay through the turnstiles and their original disaffection with the area in general does them little or no credibility in casting aspersions at those still residing and attending. The club needs to learn from and accept that they have made grave errors and correct their demeanour and once again earn the trust and respect by being "proper Teessiders" i.e. straight and to the point, no less.
Ironically the "let them eat cake" quote is apt in the case of MFC. It is attributed to Marie Antoinette as "evidence" of her feelings towards her subjects. It was typical anti-royalist propaganda of the time and helped to justify her trip to the Guillotine. The reality is that it was in print ten years before her birth.
What people feel and believe is often far more powerful than reality in life and any individual or institution stupid enough to ignore or not understand that will more than likely end up contributing to their own demise.
"As another one (thankfully) insulated by distance let me say that the Aussie exile is spot on about the non-stop whinging"
Oh thats rich, another "exile" who couldn't wait to leave the place moaning about people moaning.
I have just checked the comments on your article AV. It appears the articles I referred to didn't post, (technologically challenged I am). It might be easier if you read them on the twe12thman site, under articles, where I laid my sole bear, both before the season started and again at xmas.
**AV writes: There's a link to the Twe12thman blog on the home page of this blog.
This has almost turned into a comedy sketch. The original moaners are now complaining about those that are moaning about their moaning. Absolutely fantastic.
I wonder if the Government, with the failure to oust Gordon Brown, is in the same position as Boro were last January when we could all see avoidable relegation looming but the obvious solutions were ignored! Aren't any MPs Boro fans? Is history about to be repeated?
To Redcar Red and Richard: Very eloquently put.
As one of those "dastardly" Exiles, I must be in the minority as I feel every bit aggrieved as my fellow smoggies living in Teesside do. If moaning is sinful, then I will be going straight to hell.
Before my exile, I was brought up in Redcar and Dormanstown, lucky enough to have been able to walk into a job at ICI Wilton in my teens although grateful to have been offered the job of a lifetime by my older brother in London.
While I was in the UK, I did my best to attend as often as I could. I love my team, I love Teesside and I love the people. We are renowned for our no-nonsense approach to life and I have taken this with me wherever I go. It's made me what I am and I am a stronger, more resolute person for it.
Teesside is in my blood and it's what makes me tick to a large extent. When my team isn't doing so well, on and off the pitch I feel the pain of Teesside, despite all the snow and being surrounded by ice hockey fanatics up here in the great white north. I loathe ice hockey although if forced will occasionally join a friend at the local rink to watch the local lads knock the carp out of each other.
Having lived in Canada for the past seven years, I have followed Boro as passionately as the next Boro fan, despite not being able to go to games. In a way, it's even more frustrating when things are going so wrong, because I am isolated aside from sharing/reading posts on this excellent Blog and elsewhere online. That said, I do have a son (born and bred in London) who is as passionate about Boro as I am, so that makes it a tad easier.
Most folks who depart England's shores do tend to lose sight of reality and pine for the good old days and ultimately end up wearing rose tinted glasses. They seek other UK exiles rather than mingle with the local community and they rekindle their love for Queen and Country.
While I do choose to mingle in local community events, my move away has rekindled my love for things I took for granted back home but I have never wavered in my "Teessideness." If that makes me a "moaner", than so be it.
I offer this to my fellow local smoggies who might consider that us Exiles all feel like these "non-whinging" types around the globe who have lost touch with the reality of a club in shambles and an area that is suffering more than most.
One week back on Teesside and I am sure the reality of the situation would really hit home for them.
In the meantime, Exiles are alienated enough without this kind of drivel being written. I for one don't want to be tarnished with your brushes, so please take great care when throwing your stones around in our glass house!
For Stockton Red:
Steve: I'm concerned about crowd size at the Riverside, Ray.
Ray: Are you, Steve? I suppose the Corus situation doesn't help matters much, does it?
Steve: Nope, it's a real bummer. Less money around for punters to buy Boro shirts and overpriced bottled beer on the concourse! You know that initiative of yours that brought you to national prominence a few years ago - what was it called……?
Ray: "Zero Tolerance", Steve….
Steve: Yes, That was it - "Zero Tolerance"!, Well I think it's backfiring. I think the public have finally caught onto what it was you really meant!
Ray: How come?
Steve: We used to be able to rely on low public expectation after the Ayresome Park days. And it was helpful when the supporters had tolerance of Zero. It meant we could fail with impunity and still they'd come in their droves. But ever since we raised the bar by winning something and getting to a European Final, the whole concept's been spun round on us.
Ray: How do you mean Steve?
Steve: Well the crowds appear not to be tolerating Zero any more, Ray. They've developed a Zero Tolerance for Zero! Zero goals. Zero home points. Zero value for money. And Zero communication. We're expected to deliver! We're expected to win at home,…..sometimes! We're expected to score goals,……sometimes! We're expected to compete for 95 minutes and to give 110% - whatever THAT means!
Zero Tolerance - it used to be a regional Godsend - is being challenged by a sector of the population! (It might be those bloody Makems in Stockton, mind - stirring it up!) And I don't know what to do about it. Because they're not renewing their season tickets and they're not even coming out to see Premier League teams at the Riverside any more!
Ray: But you don't get Premier League Teams at the Riverside any more, Steve!
Steve: Yes, we do - we had Manchester City in the FA Cup!
Ray: But you lost, Steve! And most locals expected that and were probably a bit reluctant to spend Premier League entrance money on a virtually guaranteed, nailed-on, FA Cup exit to a team you hammered 8-1 in the last match of the season before last!
It was always going to be too painful as a reminder of the reversal of fortunes between the two clubs since then. And you're out of the Carling Cup as well, aren't you?
Steve: Yes! Well, that was just the luck of the draw!
Ray: What? You mean Forest were lucky to draw Boro?
Steve: That's not funny, Ray! Even stalwarts, the likes of Ian Gill and John Powls, are getting close to open rebellion and they don't live on Teesside and therefore, have a thin layer of insulation from the daily reality.
Thank heavens for the overseas contingent, mind you! They don't pay me ticket money, but at least they're still tolerant of Zero and apparently gloriously happy to accept mediocrity! It's a pity everybody on Teesside can't be more like them!
Ray: But if more people on Teesside were more like them, there'd be fewer people on Teesside, Steve.
Steve: Stop twisting my words Ray! You sound like a politician!
Ray: Do I really, Steve? Do you really think so? You know, that's the nicest thing you ever said to me!
Steve: I didn't really mean it!
Ray: You know, Steve, I think the public really are underestimating capabilities here! I actually think we have the makings of a fine team.
Steve: What, that present shower at Rockliffe?
Ray: No Steve, you and me in politics!
**AV writes: Exit crowd, stage left.
Too much snow + too little footy - (not enough signings yet + Digard and Shawky gone) - all divided by constant of poor Boro form = introspection and squabbling in the family.
It'a all a bit like a Bergman film.
We could always run a book on quite how many Celtic players Boro will sign in January and the highest number that will be speculated by the newspapers (highest punt - 7, so far - unless you know better).
AV: Exit Steve - stage right.......... threateningly!!
All football fans moan and whinge - for some it's the most important part of the experience. The notion that Boro fans are top of the moaners league is unfair because we have more to moan about than other teams. We are hardly like those Arsenal fans who criticise Wenger and the 10 years of misery he has delivered them.
Having said that I'm optimistic - I think we have a good manager, a good chairman, some good players, a good stadium and facilities, a good academy. 'We' just made some very big mistakes over the last two years.
"Teesside Exile" only ever posts to have a shot at the fans. He should take leaf out my book and be a 'Norman Niceguy'.
Aussie Bob: I suspect is 'depressed' by the apparent absence of any hope and I can understand that and share that view to a certain extent. I certainly think the club and the Gazette could do more to help the manager. He's hardly had a warm welcome.
Not for the first time on this blog, Tees Exile comes up with the best post by a mile.
'Redcar Red said:...'
It all. Well done mate.
Ex pats stick time is it ? Well I think yes, we dont buy tickets unless we are visiting our beloved country and area. Most of us have lots of family in the area and know whats going on re jobs etc buts lets face it our area has always come second no matter which Government is in power.
As for our beloved Boro I was around when the gates were locked and the biggest attraction was a game against Darlo. Dont think we are there yet and understand why most on here are trying to raise the alarm to stop us going back there.
From afar I see disgruntled supporters quite rightly so but it looks like our away support has grasped the idea of where we are as a club already and are getting more enjoyment out of the experiance than the home fans.
Yes we are a shambles at home but we have to as a group decide if we get behind this team it may turn around. All we can do as supporters is exactly that, support, and take away the fear factor for the players. To carry on being negative will just get worse and worse.
I hope for all of you that brave the cold and fork out your money that we have a better 2010 the only way up for the supporters is to support and maybe the team will catch on.
scoredraw said: "Having said that I'm optimistic - I think we have a good manager, a good chairman, some good players, a good stadium and facilities, a good academy. 'We' just made some very big mistakes over the last two years."
Great attitude - long may it continue. Perhaps we have a future as a Boro family after all. Up the Boro!
There was clear evidence of the wide distribution of Boro fans throughout the UK.
West Brom, Cardiff and Derby were all booed off at half and full time whilst Derby were booed back on for the second half.
It just shows that we are determined to go to matches whether we are playing or not. Maybe that is where the missing thousands have gone.
I am probably one of those lucky people Bob referred to as being prescient. As Richard so rightly says I have a layer of insulation from the Teesside anxiety by living in the East Midlands.
The other side of living away is being able to view events from afar and have those views coloured by the fans of other clubs. Our recent slither is similar to those of Derby, Leicester, Forest and Coventry. Before anyone sneers at the links they have all won trophies.
When I have chance to look back at previous posts it does show we have been debating these issues before and that our current situation has been coming for some time. I will use those to emphasise points and to try and get people not to think it is only here and now that there are problems, the club may have not seen it coming but many fans did.
Does that mean I am wallowing in the situation? It bloody does not. I do not spend good money on tickets and travel to revel in the miserable performances I see at home games. Nor do I boo the team or players.
I have been witness to two relegations to the third division and dont want another one. Actually I dont think we will go down and will stick by my prescient statement that we should be good enough for the play offs although the faith is dimming at the moment.
Where we are lucky is that whilst we complain about Gibbo and Lamb, clubs like Forest, Derby and Leicester have had boards running the club for money. I believe our custodians do really care for the club despite situation we are in.
A "financial health" table of Championship clubs published in yesterday's Observer puts Boro equal last with Blackpool.
It gives Boro a score of 0% for financial health and rates the club as technically insolvent. Has Keith Lamb (or anyone else) been invited to comment on this?
**AV writes: Not yet, but they will be.
More than slightly worrying is the post from Mythbuster stating that Boro have been rated as technically insolvent by the Observer - though I'm presuming the word 'technically' means we're not insolvent, otherwise we wouldn't be in the process of trying to sign players - would we?
That's the problem with this whole 'Blind Faith' concept - it means that nobody running the club is wanting to be accountable to the town or the fans for the decisions that they make supposedly in our name.
That's why all those people who bemoan the moaners are so out of touch with reality - If the world was run on the basis of blind faith and unconditional loyalty it would simply continue along the same path until those in charge ceased to exist. Only by being accountable are people made to justify their decisions and be made to check that what they are doing is the correct course of action.
**AV writes: The same people using the same matric did the Premier League health check backin August and had 10 teams technically insolvent, that is having liabilities greater than the value of their assets and income. All these remain trading because of the agreement of their main creditors, usually the bank.
This report into the Championship puts Boro bottom of the table with a zero credit rating (and below Cardiff, Crystal Palace and Watford who have all diced with administration over the past few weeks), although that flies in the face of them being granted a new £77m overdraft facility last month. Presumably the important thing is the willingness of the creditors to extend loans. *Crosses fingers*
Ian Gill, sir,
Surely the state of Notts County serves as a far greater warning. The footballers supporters trust selling it's shares to an overseas investment fund which has resulted in a winding up order.
For all SG's tactical errors since Eindhoven, I think (hope) he wouldn't make such a strategic error. A move some posters here have been calling for.
There but for the grace of Gibbo..
AV
We know that the January window is traditionally difficult to do business in - even if you didn't have The Count i/c. And it's also difficult to separate fact from rumour and speculation.
But, even accepting that, today's downplaying expectations story in the Gazette on 'Targets in demand....' has something of the flavour of the usual MFC transfer drift in it - or am I being unnecessarily pessimistic?
And does that downplaying come from MFC & Boro or is it more the assessment from Gazette Towers.
Without significant re-inforcements this week - and even then these would be a struggle - I think that the best hope that Boro have in the next two games at The Blades and at home to Donny would be for the saviour snow that postponed the Swansea game to do us a favour again.
**AV writes: We are thinking the main two - Caldwell and Robson - will come in quickly with the other two from Celtic maybe later in the month and on loan if GS can't get some others in before then. Boyd could be the tricky one.
"A financial health" table of Championship clubs published in yesterday's Observer puts Boro equal last with Blackpool.
It gives Boro a score of 0% for financial health and rates the club as technically insolvent. Has Keith Lamb (or anyone else) been invited to comment on this?"
This same ridiculous article lists Watford as the 6th most solvent club in the league which is silly seeing as everybody knows that they are financially knee deep in the doggy doo.
**AV writes: These tables are always flawed, although to be fair, Watford's problems are not chiefly to do with debt levels, more to do with their major shareholders using debt as weapons in a boardroom power struggle.
AV,there seems to be a fair bit of speculation about possible signings, but have you heard anything regarding players leaving?
**AV writes: I think there are a few more possible outs after Shawky and Digard... it depends on buyers willing to take on old school Prem wages.
**AV writes: Cheeky. We don't see hide nor hair of you for a week then you ghost in at the far post to stab home the 100 again.
Blimey! ex-pats v 'pats', is there a vacuum to be filled by any chance? The sooner the footie starts again the better.
Maybe the 'ex pats' moved out because they couldn't stand the whinging?
Personally I wouldn't swap the copa cobana where I drink pina coladas all day and the sun always shines for grey, wet,cold, miserable Teesside in a million years!
The fact is Gordon has found out,that there are a number of players in this squad who cant handle the physical side of this division, including a certain future England international (cough). That's why hes looking at up to six new players.
There's still nothing to beat at this level and if he can get the right blend we can still get promotion. It's now becoming more obvious by the day that the apprentice(Southgate) was running a retirement home for up and coming footballers - £55m invested on what? And its not a moan, the fact is if you lower standards,you end up at a lower standard
Is GSs plan to get Celtic in the PL playing under the guise of Middlesbrough FC?
So it sounds like the flood of Celtic players caldwell be with us shortly - though given the finances have Boro robson cash from bank? - However the suspense is killen me but hopefully the mood of the fans will be boyd by this news.
**AV writes: Good job that move for Jan Veneggor of Hesselink fell through.
Future news.
'As the transfer window drew to a close Boro announced that they has signed Julian Speroni for £350k from cash strapped Palace.'
Well, You can always hope.
I'm quite amused but also a little peeved by this ex-pat bashing that appears to be going on.
I'm an overseas worker who is classed as an ex-pat, yet I'm also a North Stand SC holder who is still domiciled on Teesside, and who sees about four home games a year (if I'm lucky). That's my choice I know, and maybe this season it’s good not to see more than four, although last season was probably as bad if not worse.
What I have experienced over years of “working away” is that ex-pat fans of any club including Boro are as passionate as any fan at home, more so in a lot of cases because you certainly miss what you can’t have.
I think somebody above said absence makes the heart grow stronger, never a truer word said. It’s not what’s in your head I always say, it’s what’s in here as I point to my heart.
So don’t knock us just because we have the effrontery to come on here and have our say. How do any of you know why we moved to Oz, South Africa, New Zealand, USA, Brazil, or worked in Azerbaijan, Abu Dhabi or where ever? Maybe some of us had already been in a “CORUS” type situation and swore to get a better life for our families, maybe we went to work somewhere, liked it and just simply didn’t come back, but it’s a choice some of us make for our own reasons.
It doesn’t mean that none of us are sensitive to what’s going on “back home”, the vast majority of us are, we still have families and friends in Teesside. Why do you think there are MFC Supporters Clubs all over the world, sometimes only a few fans strong, or in the heyday of my time in Baku, the best supported EPL club in that region bar none.
We are Teessiders and always will be no matter where we live or work.
New signings will be good for this squad but if GS2 is going to play people in the wrong positions then it will not help anything.
This team needs leaders yes, It also needs support.
gt.... Nothing to beat in this league?
Played 24 won 9
... me thinks there is.....
The January transfer window system is a nightmare fraught with all kinds of difficulties for clubs, boards, owners and riff-raff CE's alike.
The only deals worth going for are those where players who have six months left on their contracts are concerned. Negotiating a fair rate for these situations seem to be the way to go.
All other deals seem to attract grossly inflated premiums. Examples are the Alves debacle (ouch!) and Boyd who has received an improved offer at Rangers which will surely price him way beyond our current financial clout. 19 goals is it he's scored? Hmmmm.
I for one am very pleased that for once, we seem to be putting our markers down earlier than in previous January windows. Using all thirty-one days as opposed to the last hour is definitely a better way forward and that to me is a far more professional and canny approach to doing business at this time of year.
It seems MacDonald now has an injury which rules him out and Roberts of Blackburn is a bench warmer without a cause granted but not the proven goal scorer we need. We don't need another whining player of Beckford's ilk but in Phillip's, assuming they get a replacement, we have what I consider a ready-made Championship player that while in his mid 30's could provide the goals we so desperately need to push our way up the table.
And despite a lot of idle web chat to the contrary, Phillips WOULD come to Teesside and has never said anything remotely bad about us. It'd be great to get another proven goal scorer too but given the Boro way, that'd probably be a bridge too far in terms of expecting way too much and stretching our purse strings. You never know though.
Back to the middle of the park. I think Robson will be a great acquisition and will add much needed steel in midfield. Use his left foot to kick the ball and his right one to run with and tackle along with his never-say-die approach to playing the game, I think he'll quickly turn into a crowd favourite. Keep him injury-free is the key. I hope that happens and he goes on to have an incredible season for us. But wait, he hasn't signed for us yet! LOL
And while the Celtic fans have not appreciated him allegedly doing his talking through the press and being somewhat mistake-prone this season, in Caldwell I think we have a ready-made leader who could help galvanise us and turn the team into a bunch of effective communicators which is what we have been crying out for for a long time now.
When tutored by Strachan, he had his best season for the Hoops although under Mogga, he's not been so good. I think teaming up with his old gaffer will be to our advantage and get him back to his best. That said, if he does get lured away by Wigan, it will be understandable given his age and his desire to play at the top level over the border.
As for the other two Celtic players, not so sure. Good squad players perhaps and stand-bys in the event we fail to secure better replacements elsewhere? Good back-up plan IMHO.
Twenty more days to go before the transfer window closes and having turfed out Shawky and the injury prone Digard, I am feeling more positive than usual. Sure, Digard offered lots of promise but did he deliver enough? Not in my view. We are right to cash in and should he remain injury-free, we may just make a smidgen of profit from a permanent deal. However knowing Boro's luck, he'll probably go on to be the next Zidane.
If we do end up bringing some experienced players in who have some leadership qualities and a willingness to get stuck in, I for one will be chuffed because those two attributes have gone walkies from our side for way too long.
And if it turns the rest of our young players into confident, cocky and capable players with a tenacious and infectious spirit that makes its way into the stands, then it will shape our Boro into playoff contenders that we can be proud of!
Up the Boro!
Breaking News!!
Kris Boyd is out for five weeks, going to Manchester tomorrow for a hernia op! Will we do a Villa and sign an injured player?
"There's still nothing to beat at this level and if he can get the right blend we can still get promotion."
EVEN MORE MINDBLOWING ARROGANCE from the land of the trophyless. Has somebody been tampering with the water supplies in your part of the world? LOL!
I'll be the first to say the last 3/4 years has been nothing less than a calamity but dont try and tell me this is an elite league. Yes we're in it and deserve to be where we are because the wrong decisions were made, and worse than that, people in charge just didnt get it, or had they the vision/ability to know what to do.
BUT get us a goal scorer and some toughness in this squad and I still say theres nothing to beat. Some consitancy and a long run of wins, going into the play offs on form it still could be on. Will we do it? We will know after the next six games whether its a pssibility or not.
Werdermouth:
Very good!
Even if Boro can't agree an up-front fee for Boyd, perhaps we could get him on a Loan-A-Ranger scheme?
Tim from SA:
Chicken & egg, Tim. About 15-20,000 Boro stayaways are testimony to that!
Neil (Yarm, Baku, Ulsan, and many places elsewhere no doubt!):
Nobody has bashed ex-pats in general Neil! One or two ex-pats have had a go, a bit harshly in my opinion, at a local faction of the Teesside support who's nerves are raw and who have sat through the most depressing period of football decline in the clubs last 20 years, who dared to voice their displeasure and lament the manner in which the club has failed to communicate, or miscommunicated, and even insulted, local supporters, as well as turn in a consistently poor run of home form, for which the local support have been paying through the nose to endure.
And in the continuing absence of any evidence of prospect improvement, many are wondering where a substantial part of the local identity and source of pride has gone. It's not ex-pat bashing. Try viewing it more as defence of local opinion and concerns in the face of an attack from overseas!
You're still dead even if killed by supposedly "friendly" fire!
Your contribution to Boro's cause from wherever you've been overseas is well-recognised and respected!
Boyds injury may work in our favour.
Rangers might have to look for a replacment and Birmingham will up their offer for Jones. Then we step in and buy him before the window closes although it will be another 3-4 weeks before he can play. Bring in Phillips and that will put lots of pressure on Lita, Ali etc to do well or be dropped.
Still think Ally will go in window; GS doesnt rate him.
The mail says Celtic 4 having medical today heard anything AV.
**AV writes: Yes, they are all very close. Maybe sorted today.
Richard, I thought we already had the loan ranger playing in defence - though we certainly could do with getting hold of a Kemo Sabe (which I believe translates as 'trusty scout') if Strachan is to avoid jumping through hoops trying to find players to sign.
Affiliate Marketing is a performance based sales technique used by companies to expand their reach into the internet at low costs. This commission based program allows affiliate marketers to place ads on their websites or other advertising efforts such as email distribution in exchange for payment of a small commission when a sale results.
www.onlineuniversalwork.com