Johnson Joy As Jigsaw Takes Shape
JONNO struck two sweet goals and set up another in front of scouts from Spurs and no doubt the rest of the Premiership posse too. That will grab the headlines in the nationals, (although when quizzed GS2 brushed the questions aside) but the real story here is another few pieces of the Strachan jigsaw fell into place.
Boro put in a real shift of industry and endeavour. They worked hard to contain and squeeze an equally hard-working Doncaster side in midfield with an effective combination of relentless pressing and tackling when the opposition had the ball and patient crisp short passing and probing when they had it.
It was a complete Championship performance, every department working hard and the whole a potent balance of grit and guile. Then when the chances came they took them. That was the missing ingredient.
Some excellent displays.... Grounds and Wheater were solid at the back while McMahon goes from strength to strength; Willo Flood is a snapping, yapping terrier that chases and battle; Killen up front beavers away and never lets the opposition settle; and Coyne made a couple of good saves; Franks put his appendicitis scare behind him to crack home a good goal. But Jonno was the key, a couple of moments of magic turning the game on its head. His opener was a cracker, the weaving run and cut-back for the crucial second an almost perfect pass and his quick free kick to seal it with a fourth was an audacious and sweetly executed killer blow.
It was a morale boosting win that will settle nerves and help persuade waverers that the recent slow and steady improvement may just have some substance. There is the basis of a team there.
There was a nice cameo that hinted at a possible reconstructed unity between a fractured fan base and the frosty boss early in the second half. At two up the 1,300 noisy travelling Teessisders were in good voice and when Strachan ventured into the technical area they verbally mobbed him.
The fans chanted "Gordon, give us a wave" insistently and persistently while stoic Strachan stood arms folded ignoring this sonic spotlight, conspicuously focussed on the game when he suddenly cracked and half-turned, half-embarrased flashed a high-speed half-wave to a huge cheer. It wasn't Brucie but it is a start.
*****
IT is the time of the week when expats ask me to make the Big Picture column - a value added, newspaper only exclusive - available on-line. Oh go on then.... especially as the central theme was made concrete at Doncaster last night.
STRACHANOVITE (noun): a prodigiously productive toiler at the goal face; an ever willing labourer ready to bust a gust to meet and exceed the target; an heroic grafter to be honoured by the masses for his selfless and conspicuous contribution to the collective.
Strachanovite (adjective): of or pertaining to the adulation of Strachanovite labour; a football philosophy centred on a high-tempo work-ethic, the constant pressing and stifling of the opposition, and a uniform level of consistent performance within the rigid team template that transcends individual ability.
Some other words: industrious; attritional; diligent; productive; zealous; energetic; tireless; organised; no-frills; functional; relentless; solid; physical; workmanlike; practical; persistent; rigid; dogged; spirited; dour; labouring.
You'll be needing all of those in your matchday lexicon as the already transitional team is reshaped before your very eyes over the next few months from ingredients that are the footballing equivalent of a B&Q colour chart of greys.
Out will go individual flair and the quest for match turning moments of magic and in will come the steady mechanical grind of the team machine.
It is not going to be pretty. Chasing and harrying, pressing and tackling, keeping possession in the middle and probing then retreating and starting again in a pedestrian, patient flux before knocking it down the channels or picking out the big lad up front and hoping to pick up the scraps in and around the box... it's not exactly the kind of football to set the pulse racing.
And honest labour and often aimless industry calculated to stifle the opposition in a cloak of anti-football - even if it gets results - will be a hard sell for any wild-eyed optimists in the crowd who still harbour forlorn hopes of a swift return to the Premiership glory days of household names playing expansive and entertaining football to match the best.
A thud and blunder approach based on the perpetual motion of a willing Strachanovite army of Willo Floods and Chris Killens and other Celtic old Bhoys and Championship journeymen is not going to impress those sections of the crowd who still mentally nod to a subconscious samba beat.
Those who have been persuaded the electric skills and serial stepovers of dangerous individuals like Juninho, Tuncay and Adam Johnson and the ability to sign superstars to make us gasp is, was, somehow integral to "the Boro way" won't be too happy either.
But let's be honest, that's where we are now. Boring Boro are a mid-table Championship side without the talent or financial resources to have any aspirations of an immediate return to the big time.
The team - the club - have slowly transformed into sorry second level makeweights before our very eyes.
Boro have slumped with the thud back at square one as the club we were the day before Bryan Robson walked through the doors, a club with the same kind of crowds and the same limited horizons only with a new ground and memories of European glory now so hazy that it is hard to believe it was once so vibrant and vivid.
After a decade of crazy cash fuelled glory we have been cast back down among the dead men as provincial also rans weighed down by debt and broken dreams. Still, it was good while it lasted.
So we are at Year Zero, faced with rebuilding from the debris of the car-crash relegation, quickly and using the rudimentary tools to hand.
And if we are honest we know something had to be done. The rot had already set in.
The failed Arsenal-lite team built by Gareth Southgate looked pretty at times going forward but filleted of big name quality was brittle and mentally weak and repeatedly exposed by teams who may not have had the top flight technique at our disposal but who were ready to battle.
The process of disintegration started under the old boss and continued, accelerated, under Strachan. The shrinking pains as Boro readjusted to the lower level have been excruciating and embarrassing to watch.
Limited sides - Bristol City, Leicester, Watford, Blackpool, Crystal Palace, Barnsley, small screen advertising joke side Plymouth for God's sake! - muscled a lightweight, inexperienced Boro aside at will.
They have all routinely roughed up our powder-puff poachers and bullied our brittle back-line.
They out-worked our midfield, rattled into tackles to break up any attempts at a passing game and smothered any pretence of art with heavy industry as we naively flailed in the face of functionalism.
That is the debilitating problem that Strachan is now urgently addressing by dismantling that team, ripping away the Billy Big Time pretensions that we are a Premier League side on loan or a superior footballing team with an innate right to promotion and instead getting right back to basics.
Something had to change. We all knew that. But throwing money at the problem to replace the weaker players - Boro's default response for the last 15 years - was no longer an option for the cash-strapped club so the architect of the problem was axed and a more pragmatic man brought in to change the mentality and the style, to shape a team of battlers with the qualities needed to claw out of this league.
No one ever said it would be easy. Results under Strachan so far have been poor, and that is a generous assessment. Nine points and seven defeats from 12 games is relegation form.
His initial spell brought with it a damaging culture clash as players schooled in one style were asked to adopt a diametrically opposed approach and failed abysmally.
In retrospect, it was always going to get worst before it got better. But it is getting better.
The FA Cup display against real life Fantasy Football team Manchester City, the narrow 1-0 defeat at archetypal Championship bruisers Sheffield United and the spirited show against Swansea suggest that some shape is evolving, the high-template of a new style is being imposed, energy levels are rising and a discernible work-ethic is now visible.
And he has shipped out players who didn't buy into the project or play to plan and brought in seasoned Strachanovites to change the mentality to one that is geared to the greater good of the team.
As a result the team looks like it is feeling its way towards a new shape and style. It looks more cohesive, collective, solid, fitter and grittier. It looks like it knows what it is supposed to be doing and can sustain it for the full 90 minutes.
It needs to be hard to beat, organised, resilient and be mentally strong and ready to battle in every single game. There are signs it can do that. All it needs now is the ability to nick goals and we are laughing. We'll not laughing but maybe frowning less.
Strachan's Boro are starting to take on the shape and mentality of a real Championship side, which of course it needs to do if we are to have any hope of leaving this league in the right direction.
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Anthony Vickers
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you are forgetting one thing. we are typical boro. wait till next week. when did we last win 3 or even 2 on the trot.
have a smile here, if you have the stamina to stay to the end:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5jl3lwSVHWY
I will continue to say,as I have done,since the start of the season,there is nothing to beat in this division. It's full of teams who over achieve every now and again. Cardiff win 6-0 tonight dont tell me they are that good,although Bristol C,will come to us on Sat,and work their tails off to upset us,just like all of the other teams have.
Our problem has not been ability its been attitude,Gordon has realised this and he is trying even though we are not an attractive team to come to right now,to change it,and the fact is if you can score first,and then stay focused,teams in this div will hurt themselves by throwing caution to the wind. Let's hope we can now get some consistancy around the place
Just wanted to say,Im shaking my head in disbelief, Chris Smalling the guy we signed, then told him ok if you want to go to Fulham its alright... now we see he is going to Man U for I bet anywhere up to £10m including add ons. And WE are supposed to let Adam Johnson go for less than £5m.
What a difference a day (evening actually) makes! Your doom and gloom of the other day now has the green shoots of recovery poking through it. There's little doubt that without Johnson Boro would struggle, so the wee ginner needs somehow to line up a replacement. That said, it was with with relief that I read of Routledge's departure for Skunksville...
I am happy tonite a very good result. I do hope that we can keep it up when we meet Bristol City (beaten 6-0 at home last night). It would appear that this was a very good performance by your report above A.V. (not being negative)- (I hope a repetion of what happened after our last away win 5-1 does not happen again) This really is the time to build on this result. WELL DONE LADS.
Finally, an upbeat report and sounds like some grit and determination - whoooo. 'Bout time !
latest....
STEPHEN McMANUS is sweating on his loan to Middlesbrough after Celtic demanded a whopping £500,000 just to let him go until the end of the season.
The axed Parkhead skipper had hoped to be travelling south by teatime yesterday to open talks with former boss Gordon Strachan on a short-term deal.
Instead, a frustrated Big Mick was still in Glasgow after negotiations reached an impasse.
According to sources on Teesside, the deadlock has infuriated Strachan who did not expect to be hit with such a huge bill for a player who has been told he can try his luck elsewhere after failing to secure a regular first-team place under Tony Mowbray.
The manager has also sanctioned the sale of Danny Fox to Burnley.
But McManus' move stalled when chief executive Peter Lawwell and Boro counterpart Keith Lamb failed agree on the huge numbers involved.
If the Riverside club met Lawwell's demands and took on McManus' wages until the end of the season it would cost them more than £50,000 a week for the duration of the player's short-term deal.
McManus' camp were confident a compromise could still be reached.
One source said: "Stephen has been told he can move on - not an easy thing for the captain to hear. With that in mind there's no sense in them demanding the kind of money that has been talked about."
**AV writes: Strachan doesn't talk about transfer but he was remarkably positive and strong in his comments about McManus last night. It must be very close.
A good performance, a great atmosphere created by my fellow travelling fans, and at last a great result!!
Lets keep this up for the weekend and make the most of the fact that Bristol City have taken a big knock midweek.
'Green Shoots' being the operative words, and very much a morale boosting win.
I was beginning to get very worried.
These are part of the post match comments from Donnie boss Sean O'Driscoll as reported on the BBC website
'We got well beaten, I have no complaints. They were well organised and worked hard off the ball. They have some quality players and if you ally that with hard work you've got half a chance.
They were two quality strikes from Adam Johnson who should be playing in the Premier division. I thought we were outplayed by the better team and it's not often I say that at the Keepmoat.'
A most welcome result and performance that is in keeping with what we know. Donnie were never going to launch us into the stands so we were going to be able to play football.
The bit I like is 'ally that with hard work'. The season has shown us that we will outplay teams if they allow us to play but that we lacked the hard edge to prevent the other team playing or to disrupt their flow.
There have been signs recently such as the performance at SheffU and actually coming back from a goal down against Swansea. A clean sheet would have been nice but four goals is better including two from strikers in open play.
The caveat is that Donnie were just the sort of team we would expect to beat given their style of play but if we can blend some grit and football we should slowly climb the table.
On another note it is sad that Palace have gone into administration. From all accounts Simon Jordan (despite his fake tan) has been working very heard to streamline the club but someone called in the mortgage (shivers as remembers previous postings).
I personally dont like other clubs going belly up, not for the clubs sakes but for the individual fans, the people like you and me because once the mess has been cleared up they are the ones left behind.
No doubt they will have ten points deducted, anyone got the telephone numbers of the bankers for West Brom, Forest, Toon..........
Great Result, good performance = good nights sleep, thanks lads.
I was more upbeat than most after Saturday’s performance but now I feel a cautionary note coming on. Doncaster much like Swansea were always going to give us the type of game that we could flourish in. Bristol City will be travelling to the Riverside with something to prove on Saturday. This will again provide the sort of ‘Home Mental Test’ that we have failed so often, more so than Brittney Spears.
Also with the news of Palace entering administration you do wonder how many other clubs are close to financial meltdown and how close did we come/are?
But lets not dwell on the what if’s, lets accentuate the positives. Well done lads.
Onwards an upwards
Adding my relief and congratulations to everyone else's. Well done to all, including the travelling Parmo Army - see you at Ipswich lads.
I agree with Ian that O'Driscoll's words - that mirror your piece above, AV - say the important things.
I also wonder if the benching of Lita for Franks by Strachan - and then subbing Lita for Franks after the lad had got his debut goal - was a deliberate piece of motivational management that might have led to a couple of the Boro goals.
If so, respect to The Boss!
I also agree with Ian about Palace - the latest domino to rock. But sentiment aside, what about The Count talking to the Administrators about Darren Ambrose and Speroni when he's finished sorting McManus?
Adam Johnson seemed to appreciate the travelling support tonight, unlike the Barnsley trudge-off. Does this mean he does not expect to be playing for us again, I wonder? Or does it mean that he has decided he feels something for the club after all??
Time will tell! You say there were scouts from Spurs and others around, AV: maybe he was trying to show he's capable of rapport. The crowd, in return, chanted his name more than we have all season and he disappeared into the tunnel with his name echoing round a nearly empty Keepmoat.
Incidentally, my man of the match was Jonathan Grounds: not only did he block, tackle and distribute well, but he also showed signs of being able to organise the defence, which did things we haven't seen for a while, like get some orchestrated offside decisions.
Our diving still needs a bit more choreography, although we did get a few decisions going our way with clumsy efforts, downright poor on artistic impression.
Willo and Gary O'Neil also really good last night.
**AV writes: Groundsy was brilliant and an object lesson that under Strachan if you are bawled out (as he was after Palace) but knuckle down in training then you can play your way back in and be rehabiliated. See also McMahon and Hoyte.
AV
I dont think Strachan will ditch good football. He wont want to lose the ability to beat a man, play a pass or entertain. He was a good footballer in his time.
As I said in my post above and in your extended thread posted later it all has to be within a hard working team. The age old adage of earning the right to play.
The team which won the Carling Cup had a fair number of hod carriers to go with Juninhio, Zenden and Mendi.
Even Arsenal of the lofty moral high ground dont mind kicking hell out of the opposition. The unbeaten side didnt mind leaving the foot in after a challenge.
Zindane was sent off some 13 times and nearly all were for some form of brutal assault.
As Boat's powers waned so did our side culminating in the gutless crew that got us relegated. We had the ball players but not the disruptive element to get and keep the damn thing.
Digsoft was bought injured and for the future and he stayed true to type. Leopards never change their spots. There was no regular snarl with skill in our midfield to control the ball and the game to allow the footballers to play.
The future doesn't have to be grim.
**AV writes: But you need to strip away the old delusions about our ability and put down solid new foundations of steel and concrete first. We need to get the basics right before we can think about any Fancy Dannery.
Green and White hoops of recovery!
I liked your analysis of where it looks like Boro are now and where they are going. I think you are very accurate in your assessment. Lets hope the seeds of grit and determination sown are going to take root, and firmly. They have to if we are going to get out of this league.
Lets also hope you are right about McManus. Perhaps the news of his imminent arrival encouraged the solid display from Wheater that you reported. But whatever, I think McManus will be a good addition to the team and could be the player that Wheater needs alongside him to learn from. I rather hope it will become a permanent deal, which will be a good thing if Pogi does go in the summer.
I am sorry for Palace supporters too, but will gladly accept that this is another competitor out of the way. It looks as if them going into administration now, while in a relatively strong position in the table may well enable them to retain their place in this league next year - especially if they can continue the form they have had so far this season. I'm just comparing Jordan with Gibson in this respect. A decent chairman who is a big fan and who may have actually saved Palace for the fans. Time will tell for them (and us), but it is dangerous (financial) times for many football clubs just now.
More grit and determination and three points off Bristol City on Saturday please. This should be a really good test of where we are, as a side that has just come off the back of a good thumping at home will have something to prove. Watching the goals on Sky last night and I noticed that a lot of the Cardiff goals came from fairly long range. This may bode well for Flood flukes and Johnson wonder goals. Certainly this looked like a weakness that might be exploited.
Beat Bristol City and I think we will have made a really decent decent start to those six critical matches we blogged about last week.
Fans were fantastic last night. On the pitch, Grounds had a corker. Him and Wheater looked solid apart from when Donnie kitchen-sinked us for about five minutes after their goal.
Flood works hard but he is about the size of a table footballer, which might be an issue against more physical midfields.
Good win though, and a cracking performance.
AV
Good footballers are good footballers (I am not talking about Giggs, Scholes, Gerrard, Fabregas etc but genuine pros at this level), fancy dannery gets you nowhere and is not what I want to see.
You have to win the ball and keep it, pass to players in space. Being gritty and being able to play some decent football are not mutually exclusive.
Blackpool came to the Riverside and kept the ball, took few risks, were organised, pressed us and passed to each other. They also showed some skill. Result we were drubbed because we could get nowhere near them.
I am not advocating multiple step overs in all parts of the pitch. Totally the opposite. I have always stated we are not world beaters, that we will be better than most teams but will struggle against physically harder teams that can play a bit.
We havent seen us beat a strong team yet. That will be the measure of progress but being hard and passing the ball is possible within a team framework. That is why teams are above us, it isnt all kick and rush, thud and blunder, they can play some football.
Well its great to be able to bask in the afteglow of a victory I'd almost forgotten what it felt like.
I have no concerns about supporting a 'new look' Boro which is 'determined' 'organised' etc etc, the one thing which brings fun to watching and supporting your team is wins. Seeing a central midfielder getting stuck into the opposition can be every bit as entertaining as watching your left winger cross the ball with pinpoint accuracy.
AV said sometime ago, quite rightly that we needed to get 'Northern' I'm all for it, if it gives us chance of some good results and the hope of a play off spot. It's early days still though, what we need now of course is a run of a few wins. Then we'll all start to feel better.
If and when the re-building is succesful and we have a new functional, organised and determined team then if that brings us some time in the future, promotion hopefully we can add one or two players with a little more flair as long as they also have the grit and determination which all succesful elite sportsmen need.
The unity between Strachan and the fans is an easy one to understand of course, its an equation; wins = unity.
well done to all last night.
C'Mon Boro!
Went with Pete from Halifax last night, so he has covered most of my thoughts. Great result, with some hard graft. It has to be said, however, that Donny were not a big physical side, so Boro will need Robson and perhaps McManus or Poggy back in the team to deal with more physical opposition.
Great atmosphere once again in the away end, where much of the banter was concentrated on whether or not we will be changing our kit to red and white hoops with a green and white hooped away kit to cater for all the ex-celts in the side.
For once the optimism and sense of humour was positive, let us hope we can take that into Saturday, and get behind the lads for another good result.
Oh, by the way, Strachan gave us all a girly wave last night which was greeted with a big cheer!
Great result, just what was needed to prevent the mood on here slipping to a suicidal level. It just shows that for the majority nothing matters more than results, it's only when the results are poor do people start using a microscope to partake in a bit of naval gazing.
A good run of results will see a small increase in crowds but maybe now is the time for the supporters to take the lead in making a bit of a change to the 'riverside experience'.
I like the image that AV posted with its inference to the industry, socialism, hard work and no nonsense approach of teessiders. Allied with the Ironopolis links then there could be an imaging theme there.
Also how about starting the match with a chorus of 'we shall overcome' - Bruce Springsteen version (as has been mentioned on here a few times before) a reference to the current state of the club and the region, and the refusal of its people to just wallow in the memories of better times.
There are far more creative people on this blog with many great ideas already expressed. AV, maybe a future blog to crystallise all views and start a bit of momentum? To change the matchday feeling from that of a tired pigbag which is now surely representative of an entirely different era,to something with more meaning and resonance with no cost incurred is surely worth a try.
SG was quick to re-brand the badge isn't it time for the supporters to re-brand their matchday experience and in the process give the team a boost which then feeds back to the supporters who...etc?
**AV writes: Good idea, I'll stick it on the list...
Keith Lamb spent all morning scouring Youtube for any footage of Mosso Cloudfiles. He didn't manage to unearth anything.
Allegedly Mr Lamb said....
The fans can't pin this one on me,the failure of this transfer can be laid squarely at the feet of AV.
**AV writes: I heard Mosso Cloudfiles was poised to sign for Wigan.
At last it was good to awake to the news this morning.
By all accounts some great performances throughout the team. Agree with the above AV lets hope these seeds continue to grow a little sprinkling of water from the fans at home will also help.
Looking forward to City game now.
Wigan reach for Cloudfiles..
A spokesman WFC said today.
Talks are progressing well. Mosso has impressed in Angola, it is no surprise that
he is in demand.As soon as Middlesbrough's interest became known, the club acted quickly to tie the player up on a three and a half year deal.
Manager Roberto Martinez is reported to have said.... Caramba!!
Good win but we really need to put together a few to get any higher in this league.Together with midfield bite and hard work Johnson is key.
I heard that Mosso Cloudfiles can play virtual-ly anywhere, but a cursor-y glance at the stats show he is rarely available at match-time and hardly every gets the ball inter-net. Good luck Wigan, or was that marimba.
"I will continue to say,as I have done,since the start of the season, there is nothing to beat in this division."
That's quite alright. We will just continue to giggle at you.
Republic of Ireland manager Giovanni Trappatoni revealed today that they were looking into the origins of Moss O'Cloudfiles lineage, with a view to him qualifying to play for the Republic.
O'Cloudfiles has made no secret of his Irish ancestors, the recent wranglings over his signature show him to be a player in demand.
Let's get Northern. I'm all for it.
As for Flood's physique remember that it's not the size of the dog in the fight it's the size of the fight in the dog. Getting out of this league was always going to take what Boro are now starting to show. Grit, guile and determination.
I don't remember fancy dannery in the Rioch and Charlton years. I do remember the clout and the success. It won't be pretty, I have said this before, but keep on moving up the table and they will come back to the Riverside.
AV as always spot on.
**AV writes: We need to get the basics right before we can think about any Fancy Dannery.
Didnt he play guitar for It Bites? we need more players of football, not fretboard wizardry! God result last night, you would think the team would have done enough to start saturday?
My fingers have gone blue being crossed all month that we make some more signings, it seems even three rolls of gaffa tape werent enough to keep Lambie locked in the bog....if someone sees him, take him to Pacittos for a few Lemon tops till Feb 2nd please!
Watching the game last night after Saturday's decent performance, where for the first time I could see small signs of improvement, we took it a step further and looked a very accomplished team.
The work rate and ball retention under Strachan has clearly improved and we had good goals to enjoy. The team seemed better balanced, even Arca managed to twirl less than usual and actually had a good second half.Wheater had his best game in ages and was commanding alongside Grounds who was no nonsense and pursued a safety first policy all night. I was desperate for us to gain a clean sheet but not to be.
All things are possible now, we need consistency and stability in the team to move up the table. One final point, I thought Killen orchestrated the attack very well, he may not score many goals for us but he holds up play skilfully and brings in other players into good attacking positions.
How big was Juninho ?
I've struggled to raise enthusiasm to post anything recently - everywhere I look I saw the same old comments being trotted out and no great insight other than repetition of the blinding obvious.
It was always the case that the real Strachan team could only be observed after he'd built it, which he hasn't yet, though the foundations are starting to be seen.
I'm very happy and relieved at last nights result, and the performance that led to this result has been well dissected, analysed, and turned into a future vision by AV. I think this is spot on.
And as soon as I start reading posts bringing back the memories of those gritty Charlton and Rioch years and making faint comparisons to the direction in which we might be heading, I'm more relieved than ever.
The total economic meltdown mess that is English Football at the moment [this is no hyperbole, go smell the coffee] calls for a change at all levels on and off the field. Personally I like the words 'gritty, honest, hard working, stubborn' as a basic tenet for what our Northern qualities and our Northern team should stand for.
They're good words for a renaissance of what football should stand for too, as real supporters turn their backs on the greedy inflated Premiership. Add in the right amount [just a little bit mind, not too much fanciable daniel thank you - I like it straight up with a twist not ponced around with] of skill and trickery [perhaps epitomised ultimately by Souness in Charltons era - Murdoch was the ball player, Souness initially the ball winner who learned the subtle stuff from Bobby as he went along and became the complete midfielder] and bit of an eye for the goal - and we actually have the basis for a team ethic that will take us through the Championship and also work well in the Prem.
I'm feeling positive - one win it may be but it was the method, not the result [oh alright, it WAS the result too. Here's to Saturday - Up the Boro
Just a quick question to those fans asking for the club to make a statement. Apologies for the re-post but I have tweaked it to make sense this time.
Has everybody seen the Peterborough Chairman’s recent statement? Is this the sort of statement that we want SG and KL to make? If you were/are a Peterborough fan (PeterboroAngel I’m looking at you here for some info) how has this made you feel? Closer to the club?
Interesting.
Interesting stuff, AV. All the more intriguing because of your certainty about things we will never know the answer to.
Take Southgates "project". Yes he got us relegated, but most of managers would have flirted with relegation when every big players is ordered out of the club. Still, the style was there, and in a long term perspective it would have given us an unique team and club.
"The failed Arsenal-lite team built by Gareth Southgate looked pretty at times going forward but filleted of big name quality was brittle and mentally weak and repeatedly exposed by teams..."
True last year, as every big player bar Tuncay was gone. But this year: fourth place and one point off (yes I know most people hate to remember this). How can you describe that with words as "disintegration" and "rot"?
And if Southgate did this with a team you and most fans call soft and not good enough, it must have been quite a managerial achievement.
I know its annoying people, but one should remember that if Southgate wasnt sacked Boro would have been firmly placed at second or third place, or even first with a bit of margins.
"In retrospect, it was always going to get worst before it got better. But it is getting better."
What? Maybe im not in the right frame of Strachan-mind yet, but its hard to accept that a squad as good as ours had to do worse before getting better.
Your assesment of the contrast of style between South and Strach is great and to the point. I still believe Southgates project to be quite unique and realistic. Given patience he could within two or three years established Boro as a mid-table premiership curiosity. An Arsenal-light, fast flowing, young team based on our own academy. It was the dream not to come, which Gibson will come to regret bitterly.
But Strachans way is much easier, and a lot more realistic, if the only ambition is results and survival. He should get credit for not messing around, for acting swift and resolute according to his own ideals. That shows a strong manager, which can only be our benefit.
This aside, its nice to see people get optimistic after one victory. Something that never could happen the last two years.
**AV writes: Some interesting points. I think there is a lot that can be said in mitigation for Southgate and the shifting financial goalposts certainly had a lot to do with the way the project - which was well worth a shot - faltered.
The problem was that a team that at times looked promising fell between two stools, the Arsenal-lite element wasn't good enough to out-play the good sides while the team as a whole wasn't physically or mentally strong enough to go toe-to-toe with the bruisers. In the Prem (and with the big names still in place) they almost got away with it but in the Championship (and without the star quality) they were a smaller, younger, weaker squad up against far more sets of bruisers.
Unless the senior management were prepared to spend to bring in the players needed to make it work after relegation it wasn't always going to unravel. It is unquestionably true that Boro were well placed when Southgate was axed - but the trend was downwards. Ten of the points came from the first four games wehn Huth helped them to clean sheets and Tuncay spread some occasional stardust.
But after they left the team was in trouble. They lost at home to Plymouth, Leicester adn Watford and looked completely incapable tactically or technically to break down even limited sides who came here to put five across the middle and dig in. Something had to be done.
In was always going to get worst before it got better because having brought a new man in there was a sudden culture change and a team built to play in one particular way was being asked to now operate in a diametrically opposite way, and a way they were not equipped for.
Smogonthetyne:
"Just a quick question to those fans asking for the club to make a statement.............. Has everybody seen the Peterborough Chairman’s recent statement?[1] Is this the sort of statement that we want SG and KL to make? [2] If you were/are a Peterborough fan (PeterboroAngel I’m looking at you here for some info) how has this made you feel?[3] Closer to the club?[4]"
One question at a time -
[1] I don't know, but after your reference, I looked it up and read it - as you said, with interest.
[2] No. His communication was accusative and a rant, It wasn't constructive, had no substantive plan or strategic remedial intent inherent in it. It was an emotive reaction to a situation that calls for a cool-headed objective response and outlining, perhaps in broad terms initially, the areas of remedy that WILL be actively addressed, by whom and over what anticipated time scale.
He should have included a commitment to regular communication updates on general or perhaps specific progress on the main areas identified for improvement. I would also have hoped for an indication that he regretted the aspects of performance that were giving fans cause for concern, but through the means identified, he, as chairman WAS already addressing them.
I'd have hoped that he would have impressed upon the fans that each and every one of them, and even more, those outside of the core catchment area that didn't or weren't able yet to attend, or otherwise support, were an important part of the (Peter) Boro Team that he wanted to keep together and build for the future.
[3] I'm obviously not Peterborough Angel, but had I been a (Peter) Boro fan, I wouldn't have been impressed by a chairman's rant, although I would have shared his annoyance at the grievances as described.
I'd have been looking for a more substantive plan and reassurance that the matters giving concern were being addressed in house and that we could look forward to some evidence of those matters having been addressed in the coming weeks, as I indicated in my response to question 2.
THAT is the form of communication that I believe any club's support might reasonably expect as a form of engagement via a professional "customer-focussed" organisation. Whether delivered directly via a public medium - or through regular meetings with Supporter Clubs and then for wider communication, I don't mind - although it is appropriate to give some priority to the Supporters Club members in recognition of their more active involvement and dedication.
[4] Not reassured. The chairman's behaving like a victim instead of addressing the matter in a demonstrably positive way. A statement such as that by Darragh MacAnthony, doesn't address supporter's issues. It merely acknowledges those that are mentioned without offering solutions and it deflects responsibility onto others and away from him.
It's empty rhetoric.
I want statements of personal responsibility for making things better, or at least an understandable set of connected reasons why things are as they are and some reassurance that matters will be addressed with some urgency as soon as it is possible to do so. I'm sure that supporters want hope and reassurance that things that are wrong ARE being addressed and that real and tangible steps are being taken to do so by the man in charge.
We don't need the "blind faith" approach! Especially when things have demonstrably been going so badly wrong and there's been NO evidence to support any claim that things will get dramatically better.
Thanks again AV for the the on-line bonus - what a great image shoehorned in there too. Surely it would look good on a badge/pin/bumper sticker - oh the marketing possibilities!
Good post AV, and a great result. Strachan's team has no place for shrinking violets. The green hoops of recovery indeed! Anyone for a green hoops away shirt next season?
Looks like the Mcmanus deal is dead,
I wonder who the other names are that GS has lined up and want to be here. KL had better get a move on, the clock is ticking and getting louder. I appreciate that we limited funds but we still need a couple more in before the end of the week.
Just watched the ManU v Citeh game and it encapsulated what I was trying to post earlier.
They both have better players than us but they work their socks off, they put their feet in and show grit and graft.
The difference was that ManU wanted it more, were willing to keep going and had better footballers. These players are far better paid than ours are but, good grief, they show some effort.
Grit, determination, graft, guts, strength do not preclude skill and ability but merely enhance it. Under GS2 we do not have to eschew football skills, failure to embrace the work ethic is a dereliction of professional duty.
Lee Catermole cried after the Villa match, O'Neill put his arm around Luke William's shoulders after the Barnsley game. No shame, only pride in what they do and a feeling for the team and fans.
Smogonthetyne
I'm assuming the reference to the statement by POSH's chairman is in regard to Darren Fergusons departure?
It's still a bit of a mystery to lots of fans locally. Local tittle tattle has it there was a relationship between the manager and a players wife (doesn't it always). The chairman has since accused Ferguson of 'tapping up' players whilst having a beer with some of them over Christmas. Fergusons response was it was just a farewell drink as he hadn't had chance to say farewell properly.
Anyone thinking 'tapping up' doesn't happen in all similar cases I suggest is naive. I'm sure all Strachans signings from Celtic have been totally above board!
One player worth considering from Peterborough is George Boyd. He's always man of the match whenever I see them play, which isn't very often. He also has the knack of looking better the higher the standard he plays.
One thing is for sure, the more I hear from the chairman the more childish he (the chairman) sounds. Definately worth consideration before a chairman goes public. Mr Gibson take note!
Breaking news on Sky Sports and Sporting life. Man City have registered a bid for Adam Johnson. Lets hope this turns into a bidding war and we get mega bucks for him.
Could be a good time to get a bid in for Moses from Palace and a winger to replace Johnson. Lets get Palace's goalie while we are at it.
COME ON BORO.
Hello. Has anybody noticed that Celtic are having a clearout of players also? They have no chance of winning the league with the present crop of players after another defeat last night.
McManus cannot even get in to a losing team, and yet they are holding out for more than we are prepared to offer. I think it is time to say enough is enough. And forget about him.
I think it is true and many have been saying it since we renewed our season tickets, the promise of Mr Gibson has never been forthcoming. The BORO are not going to buy players to "excite us" maybe Mr Gibson was refering to the signing of Mr Strachan who knows maybe him coming to the BORO was done a long time ago.
Personally I am glad that we did not sign St Ledger, he proved himself to be a liability and we saved our money, and yes I to thought that we had that money in the kitty, however, since his departure the gates have dropped even farther, so maybe the money has offset that deficeit.
I too wanted to have players coming in, even Mr Strachan said "we have players waiting to join the club" this is all well and good, however, did nobody tell him that the clubs who had the players wanted something for them.
The window is starting to close now only days remain and unless something drastic happens I think that what we have now is what we remain with. So no more belly ache of injured players, squad not big enough, and any other problem that the BORO are having at the present time. It is time to realise the glory days are over and the price of that success is how the BORO are at the present time.
So on to Saturday and playing a team that has been mauled 6-0 if we cant go out and beat them, then there is definitaly something far more wrong with the BORO than any of realise.
With yet another failure to close a deal - McManus - the very welcome win the other night mustn't take away from the need to strengthen now.
We are still short of front men, a centre-back a proper left back and a first choice goalie and that's assuming that the likes of GON and Johnno stay - though the stories in today's press have brought Citeh and their money into the picture for Jinky.
Osbourne must be about to complete his loan, so numbers in midfield will be light too, even if he hasn't added much to the quality.
With Tony McMahon doing a job at right back, I presume that Rhys Williams will revert to his midfield role. He said a little while ago that he was determined to get fit quick but since then there's been no report on progress. With Crockliffe, no news is usually bad news - but then so is any news from that source.
I suppose we also have to hope now that all The Count's attention isn't on moving Johnno out and not on bringing in what Boro need. If we can't get what's needed before Monday afternoon then, presumably, there's the fall back to the loans window opening again later in February so we'll need to dust off the rulebook for that - especially in relation to the play-offs in the hopes that we can sneak in there.
Suspense is getting through.
Please any difinitive word on the Macmanus deal AV!
**AV writes: We understand it is not dead but having been burnt on St Ledger Boro won't pay the loan fee Celtic are currently demanding. There is a bit of haggling to go yet.
GON back to Pompey in the Sun today on loan surely this is hogwash what on earth would he want to go back there for?
Any positive news on transfer front? Seems all our targets are moving elswhere.
Saturdays result could be massive as it could take us on a run and bring in some last minute troops and keep some we already have.
AV
A question that you or maybe our supporters North of the border. Why are so many players leaving Celtic?
A non informed guess is that it is a combination of Mowbray putting his stamp on the squad and bringing in some money by selling/reducing the wage bill.
It will be last minute shopping again but that is the nature of transfer windows, especially the January one. Teams are looking to get the most possible for selling and pay the least possible when buying.
So all parties are playing the game. We got three in quickly so are frustrated that we havent got more through the door. I am sure that there will be a bit more movement to come but it will be late in the day.
We also have numerous 'just like new signings' to come back into the squad but as Richard said in the last thread they may not all add something to the squad. Robson coming back would be a boost, Aliadiere would add something (enter your own thoughts here), Williams and another fit centre back wouldnt go amiss.
We still need a couple of new faces. Priorities are a centre back and striker, then goalie. No doubt The Count is pleased of the dark nights, let us hope he uses the cover of darkness well.
**AV writes: I think Mowbray is engaged in a similar rebuilding project as Strachan. He is dismantling a team that the old boss had built to play a different brand of more functional football and is replacing it with players he believes can play a more expansive game. Celtic are also under pressure to reduce their wage bill and appease the banks after failing to make the Champions League groups.
Please see my posting above.
Do not waste our time on McManus. It looks like they want to offload with a fee and pay his wages for a loan period only. If we were wanting him full time then why not go for him. Mr Strachan what are your own plans for this player only till the end of season or longer, YOU SHOULD COME OUT AND ANSWER THIS.
So it looks like Johnson will go to Man City. If we can get a good value then take it, if we wait till the end of the season and he is freelance then we have to wait on the Arbitration committee agreeing a value and it out of our hands.
After all what will he do there? He will only be a squad player, certainly not first choice in front of Bellamy, Petrov, Shaun Phillips. I think he is only wanted because Robinho is going out on loan. He is going to leave anyway, so take the money now.
Gordon Strachan confirms Boro have had "numerous verbal bids" for Adam Johnson but insists he will not be leaving in January.
To be honest, Boro could do with the bids in writing to beef up their case when it comes to the Professional Football Compensation Committee.
LATEST:
MOSSO CLOUDFILES TRANSFER COMPLETE.
Available for Saturday v Bristol City.
Official live blog status has been upgraded to "should work now."
A bidding war for Johnson between the two richest clubs in the world Chelsea and Man City with a loan back to the Boro for the rest of the season included would be just what we need right now.
But our record of achieving good money for outgoing players is one of the worst in any league and there's not a lot of time left for that (or any incomings) left to take place, as usual. Still, we got Gary O'Neill with minutes to spare...
Any more hints on new arrivals that you've heard AV?
come on - we're addicts, we NEED the gossip - it's like girls and Heat magazine!
**AV writes: Strachan was at Hearts v Aberdeen last night and it has been suggested that Dons striker Lee Miller (a target under Southgate) and out of contract left back/left midfielder Charlie Mulgrew were being watched. Get googling.
Charlie Mulgrew?
Wasn’t that a song by T Rex? No, my mistake that was Franck Quedrue!
Richard and PeterboroughAngel,
Thanks for your thoughts. I thought he sounded a bit foolish and I would be a bit embarrassed if our Chairman reacted like this. Of course tapping up goes on. Look at wee Gordon, how could he know that there are players who want to come here. Have we agreed fee’s for all these players!?
I can only hope after your reconstruction of my garbled question that you are an English teacher as you put me in mind of one of my previous teachers long, long ago. He too would give good and long answers meaning little time for dissertation.
Googling Lee Miller? Why bother - there'll be hardly enough there in terms of a goalscoring record to bother with.
Haven't we already got a non-scoring big lad up front in Killen? What's happened to the (much more sensible) alleged interest in Leon Best? And what about Scott McDonald (allegedly the subject of a further Boro bid and now back in training) or Phillips or a Phillips-a-like?
Pugh, Pugh, Charlie Mulgrew? His record suggests that getting a game for the Trumpton Firefighters eleven would be a stretch.
Oh dear, oh dear......
Anyone hear the sound of barrel scraping?
**AV writes: There's still four days yet. You know that in January Boro don't even get started until the eleventh hour.
AV, is the mcmanus deal dead and buried now ?
**AV writes: I don't think so but Boro insist they won't pay the loan fee Celtic want. There is some haggling and brinkmanship to come over the next few days.
On hearing the news on the Gazette wires, that the Mosso Cloudfiles transfer has finally completed, Wigan manager Roberto Martinez was overheard repeating
>
Mosso Cloudfiles transfer completed? After all the chew, the red tape and the work permit I bet he is a complete donkey.
Possible interest in Miller leaves me cold. I don't have contact with any Dons supporters here, but his record is not inspiring. As John Powls has already posted before me, we already have brought in a non-prolific striker, but it is the prolific bit we are desperately short of.
Interest in Camberwick Green man Mulgrew, on the other hand, might possibly be explained if there is an urgent need to get someone capable in on the left, paving the way to cash in on the only real asset we have left.
Of course it is broadcast loud and clear that a player is not for sale. Isn't that the usual ploy, just to make sure that any incoming bids are forced as high as possible, in order to make you change your mind?
The clock is ticking.
Now that Mosso Cloudfiles transfer is done and dusted I went and googled to see if there were any other targets.
It appears there is a useful player called EC2, he must be South American because he comes from Amazon. Cant be any worse than Alves.
AV ...two snippets from scottish press
MIDDLESBROUGH boss Gordon Strachan has reiterated his desire to land Stephen McManus - despite reports a loan deal for the Scotland star has collapsed.
Reports today claim the two clubs could not agree terms for the loan, after Record Sport revealed yesterday that Celtic want a £500K loan fee for the rest of the season.
But with McManus keen to make the switch south, the Riverside manager has confirmed he is still keen for a reunion with his former skipper.
"Stephen's name had been mentioned, that's for sure," he said. "I am a big fan of Stephen. Stephen doesn't seem to be getting a game at Celtic at the moment.
"It's been widely spoken about in the Scottish papers and people at Celtic as well, Tony [Mowbray] saying he can go, and if he can go, then we would love him here."
Stuttering Celtic have now taken just two points from a possible nine at home this month and supporters vented their anger at the final whistle by tossing scarves and season tickets on to the pitch.
My awful Spanish translation got lost of my previous post about Mosso Cloudfiles .... I've revised it a little, cos I'm not 100% convinced about the first one I submitted having translated it back on Babelfish. Anyway Wigan manager Roberto Martinez was overheard repeating 'Hola, hola. Boro han vuelto.'
AV, am I right in thinking that the Transfer Stable Door will close on Monday at 17.00? So can us desk jockeys rely on you bringing up to the minute news on negotiations and rumours of players wives seen in estate agents?
Will McManus’s hopes of a move disappear in smoke up the transfer chimney?
Will Gary O’Neil throw his footballing career down the transfer toilet and move to Portsmouth? Will Mido, like Shawky be released from the transfer dungeon?
Is that it then for the season or is the Loan Window still open until March time?
Blimey, I had my last post edited! Obviously wasn't concise enough!?!?#
**AV writes: You identified a specific player. That's a bad thing. And a potentially expensive thing. I took that out but left the general point.
I've tracked down the only Aberdeen fan I know from our offices, who has given me the following detailed and incisive assessment of both players that GS2 was supposed to be looking over at Hearts last night ....
"Both good players so hope you don’t get them!"
Hey just a thought !
Having lived in the Boro for 25 years and then Glasgow for 5 years before moving to Australia maybe Gordon is going Northern because he thinks they will settle in the area, unlike these soft southern shandy drinkers and pina colada drinking Johnny foreigners (Alves, Emnes, Digard, Emerson, Ravanelli...... Juninho is excused from this list).
Coming from Aberdeen and Glasgow, Redcar is going to seem like the mediterranean, and if they feel homesick they can always take a day trip to Seaton Carew !!
Speaking of good Scottish players in the past, how about Slaven, Hendrie, Murdoch, Souness to name a few.
Up the Boro !!
I've said it before and agree with comment above ... we simply must change the theme music at The riverside. It's tired, and does indeed belong to a far gone era.
Please AV start talking to people with the influence to change it and let's have a vote on some modern ideas to reflect our current (gritty!) status. Not sure about Springsteens We Shall Overcome version though ... I much prefer "Better Days". Nowe that's stirring stuff!
What are the odds that Mosso Cloudfiles breaks down in the pre match warm up, and fails to make the kick off?
Sky Sports breaking news...Johnson asks for permission to speak to Man City.
I had a bad night...and then I came home thinking it couldn't get any worse... and then I heard Johnson's asked to speak to City!
Strach has obviously learned a valuable lesson. Never block a player or manager's move, they'll always get their way in the end. Case in point - Pardew from Reading to West Ham, Smith & McLeish from Scotland to Rangers and Birmingham respectively.
He says he wants to stay, then flip flops. Make up your mind, please...
Just got back from travelling around wintry climes in Europe tonight but delighted to hear of the 4-1 demolition of the mighty Doncaster!
Good to see all the positives about Groundsy (maybe his time has come) and Flood looks to be the spark we need with a bit of fire in his belly.
My foam hands are still in the closet as I'm yet to be convinced especially with all the hype about Jinky so will wait and see how we tear Bristol apart on Saturday and retain/replace Jinky.
I will be seriously annoyed if we sell Johnson. What's in it for us? If Man City got £3.5m rising to £6.5m for Sturridge, we should expect at least the same. It would only make sense to sell him if City offered double that, £10m+ at least.
And even then, if you factor in the cost of not getting to the premiership (without him it would look seriously unlikely), what value is he then?
To Anlov
Southgate harped on about ,signing players who where young and hungry. Hungry for what? Bling and attention? None of them where up for a fight. None of them cared about the club. Looking back we all gave the guy too much slack. He was a disaster as far as being a manager for MFC ,at a very important time in our history
latest from scottish press...
SCOTT McDONALD will hold crunch talks with Celtic in the next 24 hours to thrash out his future.
McDonald's Parkhead career is hanging in the balance after Middlesbrough boss Gordon Strachan lodged a £3.5million bid for the prolific Australian striker.
Last night, West Ham also had him on their radar. The Premiership club are in the hunt for a hitman and want to know if Celtic are willing to sell McDonald.
But the Hammers face fierce competition from Strachan.
We told you first back in December he would make McDonald his priority target in the window and now, with just four days to go until the market shuts down, he has piled the pressure on beleaguered successor Tony Mowbray.
Strachan is desperate to land the player he picked up from Motherwell for a bargain basement fee of just £600,000 two and half years ago, so much sohe is willing to make him one of the Championship's biggest earners by more than doubling his Parkhead pay packet.
Despite those huge personal terms, Celtic fan McDonald is understood to be reluctant to call time on his career in Glasgow's East End.
But crucially he needs to know if he is still wanted by Mowbray who has sanctioned the sales of half a dozen of his team-mates.
Strachan has already raided his old club for three of those players - Barry Robson, Chris Killen and Willo Flood - and is also still haggling with them in attempt to get Stephen McManus until the end of the season, a move which has stalled because of Celtic's demands for a whopping £500,000 loan fee.
Re the Johnson situation ... the gamble is - can we make the playoffs without him, because a play off position is what we are realistically aiming for.
If Citeh offer £6m rising to £10m after a period of time, then it is a gamble that cash strapped Boro may make. You only have to look south to the Crystal Palace; push your face up against the glass and you'll see you don't need a crystal ball to see what happens to clubs who don't get their finances in order. Are we good enough for the play-offs without him ... do you turn that card or not Mr. Lamb?
football365.com are reporting this morning that City have made a £5million bid for Johnson.
( http://www.myfootballnews.co.uk/news_jump.html?player_id=1218&story=50064 )
While there is still an outside chance of reaching the playoffs and promotion, we would do better to keep him and let him go as free agent in Summer. We should hope to get at least £5million compensation then anyway.
However, the rewards for getting promoted should far outweigh that. I suppose it all depends on what value the club have in mind as being the "can't say no to that" figure. Also going into the mix is whether or not we can tie down a suitable left-sided replacement. Like I posted yesterday, maybe that is where Mulgrew features in Strachan's plans.
Blimey, I had my last post edited! Obviously wasn't concise enough!?!?#
**AV writes: You identified a specific player. That's a bad thing. And a potentially expensive thing. I took that out but left the general point.
Explanation understood, but I believe the story was featured in the News of the World the day after Boro played at London Road.
On a more important issue, wouldn't we be wise to sell Johnson now, then keep him on loan 'til the end of the season? This would give us time to find a worthy replacement and/or give Strachan further time to scrutinise the areas he needs to strengthen?
**AV writes: The News of the World are part of the most power media group in the country, have better lawyers and bigger libel insurance than us. They can print what they like, we can't. Unfortunately.
Strachan said: “There is no club who can turn down the right money for a player. But the perfect scenario would be if he stays.”
Daily Express.
Make your mind up Gordon.
The price being right AJ could be sold against the gamble of a fair deal from the tribunal at season's end. When was the last time Boro got a fair deal from any FA tribunal. IF Boro see off Bristol City prssure will be on to keep AJ.
The other gamble is whether Strachen can pull the players he wants when a Premier team steps into the bid.
I have a feeling we'll get Macmanus but not Mcdonald.
I find the Johnson situation somewhat perplexing, obviously City have shed loads of cash but even so why the need to shell out £5 million now for a player they can sign in the Summer and pay a potentially smaller compensation fee?
I also cant see why Johnson would want to leave now, he can start talking to other clubs almost at his leisure from now until the end of the season and make a considered choice. Rushing into a decision now seems pointless.
The best scenario for both parties it seems to me is that Johnson bides his time, does his bit for Boro until May and then moves on.
Am I missing something?
Here is hot off the press regarding MOSES. It looks like we will lose another target to Newcastle
Chris Hughton Comment as the transfer window draws to a close.
"I am also keen to land a left-back and a striker, and also hoping to push home my interest in Crystal Palace's highly-rated teenage forward Victor Moses.
"The 19-year-old was withdrawn from the Palace squad which played at Newcastle on Wednesday evening by the club's administrators, and the Magpies are understood to have made their move with promotion rivals Nottingham Forest and West Brom also interested and a series of top-flight clubs monitoring the situation.
Hughton said: "It's been documented that we are very interested in signing the lad.
"Most people are also aware of the circumstances with Crystal Palace and the situation they are in, and we hope to make progress on that over the next couple of days.
"It's one we have a very, very keen interest in. He is a player who has an ability to score goals. There is a power and pace, but it is his potential.
"Around what we are trying to do here this season, which is the most important thing, there also has to be an eye on the future, and he is certainly a player of wonderful potential."
So according to the Evening Gazette he is going to change the team for tomorrow. I just hope it isnt another scenarion after the 5-1 win at QPR. The team played well at DONNY so why change it
Hi AV.
I'm having huge problems trying to get connected to the Gazette site this morning. What's going on ?..... I'm really not holding much hope for Mosso Cloudfile's home debut tomorrow !!!
The news is on the streets up here (Glasgow Evening Times actually) that the McManus deal has now gone through and that he is on his way to Middlesbrough today. This is good news.
The same source also suggests that Scott McDonald could still be on his way, though otquotes interest also from West Ham and [of course] Wigan.
"Here is hot off the press regarding MOSES. It looks like we will lose another target to Newcastle"
Sorry bud, but what makes you deluded enough to think that Victor Moses would ever conteplate joining the Boro anyway?
I googled fear of open windows and came up with Draftophobia.
The danger with open windows are that things can fly out as well as in. It is always a double edged sword.
It could be argued that Gate set the scene for our disastrous post Xmas run when he started sounding like cross between Blondie and Eeyore in December waiting for phone calls inquiring after Downing, O'Neill, Wheater, Tuncay.
He was feeling sorry for himself and showed it. What is more he sounded it, his rallying cries sounded more like
So we got Macmanus that is good news.
Another tune there is only one "No Surrender" Bruce Springsteen.
**AV writes: Given the number of ex-Celtic players I'm no sure 'No Surrender' is the most culturally sensitive option.
Middlesbrough have completed the loan signing of Celtic's Stephen McManus, according to the Scottish club's manager Tony Mowbray. The Celtic captain will join up with his former Parkhead manager Gordon Strachan at the Riverside until the end of the season. "The ink on the contract is drying as we speak," said Mowbray.
NOW FOR BEST/ ANO STRIKER. GET SOME MONEY SPENT GIBBO
Ditto Powmill - has the Gazette-o-sphere collapsed under the gigantic weight of anticipation as Mick McManus wrestles GS2 to the ground in his desire to rejoin his old boss? Deal done apparently, though all the news is from Glasgow.
Nakamura also rumoured to be being approached as the Old Bhoys reunion continues apace. At the end of his career at 31, but I like the creative ability he could bring to our midfield. McManus generally rated as a top acquisition, albeit on loan.
I'm starting to feel even more optimistic, lets just hope a decent striker is pulling the Mont Blanc toward him as I write. Seriously, I am getting warm feelings - all the signings are fighters not quitters, and have the experience to balance the raw and sometimes brittle youth element - and most importantly we are starting to get leaders across the team. Up the Boro and here's to tomorrow!
I agree to an extent with the 'don't change a winning team' argument, but I find it hard to argue with bringing in Lita and Robson for Arca and Franks (which I assume will be the changes?)
I've defended Arca in the past, but he has looked decidedly past his best this season - that purple patch he had ages ago looks like it was the exception rather than the rule. As for Franks, he will get more chances, and I'd like to see Lita back in after his goal the other night.
Oh, and if anyone is in the stands at 245, give our Dad a clap, he's handing over a kick racism out of football (I think) cheque to someone at the club - has no idea who the recipient will be though.
It's great to hear another old Bhoy is joining us. Contrary to what a number of people are saying Gordon's team and time was very successful. I never miss an opportunity to watch 'The Tic'. He's one of only 3 Celtic managers to win 3 titles in a row the others being the immortal Willie Maley and Jock Stein.
His teams won the SPL by a distance. In his first season they should have given the fans their money back because he wrapped up the league so early. The last 9 or 10 games were meant nothing because they had won the league.
Gordon's team got to the last 16 of the Champions league and were unlucky to be knocked after extra time by the eventual winner AC Milan. These players may not be good enough for Tony Mowbray but they are good players and we will get our moneys worth.
People need to show some patience it is very hard to build a new team especially if you are the manager of the Boro.
We are very fortunate to have Strachan - he's bright, straight, courageous and knowledgeable. I couldn't give a Castlemaine XXXX if we get beat tomorrow we have the right man in charge.
Is King Henrik still playing ? That would be a joy !
All behind the team tomorrow. The unlikely is still possible, and if we were to win, a little bit of momentum might just start to build up.
It would probably help if, until the end of this season, we retained in our team the division's best player. A few million quid in our account now, compared with the potential loss of tens of millions by wasting the best chance we have of promotion (ie in the season following relegation)....
The important thing is to go up. It isn't relevant to say we would be very weak if promoted and that we'd be favourites for relegation the next year. That is going to be the case for all three teams that go up, whatever the year. But for us to get into the 3 promotion places the best chance was always going to be this year, with a reduced chance next year, and a greatly diminshed chance each year after that.
In short - given the choice of selling Adam Johnson or keeping him for the rest of this season - the answer should be "Seemples". No sale yet, Aliksandr.
Mcdonald 51 goals in a Micky Mouse league. Did you watch the European cup games? He missed chance after chance. I remember Alves scoring his goals in the dutch Micky Mouse league and we all know what happened when he joined us.
However, it would appear that he is the only "STRIKER" that we are going for at present. Mr. Strachan is making it very obvious that he only wants to make signings from north of the border. All the best for Saturday. I am going for 3-0 we will keep a clean sheet soon.
What's the odds on McManus scoring one of three goals for McBoro in an impressive 3-1 performance at the Riverside? smiley
Didn't he score 8 goals in one of his seasons for the Hoops? I have a method in my optimistic madness.
We just need Strachan to continue waving that magic wand of his and the new~look Boro and we'll be well on our merry way to Wembley! When will this optimistic madness of mine end?
I'm beginning to feel an air of invincibility about us and we haven't even signed the prolific striking duo that we're all praying come our way on or before 4:49pm on Monday!
C'mon lads, we can still do this!
Sorry my last post got cut off, wont bother finishing.
Three points today please.
Neil in Canada.
I think McManus has a better goals to games ratio than most of the forwards we were either linked with or got on loan. A goal in every 8.8 games I read somewhere.
Hopefully he can keep that going for the BORO.