Boro To Plough New Furrow At Tractor Boys?
HERE we go for the real start of the Strachanovite revolution. With seven new recruits in January plus a hardcore of the old team having bought into the new ethic of hard work, a high line, an emphasis on patient retention in the middle, closing quickly and 96 minutes of concentration and determination, this is now very much Strachan's side.
At Ipswich the most important part of the jigsaw - the much needed front man who is supposed to score the goal - is dropped into place as Scott McDonald is set for his debut. Fellow new boy Lee Miller may be alongside him, expererienced Steve McManus will add the leadership qualities at the back and Kyle Naughton - who was excellent in this league last year - will probably go in at right-back.
,
The changes may be a risk. So many new faces may not gel immediately and the team could be clunky at times and it may seem harsh for the likes of Tony McMahon and Jonathan Grounds who have fought their way back into the team after early set backs and shown they can deliver what the boss wants.
But arguably McDonald and McManus are Strachan men and they may be more instinctively in tune with the the shape, the demands and the mentality than many of the longer serving rump of the Southgate side. And they are the "men" he wanted. They are the ones he has been waiting for and working towards, changing the mentality and tempo of the team as part of building the foundations of the new Boro.
But we shouldn't expect miracles. An instant goal-crazed upturn is unlikely. Not least because Ipswich are one of the form teams in the Championship. Like Boro the Tractor Boys are a work in progress and a side just taking shape after a nightmare start. When Roy Keane arrived with a brash new approach and no-nonsense discipline that ruffled a lot of feathers it led to a collapse in performances and results as players struggled to meet the demands or embrace the new mentality. There were even early jitters, nervous talk of a mistake and rumours of the sack. But now the pain looks worth it.
For Strachan the pressure is now on. There are no more excuses about Southgate's side not being able to play to the new bosses's style. And the pressure is on too because time and games are running out fast if Boro are to make the play-offs and to go into them with the kind of momentum that will carry us to Wembley. There will be very little time for the latest changes to bed in.
So Ipswich is an important game. You can follow it on the live blog or talk about it here and start the post-mortem after the game. Or you can continue the cosy chat on the other monster thread powered by the warm glow of unaccustomed optimism.
Older/Newer
« Deadline Day Drama... Live! | Boro Salvage Positives From Nightmare Start »
34 Comments
Leave a comment
Profile
Anthony Vickers
Keep up to date
Follow Untypical Boro on
You're right, it would be harsh for the likes of McMahon and Grounds if they don't play.
Nice leader AV, I was thinking of crying..pla..plagi...plagiari.... if only I could spell.
I think the order of play tomorrow will be patience. I'm sure the new signings will be desperate to impress the boss, but the onus will be on Ipswich, as they are the home team. We don't want them to be all gung ho and get off to a bad start.
At least now we should have a presence up front to make the opposition think twice. Keep their shape and play good solid football and I can see us coming away with 2-0 win.
"The warm glow of unaccustomed optimism indeed" AV
The best we can hope for is 0-0 today
Anthony Newcastle played six (6) new signing in their team last night against the team (Cardiff) who are 4th in the league and won 5-1. It did not take them time to gel. So there is no reason why Strachan's team cant do the same at Ipswich. All the best lads
The Football league show on Sky with Peter Beagrie.
Barely a word about Boro but plenty about Keane and Ipswich, lets hope the team does the talking. Logic suggests a hard fought draw.
Untypical Boro? Well, well... I hope for a narrow win but will settle for a 1-1 draw. But typically we loose after all the positiveness of last week!
By the way 'arka' in Finnish means timid, shy or sensitive. That isn't our Arca, is it?
Up the Boro!
AV, I read somewhere that QPR have agreed a loan until the end of the season for AV's midfielder Isaiah Osbourne starting next week. This must be a rumor as GS2 told that there are injuries at Villa currently.
Any comment from Rockcliff? UTB!
The other Blog maybe closed now, so if you dont mind we can continue a little with the "Golden oldie days here'.
Yes the Fiesta was as good has they say" I have seen all of the top acts of the time on there. The Globe also "Jerry Lee Lewis" The Empire in the BORO also had many great acts on. The purple Onion. the outlook, the scene. I guess we could go on and on What I do know is that my time in the sixties were some of the best of my life. Not forgetting the Astoria that is where I saw the Beatles live. Yes there was a time when the Boro and surounding area had it all.
As regards the gentleman who mentioned Craig Johnstone. he was a very nice modest person and this showed when he gave up football to look after his sister who was very ill, also made his mark with the "Predator" football boot.
All the best lads, fingers crossed for this afternoon.
I hope when the loan window opens we are able to get at least one wide and creative player in!
Yes we have 7 new players but Ipswich have 9 so this isnt the ipswich team thats played so far, its a complete new one. This game wont tell us anything until we know how good this new ipswich team is
"Aston Villa midfielder Isaiah Osbourne is set to join QPR when the loan window reopens". From The Daily Mirror.
What's the story there AV?
2 hours and 27 minutes to the live blog - I think I am a bloga-holic.
COME ON BORO
I AM full of optimism AV. I am sick to the back teeth of all the negative comments. Good to see constructive critisism but there is no point now dwelling on what's past.
Let's get behind the Boro today and spank Keano's butt! 2 points average a game from now on will see us in the play offs and then, who knows?
Today is the 1st big step for the Reds so C'mon Boro grab us a win today.
No excuses, sick of hearing excuses. The young players had there chance too shine and really havent.It was up to them too try and get in the squad what Ive seen Is nothing special.Go with experience and lets start pushing towards the top,we dont have time for players to gel.Its time for the team to stand up and be counted.
Its In there hands now 3pts Is a must today and I hope Its the new improved Boro.You dont get time In this League Just look at The Leeds, Southamptons, Charltons, Readings and Sheff Utds... these Clubs have all been relegated from The Premiership and the few others and look at them now! This Is A Lesson To Learn and that Is you must earn the right to be at the Top!
Looks like the Live Blog has gone BOOM.
**AV writes: Yes, there was a big problem with the Portman Road wifi/mobile recption. Loads of people in the press box were complaining that their connection was being thrown out so I don't think it was a laptop/CoverItLive problem this time, although obviously that is no consolation. I may have sworn a bit. I apologise profusely.
Technology appears to have defeated the Live Blog (unless I am doing something wrong at my end). And after 28 minutes we are losing 1-0 (mind you, I could have said that after 28 seconds!).
A great point earned - the new boys bedded in rather well, especially McManus and Naughton. We recovered admirably from the early error - full credit to GS2 for the positional change at the break as it made an immediate difference.
Was the live blog left behind w/ McDonald as a precaution? It probably just needs to rebuild match fitness...
Almost Gone in 60 Seconds.
After a week of a rising tide of optimism typical Boro almost threw it away in less than a minute. Gordon Strachan once again baffled us with his team selection. Taylor was brought in from the cold, but only given 45 minutes to thaw out. Hoyte found himself in unfamiliar territory on the right.
Considering Ipswich's recent form a point is probably a good result. We could be forgiven for thinking that the game was over before it had barely got going.
On to Barnsley on Tuesday, hopefully they can give the Gaffer a birthday present.
The only sour note was Mosso Cloudfiles failed to make the team bus. Surely patience must be running a bit thin with our tempramental new transfer.
Yes We Still Can!
Wierd team selections. Mc Donald didnt travel obviously not fit yet. Also an obvious lack of midfield players, Taylor left wing? Hoyte Centre midfield? Strachen seems to love Hoyte play him in any position just to get him on the pitch.
At least we didnt lose but we are falling further behind,out of the six winnable games that were coming up its 1 win 2 draws so far,need two home wins on the bounce now
Vic
Couldnt get on the live blog for some reason so I will put text of the day on here.
John powls had gone to Ipswich so I text him the teams news including the fact both MacDonald and Arca were out. He text back what was the matter so I said didnt know about macDonald but that Arca was struggling.
His response 'yes I know Arca's been struggling - but what about an injury?'
Class, sheer class.
I'm sure today's early conceded goal will have been Southgate's fault.
Oh, and Keith Lamb's.
Not too much to complain about regarding the result, when we would have certainly lost this game six weeks ago. I can settle for steel,resilience and general hardness in the team and overall a reluctance to concede defeat easily.
That is coming through clearly listening to way we performed today.I do become angry over sloppiness and casualness ie Wheater's regular howler again, in the opening minute though credit to him that he picked up his game as the match wore on.
Being functional, pragmatic are good footballing qualities for success in this division and we are on our way in this respect.If we can add some guile and subtlety to our physical strength, then we can move up the table. I still fear it may be too little and too late and this is more a consequence of the wreckage left by Southgate.
Vic it looks like the fans just kept posting without your live feed, they will find a way.
We are the inter, we are the inter, we are the internet red army!
Do you feel like the pied piper?
I may be mistaken but watching Sky sports Saturday afternoon show I could have sworn that Phil Snoz Thompson was raving about West Ham’s news centre Forward. Apparently he has signed a short term deal from a chimpship team in the north east for only £1,000 a week, step forward Mosso Cloudfiles.
Judas!Judas!Judas!Judas!Judas!
It’s alright he missed a sitter.
The biggest surprise today wasn't the live blog not appearing but Andrew Taylor in the starting line up? I thought GS2 wasn't keen, hernia or not? Sounded like he had a stinker being played further up the park though!
I am worried (can't sleep actually) by Gordon's decision to replace McMahon with the new LOAN player who hasn't had a real game for 9 months. Don't tell me Kyle played well yesterday- Tony Mac has played well for the last 7 games !
Reinstate McMahon or I'll put an 'heeby jeeby' curse on you that will make you wish you were Jon Terry's PR man (woman? ).
Like superman I use my powers sparingly and for 'Good'. The last time I used them was against this guy who was the double of Avram Grant who pushed in front of me at the delicattessan queue in Waitrose.
Now poor old Avram can't even go for the famously invigorating 'Thai Slap an Tickle' therapy without some papparrazi hounding him. Firm, but fair thats me.
You have been warned
Wanted a win but posted pre match a hard fought draw seemed logical so having gone 1-0 down in 28 seconds a point is a decent result.
Without Robson and plus a wide left man we clearly unbalanced. If you cast Coyne as captain (Noah) they could have come out in pairs holding hands, a real ark of a team.
I faintly recall once before when we ended up with two of evrything but never a starting line up.
That makes it four unbeaten but only one win. A plus is the fact we have come back from behind twice to gain a point. Shoots are definately appearing but I am hoping for no frosts in the next two games.
Forget others having games in hand we can only look after our own results. Two home wins would be a great weeks work. Lets go for it.
Interesting comment on the BBC Gossip site this morning concering Adam Johnson:
Johnson almost joined rivals United in January. The former Middlesbrough player was given a secret tour of United's training ground and met with Sir Alex Ferguson but the Premier League champions did not follow up their interest.
Must have been Top Secret A.V. if you didn't pick up on that one....
Did well to get a point at Ipswich, although it is these games we should be winning if we want to achieve a place in the playoffs.
The six points on offer in the next two home games are vital to our season. I hope the players give it their all and achieve two home wins on the bounce. Can we go 6 games unbeaten ? I hope so....
AV have you seen the story in the People regarding Johnson and Man Utd?
AV this is getting beyond a joke. We now have Chris Kamara on Goals on Sunday praising the philanthropic Mido. It is about time someone at the club gave out the facts on the MIido situation.
A draw against the tractor boys isnt anything to write home about.
Sort out the middle !
At this rate by the time we get the team sheet sorted then the playoffs will be too far away.
David Connor.. I also saw jerry lee lewis at the globe...it was 1972...also saw him at the marimba and titos nov 1966
orbison...seen him many times at the fiesta. managed to get autographs of jerry and roy
football...decent point for boro after the bad start....tuesday night should be interesting...
AV-
I know that nobody has been given a definitive answer about Mido but from my reading of his interview in today's News of the World there is no indication that he is currently receiving anything from Boro because the whole tenor of the article is that he is making a financial sacrifice to spend 4 months at West Ham.
Lets be honest if we had an agreement with Zamalek where they for the sake of arguement were paying a third of his wages why would we agree to tear it up to agree to a worse agreement with West Ham. Quite possibly he has agreed to forego his dues from us for 4 months to try to get himself back in the spotlight in English football.That's how I see it anyway.
**AV writes: FIFA rules do not allow a player to lose out on the level of wages due under his contract by going out on loan. That is why clubs haggle over how much of his salary the loaning club will pay.
There has been no indication that Mido has ended or renegotiated his deal with Boro so as I understand it he is still due his full basic under that deal. If West Ham are not paying it someone is. and I don't think it is Zamalek.
He may be "making sacrifices"... maybe he is paying without bonuses, image rights or a signing on fee. Maybe he has forfeited a bonus at Zamalek. Who knows. But I would be staggered if a) he was actually playing for £1,000 a week in total; and b) Boro are not still paying a hefty slice of his wages.
The Mido situation is clearly causing a lot of interest and comment. West Ham and the player himself seem to have put the issue of his pay and the "sacrifices" he is making into the public arena.
Therefore, and acknowledging that the club might not normally wish to talk publicly about the wages of any particular player, would it possible for someone at the steam-powered Gazette to ask the club to provide the answer to a simple question: "Are Middlesbrough still contributing to Mido's wages?"
The answer to that wouldn't reveal any figures that might be confidential but would tell all the Boro fans what they want to know.
Actually the club sometimes does tell us about wages when it finds it appropriate (like telling us what a large slice of gate receipts it would have cost had Viduka accepted the last offer we made him before he left the club). I don't really care whether Mido is being paid £1,000 or £40,000 a week, if we are not paying it!
Can't Uncle Eric pose the question? If the club choses not to reply, then the paper can tell us that. Though why the club should want to keep the supporters in the dark (about what is going on with one of our most expensive, and highly paid, recent acquisitions who hasn't kicked a ball in anger for the club in such a long time) I really don't know.