Derby Script Needs Big Finish
IF THINGS had gone to script this may have been the title decider; a silverware showdown that would have been a shoe-in for small screen slot on Sky. In fact it is a contractual obligation game of champions elect against play-off long-shots that the viewing masses don't particularly want to see. To be fair, not many on Teesside are overly keen.
It has been the lowest key build up to the "pseudo derby" that I can remember, mainly because many Boro fans think the season ended at Cardiff. The door slammed last week was inched open slightly with the midweek results but not enough for any groundswell of passionate optimism to surge through. Ticket sales have nudged up slowly but it is still set to be the lowest ever gate for a derby at the Riverside.
Optimism has also been eroded by injuries. By three defeats on the bounce to play-off rivals. By the lack of loan transfer action, a development that suggests the powers-that-be have also given up on the prospects of promotion. By the Corus cloud of depression hanging over the area. By the growing fear that the atmosphere and ambition at the Riverside is in terminal decline. And by the thought that the Geordies will arrive in big numbers and in gleeful anticipation of the title and dominate on and off the pitch in what could easily turn out to be the last derby for some time.
And yet... and yet... (rummages in big bag of football cliches)... the form book goes out of the window in derbies. The last time Boro went into a derby so markedly trailing Newcastle in terms of the table and the mood was back in 1990 on the last day of the second tier season. They were flying and a win on Teeside could have secured promotion. Boro were in a mess and after the euphoria of the post liquidation Rioch rush were in a nervous slide and defeat may have meant a return to the third division.
And remember what happened then?
Newcastle are not unbeatable. It's not like they are Brazil. Even their own fans have been complaining about the quality this term. And Boro have been much improved at home of late. Six unbeaten and three wins - and three clean sheets - on the trot. There is a steel about them. They are hard to beat. The key obviously is getting the goals. Who knows, maybe we will get another penalty or two.
The problem is that the stakes are staked against us. If we win it may cause a stutter but will not do much damage to their title ambitions. If they win, we are left needing snookers and may as well start dismantling the team and preparing for next season. A draw is not much use for us either but for them will be another steady step back to the Prem.
We need a win more than they do. As much to shore up collapsing supporters morale and prop up a precarious season ticket base as keep alive any far fetched play-off hopes. The team owe the home crowd not just a result but a real performance.
I'll be doing a live blog for those members of the diasBoro, expats and the rowdy diehards in the virtual Bosco Jankovic Stand. Those not watching on dodgital TV that is. In the meantime feel free to make predictions, get excuses in early and begin the banter.
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Anthony Vickers
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Please Boro do the job on Newcastle 2nite, i live in Australia KO time here 10pm working 6am-6pm for 2 weeks half way through, tired and need a boost.
Cannot bear thought of anything worse than a draw. Promotion not an issue just a result and some bragging rights would help.
Great video - and great result in 1990. At least we used to get luckier at that time. Or was it that the Toon defenders were that bad then?
Predictions? I am optimistic again with a 3-1 home win. A penalty by Robson, Wheater from corner (2-0)and a late SuperMac debut goal. The Toon goal from a set piece just before the break.
In the last blog there were some complaints about lack of EG coops. How about a interview with a certain Garry Pendrey? I bet most of us don't know he even exists in the team.
Up the Boro!
I hate jawdees more than I love the Boro. So what eh!
Derby Script Needs Big Finish. Did you mean Derby Script Needs Big FiNNish (lad)?
I am Finnish and 6 ft 3 ins - and I will join the live blog today, too!!! UTB!
I agree, it should have been a title decider and which ever way you look at it, decisions made in boardrooms have greatly influenced the positions in which both clubs now find themselves.
Steve Gibson seems to have made the decision to consolidate the financial standing of the club, a sensible decision in many peoples' eyes, however, a quick return to the Premiership was maybe worth a gamble in the eyes of the fans. But SG is a sensible man, a winner and may be proved right in the long term.
Newcastle's owner, on the other hand, is the complete opposite. It would appear he is a bit of a nutter, a gambler, speaks with forked tongue. But he also is a winner. The two owners could not be more different, at opposite ends of the spectrum in the way they conduct themselves and run their business empires.
Ashley, as you would expect, has taken the other route... he has gambled on an immediate return to the big time, invested more millions to keep the momentum and his gamble would appear to have paid off. He is a lucky man. But that is the norm for this bloke. He may be loathed on Tyneside, but you have to hand it to him, he looks like he is about to come out it smelling of roses, nay, that's a tad too much.... let's say chrysanthemums... ughh!
So, what will today hold? The nerves are twitching already at 9.30am, where will I park, what will I wear... the banana or the barcode?? ... Dare I wear either? Whatever, let's all hope it's a cracking game, good crowd, great atmosphere and no trouble.
W7 D5 L4 GF21 GA15 Points 26 Newcastle's away record
W7 D4 L7 GF17 GA16 Points 25 Boro's home record
I enjoyed watching the video clip. A replay of that peformance, and score, would be very welcome (if somewhat unlikely).
I must admit I am not a Toon hater, it is the mackems as the arch enemy but that doesnt mean I dont have a chortle at any loony Toon misfortunes.
What do I expect today? The routine (Jimmy Floyds, er, 'header' aside) is for at least one dodgy decision in Toons favour.
As an outside observer on Toons progress it does appear that they have had their share of the luck this season but that goes with playing well and being top. You get into more positions to be lucky therefore it has been earned.
Logic and the table would point to a low scoring game and Toon to edge it, probably with a dodgy pen given or a nailed on one not.
Maybe it is time for points from unexpected sources, a touch of typical Boro.
That Boro Newcastle game is one of my favourite Boro memories. It was a lovely sunny day. I was sat in the garden in the middle of Germany, listening full blast on the radio. The neighbours thought I was mad!
As for today....I'm the eternal optimist. We will win and go on a run to take us into the play offs.
What wouldn't we give for the current equivalent of Slaven and Baird for our forward line today? That day in 1990 is one of my favourite Boro days out and what turned out to be my last game pre my joining the diasBoro. It's easily up there with the Cardiff cup final.
Have no optimism for today, can only see us losing by a couple of goals. See you all in the virtual Holgate..
Come on Boro
Lets face it, MFC are finished. SG has no ambition whatsoever to get back in the premiership otherwise he would have appointed a manager with a better pedigree than Strachan.
He is worse than Southgate and if the club don't get promoted via the play offs then crowds wil dwindle to about 11,000. Then SG might as well sell the ground. Lets face it, people in Teesside are not passionate about football,or anything else for that matter. By the way i reckon the score will be.
Mickey Mouse FC 0 the mighty NUFC 3.
24,000 att,7,000 Geordies to swell the crowd.
Can't see boro winning today, but who knows. Same old unpredictable Boro!
Never been so unexcited about a derby game, the season is over and the geordies im afraid, are just in a different league to us. Add to that, the fact that there will be nothing but geordie noise in our own stadium, makes a dull picture for MFC.
Glory days gone, no money, less talent. Will we be top two next season? Beating teams like west ham and Wolves maybe? Noooooope. Mid table again, unless we find an Ethereal striker and a bag of cash. Boro 1- Skunks 3.SIGH. :(
Great fun as always. Committed performance, exciting - a real derby treat!
Robson was fantastic, Mac was a worthy MOM, even Arca masqueraded as a proper footballer...
Trophy Virgins banner was my personal video highlight...cheers AV/Mosso/the Virtual End!
Go watch Palace, Ben. ;o)