Virgin On The Ridiculous: Bubbling Boro Do Everything But Win In Facesaving Derby
SPIRITED display. Cracking atmosphere. Good goals. Tackling. Attacking intent. Some superb individual performances. Entertainment. A bit of edge. An opportunity to laugh at the "trophy virgin" opposition, It was all you can ask from a derby game and exactly what a home crowd long starved of excitment desired and deserved. Except for the three points.
Boro dominated for long spells and should have won but then offered a beaten side a way back in when as they sat back and invited pressure in the closing stages then failed to defend a routine ball in and BANG. Nooooooo. How many times?
Before the game most would have taken a face-saving draw, especially one where we scored from open play. Most had already written Boro's anorexic play-off hopes off after Cardiff and there was a tangible fear through the week that a morale sapping heavy defeat to the echo of Geordie laughter would have plunged the club into renewed political in-fighting. In the event just getting the draw was a bitter disappointment because the game was in the bag and so the late leveller was a sickener.
It was the best home display of the season. By far. It was a spirited, high tempo performance without fear. Boro closed and pressed and snapped into tackles from the off and threw the table-toppers out of their stride. They soon imposed their shape on the game and carved out a string of good chances, they were passing and probing and getting behind Newcastle, playing with authority and looking to attack.
And there were some outstanding individual displays. Scott McDonald was brilliant. Fully fit for the first time he showed exactly why the gaffer brought him in: superb control, a deft touch, neat movement off the ball, an eye for an opening in the box and superb link-up play, especially with his former colleagues Chris Killen and Barry Robson. His reaction for the goal three yards out had a hint of Bernie Slaven about it and now he is off the mark we must hope he can go on a run, if not to push us into the play-offs then certainly to give us a good run up into next season.
Robson was also fantastic, a midfield powerhouse who demands the ball, grabs a game by the throat and makes things happen. Driving runs from midfield, neat interchanges of passing and a stinging shot. His free-kick that brought the excellent save from Harper was a cracker - let's see more of them and fewer sailing over the stand from Gary O'Neil please - and his combination with McDonald before his goal was a delight.
McManus is a commanding presence at the back, Rhys Williams played well, Killen is an effective and industrious targetman and even much maligned Julio Arca was on fire... although he always is against Newcastle and had a derby passion that dates back to his Sunderland days. Has any player in the North-east played more than him?
Perhaps more importantly, there was a good display and atmosphere and that will do more to sell season tickets next term than the result did. There was a real derby edge about the game after Boro's stirring start the mood rarely dipped below hysteria.
The lads from the Red Faction were on form. It was their best display of the season too. Last year the club moved against the fledgling noisy corner with the PR own goal of "lettergate" and the crowd reacted at the next home game against West Ham with the rowdiest, most partisan and intense wall of stand bashing sound of the season.
Over the last few weeks the club have turned the screw on them again, banning the megaphone and drum (I'm not a fan but it was the club that initially asked them to try one out), preventing new recruits to Red faction from switching season tickets to their section, overly zealous stewarding and banning flags over 1m square as a fire risk. So don't think you can buy one in the club shop and take it to the game.
But the self styled ultras responded with an unofficial flag day of their own and created a precious derby memory with the brilliantly funny and provocative "Trophy Virgins" banner complete with "i'm with stupid" arrow which sparked a furious humourless reaction from an idiot fringe of the visitors being pointed too. The sight of fat lads trying to clamber over the netting in the sterile area is always amusing although we should think ourselves lucky it wasn't the bare chested man mountains down the front wading in. Them four caught in the nets would spark a Green Peace protest.
The moment also added a new chant to the Tease Tyne repertoire as the North Stand quickly latched onto the slogan to taunt the visitors. Now, you can argue all you like about the irony of a team who have only won a grand total of one trophy goading another who have won five titles and six FA Cups, but the prank was defiant, inventive, creative and very, very funny... although whether the club safety chiefs will be laughing at the audacity of supporters smuggling in an unathorised banner and encouraging passion, noise and laughter is yet to be seen.
So, plenty of positives and a good enough display to give hope that even if we don't make the play-offs we can do enough in the last ten games to keep the pressure on and put down some solid building blocks for next term.
But really, we should have won that.
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I must say, I thoroughly enjoyed watching that game and today, I am immensely proud to be a Boro Fan! Cracking goals, cracking atmosphere, the Red Faction "Trophy Virgin" banner, our overall play... in fact, everything you want from your team these lads delivered today.
If that's a sign of things to come once the Ginger Genius his overhaul of the squad in the summer, then I'm sold! Fantastic performance; just a shame about our defending as overall, I think we had in excess of 16 shots and they had about 6. The corner count was in our favour but they are a dirty bunch, eh?
They should have had a lot more yellows and all they did was try and bruise us which they failed to do. We ran the show overall. All we need to do is keep building on our 7 game unbeaten run at the Riverside and keep creating double-figure goal scoring opportunities and we should finish the season off a lot more positively.
I'm thinking more about good performances now rather than focusing on the play-off's although I appreciate that mathematically, we're still in with a shout.
It's also evident that we have our own SUPERMAC! now! SUPERMAC! SUPERMAC! SUPERMAC! SUPERMAC! SUPERMAC! SUPERMAC!
Oh dear, I do hope people are not going to start referring to that ridiculous trophy virgins flag that was aimed at Newcastle fans. This is totally embarrassing and makes the club and towns people look like complete small town charlies who have a huge chip on our shoulders. Sorry but there it is.
Impressed with the Boro today. Great game, brilliant atmosphere, shame the mags were missing so many players, but the same goes for both clubs I guess.
Totally embarrassed by the Newcastle fans... confirmed my decison long ago not to go to many away games. My apologies to all decent folk who attended for having to put up with the aggressive, foul mouthed morons masquarading as football fans.
I was stood adjacent to the players entrance when the Mags coach arrived. A young lad, no more than 12 years old hurled every (and I mean EVERY) swear word I've ever heard, even some I hadn't, in a torrent of abuse at each and every Newcastle player.... women, children, stewards present... he didn't give a jot.
Why, oh why, does it have to be like this? Why do I feel I wished I had stayed at home and missed this great game? PS... one law for us and another for?.... A Jaguar parked next to the players entrance with a road tax disc 2 months out of date! Must be someone else living in the past!
**AV writes: The way some people believe that vitriol and savagery is acceptable just because some people wear a different shirt has always astounded me.
I would have taken a draw before the match, but having led 2-1 I feel a little disapointed now. We still need snookers, despite Cardiff being determined to drop out of the top six.
The last few months have seen an alarming downward spiral on the attendance figures at The Riverside. Hopefully all the extra people who were at the game today will continue to support the team.
Considering the position in the league of Newcastle, then today was a very good result. A bad defeat would have done untold damage to the club. You never know, this could be a turning point.
Trophy virgins banner = small time, cringeworthy and totally ridiculous, sorry but there you go.
This Red faction group have made the club and the Teesside public look ridiculous in their attempt to be funny. Maybe if these people dedicated their time to getting an education, decorating their council houses or participating in a proper sport such as polo, then they wouldn't have time to think of and manfacture such childish and banal things as that silly flag. http://www.thechap.net/
Who are these people slagging the 'Trophy Virgins Banner' off? I watched the match 'live' out here in Saudi and I haven't laughed so much in ages. Top match, top commitment, great atmosphere, everything but the result. Me, a small town charlie? Too right, and Proud. Flaming Killjoys. Up The Boro...
OK AV How do you do it?
I watched the game while trying to listen to Radio Brownlee and communicate with Mosso, where do you find the time to write your comments and still make an analysis of the game? I'd just finished laughing at the TV pics of the flag when your angry letter comment popped up. Classic - the whole Bosco Jankovic stand were in uproar.
Another time I'd just finished typing we're on top and pressed enter then 1-0 down - how stupid did I look!! Definately the best nights entertainment this year.. Thanks again - see you Tuesday (wed am over here)
Timothy Fortescue-Fyffe ~ Pompous drivel coupled with spam.
Wot Ed the red said - Flamin' killjoys who have no sense of humour and come all over glum like, innit. We're just a community of small town charlies! Aye, pride we be!
Trophy Virgins >>>> = L~E~G~E~N~D~A~R~Y and very, very apt and funny!
The idiots trying to clamber over the net was just as funny! Their farcical angry overreaction? = They know it's true! ROFLMAO!!
Great match to watch but Toon showed what they have been doing all season, finding a way to get a result. It was poor defending for both their goals. There was even the obligatory dodgy decision in Toons favour though the as a Boro fan I would be upset if the type challenge on Mac resulted in a penalty against Wheater
I am looking forward to the game at Derby with renewed vigour.
Plenty of plusses from the match, not least the fact Rhys Williams looks such a good footballer and freed O'Neil and Robson to go forward. Even our crab had a good name, it must be the branchial water allowing him to get rid of CO2.
Like others I get fed up with the idiots amongst all fans who go to a match and spend time facing the opposition venting spleen and bile. If they want to spend their time hurling foul language at idiots why dont the keep their ã20+ in their pockets and stand in front of a mirror.
Thanks to Stewart for the feed, it was great to listen to Ali and Gary, watch the match and have Mosso and Vic at the same time. Can Mosso manage a game on Tuesday?
**AV writes: Yes, like Supermac he seems to be getting into his stride now.
Full of energy, raucous, passionate and a never say die attitude, and that was just the fans! Once again it feels good to be a boro fan.
I really felt a bond between the fans and the players performance. So much so that if we can perform like that for the rest of the season then we might just make the play offs and I would be rubbing my hands at the prospect of playing the unmentionable again over two legs. If we donâÂÂt go up this year then we will be champs next year! HowâÂÂs that for a fickle 180 turnaround from last week.
I think we should have won yesterday but if IâÂÂm honest I donâÂÂt think we deserved it. I say that because despite being the better team, creating numerous chances and going 2-1 up, we had done enough to be winning the game, NOT win the game.
We had 15 minutes to close it out. And in truth I never thought we looked like doing it. We sat far to deep, and just let them come onto us as if it was inevitable. Just like the last ten mins at home to Barnsley when again they should have snatched an equaliser.
Anyway back to the positives, Williams slotted straight back in, McDonald will gobble up the goals for fun in this division and Barry Robson. Where do you start and describe RobsonâÂÂs performance. For all bloggers who havenâÂÂt seen him play, you are missing a treat. He is 100% committed, talented a real leader and what a brilliant goal. Brilliant Fabulous. I think I might be getting some âÂÂalternativeâ feelings towards him. Best to move on.
Trophy Virgins. Brilliantly funny. WhoâÂÂd have thought it would have provoked such a response? I may have dreamt this but didnâÂÂt a visiting team to the riverside sing a song about a home player that was Islamaphobic and quite upsetting especially considering world events. Trophy Virgins, proper football humour.
Still things for the boro to work on, we are yet from the finished article but are making progress. Next big step is to turn in a good performance away from home and take some chances.
P.s. AV have you BarryâÂÂs mobile number?
Must confess for the first time in many years I struggled to go to this game and did so only out of routine more than anything. I expected to see an early capitulation and the only hope was that an avalanche would not ensue.
By far the best performance I have seen at the Riverside this season with all the previously missing ingredients of fight, spirit and true grit. Robson certainly showed Derby enthusiasm and MacDonald was a totally different player to the shadow of a few weeks ago.
Atmosphere was cracking just a shame that there were a few idiots but overall good banter between the two sets of fans and most important a Boro peformance to be proud off. The stats show that we are unlikely to average enough points to make the play offs but if they can take the same confidence and belief into the remaining games then who knows? The only drawback is that "Typical Boro" will implode in the most unlikeliest of places. The challenge now is to make that show the benchmark and not a token "one off" performance.
Learning points (negative is not a fitting word after yesterday's graft) is that we need to stop crosses (by taking one in the face if needs be) as their 2nd was similar to Cardiff's last week and to put a ban on GON taking "Conversions" instead of Free Kicks.
For me in the last ten minutes Franks should have been introduced to stretch the game and give their defence something different to deal with and give us a new outlet and fresh pair of legs.
We deserved 3 points but the important thing to take from the game is the belief the team showed and the belief that a few more fans have that maybe they can mount a last ditch play off challenge even if it comes down to goal difference on the final day.
Great game lads, just a shame we couldn't hold on; but it bodes well for the next 5 games. I think the play off chances are out of our hands but we have to do everything we can at least and cross our fingers that results will go our way.
Leicester are the key. They have to play Cardiff away and face us on the last day of the season. And in my predictor I had us down for a point today and a loss last week to Cardiff so I'm still on track. ALthough the Leicester result was bad for us I think. I still maintain that if we win our next 5 on the bounce
DERBY(A)
READ(H)
PRES(H)
WATF(A)
CPAL(H)
(and actually it could be 6 on the bounce as Plymouth away are next in the line)
but even if we do win these 5 we have to beat Leicester on the last day of the season at their place. Is anyone with me or should I be sectioned?
I haven't seen any of the game as yet, but sounds like a great spectacle.
I for one have never written off the play-offs. Had we won, we would have been right amongst it. That's the biggest disappointment for me.
The banner was funny but is ultimately a monumental own goal.
great game,great atmosphere,great banner!!!
proud to be a smoggie!
Great Match and I loved the entertainment, the flag the bare chested obese stroke candidates and of course being in front for a while. Is this the turning point? I hope so.
Cracking game and cracking atmosphere. Shame about the result but some great things came out of yesterday's match.
McDonald was a different player to what we have seen previously, and now we know what the hype was about. There's only one Barry Robson (who is winning me over all the time), was immense in midfield and topped it off with a peach of a goal. Even Arca showed signs of being a footballer, however, it was probably just his Derby day lifter.
The only thing that really saddens me is the notion that next Saturday against Reading, the atmosphere will be as flat as the proverbial pancake. Come on you fans, ten games left, let's really get behind the team in the remaining home games.
Have a word with yourselves doyles, the banner was quality!
Definite pen early on Mac was elbowed down,their first goal was well executed but their second should have been avoided. It was a long cross in and their dangerman was not picked up.
Nobody seems to want the last two play off places,including us. Its amazing we are still in with a chance so lets hope Mac stays fit so we can give it a go.
Found out the result at about 7pm last night after a day away from football, even recorded the rugby which is getting as frustrating as the Boro. Not a bad result given that I thought we would lose.
Comedy seems to have been lost in football and the 'trophy virgins' banner may be small minded/small club attitude but it was humorous. In stark contrast to what was coming out of the skunks mouths I bet. At least we can have a funny jibe without really being offensive and aggressive to incite violence.
What is small time is this stupid music we walk out to which now just appears ridiculous especially to visiting fans. On this small time thread, the club continues in this vein and this needs to be sorted out along with the team for next season.
(13/03/10 - 10.39pm) The guy that posted with the fake name - get lost, dullard.
Smog on the Tyne - proper football humour, correct. Unfortunately the skunks can't take that nor can they give it out.
You would hope the majority of their fans are similar to ours in mindset, but the minority of foul mouthed idiots do not have the intelligence to create football humour. Any videos of them trying to get over the netting???
Good finish to the season required, Wheater reckons 10 wins out of 10 needed...hehe.
I can't believe that some people are saying that the season is over. There are still 10 games left, which is nearly a quarter of the season!
If we win 7 of those 10 it gives us 69 points, which could be enough. If we play like we did yesterday, it's possible.
**AV writes: That would probably fall just short. In the past decade the lowest tally to get in the play-offs has been 70 and that was just once. The average is 73.5. To do it with seven wins it would mean two of them would have to come in the games against Coventry and Leicester. We'd probably need a couple of draws too just to be sure... which leaves no leeway for a slipup at all.
"Have a word with yourselves doyles, the banner was quality!"
Oh, good grief, do you not have a play pen to climb back into, you blithering nit wit?
I think the trophy virgins was more apt to a club who have won only 1 trophy in 134 years,keep on scoring the own goals chaps another look at the table will suffice.
Ian Wood
Being with you or sectioned are not mutually exclusive. As Boro fan you can have company and be sectioned.
It was a cracking game yesterday, one I really enjoyed. I thought we played good football and were the better team throughout the match and how Newcastle are 25 points better than us highlights the self inflicted wounds we have endured this season.
Nevertheless, Robson looks to be another Souness, in the way he takes the game to the opposition and McDonald tormented the Newcastle defence all afternoon.
Credit to Killen for winning a vital header for McDonald's goal.
Despite being annoyed at the manner of their equaliser I can see progress being made under Strachan, and we have to keep going to the end of the season.
The lads around me, like myself, none live in the Boro are going to renew our season tickets in the belief that Strachan will bring in more players with the desire and commitment that Robson etc have shown.
I think we will be better prepared next season for a promotion push than now but it it does represent our last chance.
Nice to see the Boro fans going totally overboard about the prospects of promotion after a draw.
No doubt it will be back to Strachan is a barn pot, Scott MacDonald is garbage and Gibson should sell up should we lose at Derby.
Yes a really enjoyable match. Live blog working again, a link from Simon to see the match and sound by Alistair Brownlee. Wish I get some money from me missus to watch Boro live (traveling costs you know)!
Hope SupeMac is OK again for Tuesday as well as others like Killen. Any news on Willo's injury, AV? As you know we have very few midfielders available...
Up the Boro!
**AV writes: I think Willo had a scan back end of last week and is back to see the quack early this week to decide on a timetable. Three weeks minimum I think.
Great game Saturday just a pity we couldn't hold on for the ninety minutes. Some great football especially between MacDonald and Robson for Robsons goal. I would like to have seen Franks come on for the last fifteen minutes or so and made use of his pace down the wing against the tiring Geordies.
Pity we havn't played with the same passion and determination for the last couple months and then we would have been comfortably in a playoff place now.
Thoroughly enjoyed the performance of team and fans yesterday (if not the result against a poor man's Bolton) and the fact that the Trophy Virgins are still getting wound up by the entirely appropriate banner.
Must confess for the first time in many years I struggled to go to this game and did so only out of routine more than anything. I expected to see an early capitulation and the only hope was that an avalanche would not ensue.
By far the best performance I have seen at the Riverside this season with all the previously missing ingredients of fight, spirit and true grit. Robson certainly showed Derby enthusiasm and MacDonald was a totally different player to the shadow of a few weeks ago.
Atmosphere was cracking just a shame that there were a few idiots but overall good banter between the two sets of fans and most important a Boro peformance to be proud off. The stats show that we are unlikely to average enough points to make the play offs but if they can take the same confidence and belief into the remaining games then who knows? The only drawback is that "Typical Boro" will implode in the most unlikeliest of places. The challenge now is to make that show the benchmark and not a token "one off" performance.
Learning points (negative is not a fitting word after yesterday's graft) is that we need to stop crosses (by taking one in the face if needs be) as their 2nd was similar to Cardiff's last week and to put a ban on Gon taking "Conversions" instead of Free Kicks.
For me in the last ten minutes Franks should have been introduced to stretch the game and give their defence something different to deal with and give us a new outlet and fresh pair of legs. We deserved 3 points but the important thing to take from the game is the belief the team showed and the belief that a few more fans have that maybe they can mount a last ditch play off challenge even if it comes down to goal difference on the final day.
Goading the Geordies with subtly ironic/self-mocking humour - sheer class! And my money's on promotion this season.
Timothy Fyffe-Fortescue said:
"Have a word with yourselves doyles, the banner was quality!"
Oh, good grief, do you not have a play pen to climb back into, you blithering nit wit?
No sorry.
Robbo was awesome, Supermac class. McManus must be signed at end of season.
In Strachen we trust! Love the wee man, love the boro!
The banner was brilliant, and has only been made funnier by the reactions of the Geordies at the match (and indeed on this blog).
Great game, superb atmosphere, but ultimately points going begging again, which has cost us a shot of the play -offs. However, Strachan is moulding a decent team, one which may be ready for a real shot at promotion next campaign, and most of the team on show yesterday should remain - providing we don't lose O'Neil.
Can't believe the reaction of the Geordies to the very funny banner. It WAS funny; come on lads, you Barcodes are certainties for promotion, so enjoy it! The white suits werre still on show in the Bacode end, now that is an old joke that needs putting to rest. Maybe they can return one day with an equally funny banner!
However, a note of caution to our black n' white "friends". That team needs major surgery in the summer to make a dent in the Premiership, or it may be a thud you hear as you return back to the Championship in time for 2011/12, passing the Boro promotion bus along the way!
Just watched Adam Johnson save game for Man City.
All you Southgate backers,him and his coaches didnt believe Adam and Stewy could play in the same team,if that doesnt prove how inept they where then what does
Re: RED FACTION - SKUNK STUNT
Short of strip body searches let the humour continue in the vein it is intentioned for. Most "Skunks" smelled the funny side of our display but some of the fatter ones just couldn't handle our joke - shame!
"Virgin on the Ridiculous" indeed.
Yesterday, for the first time ever, I was able to witness new Boro signing Mosso Cloudfiles. I could barely contain my excitement. I read over the comments...it seemed like we were doing well, but then Newcastle scored.
In typical "Neil-who-supports-Boro" fashion, I had to go and watch my daughter and her Middle School choir's 15 minute sing-song at a local high school. After enjoying my daughters' great performance, I hurried home to catch the last of the game. Some kind soul had given a link to a live stream of the game, so I tried to watch that (I was watching the link and the live blog before I left).
When I clicked on the link, it showed 70 minutes, and Boro had leveled the score at 1-1. I went nuts...but then the link froze for several minutes. When it came back, the Boro were 2-1 up! Nuts again...then the link froze again. I waited...and then they link came up again, showing a 2-2 score. I watched the last five minutes or so. Ah well, better to have loved and lost...
I would say that we are still in the hunt for a play-off spot. The season is NOT over. We need lots of wins, and we need help, but we can still do it. And from the little I saw yesterday, we actually have something to be optimistic about.
Up the Boro!!
MSG for Gordon.
Sad that it needs to be spelt out for you, but the message on the banner was aimed at your fans and not your club. The majority of your fans have not seen your club lift a recognised cup in their lifetime, hence the banner.
Again, I feel it's a pity that I need to spell this out for you, but do please explain it to all you friends for us. It'll save a lot of time in the long run and it should keep you all from having sleepless nights trying to work it out for yourselves. Sleep well.
I have had a Mag (about 35 ish) whinge to me today about the banner. He actually cited that his Dad and Grandad "were at the Rangers match just before the Fairs Cup Final" and that he didn't get the point of it as the Toon had won lots of trophies in their history....class. ..it's just made the Banner even funnier!
Banner was brill. It was actualy on tv this side for a change. Great game Boro on top for most of it but thats why they are top they can be played off the park and still get a result.
Agree with earlier coments especially that no one seems to want the last two spots we must continue to support and play and win and hope the teams above continue to slip up. Its still up for grabs.
Well done to the fans long may it continue.
HAPPY DAYS TO BE A VIRGIN TROPHIEST! Come on lads, don't go overboard... it was one game... and it's not as though you won!
On reflection it would appear to me that the Boro (players and crowd) treated this game as a 'cup-tie', nay cup-final! Big boys come to town verses the minnows... minnows play as if their lives depended on it and put in a performance way above their usual dross (players and crowd).
It's very common to see 'lesser' teams raise their standard against better opposition. The secret to success is to do it in every game, not just the game of the season (as the Boro appear to treat playing Newcastle).
I do think you really missed out on victory though. The Mags with a back four of Kadar, Hill (who?), Simpson and Ryan Taylor, were there for the taking and better opposition would have punished us big time... and I think we missed out on victory too... with Enrique and Routledge warming up throughout the game... we had match winners in waiting!
Re the banner, very funny but inaccurate. Dread to think what awaits the Boro fans when next (if ever) they visit Sid James'!
And one more thing... THE POLICING! what a mess Cleveland Constabulary made of it after the game!! Herded like sheep, indecision, they didn't have a clue and were very lucky not to have caused a major incident. I thought this was a thing of the past.
So the Mags keep rolling on, churning out results, increasing the the gap from the play-off minnows, at home to Scunny on Wed, another 45,000 plus in attendance. Happy days to be a virgin trophiest - eh? He who laughs last...
Overall tho, I was pleased the The Mags galvanised your players and crowd and wish you every success in your quest for 6th place.
I found the banner funny and the reaction to it reminds me of Andy Caddick, of the well endowed pinna's, bowling in the West Indies.
After a day toiling into the wind a local journalist wrote of Caddick, ears flapping in the breeze. Caddick demanded an apology which the journalist duly posted along the lines of 'I apologise for Mr Caddick having big ears'.
In the true spirit of sporting camaraderie I hereby apologise for Toon not having won anything since colour TV came in to common usage. I would also like to point out that no Toon fans were hurt in the making of the poster.
The reaction just shows how humour free a passtime can be. If a simple humourous banner can provoke such a response I suggest a couple of weeks are needed somewhere quiet and restful.
I dont get upset about people coming in white suits and masks but I am no lover of chants like town full of rent boys. I dislike the bile filled invective of fans of all clubs but I cannot see how a harmless banner can provoke such a reaction.
In fact, the reaction makes it all the more precious. I have shown it to Derby and Stoke fans and they had a chortle.
On to the Derby match and the view of my colleague who went up to Donnie is that we must fancy our chances.
Always a concern when we should get something from a match but it is that odd time of year where teams are battling for points and anything can happen. Anything less than a win creates problems, we keep saying that but the clubs around us are desperate to keep us in touch with the play offs.
I think all we can do is enjoy, as best we can, what is left of the season.
Lets face it, as funny as the banner was, it was akin to a bloke with a combover taking the mickey out of a bald bloke.
The fact is that the mighty Middlesbrough have only once won a third rate trophy themselves, this in 150 years of trying. Bury FC are far more successful in the trophy stakes than the Boro and that is a fact.
Never mind though, its good to see you lot keeping a sense of humour about things despite being back in your rightful place in football standings.
**AV writes: I can't imagine there are any Bury fans still alive who remember their glory. I think that was the point. For all the titles and FA Cup wins recalled through Pathe News very few Newcastle fans will have consummated their relationship with their club in the way that Boro fans did at Cardiff. No matter how much seat counting or talk of fourth place or historical research you do, it won't change the essential truth of that... and that is what will have hurt Newcastle fans.
That maybe, but in the grand scheme of things, your club is still trophyless.
The League Cup or whatever it calls itself these days takes its place on the same shelf as the Central League titles at Old Trafford as it is basically a non event, a competition for the big boys to play their reserves in, nothing else. European trophies, League titles and FA Cups are what count, nothing else and in that respect you are trophyless.
Like I say, its a combover and baldies situation, you won the League cup once, well done.
Diablo Rojo -
A plastic manure fan who had apparently washed his hands of lil ol' Boro after relegation but appears to be obsessed. Get some therapy luv and move on.
brian hewitson -
Not really minnows, we just don't like your adopted club and its moronic/plastic support. Can't see how the banner is inaccurate. If it is - why has it hit a nerve with so many of you?
Enjoyed the game. The team played really well.
We have not had one bit of real luck. I cannot remember us getting a point which we didn't deserve. Newcastle obviously deserve to be top but they are nowhere near as good as their position suggests. Mark my words the saying "the league doesn't lie" will be proved to be as big a cliche as "luck evens itself out over the season"
Who would have thought that banner would have exacted such a remedial and immature response from our 'sentimental cousins' ? We have a master of psychology in our ranks.
It doesn't take much to get them going does it? They are 20 points ahead of us for God's sake, I would have expected a 'slicker' response than biting the railings. The whole city needs OFSTEDING.
Are there any photos of the reaction to the banner? I'd like one to add to my wall of sporting 'hoots'' - next to the 'snap' of that Manchester Police Dog sinking it's teeth into a 'propa' ugly, bitter Hun (a personal favourite of mine that is a source of real joy)
On footballing note we could easily win every one of the remaining games if we avoid injuries.
Brian H,
What happened to you on Sunday? You make a sensible and readable post on Saturday night, but this morning you are back to your boring "arenâÂÂt Newcastle wonderful" Shtick.
Brian, you happen to support a football team that has won a few games this year. This doesnâÂÂt make you a better human being then you were this time last year.
Just enjoy your own success and why should the Boro bother you. ItâÂÂs not a derby after all. In the past I have had âÂÂissuesâ with Newcastle fans, but am more than happy to accept that these idiots are the minority.
The lads that I work with are good fun and I have no problems wishing you good luck next season, I wish we were going up too. DonâÂÂt go all Billy Big time on us Brian and embarrass your self and your club.
Can we just support our own teams and maybe have the odd chuckle at the others expense? After all we are all adults and if we canâÂÂt take a gentle leg pull then you have my sympathy as life must be tough for you.
Brian you should show a bit of class and not bite. The banner was a bit of harmless fun.
I was at the Newcastle Boro game sitting in the Geordie end right next to our Boro lads. The chants coming from the Newcastle fans were inaccurate and untrue. They are just words though, they should only hurt if there is an element of truth in them. Is that why our banner hit that nerve of yours?
Banter aside, I am yet to see Newcastle play well this season. It says alot about this league. A physically strong side with a spattering of class can walk this division. I hope WGS realises this for next year.
Phil Brown Sacked.
I think HullâÂÂs finances are such that he mother of all fire sales could be on on the summer should they go down.
Brilliant banner - love it!!
What I don't love however is our tendency to sit back on a lead inviting more pressure and eventually conceding. I was watching via t'internet and it was obvious for me to see what was going to happen, surely Strachan and his team should be getting the message out not to sit back and go forward, after all we had prove over the previous 80 odd minutes that we are the better team (on the day).
As for Arca he is long past his best and should never play for us again. It looked to me that he bottled out of the challenge when they crossed for the equaliser. Its a disgrace. He deserves a large fine and the old fashioned hair dryer treatment - I wonder what Nick Barmby what have had to say if he was still in the team?
Mickey Mouse Cup eh?
2003 Liverpool 2-0 Manchester United Millennium Stadium 74,500
2004 Middlesbrough 2-1 Bolton Wanderers Millennium Stadium 72,634
2005 Chelsea â 3-2 â Liverpool Millennium Stadium 78,000
2006 Manchester United 4-0 Wigan Athletic Millennium Stadium 66,866
2007 Chelsea 2-1 Arsenal Millennium Stadium 70,073
2008 Tottenham Hotspur â 2-1 â Chelsea Wembley Stadium 87,660
2009 Manchester United â â 0-0 *[B] Tottenham Hotspur Wembley Stadium 88,217
2010 Manchester United 2-1 Aston Villa Wembley Stadium 88,596
It never ceases to amaze me how people can get so het up about a bit of terrace banter. The banner and in fairness the Geordie rendition of "we'll meet again" the old Vera Lynn classic both were in the best tradition of football humour.
Boro put in a good performance and the game was most enjoyable.Since I have slated him on here a mention for Arca who, whilst not brilliant and no long term solution on the left wing,really put a shift in.
We still have a problem at left back.I'm not sure anybody could quantify what Taylor is supposed to be good at.
The fact that Brian the chimp-choker isn't a proper fan but a plastic who stopped supporting his hometown team to jump on the bandwagon may explain his arrogance.
Smoggy... it IS a derby to me! I live closer the Riverside than Sid James' and Boro doesn't bother me, I am simply interested in their fortunes. I take the Gazette on occasions and, as this is a Gazette blog, feel entitled to express my views and opinions on same. If that sometimes comes over as 'Billy Big' (your words), if the cap fits...
Here's a banner for Boro players and fans....
big arrows pointing north, east and west...
"Only turn up when the Mags are in town"
Despite arguably one of Boro's best displays of the season all the talk seems to be about some banner - Anyway, what is a trophy virgin? It sounds like a trophy wife before some insecure overpaid footballer has taken her down the aisle?
Moving on quickly, it seems ex-boro players were busy making the headlines this weekend - a bit of magic from Johnson - Red mist from Boateng - and Tuncay did a runner after being subbed (perhaps he was in hurry to meet his lawyer to check on his Boro case).
Still regarding Boro's playoff chances - despite recent stutterings, we're still only four ponts behind with ten to play. Perhaps the 73 point target will be meaningless if we're only one point behind with nine to play - then it's just a matter of winning the a nine game mini-league, and given so far nobody has been able to pull away, under 70 points may well be enough.
Latest from Scottish Press
"Former Celtic manager Gordon Strachan says he is one of only two people properly qualified to understand the pressures faced by current Parkhead boss Tony Mowbray.
The Middlesbrough manager, in an exclusive interview with this paper, says that only he and his predecessor at Celtic Park, Martin OâÂÂNeill, can truly empathise with Mowbray, who faces a Scottish Cup clash with Kilmarnock tomorrow.
And Strachan says the scourge of virtual sniping on the internet has changed the way a Celtic manager must go about his business.
He explained: âÂÂItâÂÂs only Martin OâÂÂNeill and myself who can truly empathise with the Celtic manager because the internet and other outlets now are so huge and varied. ItâÂÂs maybe only since MartinâÂÂs time in charge that it has got to be this huge monster.
âÂÂThere are things which happen on the internet and in the media, and you have no real answer to them.âÂÂ
Meanwhile, the former Hoops boss has not ruled out making Stephen McManusâ loan move to The Riverside a permanent one.
The defender made the switch in January and Strachan would like to retain the services of the Scotland international, who seems to have been deemed surplus to requirements at Celtic.
âÂÂWhat IâÂÂm seeing is someone who is enjoying being here, talking to the kids and having people watch him play,â said Strachan. âÂÂHeâÂÂs enjoying all of that stuff. He is enjoying the responsibility of being a role model.âÂÂ
With McDonald, Barry Robson, Chris Killen and Willo Flood to keep him company, The Riverside must feel like a home from home for McManus.
âÂÂI just felt the young players at this club needed to have good role models how to live your life off and on the pitch,â said Strachan.
âÂÂWith Robson and McManus in particular, they are getting that. Even Willo, with the way heâÂÂs had to fight for everything to get where he has with his career.
âÂÂHeâÂÂs not on the money these other players are on, but he has shown with his attitude what a good player he is. McManus is great with the young players and Robson has great life about him, a great pro. Killen just wants the chance to play.
âÂÂLee Miller has not been on fire, but the professionalism about him and what he gives you is there to admire.âÂÂ
LivingstonâÂÂs 18-year-old midfielder, Andrew Halliday, could be next to follow the route to Middlesbrough, Strachan confirmed.
But with TV money reducing up here, and the SPLâÂÂs second Champions League place set to disappear, the financial disparity between Scotland and England concerns Strachan.
âÂÂMaybe Scottish clubs donâÂÂt have the money to be interested in lads like Halliday.
âÂÂWhen I became manager of Celtic, we were lucky that we could entice a Nakamura, a Crosas, players like that, to come to the club,â he said. âÂÂWe could get Maloney back from Villa to play Champions League football.
âÂÂAnd Nakamura, Maloney and McGeady are players good enough to play in the Premiership.
âÂÂThe wages you used to have to put to people to get them to come to Scotland was mind-blowing. Now, thatâÂÂs not there either.âÂÂ
Scoredraw said: "On footballing note we could easily win every one of the remaining games if we avoid injuries."
Yes the injuries are our course. I agree that we can still do it if we won't have more injuries. That said Willo is out for the rest of the season - or dear. Up the Boro!
The reaction to the banner was and still is good, I'm sure good humour is lost on them.
Brian H - if you go by the reaction to the banner I'm sure there will be many vile slurs in our direction if we ever 'meet again'. Unless you can come up with something football related and humouress it will ultimately be ineffective.
Diablo Rojo - what team do you support?
So Derby next, typical Boro coming up with a 1-0 defeat in a turgid game?
Diablo, in the grand scheme of things, your club is not even your club. It's not in Manchester either and it's certainly not United! What exactly is it? A Tampa Bay spin-off, perhaps? What exactly are you loyal to (as your lot bite the hands that feed your players' greed)?
As the institution's in so much debt, we could also say it has not won anything recently, just hired it - and has not yet paid for the hire, and is not looking likely to do so in the foreseeable future!
We, on the other hand, are paying for our recent successes, which is a hard discipline but one we recognise as fair. We're probably never going to be Big Time Charlies, supported by hordes of people wanting an easy way to feel important, but we are actually Middlesbrough's football club and we are honest - i.e. paying our debts.
I suggest you go and find some Chester City fans and start crowing all over them. They've really failed, and their failure must therefore make you feel even more successful - and they are nearer to Manchester too, so you can see it as a bout of derby crowing!
AV
I know the hints you dropped were 'nod and wink' but Strachs pronouncements today seem to be ruling out any more loaners coming in - despite the 'we're down to our last four midfielders' line.
Does this indicate - as you seem to suggest - tacit acceptance that even sixth place is such a long shot now that the money is best kept for the Summer?
Stockton Red
I was talking about Taylor with the bloke next to me at the QPR game. We agreed he hadnt really kicked on from his earlier performances. He doesnt look like a natural athlete when he runs, Naughton and Hoyte move much better than Taylor.
Obviously he has had injuries which has halted his progress but one thing that did cross my mind was who was playing in front of him in midfield.
Downing was never the best defender in the world but he always tracked back and had plenty of pace. It is possible this helped make Taylor look good. If he had a long run behind Johnno that would have helped but he hasnt. With Arca in front of him there is a danger of being isolated if he bombs forward and this maybe inhibits his play and lead to indecision.
Forget the banner. Why cant we play like that more often? And why do we sell players without making sure there is a replacement when the squad is wafer thin and lacking experience?
So, any more on the nudge nudge, wink wink, say no more loan signing alluded to last week?
**AV writes: The hints came from on high but there seems to be a red tape problem.
Trophy Virgins banner not funny?
I am out working in the Gulf of Mexico with a group of guys of differing nationalities, even Germans, and we all know of their lack of humour. To a man, they all laughed, and laughed, and laughed. One Guy from Texas, into NASCAR, he laughed too.
Ian Gill:
Ian, does Arca line up facing the East or West Stand? Maybe if he did, he'd be more effective and would give Taylor the cover support you suggest maybe missing?
The rest:
It says a lot about Boro's season that the main talking point is a provocative banner deriding the Mags!
By all accounts, Boro were well worth the draw and on balance of play ought to have taken all points. But the most grounded perspective of all posts on here so far, has been from Brian Hewitson when he observed that Boro treated the match like a cup tie.
That's fine. And it's good that they were up for it! They clearly understood the significance of the event to local fans. But Boro didn't win it. And"cup tie" football doesn't seem to be sustainable week in week out by the present Boro squad. And that, it seems, is exactly what it will take to get out of this league (in an upward direction - just for the avoidance of doubt).
Strachan's comments reported by Eric Paylor in today's Gazette would appear to substantiate that he recognises the squad limitations. Whether he will get the financial backing to do anything about it, however, remains a considerable doubt.
Sorry you felt my joke was not printable. Thats ok, but could you not have let the rest go? It isn't often these days that one can get to say things that are positive about the Boro.Well done, a good game.
halifaxp
"recent successes" (spits tea out over keyboard!)
Have Middlesbrough won more than one minor third rate trophy then?
There seems to be lots of comment on what the average has been in the past to make the playoffs. Surely the average will reduce with more teams involved in the mix? This means by definition more teams taking points from each other.
It wouldn't surprise me if 6th place has a lower than average points total. Watch out for Reading, if they continue on their current run they could be a real threat.
Will we look back in 18 months and see this match as the turning point? I certainly hope so! Great banner, very funny and it clearly hit home.
The play offs look a step too far this year but hopefully this last period of the season is a great opportunity to set the team up for next year and hopefully a good run will stabilise the crowd size.
Diablo Derek - why on earth do you read this blog? You really are bitter about something.
I met a Sunderland supporter at a meeting today he was gutted old jonno scored, said he couldn't understand why he hdnt signed for them, I pointed out he wanted to go to a big club.
Maybe it ought to be Diablo Canarias? I liked the Norwich supporting journalist, Mick Dennis, who recommended their club shop for yellow and green scarves.
My last word on the banner. It was a bit of well crafted humour, it wont come back to bite us on the bum because we know it was humorous. The best bit is everybody getting serious about it.
The beauty of being a Boro fan is that there are few jokes people can tell about us that we havent used before.
More important things up next, namely bragging rights in my office.
Is it still possible to reach the play offs? I think Peterborough angel makes a good point about a lower total being needed this year. Still 67/68 points is still along way off, if we could help what would you do?
If you could give something up, to guarantee the boroâÂÂs participation in the playoffs what would you sacrifice? I am most impressed with the Newcastle fans who have given away their sense of humour and in some cases personality to ensure their return to the top flight. Top effort.
But I digress , with the league table being very tight around the sixth position its going to go right down to the wire. I only hope we are involved as Leicester could well have qualified for the play offs before the last game. They might well send out the kids to keep the first XI fit and fresh.
So if I could ensure we could get there I would give up the cross dressing, so lord if youâÂÂre listening.
Any others?
How daft are the people that run Middlesbrough Football Club? You have a team from just up the road visiting yet still give them a poxy allocation KNOWING FULL WELL that Boro do not do sell outÃÅœs, not even in games the Boro fans class as a derby.
Simple solution to whatever problems occurred...... extend the allocation for Newcastle United fans. You only have to look at the away following they have to see that just over 3,000 tickets was nowhere near enough.... just think of the increased revenue for MFC if they had given them an additional 2,000 tickets... or, common sense so will probably be ignored, give them the whole end behind the goal and move those that normally sit there for ONE GAME ONLY.
It is a special game, so special circumstances should apply, but I doubt that will ever get through to the fools that run the club
Mark ~
If we hadn't restricted their allocation, the positioning of the banner would have been very, very difficult. Sometimes there are more important things in life.
So Southgate was offered Nani at ã3.5 m.but he didnt fancy him. NO he wanted Emnes,Digard and Dong Gook Lee or whoever. Does it ever stop this incompetance?
Pass the Tylonol please
Just wanted to mention, and I understand everybody has a different financial situation, but listening to Ali last night, once again the cost of season tickets or indeed game ticket prices,came up.
On the negative, but how many times have we booked a family holiday,a week or two somewhere and its been an absolute disapointment considering what we paid, hundreds of pounds, sometimes more. I think a season ticket for 23 games is good value
Remember when we thought we never get penalties awarded for us? Not so this season as the BBC informs us that Boro have been awarded more penalties than any other club in the Championship, but they have only converted seven of their 10 spot-kicks.
We could be in the top 6 if we had scored these penalties. So injuries and scoring been the problem for us. But hope we have SuperMac fitt for tonignt's game at Derby.
By the way why derby games are called derbies? Up the Boro!
On our playoff hopes, i think if we can stay within 4 points in touch of 6th by 5th April we are in with a shout. I see Coventry and Blackpool dropping off as they have some tough games. The fixtures for that weekend that matter are:
Newcastle V Shef Utd
Forest v Cardiff
Plymouth v Middlesbrough
It could be the weekend where everything changes for us. Lets hope so.
Interestingly Cardiff go to Derby last game of the season. Derby might be needing a win to stay up. Things arent over for us yet but its still unlikely. The wonderful thing about football is that unlikely things often happen. Thats why we all love it isnt it?
Mark said "but I doubt that will ever get through to the fools that run the club"
Fools that run clubs Mark?? Stones and glass houses. It's actualy too easy to pick you apart on this one. But nice try. Next week you can aim for eating without getting your tie messy too.
AV: transfers, transfers, transfers - lots of nudges that maybe one more joins this year but maybe not.
Out of the guys who have been liked with departures: Riggot, Alalalaladiar, leave on a free but not much resale value lost there, ã2m max.
Poggi - more of a waste but wasnt expensive to buy
Jones - try to get a ã2.5m fee from him? What do you think?
Digard - Any news if he will be off for the reported 6m Euros?
Emnes - ã2-3m from a Dutch club taking him off us?
Mido - any news - guessing another loan if not a ã2-3m fee if he goes in the summer else free just to get him off the books.
Whilst these guys may not generate a whole wedge of cash in sales it must free a massive amount of wages. Some of this needs to go cos of the league we will most likely be in, if they do leave is there the potential to still keep Wheats and O'Neil or their wages need to be removed as well?
ie if the dross goes do we still need to sell the players who are decent at this level (Wheats, O'Neil)?
We will then need quite a few bodies to come into the team as we are thin at the moment anyway. Several names are being touted at the moment but with Kyle leaving and possibly Mick we will be further short on numbers.
Will Killen be offered a longer term deal?
I think Flood only has a year to run are they looking at extending this already?
Then you have Never Play Bates and Hines who have been out all season as well (plus a few fringe who I have not mentioned) We could be looking for around 10 new signings in the summer needing to come in???
**AV writes: I think they are fitting revolving doors at Hurworth.
GT
It wasnt to long ago that Sralex was despairing of Nani and looking to get rid.
I must admit though that at ã3.5m he was probably a better option that Jason Euell at ã750,000. What is right is that the squad at the club needed some new, young blood for the future as the squad was being rebuilt but I am not going to use Nani to beat the Count and Gate with.
Hindsight is not relevant, we ned to be worrying about Derby tonight.
**AV writes: He could have come here and been Project Nani and we might be looking to unload him this summer to Guimares on a free. Plus, I would be wary of take everything our favourite agent says as being gospel.
Jarkko said:
By the way why derby games are called derbies?
Wikipedia suggests that the expression "most likely originated from The Derby, a horse race in England, founded by the 12th Earl of Derby in 1780, since at least as early as 1840 'derby' has been used as a noun in English to denote any kind of sporting contest. A local derby is just a sporting contest between local rivals.
Another widely reported theory, though not accepted by the Oxford English Dictionary, is that the phrase came about from the city of Derby itself. The traditional Shrovetide football match was also commonplace in the city.
It was renowned as a chaotic and exuberant game which involved the whole town and often resulted in fatalities. The goals were at Nuns Mill in the north and the Gallows Balk in the south of the town, and much of the action took place in the Derwent river or Markeaton brook.
Nominally, the players came from All Saints' and St Peter's parishes, but in practice, the game was a free-for-all with as many as 1,000 players. A Frenchman who observed the match in 1829 wrote in horror, 'if Englishmen call this play, it would be impossible to say what they call fighting'. Though this has been refuted by the Oxford dictionary and hailed as "nothing but local folklore. After all, the phrase isn't "a local Ashbourne.""
Yet another theory is that the 'derby match' saying arose from when Liverpool played Everton. Their two grounds were separated by Stanley Park, owned by the Earl of Derby. This latter suggestion can be discounted, however. The "Widnes Weekly News" of 9 March 1889 describes a game between the (rugby) football team of that town and the touring MÃÂori as 'the local Derby'. This usage was three years before Liverpool FC came into existence.
Another theory is that the term applies not to the match itself, but to the size of the crowd. In the early years of the twentieth century, the largest sporting crowd in England was at the annual Derby horse race meeting where in excess of half a million people would pack Epsom Downs to watch the race.
At that time football matches were attended entirely by 'home' supporters - the concept of the 'away supporter' lay many years into the future, as the largely working class crowds could not afford to follow their teams around the country. Supporters watched the first team and reserves who were 'at home' on alternate Saturdays.
The only exception came when two teams from the same town played one another. Then the 'home' supporters of both teams would turn up, producing the largest gate of the season. The term 'local derby' was coined by the press as an analogy to the Derby race crowd. In time the expression came to refer to the match rather than the size of the crowd."
* Hope that helps. ;)
**AV writes: I thought a derby was a shape-shifting game that if you win it gives you bragging rights across a region and makes you undisputed top dogs but if you lose it doesn't matter because it just another match really.
Boro Doug said:
Mark said "but I doubt that will ever get through to the fools that run the club"
Fools that run clubs Mark?? Stones and glass houses. It's actualy too easy to pick you apart on this one. But nice try. Next week you can aim for eating without getting your tie messy too.
Oh, I see, you are assuming I am a Mag?? Unlucky!!
AV is Mosso ready for tonight?
The Nani thing is a load of BS. So what that he was offered to us. Who else was he offered to? DidnâÂÂt we already have some quite useful left wingers at the time, who have subsequently been sold for over ã18m? Definitely the right move not to purchase him.
Ian Gill, best of luck tomorrow morning lets hope you have a smile on your face. And a tenner to all boro fans who stand up and join in when the derby fans start any anti east-midland club song. ItâÂÂll make you feel better, honest. And quite possibly confuse the derby fans.
1-0 tonight Skippy to get the goal on 78mins after a thumping Killen header bounces back of the post.
**AV writes: I have notified people about Mosso's availability but I notice there is no button on the website yet. I'll check,
Forget Nani!
I am liking Scott Mac's attitude and comments and he means it and has the track record to prove it, some of the rest of the team though need to man up a bit .
No more retreating to our own 18yard box with 20mins to go. Have some bottle.
AV says they are fitting revolving doors at Hurworth, I certainly hope not that only gives more scope for player injuries, broken toes, bloodied noses etc etc as the doors spin and the ingoings and outgoins play 'Russian roulette'!
The Nani story is so old I'm really surprised the Gazette has printed it, presumably it was dug out of the archive because there's nothing else to print? I heard Mr. Silkman telling that story on Sky Sports well over a year ago and posted about it on here.
I wouldn't damn Southgate for not signing Nani, he was a nobody who'd had a few decent games in Portugal, Utd paid a fortune for him and even now the jury is still out. How many good games has he played for Utd since he joined them ten or twelve maybe? Certainly not ã17 millions worth.
Lookng back on what might have been is totally pointless, we need to be looking forward now, we have had our period of mourning over the Southgate era, now is the time to look ahead.
Mark said: Oh, I see, you are assuming I am a Mag?? Unlucky!!
As unlucky as a dirty tie?
Southgate didn't stump up ã3.5M for Nani? So what? I expect a few others refused him also!
With Gibson breathing down his neck to get costs down, he wasn't going to spend ã3.5M PLUS the salary PLUS the sponsorship, advertising, image rights that Silkman would have been demanding and advising Nani to expect and which would have been out of line with Boro's youth policy.
Headline transfer fees are only one component of trading between clubs and fans get less than half the picture from media-reported information (which effectively amounts to misinformation when it's interpreted wrongly).
It's personal contract salaries that seem to have been most problematical for Boro to manage as they've sought to reduce the running costs of the club.
The Nani offer to Boro seems to have been around the time that Boro were trying to drop big-salaried players like hot tatties, refusing a new contract to Viduka for example, (who was supposedly demanding ã60K per week) and trying like hell to offload Mendietta by hacking him off in the reserves.
It's interesting though that Silkman did business with Boro in the McClaren era and came back offering Nani after McClaren left. It suggests perhaps that he thought Boro were still an ambitious club at the time and it hadn't filtered through to the outside world any more than it had to the Boro support, that Gibson had already decided to reposition Boro and get his debt exposure down.
That Lamb has corroborated the Silkman offer clearly indicates that it wasn't Southgate, personally, who was offered Nani - it was the CLUB - and it also leaves open the perfectly reasonable probability that it wasn't just a Southgate decision NOT to buy him.
So the anti-Southgate faction with their 20:20 hindsight vision shouldn't rely too heavily on this piece of speculation as any kind of evidence in support of their position.
On the face of it, Silkman did a good job for Nani and his previous employer, getting him placed with arguably the best footballing club in the world for what, ã17M?, and at Man Utd salary levels. It's for reasons such as Nani that they are about ã800M in debt.
I suspect that Silkman dropping this information into the media is part self-advertisement and possibly a sign that he's bigging himself up in the international agency stakes as he seeks to attract further clients in a developing (hopefully) bear market as tide of anti-big-money sentiment swells, consequent to the global economic turmoil.
Maybe he's also having a bit of a swipe at Gibson as part of some "afters". Another motivation for the report is, I think, the National Media attempting once again to reinforce Manchester United's image as an astutely-run, can-do-no-wrong organisation, thus playing their part fully, in perpetuating the status quo, which they interpret as being in their own interests anyway.
For the Gazette's part, the story, having broken elsewhere, meant that the Gazette would have been under some pressure to report it too, if for no other reason than to attempt to appear to have its finger on the pulse of everything Boro.
That's not an unreasonable position to take, viewed from a self-preservation perspective, and it shouldn't be criticised too harshly for doing so. Although Mr Tallentire has left any speculation and analysis to all of us, thereby avoiding the worst of any arising controversy! Nice move Phil!
I despair, I really do. Boro are playing and cocking things up again, fans are still droning on about that banner 3 days on (purrit away until we play em again man - the jokes wearing a bit thin now), and the dogs just wet the carpet.
Roll on next season.
A Few Good Boro Men
Judge Randolph: Consider yourself in Contempt!
AV: Colonel Strachan did you order the Code Red to defend a 1-0 lead?
Judge Randolph: You donâÂÂt have to answer that question!
Col. Strachan: I'll answer the question!
[to AV] Col. Strachan: You want answers?
AV: I think I'm entitled.
Col. Strachan: You want answers?
AV: I want the truth!
Col. Strachan: You canâÂÂt handle the truth!
[pauses]
Col. Strachan: Son, we live in a league that has teams that can score goals, and those games have to be guarded by men with kids. WhoâÂÂs going to do it, You, GHw? I have a greater responsibility than you could possibly fathom.
You weep for Southgate, and you take the Mickey out of the Geordies. You have that luxury. You have the luxury of not knowing what I know. That SouthgateâÂÂs sacking, while tragic, probably saved points. And my existence, while grotesque and incomprehensible to you, saves points.
You don't want the truth because deep down in places you don't talk about in blogs, you want me on that touchline; you need me in that technical area. We use words like honour, code, loyalty. We use these words as the backbone of a life spent defending something. You use them as a by line.
I have neither the time nor the inclination to explain myself to a man who rises and sleeps under the blanket of the very freedom that I provide, and then questions the manner in which I provide it. I would rather you just said thank you, and went on your way, Otherwise, I suggest you pick up a player, and stand a post. Either way, I don't give a damn what you think you are entitled to.
AV: Did you order the Code Red to defend a 1-0 lead?
Col. Strachan: I did the job I...
AV: Did you order the Code Red to defend a 1-0 lead?
Col. Strachan: YouâÂÂre Goddamned right I did!
GHw:
That was very good! I struggled to remember where I'd seen/heard the original, but reading through it slowly, I can see Jack Nicholson progressively losing it under Tom Cruise's (?) interrogation. It was a powerful movie. Nicholson was brilliant. Let's hope Strachan, over time, turns out to be as brilliant at what he is paid to do, but not emulate Nicholson's character and finally crack because of his ego.
You're not suggesting AV's as good looking as Tom Cruise are you?
**AV writes: Of course he is. How do you think he gets all those landmark posts
Would that be Tom Cruise in Top Gun, or Tom Cruise in Vanilla Sky?
**AV writes: Based on this season? Mission:Impossible.
Mission Impossible....a 100 on this thread..?
Well, I'm doing MY bit for the cause, despite the massive odds against it being Richard the Centurian this time round. I've seen Jedward Vickers in the flesh and he's far too ruggedly handsome to be confused with pretty-boy Tom Cruise!
(if Werthers don't work, I can stoop to just about any level! Just don't expect me to buy a season card!)
As we are talking about entertainment, since it opened how many times has the Riverside been used as a venue for anything other than football? Is there scope for other events to take place there?
**AV writes: There was a big Catholic gig there a few years ago.
I have such a feeling that Dormo may be lurking and could come up on the blind side!
**AV writes: There was a big Catholic gig there a few years ago.
Boro could use some Divine intervention now!
That's at least 97! Shall we leave it to the antipodeans?
As to AV's reply to the post at 8.52am -
we could do with another big Christian gig at the Riverside. We will need all the help God can give if we are to mount a "play-off challenge" in what is left of this season as Barry Robson mentions on the back page article by Uncle Vic in today's Gazette.
Go on GHw! It's on your head! Emulate Lita - Bang it in man! But spare us the shirt removal celebration!
I just knew Dormo was out there though! Last seen on Tuesday's live blog sipping something he says his ol' lady called tea! Tea ..... yeah, right!!
God Bless the Boro.
**AV writes: Slavenesque poaching
Surely too late....?
Sign of the times? On another occasion the antipodeans would have capitalised on that opportunity!
You took that like you were playing against your old team GHw!! Must feel a bit like Sralex? Just another trophy!! Old hat now! Got a big mantlepiece?
Thwarted again Dormo!
I think that was the equivalent of the old dribble the ball to the goal line, get down on your hands and knees, and then nudge it over the line with your head.
Mind you, the way things have been going it feels like a consolation goal in a 6-1 defeat. Plus, no one likes a clever bugger!
(AV said Bugger twice on the live blog, so I think it is allowed).
**AV writes: I'll let you have that one as it is part of your celebration and besides, I don't think there is anyone apart from you few diehards still reading this thread.
I'm going to set the alarm earlier for next time....
Hats off to the Poacher Supreme.