Clause For Thought: O'Neil's ã1m Trigger Point
OUTRAGED Portsmouth administrators have claimed that Boro are trying to pull a fast one and renegotiate the terms of Gary O'Neil's transfer deal with the midfielder stuck on 99 not out.
One more game for the midfielder will cost Boro ã1m... would you play him? Or would you try and wriggle out of it? Quick... through that loophole.
Naturally Lambie has denied making any such cheeky ã20k a game offer for the next five games to the basketcase club who face an imminent winding up order and may well be getting desperate for cash and insists: "Should any further payments become due under the terms of the transfer then we will of course honour them."
They would have to honour them as they are legally binding contracts. The key phrase is of course, "should any further payments become due" because that particular element is completely within Boro's control. The midfielder is on 99 games and one more will trigger the next ã1m slice of the original ã4m structured fee, agreed in a hasty last minute fudge after he failed his deadline day medical.
Today at Plymouth O'Neil is out injured and his absence will spark a renewed round of dark muttering among Teesside's thriving tabloid reading conspiracist community... although that is par for the course for our home-sick industrious engine room operative who has been perma-linked with a Pompey return from the day he arrived and has previously sparked frenzied muttering with untimely mystery non-specific and transient injuries in the run up to games against his former club and during transfer windows.
Now, it is perfectly possible that O'Neil won't play another Boro game. He actually is injured. No, really. He has a slight groin tear that probably needs a month out to heal completely but because Boro are short of bodies in midfield he has played regardless and hampered his own recovery. If the play-offs finally disappear over the horizon today he may well not play again this season no matter what the financial implications anyway.
And he is already sat by the exit door. When the club took up his option in January it was as much as anything to ensure that he did not leave on a free in the summer and that they could bring in a fee, and O'Neil actually said as much himself.
It was always likely he would leave because in the harsh new economic landscape Boro can not afford his ã25k per week wages. It is also likely they can find a buyer because he has good engines and their is no shortage of suitors in the bottom half of the Premiership for such an ability. It may well be that his departure in the summer for a respectable fee is already factored in as part of the budget.
But it is also perfectly possible - and sensible - that Boro would decline to play him even if fit to prevent a hefty extra payment being triggered. You know it makes sense. If there are just a few meaningless games left - that's if, you always have to leave the door open for a miracle, we don't make the play-offs - and O'Neil is not in the club's thinking for next year, why incur a needless ã1m penalty? That would be barmy. That cash could pay the transfer fee for another Barry Robson or half a Steve McManus.
Even if he is pencilled in for next year and the gaffer wants him - and Strachan has bigged him up repeatedly for his workrate and professionalism - it would make sense to not play him now and suck it and see in the summer because the ã1m saving plus any fee he brings in could be useful when it comes to wheeling and dealing.
If the situation changes in the summer, if they can't sell, or if they calculate they still need him then they will stump up the cash then and treat him like a bargain ã1m signing, although the wages will still dictate he is more likely to be moved on.
It would not be the first time such stratigic squad selection has happened either here or elsewhere. In a previous age, Ayresome keeper Ian Ironside was dropped when he was on 49 games and disappeared into the ether. Everyone knew that it was because one more game would mean a further payment to little Scarborough.
And I'm sure if you look through Soccerbase and picked a club at random you could see a string of transfers of players on 19, 49, 74 and 99 games. For all the spluttering indignation at Fratton Park it is a perfectly normal business practice in the shark infested waters of football finance. Pompey themselves have Aruna Dindane kicking his heels in the stiffs because one more game - his trigger point is 15 - will mean his loan turns into a permanent move and that French club Lens will be due a ã4m fee.
But that is what structured fees are for; to offer wriggle room for clubs not totally convinced a player is a viable long term investment and staging posts to cash in and move them on before another payment is due.
You can see why Boro may well have approached Pompey last week to offer a short-term pay-as-you-play bridging deal in place of the existing ã1m lumper when it still looked possible for make a late surge for the play-offs. They may have needed him... but not that much. An offer of ã100,000 for five games may not have been unreasonable but the prospect of ã1m for playing at Plymouth is.
You could argue that if they didn't make a more cost effective bridging offer, they should have. In most areas of commerce and business contracts are routinely renegotiated as circumstances and the marketplace change.
Pompey for instance are currently in the middle of trying to persuade their own creditors to accept unilaterally restructured payments far less than they are legally due with the unspoken threat that the alternative is to get nothing so there is a certain irony about them squealing about this in the press.
Pompey's administrators know that they are one game away from a welcome windfall payment on O'Neil - but equally they must know that Boro could easily not play him again, not trigger the next slice of the fee and then sell in the summer and that then they would not see another penny. It seems to me routine business brinkmanship. The only surprise is that it has been made public by the administrator.
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I don't know whether O'Neil really is injured or whether it is a "diplomatic" injury. But we would be stupid to play O'Neill and incur a ã1m payment, since he will be gone over the summer anyway (as he will know, whilst he enjoys the hot beach holiday his family is planning for him).
The ONLY way I'd play him would be if (despite all the odds and our best efforts all season to avoid being in the position) we managed to sneak into the play-off final. Is it ã50m in the Premier League next season? ã1m stake for a ã50m possible payout would be worth the gamble.
But even then, we would have to put together a run of form such as we haven't seen for years to get into that position. Mind you, if we got there without him, wouldn't that tell us something? At that stage it would be foolish to change the winning team that got us there (so we probably would, then.....).
**AV writes: He really is injured but if he wasn't I would expect a tweaked anterior cruciate diplomaticus overnight. Nasty things those.
AV - have you posted this piece from the south coast, or have the Powers that Be rested you from your travelling obligations today? No travel must mean no Mosso Cloudfiles again.
Really our scouting and medical/technical staff have a lot to answer for. Persistent injury and an inability of the techies properly to diagnose the injury and find a long term rehabilitation and training regime that would restore him to a condition in which he could perform 38+ times a season, has cost us dearly.
He was showing a lot of promise, some neat moves and a flair for entertaining the fans. Such talent could easily have burst onto the national stage and put the spotlight back on our club and Teesside itself. He will be missed.
Unless I have misread the situation?
**AV writes: What do you mean again. Since the red tape wrangle was solved and the transfer was complete he hasn't missed a match, although he did limp through the second half at Watford.
No, I haven't travelled today but I will be operating Mosso remotely whil elistening to Radio Brownlee which will mean less eyes on pitch match action reportage and more banter with the Bosco Jankovic Stand. I'm looking forward to it.
Agree that if GON is going to cost us another million if he plays another game, he isn't staying and, given that the rest of the games are meaningless for this season then he shouldn't play for Boro again. It wouldn't make any sense.
It seems he's unlikely to play today anyway - groin strain - so just leave him out.
On another but related topic - prepping for next season - I caught most of the Celtic v Hibs game yesterday. When you saw Thompson and O'Dea you could understand why Lennon (should it be he) would want McManus back!
But of more interest was the Hibs centre-back, Sol Bamba. 6' 3" and solid but built like and played like the athlete he is. Strong, tackled like Big Mick but very precise with his challenges, anticipated and positioned himself well, very quick across the ground, great in the air and could use the ball when bringing it out from defence. Originally from PSG but joined Hibs from Dunfermline for 500k. Will be in the Ivory Coast squad for the World Cup under Sven. Would easily make up for the loss of McManus or The Redcar Rock (or both) if those are going to come about.
But the best time to nail him would be before South Africa - mark my words, he'll be in big demand after that. After Leeds finally crash and burn it would be a good time to go after the likes of Snodgrass (and others) who aren't going to want another season in League One.
Whose running Pompey, Dell Boy? If the shoe was on the other foot I know what those Southern wide boys would be doing to that little club up North, shafting us as usual. Anway, we only win when he's not in the side.
A real tryer who was signed as a winger but simply does not have the skill/ technique/ end product to be a productive winger.
Played some decent games as hoding mid, notably away at Newcastle last season, but ultimately will go down as yet another inadequate Southgate signing. Wish him well though.
**AV writes: Good engines, workrate, closes down, tackles, always available, good vision, decent distribution, gets forward if he has the chance. I like him. He isn't a world-beater but whatever his flaws - his shooting isn't great, his free-kicks have degenerated to comedy levels - for me he has been our only consistently above average performer over the past three seasons. But then, I like that kind of thing.
We shouldn't play him again as the ã1m will cover some of the damage if we don't recoup the initial outlay on him, which is well possible - old saggyface saw Gareth coming on that one.
Also, Robson is a >adequate replacement now have O'Shea on the wing.
Where have you all been all afternoon?
Growing up 130 miles away from the hallowed land, I was ridiculed, humiliated and mocked, but thatâÂÂs enough about my parents.
At 17.01 5th April 2010, I have finally become accepted. I am now complete. Marriage, kids are all alright but AV you have put a smile on my face. Late last week I had the chance of a good promotion at work, unfortunately I did a boro and not a Newcastle. But four points later and the highest of praise from AV IâÂÂve got my mojo back.
I just canâÂÂt help but wonder that if I spent less time on the blog and working I may just have got the promotion. But would I be happy?
For those who missed it, here you go and bask in my glory.
"Vic: Smogonthetyne Now In Nunthorpe has got to be in witha shout. He carried the blog in the first 20 minutes before you lot showed up, either back from the Portrack Lane traffic jam or half-an-hour indecision in the wine cellar."
Just call me Barry Robson
Live long and prosper, O'Neil (whilst doing that finger thingy aimed in his direction).
Yes, I see AV point on GON's work rate, etc. But I have often thought he runs like a useless chicken in the midfield - without AN end result. Yes, I like industrial players as well but some how I am not convinced that he is good enough (Premiership level).
I agree with Dormo, we could play him fully fit AND if we reach the play-offs (but not at Leicester if we still had the chance). As this seems unlikely, all will depend shall he stay here. Worth an extra million - I doubt it. But GS2 rules here.
Nice to get a win. And still a little (very little) chance of POs. Up the Boro!
"Where have you all been all afternoon?"
Right here, Forever, right here. With about six computer windows open, the radio blaring and some random background TV noise provided by my Wife's totally irrelevant program choices for a Bank Holiday Monday! But she did buy me an Easter Egg, so sacrifices where sacrifices are due.
The rest of the posse went missing as soon as it became apparent that we were about to create a new, yet boring Guinness World Score Draw Record.
Then their Keeper, Stockdale decided to go up for a last minute corner only to see Robbo take possession and slot a neat pass to young Franksy to
score a 35 yarder in the 94th minute.
Up the Boro!
Nice to see the club in the fabled catbird seat on this one, especially after the madness of the failed Sean St Ledger arrangement.
My step out of bed would've been bouncier if I'd known Vic was going to mix it up virtually like the rest of us...was able to follow the first 30 mins of the blog as usual, but barbaric work commitments prevented a full 90 plus. Apologies for not at least saying hello...I'm psychotic on early weekday mornings...
And the platitudes for Smogonthetyne are richly deserved...dangerously quick-witted, commanding presence, and a respectable knowledge of The Clash back catalogue...here here
I know it's unlikely but while there's still hope and Boro is flowing through my veins, I've had my foam hand on my left hand while I've used my right digits (mainly index finger) to enter some raw data into the Beeb's Championship Predictor.
I know, I know, I can't help myself. There's no known cure for what ails me but I have always firmly believed there's nothing wrong with dreaming and believing. It's good for the soul until the brain knocks some sense into said soul by pointing out the mathematical impossibilities of my dream. That time hasn't come so hear me out fellas.
Anyhow, despite Boro losing one of their four remaining games, we still end up tied on 67 points with Blackpool, Leicester and Swansea vying for 5th and 6th.
Miracle upon miracles, we somehow conspire to grab 5th spot by virtue of our ever-so-slightly superior goal difference over Blackpool. 67 points is the lowest points a play-off team, let alone two have amassed to give themselves a fighting chance of promotion.
But that has been a feature of a Championship that aside from the top two, have by and large been fair to middling as far as inconsistency goes and most teams have been very adept at being able to win and lose against the unlikeliest of opponents. Topsy turvy and then some.
And so we face Cardiff in the two-legged Semi-Final of the Play-off's and rightly exorcise those lingering FA Cup ghosts with an inspired performance to make it through to the Final with a 2-1 aggregate result.
And so with about ã60,000,000 on the line, we face 3rd placed Forest who tear 6th place Blackpool apart with a 4-1 aggregate over the two legs.
In front of a packed Wembley Stadium, with many stay-away Boro fans jumping on the bandwagon to witness a miracle of astounding proportions, with everyone barring Gordon Strachan and Neil the wily ol' raccoon refusing to believe in the unbelievable, Forest take a 1-0 lead after the first 45 minutes with a cruelly deflected own-goal off the beleaguered Wheater. He's clearly very upset and McManus sees this and puts his arm around him and remind him that there's still plenty of time to put things right.
The fist half is keenly contested, with chances at both ends and some excellent last-ditch blocks and tackles featuring prominently. Both teams have half a dozen chances each on goal and it's evens-Stevens in the middle of the park although Robson has shown a bit more fight than his Forest counterparts. Overall, Forest probably deserve their narrow 1-0 advantage.
It's been a long time since either of Wembley's changing rooms has seen the kind of half-time team chat reach a rally cry of such gargantuan and meaningful resonance and reminders about what the game is all about and what is at stake. Strachan pulls no punches and lets the Boro lads know what the game means to him, Teesside and beyond. It's rousing stuff and when the lads venture back onto the Wembley turfy, there's a spring in their step and the Boro fans quickly pick up on it and turn the terraces into a cauldron of noise.
Forest fans respond in kind and the scene is once again set for another thrilling half of the best that Championship football has to offer. Make no mistake, there are clearly some very good football clubs that aspire to greater challenges that the Premiership has to offer.
To a man, the Boro players go out and play their best 45 minutes of football they've played all season, with Robson scoring a sublime free kick on the edge of the box on 75 minutes, giving us 15 minutes to pull a miracle out of the hat. Wheater is particularly chuffed because it was his mazy run that led to the free kick. He was so far up-field he nearly had a nose bleed. Strachan nearly had a heart attack as that was not part of the plan. It remains to be seen if the boss will forgive him, such is his voracity for Boro players sticking to the script.
Young Williams, who barely looks thirteen and who's been on the fringe of the first team all season is warming up along the touchline as the hard-working McDonald, who's been pointing to the bench about his troublesome groin looks set to be replaced by the young Academy prospect.
Scotty's World Cup dream still looks on, having helped Boro make the play-off's and the Championship Final with another five goals to add to his tally. Boro fans in 'the know' appreciated that we had a very special talent and now that he's finally fulfilled his potential, few Boro fans doubt that he's indeed the 'real thing.'
Hopefully the groin will be good to go in South Africa but for now, the Boro fans give him a huge standing ovation as he comes off for the baby-faced starlet. Forest make their own change, with McGoldrick replacing the quickly tiring Earnshaw.
With O'Shea and Franks using the wide expanse of the Wembley pitch to great affect, Williams and his partner Killen have about 12 minutes plus stoppage time to find the killer goal that will propel Boro back to the dizzy heights of the Premiership. A dream that seemed so distant when Steve Gibson sacked his fledgling Manager Southgate mid-flight and brought Strachan in and who sought to completely change the whole culture, philosophy and playing style of the Championship squad. Surely too big an ask?
Enough about Boro. Forest haven't read that script and with 9 minutes remaining, the bright and energetic McGoldrick breaks thousands and thousands of Boro hearts by finding just enough space inside the box to turn an unleash a drive out of the reach of Jones and squeezing inside the right hand upright.
The Forest fans are delirious and the cauldron war of noise swings heavily in their favour as the Boro faithful are silenced by what seems to be a late sucker punch goal that is so typically Boro folklore irony.
Needless to say, the Boro team are clearly reeling from major setback this but somehow they compose themselves, with Robson standing out in the middle of the park and spreading the play, using Franks and O'Shea respectively to twice put in telling crosses only for Killen to head over from 6 yards and Williams to fluff an effort from the edge of the box. The young lad should be forgiven; he's having a go and he looks a handful. We still have time.
On 86 minutes, Boro win a free kick thanks to a probing run brought to a halt by Morgan who concedes a free kick out on the left. The cross reached McManus at the far post who heads it across the face of the goal out of reach of Camp and with forwards and defenders trying to make contact, it falls to Robson to hit a thunderous drive from fifteen yards which threatens to rip the net from its pegs.
Of course, the Boro fans go wild, once again gaining the upper hand in the cauldron war of noise stakes and so the scene is set for a frenetic last couple of minutes to one of the best Championship Finals to grace either Wembley or Cardiff in recent memory.
All eyes are on the Fourth Official now as the regulation ninety minutes are almost up and to everyone's surprise, five minutes glow brightly against the black board. With few stoppages, everyone seems surprised at this but you take anything you can get, whether you're a Boro or Forest fan, right? Sir Alex Ferguson would be proud of these five minutes; know to all as 'Fergy' time, a regular feature of Man Utd games where a goal is required to eke out a draw or a win for the Manchunians. Anyhow, that's a debate for another time and place.
And so, deep into injury time with both teams suffering from collective cramp and gaps appearing at the back for both teams, the outcome of the match is on a knife edge, with several chances for both sides squandered as telling tackles and over-hit shots keep the score finely balanced at 2-2.
Williams, fresh into the game with plenty of movement continues to give Forest a torrid time, especially Chambers who's been struggling with a knock sustained after going in for a 50/50 challenge with Robson moments earlier.
His namesake, Rhys Williams who's had a fine season for Boro receives the ball from Wheater centrally who turns, knocking it passed Gunter and then neatly dribbling past Tyson to keep the forward momentum alive. Looking up, he spots Williams's run into space from right to left and places a beautifully weighted pass between the Forest central defenders for the young starlet to run onto.
The young lad has the space and time to unleash a measured shot to Camp's right who tries in vane to keep his effort out, only for the contact with his outstretched hands to merely slow its progress down. And with the post being the only thing to deny Boro a Championship-winning goal, the ball bounces off the upright and rolls along the white line as if balanced on a Ringling Circus Live Wire.
It seems to take a lifetime for all those witnessing the game live and for the millions of Boro, Forest and neutral fans on TV as the ball winds its way along the white chalk until the spin on it favours a goal and it fully crosses the line before Camp dives towards the ball in a last-ditch effort to push the ball clear. Despite his valiantly athletic effort, Williams pounces and prods the ball home just to make sure. The time is 94 minutes and 23 seconds and half the stadium goes wild as the young Boro starlet celebrates his famous goal by doing his own Crouch-style robot impression in front of the wildly ecstatic Boro fans.
The referee blows is whistle to signal the end of the match and the whole of North-east football celebrates once again with three worthy clubs once again strutting their stuff in the 2010/11 Premier League season.
The cacophony of noise from the Boro fans is deafening and the feeling is overwhelming joy, yet total disbelief for most Boro fans who had given up on the season as early as Southgate had departed. Gibson's belated decision to dispense with Southgate's services when we were one point off the top seemed to create a lot of negativity and concern about just where we were heading.
And in typical Boro style, while Strachan tinkered with and tried to rebuild the culture, philosophy and playing style immediately after and throughout the season, there was an air of inevitability about our play-off chances just being too far out of our reach. But there were some who dared to believe.
Back to Wembley: Tears flow through heartache as well as elation. The dejection of the Forest players, coaching staff and fans is very apparent and they are collectively inconsolable. It is heart-wrenching and inconceivable given their ironed-on 3rd place finish. Completing the regular season on 81 points, it hardly seems fair that a team that is a distant 14 points behind deserve to go up instead but that's the lottery of the play-off's for you.
And no one can deny that Boro, while pulling off one of the most remarkable achievements in recent Championship history don't deserve their opportunity to once again play the likes of Man Utd, Arsenal and Chelsea.
North-east football needs this kind of lift and especially a Chairman like Steve Gibson, who has single-handedly helped keep our club afloat through very hard times. And there are more hard times to come for us. The great news is that instead of 16,000 gates, add an additional 8,000 through the turnstiles to help Strachan mould a team capable of competing in the top flight.
While we can no longer rely on the Chairman to bail us out as we had become so accustomed to him doing, we can nevertheless be very reassured in his recognition that the club needs an experienced manager at the helm to ensure no one ever squanders his wealth ever again.
Anyone dare to dream the unbelievable with me?
**AV writes: If Boro pull off the Impossible Deam and get to Wembley I want Gary O'Neil to score the winner. Lambie can write out one of those big cheques on the pitch before kick-off.
Am I getting too optimistic again? Next Saturday we have four fixtures to follow:
Bristol City v Swansea
Middlesbrough v Sheff Wed
Newcastle v Blackpool
Peterborough v Leicester
I know our chances are slim but perhaps there is no pressure on the Boro anymore. Hope the same applies to the 'other' Boro against Leicester, too.
For the first time I hope the Toons win. They must have a bumper crown to cheer the promoted team. At least we have still something to play for even though the results went against us elsewhere this Monday. Up the Boro!
Neil ~ wily ol' raccoon, great post. I keep on dreaming, too.
How many tickets we will be allowed to Wembley, AV? Up The Boro!
I did the BBC predictor, too. My result:
5th Swansea 71 pts
6th Blackpool 68 pts (GD +15)
7th Boro 68 pts (GD +15 - yes!!!)
8th Leicester 68 pts (GD +8)
I hope it doesn't go so close. We need to win by two goals at Leicester now (I predicted 1-0 victory for us, above). Still, up the Boro!
Bit of a no-brainer really, and as you say, just business as usual. Of course we shouldn't play him. I imagine his periodic injuries that have kept him out for odd games during the season have helped in spreading his remaining games over as much of the season as possible.
Anyway, we won last night without him :)
Good result yesterday. As far as the GON saga is concerned, once again 'typical Boro Administration'. A situation like this can only happen to MFC.
I/we don't know the exact construction of this contract, but media reporting once again shows the club in an embarrassing light.
As a fan, and I agree with A.V. here, I want to see GON on the pitch. If he his stopped playing because of a financial loophole, then that is a disgrace whatever the advantages or disadvantages to the club's coffers.
Another own goal on the season card renewal front me thinks......
AV, Portsmouth have done exactly the same thing as Boro by not playing Dindane have they not?
**AV writes: They have. If Aruna Dindane plays 15 games his loan move from Lens automatically converts to a ã4m permanent move. He has been stuck on 14 and rotting in the reserves and been told he won't play for the Pompey again
Chris
please read the article:
http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11095_6046508,00.html
You will find that it is not only the Boro who use clauses in contracts for their benefit
C'Mon Boro!
I can't believe we aren't playing him considering we can still get in the play-offs. It either shows a distinct lack of ambition or an admission that we have given up for the season.
Okay, ã1m is possibly a lot of money to us now, but it will hardly bankrupt us considering we can recoup it in the summer from him? Or are we literally saying we can't afford ã1m at this time?
The play-offs aren't over at all, a win next week could throw it wide open again, the teams above us will drop points and Cardiff aren't totally out of reach yet, especially with administration looming.
**AV writes: Strachan said he won't play again "until circumstances change." I took that to mean unless Boro fail to sell him in the summer which they want to do to trim the wage bill . If he is still here in August he will be like a new "ã1m signing."
GON playing is a no go.
We are lucky that he did not reach the 100 due injuries etc sooner as it would have been more tougher to leave him out.
As for him wanting to go not so sure maybe at the beginning when his family wasnt settled. But since he has become captain his performances have improved except goal ratio. If it was so inevatable he was going why keep him captain? Mind you it happened with Huth.
Agree we dont pay. Get him on board for next season with Wheater and Micky and with MacDonald, Robson etc staying on we have a strong base with some flare added a good team.
Really enjoyed Neils "fairy story" above.It brightened my morning up.
Cannot agree with Chris from Beverleys post about O'Neill. I'm sorry but at this point in time it would be commercial madness to play him. These things happen all the time in football- in fact in the instances of David James and Dindane exactly the same problems have occurred at Portsmouth this season.
I think Gary O'Neill is an above average Championship midfielder and to be fair to him always puts his shift in on the pitch. However it always amuses me when Brownlee and Gill on Radio Tees insist on referring to him as the "best midfielder in the Championship". Is he really better than Dorrans and Koren at West Brom, Nolan and Guthrie at Newcastle,Charlie Adam at Blackpool and another three or four I could mention. Its not immediately obvious to me that he is.
Stockton Red -
Not to mention Barry Robson.
Playing O'Neil is not an option for several possible reasons. The first is that as is now well known that is another million pound out of the kitty which we wouldnt recoup if sold, better to hold our fire.
If we make the play offs it will be because of other teams failings, his presence is not that crucial good player that he is. We can make a decision when we need to.
Assuming we dont make the play offs and he is going in any case, a fully rested and fit O'Neil is more saleable. I believe the stage payments were due to questions over his fitness and are a common feature of many deals (including many a Pompey purchase)
Sorry I missed Mosso on Saturday, my son was hogging the computer as we listened to Ali and Gary so couldnt get on it.
Full marks to Smog for such a valiant effort.
Has anybody got some stats on our win/loss ratio with O'Neil in the team, and without O'Neil in the team. As much as he seems to be a duracell bunny, I think we are a better team without him.
UP THE BORO.
Neil, what a great story. If even a third of it looks like coming true I think I will explode. I do just keep having this nagging feeling about playing the unmentionables again though.
I would love it, just love itâŠâŠâÂÅ .
Working in Toonland there are some happy faces today. Not to mention one woman who was thrilled that Newcastle had won the world cup!
Smog
Good luck to the Toon supporters and for any intruders on our site there are no caveats to that statement. Football kicks you in the teeth often enough so you have to enjoy the moment when it comes.
Doesnt mean I am happy about the current situation.
I don't know what all the fuss over O'Neil is about - everyone knows that Typical Boro ordains that if O'Neil was to be picked to play his 100th game he'd score an own goal before being carried off injured after 23 minutes and miss the rest of the season.
Besides, O'Neil is not a match winner - selling Johnson has probably prevented Boro from converting the several draws into wins that we would have needed to make the play-offs - it seems the Boro business model is definitely looking at the short-term financial gain these days - which presumably is unavoidable.
It is purely common sense that we don't play GON whether fit or not. ã1m payment to include an average player in our team for the remaining games just isn't worth it.
I think he's got more ability that he actually shows and is one of those players who will charge around and defend well but with the ball at his feet he's only a little bit better than Arca.
The number of times he has frustrated me this season by hanging on to the ball, slowing down our movement, turning back, passing sideways or shooting into the stands is unbelievable for the "best" midfielder in the division.
The fact that Robson has come in and ripped up this league is testament to how a good player can affect games. GON has done ok, but nothing compared to many of the other quality midfielders in the division.
He's still a better midfielder than many in this division but he's not worth an extra million or 25k per week
Seems GON is not injured?
According to his agent: "But it does seem that a business decision has been made to ensure that future payments due to Portsmouth aren't triggered because as far as I am aware Gary O'Neil is fit and available for selection. He's not injured."
O'Neil is said to be disappointed he is being left out for non-footballing reasons.
**AV writes: The same agent also says he wasn't privvy to the details in the contract between Pompey and Boro. He's not very good then is he?
Interesting headline from the subs on top of the Gazette story about The Corporal.
'Brad Jones is here for the long run' - it turns out when you read that article - is his opinion, not that of Strachan or anyone else at the club. Well, we'll see.
I must admit to being mystified by the alleged Boro interest in Jason Brown from Blackburn - currently in their first team with Robinson's injury. There are many better goalies around and likely to be available at less than whatever buying his contract out and taking on his Prem wages would be.
Also, on top of the unimpressive form and background, he's more or less Danny Coyne's size whereas what Boro need is a keeper of Brad Jones' size (or better) with Danny Coyne's experience and attributes.
Seems to me that Brown offers the worst of both worlds.
**AV writes: I reckon David Marshall when Cardiff implode.
Well done Brad Jones for answering a few critics , I think a lot of the time earlier in the season it was the unsettled defence infront of him at fault and it pains me to say well done Newcastle on a well deserved promotion. They turned draws into wins and losses into draws when we have mostly done the opposite . We need to get more quality into our squad for next season, I just dont think we can afford to.
Given that your pointless club has won no real trophies in its history, do you think that Wee Jimmy Krankie has any chance of winning you a lesser one next season in the form of the Championship or do you think that us Mighty Whites will beat you to it as well as taking all 6 points from you?
**AV writes: I've got you pencilled in to lose in the play-offs. Again.
Stockton Red said:
"Cannot agree with Chris from Beverleys post about O'Neill. I'm sorry but at this point in time it would be commercial madness to play him."
Fair enough, everyone is entitled to their own opinion, after all we live in a democracy.
All I would like to add is: are we in this for the sport or are we suddenly all accountants. There is a fine dividing line between supporting the club for the quality on the pitch or supporting the club for their shortcomings off the pitch.
I accept that this scenario is similar at other clubs, Pompey included, and in honesty who can blame them. My point being is that it is always the fans who end up getting the short straw. Enough said.
I've just managed to manipulate BBC Predictor into Boro finishing 5th ahead of Cardiff and Leicester on goal difference, and only 1pt behind Swansea. Who said this season was dead?
**AV writes: How many attempts? Tell the truth now...
AV
Yes, David Marshall is OK - if Cardiff implode.
But there's also Joe Lewis from Posh who already have, in their own way. He's been stand out behind a tragic defence.
And there are lots of others too - and that's even before one ventures North of the border.
Gaz -
The mighty whites? Well how the mighty have fallen.
I think you should keep your gob shut about beating us until the 'mighty whites' actually make it to the championship. I bet you are hoping that you won't have to play Millwall or Swindon in the play off's.
How is that loveable chairman of your's doing these days?
C'Mon Boro!
Almost threw the radio at the wall on Saturday. Ali once again had the same callers on ripping up anything the club does. One guy is on every night from Billingham. He needs real help. Apart from sounding depressing, hes making the rest of us reach for the Vallium. If we signed Ronaldo,Messi and Rooney he'd say its Lambs fault we should have gotten,Terry aswell. PLEASE Ali, bar this guy for awhile(about 6 month)
BoroPhil
I hope you are right in your prediction, however I have us as finishing 9th
1 Skunks
2 WBA
3 Forest
4 Cardiff
5 Blackpool
6 Leicester
7 Swansea
8 Reading
9 Boro
Some good news for Gaz though as I have Sheff Wed getting relegated, so Leeds will have a good derby to look forward to in league one next season.
C'Mon Boro!
I find everybody shooting Brad Jones down need to get a life!
1.He Is a young upcoming keeper,who will and I hope Is Boro's number 1 keeper for sometime too come.
2 Easy to pick on a player who the fans have lambasted from the word go.
3These fans need too grow up a bit and start supporting the team.
4 You have defenders In front of the keeper who are suppose too be doing there Jobs properly,also The Midfield.
Good Luck to you Brad you saved our skins yesterday. Now start getting behind the team and players.
PS O'Neil I really havnt rated, wasnt worth the money and he to will be saying bye to take his wife on a holiday! Up The Boro Play-Offs are still In our sights!
I've just got back from a short break over Easter in Benidorm (had a great time, the bits I can remember!). That twitter page of yours is brilliant. I've spent about 2 hours following your links all over the net, when I should have been in the back garden topping up my tan.
Amazingly the Boro can still make the play offs. If we win our next game and results go our way(I know, I know) we'll be 3 points behind with 3 games to go.
Come on Boro!
**AV writes: Thanks for the plug. Anyone who wants to join the trendy world of Twitter can follow my pithy 140 character comments on all things Boro and find a host of links to all manner of football writing, ranting and trivia at:
http://twitter.com/untypicalboro
Yes it's 5 days late, but:
STEVE GIBSON BOWS TO MRS O'NEIL'S DESIRE FOR AN EARLY SUMMER BREAK:
Middlesbrough Chairman Steve Gibson, locally renowned for his philanthropy and altruism, further astounded the wider football world today by bowing to WAG pressure and agreeing to give Gary O'Neil a well-earned rest for the remainder of the season, thus enabling the O'Neil family to leave Teesside early for their Summer break.
The O'Neil's have however altered their holiday itinerary, the first week of which it is understood was to be spent in and around Portsmouth visiting friends and family. Their new travel plans are unknown at this time.
Boro manager, Gordon Strachan, acknowledged that O'Neil had had a week off (wee cough) recently and was at this time, unsure for how long the player may be absent from playing duties.
"It's hard tae say wae' these things", said Strachan, "Gary's been an important influence for us and I'd love tae huv him back before the end o' the season. But at this stage I think that's a million tae wan shot!"
Gary ONeil is the only thing we have to thank Gareth for. He's a talented player, a very graceful mover, clever and combative. He'd be a 'complete midfielder' if he showed more composure in front of goal. He needs to learn to 'find the corner rather than burst the net'.
I'm not sure about his judgement or personality because it's not easy to gauge - but anyone who is homesick from Bromley has to be a concern. Bromley sees itself as part of London's magnificent multicultural metropolis but it's about as sophisticated as a 'pot noodle'. It certainly doesn't have the 'je nais se quoi' of Middlesbrough.
Being geographically close to such disasters as Plumstead, Dartford, Woolwich it sees itself as an oasis in the human hell hole we call South East London. It's not as chi chi as Teesside. It's the sort of place that makes you question the benefits of living in a great city. Actually it's the sort place that makes you question the benefits of living.
I'd love to see him stay at the Boro through his own choice and decision even though the cockney 'tos sa' (French for unreliable person) has let me down on a few spectacular 'first player to score Lucky 15's'
If I was playing word association with my full-time shrink and she said Bromley , I'd shout "UGLY". Gary should be paying us a million to save him from Bromley.
How come, apart from a few acknowledgements by posters in this column, your newspaper makes no mention of the fact that Newcastle have been well and truly promoted, yet it can run articles on Rooney, Man U., Arsenal etc.
Afraid the locals might become more jealous or have the well-known Teesside inferiority complex enhanced?
**AV writes: Much as you may like it to be for huffy, petty or parochial reasons it just comes down to boring reasons like space and technical stuff to do with page make-up. We rarely run "articles" on Rooney, Arsenal etc except in the first editions on the racing page, which gets changed when tomorrow's cards arrive, we get them first and so they are very important for our punting community.
After a matchday we only really have room for our local teams - all three played yesterday - plus local sport like Northern League, rugby and speedway we had a Teesside swimmer winning a national silver and qualifying for the Commonwealth games. If it had been a midweek it would have been more space - check the back-issues - but as it is the news was jammed into the sportsworlds brief column.
If it had been Sunderland we would have found space in our Stockton edition :)
Interesting (I think) sidelight on all this financial stuff:
Barry Robson yesterday was 100% our team captain; he was awesome in his energy, covering every blade of grass in a match that may not have mattered to some; he came striding towards the supporters at the end,leading his troops our way with a vengeance, clapping us to thank us for our support and doing it with with real conviction.
Lita, Franks and Wheater gave their shirts to some young supporters and the team looked as if they had a real connection with the 650 who had made the trip. I am hoping his vibe gets communicated to Big Mick, who also strikes the right note with the long-sufferers.
Now it's this kind of passion that makes supporting the Boro worth something to me. Barry must be made the club and the team captain forthwith and permanently. If we are able to make the playoffs, we can think about whether to play Gary O'Neil again, but, for me, Barry Robson is now the leader and mainspring of our team, de facto, and any other decision for next year is utterly nonsensical, whether we have Poggy, or O'Neil or anyone else in the team. He is what we have been craving for years, since Juninho; he is an honorary Teessider now, the best buy we have made since the little fella.
If we have to pay people like Mido next year and suffer the various shames of our corporate foolishness, well, the toilets need a lick of paint and I'm sure there are other useful things for him and others like him to do around the place, but don't let's lose sight of the fact that Robson is our best grace note, the theme of what our club stands for, the way to the Premier League, etc, etc, etc.
You're in top form today AV, the 'retort' re the stockton addition was particularly good!
Not playing GON? A 'no brainer'.
I hope we win our last four games I hope we make the play offs (a forlorn hope), but there is no point spending ã1 million for four games when there is an entire squad to be built for next season.
The story of the Boro winning their way to the play-offs final at Wembley is brilliant and who knows if we can win the last 4 games !!
Up the Boro
halifaxp ~
"......he came striding towards the supporters at the end, leading his troops our way with a vengeance, clapping us to thank us for our support and doing it with with real conviction. Lita, Franks and Wheater gave their shirts to some young supporters and the team looked as if they had a real connection with the 650 who had made the trip. Now it's this kind of passion that makes supporting the Boro worth something to me."
When you're thousands of miles away, surrounded by elks, moose, beavers and raccoons, I absolutely love hearing about real stories like this. Relaying that passion as you have done helps me to connect in more ways than you can ever imagine, HP. I bet those young fans were over the moon!
Cheers for sharing!
I totally agree about Barry. An incredible signing and the kin d of player that has been missing from our ranks for many a year.
I wonder if you can translate that kind of passion into reasons for buying a season ticket? It's a start and once Gordon Strachan fills in the remaining pieces of the jig saw in the summer, we'll hopefully soar upwards and onwards.
AV ~ I love your background picture for your Twitter page! I have one just like that which I use as my Avatar. Who needs the Seven Wonders of the World or Temenos, right? That kind of public art is priceless. Teesside is ablaze and we love it!
AV "If it had been Sunderland we would have found space in our Stockton edition :)"
Brilliant - Thank you for making me laugh!!
Gallus Maximus -
The paper is the Middlesbrough Evening Gazette, why should they devote huge column inches to Toon or the Mackems. Darlo and Hpool most certainly should be in there.
The Northern Echo covers NE football, Toon and Sland have their own local evening medium. As one of those who said well done I cant see why my local (even though I live in Derby) paper should dwell on goings on up the road.
Come to think of it we have been told we are unimportant so I cant see why you bother coming on our blog.
Anyway on to things Boro. I can exclusively reveal that Lamb has been on a scouting mission to use the ã1million saved on the O'Neill transfer.
He was in Northern Spain tonight to watch a young Argentinean player. He took Julio along as a translator. Makelotsofweight in the deal is to be Mido.
Put 31st August in your diary and make sure you watch David Craig at Rockcliffe as 12pm looms.
**AV writes: Brace yourself for another typical Boro deadline day mix-up as we swoop for Espanyol's Messy.
AV...
I do 'page make-up' in my business every day of the week and if I WANTED to include an article I CAN. A simple matter of 8 point instead of 9, leading 10 instead of 12, or even a tad of kerning or tracking... and hey presto... lots of space to include a nice long article describing Newcastle United's record breaking return to the Premier League. Record breaking in that they have regained their rightful place with the big lads with 6 games to spare... a feat unparalleled and deserving of at least half a page in the Gazette... surely you would all agree?
PS... Do you want the Jawdees stuffed by Blackpool at auntbessy'syorkshirepuddings@stjames' on Saturday?
**AV writes: It doesn't matter how you redress the page furniture or tweak type size, you can't put a report about last night's football on a page that is drawn up and put to bed yesterday afternoon. It's not Back to the Future. If it was we could include some of Newcastle's other trophy triumphs too.
AV... Not trophies again! how many times? You know and I know you would never have space to include SIX FA Cup wins, FOUR league titles, ONE Euro Cup win... plus a little matter of the 2010 Championship Trophy that the Boro would happily offer the Transporter Bridge in exchange!!!
All these trophies and never once been in administration with the stadium locked, local businesses left unpaid and playing games at the Vic! (By the way did you ever pay Pools for their generosity, I seem to recall they had a bit of hassle getting paid for the use of their facilities). Ouch!
Don't expect you to post this.
Would Messi come to Boro? Well if he wins the world cup in the summer then he will have won everything at the highest level. He would surely be looking for a fresh challenge.
But would his ball retention and work rate match GS2âÂÂs demands. Would he be square pegged out wide in the midfield? Would his introduction inhibit young FrankinhoâÂÂs development?
There are too many question marks over this potential signing. I would rather we made a move for Chris Morgan of Sheffield Utd.
Pooley Bri,
Congrats on your promotion. You were easily the best team in this division and you and your magnificent fans deserve your success. I look to you in envy.
**AV writes: Messi? He is just the latest in a long line of "new Carlos Marinellis"
Brian
You are missing a fundamental point. Fair play to Toon and getting promoted but it is the MIDDLESBROUGH Evening Gazette.
The vast majority of people in Middlesbrough will want to read about things Boro related. They can get the Northern Echo if they want Toon information.
As I said before, well done to Toon and no in problem saying or meaning it but my interest is in the Boro. It has been since I was a kid. When I used to wait at the papershop by the Coronation for the Sports Gazette on the walk home from Ayresome Park it was to read about Boro not Toon or the Mackems.
I dont expect people living in Newcastle and Sunderland to be complaining because there is nothing about Boro in the local papers nor do I expect us to page on the relevant message boards.
Your expertise in page setting is admirable but irrelevant. Just like being an ace nuclear physicist on a desert island with only wood for fuel! Get over it.
Brian is a typical self important big club Geordie spluttering with humourless outrage at a bit of banter over their last real trophy being 50 years ago (unless you count that certificate thing). It makes me laugh that they are so sensitive to a bit of leg pulling and don't realise the rest of the country sees the eighth biggest club in the world as a comedy. Calm down son. Your bellies are wobbling in rage.
Brian, I like you. It is nice to have a reaosnable pet tame Geordie on the blog but AV's "Back to the Future" line was a great comeback to your dig at the Gazette and you bit big style. You've made yourself look a bit daft.
I don't expect you to admit this.
Good old smoggies, still making a virtue out of mediocrity!
I haven't been on much lately because I have been watching show how it is done but I have enjoyed read you all tearing each other to bits over your coninued decline.
You enjoy your pathetic Poundstretcher principled stability in the second division backwater and we will enjoy being back in the big time and spending Fat Ashley's money again. Its nice when clubs are back where they belong and you belong down there (as Vickers admitted a few weeks back.)
Now that we've got over the (genuine) congratulations to The Barcodes and Baggies (soon) we could turn our attention to those members of their squads that are very good at Championship level - and now have experience of a successful promotion campaign - but may be considered surplus to requirements back in The Prem.
There may not be too many at The Hawthorns - their MO is generally not to make a lot of changes - but there are some on the margins of their regular squad that may be worth a look.
But there may be more for 'release' at Sid James's.
I've even heard some of their fans and commentators doubting the credentials of their goalie, Harper. I know he's a Mag loyalist but he may not take kindly to being benched in favour of an incomer - if that happens. No need for him to disturb his family who are, doubtless, well settled either. Their second string, Krul, is an interesting prospect too.
Leon Best has struggled to make an impression, so far, but is well worth the interest if they decide he's not required in the higher league.
I'd be surprised if they retain Lovenkrands and there's Khizinishvili in defence too.
They may also decide that some of their more experienced midfielders are a bit 'over the hill' for The Prem too.
Clearly, there are others that you wouldn't want - even in the proverbial 'lucky bag'.
Defo worth keeping an eye out in coming weeks.
If we had to get any Barcode players how about the goalie Forster who is at Norwich on loan at the moment. Khizinashvili went back to Blackburn then they signed Fitz Hall. Worth a punt? Howabout Harewood who they had on loan from Villa. He scored a few for them as well.
Dont like Leon Best though, dont want him.
Geordie Lurker -
Are you married? If so, is she the prettiest of all the wives of your friends?
Do your friends think your wife is the prettiest?
Do you drive? Have you got the best car on your street?
Do you give to charity? What percent of your weekly wage do you give?
AV, can we have a new blog please. I suggest a potted history on NUFC, itâÂÂs only right that we cater for all the people in our area. IâÂÂm fed up with talking about the football club that I love. IâÂÂd rather post nonsense about a club I know very little about an indeed care little about. It would make avid readingâŠâÂÅ ..
AV, what is going on at the Gazette? Why is the Gazette quoting a story that came out yesterday regarding comments by O'Neil's agent, without any actual comment from the club? Tired journalism? I usually enjoy reading the latest about Boro online but couldn't you have gotten a comment from O'Neil or Boro on the situation rather than speculate? You guys can do better than this surely? Or am I just being picky?
**AV writes: Yes, the story came out yesterday and yes, we 24/7 cybernauts have seen it but most Gazette readers probably have not which is why we reported on it today and put it in a bit of context. It was a day off today at Boro but we will speak to the gaffer/boss/chief exec at the presser tomorrow. In fairness it was just a small second story with the main piece an interview with Jonathan Franks.
SweatyAgar
Harewood was one of those that - for me - fell into the 'not in a lucky bag' category, just as he did when we were supposed to be in for him before.
Don't agree about Best - but it's all opinions!
There's Williamson in defence too.
I discounted Forster for a few reasons - too inexperienced, too short and maybe The Canaries have got strong first dibs. But maybe that was wrong. If we wanted to pick over the South Coast carrion at Pompey too - Jamie Ashdown is a good goalie prospect.
How many Geordies will it take to list all their distant trophies before they actually understand TROPHY VIRGINS ----> ?
I like the contributions from Newcastle fans and wish them well. Like several posters on this blog I think a large reconstruction project is required at the St Sportsworlds. It's quite a tough task because Big Fat Mike can't wait to get out and is probably thinking of ways to exit stage left with has much 'bunce' as possible.
We seem to have more Magpie than Black Cat visitors - not sure what that indicates.
Circumstances seem to have changed Geordies group psyche. It appears that their 'success' under 'Big Cockney Mikey' has confused them. They don't know how to celebrate their success and this in turn means the normal hysteria that accompanies the slightest amount of success has been curbed.
By all accounts they struggled to truly celebrate their title winning performance - understandable it must be hard to find a Geordie willing to to start the chant "There's only one Mike Ashley..."
It's like waking up to find that the hated 'brother in law' who you have publicly slated and ridiculed has just won a double roll-over on the Euromillions.
Why do we have so many barcode fans posting on here? Why do they care about what the Gazette prints? I have no idea what the 'toon' rag is called or whether or not there is a barcode blog.
Surely you geordies should just be getting on with the celebrations?
The reason the toons are over here is because their blog is a bit gash. Look out for the resident idiot
http://www.blogonthetyne.co.uk/2010/04/penny-for-your-promotions-thou.html
**AV writes: I'm not sure you are allowed to say that about a perfectly successful and well respected platform run by a sister paper. You'll get me in trouble. It is probably fair to say we take a different approach for a different audience.
Brian Hewitson - Geordie Lurker and all other Geordies-
Is there a similar NUFC blog that allows contributions from fans of other clubs? I'd like to tell the Geordie Nation (tee hee hee) what I think of their club - a sort of aversion therapy session. I promise I would not be rude or immature.
"I discounted Forster for a few reasons - too inexperienced, too short and maybe The Canaries have got strong first dibs."
Too short! Since when has being 6'7" tall been too short?
I read the Gazette, I live closer to the Riverside than I do whatever you wish to call St James', in fact I used to teach at Green Lane Art College. That's why I post. After all, what's wrong with a little light hearted banter? Where's the sense of humour you all purport to have in abundance....?
Fraser Forster is 6ft 6ins (not too short!)
By the way Yeates was abysmal when he came on as sub the other night for Sheff U. Well shot.
Harewood well worth a shout, I think Newcastle would have signed him and not Best if he hadn't been injured.
and scoredraw... interested in your post regarding reconstruction at the Toon. Best start at home though first ... eh? Haven't heard too many chants of "There's only one Steve Gibson" lately either!
Why do we have so many Barcode fans posting on here? Why do they care about what the Gazette prints?"
Theres only Brian Hewitson isn't there. There seems to be far more Boro fans obsessed with talking about Newcastle these days than there are jawdees on here.
Jeez. That blog is dead. It is just match reports. Newcastle promoted... 9 comments. You'd think with everyting happening up there and them being so knowledgable that it would be bouncing.
BTW AV, followed the live blog for the Plymouth game. Very entertaining. Not sure exactly what was going on with the "Mosso" stuff and food jokes but funny anyway.
**AV writes: I'm not entirely sure what the MCP (Mosso Cloudfiles Posse) get up to on the Virtual Bosco Jankovic Stand myself sometimes. It has a life of its own.
It looks like Wednesday will be bringing four thousand fans on Saturday. Good on them. I canâÂÂt remember a team, bringing the full allocation this season (!)
Does that Tango chap still go to Wednesday games? ItâÂÂs a shame more teams supporters donâÂÂt take their shirts off at games it really does raise the profile of a club. As mentioned before I think this livens up the home crowd and we usually do well when this happens.
One Stevie Gibson
There's only one Stevie Gibson,
He now lives in Jersey,
Because it's warmer than by the Mersey.
One Stevie Gibson
Lee Ryder former front man of Black (and white) Gripe set to relaunch old hit...
It's your big day in the north
It's your big day in the north - love
Sha-sher sha-shy pinapple
When you smile en coeur le Big Apple
Attention - get up charge your face
la ouì mais ouì mon ami
It's your big day in the north
It's your big day in the north - love
grand jour pour la nord - amour
It's your big day in the north
It's your big day in the north - love
grand jour pour la nord - amour
Sticks and stones may break your bones - but Trophy Virgins will always - hurt you!
AV writes: GWh... It's Great When You're Straight... Yeah?
I was thinking about nipping across to the blogonthetyne and rattling in the Big No 10, but I don't have room in my garage for a clapped out Ford Escort.
**AV writes: LOL at Mr Mercedes (as I believe the young people say)
Messrs Hewitson & Agar
My apologies.
Comes from doing my research on the Canaries' website which had him listed at less than 6'.
Method in their mistake?!
Thanks for the correction.
Jamie Ashdown is scraping the barrel a bit. He's been third choice at Pompey for as long as I can remember without ever looking like being a regular. I'm more than happy with Brad Jones if he continues the way he has been.
John -
No need to apologise at all. I hope Boro sign Forster as my in laws are from Kings Lynn and are Norwich City daft and they love him and are always on about him.
I'd love to to spoil their fun and pinch one of their heroes - just for a laugh.
John
No need to apologise at all. I hope Boro sign Forster as my in laws are from Kings Lynn and are Norwich City daft and they love him and are always on about him.
I'd love to to spoil their fun and pinch one of their heroes - just for a laugh.
GHW
You may have a hit uopn a valid point about our geordie visitors, it could be company they are after.
In which case I have no problems as long as they are polite and realise it is a Boro blog and a Boro newspaper. The agenda is set by AV (with some nudges by ourselves) and focuses largely on Planet Boro.
Brian Hewitson -
Being a 'Middlesbrough Man' I like people to visit. I think there is a genuine argument that we have begun our reconstruction and have the first pillar in place (Celtic Bhoys). We have not had the luck that NUFC have had this year.
Before you batter the keyboard I don't think you are lucky to be champions. I have been eagerly anticipating a NUFC implosion for months and it hasn't happened. Consequently you may go into the Premiership thinking you are better than you are. Unless there is radical surgery I think you might struggle.
Over the years I have coveted Solano, Milner, Beardsley, Bellamy, Griffin, Given... not Shearer (too Geordie!) I clearly don't know today's NU players as well as you do but I can't think of anyone in the 'Mags' team that as a Boro fan I am envious of (possibly Barton, Harper).
I wish we were going up and if we were I think we would have less to do to secure our position. What are you going to do about Hughton ?
From a Geordies point of view Ashley has no redeeming qualities and is beyond help - he couldn't successfully undergo a 'Geordification process'. Steve Gibson on the other hand does not have to prove his motivation of affection for the Boro.
I have heard they are going to replace Chris Hughton with Simon Cowell or Jon Terry to try and civilise the club. Good luck.
echo!!
RAIDERS OF THE LOST TROPHY CABINET
Major Lamb : Doctor Jones, we've heard a lot about you.
Indiana: Have you?
Major Lamb: Professor of Attacking football, expert on tactics, and how does one say it... obtainer of rare trophies.
Indiana: That's one way of saying it. Why don't you sit down, you'll be more comfortable.
Colonel Gibson: Yes, you're a man of many talents.
Major Lamb: Now, you studied under Professor Mourinho at the University of Chelsea.
Indiana: Yes, I did.
Major Lamb: You have no idea of his present whereabouts?
Indiana: Only rumours, really. Somewhere in Italy, I think. I haven't really spoken to him in ten years. We were friends once, but we had a bit of a falling out, I'm afraid.
Colonel Gibson: Now, Doctor Jones, you must understand that this is all completely confidential.
Indiana: I understand.
Colonel Gibson: Yesterday afternoon, our European section intercepted a Boro communiqué that was sent from Cargo Fleet to North Ormesby.
Major Lamb: You see, for the last 45 years, the Geordies have had teams of average players running around the world looking for all sorts of football trophies. Ashley's a nut on the subject. He's crazy. He's obsessed with it. And right now, apparently, there is some kind of Geordie archaeological dig going on in the desert outside Gateshead.
Colonel Gibson: Now, we have some information here, but we can't make anything out of it and maybe you can. "Fizzy pop development proceeding. Acquire cupboard, ."
Indiana: The Geordies have discovered Trophies!
Major Lamb: Now just what does that mean to you...? 'Trophies'?
Indiana: Trophies? One of the possible resting places could be St James Park.
Colonel Gibson: The Lost Park?
Indiana: Yeah, the Park of the Gullible. The place the Boro used to carry the League Cup around in.
Major Lamb: Alright now, what do you mean the Trophy cupboard, you're talking about THE Trophy cupboard?
Indiana: Yes, the actual Trophy cupboard. The original MFI one that Bobby Moncur brought down out of The Metro Centre and smashed, if you believe in that sort of thing. Didn't you guys ever go to Goals on Sunday school? Look, the Geordies took the broken pieces and put them into the cleanerâÂÂs cupboard. .
Major Lamb: So such a thing does exist at St James then.
Indiana: Yes it is a myth nobody knows where they are nowâŠâÂÅ
**AV writes: Excellent spoofery
The weather is improving, spring is here and the fishing is picking up... I ask you, where else can you sit at work and fish the Tees at the same time? Lots and lots of bites, alas, caught nowt! Just a mo, another bite. What's this at the end of my line....?
Disappointment once again, I was hoping it might be a silver cup to take to Newcastle, but it's just another Boro season ticket.
GHW
Anticipate incoming!
grove Hill wallah
Very funny but I'm afraid as another poster has pointed out, the obseession with Newcastle on here and FMTTM is ridiculous and embarrassing. Who and where are ALL of these geordie posters on here and are they really Geordies anyway?
I've seen about 3 or 4 on here in all my time of reading this blog.
Whats really funny is the sight of some Boro fans whipping themselves up into the Trophy Virgin frenzy (yes you BoroPhil :)) being convinced that this blog is infested with Newcastle fans that they are replying to.
Take heed from FMTTM. There is an idiot on there called blackandwhitedreams or whatever who has been outed and ridiculed as a Boro fan who impersonates geordies with the sole intention of winding other fellow Boro fans up.
http://search.catflaporama.com/post/browse/300012
Maybe it would be an idea to stop anonymous postings and introduce a registration scheme to use the blog one address per IP. Just a thought.
**AV writes: I keep a close eye on mischief making, multiple IDs and trolling and I read everything before publication so I don't worry too much about it becoming a zoo. I don't mind a bit of banter but anything naughty I just spike.
Looking back over this post I can't see any Boro fans obsessing about Newcastle, any jealousy or any playing down of winning promotion from Boro fans.
All can see is a discussin on Gary O'Neil derailed by a Teesside-based Geordie moaning about why the MIDDLESBROUGH Gazette didn't put Newcastle's promotion on the back page, a question AV answered perfectly reasonably but which another Geordie wasn't prepared to accept and thought he knew better because he does a bit of desk top publishing.
In putting him right AV gently poked a bit of fun with a good put down. Since then the humourless ones have been talking about bites and a jealousy what isn't there. They are always coming on here telling us we are obsessed. Irony or what?
They should leave us in peace to get on with next year's promotion push while they get on with next year's relegation battle.
"Newcastle United are quoted at 5000/1 by William Hill to win the Premiership title next season... 4/9 to stay up, and 13/8 to go straight back down. Chris Hughton is 8/11 with still to be Newcastle boss on the LAST day of next season... William Hill also offer them at 1/9 to finish in the bottom half"
The bookies are under no illusion about Newcastle's status and prospects next year.
What is the obsession these deluded Geordies have with coming on here giving it large? As Clive Road says, they blow everything out of proportion, perhaps to match their bellies? Who knows.
What tickles me most is that they STILL fail to understand the fact that they are:
TROPHY VIRGINS --->>>
Grove Hill wallah ~ ROFLMAO!!
You excelled yourself this time. Low and behold, we'll get swamped with the muppets but no worry.
I can see them all now, sitting at their desks with their plump digits somehow able to tap away on their keyboards in indignant protest and rage, some of them with massive bellies smothering their QWERTY keys. I really don't know how they do it.
Clive Road -
This poster complaining about the lack of NUFC coverage is not a Geordie. In fact I lived in Nunthorpe for seven years, was privileged to watch many Boro games,and was a card carrying member of the Boro's supporters club until moving away from the area! Whilst on Teesside I followed BOTH TEAMS.
However, I always found that when working in Middlesbrough (and to an extent whilst serving in the RAF), it was so easy to yank the chains of Boro supporters.
Take it easy old son and look for my blog if/when Boro fail to make the payoffs!!
Cheers.
Who would have thought supporting a German team could be so much fun? I wish I had the foresight to record Fergie's bitter snaps at the end.
I did laugh when the weird twin-boy got sent off and was sent into ecstasy when Arjen slotted in that beauty, but it was in the post match interview when the Govan Guvnor said "typical Germans" before storming off that I realised what is meant when they say, "football is a beautiful game".
But to cap it all, I knocked the top off a bottle of Peroni, got settled in a comfortable chair and switched on 606 to hear some suicidal MU fan from Birmingham blaming Berbatov !!!!! The bitterness and grief like disappointment was palpable. I've been howling ever since.
If you can't win the champions League yourself at least enjoy someone else losing it ! Ahhh I do love the simple things in life.
Good night and God bless.
"What is the obsession these deluded Geordies have with coming on here giving it large?" ROFLMAO.. There are no geordies on here daft lad. Only wind up merchants posing as them.
Dirk ~
I am no daft lad. I am probably old enough to be your grandfather, you bonny nipper you.
The urban myth that there are Geordie posers on here is as far-fetched as Newcastle actually possessing a Trophy Cabinet with Trophies in it. But there are plenty of daft lads, Dirk. ;-)
A Geordie Daft Lad competition. Who is the Daftest? You decide. Simon Cowell's next ITV1 prime time project.
**AV writes: On that note, I think we'll call time on the squabbling now.
So what have we learned from this blog?
1. Boro are counting the pennies
2. General Consesus - GON is a good player, but a million quid is a million quid. Maybe it was in GibboâÂÂs ISA and he was just making sure not to use up his annual withdrawal. Now the 6th of April has passed GON may make a re-appearance.
3. Neil Wily old raccoon can tell a good tale
4 The BBC predictor has a Mosso type gremlin. No matter how hard you try, you canâÂÂt get Boro into Sixth. Boro Phil practises voodoo.
5. Newcastle have won the world cup
6. Brad Jones maybe a Goal Keeper after all.
7 Scoredraw once worked for the Tourist board in Bromley
8. The Middlesbrough Evening Gazette at times is a bit heavy on Teesside sports stories
9 Halifax FP joins me and AV in the âÂÂwe love Barry Robson fan clubâÂÂ
10. Fraser Forster is 6 ft 7in
11. Scoredraw coveted Andy Griffin. No mention of Carl Serrant though. Does he love all full backs?
12. Scoredraw the King of Schadenfreude
This blog is like wikipedia but full of truths.
Craig B.... Did you notice the odds for the Boro winning the Premier League?... and what year would that be?... as they say, you have to be in it to win it.
I will ask once again... Do you Boro lads want the runaway leaders to get stuffed by Blackpool on Saturday? Were you over the moon we beat Sheff United for you last Monday? Come on guys... we are trying our best to get you in the play-offs. You have to thank us for keeping you in with a shout for that coveted 6th spot.
What have we learned from this blog?
1 Three years of running around a lot in midfield hasn't reallhy won Boro hearts and minds for Gary O'Neil
2 Most people have already mentally replaced him with Barry Robson as skipper and MF dynamo anyway
3 Wily Racoon has a very vivid imagination or is on powerful mind-bending drugs
4 There is a slow build-up of gruding support for Brad Jones and if only he could get himself a catchy song he'd be alright
5 The Gazette only reports on Newcastle if there is a gap on a page to fill
6 AV has a Twitter page and some good one liners
7 Even friendly geordies are thin skinned
8 Harrison Ford is starring for Newcastle next season: the Last Crusade?
Next blog article please.
GHW is just pulling away from his marker, with a few geordies about he is hoping one will pretend to be Taylor and do some blocking of posters to allow him to ghost in to tuck away the 100.
If GHw makes the 100th post on this thread will AV have to stump up an extra ã1m?
Lee Miller's through, one on one with the goalie........................................shanked wide
**AV writes: Lucky deflection! It's there.... look at his face, just look at his face!
Surely too late?
AV writes: Alas...
Eat my Goal!
But at least I get into all the right positions...If the through ball had just been a little quicker....!
**AV writes: I'd blame Myrna for straying offside and off topic.
A Mottie stat moment. That is the first time a referee has picked up Taylor making an illegal blocking move and GHW is gutted.
Anthony Wenger says he didnt see the block.
What has happened/is likely to happen to Emnes? Is he completely off the radar. Has anybody any idea why we bought him
John Aus
John Gibson
I'm afraid I can't offer much that makes sense in answer to your questions about Emnes.
What I do believe is that the whole episode is worse than a waste of effort from the Boro point of view but in the process they have, likely, damaged the career of someone who seems a decent, likeable and probably talented young man.
As to why we bought him and tried to do with him?
Have you seen the recent VW advert for the Golf in Aus?
Well, to paraphrase that, he was like a striker but not a striker, like an attacker but not quite that, if you squint a bit he could be a winger.....
I'm sure he looked the part on YouTube and he had the repute of being very like someone who promised to be a 'VW' in Eredivisie.
But - as with all but the satisfied guy at the end of the ad that actually bought a Golf - he was never what anyone thought he was going to be or they could make him by rebuilding or they could pass him off as if you didn't know what you were looking at.
It would be sense and a kindness to let the guy go back to playing either side of the front 3 in a 4-3-3 in Holland and let him develop his promise.
Maybe The Count should phone the Twente manager!
I will keep the memory of the stonking goal he got at Swansea.
John Gibson -
I will add to John's comments about Emnes.
He was bought at the same time as Digard (most inappropriate name) as ones for the future but probably it appears in a parallel universe.
ã8million spent when we were desperate for a central midfielder or two with the departure of Boat, Rocky, Cat. Beggars belief when taken along with Young out and Hoyte in, Swarzer out and errr.
Shakes head and goes back to work.
On the Emnes thing, I dont know his contract situation but I wouldnt give up on him yet. He does have skills which some of our front players lack. Send him out on loan to the Dutch or French league and see how he does. He's only 21 isnt he?
gt
Emnes talent is not at issue, he was the wrong player at the wrong time and has been badly let down by the club.
Having seen him many times I am excited by his talent but it would have been better to have brought him over aged 23-24 with some more experience under his belt. Plus a bit of bulk to resist the lumps that play in British football.
Off topic, but...
I remember the last time I saw a Boro v Sheff Wed game; Boro won 8-0. Someone liberated a Sheff Weds banner, daubed 8-0 on it, and took it to the next away game at Preston; hung it up in the goal before the kick-off. Won that one 4-2 as I recall......happy days....
**AV writes: The last time I saw Boro v Sheff Wed was down there earlier this season. Adam Johnson ripped them apart and Boro ran riot in the second half leaving Brian laws gushing and predicting Boro would get promoted and the local press lads said it was the best performance they had seen by an away team at Hillsborough for years... and that included the last time they were in the Prem.
It seems like a life time ago.
Got the house to myself, I've got a small piece of steak 'tenderising' and all I need now is Schwarzer to gaze dreamily at the ball as it floats past him into the net with that ... 'ohh dear, my sister Dolly ....' body language.
Football can be fun for 'losers' .
"Typical Germans ...." (Ribery, Robben, Olic ...) HA HA HA HA HA
That is almost up there with memories of Juninho, Branca, Emerson, Ravenelli, Festa, Cardiff ...
How about all you talent spotters out there come up with three Boro Summer targets.
Here's my three.
David Goodwillie Dundee Utd
Adam Lallana Southampton
Nigel Reo Coker Aston Villa
On Emnes - Sell him and use the money to bring in a player in the Strachan mould. The lad represents all that was wrong with Southgate's playing philosophy.
I'm not in any way saying that he's rubbish but he represents a triangular peg let alone a square one. Clearly, he's not a good fit for the Boro and the boss needs to complete his jig saw.
Proper wingers and strikers and no more lightning quick, lightweight in-betweenies.
Neil - wily 'ol Racoon -
Your post at 8.12pm ("Emnes ....not a good fit for the Boro...") highlights one of the reasons we are in this trouble.
How much did Emnes cost? Was it approx ã3M? And he will be on Premiership wages which we can't afford. He is said to be "lightweight", with not enough body strength to hold his own, certainly in The Championship. He is said to have been (like Digard?) a "work in progress".
What we can say about him is that he is fast. But he has shown only brief flashes of what he might bring to the party. He hasn't started or played many games, perhaps because the coaching staff doubt he would be as useful as the old stagers or young academy prospects or other square pegs chosen ahead of him to play. Any neutral observer would have to express disappointment at the contribution he has made so far. At least he wasn't injured as much as Digard.
We don't have much money. Even if we did, it might be sensible to use it wisely. We should have been looking for players who were sufficiently good to play in the team, not in several years time, but in the imminent future.
It is possible to buy for the future. But if you are taking a punt, buying a prospect for the future, the price should reflect this.
Middlesbrough shouldn't pay relatively big money on the hope of a future. You don't play good money for reserve team regulars - unless you are a Man Utd, Chelsea etc, in which case they can afford the outlay AND they would be buying a better quality of player, with entirely better prospects anyway. Their "prospects" would probably be better than anyone we have in our squad.
If there was a "Freedom of Informations Act" that covered this sort of football issue, think how much fun might be had. A league table of players offered to the club, those recommended by the scouts (and their evaluations of the players which we can then marry up with the ACTUALITY of their performances once bought), the prices paid, the cost to the club in terms of salary and other add-ons ("Image rights" etc!).
How many "Digards" or "Emneses" would a Barry Robson be worth (even if he fell under the proverbial 263 bus to M'bro right now)?
I am not saying this to have a go at Emnes (I might be prepared to have a go at Digard but that's another injury-fuelled debate to be taken at another time) and I realise that many of the comments on this blog, and in the past, have been sympathetic to him. It isn't his fault so much was paid for him and it has been suggested his career hasn't been helped by his treatment. But it is our club's fault if it doesn't spend slender resources carefully.
No doubt the scouts are now looking for wily, seasoned performers who have demonstrated an ability to contribute, rather than the hope they MIGHT develop into something useful at some stage in the future. Some of the "men" that GS2 has mentioned.
AV -
Sorry the guy from the Northern Echo thought it was his show last night,I was looking forward to hear some of your insights
**AV writes: It is that BBC Reithian ethic of balance!
I think Ali would get a far better show if he concentrated on one hack, give them a bit more time, did a bit of research into recent articles and asked why he wrote this? How did you get that story? How does that square with what you wrote last year? Maybe quiz one of the national lads about where Boro are in the pecking order and how much the sports editor in London shaped a particular story.
I know I am always willing to deconstruct my stories but not everyone else likes to have too much attention thrown on their own work. It is one of the central contradictions about sports journalism, all too quick to draw up a crime sheet of other peoples' failings and call for them to be sacked but squirm and get all precious and indignant when anyone puts the spotlight on their own flaws.
HereâÂÂs something to cheer us all up.
The maximum points we can get is 70. Even with a fair wind and we remain unbeaten until the end of the season I can only realistically (rose tint overload) see us getting 68. This will have to include beating Leicester.
If that happens then we will probably have a better GD than Leicester. But they only need to pick up 5 points form their remaining four games to finish above us.
LeicesterâÂÂs fixtures
Away to Peterborough
Home to Watford
If Leicester win both, we cannot finish above them no matter what results we achieve.
If they take four points then only a point in their penultimate fixture away to Preston will keep them above us. And of course they finish of at home to us. So if we take as a given (!) we beat them, then we need Leicester to get beat at least once more and a draw too.
Unlikely.
Can we finish above Swansea? Well if current GD trends persist then Swansea only need 6 points from 4 games to finish above us.
SwanseaâÂÂs fixtures
Away to Bristol Cities
Home to Barnsley
Away Sheff Utd
Home to Donny
With Rose tint overload, only four points for the Swans.
But of course there is a rather large tangerine coloured fly in the ointment. Blackpool.
So we could win our next two games and still need a mathematical miracle to get into the play offs. We need too many results to go our way PLUS do it our selves. I think we all came to the conclusion a while ago that we werenâÂÂt going to make it but this weekend could put the tin lid on it.
How exactly has Emnes been 'badly let down by the club'? Is he entirely blameless in his inability to threaten the first team? Let's face it, when he did get a run he hardly ripped any trees up.
Interesting to see that with Portsmouth taking the moral high ground on the O'neill saga that they themselves are infact in the same position (Aruna Dindane) and would owe ã4m to a parent club if he plays 2 more games for them.
Guess what....they have dropped him and are in the middle of sorting a deal to sell him to Blackburn and then loan him back for the rest of the season..... seems like a two tier moral system going on there!!!!
GHW
For the '3 targets' stakes:-
Joe Lewis Peterborough
Mo Bamba Hibs
Ross Wallace Preston (because I don't think we'll get Charlie Adam)
I don't think three will be enough, though, more like five or six - and more if we lose another significant batch - but I'll stick by the 'rules'.
I agree we very much need a Reo-Coker type to hold the midfield, break up attacks, shield the back four, snarl a bit, box to box a bit and pass it, simply, to another red shirt. It would be great if we could get him.
My concerns would be about his attitude - at the moment he seems all too keen to benchwarm and pick up his wages at Villa rather than play football.
He almost certainly believes The Championship to be beneath him and some of the existing Prem bottom half and the newly promoted will certainly be keen if he becomes available. The fact that he probably needs a forklift to pick up his wages will also be a problem for Boro, I guess.
Lallana is an interesting one. Rumour has it that he's on the wish list of a number of bigger and more highly placed clubs than Boro, of course. But, in recent weeks, I've heard Steve Claridge, Matt Le Tissier and a mate of mine who is a Saints season card holder talk about him independently but with remarkable consistency.
Their views (after lauding his development, some of his performances and all of his goals this season) are that he still has the inconsistency from game to game that you would expect from someone of his age and lack of experience and that he lacks the sort of basic pace that would trouble defenders in higher divisions.
They have the view that his final, best team role is yet to emerge. So, maybe still more of a 'one for the future' than Boro can afford next season?
Not surprisingly, Le Tiss and my mate argue that he should have another season at St. Mary's to develop him further but are resigned to him going eventually. Claridge thinks he should stay too but accepts that he won't.
I can honestly say I didnt expect a reply from you on my observation on last nights show, however my respect for your journalistic integrity has jumped ten fold. Don't change, we outsiders need the chance to debate the truth, not spin.
AV -
Only caught the first 40mins on the radio last night. Thought it was funny when Mr Lamb had to respond (during the news) to all the talk of Boro downsizing for the next few years in Championship/League 1 - based on not playing O'Neil at Plymouth.
My thoughts are that the club are getting set now for many years in mid table championship mediocrity and we may fall below that unless money is pumped in. As we know money is not available so the solution seems to be let GS2 wheel and deal and 'hope' for a bit of luck in scraping into the Premier League.
On Portsmouth, I hope we don't play O'Neil just to stop them getting the ã1m, they are doing the same with Dindane. I say stuff them.
Blooming Heck! Journalistic and Integrity, not only in the same sentence but appearing consecutively!
(Only joking AV)
"Ryders Reply"
Comedy gold in the making.
What's happened AV?? Have you become as disinterested in the rest of the season as the some of the other fans? Had expected a new blog by now on the prospects for this weekends game.
Note GS2 is a little behind the times and sees this weekend as a crunch time. Wasn't our crunch time a while ago when we still had a "realistic" chance of making the play-offs??
**AV writes: What is it with evrybody telling me to write new blogs on my day off? You come and look after my kids and do the gardening then.
The 40 Year Old Virgin
Andy at the age of 40 still hasn't seen a trophy. He lets his secret slip at a poker game with his mates from work. After the revealing all his friends are on a mission to help him.
Along the way Andy meets a nice Mam: Trish, they fall head over heels for each other. 40-year-old Andy Stitzer has done quite a few things in his life. He's got a cushy job stamping invoices at an electronics superstore, a nice apartment with a proud collection of Shearer figures and comic books (Newcastle programmes), good friends, a nice attitude. But there's just one little thing he hasn't quite gotten around to doing yet--something most people have done by his age. Done a lot.
Andy's never, ever, ever had a trophy--not even by accident. So is that such a big deal? Well, for Andy's mates at the store, it sure is. Although they think he's a bit of an oddball, there's certainly a planet full of stranger (and homelier) guys who've at least had one go at having a go.
They consider it their duty to help Andy out of his dire situation and go to great lengths to help him. But nothing proves effective enough to lure their friend out of lifelong chastity until he meets Trish (Catherine Keener), a 40-year-old mother of three, and Boro supporter. Andy's friends are psyched by the possibility that "it" may finally happen...until they hear that Andy and Trish have begun their relationship based on a mutual no-trophy policyâÂÅ
YouâÂÂll laugh, youâÂÂll cry. DonâÂÂt miss this Summers blockbuster comedyâŠâÂÅ ..
GHw ~ Stop it, will ya? My sides are splitting and it hurts. Really, stop it.
**AV writes: What is it with everybody telling me to write new blogs on my day off? You come and look after my kids and do the gardening then.
Advert ~ Part Time Babysitter and Weed Extractor required. No experience necessary. Friday's only. Minimum wage. Must have a sense of humour with plenty of integrity and an ability to proof-read. Could lead to a promotion.
**AV writes: Cooking ability an advantage.
GHw:
And exactly what is so funny about a 40-year-old virgin?
Well, I, for one will certainly NOT be going to THAT particular movie!
I'll probably wait for it to come out on DVD, sit in and watch it with a box of kleenex.............. to dry my eyes, of course!
I'm going North in a few hours, so I'm not sure I will be able to join you all for the Sheff Wed game on the intersnetty (ticket has already gone to a good cause).
Just so you know HOW FAR north it is, the most northerly football league club on these islands is Ross County who play at Dingwall. They look snootily down on their nearest southerly rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle as almost being in the tropics. Yet when I get to the roundabout on the outskirts of Dingwall I will have another 60 miles or so to go. There be Polar Bears up there (Jarkko would be most at home)!
With any luck, and a wi-fi hotspot, I hope to join the internet Diaspora for the Live Boro Blog. People on there get up early to listen from the west coast of the Americas or stay up inordinately late to listen from Australia and elsewhere
I'm not saying the world wide contributors to the blog are mad, but it certainly helps. So I hope to be kept up to date with the play, scores from elsewhere, and a full culinary rundown as midnight or very early feasts (and accompanying liquid refreshments) are set upon in various parts of the world.
(It isn't unlawful to fly a laptop whilst under the influence is it? When I was studying there wasn't such a thing as a laptop, and a computer with any useful processing power would fill a room).
I hope to see you via the ether.....and hope a 3-0 result is on the cards (acutally I typed 2-0 but decided I was being too "sensible").
Forever Dormo
When I studied a laptop was a tray you put on your knee and a calculator filled a whole room. It was guessing sticks and log tables. Computing was Fortran and punch cards, then wait half a day until your program came back with multiple errors to be re written. We were not allowed anywhere near anything clever.
Today is yet another last chance saloon for the Diasboro vitual pub crawl. We need Toon and Posh to do the business to keep our flickering hopes still shedding some glimmer of light on our season.
My lad is playing rugby as normal so is relying on me for the scores. No pressure then.
Vic
Will the AV family be at the match and if not are the nippers up to joining in with the Mosso Posse?
**AV writes: No, my lot are not there today. There'll be there for Coventry though.
Apparently the seemingly versatile WFlood is riding a horse called Rare Bob in the race immediately prior to the Grand National this afternoon. Strange training recovery programme set by Strachan!!
Great piece by Phil Tallentire on Juninho's final game - talk about romance and high drama in sport and why we all love this game!
When he's done with running Ituana............
I reckon Boro are finished as a football club,as SG does not have the interest or the cash anymore and many fans will not put uo with mid table championship. Many fans will travel to Manchester Liverpool, dare i say the 2 teams up the road to watch premiership footbal. That's all people care about nowe RIP MFC!!!!.
Lets have thread on the blog boasting about how we are the only north eastern club to to have won the FA Youth Cup just to pee the Trophy Virgins on here off once and for all.
"I'm going North in a few hours, so I'm not sure I will be able to join you all for the Sheff Wed game on the intersnetty (ticket has already gone to a good cause).
Just so you know HOW FAR north it is, the most northerly football league club on these islands is Ross County who play at Dingwall. They look snootily down on their nearest southerly rivals Inverness Caledonian Thistle as almost being in the tropics. "
If I were you I'd stop off in Dingwall to join in the massive party that I suspect will last for a very long time.
As Mogga has gone, I wonder who the Celtic fans will blame now?
GHw:
The manager. Always the manager. Doesn't matter who's fault it really was.....it's always the manager.
Just ask any Boro fan from within the 5 mile radius. They always know best!
Funny Mission Impossible parody on AV's next thread, by the way! I'd dare you to post it on BlogontheTyne, but "not so easy" Ryder would probably brag about doubling his readership!