Fixtures: It's All Gonna Kick Off
FIXTURES.... embargoed until 9.15am. And even then I'm not allowed to relay them in full. On pain of death. If we print a full list on here Football DataCo will kick my door down at dawn and rough me up like an evil unlicenced orange mini-dressed ambush marketer.
Last year as we waited for the fixtures there was a frisson of excitement mixed in with a patronising air of 'just passing through' complacency and arrogance. After over a decade in the big time the prospect of little grounds with standing and open bogs and real old school floodlights and players we had never even heard of ... Scunthorpe, Plymouth, Blackpool... oh, how quaint.
This time there is none of that. That shiny new shoes playground excitement is long gone, replaced by badly scuffed cynicism and hard nosed, worn in resignation. This time there is no room for Championship tourism. We need to approach it in a mundane businesslike fashion, go to games with a ruthless efficiency, get the points and get the hell out of this division.
Briefly the highlights (I'm allowed to do that) ....
Ipswich at home on the opening day, followed by Leicester away and Sheffield United at home. The "biggie" at home with those nice sock-tagged seventies throwbacks from Leeds is on 16th October with the away game at welcoming Elland Road on New Years Day. The visit to "intimidating" Millwall is on February 19th. The mouthwatering Boxing Day clash is at home to Nottingham Forest... which is not a bad fixture. The season finishes with a long away trip to Cardiff then ends with a trophy presentation before Doncaster at home. Well you can dream.
Full fixture lists on paper in the Gazette today (including the Geordies, Mackems and Chimp Chokers too) and on authorised websites now while you can find the full Championship programme here .
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Anthony Vickers
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Welcome back AV
Something tells me Leeds have some significant part to play either on the first or last day of the season what with the GS connection and all! Probably talking balls but there you go ;-)
Would be good to get off and running both to get a good points haul and get the fans back on board.
Ideally avoid those promoted teams early on, can be dangerous. Otherwise we have to play them all sometime.
And hopefully a home game for that nail biting last game that goes the same way as Oxford did!
UTB
**AV writes: Leeds? Sounds like a very early January away trip to me.
The Leeds game away will propbably come in the middle of the December fixtures. I agree with the above about clubs who have been promoted.
As long as we concentrate on what we do we will be alright, think Hull away will be one of our first games.
**AV writes: Yes, ideally you don't want to get a promoted club like Leeds or Norwich until October or so when their early adrenaline has faded. I fancy Hull away as one of our last few games.
I feel (mystic Meg moment....) that we will pick up a home tie - first game........and it will be one of the fallen big boys...Burnley perhaps...........we lose 2-0 (normal start then) and then eventually gain promotion as runners up................you heard it here first........
Come on Boro!!
See the geordies have the mancs away. Baptism of fire or what! With tinge of jealousy underneath. That will be us next year :-)
If the Swiss can beat Spain then we can win the championship. we just need to be organised and show some bottle. { oh ye, and have a squad capable to do that}
Hoolie doodlie!!! IâÂÂve âÂÂgotâ to go to a wedding on the 7th of August... which kind of plank organises these things.
But what a bonus prize. The unmentionables, on Teesside on my birthday! ItâÂÂll either be great or cack.
Come on Boro!!!!!
I'd rather batter Ipswich 4-0 than get battered 4-0 at Old Trafford. This could be a really enjoyable season if we start playing properly.
What will the crowd be though? With the current level of signings, we will do well to reach 15k. Isn't having the first and last games at home odd?
Oooof, Smog has reminded me I also have a wedding to go to on the first weekend, after a moment of horror I remembered that fortunately these wise people have arranged it for the Friday
To start and finish the season with home games is as good as can be asked for.
Its impossible to know whether we're playing teams at a 'good time' or not, who knows what form each team will be in as they come along, but we'll need to be in good form all season if we're to finish in the top two.
To get decent crowds regularly we'll need to be in champions form for the season.
Attractive first fixture against Ipswich, however unless Gibson spends some of the cash that Lamb keeps saying we have, I think the crowd may be as low as 14k
C'Mon Boro!
The only thing that will be 'enjoyable' about another season in The Championship will be getting out of it to The Prem.
The squad we have in pre-season - the end of August is too late, except for finishing touches - and how Strachs and McAllister get them to perform in the 'Eleven Game Examination' that starts the season will tell us all we need to know.
At the moment having looked through the fixtures do you think any/many teams will be thinking âÂÂooohh weâÂÂve got Middlesbroughâ or âÂÂstrike a light its Middlesbarraâ (for our London Friends). At the moment I donâÂÂt think we are worrying anyone, except maybe ourselves.
By the way did you know by the time we play Ipswich we will be 8 months unbeaten at home! (and two unbeaten away from home)
"I'd rather batter Ipswich 4-0 than get battered 4-0 at Old Trafford."
Dont worry about it, we will do neither.
I had no interest in the fixtures being released, I was told by someone at work who we were due to play. That doesnt mean a lack of interest in the upcoming season more that I am not bothered about who we play.
Forget who is first up at the Riverside, what is of more concern is who is coming to Rockcliffe. Unless we have have strong and settled line up we could be playing catch up by the time the window closes.
I have a task for Werdermouth between parental duties. What do you know about our pre season opposition?
I got a shock there for a moment I thought Strachan, when speaking about the trip away in the Carling Cup said "It's always nice to have new faces" but what he actually said was 'It's always nice to go to new places'.
There will be lots of new places to go to in the 1st Division in the 2011/2012 season if Gibson and Lamb don't deliver on the transfer front. Make no bones about it unless they get their respective fingers out Boro will be down the bottom end of the Championship after four matches in August.
The malaise that sets in after the usual season ticket sales push is back again. You just get the feeling that the Boro executive are not really up for it anymore. Hope I'm wrong.
How good do have to be to have Fabregas and Torres on the bench?
How good are you when you leave Cambiasso and Zanetti at home?
And how desperate are you when -- losing to Argentina -- you bring on Lee Dong Gook!
I've just been listening to the South Korea match on Radio 5, I couldn't believe my ears a South Korean whose name is pronounced 'O Bum Suck'!! Priceless, the best moment of the tournament to date, lets hope he gets to play in the Championship next season...
It looks an interesting start to the season. After Ipswich second game it will be Chesterfield in the Carling Cup. Then Boro are away from home again when they face a big test at Leicester City. After that another tough game is lined up for BoroâÂÂs second home game when they entertain Sheffield United.
So we know very much where we stand after the first four games. As said before it's about how we play - not the opposition. And how big squad we had - during the two season we have not been able to cover the injured first team players. UTB!
On paper ... a tough opening set of games and an even tougher finish (look at the run of away games from end of March!). Let's hope we are promoted by end of March LOL!
Anyway, bring it on. I'm sick of all this nonsense World Cup lark!
Following a period where the management take scant regard of the consumer - 'We dont need regular punters, the walk ups are better' - the punters dont walk but walk away. They will find something else to do, another way to use up their precious leisure, to expend their emotional energies.
And so it came to pass, Vic went on holiday and the blog is full of virtual red plastic. Posts are down to the mid twenties. Why oh why did Vic go on holiday?
We are down to a hardcore of posters. Let us hope that it is merely a dalliance with the World Cup, some decent weather, family commitments, holidays.
**AV writes: I need a bums on seats signing, a Juninho of a post. Never fear, I've got irons in the fire.
'o bum suk' I thought it was just robbie "expert summeriser" savage's lack of pronunciation. And watching tonights game, is there a cloning machine at Arsenal? Because Carlos Vela is a perfect mix of Walcott and Fabregas
Anthony -
You said we need to "go to games with a ruthless efficiency, get the points and get the hell out of this division."
I don't think we have the ability to do that at the moment. If we expect too much of this squad we are likely to get disappointed and get on their backs.Not helpful.
There are likely to be at least 6 better squads than ours over the course of a season in this league.
Let's see how they do in the first half of the season. Maybe the manager can perform a little alchemy and change lead into gold. If they are in the top 4 at Christmas let's push to get out of the division. If not, maybe we should enjoy the goods days, tolerate the bad, and forget the occasional abysmal turn out.
Regards,
Chris
The fixtures for next season? Surely early August should be for decent people to go on holidays, or for watching cricket.
I feel distinctly underwhelmed. My glass was half full, but whilst my back was turned someone sneaked in and drank what was left in it.
AV - it's early here, I could have done without the picture of you in an orange mini dress you conjured up with your hyperbole.
Congratulations to Rob for being the first to predict relegation this coming season, and to BoroPhil who reckons we might batter Ipswich 4-0.
Way, way too early to be looking at fixture lists with any sense of anticipation, but it'll come.
In a popular resort bar with a large NUFC banner, some wag has stapled to it an A4 piece of paper with *Trophy Vigins* printed on it. I hope this doesn't lead to a spate of copycat similar instances.
Who would do such a thing......
Must go, the airport transfer bus is waiting.
Vic -
Should we rely on Blind Faith, that we will start the season with the best, strongest, fittest blog ever? Young(ish) and full of pace.
It would help if there was something inspiring to write about Boro. But I know that you are working behind the scenes to get some exciting posts to bring the punters back.
Maybe you need one of those Communist style posts where attendance is compulsory staged to show the world that the whole of the posting world is behind you.
I believe they will return in as big numbers as before, form is temporary, class is permanent.
**AV writes: This will be the best resourced blog in the Championship next season and will be able to compete with anybody to bring in the posters we need.
We will get the blog that we deserve - this is only a small blog in the blogosphere
Chief Scout Powls,
It looks like we have agreed a fee of ã1.5m for CharltonâÂÂs Nicky Bailey. If I remember rightly your not a fan? If he is a big time Charlie surely Strachan wonâÂÂt stand for that and he must have some redeeming features??
Lest hope he is the first of at least three midfield reinforcements. Any more news AV? We canâÂÂt seriously be interested in Boyd, heâÂÂs got Birmingham written all over him. Thompson I know very little about, would he be in the Souness mould? And we must get some wingers and a tall goal scoring CF, is that going to be Killen?
On a sour note my Untypical Boro contract is due to expire this summer and so far AV has been reluctant in putting together a package that meets my considerable talent. It is with heavy heart that I have to announce I am opening up negotiations with WiganâÂÂs blog, âÂÂDave WhelanâÂÂs happy days.âÂÂ
**AV writes: I can't be giving Premier League blogging packages to people who haven't delivered the goods in the Championship.
On the new faces, Boro say they have not made a formal bid but we understand they are very interested and have registered their interest. We understand they are very confident on Kris Boyd and that is one of the irons in the fire that is at the white hot, ready to slap on the anvil and whack into shape with a hammer stage. There's a few others that are starting to glow red hot and just need a couple of puffs from the bellows to get to that stage.
The Times has it that our first opponent, Keano, is interested in Big Mick too. Never mind, The Count will get round to making a bid next week.... maybe.
On the topic of goalies, The Mackems have just signed a very promising young Belgian. That gives them that lad, Gordon and Fulop. Don't know the new acquisition but either of the other two would be fine on a long term loan, if they are surplus at SoS.
Just a bit further up the A19 at Sid James's, Fraser Forster - who has been mentioned in despatches on here before - is about to be back from his very successful season long loan with The Canaries.
Doubtless, Norwich may well want him back - but a long loan to Boro means he could stay in his home area.
I think we need to get beat at home to reach the over 100 posts in here. And we haven't lost since December! Imagine if we go unbeaten till next Xmas?`Fabulous but just a few foam handers writing here (like myself).
Up the Boro!
PS. Any, just any transfer news yet???
I think it's about time your posters drop the anti-Newcastle stuff and concentrate on things nearer to home... like Leeds, Scunthorpe and Doncaster.
Because, like it or not, the mags are back where they belong and the Boro have cemented the place their team and crowds deserve... second tier, second rate.
Just compare our club's opening fixtures... Boro at home to Ipswich with an estimated gate of 14-15,000. Multiply that by 5.. yes FIVE... think about it... FIVE Riversides, lined up alongside the Tees with 15,000 fans... to ONE Old Trafford with a 76,000 gate! Man U v Newcastle!
Even impartial commentators are calling it a 'mouthwatering fixture' a 'massive game' between two of the country's biggest clubs.
The gulf between Tees and Tyne has never been so great as it is today. As for the comment... "I'd rather win 4-0 v the tractor boys than get stuffed 4-0 by Man U".... if that comes off I will personally stand on a table in M&S window and wee in a bucket.
It was nice to see France suffering but it seems thats down to mutiny rather than inability of the players.
The fixtures have had no impact upon me, I have a very cynical outlook towards this coming season and, like getting the bloggers back on here, its going to take something special to happen to arouse the masses.
I'm sure when the WC ends the blog will be alive again.
Smog -
You recall my view of Nicky Bailey accurately.
Yes, he has some redeeming features but just nowhere near as many or as redeeming as his very inflated ego believes. OK, Gordo might relish cutting him down to size - but why not buy someone with the right attributes and attitude instead?
Ha ha brilliant AV. I want more transfer analogies as we go through the summer that was class. With that quality of response I might lower my demands to one pork pie a month. I havenâÂÂt laughed so much at a post in weeks - but would you believe it another corker popped in from one of our old friends.
No matter how much he protests the opposite I am more sure than ever that Brian Hewitson is indeed a boro fan and this âÂÂarenâÂÂt Newcastle wonderfulâ vuvuzela-esque drone is a brilliant ruse. Just like Robbie Williams is really a Stoke fan and the Gallagher Brothers a really Man Utd Fans.
Gome on Gibbo get pumping them bellows!!
Brian -
I could not give a toss about the skunks, but you writing "Even impartial commentators are calling it a 'mouthwatering fixture' a 'massive game' between two of the country's biggest clubs" really cheered me up this morning.
Do you really believe that Newcastle are one of the countries biggest clubs?
If so you must then accept that Newcastle are one of the countries biggest underachievers.
C'Mon Boro!
Dont worry about the anti-Newcastle stuff Brian, its a trait started by the widely derided and moronic FMTTM website and Newcastle are their favourite topic of conversation along with topics like "what is your favourite biscuit/bar of chocolate/best place for a haircut".
The anti Newcastle /Sunderland posts on here will ALL be from FMTTM reading half wits. What really irks the "huge chip on their shoulders" Smoggies is that they have no real rivals.
Brian -
Mouthwatering prospect it certainly is, just like the Romans waiting for Lions v Christians. Jokin apart good luck next season because getting out of this god forsaken league is only the start.
Smog -
I had to settle for a pay by post arrangement with a small salary. What is more Vic has done a deal with Trabant so no more Mercs for the 100. Luckily I posted for the good of the blog, it will be revealing to see how the capitalist lackeys who were only interested in selling Mercs on ebay will respond.
AV -
Puffs on the bellows, well there is a thought. A decent signing or two would give a huge lift to the spirits though there is little evidence elsewhere of any potential movement. Normally expect something on SkySports or BBC unless I have missed it. Chief Scout Powls has the London media at his disposal but here in the Midlands there is no info about Boro at all.
AV, is this info from the club or sources close to an interested party,nudge nudge,
wink, wink.
A great line on SkySports website this morning: "Rio - WC is wide open. Shut that door!"
And finally do we call our glorious leader AV or Vic?
**AV writes: You can call me either. Someone used the Sunday best "Anthony" yesterday and for a second I thought it was me mam.
The bellows analogy transfer info is kosher. "We understand" is very strong in the tabloid lexicon, certainly it implies a decent level of off the record steer far more compelling than a mere "are reported to" or "sources claim."
Smog -
I'd hesitate to mention Thompson in the same breath - let alone the same mould - as Souness, but he's along the lines of the 'robust', tackling/holding/box to box midfield athlete we should be looking for to partner Bazza in the centre of our midfield.
He has much more of what Bailey has with much less of the ego but if AV's recent estimate of the likely asking price for him - given he's in the last year of his contract - is accurate, then he's not worth it.
But, then again, with 'Gers finances being in the state they are.....
**AV writes: Maybe they will take a bit less if we throw in Lee Miller?
**AV writes: Maybe they will take a bit less if we throw in Lee Miller?
Please, please, pretty please!!!
(or they might actually ask us for more!)
F.T. Maxwell
You're absolutely right.
I've always known that Boro had no real rivals.
F.T.
Most posters are on here because we dont want to go on to FMTTM. Most of us dont want battles with barcodes either.
Truth is we dont particularly want you posting on here. No doubt some of us post on Toon boards and I wish they wouldnt - many moons ago the Trinity group encouraged 'cross' posting prior to games between local teams and it was a waste of time and virtual space. (I use local in case the term 'derby' offends your sensitive nature).
Like many I dont particularly care what Toon and the Mackems do, I have banter with their supporters I know round here in Derby. I dont wish them ill but will have a quiet chortle if something untowards or amusing happens. But it is always light hearted.
The bottom line is that if we are so unimportant why bother coming on here, I see no reason to post on other teams sites.
So the truth is out. Adidas had 25 Jabulani balls delivered to Wembley and signed for in February. But they went missing.
Fancy that! I think Chief Scout John Powls should be checking local football reports in London to see which Cheekie Chappy league has had an increase in keeper howlers.
Of course there is every chance that in the slow moving FA they have not been delivered yet. Someone in the post room is probably thinking what to do with a delivery of footballs or the paperwork is sat on Lord Triesmans old desk. Maybe someone is sat there waiting for a purchase order to reconcile the deliery.
Always thought Miller plus cash might do the trick. Can't for the life of me think why. But would do very nicely.
Boyd,Mick,and Ambrose and I will be a very happy camper, also like for like replacements for anyone else that leaves.
Should get the season tickets moving and bloggers united.
FT Maxwell
No rivals?
Why bother coming on this blog then?
C'Mon Boro!
Ian Gill.
I love your sense of self importance and inflated ego.
You are funny.
2-1
FTM
parrott
"FT Maxwell
No rivals?"
No, learn to read, I said no REAL rivals.
2-1
FTM
what did everybody have for breakfast?
What is everybody having for lunch?
What is everybody having for tea?
Dog behavioural problems advice needed
2-1
FTM
So is this the current transfer sate of play. Would I be right in thinkingâÂÅ ..?
Hooper â Shown around training ground. Bid lodged but under Scunnies ã2.5m asking price. Interest now from Leeds but has gone quiet. Is he to be the fall back position for Boyd?
Boyd â free transfer but big wages, would have to beat off Premier interest.
Bailey â A fee believed to be agreed but nothing confirmed by either club.
Thompson â entering last year of contract but Ranges want ã3m
McManus â Told by Celtic he can go, but for ã3m, but he wants to come to us.
Driver â Last week was close to joining Burnley but has gone quiet.
Ambrose â have we enquired?
Conway â Will leave Dundee but a host of clubs after him.
Leon Britton â We were never interested anyway
**AV writes: I think they want both Boyd AND Hooper (and are confident on both). Plus they want AN Other. Throw in Scott McDonald and that is good pool of strikers. It means that Killen won't be offered a new deal and Lee Miller will be flogged. Amazingly Rangers may be interested.
On Bailey we understand it has not got as far as a bid being made but have been asked to be kept informed of developments. I take that to mean that they would prefer Thompson (and that he is interested too) but Rangers have "two or three" clubs (including one PL one) who have inquired and are hoping to spark an auction to get a fee. Boro could wait until his deal runs out but run the risk of gazumped or out-paid by so could offer Rangers cash plus Miller to seal it.
On McManus we understand he has indicated to Lennon that he would like to come to Boro but it is down to the clubs to thrash out a deal and Celtic are in no rush. They need to line up replacements first.
Driver and Conway, I don't know. I don't think we were ever in for Ambrose. There was contact with Britton but Boro opted out over the figures being quoted.
FT -
No self importance or inflated ego, I just come on the board to chat about things Boro. The clue is in the title 'Untypical Boro'
I dont feel the need to go on other peoples sites, we have enough problems ourselves without getting invloved in other fans issues.
Talking of which we have the words of our esteemed chairman
''This season we might be the best resourced club in the Championship. I think we should be able to give Gordon the transfer support he is asking for and I would think weâÂÂd be favourites to go up if we do that.''
So it is Myopic Faith this close season.
Tim from SA, not like for like for ALL of the leavers surely!
Jon Ground's signs new contract
âÂÂBeing from Stockton, Boro has always been my club. I always wanted to play for the first team and it has always meant a lot to play for the club."
Hope Gibbo does not call him a Mackem.
C'Mon Boro!
I find it much more entertaining when a mag post on here everyone ignores the post and no one refers or bites to it, like it never even existed!
As for Gibson's comments today - less propaganda talk more do, talk about the promotion push when we have 'quality' signings in the club not before.
AV
What about Midough and Miller for Boyd? There may be an attraction for the Sphinx playing in the Champions League but goodness knows what pudding suppers, slicing sausage or Forfar Bridies would do for his waistline. Throw in a couple of fried Mars bars and it would be like watching one of those characters off Jeux sans Frontieres.
**AV writes: They couldn't afford the Sphinx's wages. They are shopping in Primark now. That's why Miller has been linked with them.
Why do members of the Trophy Virgins Association have to place their comments on this blog, why the interest with us. Surely their blog (like their team) is the biggest and the best in the country.
Keep off ours please, we're just a 'small blog in Europe'
**AV writes: "I think they (Boro) want both Boyd AND Hooper (and are confident on both). Plus they want AN Other. Throw in Scott McDonald and that is good pool of strikers. It means that Killen won't be offered a new deal and Lee Miller will be flogged."
So it means we need to sell Lita and Miller and pay somebody to accept Mido. Hope Rangers are interested in Miller!
Interesting times ahead. Thanks for you opinion, AV! Up the Boro!
"I find it much more entertaining when a mag post on here everyone ignores the post and no one refers or bites to it, like it never even existed!"
Hahaha.
"Why do members of the Trophy Virgins Association have to place their comments on this blog"
Double hahahahaha
The fact that you dopey lot think I'm a mag is hilarious. Keep it up.
AV
If not Midough as a 'makeweight' (in more than one sense), what about M&S? His wages might be less of a problem and he might do OK in their league.
Largs probably isn't warm enough for Digard.
Percy, with regards to FTMaxwell being a trophy virgin, I think you might have your wires crossed there just a little bit mate.
Jarkko
Interesting in all this melee that, until your recent post reminded me, I'd forgotten all about Lethal Leroy.
Another one that could be added to the 'sell us one, get a couple of ours thrown in' pot, as you say.
**AV writes: There have been (unconfirmed) whispers from southern sources of a Lita/Bailey swap with a cash adjustment to help soften the wage hike for them.
Talking of 'trophy virgins'... how many Boro fans would swap their one and only 2nd class League Cup trophy for the non-trophy of the championship next year?
**AV writes: Well, I wouldn't. How many TVs would swap a tedious season of bottom half grind for a moment of ecstatic glory like ours in the Little Cup?
I was only joking about Midough BUT....
If we cant get Midough fit or willing enough to play for us and we cant offload him we may have to pay a share of his wages wherever he goes. In that case, why not try to do a deal with Rangers for Boyd and include Miller.
When we debated Johnno going last January the idea was dismissed because he could go for a free in the summer. In the end we made some good money on him.
Sometimes daft ideas may have a kernel in there. From little acorns etc though if it is edible it may disappear down his gullet.
Did we ever find out the truth of the West Ham deal?.
**AV writes: My understanding is that he was on ã1k a week basic plus a ã25K a match appearance fee and also got a signing on bonus to add to the severance pay he got at Zamalek. The noble pharoah was practically paying WH.
Peter,
My comments were meant for Mr Hewitson but never mind at least it made Maxwell happy.
Has someone been stirring the Mags up?
AV
Fair enough but who paid the balance of Midough's ã40k a week? From the chat last time the concensus was that it was MFC or to put it another his contract had to be honoured.
I now have a further sport ambition. I want to watch Tiger Woods play golf in USA and shout out 'go in the water' or 'dont go in the hole' as he plays his shot. The Yanks are as bad as football fans.
How people can complain about Terry when there is a doyle like him about with his management team cleaning up behind him both financially and socially is beyond me. (although Terry is still a prat).
FTM;
No real rivals in terms of winning anything in nearly 40 years, eh old son? We both know what the initials stand for don't we? We have a low stripe tolerance threshold here. Why the fascination with us? After all we're hardly rivals.
We've won a cup within living memory and you fellas get all nostalgic over the past and sepia tinted pictures of Shack or 'Wor Jackie. Bet you still have Vera Lynn on the Juke Box up there as your watching Pathe' news. That'll be all.
sick as a parrot
You have a point there. Doesn't Cattermole come from Stockton, and we all know where he ended up.
A shambles last night that improved Jinky's status no end. We are paying the penalty for having so many overseas players in the premiership. We have many worthy players but nearly all the creative ones are from abroad.
Of Boro interest was the pre match analysis by Gate of Opta stats. After the first round of matches we had made about 350 passes at 80% success. This compared to other top teams at over 500 and upper 80% success.
Gate stated the importance of keeping the ball. He must have had Damascene revelation since leaving us. Is this the same chap who got rid of all our central midfield players to be replaced by a one legged Frenchman and sundry square pegged defenders?
"We've won a cup within living memory"
Not of note you haven't......... son.
LOL!!
**AV writes: Yawnnnnn.
Ian
As every Eng-er-lund shambles (televised by ITV) goes by, the irony of watching the national side play like Gate's Boro (and Strachan's - 'Boring. Plod, plod') and have him dispensing advice on what's wrong and how to change it is about the only thing that can rouse any passion in me for the (non-) events.
Mind you, the passion is only about the frustration of bellowing 'how dare you' at Gate whilst realising he can't actually hear me!
**AV writes: Well, I wouldn't. How many TVs would swap a tedious season of bottom half grind for a moment of ecstatic glory like ours in the Little Cup?
AV ... You are hinting that you are contemplating a season of bottom half grind this coming season...?
FT Max/Andy Hants... what's with the selective time scale on winning trophies? I ask you a straight question... yes or no... have the Mags won a MAJOR trophy (or eleven)?
**AV writes: No, I am saying Newcastle face a season of bottom half grind and every one of their fans would swap it in a heartbeat for one moment of real glory.
England are the Geordies of international football - they revel in mass delusions, lap up an hysterical press who hype them as world beaters after every 2-0 win over Lithuania and stupid supporters who can't/won't see the failings and who think they have a god-given right to win every single tournament in the galaxy because of one dusty museum piece victory they have only seen on Pathe News and because they have "the best fans."
Adam Johnson would have made the difference in that game. Everyone knew they had no creativity or trickery or imagination on the flanks. Bring SWP on was an admission that there was no plan B. Bet Johnno is gutted.
Why is the League Cup considered a "not so important cup" as long as you have not won it? All the top teams enter it as well as some lesser teams from Tyneside. The top four is most successfull in the competition, naturally. Still all teams take the ticket to Europe gladly!
I think the supporters with a low self-esteem seem to diminish it. As long as you don't have something you better say it's useless. Poor old friends ...
Up the Boro!
AV
If the deals you talked about above are as close to being forged and hammered out as you suggested, why is it that - day after day - we get Gazette attempts to warm up weeks old hash like today's piece regarding Dawson and Rochdale.
If there's nothing new to say, why say it?
From F T Maxwell's barrage of posts yesterday (8, inlcuding a rush a 6 conseuctive posts between 11.21am and 11.44am), I can only assume he is desparate for the Trabant on offer in these straitened times.
And the reduction in my recent postings has been due to an unfortunate repetetive strain injury suffered through lack of a proper warm-up before attempting a mega-post. Information from Crockcliffe suggests that light posts might be attempted now that gentle keyboard training has started, and that full posting service will be resumed in about two weeks. However the view from Boksic's medical advisers is about 6 months.
John
Careful, musnt get too excited before your birthday party. Hope the table can take the weight of the candles.
"**AV writes: No, I am saying Newcastle face a season of bottom half grind and every one of their fans would swap it in a heartbeat for one moment of real glory."
Come on AV be nice - dont forget King Kevin returned to lift their spirits and bring back the glory.....then steal the transfer kitty on his way out.
Boro Doug...
"dont forget King Kevin returned to lift their spirits and bring back the glory.....then steal the transfer kitty on his way out".
I hear your saviour Mido is back this coming season.... he's been nicking the Boro's transfer kitty for years... and GS1 raking it in on TV... you still paying him too?
Jarko... "Why is the League Cup considered a "not so important cup" as long as you have not won it?"
... why are 6 FA Cups and 4 Titles and 1 Euro considered "Trophy Virgins?"
AV... oh come on!!... you would give your wife and kids to be playing Newcastle, Sunderland, Chelsea and Man U rather than Scunthorpe, Doncaster and Bristol next season.
... nice to boost the posts!
brian hewitson, I hope you were to the matches when you won all 6 FA Cups. Please share us the experience of seeing it here. I think that was the point...
AV, as we need some centre backs what is the situation regarding Mathew Bates? Did he take part in the Spanish trip? Is he fit for the start of the season?
Up the Boro!
**AV writes: He's back in training. My guess is come August he will be "like a new signing".... and by September will be back in traction.
AV
Good to see the numbers back up. Maybe our guests prefer to be here rather than elsewhere so we should make them welcome.
BBC report that Nicky Bailey close to signing for ã1.4m. In League One team of season - will do for me.
Fraser and Brian. Love your posts. You are so wound up, it reminds us all how great it is to support The Boro!
And what will Jonno (and Stue Downing) be thinking after watching England last night!
Hade Edge Boro at 8.59pm -
I guess that the international "value" of Stewie Downing and especially Adam Johnson will have gone up in the last couple of days, all without playing. Or maybe the relative value of some of the current squad, the Golden Generation, has suffered a "downturn".
Johnson, I suspect, will be a regular feature of England squads this time next year. Square peggism isn't purely a Boro phenomenom at present.
**AV writes: "He's (Bates) back in training. My guess is come August he will be "like a new signing".... and by September will be back in traction."
I know he has had his share of injuries but they have mainly been knee problems. How prone they are to re-occur? I know that at amateur level one is usually enough but how about at professional level. Any examples of players who have had a long playing career after two or more ops?
Up the Boro!
Forever -
Downing and Johnson may become members of the squads but that will be pointless unless there is someone in central midfield who can run the game rather than just run.
A recurring theme under Gates' teams even when we were doing well in the Prem and Championship was that, often,we were doing so with quite a bit less than 50% possession and less shots.
It can work for a while but it will catch up with you. You may get good results - Switzerland against Spain - but normally the team who has most of the ball and shots tends to win.
A classic for us was the brave 2-1 defeat at Liverpool, cruelly deprived in injury time. They had 67% possession, good territorial advantage and twice as many shots. Oddly, they eventually scored twice as many goals.
Obviously stats can be misleading, one teams shots may be from 30 yards whilst yours are all in the box. The possession may be passing it across the back four. But the point still stands, control and keep the football. Three passes and launch it wont work all the time.
Forever Dormo -
Just noticed this on BBC:
'FA director of football Sir Trevor Brooking fears England may not have the players to replace the current 'golden generation'
Gosh, that means we wont be able to watch displays like the two in this World Cup again.
I would settle for the display against Germany when Stewie starred without the Golden Girls.
A final post following my two in response to Dormo.
For all my comments about England players I think a lot of them are good footballers, not world class. It is what we havent got that is the problem. Because we cant keep the ball we seem to need a Crouch or Heskey so we have an out ball.
A player like Fabregas would transfornm England but he struggles to make the Spanish team and if he went to Barcelona would probably be a squad player.
Hade edge Boro...
"Fraser and Brian. Love your posts. You are so wound up, it reminds us all how great it is to support The Boro!"
It's called 'passion'... heard of it?
speaking of which...Can't help thinking that Joey Barton and Andy Carroll would have ruffled a few feathers at this world cup!!
I will try again... how many Boro fans would swap their League Cup win for the non-trophy of the championship next year?
The strengthening of the Bailey rumour appears to be a BBC 'exclusive' which makes me wonder whether it has the strength of most things labelled as such.
If it's cash, ã1.4m - again, if true - feels like too much of a limited transfer pot for a player that even Charlton diehards rate as great at League One level and, to be fair, that they want to keep but (to quote a friend of that ilk) 'bottom half of The Championship at best but with a Premiership ego'.
If it's Lita or M&S plus a cash balance to a 'value' of ã1.4m, then maybe.
Also, if it's Bailey AND Thompson - that's fine. If it's Bailey instead of Thompson that's a much poorer prospect.
We'll see.
Ian - getting the asbestos suit out to protect from heatstroke off the candles!
I like the way Robbie Earle got 400 tickets for "friends and family" from ITV. Maybe MFC gave them marketing tips.
John
Happy birthday to you, happy birthday to you, etc.
A birthday on Fathers Day! Did you get two lots of pressies?
Apparently 22 of Brazil's 23 man squad are married. Perhaps GS has a point.
**AV writes: "I think they (Boro) want both Boyd AND Hooper (and are confident on both). Plus they want AN Other. Throw in Scott McDonald and that is good pool of strikers."
Confident ! Would this be the same Boro who were "confident" when they had Caldwell sat at Rockliffe, or the same Boro who were "confident" of tying up Forlan, as all he needed to do was catch a connecting flight up to Teesside ?
The hierarchy at the club might be confident, but us Boro fans know not to get our hopes up too much when we are negotiating transfers. No doubt their agents have already been on the phone to Wigan, to see if they are willing to offer more in wages. I am a little sceptical on both, as I have seen reports that Hooper fancies Leeds & Boyd would prefer a move to Newcastle.
I had expected a little more movement out of the club by now. Although Riggott & Pogatetz have already left at the end of their contracts, I expected that at least one of Emnes, Digard or (crosses fingers hopefully) Mido would have left by now to help top up the transfer fund. I suspect that the PL wages they are currently "earning" could be the sticking point to others taking them on.
I think the addition of Hooper & Boyd, alongside McDonald, would give us the strongest forward line in the League next season. Cover for injuries is something that will be needed throughout a long campaign & GS2 obviously knows that.
Being able to pick a midfield from O Neil, Robson, Flood, Halliday, Thompson & Bailey sounds pretty good to me as well. If we can get those four tied up, I suspect it just leaves a goalkeeper & a left back on the wanted list. It's all simple in theory anyway. Of course, things will undoubtedly go anything but smoothly for us, as ever !
**AV writes: So are you confident or sceptical then?
Ian
Double bubble? Well, largely - though I didn't have to eat two lunches at the very nice place by The Thames we went to.
I notice that the cards now divide pretty evenly between satirising my age, my football allegiance or both - sometimes now with added soundtrack or animation!!
Despite the stirring Kiwi rearguard action against the Italians and their late draw in the opener, I can't say I've seen Killen do anything at either end of the pitch to press his case for a Boro contract - if that was his intention, as he stated.
OK Maxi old son; lets play 'what cups we've won of note (or not) in the past 35 years. I'll go first; Carling Cup 2006, now you're turn.....
MagBri; you lot winning a major trophy. I'll pop off to the library to the section marked 'history' to read up on that. I'll pack a flask and sarnies, I could be gone a while....Update; The Berlin Walls' come down, Nelson Mandelas out but still no sign of consumation. I'll keep you updated....
In the office today, and people who donâÂÂt like, and donâÂÂt know anything about football are only to happy to say how rubbish England are.
Now fair enough Friday night was gash. It was like last seasons home games against Blackpool, Leicester, Watford, Plymouth etc etc.
But you get used to it this is football. All this spouting off that they are not good enough, blah blah. Get over it. ItâÂÂs a game and yes it is very important to some so SUPPORT the team not slag off at the first opportunity, as people secretly hope they fail as a good old whinge is more fun than actually enjoying yourself.
Football is not about glory, or Ronaldo Stepovers or marketing a new football. ItâÂÂs about a team, playing as one and with a shared vision. If England bomb out it will be as much down to playing an opposition who are committed and not just there to lie down and get beat.
England has to show character and desire on Wednesday night. Have they got it? I hope so.
PS: this rant is aimed at no nothing office bores, radio DJâÂÂs, Colin Murray Confusing Ayresome Park with Sunderland not my esteemed âÂÂUntypical Boroâ posters who have quite rightly ignored the subject. Sort of wish I had now.
John
A case of John sat by Old Father Thames or was it John sat, old, by Father Thames?
Alex gave me a report on Killen after watching a little of the match and said he didnt do badly in those bits.
Probably more interesting than watching England play though so was Mr Terry's press conference. Sounds like the players then all sat on their hands with their mouths tight shut leaving our 'folk hero' holding the ball.
Media seem to be potraying it as a climbdown but miss the point that it has been said and cannot be unsaid.
I hope we get a decent performance from England but if they come home it wont make much difference to me. England in the last 16 or Boyd and Hooper signing for Boro is no contest in my household.
This Trabant AV, is it Right or Left hand drive?
**AV writes: You can't coach that kind of finishing... it's one man power pedal drive.
"OK Maxi old son; lets play 'what cups we've won of note (or not) in the past 35 years."
Ooo look, a Keith Lamb type selective time frame question. ROFL.
However, to answer your selective time frame question, of note, we have won exactly the same as you lot.
You have never won a trophy of note, end of.
http://justarsenal.com/wenger-the-carling-cup-is-not-a-trophy-and-i-have-no-courtesy/2168
Arsene says so.
Yawns and waves bye bye.
I've got this one in the bag.
Lines it up from six yards out........
**AV writes: *falls over while shooting, scoops ball high over stand*
Smog....
"Football is not about glory, or Ronaldo Stepovers or marketing a new football. ItâÂÂs about a team, playing as one and with a shared vision."
Did you take this from Chris Houghton's interview after lifting the non-trophy in May?
Should be a good game on Wed now we have to win thought we would be through by now and squad would be used but not now.
On to Boro... Boyd, Hooper, Dawson, Thompson and Baily and possibly Krankie I will be very very happy man.
Tough start to league but all games will be tough.
Stuck on 99. Bugger. But pleased that Vic is back in business.
My lad went on a track day on Saturday and the row of supercars must like GHW's drive. Will GHW park his Trabany alongside his row of Mercs?
Smog -
I agree England need to show some passion and play with tempo. The pre tournament optimism was based on the fact that in a South Afican winter we could play a pressing game because if we sit and play a slow passing game we give the ball away.
The continental players seem to play like in a Tango tempo slow, slow, quick, quick, slow. All the time moving the ball. We seem to be slow, slow, slow, slow, launch.
GHW - impressive, very impressive!!
Ian - you're spot on, who Boro buy is far more important than how England perform in the World Cup.
The World Cup is a great summer diversion and I enjoy watching the antics that inevitably pop up, such as the French imploding. Its always great to see the top teams hit form such as Brazil, the downer is the excessive, unrelenting media hype surrounding England.
It takes the edge off supporting England because expectations are set ridiculuosly high. England are supposedly the 8th best team in the world and that means with a following wind we'll make the quarters and if we under perform we'll be out sooner.
Every team suffers variable form and England certainly plumbed the depths against Algeria but there's very chance they'll scrape past Slovenia. If they dont I'll be mildly disapointed for an hour or two.
Personally I'll enjoy Wimbledon as much as the World Cup.
Nigel 'Reevalinho' Reeve said:
'Personally I'll enjoy Wimbledon as much as the World Cup.'
I am astonished Commissar Vic allowed such a bourgeios sport to be mentioned on the blog. Visits to tractors factories fine but you are pushing your luck.
I am looking forward to Wimbledon, the cricket, enjoyed McDowell winning the US Open but wouldnt dream of posting such comments. There may be a knock on the door around midnight.
**AV writes: Good spot comrade. We must be eternally vigilent against such pernicious cultural contamination. Tennis is not a workers sport, it is an individual pursuit of spoilt rich kids created by the strawberry barons as an exclusive entertainment for the parasitic ComeonTimshire Home Counties elite.
Eh Maxi; you're suddenly a Gooner eh? Look at the last 5 winners; now tell me it doesn't matter.
Selective time frame; maybe a little but I'm not as old as you obviously are. Still waiting for your answer by the way...and waiting...and waiting. Jog on now old son, there's a good lad.
Update for MagBri; Jonny Logan won Eurovision; still no sign of a trophy and half a flask drunk. Maxi and MagBri; the blogs Chuckle Brothers.
Sorry forgot to add Mick to my list wow the lists getting long wonder if the purse strings can handle it.
How did Emile Heskey get on here? I thought Don Fabio had all electrical GizmoâÂÂs banned from the team hotel.
To keep boredom at bay they are allow a Hoola Hoop, yoyo and Cup and ball. Heskey is said to be improving with the cup and ball as he has now been told that the aim is to get the ball in a specified target, not just move it aimlessly. Alas the Hoola hoop still bemuses.
Looks like the great Hull City fire sale has started. Two players already signed with Wolves.
AV any news from the blacksmiths? Any irons currently being bent over and battered round the anvil into the shape of Boro players? I take it Nicky Bailey is currently being dipped in the cooling tray and steam is rising from him like a cooling tower.
**AV writes: Charlton's Forge say they've received an order for a lovely bit of decorative wrought iron work and are just finishing off. Boro say the smithy was a bit hasty on the bellows and they were just looking through the catalogue.
AV said 'Tennis is not a workers sport.....'
In my defence I've never pretended to be one of those, not on this blog at least, although I have to admit to constantly telling my boss what a grafter I am!
Unfortunatley living in 'that London' for so long has probably meant some of my Teesside genes have been weakened a litle. I hang on to the fact that I once worked in a steel mill at Lackenby where there were real workers! (although not always on a night shift!).
Must dash, I need to pop to Waitrose to pick up some strawberries and a couple of bottles of Pimms.
By the way I'm used to knocks on the door at midnight, only two weeks ago I had one from a detective asking me if I knew that there had been a jolly rude chap attempting to steal a motorbike hiding in my lavender!
By the way lots of talk of buying outfield players for the Boro but no talk of goalies, surely GS2 isnt going to stick with the corp? Dont panic........
And finally, odds on Liverpool being relegated this coming season?
"Jog on now old son, there's a good lad."
Oh gawd, listen the the patronising internet hardman. LOL.
You've won nothing of note, simple as that. The Rumbelows/Carling/Worthless Milk cup simply doesn't count as a major terophy these days. It is on par with the Mags Inter two Bob thingy.
You sir, are more deluded than the fatties around the corner from us.
Yawwwnn.
Andy (Hants) ...
I accept that winning the League Cup does matter (I suppose). So let's forget the selective time frame and the 11 MAJOR trophies and look at how things stand TODAY.
Are the Boro the current holders of the non-trophy awarded for winning the championship? If not ... tell me it doesn't matter.
Are the Boro in the Premier League? If not tell me it doesn't matter.
PS a little snigger from the Chuckle Bros...
Name the team that could have gone into administration THREE times, with the resulting THIRTY points deduction, and still end the season TEN points ahead of the Boro and in the play-offs.
**AV writes: This is all getting a bit tedious now. We're all well versed in ancient history and the current status quo. It's starting to feel like the Legends.
I was just going to ask for the lottery numbers when you changed the story.
There we had the headline 'fee agreed for Bailey' and the story that Bailey was still a target and a fee had not been agreed. I thought it was case of here are the numbers that will be drawn out in the lottery draw later this week.
But no, headline back to Bailey being a target. Was it an MFC style PR job to get more people blogging or just a wishful thinking mistake?
**AV writes: I don't think the Gazette ever said a fee has been agreed, although some other sources "understand" that to be the case. The club told us on Friday when the story leaked at the Charlton end that it wasn't the case. Yet. I think both sides and the player are vaguely in agreement over a move but there is still some haggling over the fee and how it is structured. Until that is agreed we are limbo.
Maxi; your jaws must be aching with all that biting. I'm not the one who gives it 'Charlie big nuts' on others blogs old boy. Internet hardman; you'd find me as honest and charming in person.
MagBri; thank you, some honesty but the banter's a bit same and lame. Update; They've put a man on the moon. Oh hang on, is that a cup I see. To you..
(I'll move on now Vic; promise).
**AV writes: So are you confident or sceptical then?
Definitely sceptical. "Confident" was the word you used AV, although I took that to be a reflection of what you had been told by your sources inside the club.
Ian was right about the Bailey story earlier. The headline did indeed proclaim that a fee had been agreed, although the story said otherwise. The headline was then changed later on, no doubt after someone had pointed out the error !
**AV writes: i wasn't aware of that. I can only presume the subs who upload our stories to the web misread/misunderstood the nuance of the story and changed the headline later after it was pointed out. It happens. Nothing sinister.
Vic
The headline quite clearly said 'Fee agreed for Bailey' but when the link was followed came up with the 'still a target story'.
Came back shortly afterwards and the headline had, in true comradely fashion, been airbrushed from history and the current target headline was back in place.
Is Comrade Paylor having a 'rest' somewhere whilst being re educated.
**AV writes: I refer the comrade to my previous answer.
Brian: Theft of money...Joey O'B and he's also only man not to give his family a home shirt for fear of insulting them. Yellow is much more apt.
Preening time?
The best English finisher, by a MILE, is GHw. One sniff and it's in - admittedly while most of were working very hard at our various jobs and were not within reach of a PC.
Well done! You'll take the Trabant in the standard non-metallic grey, I trust, but you'd have to pay if you wanted to order a radio or a spare wheel.
Ian Gill at 11.08am âÂÂ
Unfortunately The Commissar has misunderstood the position vis a vis the engagement of the typical Boro supporter in so-called minority sports and pastimes. After only a short while researching the subject, I can confidently reveal widespread involvement in a number of sports not often acknowledged in the Local Press.
Amongst those with the largest membership, subscription/debenture holding or just regular attendance from the Teesside area (unfortunately the figures cannot be obtained for Stockton as the Boro maintains it includes a significant Mackem majority, which would skew the figures) are the following:
For those enjoying water sports:
The Royal Yacht Squadron (Cowes week is such fun)
Leander Club (for those who like to stick their oar in).
For those who like horses:
Cowdray Park (donâÂÂt miss the Centenary Ball on 26th June)
Badminton (no â not the one with a shuttlecock).
For those enjoying the wide outdoors:
Bisley for the clays (but you donâÂÂt get âÂÂmembershipâ at the great estates and their grouse and deerstalking)
Wherwell Priory (for those wanting to get away from the old trout and enjoy flying on The Test).
And for those who like their ball sports:
The QueenâÂÂs Club (much better grass courts than the All England but, more importantly, just the best for racquets, squash and Real Tennis)
Hurlingham (whoever said croquet was a âÂÂgenteel gameâ has never played it!)
St Andrews (the one and only).
And thatâÂÂs only for the âÂÂactiveâ Boro supporter. There are also significant pockets of Boro support to be found at Glyndebourne, The Royal Opera House, The RSC, Friends of The Tate and the FoGM.
The thing is, to avoid attention from the Dear Leader (as he likes to be called) and his cohorts in the Local Press, and also to avoid a period of enforced detention in the Castro Ward of the institution where electrodes and VERY large syringes are still in regular use, most of their Boro aficionados tend to use false names. ItâÂÂs safer that way.
(DonâÂÂt let Vic know about this. He believes that even a liking for cricket is subversive. Best leave him thinking we follow the Boro, and the odd homing pigeon).
**AV writes: I can see you need another dose of the liquid cosh and a few weeks reorientation and hard labour in a proletarian education centre.
Now Gordon please see England camp and note how powerful my curses are these days.
I'm toying with removing the curse from England but leaving it on John Terry but that will depend on whether I have a good day at work ...what''s for lunch....how high the river is.. if I have a chat with this lovely lass in the shop .....
Anyway, the point of this post is to remind you what a great player Tony McMahon is. I expect to be reading articles emanating from the Boro saying what a great season we're expecting from Tony ....
If I don't get any indications that he's top 'blue eye' I'll be firing off a curse that will make you wish you were the chairman of BP.
You have a reasonable amount of time to get your act together because I'm refining my work on Willie Walsh and mixing up a belter for Nick Clegg.
All in all I like the look of the targets you have lined up (except for the ex 'Huns') but I suppose I have to move with times.
Gordon please remember you've got a friend in me (for now !)
Come on Slovenia you can beat this rabble it's a team picked by AGENTS.
DOWNING AND JOHNSON SHOULD BE PLAYING !!!
Forever Dormo
There is a quiet valley in North Yorks rarely visited by people. It appears there is just countryside but hidden in the trees there is a rather forbidden fence set well back, out of sight of the road.
There is a lane that runs into the trees. The road bears the sign private and to all intents and purposes it just runs up a private property. Half a mile up this lane you come to a gate in the fence with an intercom, again a private property.
What you cannot see are the security staff nearby in their MFC steward uniforms. Nor can you see the security cameras. It is not marked on any map and no over flying is allowed in this area.
This is Teesside's Area 51. It is a gated community where our Dear Leader lives along with Uncle Eric and Phil Tallentire. In here is a nine hole golf course, tennis courts, a cricket pitch, croquet lawn, a small cinema.
More forbidding is the 'sanitarium'. This is where people come for a rest and re education. It is by invitation only, hand delivered late at night.
Now before I get any wise cracks from the insufferable Smogonthetyne, I have special dispensation for Internet access, from the big man. No, not Cappello but God. Also I have tutored Emile and he is now Hularing like a 12 yr old Hawaiian.
Now I am here, as I know I can solve MiddlesbarraâÂÂs problems. I have talked to the lads, Julio, GazTop, Rhysy, Wheatery, McMahony and old MacDonaldy. They are not happy with the situation of Square peggism and the Gaffer being too stubborn. On behalf of the lads I am going to have it out with Strachany and I donâÂÂt care if I upset his feelings.
Also I know I can save this blog to. I will become captain of this blog and immediately change the line up to boot out the unwanted posters and bring in a twice weekly column by Joe Cole.
IâÂÂm John Terry and like Taribo West I am a dodgy centre half but have a belief that I am on mission from God to save the planet.
John Terry
Dignity, respect, friendship
**Fabio Capello writes: This blogger makea the big mistake. Why this blogger no a talk to me in private? This blogger showa no respect. But Is only one blogger. No problem. Soon no blogger and this blogger sleepa with a the fishes.
I have to confess to having been to the Royal Opera House to watch.......ballet, (sorry everyone). It wasn't my fault, the missus made me go, having done ballet at school she wanted to see it, you get the picture!
Anyway I've learnt the error of my ways (honest guv), particularly because at the interval I was charged ã25 for a small glass of wine and a minescule salmon sandwich. Definitley a rich/posh mans pastime.
Ian - for a minute there I thought you were describing Hurworth or indeed SG's pad!
Malcolm Crosby said: "England youth international goalkeeper Steele, from Newton Aycliffe, joined the Northampton club later on in the campaign and played 13 games."
What is the consensus - can the highly rated Steele already play in the Championship? In this coming promotion season behind McManus and Wheater - could save us a few bobs for a midfielder and few strikers.
Please, give us some transfer news this week! Up the Boro.
**AV writes: The club have high hopes for Steele. I think the intention is to ease him in this season with a view to him becoming the No 1
An Ipswich supporter wrote on the BBC: "If Nicky Bailey signs for Middlesbrough we will really have missed out. Ipswich need a goal-scoring midfielder and he would fit perfectly!"
Any other comments on Bailey? Up the Boro!
Sounds like good news about Steele. I hear the same about his abilities/potential from 'sources close to.....'
If that's the intention then, so far as a No. 1 for this season and to ease Steele in (via Cups etc), then I revert to my earlier proposal that we look at The Barcodes for a season long loan for either Krul or Fraser Forster or to The Mackems for one of their three - Fulop's already making noises about wanting regular games.
Vic
Where is the rest of my post, have you censored the bit about tennis courts, cricket pitch, croquet lawn and private cinema?
Where is the bit about the sanitorium in the corner where rest and reducation take place, where it is invitation only, hand delivered at midnight?
You can see the space on the post where it was before being airbrushed from history. I note your comments above
**AV writes: I wasn't aware of that. I can only presume the subs who upload our stories to the web misread/misunderstood the nuance of the story and changed the headline later after it was pointed out. It happens. Nothing sinister.
Sorry AV, there is clearly something sinister going on. Was it the subs again?
**AV writes: Our highly trained media advisors are just finishing off editing your glowing tribute to our wonderful state maintained rural weekend workers retreats.
If Gordo really means what he's described as saying in Uncle Eric's piece in today's Gazette - nothing much happening on incoming transfers until August - he's riding for a hiding in the opening games of the season and the lessons of too many seasons past have not been learned.
By contrast, for example, The Blades - who, after several years in the second tier, can't be better resourced than MFC, especially if Gibbo and The Count are to be believed - appear to be serious about a promotion push this term.
I made it that 'not a target and no loss' Leon Britton was their fifth signing of this closed season. They expect to do more, they say, before pre-season as well as before 31 August.
Blackwell and his CEO clearly have a different view of the market and how to manage it than those at Middlesbrough.
I can only hope that this interview was Gordo doing the same kind of schtick as he has done with 'we want to keep him and have made him a very fair offer' and that we can all now read as 'he's out of the door'.
Just wait a minute Mr Capello, don't start putting any more ideas into that head of John Terry - if he goes anywhere near my wife then I'll have to make myself unavailable for selection
AV, I think EG is the ONLY source of any transfer info at the moment. All the other sources are just reporting WC footy this and last week. How glad that this blog is here.
When I was asking for news on the transfer front I meant from MFC, of course. I hope the Bailey and Boyd transfers are solved this week. I will be on holiday the coming week ...
Up the Boro!
AV
Don't know if there's something odd going on with the site again.
Your latest piece - timed at 10.25 this morning has only just appeared. A comment that I left this morning just after Jarkko's at 10.18 and another from later in the morning haven't yet.
There are no other comments either, since Jarkko's.
And on the main Gazette site the comments attached to the latest article about Gordo playing the waiting game go up and down in number randomly every time one logs in - a bit like an official attendance figure at The Riverside!
**AV writes: D'oh! The man with the sonic screwdriver is on holiday. Who knows what is going on? Maybe they are just fighting amongst themselves like a World Cup squad. I'll try to find out. There doesn't appear to be a problem at my end.
Jarkko
It is a mirage, there is little transfer activity at the moment at many clubs. Hopefully it will pick up as Boro get a World Cup striker on loan - apparently there is a lad in the South Korean squad who has some premiership experience.
And France are 2-0 down and had a man sent off. Mexico 0 Uruguay 1. All to play for but it looks like our fraternal comrades across the Channel may be home in time for lunch tomorrow. Now where did they put the guillotine, to be fair, how do you chop the head off headless chickens?
Ian Gill at 9.04am - at first I was also thinking you were taking a little trip down Bilsdale.....then I thought of Bransdale (that really is an Area 51)....then the memories started flooding back.
The midnight knock at the door, the men wearing white coats, the SIZE of those needles, and then a fitful sleep lasting three days. Forced to watch endless video clips of football interlaced with pigeon and whippet races.
And why do you think those very high street lamps in central Middlesbrough have loudspeakers and MICROPHONES, if it isn't to listen in to subversive comments by annoyed Boro fans?
People just don't realise how far the tentacles of the Commissariat run. I'm thinking of buying a set of foam hands in order to fool the observers. I AM NOT A NUMBER!
Don't get me wrong I've renewed (worryingly nobody else was in the ticket office) but I can't be the only one who isn't excited by the prospect of playing Ipswich.Sheff U.
Would much rather be taking on Wigan,Bolton,Blackpool...... If I was on Sky TV I would have prefaced my last comment with no disrespect to Wigan,Bolton,Blackpool..
Getting ready for your cup final against the mighty Leeds? Wonder why Hooper prefers Leeds to Boro?
**AV writes: Well, it makes a change from Our Friends In The North I suppose...