The Numbers Game
NUMEROLOGY: ancient systems, traditions or beliefs in mystical or esoteric hidden relationships between numbers and physical objects or living things; systems regarded as pseudomathematics by modern scientists. Often associated with the occult.
So, are the black arts of the necromancer at work as Boro's provisional squad numbers for the season are released? Well Andrew Taylor will certainly feel the powerful dark hex of the cursed number 26 weighing him down as he contemplates his bleak fate in the coming season. And he won't need to search too far for hidden messages.
For Taylor the new shirt numbers spell out a bleak equation. In old fashioned top 40 countdown fashion, the Hartlepool-born strutting stopper and would-be website wizard is the biggest and most obvious loser in Strachan's first formal squad selection.
The out of favour full-back has had the number three shirt that shouts "automatic choice at left back" brusquely taken off him and slipped 23 places in the post-Southgate pop parade to take the shirt vacated by John Johnson. Now he is wearing a fringe digit that pokes fun and whispers "your days here are numbered sonny" slyly behind your back.
Last season Tayls slipped from Premier League, UEFA Cup and England Under-21 regular to Boro's fourth choice left-back behind a teenager, an uncomfortable centre-back and Justin Hoyte. Ouch! And now the number three shirt has been left blank. That means a specialist first choice left-back is coming in. And with Matthew Bates also doing well in that position in pre-season Tayls may not even get a game in the reserves.
It is decision time for him now. The harsh reality of the numbers should hammer home the message that he has no real prospect of featuring for Boro under Gordon Strachan.
It is time to cut his losses and leave. It may mean a pay-cut, possibly even a hefty one, because right now he will be one of the biggest earning full-backs in the Championship. He needs to price himself back into the market to get a club and kick-start his career.
If he stays and festers and takes the money - a lucrative dead end - then next summer he will be out of contract and on the market as a former Premiership prodigy that hasn't played first team football for the best part of two years. That could be a rude awakening.
Meanwhile Boro's departure lounge trio have been slipped the black spot. If there is anything more damning than being given a number higher than th enumber of games you have played for the club (or your own IQ) it is not being given a number at all.
In an unequivocal statement of intent misfit Mido, glass-legged French midfielder Didier Digard and abandoned project Marvin Emnes have all been airbrushed from the first team squad. No number, no future. The club want all three out. It is the most significant snub since Mendieta was frozen out in 2007. Last season even Afonso Alves was given a number - and he was on strike!
Black hole box-to-boxer Josh Walker is also without a number but is not such a pressing problem financially. He barely featured last term under Strachan and finished the season on loan at Rotherham. He is expected to move on a free very soon.
Strachan's key summer signings have all been given numbers in the first XI, which you would expect. Kris Boyd, all time SPL record scorer and the man brought in to add teeth, has been given the No 9 shirt which means Leroy Lita slips down to No 15. Kevin Thomson is handed the No 8 of Digard, Nicky Bailey gets Aiadiere's 'famous' No 10 shirt and Eston hotshot Parmo Kink will wear the No 11 shirt of Emnes No 11. Fellow flanker Andy Halliday is rated a prospect at No 19... although that is "Stewie's number" so maybe subliminally great things will be expected from him in that shirt.
A few changes at the back... Big Mick McManus has taken Poggi's No 6 shirt after wearing 19 on loan last year while David Wheater has given up the No 31 he has worn since his surprise breakthrough from the fringes three years ago and will now turn out in No 5 after the exit of Chris Riggott. He will have to learn a new signature squiggle. Matthew Bates, rehabilitated and this years "like a new ã5m signing" retains his No 4 and so it seems Strachan sees him as a major player.... let's hope his knee holds up.
A few other odds and sods: Young Gun Luke Williams has been rewarded for his promising cameos and excellent attitude with a real squad number. Last term he was hastily added to the list when pressed into service and given No 35, a figure more than double his age. This time he gets the 22 vacated by Walker and his trajectory is upwards.
His peers Bruno Pilatos, Cameron Park and Ben Gibson haven't got numbers and it is hoped this season the squad is big enough not to need to steal them from the Academy side on a Saturday. Jonathan Franks is also without a number but that is nothing sinister. It is hoped that he can be found a year long loan to gain experience.
Brad Jones gets No 1, so anyone hoping that Strachan was going out to buy Buffon - or even Speroni - can forget it. You'll have to bite your nails. Brad is the first choice keeper this year with fans' favourite Danny Danny Coyne the number two and Jason Steele poised to be eased in as the season goes on.
Shirt No 12 - Chris Killen last season - has been left blank. It would be a nice touch to leave it that way and list "the fans" as Twe12th Man in the programme .
Inexplicably Gary O'Neil (18) and Lee Miller (16) have swapped numbers. I don't know why. If anyone has any ancient numerological explanations based on the measurements of the pyramids or verses in the bible, feel free to chip in.
That list in full:
1 Brad Jones
2 Justin Hoyte
3
4 Matthew Bates
5 David Wheater
6 Stephen McManus
7 Scott McDonald
8 Kevin Thomson
9 Kris Boyd
10 Nicky Bailey
11 Tarmo Kink
12
13
14 Willo Flood
15 Leroy Lita
16 Lee Miller
17 Barry Robson
18 Gary O'Neil
19 Andrew Halliday
20 Julio Arca
21 Danny Coyne
22 Luke Williams
23 Jonathan Grounds
24 Seb Hines
25 Rhys Williams
26 Andrew Taylor
27 Joe Bennett
28
29 Tony McMahon
30 Jason Steele
******************
MEANWHILE Boro have announced the winner of the first month's shirt front raffle.... *drum roll* .... and it's Hartlepool-based specialist curtain walling and construction sector cladding contractor Deepdale Solutions.
Their boss, long time supporter and Derek Muirhead, said some nice things about "promoting our business nationally" and the rent-by-the-month shirt scheme proving Boro were "ahead of the curve" but it has failed to excite me.
No disrespect to Deepdale Solutions (should I ever need specialist curtain walling or cladding they will be the first people I call) but you would really have hoped for a bums on seats national name, or even a second tier one regional one, to launch what remains an unproven sponsorship strategy. Or at least someone you had heard of.
Let's hope they have lots of other potential short term sponsors in the pipeline, that it proves to be a lucrative way of filling the shortfall from not landing a real, year long recognisable brand and that we don't see "Your Name Here" at some point.
I think I might still be on for February.
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Speaking of numbers here's a couple you never thought you would see.
Scotland's squad:
Celtic players 1
Boro players 4
**AV writes: Probability that we can make an entire thread of number based responses: 12%
After not watching a single game on the telly in Baku last year due to satellite failure and then the ultimate demise of the Boro Pub "The Garage" I am optimistic full coverage will be resumed after watching the Boro friendly against Berlin last Saturday live in "Jimmy's" (formerly the "Russian House" opp Hyatt).
Couldn't believe my eyes.
I'll be there again this Saturday hoping for great things this season.
**AV writes: How great? Put a number on it.
Please allow me, from a grey and damp (but warm) north West Highlands, to be one of the first to contribute to this thread on your Blog.
I haven't read your piece yet (I'll do that after hitting the send button) nor have I caught up with the more recent contribiutions to the last thread as I have been out of "broadband range" for a couple of days.
It was good on Radio Scotland and BBC Gael (some of their output is in English) to hear that most of the Boro squad will be playing an international game soon, though...
**AV writes: Boro players in Scotland squad: 4
And now the moment you have all been waiting for - the Boro squad according to my local Chinese takeaway menu:
1 Peking Qtr Duck
2 Scallops with Ginger & Spring Onion
3
4 Spicy Stir Fried Squid
5 Fish Maw & Crab Meat Soup
6 Vegetables & Cashew Nuts with Chilli Sauce
7 Chicken Chow Mein
8 Bean Curd with Ginger & Spring Onion
9 Bean Curd with Tamarind Sauce
10 Mixed Vegetables with Tamarind Sauce
11 King Prawns Chop Suey
12
13
14 Deep Fried Fish in Chilli & Honey Sauce
15 Chicken Fried Rice
16 Capital Sauce
17 Special Set Meal For 5 Persons
18 Diet Coke (2L)
19 Satay Beef Kebab
20 Argentinian Crab Meat & Sweetcorn Soup
21 Sliced Fish with Black Bean & Chilli
22 Prawn with Gariic Sauce
23 Stir Fried Beansprouts
24 Egg Foo Yung Special
25 Special Fried Soft Noodles
26 Deep Fried Chicken Wings with Spicy Salt & Chilli
27 Deep Fried Beef in O.K. Sauce
28
29 Prawn Crackers
30 Boiled Rice
AV writes: Fantastic! Post of the week! Any more.
Boro squad as periodic table element numbers:
1 Hydrogen H
2 Helium He
3
4 Beryllium Be
5 Boron B
6 Carbon C
7 Nitrogen N
8 Oxygen O
9 Fluorine F
10 Neon Ne
11 Sodium Na
12
13
14 Silicon Si
15 Phosphorus P
16 Sulphur S
17 Chlorine Cl
18 Argon Ar
19 Potassium K
20 Calcium Ca
21 Scandium Sc
22 Titanium Ti
23 Vanadium V
24 Chromium Cr
25 Manganese Mn
26 Iron Fe
27 Cobalt Co
28
29 Copper Cu
30 Zinc
Bit rough on Wheats getting to be a Boron. Can Strachan find the right formula?
**AV writes: If Mido was on the list he would demand to be a noble gas when we all know he is actually an unstable element. (Ha! Who said you would never need that chemistry 'O'level!)
Ironic that taylor's number in the periodic table is Iron, the element Teesside was founded on. Perhaps they want him to rust away Vic. Mido should have been given 17,chlorine(g)... creates a poisonous atmosphere.
**AV writes: We should invent an alternative periodic table...
Mido - stropium
Emnes - flopium
Digard - fragilium
Right, third time lucky for this particular post. It might actually get through the Untypical Boro fog unscathed this time. I thought I was being quite smart, so saved it on my other PC at work......... 60 miles away !!
I have been having a look at the recently announced squad numbers for the forthcoming season. I believe there are a few strong hints in there towards the make up of the first XI, the departures & the possible incomings.
Firstly, the number three has been left blank, which suggests a new first choice left back is high on the current shopping list. Taylor has been relegated from number three to number twenty six. That tells us all we need to know about GS2's rating of GS1's former first choice left back.
Also left blank are numbers twelve & thirteen. Being held in reserve for the anticipated arrivals of Dawson & Conway by any chance ?
Most interestingly, Gary O'Neil has swapped from sixteen last season, to number eighteen this year. I would imagine that if you were looking to change the number of one of your regular starting XI, it would be into a single figure, not downwards. This hints that the club do not expect him to be part of the squad by the 1st of September. First XI numbers are however, given to Kink, Thomson & Bailey.
There is no number for any of Mido, Emnes or Digard. The club must be relatively confident that all three will be long gone before the definitive squad list is submitted the the FA on the 1st of next month. Although, the Mido - Ajax story seems to have gone deathly quiet now. Would the silence suggest that one is dead AV ?
There appears to be a lull in transfer movement at the present time. Clubs are waiting for others to blink first in the game of brinkmanship. We may have to be patient before the final few names are added & the expected departures are confirmed. Whatever happens, it's still an exciting time to be a Boro fan.
**AV writes: Typical, you can't get a post through for ages then two come at onec.
Jones - dropium
Bates - operatium
McDonald - skippium
Lita - blazewideium
Miller - plankium
Flood - wispium
**AV writes: I like it. I can feel a column coming on.
Why would you think the sponsor puts âÂÂbums on seats"?
Supporters donâÂÂt see a game based on whoâÂÂs sponsoring, just as you wouldnâÂÂt go out your way to watch the advert break before a TV programme. IâÂÂd of thought the point for the sponsor is for them to market their brand particularly to people who havenâÂÂt heard of them.
So I donâÂÂt see why not having heard of them before is a negativeâÂÅ (You have now, so the sponsorship is working and thatâÂÂs a good thing for the sponsor and a great start for the new sponsorship strategyâÂÅ ) âÂÅ isnâÂÂt this all a positive thing?
Come on Boro!
**AV writes: It is about profile. If the club can attract a reasonable sized sponsor it says something about where we stand in the national economic psyche. By bums on seats I was talking more about within the business community rather than fans. An eye-catching well known first sponsor may well have persuaded other biggish hitters to consider a monthly deal at Boro as being viable and attractive.
That we haven't got a recognisable brand for the big unveiling worries me a bit. Had they rolled out NTL or Virgin or Scottish Power as their first sponsor I would have been more convinced about the strategy.
Mido, Digard, Emnes -
All forms of Soldium Bistrachanate (hopefully)
Boro's squad as the best selling albums in the UK...
1. Queen - Greatest Hits I
2. Beatles - Sgt PepperâÂÅ
3.
4. Dire Straits â Brothers in Arms
5. Abba â Gold
6. Pink Floyd â Dark Side of the Moon
7. Queen - Greatest Hits II
8. Jacko â Thriller
9. Jacko â Bad
10. Madonna â Immaculate Collection
11. Simply Red â Stars
12.
13.
14. Verve â Urban Hymns
15. Dido â No Angel
16. Simon & Garfunkel â Bridge Over Troubled Water
17. Corrs â Talk on Corners
18. Spice Girls â Spice
19. James Blunt â Back to Bedlam
20. David Gray â White Ladder
21. Meat Loaf â Bat out of Hell
22. Dido â Life For Rent
23. Phil Collins â But Seriously
24. Beatles â 1
25. Travis â The Man Who
26. U2 â Joshua Tree
27. Abba â Greatest Hits
28.
29. Coldplay â A Rush of BloodâÂÅ
30. Robbie Williams â IâÂÂve Been Expecting You
**AV writes: Jesus wept! Now That's What I Call Vacuous MOR Rubbish
Should Alan PartridgeâÂÂs âÂÂMini Bus Theoryâ ever be have to be called into practice then here is the Squad list as seen through the succession to the British throne. Although I bet AV being the Royalist that he is could name these anyway.
1. HRH The Prince of WalesB
2. HRH Prince William of WalesB
3.
4. HRH The Duke of YorkB (
5. HRH Princess Beatrice of YorkB (
6. HRH Princess Eugenie of YorkB (
7. HRH The Earl of WessexB
8. James, Viscount SevernB (
9. The Lady Louise Mountbatten-WindsorB
10. HRH Peter PhillipsB
11.
12.
13. The Honourable Charles Armstrong-JonesB
14. The Honourable Margarita Armstrong-JonesB Linley
15. The Lady Sarah ChattoB
16. Samuel ChattoB
17. Arthur ChattoB
18. HRH The Duke of GloucesterB
19. Alexander Windsor, Earl of UlsterB
20. Xan Windsor, Lord CullodenB (
21. The Lady Cosima WindsorB
22. The Lady Davina LewisB
23. Senna LewisB (b 2010) [6]
24. The Lady Rose GilmanB
25. Lyla GilmanB (b 2010) n
26. HRH The Duke of KentB (
27. *George Windsor, Earl of St AndrewsRXMP RX
28.
29. Albert WindsorB(b 2007)
30. Leopold WindsorB(b 2009) [7]
And of course no list would be complete with out comparing the MFC 2010 squad list with the All time favourite comic book super-villains as voted for by the readers of the Juneau Empire, âÂÂAlaskaâÂÂs Daily readâÂÂ
Just imagine reading out these beauties before kick off. âÂÂIn Goal number oneâŠâÂÅ .
1 Ultra Humanite
2 Dr Death
3
4 Joe Chill
5 Professor Hugo Strange
6 Captain Nazi (what is that law again?)
7 Vandall Savage
8 Crazy Quilt
9 Deadshot
10 Riddler
11 The Mekon
12
13
14 Gentleman Ghost
15 Dr Alchemy
16 Fing Fang Foom
17 General Zod
18 Chronos
19 Doctor Octopus
20 The Claw
21 Radioactive man
22 Baron Zemo
23 The Blob
24 Excecutioner
25 Infant Terrible
26 Bug Eyed bandit
27 Baron Blitzkreig
28
29 Roxy Rocket
30 Mido
**AV writes: "One Captain Nazi, there's only one Captain Nazi....."
Gary Hooper - unobtainium
The Count - numerologium
Mackem - stocktonium
JP - squarepeggismgonemadium
Emerson - homesickium
Rav - moanium
Boksic - onlygoodundervenablesium
**AV writes: Old school!
Slaven - fencium
K Poole - fumblesium
Mustoe - consistentium
Souness - knackemite
Top 30 grossing films of all time...
1 Avatar
2 Titanic
3
4 Pirates of the Caribbean: Dead Man's Chest
5 Alice in Wonderland
6 The Dark Knight
7 Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone
8 Pirates of the Caribbean: At World's End
9 Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix
10 Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince
11 The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
12
13
14 Jurassic Park
15 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire
16 Spider-Man 3
17 Ice Age: Dawn of the Dinosaurs
18 Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets
19 The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring
20 Finding Nemo
21 Star Wars Episode III: Revenge of the Sith
22 Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen
23 Toy Story 3
24 Spider-Man
25 Independence Day
26 Shrek the Third
27 Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban
28
29 Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull
30 The Lion King
**AV writes: I quite like the idea of Wheats getting nicknamed 'Alice.'
I would like to enter myself for the "Absolutely nothing better to do with my time" award.
Can you count in 'ding-bong'? The inhabitants of 'Fongaponga' use a series of sounds made from this strange device to represent numbers: 'ding' with the handbell, 'eek' when squeezing the rubber bulb of the horn, and 'bong' when beating the tambourine with the small ball.
These very special base-5 numerals are then strings made from 3 sounds each corresponding to an additive numerical value. Looking at the number list below, we can guess with the help of some logic that 'eek' is actually a 'function' that indicates subtraction and that every 'ding' equals 5, and every 'bong', 7.
1. ding-ding-ding-eek-bong-bong
2. bong-eek-ding
3.
4. bong-bong-eek-ding-ding
5. ding
6. ding-ding-ding-ding-eek-bong-bong
7. bong
8. ding-ding-ding-eek-bong
9. bong-bong-eek-ding
10. ding-ding
11. bong-bong-bong-eek-ding-ding
12.
13.
14. bong-bong
15. ding-ding-ding
16. bong-bong-bong-eek-ding
17. ding-ding-bong
18. bong-bong-bong-bong-eek-ding-ding
19. ding-bong-bong
20. ding-ding-ding-ding
21. bong-bong-bong
22. ding-ding-ding-bong
23. ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-ding-eek-bong
24. ding-ding-bong-bong
From number 24 on, all numbers are only combinations of dings and/or bongs.
25. d-d-d-d-d
26. d-b-b-b
27. d-d-d-d-b
28.
29. d-d-d-b-b
30. d-d-d-d-d-d...
**AV writes: Surely No 1 should just be one long "eeeek"
Ricard = inconsistentium, or enigmanium?
Beck = mishitium
Coops = reliabilium
Strach = soliditinium (or boron, take your pick)
Southgate (player) = fantasticium
Southgate (manager) = notuptoitium
Juninho = Sacredcowium
Bryan Robson = Putusonthemapium
Barry Robson = Modernmidfieldgeneralium
This could go on forever, Vic...
Wallah - you win!!!!
Although by my calculations, there should be at least two eeks in 18!
Posted too soon!
Wallah: "I would like to enter myself for the 'Absolutely nothing better to do with my time' award."
Me too! My entry is...........
I went to the Training Open Day at the Riverside this afternoon!
Not bad, eh? Strong entry I'd say!
AV - a percentage of truth in this one please..
http://www.mirrorfootball.co.uk/news/Liverpool-transfer-news-Roy-Hodgson-plots-shock-swoop-for-Middlesbrough-s-goalkeeper-Brad-Jones-article544301.html
Surely this is not going to happen?
**AV writes: *checks date*
Brad Jones seems to have a growing list of admirers.
Steve McClaren
Gareth Southgate
Stephen Pears
BoroPhil
Gordon Strachan
Roy Hodgson
If I was him, considering the treatment he's received by his own fans, if there was any truth in it, I'd slap in a transfer request immideately leaving us in the lurch right at the start of the season.
Eclectic or just plain insane? What's the view from the world at large on the contributors to this Blog?
Boro's playing staff by shirt numbers, if the squad consisted of best selling albums, the periodic table of elements, a Chinese restaurant menu, members of the Royal Family (cunningly sneaked past AV's "Peoples' Republic" tendencies), super heroes, arcane methods of counting and best box office grossing films....!
The Juneau Empire has never had so many Google hits from Europe before. And really, Grove Hill, counting in "ding bong" shows the triumph of Man's spirit over incipient boredom.
There are people out there who believe you've got to be mad to support the Boro. This Blog sets out to prove the theory. And succeeds!
I too am looking forward to this season, but accept GS2âÂÂs concern of the size of squad. We undoubtedly have a better squad than this time next year but would we be confident of this starting XI winning many points?
1. Steele
2. Hoyte
3. Bennet
4. Hines
5. Bates
6. R Williams
7. L Williams
8. Arca
9. Miller
10. Lita
11. Halliday
Subs:
Powls
Gill
Richard
AV
Smogonthebench
Brandon
ItâÂÂs a much undervalued paper the âÂÂJuneau EmpireâÂÂ. Their Blog, âÂÂUntypical Americanâ is really worth a read.
The editor is a local who tub-thumbs for Alaska to become a separate peoples republic. Some of the contributors to the blog are a bit âÂÂdifferentâ though. ThereâÂÂs Simon in the UK, Neal (New Quay), Crab in exile, Brian HewitsonâŠâŠâŠâÂÅ ..
http://class.juneauempire.com/untypicalyank/i-wish-lived-in-Middlesbrough-PRT
Two crabs sitting on Juneau beach. One asks âÂÂDo you know where Sarah Pailin comes fromâ Crab 2 replies â IâÂÂll ask herâŠâŠâŠâÂÅ
Two blokes sitting in a pub. âÂÂmy wifeâÂÂs left me and gone to the Caribbeanâ 2nd guy replies â dâÂÂya make her?
Two blokes sitting in a pub. âÂÂA women from work has gone to an Italian port city on the med for her holidays dâÂÂya know her?
Smog -
Don't know about the rest of your suggestions but Ian and I would certainly make a contribution to the size of any squad!
Sporting Index have released their points spread for the new season and the mighty Boro are at 74 - 76 points. Could be worth a buy considering Newcastle reached 102 last year!
Middlesbrough Points
SELL 74 - 76 BUY
Nottm Forest Points
SELL 72 - 74 BUY
Burnley Points
SELL 70.5 - 72.5 BUY
Reading Points
SELL 70 - 72 BUY
QPR Points
SELL 69.5 - 71.5 BUY
Bristol City Points
SELL 67.5 - 69.5 BUY
Cardiff Points
SELL 66 - 68 BUY
Leicester Points
SELL 66 - 68 BUY
Sheff Utd Points
SELL 66 - 68 BUY
Hull Points
SELL 65 - 67 BUY
Norwich Points
SELL 64.5 - 66.5 BUY
Ipswich Points
SELL 64 - 66 BUY
Leeds Points
SELL 60.5 - 62.5 BUY
Swansea Points
SELL 60.5 - 62.5 BUY
Derby Points
SELL 58 - 60 BUY
Doncaster Points
SELL 58 - 60 BUY
Portsmouth Points
SELL 56.5 - 58.5 BUY
Preston Points
SELL 55 - 57 BUY
Coventry Points
SELL 55 - 57 BUY
Barnsley Points
SELL 53.5 - 55.5 BUY
Millwall Points
SELL 53 - 55 BUY
Crystal Palace Points
SELL 52.5 - 54.5 BUY
Watford Points
SELL 50 - 52 BUY
Scunthorpe Points
SELL 46.5 - 48.5 BUY
**AV writes: So if you buy Boro at ã1 a unit you make a quid for every point above 76 right? Tempting if you think we are going to be top two.
I'd be sell sell sell-ing Forest, really can't see them doing as well this season
Smog -
If you picked John and I you would 'buy one get one free' and get away with a f(l)at back two.
This would free up two places for attackers and could play 2-4-4
Boro squad by teams supported by people who sit near me at work. (In London)
1 Boro (me, obviously)
2 Boro (not me)
3
4 Liverpool
5 Spurs
6 Spurs
7 Spurs
8 Man Utd
9 Man City
10 Man City
11 Leeds United
12
13
14 Leeds United
15 Wimbledon AFC
16 Chelsea
17 Chelsea
18 Chelsea
19 Southampton
20 Crystal Palace
21 Spurs
22 Fulham
23 Celtic
24 Ipswich
25 Brighton
26 Carlisle
27 Swansea
28
29 Man Utd
30 Newcastle
Lots of Chelsea and some Man U. No surprises there then. There used to be an Arsenal fan but he was sacked.
Few snippets from the current UK Top 40 (Yes I had to look it up...)
1. All Time Low (The Wanted)
5. Club Can't Handle Me (Flo Rida)
11. Bang Bang Bang (Mark Ronson)
15. What If (Jason Derulo)
16. The Club Is Alive (JLS)
18. Commander (Kelly Rowland)
19. Kickstarts (Example)
22. Prayin' (Plan B)
26. Frisky (Tinie Tempah)
**AV writes: *feels old*
Neal (New Jersey) said: "Boro's squad as the best selling albums in the UK"...
I just want to highlight numbers 15 and 22. Are these really Dido?
I think it should read as follows:
16. Mido - No Angel ( obviously!)
22. Mido - Life for Rent ( again, obviously!!!)
Need I say more?
William -
Portsmouth are probably the most interesting points spread.
What will Sporting Index do if they are deducted twenty points should the HMRC win their case?
Here are the squad numbers from our last PL season:
1 (SG1 couldn't decide)
2 Hoyte (*)
3 Taylor
4 O'Neil
5 Riggott
6 Pogatetz
7
8 Digard
9 Mido
10 Aliadiere
11 Emnes
12 (Alves)
13
14 Huth
15 Shawky
16
17 Tuncay
18
19 Downing
20 Arca (*)
21 Turnbull
22 Jones
23
24
25
26 Bates
27
28 Adam Johnson
29 McMahon (*)
30
The (*) marked have the same squad number still this year. We even had number 42 in use then - Tom Craddock.
**AV writes: Looking at that squad now you wonder how we managed to be still in with a shout of survival until the last week
Skysports: Meanwhile, Nice's general manager Patrick Governatori has revealed that the club have made a second approach for Middlesbrough midfielder Didier Digard.
The Ligue 1 outfit have already seen one approach knocked back by Gordon Strachan's side, but remain optimistic regarding their chances of landing the 24-year-old.
"Our first offer has been refused, but we have just sent a new one," said Governatori.
I hope this materialize now. Project Emnes should be OK as we still have over three weeks left of the window. But how about Mido - I am afraid that three years won't be enough. Perhaps - just perhaps - he will suit a Turkish club better than playing in West Europe?
Also we have three weeks left to finalize our own squad. Somehow I feel positive here - a left back, centre back and right winger. I think we are just bargaining until end of window. No hurry this time, KL.
Up the Boro!
Neil M -
20 was always going to be the correct squad number for Arca as Calcium is the major element in the exoskeletons of the decapod crustaceans of the infraorder Brachyura. Simples!
No Trophy Virgins any more! The Bar Code fans have now a trophy to celebrate. See below.
MirrorFootball report: "(Joey Barton) helped the Geordies to a penalty shoot out win against Deportivo La Coruna in the Riazor Stadium and lift the club's biggest trophy for years ... the magnificent Thoreo Herrera Cup that measured in at 3ft 2in and needed two players to lift it."
So they have experienced something in their living memory. Up the Boro
"Kris Boyd, all time SPL record scorer"
Is that not a little misleading? Ally Mccoist scored 251 league goals for Rangers however the Scottish Premier League was only founded as such in 1998, meaning 'all-time' = 12 years.
Having just checked the ultra-reliable wikipedia, Scott McDonald is the SPL's 3rd top all-time scorer with 93.
Soon be Saturday looking more forward to this than in a long time. Hope we have a bumper crowd any idea how many coming from Ipswich. 2-0 Boro.
Jones to Liverpool, Speroni to Boro makes my mouth water.
**AV writes: I quite like the idea of Wheats getting nicknamed 'Alice.'
Alice? Alice? Who the **** is Alice?
Now there's a new song to be sung at the Riverside!
We hope he's never leaving, where else would he go?
His name was David Wheater plays for Boro don't you know?
For nearly 24 years he's been David but he's now called Alice.
Alice? Who the.....
Not sure Wheats would appreciate the new nickname eh?
**AV writes: I wouldn't fancy explaining to him where it came from.
Its in the local paper so it must be true
http://www.southlondon-today.co.uk/tn/Sport.cfm?id=27770&headline=Middlesbrough
C'Mon Boro!
Jarkko
That squad was truly frightening. When you consider what we had moved out to get to such an ill equipped football teaam beggars belief.
Skysports report a firm bid in for Jones.
Whatever our thoughts, as with others, a reasonable bid plus reduced wages is difficult to resist. As he is unavailable for Saturday it gives us some time to get in a replacement.
Maybe Steele will be coming in the team sooner rather than later.
**AV writes: I quite like the idea of Wheats getting nicknamed 'Alice.'
By the same token: 4 Beryllium would make Matthew Bates nickname Beryl!
Football Editor: Middlesbrough have rejected a ã2million offer from Liverpool for goalkeeper Brad Jones. More on this shortly.
This just appeared on SkySports Transfer Clockwatch!
What the? We could sell him, buy Speroni and Conway and be set for a winning season. Sometimes I really do not understand MFC.
Oh well, bring on Saturday. We can still win this. We just have to score more goals than Brad gifts to the other teams.
UTB.
Same on skysports "The Reds are believed to have tabled a ã2million bid for the 28-year-old as they look to tie up a deal before the close of the transfer window.
However, Middlesbrough are understood to have shunned Liverpool's bid as Gordon Strachan looks to keep hold of the keeper."
We don't sell the cornerstones of our team cheaply! Seriously this cannot be true - I bet 'Pool offered much less - if they have made a formal bid.
AV, please send Uncle Eric to Rockcliff! UTB!
**AV writes: At the presser (Thurs pm) Strachan just said vaguely there had been "inquiries" about "several" players but would not elaborate. Personally, given the on-going drive to push down wages, I can't believe Boro would turn down a decent bid for a player on big money who was not one of the gaffer's hand chosen men so I remain sceptical about this story.
I'm honoured to get the nod for last spot on the bench - cheers Smog, I won't let the team down. All that hard work training w/ the local migrants who comprise the Somalia C national team has paid off, even if they still just call me White Guy and insist I play in a non-preferred left back role...
Jarkko - I saw the Geordie conquest in NW Spain as well...more shocking is the awful tash Joey Barton is sporting these days in an effort to build some hirsute team spirit. Maybe Gutierrez will put a fake one on that Spiderman mask he keeps in his pants, though I reckon he won't get to unveil anytime soon...
Can't seem to recall if we all went on record w/ predictions before last season...nevertheless, here's my lot for the Champ:
1. Boro
2. Burnley
3.
4. Leicester
5. Forest
6. Leeds
22. Portsmouth
23. Scunthorpe
24. Watford
Can't wait for Saturday - looking forward to mixing it up in virtual Bosco Jankovic Stand!
Smog
A master stroke, mate! Within two posts you gave us what Mido has for breakfast (ie everything on the Chinese take-away menu) and then found for him the most appropriate nickname of all - 'The Blob'!
Ian. How about Arca - Crabmium?
And I offer Hoyte- Lumpituptheparkium
Aliadiere - Triptovermylaceium
Can't wait for Saturday!
Simon in the USA -
Jones and ã2million pounds? They could have him on a free but asking to us to give them money as well is out of order.
Sorry, did I get that wrong? Did they offer the ã2million to take him off our hands?
All joking apart, that would be great business for us and Brad. The fans are all sat there waiting for something to go wrong so he would probably better off elsewhere.
That would not be bad money for a Championship keeper on Premiership wages. I wonder if Lambie is sat in his dark room looking at the bid waiting for Beadle to step out from behind a curtain.
Back home....for a while.
Pleased to see your're (mostly) still as mad as when I last looked.
Well Brad out for ã2 million.... and Digisoft getting offers from Nice......well we all thought they would go for free.Thats good money ....take their hands off!!!! Plus Mido - give him 10 take away parmo's and were sorted!
We need to buy Conway.....plus the Crystal Palace goal keeper looks good!
JP and Ian won't like this GS2 quote:
"Meanwhile, Strachan has revealed that injured midfielder Rhys Williams will be missing for months as he undergoes rehab for a serious pelvic problem.
"We won't see Rhys until Christmas, which is a huge blow, for the player and for the club," he said. "He was one of our best players last season and was learning what it takes to be a top midfielder, so we'll miss him."
Learning a new position! No!!!! You must stay a right-back forever Rhys!
**AV writes: He was an midfielder when he arrived. Boro converted him to a right-back. He says he is equally comfortable in both.
His injury - Osteitis Pubis - is an overuse condition common in younger players in football and Aussie rules (and ice dance). The main treatment is rest (sometimes six months or more) and strengthening exercises. It is the same problem injury that Tony Mowbray had for a spell and that cost him his ZDS final place. Could be a while before we see him back.
Liverpool may turn their attention to Frederici after being rebuffed by Boro - BBC gossip column.
As Vic says, couldnt see us turning down ã2m for Jones plus getting a high wage earner off the books. SkySports reporting we would accept ã3m (report in Daily Mail).
The truth is in there somewhere.
Dormo, please comment on the value of Jones. Should we sell at ã3m or stick to ã5m? Or is he the cornerstone of our promotion season and should we not sell at any price?
That's a question. If this is our biggest worry then the season does not look bad, does it. Up the Boro!
Boro Phil
Calm down, personally I am not convinced he is better at right back than in midfield. He has tended to get exposed as against Forest because I dont know if he is that pacy. Maybe his injury has hindered him longer than we think.
As GS2 says he is learning the job. The problem we have had is that 'learning the job' alongside Arca or a centre half was not the best option in central midfield.
Thomson and Robson are far better partners. But that is all a long way off at the moment, hope his recovery goes well
What the heck is wrong with you guys? The F-word has been used bong-bong-eek-ding-ding on this thread. Come on leave it out.
I think Ian Gill does it just to wind me up, but given his location it is almost acceptable. Many thanks to Brisbane Phil for his use of âÂÂTreesâ somewhere along the line.
Anyone else have a hatred/loathing of our chimpship rivals and I will happily abstain from using their name. Deal?
**AV writes: You're not going to be happy with this but I like them. Always did. And I love going there. It is a real old school ground with an old style crowd. In front of the press box it is all owld gadgies with flat caps and home knitted scarves.
Smogonthetyne now in Nunthorpe, obviously dirty Leeds.
What are bloggers predictions for tomorrow?
I am going for 3-0, Bailey, McDonald and Boyd.
Crowd - 22,864
AV - virtual bottle of beer for the winning prediction?
C'Mon Boro!
Sorry Smog, it slipped out. Many apologies.
YouâÂÂre right I donâÂÂt like it.
Being honest though itâÂÂs the ground I have been to most after BoroâÂÂs two homes and what struck me most last season was how having 25,000 in the ground supporting the home team really made the difference. I hope we can get that sort of crowd this season. I donâÂÂt really hate the club, in fact as a kid I scored a winning goal in a schools cup final there.
It was just growing up a Boro fan there, I might as well have supported Dynamo Minsk, coupled with our appalling record since my birth I just really, really want us to beat them for once before my eyes.
I would even consider a pact with the devil. Could anyone help me with this?
Sadly, the debate about Rhys Williams is academic for now. Hope he's back as soon as is consonant with a proper recovery for the lad.
As I've said before, I've no problem with flexibility or where people CAN play or being able to respond to the demands of a long season. I've certainly no problem with players learning and developing their game - it seems to me a basic requirement of professionalism.
But, given the choice and the resources, it's more about where they CAN BEST play in whatever your team and team shape is.
My experience with Rhys is that he can best play and has done best at right back - for Boro, at other clubs and internationally.
A back line of him, Wheats, Big Mick and AN Other decent left back would be dominant in both the skill and physical requirements in this division.
Michael Corleone: Just when I thought I was out... they pull me back in.
Finally cracked under the pressure and bought a ticket for tomorrows game!
My name is GHw,and I'm a Boroholic..Sob!
Whatever the truth of Liverpool's bid for Jones it presents Coyne with a great opportunity. A top performance from him tomorrow might just tip the balance over whether to let Jones go (PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE!!!!)
Then we have to the end of the month to pick up another keeper - even one just on loan till January when we could have had a look at Steele's progress.
Isnt there a keeper sitting doing nothing 3rd or 4th choice at Chelsea who used to keep Jones out of the Boro team?
Let's face it - rush goalie would be more effective than Jones. Hodgson must be crazy.
Not sure what the dilemma is about goalkeepers that today's Gazette refers to.
In today's market, ã2m is a very good deal for Brad Jones - if The Count can get more and offset costs of recruitment for the likes of Conway and Dawson as well as a replacement goalie then 'Chapeau' to him but I wouldn't want the deal to fall because of trying to squeeze too hard.
You can't blame the lad himself for wanting to go. It's a very good move for him. Then there's a judgement about where his head would be at if MFC were seen to stand in the way of him going, unreasonably - in his view - though I don't take him to be an awkward customer.
I can't see there being no thought about or actual targets for goalies - even if, unaccountably, it wasn't a priority.
Speroni would be a very good No. 1 and will be available at a reasonable (much less than ã2m) price, given his contractual position. And there'll be others to back up - though Federici and Cerny aren't desperately exciting.
Jones can't play tomorrow anyway and Tuesday will take care of itself with the same available resource - even if Jones isn't with the Aussie squad.
No dilemma. Just get it done.