Wanted: Popular Scapegoat For Key Role
WHEN JULIO Arca came on after the break against Sheffield United the Sky Sports pundits announced him as "a fans' favourite," a description wildly at odds with the audible ripple of booing that greeted his arrival.
He was jeered when he came on as a sub against Ipswich too. After 11 minutes. On the opening day. Before he had even touched a ball. Julio was probably the only person on Teesside not happy to see Brad Jones leave because he will have known the departure of the official Boo Boy Punchbag put him right in the firing line as Target Elect.
Yet he has confused matters by being one of the best players of the season so far. Arca has added creativity, fluid passing and - despite his legendary lack of pace - some movement and zip from midfield. He even has his own song which along with David Wheater's ditty and the Jason Steele new entry is right up there with a bullet right now. He has headed off the lynchmob for now.
Which leaves a vacancy....
Fans need a boo boy. It is actually the law. The role was originally codified in the now ridiculous sounding 1903 Association Football And Athletic Pursuits Common Spectators Act which legislated for the selection of at least one individual in each professional team to act as "a willing receptical for the fulmination and musical hall boistrous badinage of the populace as an outlet for general outrage which may otherwise be directed at the umpire, constabulary and gentlemen in attendence."
Other antiquated aspects of the law - the compulsory wearing of headgear for male spectators, purity and temperature regulations of Bovril "and other nutrious beverages," the permitted dimensions of rattles, rosettes. moustaches etc - were gradually repealed in sweeping reforms in the 50s and 60s but the boo boy role remains on the statute books as a legal oddity like the on-going state of war between Berwick and Russia.
Which leaves the boo boys with a dilemma. With the departure of both diehard Scouse shot-stopper Fumbelina and fragile French/Cockney blazewideist Jeremie Aliadiere (plus the impending arrival in Amsterdam of heavyweight hitman Mido's blinged up stretched white low-loader) fans of a certain mentality need to decide who will be designated the s hapless fall-guy for indiscriminate baiting and booing before the September 1st deadline.
And if Arca has played his way out of trouble where do they go?
So who will be the official boo boy target? Which of our hapless heroes will get his face on the official club crested dartboards from MFC Retail and his own Pin The Tail On The Donkey app download from the club website?
Lee Miller is an obvious candidate but the legislation demands the role must be a likely starter and his few brief cameos haven't really helped build up the damning charge sheet you really need to build up a consensus over a popular folk devil.
Wheater may well be 'one of our own' but he too was in serious danger of taking some flak. By his own admission he was poor last season after after some error strewn displays - how many goals and crucial points were leaked in late lapses with the inquest finding the Redcar Rock at the scene? - but like Arca he has started the season well with towering defensive masterclasses of battling and blocking at Chesterfield and Leicester and one of the few decent displays against Sheffield United.
Kris Boyd almost put himself in the frame too. Two games with barely a run, a shimmy or a shot had the doubters queuing up. A wildly shanked 25 yard volley and a couple of occasions when he failed to connect with balls into the box made work on a Tartan Goal Machine banner look a bit premature. His failure to score a opening day hat-trick sparked muttering about a failure to bridge the class gap, Ali McCoist and "my nana could score against Stenhousemuir... "
Then he was given one chance against the Blades and buried it. It does do what it says on the box. Suddenly it was recognised that his early impotence was entirely down to the lack of service and yes, he would be the one to blast us to glory.
Scott McDonald, briefly in the frame and widely disparaged by the Stadtler and Waldorf faction of the fans when he was playing half-fit last term, is now recognised as a lively link man and among our best players technically. Big Mick is forgiven his slips at the back because as well as being a leader by example he is also charged with working the strings and levers that keep Wheater working effectively.
Thomson got some stick after his first match but then got crocked but was nails as he shrugged it off in best "felt nowt" fashion so picked up some respect and besides he is not now available for the role. Ditto Willo the Wisp. And Gary O'Neil (although that won't stop some residual antagonism for a players who has been rumoured to be on the verge of a move back to Portsmouth since two weeks after he arrived.)
Danny, Danny Coyne let in more goals than Brad Jones last term but he has a neat little terrace ditty so is safe from a post-Steele backlash.
Leroy Lita almost earned the accolade - he would be a good candidate in many ways - but he has a selfish habit of streaking clear and scoring in a manner that shows he has natural pace and an individual hedonistic outlook. That has got him off the hook - and because that at times exposes the plodding nature of the rest of the outfit and because it also clearly frustrates and infuriates Strachan I think instead of becoming a boo-boo target he has instead been pencilled in for a different role by the dissidents, that of proxy stick to beat the boss with when he isn't playing... the so called Maccarone role.
Matthew Bates was once regarded as a Cattermolian fellow traveller, cyber sex show off, tabloid love rat and a perma-crocked no-hoper but has won admiration for his determined fight back after a bionic rebuild and has recast himself as a versatile ball player defender comfortable anywhere along the back line of in midfield, a proto Boro- Beckenbauer. He's probably safe now until he drops a major blob or hits the front page.
Which leaves a very limited field for the coveted role. Who is going to get the most stick? A couple of tried and tested players generally thought to be not very good but who are not guaranteed starters like, say, Justin Hoyte or Andrew Taylor?
Or a new boy who has already caught the eye with some stray passes and being caught snoozing and who will be a regular starter, like maybe Nicky Bailey, a man already described by cruel press box wags as a "poor man's Cockney Phil Stamp?"
Don't forget to cast your votes....
****************
MEANWHILE... Millwall tonight. I've been "rested" for Barnsley although the Gazette have shown they are still taking the competition seriously by not only sending a strong squad more than capable of getting a result - Eric Paylor with a laptop - but also putting him up in the swanky one star New Den Bushwackers Arms overnight. Good luck Eric.
But never fear, I'll be running a live blog from the Bosco Jankovic Stand (late fitness test on Mosso Cloudfiles permitting) so we can trade ill-informed global banter based on Radio Brownlee and text snippets from mates, have a couple of cans and a bit of a laugh and be in bed long before Eric gets out of Cold Blow Lane. All totally professional.
Older/Newer
« Small Screen Shocker Points The Way | Title Bet Looks A Long Shot Now »
103 Comments
Leave a comment
Profile
Anthony Vickers
Latest Football League video
Keep up to date
Follow Untypical Boro on
I'm not entirely sure that finding a new scapegoat is productive but hey-ho!!
I was really hoping that Nicky Bailey was going to be in the Higgy mould but from what I've seen I would say he's........ not good enough, simply as that. His passing is wayward, movement is statue like, doesn't seem to have a trick, and gets caught all too often.
I don't rate Bates one bit, he's done great to get himself fit time and time again however I think because of this people associate his mental strength with his footballing ability which simply isn't the case.
Hoyte doesn't look good going forward or defending and I see no reason why he gets a game, at Leicester he also looked like he was struggling in the fitness department.
I must end this with a well done and keep it up son for David Wheater, he's started the season very well and if he and Big Mick can stay injury free we'll possibly have the best centre back pairing in the division.
And even perpetual pantomime villian Keith Lamb has come in for some credit. What's going on?
On another note, I hope Strachan uses tonight's game as an opportunity to have another look at the 433 formation forced upon him against Chesterfield.
Assuming he's going to rest a few players, I'd like to see Lita given a go up front flanked by Kink and McDonald or Halliday. Arca probably deserves a start as well.
We have to be considered in our choice.
I take on board the comments about Arca but dont forget the old football maxim 'form is temporary, class is permanent'. There is plenty of time for him to come back from this temporary setback, the little demons between his ears will soon have him doing his twirls and drag backs, surrendering possession 30 yards out.
Bailey looks to have a real appetite for the job. No matter how many times he gives the ball away he comes back to give it away again.
A dark horse could be Kilgallon, he is here on loan and is from the Stockton supporting team. He has an addded advantage in that he is really a centre half playing at left back so has the opportunity to be tortured by a couple of right wingers.
Kink is another candidate because he is not one of our own. He also likes to shoot which means everyone over the bar adds to his boo factor. He does have the advantage of coming from abroad so may not like it up him.
Then are plenty of Scots so there could be a group award though it doesnt have kudos of a solo winner.
Barry Robson seems to be bullet proof unless Wee Gordon keeps playing him out of position. But like McManus and Wheater you wouldnt want to be rude to his face. You couldnt see a fan berating any of them like happened to Aliadioveragain at Macclesfield
Hoyte has a huge advantage in that he is southern and a Wenger reject. This makes him an easy target because if he was any good Wenger would have kept him. He was also one of Gates buys in that fateful transfer window that did for us, a poor replacement for Luke Young.
Miller wont get enough match time.
The other difficulty is that there is no point booing somebody who wont take it to heart. Totally defeats the object if it is water off a ducks back. We have to know more about them before a final decision can be made.
Dangerous blog this one but there can only be one candidate for chief pantomime villain and that's Wee Gordon Twankie. He's built a one dimensional, slow thinking team which other teams have already rumbled.
One player (say Conway or, maybe even Twink) can't change it. They'll be double marked to ineffectiveness and Boro's sole outlet will have gone. And if they're injured or suspended....?
Mosso's continued reluctance to put in a shift could make him qualify for the accolade .......
Don't worry, you can't keep a good man down - or a Land Crab. Like some Argentinian terminator (of Boro possession) 'he'll be back'!
Seriously, I can't but agree that - and have said so in my Boro Banter pieces - that he's made some decent contributions this season, particularly on Sunday when he showed some bottle that some of the other 'men' couldn't muster. I've also never thought that he wasn't trying or trying to do his best - more of that below.
But, I couldn't help spluttering, though, when the Sky commentator said what he said!
When we are back to full strength, he'll surely be a regular presence on the bench rather than in the starting eleven and he'll be OK for that.
Whatever the circs, though, I don't ever agree with booing individual players on the pitch, before they come on or after they get taken off - it has to be almost absolutely counter-productive.
Personally, I've never booed a Boro manager or the team either - but I can understand absolutely why many folks vent their spleen at half time or at the end when they're served up with dross. But I'm in the privileged position of having this blog and Boro Banter to sound off in.
What can really rile me most, though is not lack of competence or loss of form but when certain players aren't putting in a shift or - worse - are plainly extracting the urine from the club, their team-mates and the fans and, having extracted it then proceed to rub folks' noses in it.
I think we're in the process of excising the last of those from the ranks at the moment and I'm not sure that there are any left in the retained group or amongst those who seem likely to come in that are of that ilk.
But they are the only ones who richly deserve to be in your sights above and those of the boo boys.
AV said: "perma-crocked ho-hoper"
That's brilliant! But missing a "p" in the middle or you think he aspires to it?
You've missed a few big targets (unless it has to be a player) the manager, owner or the Count!
"Or a new boy who has already caught the eye with some stray passes"
SOME stray passes ! You are a master of understatement AV. Bailey must have given a dozen balls away against Sheff Utd, by my conservative workings.
I actually remarked that we should get him tested for colour blindness, such was the impressive accuracy & regularity with which he picked out players in black shirts. It may be worth pointing out to him that the Boro play in red, but as he has spent the last couple of years passing to players in a red Charlton kit, it should not be too much of a problem for him.
I sincerely hope his displays improve soon, or the return of O'Neil, Robson & Williams cannot come soon enough. I can only assume that there is a lot more to come from him, as paying ã1.4M for his services is looking like particularly poor judgement at this moment in time. Especially after we have just given away for nothing, a player who rarely did surrender possession cheaply, in Walker.
I cannot believe that McDonald was on the list of contenders for the dubious boo boys honour. He was the best player on the park on Saturday, in my humble opinion. He has started the season well with a couple of goals & I have no doubt that his prolific (well, compared to his strike partner) workrate will see him as a fans favourite throughout his time at the Riverside. I also expect him to continue to score goals He averaged close to 1 in 3 games last season, while only half fit. This season he should easily score 15+ if he stays clear of serious injury.
To be brutally honest, if performances & results continue in a similar vein up until xmas, it will not matter which player the crowd adopt as their new "boo boy" because the vitriol directed their way will be insignificant, compared to that directed toward the manager.
I'm not a fan of booing any of our own players. I can accept booing a poor performance after the match has finished, but I fail to see the logic of disheartening one of your own starting XI, before the game has even kicked off.
One thing is for sure, the booing does not seem to influence the managers selection, as Arca & Jones have been regular picks for GS2 since his arrival. I suspect the fact that both accepted the grief without complaint (or transfer request) means that they are seen as men of "character" so beloved of the manager.
Good luck to the lads against Millwall tonight. Not that I really care about progressing in the Cup this year. We have enough injury problems at this moment in time, without extra games increasing the risk of others finding themselves on the treatment table !
Couln't agree more, hopefully we will be able to liberate some of Mido's wages and spend them on someone who actually recognises his responsibilities.
After this years loan is over we should publish a well documented open letter to prevent anyone ever signing him again. Good riddance.
Arca may well have been, justifiably, at the receiving end when the Boro had a class team but just look at the rubbish there is on the field now.
How many players have been bought from an average team in a 3rd rate league? Even those that shined north of the Border will find the pace and aggression in the Championship a tough ask.
The basic skills on show on Sunday were poor. Just how many times did the easy pass go astray? And virtually no one on that team put in a telling pass or run.
So just who do we, the fans, turn our derision on now? Most of the team could do better but I don't think they have that much skill to start with. Do we blame/boo the manager? Really, just what is Strachen's record anyway? South of the Border he wasn't that great, and north of the Border he inherited a decent team, and budget. He makes a noise without any real substance, that's all. He's certainly performing to the level of my expectation, so no blame there.
Do we blame the board? Someone backed a manager till he was within one game of an automatic promotion place, then sacked him within spitting distance of the January transfer window. He may not have inspired the fans but he was tactically adept, and he didn't take the Boro into mid table in the CHAMPIONSHIP. Courage, as Newcastle showed, in sticking with what was a decent core of players and manager would have at least seen the Boro in the play off's.
I don't doubt Steve Gibson's commitment to the Boro, and believe him to be one of the best Chairman in football. But as for the rest of the senior management team... well just who will forget the ssshhhh letter?
With crowds at an all time low since Lennie Lawrence left I hope someone is thinking of bringing in someone that will spark the team and the fans into cheering, not booing.
Wake me up when it happens, and then I'll return to the stands.
Just before I go looking to see if the game is being shown in Iraq (or some other unlikely territory) I thought I should add a "Great piece - well done, AV!" to the general clamour. A lot of smiles broke out on reading it....
I've just watched that shambles they call the Boro at Millwall. What a waste of money. At the end of the game the players had Domino's Pizzas delivered to the team coach and were happy and smiling after the defeat. If I was the manager I would of had them whipped for doing this! This is what happens when you fill teams with players with no links or commitment to the local area. I'm a Darlo supporter as well and expected to see better! The away turnout was vocal and did their team proud, it's a shame that the team are not made of the same stuff.
Oh dear.
A reasonable - but only that - first twenty-five last night but after that it all dropped to pieces again.
A routine win for Millwall made remarkable only by Forde's howler for McDonald's goal - for which he'd practised earlier in letting Arca's speculative shot hit his bar when he thought it was going over.
The ref and lino who gave the pen were only doing what they'd set themselves as their style for the evening - waiting until Millwall appealed for something and then giving them the decision. We always ask for consistency from officials and then complain when we get it - there's just no pleasing some people.
Oh, well. Time to concentrate on the league....
I understood that we played better yesterday and passed the ball more than on Sunday. But still angry about the result - we should have still been in the cup today. I know it's luxury this season but boy we as fans deserve some!
I will get over the disappointment soon. Must start to think like better concentrate on the league, etc. Any good points from the eye witness at the New Den, AV? And some transfer gossip?
But still angry. Up the Boro!
**AV writes: He's not back yet.
Lying awake last night in bed, adrenalin still flowing after a tumultuous live match day blog, a horrific thought occurred to me.
It would be fair to say the height of MiddlesbroughâÂÂs star was at its zenith in Eindhoven in May 2006. A few short months later I got married. Gareth Southgate was appointed, and we struggled in GazâÂÂs first season.
The next year we fell down the table again, but ended with the 8-1 demolition of Man City. Within six days Smog Jnr was born. The next year Boro are relegated, on the last day of the season, Smog JnrâÂÂs Birthday!
A nothing Season in the chimpship followed, and as we embark on our second season in the second flight, Mrs Smog is again with child and due in early December. As sure as night follows day, if the next Smog is a boy then IâÂÂm afraid we will be relegated. If we have a girl (Juninhoina) then we will get promoted.
I can only apologies for putting my family before the fortunes of the Boro. I feel terrible. If you think it would help I would consider divorcing the Jinx.
We're well out of our comfort zone here, you know we've entered dangerous territory when the 'boo boy' candidate isn't obvious.
I agree with (do I sound like Gordon Brown?) Andy R, when The Count starts to get some positive feedback then its time to start worrying.
But looking at this objectively(?) then the obvious candidate has to be Nick Bailey, he's made a slow start, although I personally would cut him some slack given that he's just moved up a league and is playing in a new team with an unsettled midfield line up.
He may well prove to be okay, then god only knows what we'll do. Personally I'm still suffering from the loss of Aliadiere who used to send my blood pressure sky high everytime I read or heard his name.
Could be that Strachan himself becomes the scapegoat himself if he's not careful.
He needs a couple of signings for the positions we are desperado for, right winger top of the bill. Lets hope he has irons in the fire, and quickly....
That could well have been a league game when you consider the line ups. Nothing has changed. Strachan is not the manager to take us forward, in fact he is taking us backwards.
Some boo boys from the past
Alan Ramage
George Kinnell
Peter Davenport
Graeme Hedley
How about turning this idea on its head?
Someone should perhaps suggest to the players and officials at Boro to single out a supporter or maybe a small crown section (and let's face it - a small crowd is all that's going to be available!) and get the players to show the same respect to them that the fans have selectively and collectively shown to them over the years?
We could get Eric Cantona in as a personal coach and maybe what's her teeth, the loud, opinionated nightmare from Ch4, Janet Street-Porter, as diplomatic and self-awareness consultant?
Any volunteers for first dibs on the receiving end of player abuse?
I wonder what kind of reaction there'd be to a 22-fingered salute to row 6 of the new Holgate End at half time?
Row 6, you're all just thick!
Row 6, you're all just thick!
Boro Supporters? .... you're 'avin' a laff!
Lets hear some cheers in the second half!
Boro Supporters ?.... you're 'avin' a laff!
Let's hear some cheers in the second half!
Booooooo!
Booooooo!
Would the stewards be up to it?
Now, there's another idea brewing..........stewards! Anybody have a particular target for hate from within the ranks of the Boro fluorescent Staatsicherheitsdienst?
Smogonthetyne - Don't worry, Mrs Smog is not the jinx so you can forget about the divorce - it's appears to be me!!!
At the age of 13 I left the area in 1971 having seen the Boro languishing in the then Division 2 for number of years since my first game v Oxford when they won promotion from Division 3.
In the years I was away they rose to the 1st Divsion with "Wor Jackie" almost dropped to oblivion, then rose to the heady heights of the Carling Cup win. Then, fed up with regular drives from the midlands for night games in Europe, convinced my Southern softie Mrs to move to Teesside - just in time for Eindhoven.
Since then they have slowly but surely dropped back to the level where I left them back in the early 70s. So my living in the area seems to coincide with greates periods of lack of success.
Maybe it's time to move back south!!!
I'm sure there are plenty of us out there who can point a finger at something they regard as the jinx that puts us where we are today! How many can we find????
I believe that very quickly Mr Strachan is going to become the focus of the boo-boys. He was never going to be my choice as I said at the time, and thought that we needed someone with the experience of this league. He will not get the slack that Mr Southgate got, that is evident even now.
Also what I cannot understand is that he has not bought ( he may have tried unbeknown to us ) anybody with championship experience, especially in midfield. With the money he had available, surely there must have been somebody.
Thomson now along with GON has always had injury problems, and for me the former is too much of a gamble. Bailey at 1.4m is a nonsense. Then we let Walker go for nothing.
He has made far too many mistakes in the transfer market, poor loans last season, Miller beggars belief, and even McManusÃÅœs positional ability is wanting.
The team still does not have a good shape to it, and I guess Mr Gibson must be worrying a little at this early stage in the season.
Still as I have never been a pro, what do I know.
Some missing midfielders from the present time
Nicky Bailey
Willo Flood
Rhys Williams
Kevin Thomson
Gary OâÂÂNeil
Josh Walker
Conway and a loanee to midfield - any chance soon?
Up the Boro!
Of all the signings the one we felt reasonably confident would be a success must have been Bailey. A major performer in the division below should take the step up in his stride whereas those coming from other countries (including Scotland) must be regarded as of dubious merit.
Yet he looks way way out of his depth. Why is that? I cnat believe he isnt up to it - the difference between the 2 divisions isnt that great otherwise the promoted sides would always go straight back down.
So is he secretly carrying an injury? Is this a case of a player with unsettling off the pitch distractions - like an unsettled family or one that hasnt actually moved up here yet? AV any rumours? Or just a total lack of self-belief that he can perform at this level. He looks to be in serious need of man-management Strachan take note.
Lastly, AV, one of your best - the paragraphs about the boo-boy law are worthy of the great Harry Pearson
Cant see where we are going with this current team. Still very slow midfield now our strong point defence comes undone to a set piece. Sounds familiar. We desparately need an injection of pace in the team.
Barnsley has now definatly become a must win not for league position but for confidence but i am not seeing any improvment in the way we play. I know the team needs to settle in but surely we are five games in and most of our signings were in early its not looking very good at the moment. Still hoping
Sorry, about the thread .... if we dont pick it up there will be nobody left to do the booing. Boooooo
A slightly improved performance and an exit from a competition that no-one really cares about but the sharpening of the knives for Strachan is tangible now.
How long should we give him?
Personally, I'm of the opinion that almost any manager needs a minimum of 18 months in the job. The first year is required to reshape the squad in the manager's image and the remainder to deliver.
Strachan has nearly had his first year now but it's fair to say that the squad he inherited was about as far removed from the type he desires/requires as possible.
But he has lost himself some time and patience from a substantial percentage of supporters by barely putting together any results during his rebuilding process. The poor entertainment served up has also cost him.
By now the rebuilding should be close to completion but in truth we look a long way short of a promotion team. Results this term have been ok at best so far, the real worry is the performances and the pre-season optimism is rapidly dissipating.
That said, I still believe we're a better Championship squad than last year and it's still too early to write us off.
I just wonder how long the majority will give the team to start performing.
Sandanza is reportedly close to completing a move from Dundee Utd to Swansea with it appears Dundee's blessing. Wonder if that will make them even more determined to hold out until we pay silly money or Conway stays.
Any news from the Smithy? My brother hasnt reported any untowards clouds of smoke emanating from the Riverside area.
The news about Bailey could be a mixed blessing by giving him a chance to catch his breath and refocus. It will make rejigging the line up even more fun, John Powls Boro Banter preview will have it's usual green pitch maps but no names to put on them.
We could be very short of midfielders on Saturday, I wouldnt be surprised if someone like Bates wasnt pushed into a central holding role.
Before then Xavi and Iniesta may have completed their shock moves to the Riverside. No not those two, this Xavi works in a Tapas bar in Derby and his cousin is over from Malaga looking for work.
We paid 20,000 for Kinnel, For Kinnell.
From Uncle Erics report
Gordon Strachan showed every intention of taking the game seriously and played virtually a first choice side .... and set out with the same attacking 4-4-3 shape seen in the first round win at Chesterfield.
Cant see how we didnt win playing that formation.
**AV Writes: I'll get one of them off the pitch sharpish before we docked three points or something.
Was it Tarmo or Kilgallon?
Sky (and BBC I think) report: "The Lions took the lead courtesy of a generous penalty. Matthew Kilgallon was the guilty man, bringing down Alan Dunne, allowing Morison to grab his second goal of the campaign."
Should we ask the ref? Or the linesman? Most probably they don't know either. Was it even a penalty? UTB!
Smog:
A May birthday is fraught with danger for the Boro supporter.
I am May 11, a date long reviled by the fixture list committee and only once lifted from the all enveloping gloom with the 8-1 City win two years ago.
This was incidentally my first visit to the Riverside with both my children and if ever there was a typical Boro moment to draw them in, cement the allegiance and then slowly twist the knife for evermore, this was it.
Smog juniorâÂÂs bday six days later will have been the 11th anniversary of the FA Cup final loss.
Eindhoven was 10 May but by the time weâÂÂd got out of the ground and found the car it was 11 May too, so another memory.
The Bradford fire was 11 May as well and of course in 1997 we drew at Leeds on 11 May and relegation hell.
On 11 May 1979 I persuaded my dad to take me to the last game of the season (oddly a Friday night I think) and we lost 1-0 to a great Liverpool side. I also recall the Liverpool team visiting Willie MaddrenâÂÂs sports shop that afternoon and part of the building falling down while they were inside. Sadly they recovered fully for the evening.
ItâÂÂs never dull.
Cheers Chris D, Mrs Smog can remain Mrs SmogâŠâŠâŠâÂÅ for now
And as for birthdays, richard.evans, yours sounds eventful, but mine is Boxing Day. Traditionally ruined by Everton. However this year there is a much more horrible outcome loomingâŠâŠâŠâÂÅ
Good stuff again, Vic.
But, wasn't the 1903 act repealed during the first world war? And actually of all 92 leagues teams, only Boro elected to maintain its provisions through a series of local by-laws enacted by North Yorks, South Durham and later Teesside and Cleveland County Councils?
Andy R -
A crowd 7,000 down on the opening day match tells its own story lunchtime Sky TV or not.
Continuing the thread, after the Barnsley game, cant we have a Talking Boro scapegoat special?
Or just a post window state of the nation Talking Boro.
**AV writes: I think we are doing a post-window Talking Boro.
But Neal (New Jersey), there is the issue of which of those by-laws will still apply under the current Unitary Authority.
We need a referendum on the Single Transferable Hat.
Memo to self, must engage Clegg.
We should get our skates on and snap up Steven Taylor who has just been put on the tranfer list.
Jarkko -
Was it Parmo Tarmo or Kilgallon? Take your pick. Dunne was actually between the two as he ran into the box and got 'rubberlegs'. I actually think it was Kink who was shoulder to shoulder but, whichever, it just wasn't a pen.
Jiffy -
On Bailey and his failure (so far) to step up to The Chanpionship - can I refer m'learned friend to what I was saying on here about the lad before we bought him.
Many Charlton fans of my acquaint said that (the missed play off penalty aside) he had been great for them in League One and they wanted him to stay for another campaign in that division.
But, to a man and woman, they all said "he's got a bigger ego than he has talent and likes to be a big fish in a small pond" and "we'd rate him as lower reaches of The Championship at best."
I can't fault the lad for trying or for his graft and, now that he's one of ours - and especially with that fee - we need him to succeed. I certainly want him to - but I see no sign of the craft to go with the graft, so far.
AV
I see uncle Eric decided to get his head down on the journey north last night rather than compose today's Gazette offering. That is the only reason I can fathom for the two day old story today on international call ups . After last nights result and the performance at the weekend I was hoping for a piece on potential transfer activity over the next six days.
Any updates on Conway? Are we to presume he travelled to Athens today? Was kind of hoping to see a revelation in today's Gazette that his signing is imminent as his bags were removed from the plane etc.
Any other names in the frame? Pacey left back on loan from prem? Naughton back on loan from Spurs? Back-up keeper? Centre mid loaner (Osbourne from Villa anothing
Anything to get our hopes up would be great. Still at least I won't be tempted to stay up till 2am this year glued to Sky Sports News. Firstly because the window closes at 6pm and secondly because the greedy so and so's have taken it off freeview. At least there is always BoroWorld......when it deems to work!
My vote for boo boy would be Taylor. Should he ever get back into the first team. Largely because he seems to be able to combine arrogance and a sulky demeanour in one lot if body language.. Plus he is always suspect on defending the back stick against any winger with a modicum of strength.
Lastly, can anyone clarify if the 25 man rule applies to us . Have heard GS2 mention his 25 players a couple of times?
I along with others wasn't too bothered about the result - that is,until I saw the side that The Ninger had selected. Now I'm starting to worry again.
On the subject on midfielders, we could approach Watford and ask them if we could borrow Josh Walker for the rest of the season.
I'll get me coat.
On a completely different subject: Spurs are tonight attempting to beat those Swiss Young Boys in the Champions League playoff. OK, maybe calling your team Young Boys is completely innocent but it sounds a bit too dodgy for comfort and you'd have thought someone would have said 'Can't we try a different name' - especially (this is the most unbelievable bit) they play in a town called Wankdorf (by the way 'dorf' is german for village) - Is this all an elaborate swiss joke I wonder?
Percypieblocks
Josh Who? is rather unique in that all his Boro managers dont give him a chance and would rather play Muffin the Mule in central midfield.
No rhyme or reason but he has done well everywhere he has gone.
We haven't changed, Vic. Not one bit. To quote my column this week (only just published, you can read it for yourself if you wish):
"Why didn't we narrowly beat Villa then lose to Chelsea in that spellbinding and confusing week back in February 2006? Would we have then been spared the delusions that have forced us to demand such ridiculously high standards of the team on a consistent basis?
Maybe it's this and not the high ticket prices and recession that has been the main factor in the awful Riverside attendances."
Or, consider what Roy Keane said about the Nottingham Forest reserve team when he was young: "Some of our pros felt this stuff was beneath them. This was not The Dream that they were born to live."
This was why the press, especially David Walsh of the Sunday Times, laid into us so much last season when we sacked Southgate. It's as if he was saying to us, and Steve Gibson, "You should be focusing on just trying to get up in any way possible. Instead you're still trying to recreate the glory days of the Riverside Revolution! Can't you accept that it's over?"
Yes, he was Gate's friend. Yes, that article was very selective. But there was nothing in it that wasn't true. And the way we sacked Gate was plain wrong.
On the other hand, I don't recall Abramovich getting as much stick for his ruthless treatment of Ranieri... (grits teeth)
AV, can we loan players from the PL on "emercency" even after the window shuts down? I think that used to be possible for C'hip clubs. But then again there is the rule that 25 players must be named or something.
But if so we better concentrate on signing a right winger. Up the Boro!
Stand up! If you like Young Boys.
Stand up! If you like Young Boys.
Stand up!....
Hmmmm, not the best of terrace songs.
Lord help us Now someone's labelling the Barnsley match as "must win". I thought winning last week's "must win" game might give us a few week's breather at least.
Are we destined to have 44 "must win" games this season? I don't think I can take it.
Love Richard's idea of a scapegoat in the crowd that all the players have a go at!
Looked on BBC and the Dundee Utd match in Athens, there in the squad is Conway. So. unless Beeb has it wrong we wont see Conway before the weekend.
Mind you there wont be many fans watching Dundees match as it has been switched to Olympiakos ground (AEK's arch enemies). The only fans allowed in will be Dundee Utd's.
We need a good result Saturday to set us up for the break. The pain is a good part of the spine will be missing due to international duties and injuries. A few new boys wouldnt go amiss.
A thought about scapegoats - the fans should be careful. Richard may have a point about retaliation, with crowds as they are it will be a brave fan, clearly visible, booing someone. At this rate he will have his personal steward. And that is to protect him from the likes of a wild eyed Robbo or big Mick.
Bob -
I think the "must win" was comment was for political reasons rather than just for the points. It certainly would do no harm to go into the international break with a good result under our belts. That and a couple of new recruits would give a boost to the team and fans.
I would rather have a must win mentality than indifference to the results.
The importance of football is put into stark contrast by disasters such as that hitting Pakistan or being stuck down a mine for three months.
Spot the Smogonthetyne...
.
After having been the front page picture of the Gazette after the Cardiff cup shambles (received no payment), I was delighted to get my photo back in the Gazette in a game that we had won.
In the article last night on the dwindling crowds, itâÂÂs the photo of Matty Bates. You have to squint a bit, but I know itâÂÂs me sat next to the aisle.
I just thought IâÂÂd tell you all as I am an ego maniac.
The transfer window shuts in a few days.What would everybody like to see?.For me the answers are as follows:
a] A genuine attacking full back.
b] A Proper right winger.
C] Another striker.
The last will probably be the subject of most discussion since there is no evidence that Strachan is actually after another forward. Franks is out long term,Miller is as much use as a hat stand. That leaves us with three.
In the home games so far Boyd has played up top with Macdonald dropping off. Boyd is not a good targetman, he is an out and out goalscorer. He cant hold the ball up and bring other players in. I think we need a fourth forward somebody with height and strength to give us that option with Miller heading back to Scotland on loan. Thats what I'd be looking at anyway.
Stockton Red -
I'd agree with your requirements for incoming and outgoing but add an experienced quality goalie.
I wouldn't mind 'Lethal' Leroy being used as part-ex for the right striker either.
I'm assuming that the ones we've identified are permanent moves and in addition to the central midfield loaner that Strachan has identified. Also that Matt Bates/Seb Hines are regarded as adequate, right-sided centre back cover for Wheats who can be got and kept properly fit so that Dawson from Rochdale isn't needed.
The more I see of our Scottish imports, the more I'd prefer to go for Chris Burke from Cardiff for the right wing than Conway. We know he's got pace, is durable, works like stink, gets the odd goal and can put in a wicked cross - and all on lots of evidence in this league.
Back to the Milwall game which to be honest was always going to be their victory given their place in the table 6th compared to our ove-rinflated position of 10th.
For the spread sheet buffs out there ( Smog et al) and I know most of you have one, my predictor is based on the following logic.
Firstly it uses the position in the table to predict future games and adds the actual points from played games. The table is dynamic in that every time matches are played the predictions are updated.
I use the following logic that at home you would expect to beat teams lower than you by six places, lose to teams higher than you by four places and draw the rest. I also use the same logic in reverse for away games.
As the season progresses I have a performance column to give a guide as to whether our table position fully reflects our actual results. For example our win over Sheff Utd was unexpected for our then position of 3rd from bottom, but as our position is now 10th and theirs bottom, it was a game we would always have won.
Similarly at 19th our loss to Ipswich was of no surprise but now at 10th we should have had a draw. This indicator balances out the changes in form of other teams during the season and although we are 10th at the moment our true position is 17th with a forecast total of 69 points compared to a true 10th position expectation of 72.
Have I lost you all yet?
Anyhow based on all of that the following three games are predicted as follows using our position of 10th to show how good we are.
Barnsley ( Currently 13th) Away â a draw is predicted
QPR Away ( Top) â we canâÂÂt expect any points from that
Burnley ( Currently 3rd ) â Home â interesting one because if we had taken 6 points from the other two our position would change but as we only take one point our position would be around 14th by then and so Burnley would be expected to beat us.
Not much hope then is there. By then our position is predicted to be at best 17th with a performance indicator showing that the 17th position is about right. We would have five points from six games.
I would be glad to run other Boro supporters spread sheets too just for a laugh and maybe the Evening Gazette could run a competition to see who gets there in the end.
Now this makes me depressed, but that is what the stats are showing. Why I support the Boro against so much overwhelming odds really escapes me.
**AV writes: That's how I work out wher to place my "daft quid" on the coupon.Isn't there a methodological problem in that after so few games there isn't enough data to make an accurate prediction yet. It also doesn't take account of "typical Boro."
It just sums up Boro fans that Bailey is already getting stick. He's played three league games with at least three different partners by my reckoning, and he hasn't done that badly anyway. Certainly not 'out of his depth.'
I think people had ridiculous expectations anyway, they saw his League 1 goal record and expected him to be Steven Gerrard.
Typical Boro will proberbly get beat at Barnsly and win at QPR.
Allan,
That is a proper spreadsheet. I donâÂÂt like the outcome much though. Problem at the moment as AV says is that after only a handful of games the league table is more like a form guide. After six games can the teams at the bottom have any chance of promotion according to your table?
If you look at the final league table of last year does your method stand up to the results we got last year? I need to know!! Is all hope lost?
Very impressive though, please keep me updated
Tims from SA, we did lose at Barnsley and win at QPR last year. What that proves I have no idea!
Strachan has a season long loan midfielder about to sign?
Whom AV Whom? And clues??
**AV writes: He wouldn't say but insists it will be done in time for Saturday.
Think most agreed that a solid looking team was being put together that would grind out results. The striker was a bonus. It wouldn't be pretty but who cares Promotion is the goal.
Only three games in and the side isn't settled yet, friendlies are not a good guide. I believe Boro will be close to the top come Christmas and as AV said earlier if there is a wobble money will be flashed.
Two tricky away games next, but as a lesson learnt last season every game is tricky and form meaningless
I enjoy this site, keep the faith
On to spreadsheets and I think it is take it one game at a time unless the stats back up your own viewpoint.
But stats can back up both sides of the argument such as Gate sacked when only a point off an automatic promotion place OR when the decision was taken we had only got four points in five matches including three defeats in a row at home OR only one point from teams in the top half of the table.
At the end of September we will have a better idea of how the season will pan out but there are plenty of debates to be had before
Ooooh, what a boring team the gaffer has built, and its getting even worse.
My worst nightmares have come true: Get rid of every young local talent and every fast, talented player with flair and import a lot of scots with "balls". He calls them "men". Im ashamed of this team. Even if we get promoted, its gonna be a dreadful boring team to watch.
Sorry to be this honest at this early stage of the season..but I had to.
hmmmmmmmmm.... right then. My options are:
Patrick Viera
Liam Lawrence
Isah Osbourne
Thomas Gravesen
or
Paul McStay
am i close?
**AV writes: I don't know but Liam Lawrence would be a cracking loan.
A season long loan. Mmmmmm....
Mascherano is not flavour of the month at Liverpool.
Carrick the same at Manu or Hargreaves needing time on the pitch.
Essien is back at Chelsea so maybe Mikkel.
A whole cast at Citeh.
Diarra at Real Madrid.
Are these close to the mark or is Xavi on loan from La Tasca in Derby?
Matthew Bates is a waste of wages. A terrible player.
Hmm, a season-long loan midfielder...
Well it must be a PL player otherwise it wouldn't be a loan deal - hopefully it's an up-and-coming young right winger from one of the big four who hasn't made their 25-man squad - e.g. someone like Jinky when he went to Watford (OK we weren't exactly Big Four).
Though the worse case scenario would be an ageing pro who's fallen out with his manager and is surplus to requirements and has no buyer (just imagine someone like Mido but slower and fatter).
Or is it Robinho? Maybe he wanted to go to Parma and was offered Parmo or nothing?
This live rubbish that you are now implementing is ridiculous and should be scrapped immediatly. It apperas to be gibberish between a few fans and AV that has no meaning to the average punter.
As for the boo boy competetion, surely Strachan should win this race outright by many lengths. His destruction of the Boro team especially with local boys being replaced by Scottish hasbeens and never hasbeens is plain to see, and the results so far since he took over control of the club are a little short of disasterous, not to mention the entertainment value of Starchans teams when gauged against Southgates.
What makes Strachan think that the ony players worth a game at the Boro are ex mates or players he has had a personal contact with over his career.I can see his stint at the Boro losing us all the bright young player we have
DEVELOPED OVER THE YEARS AT OUR ACCADEDEMY.
Think about it, Can we agree a midfield of any combination of Flood ,Halliday ,Rhys Williams, Robson, Bailly,O'Neil ,Kink, Thompson, Arca - when fit - could dominate this level, Half of them are injured, Its a 46 game slog. Keep the faith
Spot on Anatov this business of importing Scottish players and ridding the club of local players who have Teesside blood running throgh their veins is ridiculous.
What is so special about the Scottish leagues? NOTHING. They are only equal to the English lower divisions, all of their Premier League teams would not survive as Championship prospects and you could gamble on at least four getting relegated at he end of the season.
How the Boro ownwers can give Strachan carte blanch to destroy what Southgate had developed is criminal. Our much praised and envied Accademy will be no more, as Strachan fills the club playing positions and bench with his imports. Act now before it is too late.
Welcome back Anlov.
Which local kids has he got rid of - apart from Walker who no one at the club has seemed to fancy.
Which pacy skilful players has he got rid of who actually made a success under Gate? Mido, Alves, Aliadiere, Digard, Folan, St Ledger? M&S remains an enigma. The only effective one was Johnson and we had no choice but to sell him
Franks, Williams, Hines, McMahon are injured but feature in his squads when fit. Steele, Bates, Wheater, Williams, Taylor, Bennett, Grounds all feature. Some of the other kids are on the fringe.
I dont get where you are coming from about the kids because Strachan has the same brief of reducing the wage bill and using youth players are inherent in his plans.
What he has done is shift out the high earners who were either disinterested or over paid for what they contributed. Oh and they got us relegated. He has replaced them with players he knows who HE thinks will bring some steel, graft and some skill to the squad
Has Strachans tenure been an unmitigated success. To that the answer is a resounding no.
You are welcome to criticise Strachan for the players who havent made an impact yet. You are welcome to criticise him if they do not make an impact. You can criticse him for the football being played - it is no worse than we saw against West Brom, Leicester and Watford in successive home matches. The relegation season was not a bag of laughs either.
There is enough ammunition to fire without creating your own WMD prospectus. Just stick to criticising what he is doing.
AV -
For some reason Mascherano prefers Barca to Boro, Messi to Arca. It is his loss.
Smog the table was a bit different last season Barnsley had a decent start and QPR were strugggling.
Why did Downing not take part in Villa's match yesterday? Out of favour or injured?
So perhaps we loan Stewy back until Xmas. Typical Boro again - more left-footed midfielders!
Also Conway was playing last night as Dundee Utd bowed out of Europe. Will he sign for Boro during the weekend?
Interesting to note that GS2 is talking about only two signings any more. So no goalie needed after Teesside Steele shines. As a right winger is a must (and the central midfielder is a loan until Xmas) who is the other?
Is Kilgallon and Taylor (not injured anymore) enough for left back?
Do we need CB cover after Bates and Killie have played recently? Or a striker still?
Up the Boro!
SENEGAL international Mickael Tavares is expected to complete a loan switch from Hamburg to Boro today.
Does Celtic's result last night cause any further concern for our Scottish imports....
Not impressed by walkers departure either, and then we bring in some random from senegal
Just looked up info on Tavares. Hasn't exactly set the football world alight, but best to reserve judgement. I wonder who at the club has actually seen him play.
Benny Brown
As I posted in response to Anlov, Strachans follies are not in destroying the academy - see the incomplete list of players still here, there is no mention in it of the players knocking on the door. The Scots he brought in look to be replacements for either the flops we had brought in or the players we had to sell because we got relegated.
Who are those players he has chased out of the club? We had the same pointless discussion last year about the local lads who played and, Johnson apart - the likes of him and Downing dont come along often, Southgate and Strachan played the same number of locals week in, week out.
There will always be good kids who dont make it or who move on to make a success or not elsewhere. Graham, Morrison, Cattermole, Walker, Porrit, Craddock to name but a few have all left the club.
Were Alves, Pogatetz, Aliadiere, Mido, Digard, St Ledger, Folan, Riggott, Yeates all locals? Before him we sold Huth and Tuncay
Criticise Strachan for how we are playing. He brought players in he knew and thought would help be good role models to a group of young players, hence the comment about so few being married. Criticise him for those players.
Criticise him for the fact this was going to be the fittest squad in the league and a good number are in the treatment room.
Criticise him for his press utterances, criticse him for not getting promotion, criticse him if you have never rated him or thought Southgate should have stayed.
If he closed the academy and got rid of all the local players you can criticise him for that. But he hasnt.
He may want them to learm off what he calls good role models but he cant afford not to keep local products in the squad. You dont have pay fees or agents for academy products.
The football is still cack and so he gets the blame for that.
Pffffffff Mickael Tavares,
IâÂÂm not falling for that JMc. ThatâÂÂs clearly made up name taking the Christian name of a former Man Utd centre half and the surname from a Disco funk band.
You should have gone with Jaap Funkadelic. That I would have believed.
**AV writes: Henning Chic?
Ian Gill:
Not sure I like all these factual statements which dismiss clearly thought out, accurate comments based on actual team selections.
The way Luke Williams hasn't been brought on at the age of 16 is a footballing disgrace.
I am worried next time you may even say the problems in our midfield are due to key personnel missing like Thompson, O'Neil, Flood and Williams, which was nearly our starting midfield at points last season and is arguably better than at least half of the other championship midfields alone.
Surely teams that are made up of players who have a grand total of 4 competitive games of playing time with each other, with over half of them playing in this league for the very first time should be playing much like Chelsea did on the weekend, if not better.
Madness, pure madness.
Having just watched the highlights of the Millwall game, I for one am feeling confident about the Barnsley game on Sat. We had the most shots on Tues night, hit the woodwork, forced their keeper into 2 decent saves and conceded 2 goals with a very dubious penalty and a soft goal that we should have cleared instead of dithering.
Got to keep playing Kink, he needs to settle into the pace of things, build up his confident and understand when to shoot and when not to. For me he looks lively and sharp.
We should get in before Newcastle and sign Robbie Keane on loan from Spurs
Ian Gill @ 7:54am :
Respect!
Typical Boro - we all speculate as to who this loan midfielder would be, only to find its another foreigner we haven't heard of!!
When you look around at some of the loan signings other clubs have made, you just sometimes have to hold your hands up in despair at what the Boro comes up with!!
AV - have you any information you can give on this loan signing???
Jarkko
Downing is not happy at Villa, the fans havent taken to him although hes their best player (if you know football). Dont be suprised if he moves to Sunderland (they've inquired)
Can't say I've heard of Tavares (other than I recall his father might have sung in a seventies soul band bearing his name) - a quick check on Wikipedia shows he's 27 and has yet to establish himself and has moved around europe a fair bit - perhaps he's been brought in as the new scapegoat?
BTW Benny, I think you'll find it's Boro that are providing the live rubbish at the moment and the rest of us have been left to talk amongst ourselves whilst we wait for something to happen on the pitch.
Well, here we are again in the far north west of Scotland. Sun is shining, fiddle music is playing in the background as a nice pint of Belhaven Best slides down a thirsty throat (but with the promise of more to come...). It was BELTING with rain last niight, but warmth, normality and the euphoria of a few days' holiday is setting in.
Hello Boro fans in the blogoshpere. Hope you are all well and optimistic as the transfer window is slammed shut very shortly. Someone mentioned to me a loan of the "Craig Bellamy" type. I'm not sure things like that happen to the Boro, but if they did (in your dreams) whom would we loan for the rest of the season?
No, sorry, another drink calls seductively over the sound of the music.
(Incidentally - best selling book up here at the moment: "Ross County FC - from Highland League to Hampden". Available at all good booksellers, and the Post Office. The club is also known for its work in the community. SPL here they come).
That was an interesting post from Allan in Bahrain. Couldn't you use last season's table to balance out the lack of data from this season?
It's all a bit too complicated for me. Maybe he could just give us his bankers every Friday.
It would be interesting to know just what is known about Tavares by the club - over and above the CV & DVD supplied by his agent, no doubt. We'll soon be able to judge for ourselves, I guess.
The other interesting bit is what Strachan is quoted as saying on the MFC website this afternoon which would seem to indicate that, if anyone else is coming in before Tuesday it's just another loaner.
If that isn't just the usual disinformation, how does that work?
The plans for recruiting Conway (or similar) and Dawson have been around for ages and offers made for Conway, at least, very recently.
It looks like Digard has gone on loan and Mido is on his way - which must have been the assumptions built into the business plan for this summer's transfer strategy.
Yes, M&S is still around, so his wages are still to pay - but MFC can't have expected much of a fee for him.
Aside from buying Dawson, the idea was that Strachan also wanted a left back. Now Kilgallon has come on loan and seems to be being greeted/seen as a 'two for one'.
What has happened that wasn't planned for was The Corporal going - but that brought an unexpected ã2.5m in that was a bonus to the transfer pot and, it seems, that there is no intention to spend any of that on another goalie.
So why can't Boro now - apparently - afford to buy Conway and/or Dawson and only take on loaners?
The only partial answer I can think of is that the original plan was underwritten on the basis of Gary O'Neil being sold and his injury now means he can't be sold.
But, even if that's true, it's partially offset by the Jones fee.
A squad without a decent right sided right winger/wide midfielder, a pukka left back and an experienced third goalie? Hmmmm.....
Forever -
More likely David Bellamy.
But what is this fixation with the remote areas of Scotland? Two possible answers, a liking for midges and malt or hoping Gordon to sign you up but in the wrong part of Scotland for that.
Tavares.... aaw them at the Town Hall circa 1975/76. Hope hes half as good
Benny Brown and Anlov have the right to openly question and moan - repeatedly, some might say - about the trajectory of the club under Gordo. It is, after all, their prerogative...
But to target the live blog as unintelligble and worthless 'gibberish'? That's sacrosanct! Keep channeling your vitriol towards the gaffer and the decision-makers at the club if you must. Don't start turning on others who stand shoulder to shoulder with you for the same cause: the advancement and progress of Middlesbrough FC.
Evening all,
I canâÂÂt believe the live blog is taking a kicking, itâÂÂs full of insightful, accurate and timely nonsense, itâÂÂs the best bit about not being at the game.
IâÂÂll be in deepest darkest Yorkshire tomorrow. To distinguish myself between the hoi polloi and alert fellow Untypical bloggers IâÂÂll have a red carnation in my lapel. Feel free to introduce yourselves. For all of you not able to be there, think of me as a poxy, sorry proxy Boro fan. You can hire out my vocal cords and limbs. Priority will be given to those stranded on far away shores.
What can I do for you? My Boro, Your Boro, ourâŠâŠâŠâŠâÂÅ .despair
Dormo IâÂÂm on the Black Sheep and Riggwelter tonight mmmmmmmmmmmmm
Come on Boro!!
AV-
What do we know of Tavares, is he worthy to carry our colours? Is he another player the Manager always wanted to sign at one of his other clubs? Or is he as cheap as chips and a seasoned traveling man who can plug a gap left by injuries.
**AV writes: I'm sure we'll soon find out if he is the Senegalese Isaiah Osbourne.
Googled Tavares and got the group, a footballer, a place in Florida and pics of a tasty lady.
After carefully studying the pics, sorry, the footballers profile there doesnt seem to be much to find out. At the age of 27 he doesnt seem to have played a huge number matches and has spent a lot of his career in the lower leagues.
Wikipedia does tell us he is related to a couple of Faty's!
No doubt he may feature this afternoon.
As John Powls writes above there may be little further activity in the transfer market in which case the players will have to up their game rather sharpish, especially on the creative or lack of it front.
Noticed a link on BBC to an interview by Kilgallon complaining he cant understand a word the Scots are saying during the dressing room banter pre match. Its made worse because he cant understand the local lads either speaking at 100 mph.
There go my preconceptions about Mido. I always thought he didnt deliver because he was fat, lazy, arrogant and had a penchant for Greggs but it wasnt, it was because he couldnt understand the locals.
Maybe that was why Southgate got rid of Morrison, Craddock, Graham and Catermole. To make Mido happier.
Marnin!
Sniff sniff, I smell goals! Or the balm cake smog had been on tha hoy again. If I can gae on a scoring streak,like the one's he leaves in his kecks the golden shoe is a piece o deep fried mars bar.
Brutal.
I see on Soccer AM this morning that Lee Hendrie is looking for a club. Might be worth a punt on a pay as you play contract.
After his most recent presser - the Boro manager as a newspaper?
The Sunday Post
Well, Benny Brown that's just Two BB's and not a full Three BBB's.
The Live Blog (2 billion stong following in the South East Virtual Terrace) ridiculous gibberish?
BB never come face to face with The Penguin.
GaBBBa GaBBBa Hey!
I'm surprised we weren't in for Ross McCormack. A previous target who ticks the Scottish box.
Smogs at 9.51 - have a couple for me, exiled as I am in these (far) northern climes. Mind you, I'm back in the pub with the first pint of Belhaven Best about to end its life in a last, glorious, gulp. Another one to follow, though.
And maybe a burger made of Bambi's Mum, with a salad and plate of chips....(Mrs Dormo is eyeing up a bowl of lentil, apricot and cumin soup - never say the culinary arts are in a bad way).
Sometimes, when there is no football, there can still be pleasure.
Gareth given the boot!?
"...but their victory over Derby left them only one point behind leaders West Brom"
So come October 2010 - if Strachan's team are one point off the top club will the Strach be sacked - HAVE YOU GOT THE BALLS GIBBO?
Well if no-one else is going to poke it home as it bobbles along the goal line.....
You can't blame a load of slow midfielders for being out-played by a division full of athletes and you can't blame the defence for making mistakes when they are under constant pressure because the midfield are constantly getting swamped. And you can't blame the strikers if they are not getting the service.
So who does that leave? The manager. By my reckoning he has until the end of September (the anniversary of Southgate being knifed) before all hell breaks loose and the pitchforks and torches are out. It is his team, he's had time, he's had the most money in the division... time to deliver.
No passion,no desire,no nothing. Awful performance. I dont know where Strachan gets the idea that we had chances we didnt take. As far as I could see it was one header off the post in the first half and a couple of long range from Kink in the second.
We look so slow and pedestrian,no one goes bursting forward towards goal,everytime we are in possession the game slows and the ball goes backwards,theres no urgency,ball retention is terrible its given away so cheaply.
I dont know about pre season favourites, by October we'l be favourites for relegation!
I dont know how Bates gets his game I agree with previous posts hes a terrible player,hes slow awkward and not comfortable on the ball at all,looks like a kid out of the Teesside Junior Alliance.
We have wingers who dont play like wingers,they never run with the ball and put crosses in for the forwards to feed off. Why is Halliday getting the nod before Luke Williams who last season had some good games in this position? At least he used to run with the ball.
Even if Franks had been fit he didnt have a squad number and it was rumoured he was going to be loaned out for the season,why? last season he was one of our most promising players and one of the few who had pace which is severely missing in this team.
Why is Robson not in the centre where he is most effective,hes not a winger. He started as a left footed right winger today briefly moved in the middle before ending up as left back. He was our best player from January whats Strachan thinking of?
I know we have players out injured but the ones standing in are still players Strachan has brought in and are still not good enough and are way off the pace,until we get the basics right,keeping the ball,passing to a team mate,getting a shot on target theres no way we'l be moving up the league.
Premiership? You are having a laugh!!
Oh dear wasnt a great match to endure. I dont think I can bear to read the fall out from this for the next couple of weeks - damn you international break.
Gibbo will easily hold his nerve and back his man. One it makes sense there is too much pressure and no time given to build a team instant success is now demanded. Second like his manager both are bloody minded.
Hard times I feel for us foam handers.
Oh dear,
It seems that our 17th position was accurate after all and the Barnsley result reinforces that.
We are fading fast and it is still August!!