The Moggalution: Phase One Complete.
BORO blasted their way to Championship safety with a certain sunshine swagger at Hull that deserves praise. They bounced back from leaking an early goal to hammer Hull in a pulsating four goal first half blitz.
Yes, the goal glut was aided and abetted by hapless Hull's hari-kari defending but equally, the errors were forced by the pace, persistence and fluid movement of both revived Marvin Emnes and Aussie hitman Scott McDonald.
The pint-sized poacher's treble was the first Boro hat-trick since Afonso Alves ran riot in the 8-1 demolition of Manchester City in the Premier League back in May 2008. And it was the first opening 45 treble since teenage goal machine Alan Kernaghan struck in a famous 4-2 win at Blackburn in 1989... a match Tony Mowbray played in.
It was a great way to ease over the line after what has been a long road to redemption.
The vibrant sun-soaked victory was a far cry from the scrappy 2-2 draw with Hull in November. And not just because that particular game - a basement battle - was played in the polar meteorological polar opposite of a blizzard.
No-one is suggesting we cut the top off the 'O' bus, deck the route from Ayresome Park to the Riverside Stadium with red and white bunting and balloons or declare a public holiday to celebrate finally banishing relegation fears with three games to go.
Whooooah there. Put down the face-paint and step back from the foam finger.
When we were basking in the collective August optimism as bookies title favourites and the Championship big spenders it was unthinkable that the season would end with smiling supporters surfing a wave of relief and gushing plaudits heading the way of the boss simply for avoiding the drop. A relegation battle wasn't in the script.
So it is worth restating exactly how big a transformation Tony Mowbray has engineered at Boro. When he arrived it was to take over a demoralised side that were dead men walking. They were brittle, one-dimensional and fatally flawed. They knew they were doomed and had the body language of a beaten army in headlong retreat. Under Strachan broken Boro were operating in a No Win Zone.
If they leaked a goal it was game over. If they were hanging on they would implode under pressure. Conceding goals sparked out-right panic a the back. They couldn't create. They couldn't score. They couldn't win away - indeed they lost eight in a row on the road before Strachan's exit - and were easily muscled out of games by limited but motivated sides who simply wanted it more.
Under Gordon Strachan, Boro were sleepwalking to disaster. Relegation beckoned and along with it financial meltdown and a damaging rupture of the relationship with the fans, and possibly a permanent estrangement for thousands who had fallen out of love with a club that had become a chore. And a bore. No wonder so many walked away and gates were in free-fall.
Even had we stayed up under Strachan it would have been as a dysfunctional club locked into a barren loveless marriage with dwindling, dis-spirited crowds whose confidence in the future had been crushed by a soul sapping year. Thinking about it still brings a shiver up the spine.
In contrast, the resurgent spirit, enterprise and resilience shown by the outfit reshaped on the hoof by Mowbray has been up-lifting.
Using largely the same squad (but by including the fired up fringe faces that had been discarded by Strachan and left to rot in the reserves or were lined up by the exit door), Mowbray has engineered a new side that has restored pride, and passion and renewed faith in the future, that has allowed the possibility of improvement.
It took a while for the aura of institutional tactical caution and fear to thaw and the new philosophy of passing and attacking intengt to take hold but now the liberated side are playing with a zest and a willingness to get forward, to create chances and to score.
Time scales are always arbitrary but since New Years day Boro have played 20 league matches, which seems a big enough sample to judge on.
In that spell Boro have won six, drawn nine and lost just five. The defeats have come at Crystal Palace, then enjoying an eight game unbeaten run at Selhurst Park; at red hot Reading at the start of their sizzling push into the play-off spots; at Burnley in the middle of good run; and at home to runaway leaders QPR and in a hectic 4-3 home reverse to high-flying Swansea.
Generally form has been good. Yes Boro have drawn too many games to have made serious headway up the table but for a team in transition that is not a disaster, especially when they can point to draws at Leeds and at home to Norwich and Forest, all play-off contenders, where they came away disappointed not to have won.
That run of 20 games has produced 27 points and 36 goals. Boro have grown to be a steely outfit that have repeatedly come from behind to win and they have shown they can go away and take points too. In fact, over the last eight games only QPR have better form on the road.
They have slowly and steadily climbed well away from the dangerzone. From being briefly dumped on the bottom when they went behind at Preston in late December they have racked up points in a determined, confident revival. In the end we have finished comfortable clear. In truth we have been safe since winning at Sheffield.
The team is far from the finished product, Mowbray would be the first to admit that. But that 2011 form extrapolated over the season would give 63 points which is not far short of the play-off places. It is not earth-shattering but it is a decent platform to build on.
And that upturn has been achieved despite some frustrating long term injuries that have forced the boss to chop and change, to square-peg his players and to use the walking wounded and the kids ahead of schedule. It has been a major headache for the boss but it hints at what could be achieved with a stable first XI.
Mowbray has shown an uncanny and welcome knack of getting the whole to be greater than the sum of the parts and getting the components into a shape geared to shackle the opposition's strong suit while offering opportunities to hurt them going forward.
Time after time injuries have forced him to reshuffle the pack but he has always managed to come up with a system to do the job. At Hull injuries to Tony McMahon and a case of mumps for Joe Bennett left the gaffer without either of his regular full-backs so Andrew Taylor dropped back on the left and Maxi Haas - still not acclimatised to the intensity of the English game - started his first game in the unaccustomed right back role. It was the 24th different permutation at the back this season.
In midfield Julio Arca was carrying an ankle knock, Kevin Thomson is still far from match fit and youngster Richie Smallwood was starting only his fourth game while Arca and Barry Robson were playing out on the flanks although neither have the pace or line-huggings instincts of a dedicated winger.
Again, it was far from ideal, and at times Boro were under pressure, yet once again, the team produced: Effort, work-rate, desire, attacking intent and goals. And that ability to hit back and create, the determination not to lose, and that belief that they can come from behind, is the bedrock of the revival.
Just as importantly, and directly linked, the improvement in performances by the team have been matched by an almost tangible upsurge in optimism among the fans that has contributed to the feelgood factor. People are enjoying going to the game again.
We will need that to carry through into what could be a testing summer as the boss rebuilds for next season with one hand tied behind his back by finances.
Most fans though will already have seen plenty of positives and will be looking forward to next season already. I know I am.
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Anthony Vickers
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Now that we have had yet another wonderful result and that under the brilliant leadership of Mogga, we have obviously turned the corner, does anyone think (like me) that we may well go up as undefeated champions next season.
I will put a few quid on us reaching the 100 point mark and beating the jawdees points total of last season.
We started where we left off on Tuesday but credit where credits due and to bang in four in response is a surefire way of restoring pride. I'd have taken two points from Burnley and Hull so to come away with three at the end of the week has got to be a fair return.
Most importantly it showed that despite Tuesday's woeful showing there is still fight and belief in the squad. MacDonald is now starting to turn in the sort of performances we bought him for. It could be that he needed a season to adjust plus a decent manager! Regardless congratulations to him and hopefully the injury is not as bad as we feared.
We can now start to see some of the fringe players get an opportunity in the last few games, lets hope they give it their all. Watching Boro will never be boring under Mogga, just hope we can still keep outscoring the opposition though at the rate we concede.
I haven't checked any stats but I'd wager we have scored more goals under Mogga since October than we did over the entire season for the last few years, or does it just feel like that!
At last Jarkko and Eija saw some of the new Boro I hoped they would see. They have now endured a scrappy draw; they have watched us being comprehensively outplayed and today watched us tear Hull up in a scintillating first half. They were also there the day our Championship future was secured. Clive Hurren joined us, which was nice, and I think they are popping into the Navi again on Monday.
Thomson had his best game for us by far, worked well with Arca and Robbo, and I think we had glimpses today of a far better Boro next year. Some of the cohesion was lost when Richie Smallwood went off, I noticed, and I am more and more impressed by this young man. He almost always takes the right decisions, sometimes small and unfussy ones, sometimes more penetrating ones, a real percentage player.
Emnes does worry opposition defences and it was good to see him back and getting an understanding with Scott. If Scott could keep onside, he could get a hatful of goals next year.
We must sign up Paul Smith as a priority for next year. On the other hand, we can offload Maxi Haas and Willo Flood. McManus played well till he got crunched, but it was Bates who controlled things most at the back. The crowd were awesome - again! On to Monday and I hope we have as big and noisy a crowd at home. I also hope Thommo has another set of boots in his locker!
We had an international celebration barbecue. By some obscure chance we bought a house in Derby called Southbank. Spooky!
But to show the international nature of modern football even at this level we had a salad with ingredients from from Italy and the UK, Jersey Royals, chicken skewers with Thai Spices, Aberdeen Angus burgers topped with Monterey Jack cheese.
My international journey included a bottle of Stella, Spitfire, and Savanna Dry followed by wine from Italy (Soave) and France (Cotes du Rhone). I may wander into Islands and have a Malt Whisky.
My son is away at a wedding, my daughter knows I am daft. I suspect my wife may give up on me when Mrs G followed the extension lead into the garden where I was repotting geraniums listening to Boro World on the lappie.
My broad smile accompanied by the comment 4-1 up at half time were met by 'it is only half time' and the look reserved for those unable to help themselves.
Anyway, to paraphase Bill McClaren 'they are dancing in the streets of Mickleover'. Actually I am not dancing but I have a big smile and I can hear the siren call of a single malt.
It is a very singular celebration, not so much a street party as a smug, self sufficient escape capsule.
Get in!
Gobsmacked, great resuly lads!
I would like to think that Boro will power on for the rest of the season and not rest on their oars. Can they get their goal difference into positive numbers in the remaining games?
Wasn't at the match but what a result. Given all the changes being made at the moment this result is very impressive.
Bodes well for next season.
Saefty mission well and truly accomplished. Wonderful effort from Mogga and his team since he took over. Now comes the tricky bit of balancing the books while building a competitive team.
16.48 Local hours
A sigh of relief audible for miles
Like waking up from a bad dream to realise it was just that, peeling the cold clammy sheets off your skin and realising theres no Monster about to eat you. (or is that just me?)
It's over...the fat lady has sung and we are off the life support system, a long period of rehabilitation lies ahead with Dr Mogga.
I will be at the final home game of the season, (I dont return to UK till thursday) and also at the Parky benefit game. I will buy next seasons shirt and invest my money in the Reverand Mowbrays spiritual revolution.
But first I want a few worry free, fingernail growing ulcer healing Football free weeks to recoup my strength.
Mowbrazade anyone?
Oh the agony and the ecstasy of a goal down then euphoria when 3 1 up then final score of 4 2.
Boro fans take note the away support made a difference to the performance today, please turn up on bank holiday monday and show the boro hierarchy that they must back TM for next season without ripping this squad apart.
In mogga we trust =UTB
Finally we're safe and it's a good feeling! I know we've been there or there abouts the last couple of weeks, but you never know with the boro
I wasn't at the game, but keen to read people's reactions to what sounds like a pretty awesome first half. What are people thinking about Scotty McDonald and next season? Do we think that Mogga has worked him out and how to give him the service he needs? Since coming back and the team getting better he seems to be regularly slotting them in.
Anyway, 7am here and this is the first thing i've done (same as every sunday morning) well done to the lads and looking forward to next season with Mogga's team and a competitive team able to push for promotion.
I cant believe it,we beat a team on their patch. A team on the verge of a chance to make it to the Prem(playoffs),and Im hearing we were gifted goals,
Hey I could say we have blown 15 pts in the last 10 mins of games this season,
You have to sometimes scratch and fight your way out of this division,but next year is gonna be a lot harder.
I know this much ,we have a good squad for this level but the goal difference between QPR and us is 45 goals and that is outrageous. We need strenghening up front,and a midfielder who can get amomg the goals,also our centre backs should be adding more to the score sheet
It was written in the runes by a man from the Far North, who had travelled across sea and mountains to witness the event. And Lo! It came to pass.
Look back to Jarkko's post of April 22nd (the previous thread) at 6.29pm: "I have heard a rumour it will be Hull 2 Boro 4 tomorrow. Have to see that.."
Spooky.... I wonder if he bought a Lottery ticket this weekend?
Great result. It sounded like great entertainment. Lots of goals (to be fair we see lots at BOTH ends these days). Banished are the days of regularly hearing "Middlesbrough 0" as the Cloassified Results go out. Thank goodness for that!
Watched the goals several times and my view keeps changing.
The intial thoughts are that the Burnley defending was shocking. They were truly awful but they are above us in the league and had only conceded 14 in 21 matches at home before the match.
So lets give a bit of praise to the pressing of our attackers especially Emnes.
When Torres was playing well at Liverpool how many goals did they score from similar situations created by his work rate, especially by Gerrard.
Points wise we are now half way between the relegation and play off positions, I would have taken that at Christmas!
A little while ago i read someone (no names mentioned) say that there were too many quote 'Ra Ra's' on this blog. Not so long ago there were too many doom sayers.
Well i was well in with both crowds and I don't mind saying that with Mogga in the driving seat I feel a great deal better about the future of the club I have supported over 35 years.
It's not just a case of wishful thinking, hopes and prayers, it's a case of looking at the man, his previous experience, his character and his successes. I'm a firm believer in a team reflecting the character of the manager when the chemistry is right. This is happening at the Boro.
It could be said of the match before Hull that the team got knocked down. Well the game against Hull showed how to get back up again big style. Outrageousness score at half time and totally awe-inspiring (Ra Ra). The faith I and others show in Mogga and his team fully justified. The confidence must be soaring after an event like that.
Still many games to go, many injuries will be seen and mistakes made on the learning curve. However when you have a man at the steering wheel who KNOWS where he is going and how he will get there (remember he's already achieved promotion with the Baggies in style) then you're onto a winner. I can't put my hand on my heart and say we will sweep away all and sundry next season but I won't feel the same trepidation when we go a goal down.
Onwards and upwards- Well done Mogga and the lads. N Pearson must be feeling a bit sore this morning. UTB
Sitting reading all the reports of the great win at Hull, I can not wait to get up early Tuesday morning to read what happened overnight in England to the Boro.
Early in the season when Strachan was in charge I must admit I lost a lot of interest at what was happening with Boro due to my disappointment at the way he was treating my club when he was stating that what we had been doing for the past ten years or so was a load rubbish and he was here to sort out the mess, Well he sorted out the Boro that;s for sure but in the wrong direction.
The Boro players have now regained their confidencewhich the little Scot destroyed. So many player playing great football after being relegated to no place positions in Strachan's thinking for the Boro future. This win augers well or the future, maybe not promotion, but a team challenging for promotion. I do not think I will be able to sleep tonight waiting for the Easter Monday result.
UP THE BORO.
Great result - great relief!
Let's hope tomorrow's game can be a celebratory entertainment - complete with panto villain, King - with some sparkling soccer and a chance to see - maybe - Reach and Wyke in action for some of the game.
Save the deckchairs for a week or two, lads!
Yes, Halifaxp summerised it well up above. I have been very impressed by Ritchie Smallwood and Thommo, too.
And it was nice to see and talk to Clive Hurren, too. I saw him in Navi before but didn't have time to have a chat then. Great, CH.
And the match was totally different to the previous two (except for the goal we conceded on the 3rd minute that is!). It is great to be a Boro fan again. And the weather? Cannot much complain.
I think I need to give a break for Mrs Jarkko now. We'll go to MIMA today. But tomorrow is all Boro again. Intesting to see the match aginst Coventry. Marlon to score against us, anyone?
I saw a foam hand at Hull yesterday - and it was not me. Positive times ahead.
Up the Boro!
Safe and sound. Spread sheet has turned green.
I just wanted to say,Having been a critic of the return on the outlay on some of the players weve bought from the Scottish league(overpriced),
All teams are looking for that 20 goal a season striker, Scott Mcdonald is on 14,if he can get three from the remaining fixtures thats 17, and I have to say his first and third yesterday where top class, quality finnishes. Are these guys finally getting it? I think so,but as we know in this division you have to be at it every game
As Lennie Bennett used to say on Punchlines, "now remember what you heard and where you heard it...
"foggysfplandiet said: "Sorry but are you serious? If we stay in this division - which is highly probable - we will be safe. And next season WE GO FOR PROMOTION TO THE PL. Trust SG and TM - the former for money and latter for a decent team."
"Jarkko mate, you need to wake up!"
Hold fast there foggy, making those 180 degree turns is liable to leave you a bit dizzy.
99.9% safe.
There are still three fixtures we may fail to fulfill and as we know, a three point deduction is right and fair!
Great result, great prediction Jarkko!! I was fearing you wouldn't get to see them win, but what a beauty!!
Can I just make a little plea?
If we have a player who left the club under, let's say, a cloud, and the crowd then goes on to boo said player when he next returns to the Riverside, it is INEVITABLE that the player scores against us.
Marlon King has scored a few recently. He left the Boro under a sky so leaden that some thought the sun would never shine again. He is one of a select few players who I would NEVER want to see play for us ever again. I would lose no sleep if he had to try to get a proper job, and learned what the real world (outside of football) was like. And that has nothing to do with the (lack of) ability he showed for us on the pitch. If he really can do it elsewhere, that makes his efforts whilst at the Boro even more disgraceful.
We all know the drill. Berate an opposing player and he'll try his socks off and score against us. He'll then dance around the field, pointing to his new club's badge as if to profess undying loyalty (until the next club comes along and offers a little more money).
There is one way to avoid this: don't boo, just greet his name with silence. Don't give him the recognition that booing gives. When he gets the ball (hopefully not that frequently) just ignore it. I'd hate if our fans' booing gee'd him up so that he was more determined to score against us. I want him to go home goal-less and defeated.
There are some things about football that I hate. But I'd LOVE IT, JUST LOVE IT, if he went home empty handed. Come on, Boro!!!
....and while we are on... anyone for a quick snifter at the Navi before, and maybe after, the game tomorrow? Come on, you know it makes sense....
And I don't wish to sound sacriligious but: let's celebrate the ressurection of a football club that was certainly on its way to being crucified, dead and buried if we had retained the same manager. Thank God the change was made. Pity it couldn't have been made earlier.
Currently in Shaky City, but no tremors as yet, well not until I received a text at 5am this morning with the KC result.
Shame I'm not wearing my Boro shirt in our Street today, anything to wind up the Tigers fans. They will be back to wearing their Liverpool and Man U shirts again.
Seriously though, a brilliant result, which really bodes well for next season. Echo Pete's sentiments about signing Paul Smith.
UTB from NZ
Marlon is nailed on to score, it is written in the stars, it is as likely as my wife and duaghter coming back from the shops having 'saved' some money.
Hope Jarkko and his wife can leave these shores with another win under his belt.
2-1 to Boro.
Great piece of journalism Anthony, you hit the nail on the head with all of you points.
I am sure we can now look forward to the team improving all the way to the end of the season and giving us a glimpse of what we might expect next season, a team rebuilt in confidence and ability.
Mogga is getting the best out of every man jack of the squad by showing them they are a valued member of the Boro future, as against Strachans method of critical analysis and down right mis-judgement.
They are now playing out of their socks for a manager who knows how to manage men.
And to Ian Gill at 8.34am, I'd be happy with 2-1 today. But I have a feeling there might be more goals in the game (hopefully for us) than that.....
I think a 2-2 today.
Our last two remaining fixtures could have a Major impact on the promotion relegation issues. To that end I think TM is goig to have to field his strongest sides without running the risk of accusations of weakened teams/fringe players etc. The last thing we need is an FA charge.
The final game of the season v Doncaster could be mightily important to a lot of teams but thankfully not us. Similarly next week v Cardiff...how I would love to go there and dent their promotion prospects.
The treatment room is struggling to get a team out at the moment:
Coyne
MaMahon, Mcmanus, Hines, Bennett
Bailey, Zemmama
Franks, McDonald, Williams.
Luckily we have the likes of Robbo, Arca, Thommo and Hoyte not fully fit so can play in either team. Three of those are midfielders so can play for the first team or the treatment room.
As Bates says, flexibility is important.
Up at 2am, knew I would not sleep waiting for this result. Worth the disturbed sleep though, another great win after going behind early,
Julio Arca is a gem, I hope we can keep him next season. A much under rated footballer. Maybe Kink should be given more match time now also under rated so far. Was McDonald injured and if so how serious?
**AV writes: It is not serious but worst than first thought. He's probably out for the rest of the season now.
2-1 - another great win and now up to 15th in the table. Well done Boro you have realy brought the feel good factor back. What happened to McDonald today.
When Tarmo struck, it was exactly the same point in the game as Dele Adebola's late late equaliser for (rejuvinated Kris Boyd) them on the Trent. I didn't celebrate. I just had an overwhelming feeling of joy, for all Boro fans, for the live bloggers, journo's, and the King and Queen of Finland. We all deserve it!!
We're Middlesbro'!!!!
'appy 'aster!!
A win tastes better if it comes from the last bite of the feast. Some of the fare on offer seemed a little past its sell-by date but Tarmo's little beauty in the depths of injury time tasted very sweet indeed.
And I now sit in the 'Strangled Vole' looking forward to the Man City game and wondering who might pop in for a pint of Stickle Pike and a serious debrief about the Boro match. Thang goodness for the winner that will make the evening so much more pleasant.
The first half of 2011 gas been a blast, here's hoping the second half of 2011 is SaturnV powered with Mogga in the command module!
Fly me to the moon!!!
Colin
A great result if not performance, I think the teams will be decided by who is fit to play.
Jarkko predicted the last two results exactly!
Nigel, you cracked it mate, we need a club song,
"Fly Me To The Moon" fits the bill.
Good arras
Come on songsters, gimme some lyrics....
I posted from the "Strangled Vole" at 7.46pm, wondering who might pop in. Well I'll tell you who arrived about 1 minute later - the Seer himself, Jarkko together with Eija for a seat in front of the pub fire and a last gasp glass of something nice before thinking of his return trip to Finland.!
halifaxp -
Yes I did predict the scores correct but I know my Boro! Seriously I tried to be positive after you said we might lose (our results going up or down). And I always predict us to win.
Dormo -
it was the best pub I have been to. The fire place was nice after a freezing afternoon at the Riverside. And of course it helped to have a victory over Coventry in mind.
I am back home now. I saw two wins, a draw and a defeat but I think it was my best holiday. It was so nice to see some of you at the Navi and make some friends, too.
I think I will try to come more often - perhaps once a season?
And finally I hope I am right again in predicting a result: we are going up next season.
Up the Boro!