Rip It Up And Start Again: Southgate's Shuffle
ARE WE on the verge of an exciting season of flexible football and drama? That is the bold intention as Boro boss Gareth Southgate prepares to rip it up and start again.
Here’s hoping. Recent years have produced real undeniable success - the Carling Cup victory and dramatic UEFA Cup adventure can not be dismissed likely - but in some respects the cautious, one dimensional functional approach that yielded those highs has eroded the soul and dampened the flames of passion at the Riverside and it is time for a radical change.
Boring Boro's ponderous midfield trundling forward hesitantly while Viduka held up the ball vainly waiting for reinforcements became the hallmark of that staid approach. Isolated Downing advaning down the left then cutting back waiting for targets to arrive in the box anytime this week was a familiar sight too, along with limited but speedy opponents ripping through a static midfield to score as problems inherited from Steve McClaren’s came home to roost.
Most observers could see the glaring pace deficit that left Boro exposed in a league increasingly based on power and athleticism. They were sluggish getting bodies forward and chances were snuffed out before they could profit and worse, losing the ball when they were stretched and exposed gave swifter opposition a chance to strike quickly. Mono-paced Boro struggled to match the power and pace of the “lesser� teams last term. The lost to poor Watford, Sheffield United, West Ham, Fulham and Manchester City sides who were fitter and faster - a flaw that left them in serious trouble until very late in the day.
Now thankfully that long standing and potentially fatal problem is being addressed. With hungry and fleet-footed forwards Tuncay Sanli and Jeremie Aliadiere already in the bag and energetic Alan Smith also being courted in a £6m move, what the cynics said was just pre-deadline season ticket selling spin is being made concrete.
On the face of it, the cynics can easily pick fault with such a strategy: replacing prolific strikers Viduka (19 goals last year and ) with Aliadiere, pacy and highly rated but with only one goal in the Premiership, and possibly also Yakubu (35 in his 102 starts in two years at Boro... although you do apparently have to take penalties off that) with Smith, a tenacious competitor with a patchy strike rate and more yellow cards than goals for Manchester United seems foolhardy- if the mooted reshuffle comes off.
To reject Smith as a benchwarmer and say he is not "spectacular" misses the point. He adds something we do not currently have, a snarling, snapping presence up front and the pace to harry defenders. He is far more than just a turbo-charged Malcolm Christie and to think Boro can afford to turn their nose up at an Old Trafford regular with so much experience - and so much to prove - suggests a fundamental misreading of both the league table and the club's position in the football pecking order.
It is a gamble - but the new course is not just about changing individuals or the club could put all their eggs in one basket and spend all the dosh on Dean Ashton as a Viduka replacement and continue to plough the same furrow. It is about changing the tactics, changing the tempo and changing the mentality, all imperative if Boro are to avoid becoming bogged down in a style that time forgot, treading quicksand until they finally got sucked under.
Boro have been easy to stifle in recent years. We all know that, and so do opposing coaches.Take Downing out and there is no real Plan B. If Yakubu or Viduka were not on fire there were few goals elsewhere and with little movement or creativity out of midfield the team could be relatively easily contained by even a poor but hard working team.
That had to change if Boro were to progress. And that is where the new recruits come in. They offer versatility, they are Gareth’s flexible friends. Tuncay boasts he can play on the right, the left, in the hole and as a striker and promises to transform the way the team operate; Smith can play up front, wide on the right, in midfield and even at a push in a holding role; Aliadiere can play anywhere along the front line or even on the right. That gives Boro plenty of options going forward with the prospect of exciting, unpredictable runs from a fluid front line carving open defences and leaving gaps to be exploited.
It also gives the option of switching from 4-4-2 when neccessary to an attack minded 4-5-1 that quickly becomes a 4-3-3 when going forward. It gives the option of becoming a team that can genuinely hurt teams on the counter-attack. And it gives supporters something to be excited about, a team that is designed to get forward.
Of course there are no guarantees and there remains the problem of a lack of pace in midfield but the early moves in the market have addressed one key problem and all the noises suggest that the club are trying to address the other. Is it safe to feel a bit optimistic yet?
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Anthony Vickers
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AV - I am more optimistic than at any stage of last season.
Boro signing players in June, whats that all about?
If GS gets his other targets in before pre-season training has started what will we have to moan about in August?
I think things are looking far brighter on the planet Boro.
Before Ian mentions it, it all looks rosy however the witch doctors of hurworth have not had their hands on the players yet.
C'Mon Boro!
This topic is nearly as old as the Riverside, certainly it predates the blog.
Many teams play with two holding style players and get away with it because of the pace up front and on the flanks. ManU played blistering football with Giggs, Rooney, Ronaldo and one of Fletcher/Smith/Solksjaer/Larsen backed up with Carrick and Scholes. Neither of the latter are Olympic class sprinters but they can pass a ball. They also get in the way and break up attacks
Others like Chelsea often play Makele and Essien in front of the back four and attack with other players.
If we have a front four of Downing, Tuncay, Aliadiere and say Smith that is plenty of up tempo attacking. What we have lacked is the tempo and pace upfront, passing and tempo from central midfield and a presence on the right.
A comment I regularly make is how often a poor pass in midfield leaves us stranded with players up field. Rocky tends to try to be clever, Boat is just a lottery machine that balls come out in a random fashion, Arca is the most reliable - an ex Mackem full back at that!
If the team is set up correctly we may get away with Rocky and Arca though the reliability of the engine room would be similat to a Morris Marina.
Now what is Appiah doing this summer?
**AV writes: If the second 'spectacular' turned out to be a quality holding midfielder who combined silk and steel it would be the basis of a very good team.
Anthony
I am very optimistic, because we threw points away last season through complacency.
Gareth had very little chance of changing that, because of the latch on that transfer window. However, he played his hand nearer the end of last season and said, “There will be lots of changes�
People have been moved out and others have come in who look to offer far more excitement, even before a ball has been kicked.
Like you say AV, the right side of midfield is the missing plug and the club must break the bank to correct it, otherwise the ball stays in our half.
We certainly don’t want a Joey Barton type of player, because he is definitely a Red Card specialist.
I cannot for the life of me see the answer coming from the Premiership. What is your honest opinion AV?
a bit optimistic? yes but i wont be happy about paying £460 for another year unless we get a right back, right winger, striker and a central midfielder!
AV, what do you reckon of this Davis kid from Villa? Him and Arca would be a very good/solid centre midfield pairing, although Rochemback started playing out of his skin at the end of last season. Davis and Arca would work well in the 4-5-1 formation you talked about. Except if we sign him then how are Boateng and Cattermole going to get a look in? And do you think that Tuncay is the solution they were looking for on the right?
with southgate buying up all these forward/winger type players i have a feeling southgate is going to be the new tinkerman as he tries to find his best team for the first few months. downing left the right hand side, tuncay upfront, then right and left handside,aladiare, upfront then on the right.. i can't wait to see how southgate makes the game seem over complicated
Hi Anthony
The signings are going in the right direction. Smith, I have to say, does not seem the right next move. Especially not at £6m. Would prefer Nugent who at least knows where the goal is.
I like the sound of Saviola but wonder if he's not too old for the formula GS has set out?
Like everyone else I'm agog to find out who "spectacular" is? Totti, Raul, Kaka, all fit the description, but are hardly going to come to a club not in Europe.
A young Brazilian/Argentinian then? Nope, they all seem to be spoken for. Perhaps JA Riise's brother from Norway might be tempted? There's nothing like the speculation at this time of year is there?
Regards
Pauline
I think the general concensus amongst a lot of fans is that the two signings already in the bag are very positive and have given us something to be optimistic about. Energetic performances will be replaced with laboured efforts and hopefully this will allow us to really push on next year.
I still have a couple of reservations though. How much money is actually available to Southgate and how many more players do we need? As has been highlighted in other blogs, the right-side needs attention. Maybe a right-back to work with one of the new boys.
Smith is on the agenda so that indicates an intention to sign another striker. And it has also been said we need energy from central midfield. That's 3 more players potentially coming in, depending on who we're looking at that could put our summer spending close to £20m. We have to congratulate Gibbo, I didn't expect so much to be available.
Does Yakubu actually want away as well or are we pushing him out the door a little? I've not seen anything from Yak to indicate he's looking for the trap door. We've seen more exit talks from Schwarzer than we have from Yak. If he wants out, then fair enough. If he doesn't, we need to keep hold...
Other than that, I'm a happy man at the moment. Positive vibes are coming from the club and we should be pleased about that.
**AV writes: If you spend £20m and then can recoup, say £10m for Yakubu - the one real saleable asset aside from Downing and one that may just be out of step with the new high-energy approach - then you have rebuilt the team and the whole ethos for £10m. Not bad business.
It all looks really positive at the moment AV. Do you think that the club are prepared to go that extra mile though and get those other four players ie right back, right midfield, centre midfield, and one more striker? If they are then we could go into next season more positive than we have for many a year.
Failure to fill all these positions will just be a wasted oportunity, because we have a chance of having a half decent side here.
Keep up the good work. PS - Make that 5 players. Put Schwarzer in the reserves for the remainder of his contract and get a new keeper.
Every time he goes away with Australia he tries to get other clubs to come in for him. Whats the betting no clubs come in for him and he is here for another 5 years?
I have just two names Wright Phillips and Saviola, Both undr 26, both fast and both very skillfull. Sell Yak for the ten million plus and what have we lost? nothing.we gain two world class players and improve the squad ten fold then all we need is a right back.
Alf
It is possible that as Gate gets closer to his coaching badges he starts losing the plot as he takes on board all sorts of technical knowledge? The surest sign will be if he appears on the touchline with pencil and paper. That will be followed by utterances of 'on another day' and sundry magnificients.
On a serious note I think he knows how he is going to set the team out. The players brought in and those he is targeting seem quite specific in the way they play - higher tempo than we are used to seeing. The danger is if he cant get the last pieces of the jigsaw as he sees it.
You're comment 'give supporters something to be excited about' hits the nail on the head for me.
That is what the new signings are doing it sends out a strong signal of what GS is aiming for and it sounds exciting. Clearly there is a risk involved but that is inevitable.
We haven't had exciting premiership football since we were last promoted. I believe the relegation the season we were docked 3 points set us back years because Robbo became much more conservative in his approach bought a lot of unexciting experienced players who maybe ensured we survived but certainly didn't let the club flourish.
Follow this by the appointment of Mac who proved to be ultra cautious and as a result we have had season after season of dull football.
The succesful teams in the prem. play with pace and energy, these changes are the opportunity for the club to break into the top ten and hopefully the top seven, a tall order but an exciting opportunity.
I for one can't wait for the start of the season.
So if Smith comes in, does that mean Yakubu is offski for sure? I feel Yak fits the high-energy approach, providing Southgate can get him fit during the close season.
I don't want our forward-line to become flimsy and incapable of going shoulder to shoulder with centre-halves. Yak is a saleable asset, but he's also an asset that can muscle out any centre-back in the Premier League.
Maybe I'm labouring my point. The fee being tossed around for Yakubu is £7.5m - £8m. At that price, I think (providing he still wants a shirt) we may as well keep him. He's still a young lad and has time on his side...
**AV writes: I think it could be made to work with him as the one up front in a Drogba role in a 4-5-1/4-3-3 three - but all the signs are that the club have willing buyers for him and he would be willing to move if it came to needing to balancing the books.
Vic
Is it safe to feel a bit optimistic yet?
Well, just a bit - at the one cheer stage at present but hoping we reach 3.
Like you I think Smith would be a good signing - he offers something we haven't got and haven't had - a bit of dig and effort up front, a pivot for Tuncay and Aliadiere and a defender from the front who should get a respectable (not spectacular) haul of goals each season.
If Smith is signed and The Yak goes then we should use the cash surplus to go for Appiah (Fenerbahce may swap) Stephen Davis from Villa, Nolan from Bolton or O'Neil from Portsmouth.
We must have the pace and drive in central midfield.
That still leaves the pace and drive on the right side (unless we go 4-3-3 with Aliadiere coming in from the right and Appiah or O'Neil behind him) - Gera (with swap if necessary)and right backs - Volz, Rosenior, Baird.
But, please, NOT Greening.
We might leave a little for a goalie too if we can't get Old Scissorhands sorted.
**AV writes: I think the Greening rumour has come from a case of mistaken ID as a short-sighted hack saw Tuncay at Hurworth and got the wrong end of the stick.
AV - you may be right about the short sighted journo, at my bible class last night one of the concregation mentioned that the messiah had been spotted at hurworth.
To stop a mass walk out I explained that it was Tuncay.
Schwartzer might be taken seriously if he was 25 and not 35 year old keeper who is coming to the end of his career.
I agree with AV about Yak, I dont think he is suited to a strike partnership role. Whilst Viduka and Yak scored goals they were not like Yorke and Cole working off each other, more a case of two players who were in the same team.
Yak is quite well suited to being the lone bully in a 4-5-1 with two proper wide players and supported by quick midfield players joining the attack but he certainly cant hold the ball up and link play.
Dont know if we have brought in the right personnel or have the right ones in the pipeline. Will have to leave that to Gate.
Smith can play up front, wide on the right, in midfield and even at a push in a holding role.
Those are AV’s actual words from above and that is the actual player we need.
I think the fans are feeling far more positive now, because we’ve all had our whinge and moved on including me.
I am 100& behind the club and would back Steve Gibson if he was riding the outsider in the Grand National.
Rumours have it, that Keith Lamb is pursuing Alan Smith around Disney Land, inside a Mickey Mouse suit waving a flag with our logo on.
That is the news which I love to hear and No doubt the Gazette will update us on this!
**AV writes: If only we had pictures of Lambie in his Mickey Mouse outfit. (Insert your own joke here)
I heard it was Mickey Mouse in a Keith Lamb outfit pursuing Smith around Disneyland.
Mickey mouse and our new badge are well suited.
Onto more mundane matters, interesting that Dong Goal Less has a knee problem. There is a treat for pre season, dont know what we will do without his goals
Ian.
If Dong Gook were to have a serious knee injury that would be a major blow ahead of the new campaign, it would deprive us of a much needed whipping boy. Still I'm sue someone else in the squad will step up to the plate if necessary.
Keith Lamb in Disneyland does that mean we're looking to sign 'The Roadrunner' to play on the wing?
So the whinger of oz is at it again. Well he's past it now (was always dodgy anyway, could never understand why Mac stood by him),so let him go. Can't see any queue's to sign him at 35 though.
With respect to Jones and Turnbull, both good keepers, there is a reserve keeper kept out of the first team by an international, similar to Nigel Martyn at Leeds keeping out Paul Robinson.
Who is he? Tim Krull of the skunks.
Does anyone know if Huth is going to be fit? And can he possibly play on the right side of defense? I know this may sound like the square peg syndrome, but out of about 6 appearances last year he got 4 or 5 man of the match votes on the official website poll, and i can faintly remember him playing on the right at least once.
He may not be the pacey get forward type,but he has the stability and presence to make a truly formidable back four.
Nigel - the roadrunner is contracted to warner brothers, prehaps mr lamb is looking to get himself an assistant.
Maybe one of the seven dwarfs, I'll let you decide which one.
"Smith can play up front, wide on the right, in midfield and even at a push in a holding role"
He has an extremely modest goal scoring record, and Fergie's hopes that he would fill Roy Keane's midfield boots were shot down when he looked way out of his depth when played in midfield for one the the best teams in the country.
An average striker cum below-average midfielder should not command a fee of £6million. As for playing for England, I can't remember a time when an England manager had such a lack of decent strikers to choose from.
Is the boro after Saviola or what?
AV - I've had a think about next season and we possibly still need to make 4 signings, 5 if Yakubu leaves.
Boro team for next season
New keeper, Aussie Whinger, Turnbull, Jones
New RB, McMahon, Huth, Hines, Bates, Davies
Woodgate, Pogatetz, Huth, Wheater, Riggott
Taylor, Pogatetz
New RW, Aliadiere
New attacking midfielder, Cattermole, Arca, Boteng, Rochembach
Downing, Johnson
Tuncay, Yakubu, New CF, Aliadiere, Gook
Probable starting 11
Schwartzer
Davies
Woodgate
Pogatetz
Taylor
Aliadaire
Boteng
Arca
Downing
Tuncay
Yakubu
Saviola available on a free transfer could be the midfield to attack link up that we have needed since Juninho was in his pomp.
Smith would be a decent signing and would take the place of Yakubu who would be a cert to leave to help balance the books.
Gera would be better than we currently have to play on the right hand side, Appaiah would be a great signing.
Carson or Jaaskelianen as our new keeper.
Voltz for RB
So if the cash is available and the signing flood in the team on the first day to replace the above 11
Carson
Voltz
Woodgate
Pogatetz
Taylor
Appiah
Saviola
Cattermole
Downing
Smith
Tuncay
Subs
Turnbull, MacMahon, Wheater, Aliadere, Arca, Gook, Rochembach
The above team can be funded by selling Boteng (2m), Riggott (2m), Scwartzer (1m), Yakubu (10m),
Davies (1m) - total in (16m)
Spending
Carson (4m), Voltz (2m), Appiah (6m), Saviola (free), Smith (5m) - total (17m)
1 million spent and I think most would agree it is a better team.
Lincoln,
Smith played about 3-4 games at centre-mid before doing his leg and ankle. He's not had a real bite of the cherry at Man Utd, mainly because they're a club that doesn't have to tolerate injury. If you're out injured at Man Utd, they pay out the big bucks and get someone else in.
I agree that his goalscoring record is moderate (he has more league yellow cards than goals) but at 26 I think he has a lot in the tank and will be desperate to prove himself again.
Saviola would be, in my eyes, spectacular...
"Is the boro after Saviola or what?"
or what mate!
So Andrew Davies, "did a great job last season," according to Paylor. With reporting like that, I think it's time to overthrow the old master and take control Vic.
Never happy
Made me happy. Dont think we would get quite as much for most of the players but I think you have reflected what most of us think.
Possibly wont get Smith but why would he go elsewhere to be a squad player - Sam will play Veruka and Owen first. Woodie and Downing being in the squad is a huge boost for attracting English players by showing you dont have to play in europe to play for England and for once fair play to Mac for that.
Saveloy would be the tasty signing and would really perk up the interest.
Mickey Mouse wears a Keith Lamb watch!
AV
Cant wait for the season to start. Do hope we dont loose the Yak. There is not that many strikers who score 16 Prem goals just look at Heskey! Cant make the first game of the season cos im on holiday. Going to the Wigan away game on the Wednesday night though !! Come on Boro.
Smoggy Norm
It is a rule in the Disney empire that the cast can never be seen without being in full costume, they cant take their heads off nor are they allowed to speak to the public.
The long held belief that Lambie ran a Mickey Mouse operation may well be true and he is the star of the show..
Apparently The Count luring Smith into his theme park trap (anyone recognise a Scooby Doo plot here?) has failed (I would have got away with it if it wasn't for those pesky kids!) and, having returned from Florida, Smith has jetted off to Dubai for a week.
Time for The Count to do his 'fake Sheik', methinks.
Never Happy, I can't remember all of the seven dwarves but Mr. Lamb certainly aint bashful, I like the Scooby Doo analogy personally, 'if it wasn't for those pesky kids I would have got the team I deserved......'
We certainly need two midfield players and a right back, although in defence of Andrew Davies, is he not a centre back playing out of position?
And although I have been critical of The Boat recently I wouldn't write him off, with a new team bedding in and forwards who are attack minded we will need a midfield anchor man, there will be others in the team to do the running. His experience could be vital.
As for Smith he's welcome to stay in Cinderellas castle as far as I'm concerned. He may be a good commited player but if Yak is to leave we need a second proven goalscorer otherwise we are relying on Tuncay for the goals and that isn't sustainable over a season. Smith isn't a goalscorer and at the age of 26 isn't going to turn magically into one.
Saviola would be great, but more importantly now are a right midfield and right back.
AV
I hope you have no objection to me parachuting your paragraph from above down below this post?
It backbones all and everything which needed to be said, and is it any wonder that teams at the basement of the table knew we were their Bingo in the making.
Gareth has taken a lot of flak which did not belong to him, because he simply inherited your paragraph AV and no-more!
Therefore, it must warm his eyes to see that his positives are beginning to be seen.
-------------------------------------------------
Boring Boro's ponderous midfield trundling forward hesitantly while Viduka held up the ball vainly waiting for reinforcements became the hallmark of that staid approach. Isolated Downing advancing down the left then cutting back waiting for targets to arrive in the box anytime this week was a familiar sight too, along with limited but speedy opponents ripping through a static midfield to score as problems inherited from Steve McClaren’s came home to roost.
"ARE WE on the verge of an exciting season of flexible football and drama? "
Not if Southgate signs that Iranian gadgey from Bolton and McShane of WBA were not!
It's all gone quiet - again!
And it must be bad when the Gazette is carrying as its only updated story for today a piece about Coops that was on the club website yesterday.
I hope The Count can multi-task and that everything hasn't ground to a halt waiting from Smith to answer.
We still need 2 midfielders and a right back. None of that need wait on Smith.
JP Maybe Smith is the new right back/midfielder!!
Shaun, you say he has only played a limited number of games in midfield. One that stands out was actually against us when he was utterly hopeless and we beat the 4-1 at the Riverside.
He was one of the players criticised by Roy Keane as being not fit to wear the shirt. His '100% commitment' that people constantly refer to masks the fact that he's an impotent striker.
AV
I have the utmost respect for both Gareth Southgate and Colin Cooper and also complete and utter faith in their unmatched levels of passion. (Excuse the pun)
Colin has now gone on record acknowledging that we must hit the top pack. What I am saying is that nothing accept Europe is acceptable or should be tolerated.
Reading almost knocked on the European door last season. Therefore, we must make completely certain that teams of their quality are put in their place, which is below us in the table.
Every word a winner AV, cruel or kind, because a winner thrives to prove and must take things on the chin.
AV
Does the club ever ask The Gazette not to report a story when they want to keep a transfer target secret?
**AV writes: Hmmm. No, they don't ask us not to write a story but sometimes there might be an agreement over the timing of the publication in exceptional circumstances.
If we know something, about a signing say, but it is not yet public knowledge and we ask the club for a comment and they don't want it revealed yet - the deal may not be signed and they may not want to alert other clubs forinstance - then there may sometimes be a "not yet" arrangement, we hold off rushing to print in return for us getting the story first and exclusive.
This rarely happens these days because of the internet, global media and 24 hour Sky Sports. Now it is too easy for stories to leak from the other end, an agent, a "source close to the club" or the player's "friends" looking to make a few bob flogging a story to The Sun. Most papers wouldn't take the chance on missing a major scoop now.
AV, we must have right side of midfield sorted out and right back or all new signings are a waste of time DOES it take 2 seasons to sort this out.
The guy,Gokdeniz Karadeniz has a decent cv for midfield, how much more do trabzonspor want for him & one of the right backs mentioned in gazette 26/6 would fit the bill lets GO for it FORGET the 5/6 million for alan smith he isnt worth it anyway spend it on the righthand side.
**AV writes: Karadeniz remains a target but his club hiked the price. I think Boro are letting them sweat for a while but will go back in. There are "irons in the fire" for right-back.
"in defence of Andrew Davies, is he not a centre back playing out of position?"
Nigel, he's even worse at CB than he is at right back. At CB he loses games single handedly while at FB the damage he does is at least limited to being contributory rather than all-encompassing.
Mac had the right idea in trying repeatedly to offload him, and you'll not hear me praise the ex too often.
AV
At this moment in time the Club need the Evening Gazette like a broken leg needs a cast.
That is only leak I am giving any sauce to!
**AV writes: The club ALWAYS needs the Gazette, even when they think they don't. We are the only media outlet that can speak directly to their 'customers' in a Teesside accent and, when the chips are down, the only one that really cares.
Very Happy
I try to be fair minded about things, I also think we should be looking at a top half and hopefully challenge for a european place. The problem we have is sheer capacity to do something.
Steve Gibson has doen well for us and I will not knock him, he has taken the club forward across all fronts. The problem we have is that there are big investors moving into football at many clubs at our level - Villa, Citeh, Toon, Mackems, Pompey, Hammers. Some of these are big clubs slumbering. They are all trying to improve and we cant expect them to give in to keep us happy
As a club we have to be smarter to keep up. It is not surprising we sometimes struggle.
The system needed ripping up three years ago when Boro first broke into Europe to be honest but Steve McClaren opted to patch it up with "experienced" players instead.
Viduka, JFH, Parlour, Mendieta came in and brought a short term boost in terms of ability and options but raised the average age and lowered the average speed. It also pushed up the wage bill and none of them turned out to have any resale value.
You can argue that they delivered with the highest ever Prem place and the UEFA Cup final but as they all reached their best before date together it left Southgate with a massive rebuilding job.
He didn't have the time/power/preparation to do that last year but he at least made his intentions clear and now he is moving towards the team and style he wants. He deserves support as we work towards the new style but fans will have to be patient because there is no quick fix.
Lincoln, I'm not championing Smith for a midfield berth and even if I were, I certainly would not judge his overall ability to fill that position from one game in which we were fantastic and United were non-existant.
I wouldn't call him an impotent striker, either. Maccarone was impotent. Malcolm Christie was impotent. Dong Gook Lee is, well he is trying.
What I am saying is that at the right price, he would be a worthy addition. He has a lot to give at 26 and has a wealth of experience. More to the point he has the experience of winning things in England - that's the kind of mentality we want running through our football club.
Roy Keane said he wasn't fit to wear the shirt? I guess we can rule them out of a bid for him then, which gives us one less club to compete with.
I expect things to be quiet for a few more weeks yet. We have to be happy with the current movement. Over the next month or so, I'd like to see GS add Luke Young to fill in at right-back, Defoe/Keane/Smith to do a job up top if the Yak is on his travels, young Davis from Villa to come in and potentially Jagielka to act as a mobile central-midfielder/right-back/centre-back/striker/goalkeeper.
Just my thoughts but I trust the guys charged with bringing in the new boys. They're doing a good job so far.
Interesting gossip that impinges on us.
In a spirit of harmony Veruka states doesnt know if Owen will stay at Toon. Without seeing the transcript one suspects that a suitable question was posed and the answer trimmed and pasted to suit. With the gunners alledgedly targeting Martins the plot thickens around Alan Smith.
The Nugent situation hasnt been resolved nor has Bent moved. There appears to be lots of shuffling.
Whatever happens at least we have Euell.
2 things.
Firstly, if we want Stephen Davis - and we should - now is not the time to let Sanchez snatch him for Fulham.
As a midfielder it should be easy to persuade him that we are going to play through him and colleagues not give them cricked necks as they watch the balls howitzered from the back sail over their heads!
Secondly, the imminent and very sad demise of the Gazette MB in favour of the forums.
I will not be using the forums. They were never a good idea - as I said when it was proposed that it was a bit like putting the lunatics in charge of the asylum.
Because they are also partitioned it is more like having smaller groups of the lunatics with the same obsessive illnesses in charge of their side ward.
If you look at any forum type site anywhere it becomes like this.
The Gazette MB had variety and interest and moderation. Yes, it was still for those of us with the special sickness that is being a Boro fan but it was 'care in the community'.
A sad mistake, Vic, and one which will drive many from the Gazette site.
RIP.
**AV writes: Here is where the action is.
Malc, I've never seen Davies play at centre back, but I'm always reluctant to slag off a young pro. He was asked to play a certain role last season which he was ill equiped to do but he gave it his best shot. I don't believe he's played enough games at centre back to have his ability weighed up just yet.
I hear on the radio this morning that Juninho is having talks with Hull, I don't know if I am pleased to know that a hero may be back in English football of if I feel sad at the inevitable decline of a once exceptionally talented footballer.
If he does move to Hull I hope we draw them in the Carling Cup, it would be great to see him again.
Nigel
Davies was a bit of a loose cannon during his loan spell at Derby, always liable to have a rush of blood. He is a wholehearted player and his enrtusiasm got the better of him sometimes.
John Powls
I agree totally about the forums and have just about stopped posting on the message board. The blog gives time to develop discussion and still have the bit of banter we all enjoy. It also has the benefit of being hosted by someone who gives an insight into areas where we would otherwise struggle.
The worry is that the fans split into groups of people with similar views with little cross polination of opinions and thoughts. Still, I will be blogging because we can have threads within threads as long as AV allows it - he could be a mole for MFC!
Talking of AV, interesting the comments about the Gazette and the Boro. It may be a misreading of the situation but I got the impression that under a previous discredited regime relationships with the press, especially locally, might have soured a tad.
There again the same person is reputed to have favourites in the national press and infuriated many by selective briefing during the world cup. My guess is that things will have improved.
**AV writes: "A mole for MFC." How we laughed.
Things HAVE improved at Boro for us. Southgate is far more ameniable to the press than the suspicious former supremo. He undertands our perspective and realises the PR importance of the Gazette as a way of talking directly to the supporters and crucially, he is disarmingly honest with us and never shirks a question.
That said, the club still try to control information. The press office, the website, the programme all have jobs to do that in some ways put them in competition with us while they also have contractual obligations to Century, Sky etc.
Vic
I agree with where the action is - see my advert for your blog in my valedictory message on the Gazette MB.
Nigel
If TLF is available and coming to the UK I refer you to some of my previous postings where I have set out our need for a specialised attacking coach and that TLF would be a good candidate.
I'm sure we could pay more for him to coach - and do some mega-PR for the club - than Hull would pay for a playing contract.
Interesting notion about Crouch coming here after Torres goes to the Scousers. Again, this would give us something we don't have and could build his Eng-er-lund partnership with Stewie.
We need to forget about our winning of the "Carling" Cup now. It was the LEAGUE CUP. All future references to Carling Cup should be banned forthwith.
WHY????
here...
http://msn.foxsports.com/soccer/story/6969886
JP I'd love to see Juninho back at the Boro in a coaching role, but thats an emotional reaction on my part, i'm not sure what effect having a Boro Legend on the staff would effect the players.
Nigel
TLF would be more inspiring than some of the previous incumbents in coaching and trick cyclist positions.
But maybe his time has passed.
Ian Gill
Losing is OK, if one can honestly say, “We gave it our best shot�.
Getting into Europe is not as difficult as it appears to be. We beat Chelsea at home and drew with Man Utd away, which reflects how points can be obtained if yer have the bottle.
When Alan Smith first came on the scene he never give a toss about reputations. That enthusiasm will never leave his person, because it is locked in his heart.
All we want is winners and no-more and nowt else is acceptable. When we play Blackburn on day one, we must get that road laid in 90mins
Then AV will no doubt get his breakfast in bed, whilst he is typing up a winning feature!
why have people got the thing about Smith he went missing when leeds went down. he looked like a fish out of water when we beat them 4-1. so where would he be played? The bench?
I would love for us to sign Carson and get rid of schwartz he has started to make to many silly mistakes and seems to want away every so often. w.b.a are after Jones more money in, or Jones and cash for Gera.
Be careful AV there are more out there who would like you as the main man for the hot seat at the sports desk.
**AV writes: But then I couldn't write with the freedom I do because I would have to forge a different relationship with players, manager and top brass. No, best left alone.
Very Happy
Agree with that, never a problem if we give it a real go. That is how Everton qualified for europe.
The problem we had last season was that we just capitulated at times to teams we should be beating or capitulaated against.
The point I was trying to make is that it is getting harder as more clubs move forward with new money and owners. It is not impossible and the early signs are encouraging.
All quiet on the Riverside front - again.
Just on the box to box midfielders - it seems like we're about to let Steven Davis slip through our fingers - to Fulham, of all teams. That's a bit like being turned down for Charlton - which has also happened to us recently.
There are stories about Phil Jagielka - but mostly about him going elsewhere, including Bolton. And if he's going to Bolton what about Nolan.
And that's just one position. Right back? Right wing?
Is it all dependent on The Count and is he entirely focused on what looks increasingly like a fruitless quest with Smith - if he's taking this much persuading then he clearly isn't sold on us. And if he isn't sold on us the we don't need him.
The striker money must be coming from the sale of The Yak - so the rest of the business can't be dependent on that.
So what's the hold up - everyone's either back into training, about to be back or at the Copa America or Asia Cup, so no-one can be hard to find.
It is all quiet on the Riverside front. We disect the gossip that appears but when you look at the Sksports transfer window special there is one story about the Boro and that says Toon are in for Geremi.
Last time I looked on BBC the only story about was dated last Friday and it was Tuncay has signed.
I think the Bent move is going to spark some activity with Defoe off to pastures new (not us). Smith will go to Toon in a part swap for Owen, Torres into Liverpool Crouch out to maybe Toon again with Martins off to Arsenal.
Yak is a big question mark because it looks like the ground has been prpared for him to leave, we will need money to buy for the gaps we have. We are also likely to be without Dong Goal Less with his knee injury so if Yak leaves we are very short upfront.
As a minimum we can get away with a good right sided midfielder. That would give us a team plus a reasonable bench. Not perfect but at least the right side would be secure, a defensive right back can cope if their is someone capable in front of him. A bout of injuries would leave us very stretched.
At the moment we have lost Viduka and replaced him with a couple of mobile players one of whom can score goals and one who should score more than he does.
If the squad stays the same likely line up is
Scissorhands
Davies/Mcmahon
Woodie
Pogo
Taylor
Aliadiere
Rocky/Boat
Arca
Downing
Yak
Tuncay
Very much work in progress.
I think JP's sentiments re Smith are spot on, there is no point chasing a player who doesn't want to come.
It also strikes me that Boro aren't looking for a central midfield player, there has been noise about strikers, right wingers and a right back, but not regarding a central midfield player.
I believe GS has faith in Rocky and there is Arca also, so my guess is the centre of the team will be pretty much unchanged.
As for Schwarzer, I'm surprised to see the 'anti' comments, the guy has shown great loyalty to the club, has played consistently well and only suffers from the fate of all goalies in that a mistake tends to be highlighted as it often results in a goal. He's as good if not better than most in the prem. I think his reported comments have to be taken in context and are not much to get excited about.
I'm also fairly relaxed about the current 'silence' from the club regarding transfers all that shows is that there is nothing to report, no doubt there is a lot of activity behind the scenes regarding all the players being chased, but until one is signed there is nothing to report.
AV
I know Gareth Southgate WILL form a wonderful one to one relationship with the Gazette for two specific reasons.
1) he does not harbour his feelings.
2) he is a winning gentleman, but a ruthless loser if 100% was the cause.
The players report back for training shortly which should be good news!!!!!
John Powls
I totally agree with you about forums.
AV’s message board is Premiership, because his players post commonsense and do it befittingly and without silly squabbling, which keeps his turnstyles swinging.
The Sports team at the Gazette are always looking to up their wonderful features.
So AV, please be kind enough to mention to Mr Tallentire that a monthly update feature by Steve Gibson would be most warmly welcomed. It will fruit, because those who care always comment willingly.
**AV writes: A monthly Steve Gibson column would be welcomed so warmly at Gazette Towers we would all be putting the factor 50 on expenses... alas, it is as likely as Ronaldhino genuinely being sighted at the Tontine.
Nigel, players are well oiled enough to know what they are saying, who they are saying it to and when they are saying it. Schwarzer was putting out a line to potential clubs by saying Viduka's exit has made him think about his own future.
Trouble is (as far as we are aware anyway) nobody has took his bait and come in for him. And why would they? I agree with you in that he has been a great servant to the club but I don't think he is better than most in the Premiership. Not anymore.
The Echo tells us Greening or Gera with Morrison as makeweight.
Dont want us to lose Mozza, I dont think he has had a long enough run to give him a chance. Bringing in one right sider player and him leaving would leave us bare on that side again, anyone want a pound on the chances of the replacement not getting injured?
But if the choice has to be made I would rather Gera than Greening if only on the basis of people not going back to old clubs. It rarely works. Same goes for Zenden and Geremi.
Shaun, You're a cynic!
Schwarzers comments were made in Australia and he said them knowing that his main audience was Australian, the reporter may well have altered the context to make them sound more interesting/contraversial or Schwarzer said them as an 'opener' for new contract negotiations.
Or maybe you are right.
I don't know but I have been around long enough to always treat with a health warning what I read in the papers.
I'm not sure what your belief that he is no good anymore is based on, have I missed something did he have a bad season?
**AV writes: I think they are old quotes reheated from the day when Viduka moved, a day when a lot of people were questioning the club's ambitions and spending plans and long before the declaration of a new turn to attacking pace and the flurry of transfer activity.
Ian, Totally agree, bringing back Greening, Zenden or Geremi would be a bad move and I'd be very surprised if GS were to go for any of them.
I also agree that letting Morrison go would be a bad move, he's a good player and whoever comes in as a right sided player we will still need competition in that area.
I'm pleased to read that Barcode Sam is after Smith and Geremi I hope he signs them both!
O'Neil doesn't want to come?
same as Smith, then, stuff him - move on quickly (just not to Sean Davis).
**AV writes: You must remember that all players at every club are contractually and morally obliged to say they do not want to move when there is speculation.
Firstly because if they are seen to ask for or encourage a move it undermines their bargaining position when it comes to negotiating those all important outstanding "loyalty" payments that they are entitled too.
And secondly, mooted moves break down frequently for all manner of unforseen factors and players do not want to burn their bridges with the current supporters. You know how quickly we can turn on players who say they want a move. Paul Ince is still booed by West Ham now.
Just had a look at the forum, prefer the blog so AV had better tell her indoors no more holidays or we will have nothing to gossip on.
Nige, I heard what Schwarzer said first hand. The interview was on skysports. Don't be so naive. Players know that when they talk to the press, they may as well be talking to the world because it takes little time for his words to spread.
Anyway, at the risk of labouring the point, if he wants to stay then great, but he's not as good as he used to be. He's slow at getting down and his kicking is awful.
I think Jones was unfairly done to under Mclaren and he deserves his crack of the whip. And by that I mean a decent run in the team.
Shaun
Was at the West Brom replay in the cup and Jones getting down slowly would be a vast improvement on standing watching a ball roll past so slowly grass started sprouting from the seams. In the decent run he had after the Scissorhands tantrum he dropped a howler against Nuneaton.
Scissorhands does have his problems like many keepers but I dont think Jones is the long term solution.
AV
I am fed up with reading about this 35 goal deficit we need to find once Yakabu moves on and will explain why, because it needs saying.
There are 11 players on a field, and unless one’s midfielders contribute to the goals tally on a proportionate level then someone has got their tactics wrong.
The same goes for Stewart Downing, because if he wants to become an England banker, then he too, must score a set number of goals per season.
EVERYONE’S a striker if the goal is within sight, which is demonstrated every week by top teams.
Tuncay could possibly score ten goals alone which come back off the keeper, prior to someone else shooting, because pace and alertness are his game.
Young Johnstone may well come on a bundle given that the Red Traffic Lights up front have now been changed to green.
Patience pays dividends, which is hopefully what we’ll see all see unveiled.
**AV writes: Our problem has been the lack of goals from midfield. Downing 2; Arca 2; Morrison 2; Cattermole 2 Rochemback 2.... therein lies the problem.
If a new style means the main two strikers only score 10 instead on 15 each but all the midfielders get forward more and all score five instead of two then we are 15 goals up on the season. It is also harder to defend against when more players are looking to get forward.
So far so good as far as im concerned. I dont know much about who weve signed but friends seem excited by them.
Im looking for a much, much improved attitude from all the players and want to see at least an attempt to go out thinking we can win games with an end to cagey tactics against teams we can easily beat.
Im hoping to see a much more confident southagte and not the whimpering, foot im mouth rookie that was all to evident last year.
I would like to see him really instill the winning mentality into players and to get everyone to gel and really want to be at the club.
But i am excited. If we can get in a few more quality players and can get off to a better start then i think we " could " aim for a european place.
Personally i think its all down to southgate and coops. If they can impose themselves and bring out the very best in players then i think we will do well. If not...
But heres hoping. Heres hoping that this new look team can produce the football and results that we all want and that the crowds come back in their droves.
TB
If we play further up the pitch then we are more likely to increase the contribution from midfield and elsewhere on the pitch. What is more it doesnt mean kamikaze, headless chicken football. Nor does it mean long ball.
How many times have we seen the Boro playing around their own area. It means that any mistakes you make are punished and that your midfield doesnt get involved around their box.
Pace in your attack pressurises their midfield and defence, playing further up the pitch means you capitalise on your opponents mistakes.
But Alfs point needs to remembered, the playres have to have skill as well.
"It is also harder to defend against when more players are looking to get forward. "
sounds like we will end up conceding more goals by leaving gaps in our own half.
Are you sure kevin keegan isn't advising southgate on tactics?
schwarzer's kicking has been fine last few seasons. it has never been a problem apart from one season. Jones isn't good enough to replace schwarzer.
With regards to alan smith, remember when he was at leeds doing all the badge kissing and saying he would never sign for manutd...
AV
Take your point about O'Neil but it was what he said and how that was the problem.
He could have said - and it's often a line used - that the interest was flattering but he is contracted to Pompey and committed to preparing for the new season etc.
It was the 'don't make me laugh' tone of it that prompted my 'stuff it' response, which I stick to.
I think we should also take the principled stand with Smith too and offer him one more chance to say yes - before he returns from Dubai - to sign up. If he won't commit then we should take control and withdraw our offer.
He's a reasonable player and would be a reasonable signing but no more than that - particularly at £6m - and many fans are not that keen.
He's certainly not a 'spectacular'. Now, there's a word that's dropped from the vocabulary of late. Is it destined to be banked in the same vault of mistrust that 'top drawer manager' was last season.
Interesting that we're not hearing the undoubtedly bad news about just how many have been tempted by the spin on season ticket renewals as opposed to the many more who are (rightly, in my view) waiting to see whether the promises will be lived up to before they commit.
It must be the one of the few businesses in the world that expects customers to part with their cash before they see or know the full details of the product. If you compound that with the 'Won't get fooled again' stance then we can expect to see a lot of red plastic aginst Blackburn unless the rest of the promised new players, including the 2 'spectaculars' actually materialise before then.
And after a promising start (and it is only promise with Tuncay and Aliadiere) we've slipped back into our usual torpor on a box to boxer, a right midfielder and a right back. High time we got on with it.
Up front - and unless The Yak is determined to go and the club equally determined on letting him - we could do worse than keep him.
I could see a strong 4-3-3 with The Yak on the left as his natural drift takes him, Tuncay central and Aliadiere flying on the right.
Just caught the piece about Round going to the Barcodes.
Splendid. Between us and the Mackems for top NE team next season, then.
Another chronic display of mis-management in the commercial department over the new shirts and (lack of) shirt sponsors to follow on the Summer's 2nd worst branding mistake (behind the Olympics 2012 logo) - the new club badge.
Amateur hour.
Da new furom is da paps . I doan like it, me. Its lodes more bterrer on hear I fink, like!
**AV writes: Could anyone translate this for me?
whoever said Luke Young for us gets my vote however I am very Dubious about Scott Carson as he tends to be more dodgy than Schwazer. Personally I would have a look at that Kiezer Chiefs keeper we keep getting linked with.
Alf
Kevin Keegan tactics were very much like a misguided Subbuteo manager. Gareth Southgate is a vastly experienced person, defender wise, and the emphasis on finding that fine balance which isolates no one,is what he’s obviously attempting to build.
Players and people have the utmost respect for him, because he is an open and honest guy.
AV has emphasised his character, but left out the kettle bit, because we all blow our lids.
Alf
Our depressing performances have come when we have been negative and played with no tempo. They have also tended to happen when Boats passing resembled Scud missiles - as likely to damage friend as foe.
If you do not try to go forward and make runs then you end up either lumping the ball forward or making passes around your own box. Both are recipes for disaster.
Movement and tempo gives the chance to make a pass. Some of Arsenals passing appears to be impossible but all they do is pass into likely areas because they know someone will make a run into it. It also helps that their players have high skill levels!
The same applies to ManU and even Chelsea. Over the last few years it hasnt applied to us. I saw some dreadful performances last season and will pick one incident to highlight what I mean.
In the pitiful miscalculation of resting players brains against Citeh there was little to note but at one point Downing received the ball just inside our half. He played a give and go, was heavily marked and looked to play a pass. Had to play another give and go then another. No one had moved or made a run to create space for him or a passing opportunity to another progressive player. That doesnt happen if the team is playing with tempo and enthusiasm.
We lost 2-0 to a side who coudlnt score to save their lives. Being positive doesnt mean playing irresponsibly.
its fine comparing us to chelsea and manutd in how we want to play but we dont have the finances to compete with the players needed.
One thing that concerns me is that cooper and southgate are defenders by trade so can we expect them to give us free flowing attacking football. Do we have an attacking coach? can southgate and cooper teach a striker to score goals?
Expectations are far too high for the new season. Too many people are clinging onto this new era of exciting football. is there any guarantee it will happen and be a success? what happens if southgate can't teach smith and aladiare to score? can he turn our midfielders into goalscoring midfielders?
He has been a manager for only 1 season so its a big job for him to do it. what happens if it all goes wrong?
the way some fans go on about southgate they make it sound he is some tactical genius who can make us play like manutd, arsenal, barcelona or real madrid
**AV writes: Surely the key is breaking Boro out of the tactical strait-jacket they have found themselves in? You know that is urgently needed. Changing the component parts but sticking to the same pattern would mena more turgid, one dimensional football and more thrashing about in the bottom half with all the risks that come with that.
What Southgate is proposing is a shake-up that gives the club a variety of options. A Plan B. And A Plan C too if needed. To do that he needs different component parts, players with different skills and attitudes. It does not come with any guarantees but it is much needed.
Tiago Motta - please, no. I hope the rumour is just agent provoked and his agent is banking on us being the team we were - aged, expensive crocks from the reserve sides of European clubs - not what Gate tells us he's aiming for.
Anyone watching Barca in La Liga for the last few seasons would have struggled to have caught a glimpse - usually got on in the last few minutes when they were winning 7-0. They haven't even been able to farm him out on loan.
No pace and difficult to see what it is he brings to a side. Would be yet another Rocky, I'm afraid, and one is more than enough!
And don't try to market him as a spectacular, either.
Of course, the way to dampen the speculation is to tie up the signings fast and then concentrate on the pre-season.
Ian Gill
To further your point!
The teams at the top cover more ground in one half than we have been doing in the 90mins.
Sometimes one would swear they had 13 men, such is their domination, but if they haven't got the ball then they can't perform as such.
Possession is their hunger, which is why they respond with rash challenges if the opposition take control of the game.
Chelsea look like losing another 15 million quid via their Russian failed striker. We should step in now and offer them the Yak in a straight swap and risk being robbed.
Mind you, no laughing till the deal is done and Lamby is heading North on the M1, talking to the Gazette on a hands free mobile dressed as Pinocchio.
Goodness knows how AV would headline that one!
**AV writes: Lamb Nose Sheva Wood Come
Now then fellow boro maniacs.....
Cant wait for the new season to start........just a bit worried that either aliadiare or dong-gook will be shipped out on the right....Also, does anyone else think Defoe would be a 'Spectacular' Signing????? Now that spurs have got Bent, he could be surplus to req.......I think we should push the boat out for him.....
Up the boro....
AV here is a translation for you :)
The new forum is dissatisfactory. One does not find it appealing. One also believes this blog is a lot more desirable.
**AV writes: vats wot i 4ort
Alf
It is not about us morphing into ManU or Barcelona. It is about us starting on the front foot with energy and commitment. That costs you nothing - poor teams beat us because we were not up for it.
It is not about us playing with no defenders or discipline. It is talking about movement and workrate. It is about giving options to the man with the ball. That costs you nothing
It is also about defending better, getting away from 11 men behind the penalty spot, getting away from having no escape route, getting away from leaving the opposition unmarked at set pieces because we are all in our six yard box. That costs you nothing as well.
Cooper and Gate are defenders, ask them if they preferred the opposition camped in our penalty area or worrying about us.
To summarise, we are not saying we have to go on all out attack or spend a fortune. The main thing is to change the attitude of the way we play, to start matches on the front foot, to change away from the lets wait and see what happens approach. It wont work all the time but it wont cost us points.
I listened with great interest to 'secret' agent Silkman on Sky Sports News over the weekend. He refered to the fact that Nani was offered to Boro last season for 4M euro and we said no because he was unproven! Oh my god!!
He also claimed to have negotiated a reduction in Woodgate's transfer fee from Real on behalf of Boro, and claimed that one club (Boro by implication,) had first refusal on all the players he sold.
Clearly after hearing him speak I can now see what an altruistic guy he his and a credit to his profession!!
But to have turned down Nani.............
AV
Maybe Peter Crouch could be an asset to our new build. Something must be well in the pipeline even though things are quiet.
I think many transfers are now caught up in a link, similar to a house buying affair. Perhaps once a big named import arrives the chain will move rapidly
“Lamb Nose Sheva Wood Come� was worded perfect and what wooden we give to risk that swap.
If we're turning down players suggested to us by an agent, then what are we paying 'scouts' for?
Nigel,
Silkman forgot to mention the 10 million pound finders / agent fee for Nani
Nigel, dont take much notice of silkman. He got a lot of bad press fromt he yakubu deal so is just trying to repair his reputation.
Its not as simplistic as those players were offered to us. We dont know if they might have failed thje work permit criteria back then. Also there is the wages,agent's fee and sell on clauses and many other things to consider.
Nigel, good to see you have chucked out steve mac's book on tactics and now using keegans book on entertaining the fans. WE just need some proven strikers now to make all that attacking worthwhile. SOunds like we will leak nore goals too if we leave gaps at the back.
Shaun, probably one reason why don mackay was let go. who needs scouts when you have sky tv and championship manager
Shaun
Agents and Boy Scouts explained
Agents see money
Scouts see potential.
However, potential has to talk to money first about footy kicker. Then money has to talk to de man at Cartel House
Dis man make dat Big Bad Wolf look like Bare Lamb, and live in Wad Castle If Wad Castle nods de walls then de transfer gets de nod.
De nod is spelt like dis:££££££££££££££££££££££
I hope that helps.
Silkman is finished, because he make fool of Wad Castle man who wants his walls removing.
Never Happy, no doubt there would have been an agents fee but it would have been relatively small as Nani at the time was not a regular first teamer, its not as if he was a super star moving on a free.
The problem was he was an unknown, but was allegedly recommended by Don MacKay, GS didn't go for him because he had never heard of him. My point is what a difference a year makes, if only GS had taken a flyer.
Alf - It is that simple actually, if he was playing in Portugal then he could have played in England as EU rules apply in both countries.
As for other fees, clearly a year ago he would have been a lot cheaper than now.
As for playing attacking football why should that mean leaking goals? Man Utd & Arsenal seem to mange okay.
Alf
We leak lots by defending too deep, zonal marking even though a zone never scores and giving the intiative over to the other team.
If we pass to each other, makes runs and are available we may actually keep the ball. It cant be any worse than flat back ten in the six yard box and blame Scissorhands because he hasnt X ray eyes or arms like a squid to grasp the ball in front of the 10 defenders.
With every day that goes by I get more and more concerned that things on the transfer front are dropping to pieces again.
No evidence of any forward momentum - more evidence of quibbling on prices and of potential targets sorting their future's out elsewhere.
An another outbreak of bo****ks from The Count on what a wonderful manager Gate will be. Always an indication that there's nothing else to say and he's 'whistling in the dark' again.
And, as though he's caught the disease we've got Gate saying that he's still to decide what he's going to do with Tuncay, having signed him. That really breeds confidence (NOT!)
Shambles ahoy!
AV writes: The transfer window opened less than 48 hours agao and Boro are three signings up on where they usually are at this stage.
Silence is no more evidence that nothing is happening than a flurry of rumours is of a major spending spree.
maybe we didnt have the money to spend a few million on unproven players in another country.
Or maybe we suffered cos southgate was new to management and didnt want to take any risks in the transfer market at that time.
Alf
Good point about Gate but also the club dont have a recent history of buying and improving established players never mind unproven ones.
Alf
You’re spot on in saying,� That Gareth Southgate didn’t want to take any risks in the transfer market in his first season�
It was simply a matter of assessing the wrongs he inherited, and getting them sorted out at season end.
Ian Gill has also made a very solid point in saying�, The club don’t have a recent history of buying and improving established players never mind unproven ones�.
Never was that more illustrated than when McClaren brought in that Dutch right back who almost collapsed our right hand side single hand-idly and no doubt Ian could name another dozen.
The Turk and the Frenchman are now here, which is brilliant and like AV says,� Silence is no more evidence that nothing is happening than a flurry of rumours is of a major spending spree�.
Sam Allardyce has now gone on record as saying that it will take him 5 years to put things right at the land of nod.
Not for us though, because we have what he has not got, which will be clearly seen next season.
Once we bring in this right sided TIGER, because that is what he will be after, minus its coat of course, we will have a far more competent and thorough unit.
I am fully expecting Boetang to join Birmingham, which is a homeward bound move!
So we have a new dawn on our doorstep and a very positive guy who will drive the club forward, because he is a long term winner and players will run their hearts out to greet his beliefs.
I agree with JP in that when I heard GS state he hadn't decided where to play Tuncay I was a little dismayed to say the least. So here is some simple advice for Gareth, play him as a striker and tell him to score goals.
Very Happy , have you thought of a career giving motivational talks? You'd be spot on! Out of interest if The Boat leaves who would replace him?
AV - When is Tuncay's work permit tribunal?
AV
You clearly believe I'm being unreasonable.
But the July 1 date for the window opening is purely notional, is it not? Everyone can do and has been doing business before that, just leaving the official sign up until the due date.
Is that the reason for what appears to be another delay in getting Tuncay through the work permit approval?
And, of course, pre-season has started.
I presume that I'm also being unreasonable in wondering why - with 2 years plus notice of the end of a shirt sponsorship deal - we still have no new deal sorted and so the new shirts with the new badge (about both of which the punters weren't listened to) can't be unveiled?
Which also means, presumably, loss of revenue to the club and that new players can't be paraded in the usual press conference fashion wearing or holding up the shirt and no squad photos.
And is my comment about The Count and Gate's comments unreasonable? Surely we should be past all that now.
You are in a somewhat privileged position as compared to the rest of us. You will know a good deal more about what is going on - for good and ill. But, hey, we're only the punters who pay the wages and buy the season tickets and merchandise. It's us that The Count said, pompously, the other week that he and Gibbo were just stewarding the club for because it was our club, not theirs.
It's us that need to be convinced. And I suspect that the reason that the figures on season ticket renewals aren't being revealed is that - having been lied to before - there aren't that many who are yet to be convinced.
It hasn't escaped many people's attention that there has been no more mention of 'spectacular' signings since just before the renewal deadline, much less actually clinching any.
Isn't it the club's job to do something about that by their actions and by making sure that their PR pronouncements are about what they are doing to strengthen the squad and not about how Gate will make a good manager and that Gate doesn't know what he is going to do with a player we've already signed (convert him to a right back, possibly)?
I have to admit - and this really is galling - that I have a sneaking admiration for what Keane has done with Nugent for the Mackems. It puts the club on the front foot and gives credibility and the right impression to current and future players.
"I agree with JP in that when I heard GS state he hadn't decided where to play Tuncay I was a little dismayed to say the least. So here is some simple advice for Gareth, play him as a striker and tell him to score goals."
That's worrying if southgate doesnt know where to play him. Is it the same for aladiare? Is southgate going to be the new tinkerman when he spends 2 months trying to work out which is the best team and formation?
JP - I think your posting is spot on.
Did the club think that all the supporters would go rushing down to the Riverside to get their season tickets because SG promised us 'spectacular signings'?
We were told that it would be quiet on the transfer front in June because players / officials are on holiday. Well since the season ticket deadline its got a whole lot quieter.
I hope that Alliadiere and Tuncay are great successes at the Boro, however they have a better chance of being successful if we can find a right winger.
Unfortunately or search for a RW has gone on longer than the search for Shergar, Lord Lucan and a new shirt sponsor
John
A thought about the current shirt situation. We know the band has gone and if you look at the last season it was a perfect medium for the sponsor be it home or away, the name really stood out.
Sadly we appear not to have a sponsorship deal sorted, wonder if the shirt is putting them off.
And dont get me going about the badge, I fear we will look like a poor mans Liverpool.
But I am sure the commercial people have it all under control. We could start the season with AV Blog on the shirt or maybe Bulkhaul.
We could adopt the moral high ground and have no sponsor at all.
**AV writes: I am writing something about the shirt situation at the moment but will wait until after today's press conference. Don't want to look daft if they unveil a new shirt and top drawer sponsor too.
Prehaps Lambs visit to Disneyworld was not to chase Smith, but to get a shirt sponsor
Nigel
Inspiration promotes positives, and relegates negatives!
McClaren was a negative and also a very happy loser. That is why I would have sacked him immediately, after our disgraceful display in the EUFA Cup Final.
Under all that glittered on the day, I bet Steve Gibson pondered, because one must be utterly ruthless if you want to stay positive to your loyal fans.
Supporters who place their bets, before the horses even enter the stalls.
I am a huge supporter of Gareth & Colin and the Gazette and very proud that we now have three winners in place and a season I am so looking forward to.
The fans come first in my book and nothing less than European Football retained is acceptable to me in the forthcoming season.
Whatever Barry Silkman says by the way is just a complete and utter joke. Very shortly his bank account is going to see a huge hike is its numbers.
He knew than many months ago and so did I.
Boetang’s future at the club must be on its hinges now, because he is what AV stated� The weakest link� and my positives tell me he will be leaving once our new signing/s arrive.
I trust it will be a Gazette sealed scoop, because the wait deserves the credit where it is due!!!!!
Your suggestion about me giving motivational chit-chat made me smile for many a reason.
I am sticking with reading this board and especially AV’s comments, because he is the pen of freedom and dats de type of man dat de fans love…OK?
Nigel,
I think GS knows exactly where he wants to play Tuncay, but it will depend on whether he gets the new signings that enables him to play him where he wants. He can't say he is going to play him up front, because if he does'nt get a right winger, he will end up putting him on the right.
"Or maybe we suffered cos southgate was new to management and didnt want to take any risks in the transfer market at that time."
What about Herald Goulon and Shaun Saiko? They were signed last season and are near total unknowns.
AV - Any idea what time the press conference is today?
**AV writes: About 20 minutes later than scheduled.
Alf
I suspect (and have done for some time) that Aliadiere could end up on the right side in a Llundberg type role. As I have posted before he certainly has pace and skill, it is his goal scoring that seems to his weakness.
What we do know is that there is starting to be some movement in the market. I think the Nugent situation is a reflection that he really wants to go to Everton and he is sitting on his hands waiting for them to come in for him. Moyes will be hoping he can get him on the cheap.
Yak is likely to be on his way and if goes we will try and get another striker - we are probably trying anyway. I think it will be someone to act as a target man to hold the ball up and provide some power in the box. Tuncay will play off him and Aliadiere will end up on the right side as mentioned earlier.
You're teasing me now Very Happy! Be bold and tell us who you think The Boats replacement is.
By implication he would be the 'spectacular' would he not?
To ship out Boateng would indeed be a brave move on the part of GS as we would be fielding as near as damn it a new team come August, exciting but risky..........
John Powls
I can understand your feelings to why things have gone quiet on the home front, but you must also fully understand that a transfer holds more that cash.
The majority of players have families. Therefore, they come first and foremost and no wife will just uproot, without knowing how the transfer will directly affect their lives.
That is one of the reasons why many verbally agreed transfers collapse!
PR departments at clubs are not in place to feed rumours, otherwise the Gazette for instance would be comparable to the thickness of Yellow Pages
AV knows his job inside out and regardless of the info he feeds us, occasions will always arrive when not a whisper must be said, because silence is golden.
You may think the transfer market is silent, but I can assure you that behind the scenes there will be plenty of noise being exchanged.
So be patient and stop signing fictional players, because football is not a single minded affair.
Bold statements Very Happy.
Are you a club insider / blog mole?
Related to AV?
Naturally optimistic?
How did you know about Silkmans bank accounts?
**AV writes: I think the Silkman's coffers thing was an alusion to the prospective payments due when/if Yakubu moves.
With regards to Aliadiere, there has been the typical Boro fan reaction of how he's a good player, with a good pedigree. (Despite the fact they've barely seen him play)
The fact is, he wasn't even one of the shining lights in Arsenal's league cup squad last season.
We usually sign at least one 'dud' per season, and I reckon Aliadiere will be the one this time. Arsenal fans are chuckling that they've actually received money for him.
i go away for a week an come back to find the blog taken over by qualified managers waving their eufa pro lisenses at the gate getting upset and saying he doesnt know where to play one player. that sounds like progress coz mac didnt know where to play 6 or 7 at any one time.
john powls, take a chill pill son. the lads are just back in training and already weve signed an international defender from real madrif and the turkish juninho plus a young gunner what is like the roadrunner. thats good so far by my reckoning and there plenty of time to go yet.
you were the sam back end last season talking relgation all the time. too jittery by half. and too much listening to rumours. and not enough measuring against other clubs neither. we are ahead of the game i reckon. gate has it sorted.
Lads, I was in total agreement aboutthe lack of Alidiare goals. That was until I found that he scored 37 goals in 43 reserve games. Now I know that reserve football is a different animal but surely an indication that he knows where the onion bag is!!!
AV are you in cahoots with VH?
Should we start calling VH, Uncle Eric?
**AV writes: No. And it is very disconcerting to have such overt support. If he gets any closer I'm calling the police.
VH's text is so obscure that he must be a pseudonym for Dave Allen. Deny it if you dare, VH
Holgate Ender - aah, the triumph of hope over experience again. Let a few more weeks go by and see how chilled we all are then, pal.
AV - still no shirt deal, then, I see. Look forward to reading your piece about it and Holgate Ender's view that it's all for the best in the best of all possible world's.
VH - recognise that?
Interesting that the blog is getting ever larger since the new 'improved' message board became the forum.
Poor AV will start getting stick from Mrs AV for always being on the computer reading the blog -'you should get out more Anthony, its a bad example for the kids. Even Uncle Eric isnt on the computer as much as you.'
Holgate Ender
Leave JP alone, he is merely panicking early to avoid the rush. The truth is he has regularly voiced concerns about the things that happen at the club. I am the same but unless you challenge and analyse what is happening then you wont make progress. The clubs pronouncements are generally pretty poor and they bring down criticisms upon themselves.
Dont forget that when a small group criticised the club prior to the Citeh debacle we were blogged down. We must not forget the fact we got 6 points from the last two games to take us to 46 for the season. If Wigan had beaten us it could have been sweaty bum time.
It worked out in the end but remember when Gate was at Palace, they were 9 points clear with three matches to go and went down. The time west ham went down they had 42 points.
Never Happy
I read the words of many Sports writers. Some are complete and utter parasites, because if you retrace their words, you will soon see that they write only to gain advantages.
I warmly welcome the opportunity to say things as they should be said. However, I always do it without one sign of undue malice, because it is respectful.
People are paying well over the odds to watch football and if the team holds the same passions in their hearts as the fans, then we may just have a chance of success.
However, anything less than 100& per cent means the exit door immediately.
The day the world fell out of the BORO’s heart, was when that season ticket was flung so damned passionately at the feet of Steve McClaren.
He should have walked there and then, or been allowed to resign befittingly.
However, the guy who flung should really posted it to be fair!
Finally, AV and I share nothing except what this page holds which is comment.
Smith? You have got to be joking!Who next? Bellamy, Savage or any of the other untalented muppets that(dis)grace the Premiership.
AV
Freedom of speech.
You wrote “I think the Silkman's coffers thing was an alusion to the prospective payments due when/if Yakubu moves�
In due respect, my posts need no explanation whatsoever, because they are worded crystal clear and Mr Unhappy, should not be in need of a media translator.
Thank you Holgate Ender for putting me right on John Powls, because I was beginning to suspect he was what have you stated. He would close the forums down if a transfer can be pushed through.
I’m staying Red and White and backing the club 100%, because our imports must see that loyalty.
" I am a huge supporter of Gareth & Colin and the Gazette and very proud that we now have three winners in place and a season I am so looking forward to. "
Three winners ? The ONLY winner I can see is the Evening Gazette, but then here's hoping.
Gareth and Coops STILL have EVERYTHING to prove, and although I would dearly love to be proved wrong, I still don't think that these people are the people who have what it takes to take the club forwards, but like I said, I whole heartidly would love to be proved wrong.
As yet though, neither of the two have shown anything that would make them winners in my eyes and I would like to see Coops give up his spot on TV to concentrate his time on his first and most improtant job.
Time will tell, but at then end of the day this year will be make or break for both these people in my opinion. We simply cannot have another season like last year. Crowds were down again and so was the quality of the football over the season as a whole.
Don't get me wrong, I really like Gareth as a person and as a player, Coops much less so as I've never rated him at all, but as a manager he still has it all to do as far as I'm concerened.
The signs are all positive as I said in my last post and I'm really positive about our chances this season, as long as Southgate and Coops can get everyone to gel and to really want to play for the shirt, if not, then I think that we'll be in trouble.
I'm not a doom and gloom merchant and I'm more than happy to give this pair the full chance they deserve, but I just can't agree that these people can yet be called winners by any stretch of the imagination - sorry.
TB
AV
disconcerting
Your above word is as unfunny as it unrelates, which places the yoke on thine head.
Very Unhappy
See......I can give him stick, but can he take it on the chin and rise above it?
I think. "Yes".
Very Happy - who said I was very unhappy?
As a relative newcomer to this forum, it may be worth your while to read some of the old blogs in order to find out who the real very unhappy posters are.
If you really think everything is top ho at the Riverside, then as others have posted you must be a club insider.
Never Happy
I am not a new comer to this board, because I read.
I am all for clobbering the club when necessary and offering praise if deserved. I doubt if anyone on Teesside has clobbered McClaren more than me.
Immediately the ref blew the final whistle after our EUFA Cup Final mauling he should have got Santa's bag.
That embarrassed and exposed his weaknesses and the Beckham issue, signed sealed and delivered him to the whole Nation.
You pose questions and always bring others into name. Check that out?
However, I will tell you this. Never for one moment doubt Gareth Southgate, because he will not accept defeat like McClaren, because he’s a winner. Now we have Colin Cooper beside him which makes two winners. Throw in the Gazette and I believe that makes the perfect hat trick.
Hopefully, our Turkish Delight can do the same against Blackburn.
However, if others in the team do not contribute to the goals tally then Gareth will have a lot of questions to answer.
OK