Derby: Job Done.

Captain K wrote...

Win just what we needed. As I said when I started work to a Manc mate "we will stuff them one nil".

I am concerned about Boro's scoring however: only 28 goals this season scored in the premier league. I think only derby have scored less.

Games at Villa, Blackburn, Sunderland at home some examples of games when failing to gain a two goal lead cost us a victory. Even possibly Liverpool at home but that maybe considered a good result.

Only 6 times this season we have scored 2 goals in a game in the league and never scored more than 2 goals.

That's a worry and we really need to add a swashbuckling box to box midfielder to our squad. Its time to bring in fresh ideas and creativity to our midfield.

Also why did Capello call up Wheater, Agbonlahor and Ashley Young to the 30 man squad and then not have a rule that if they didnt made the cut they would join the u21's???? pointless.

hmm...

Posted by: Captain K  | March 23, 2008 1:31 AM

Neil G wrote...

I am sick of paying good money to watch the garbage being served up by Boro at the majority of home games.

Southgate really is clueless. He should do the Teesside public a favour a favour and leave now.

Posted by: Neil G  | March 23, 2008 6:52 AM

Neil (Baku) wrote...

Three points, that's what we wanted, that's what we got.

The manner of the win could and should have been better given our absolute dominance in the first half not to mention two stone wall penalty shouts.

But as usual our strikers are unable to find the net, and we almost paid for it when Derby launched a spirited fight back in the second half blizzard, they had a couple of good chances to level it.

One big whinge, why did we play so deep in our own half? This was the key to letting them back into the game second half. We should have been squeezing them up, but instead we gave them the freedom of the Riverside.

Posted by: Neil (Baku)  | March 23, 2008 7:48 AM

mikey wilson wrote...

Tuncay is fantastic for Boro. The man we got on a free transfer has probably saved our season.

He has scored 6 goals in the premiership in 17 starts. Has played 22 in total 5 games off the bench, started playing as a winger in first six games, so not a bad scoring ratio, although he does miss some sitters.

I love his work rate and attitude a true pro. I would like to predict he will be much better next season, he is only starting to show glimpses of his real game.

Posted by: mikey wilson  | March 23, 2008 8:31 AM

gt wrote...

I think its obvious we need to inject a little more quality in certain areas. We are very predictable and depend too much on Stewy. Teams double up on him and force us down the right and I'm still not convnced about O'Neil. He gives 100% but thats not enough

The way we have played this season worries me. That decent players wont want to come here. We should have spent the Alves money on someone like Alonso at Liverpool, a midfielder with the vision we are sadly lacking,

Posted by: gt  | March 23, 2008 9:44 AM

Redcar Red wrote...

Well at least we got the required 3 points. Thats about all I can say in terms of having a positive outlook.

Call me sceptical but the euphemistic "Storm Damage" was fortuitous in its timing in so far as it packed (OK sparsely spread around) the home fans in the remaining 3 sides. I couldn't help wondering what if it had been Man Utd and not Derby, would the "damage" have been repaired in time?

There again was the alleged "Storm" the mildly windy previous evening or the fall out from "Hurricane Cardiff"?

Onto events on the pitch. Why oh why do we have to repeatedly witness a Boro breakaway attack only to see it peter out with a "Chuckle Brothers" ("to me to you") performance 20 yards out with nobody prepared to "have a go?"

The number of times we were up out of our seats only to watch O'Neil/Aliadiere put the brakes on and pass back to Luke/Boat who passed it back again only for it to eventually to be worked out to the left flank where Stewy was waiting already marked by 3 white shirts.........yawn, it got tedious to the point of I couldn't be bothered to get frustrated due mainly to trying to conserve body heat.

Whilst the performance was "Typical Boro" at least the result wasn't. That said I think there will be a few more "Storm" warnings before the start of next season.

Posted by: Redcar Red  | March 23, 2008 11:07 AM

Ian Gill wrote...

As certain extremeties of my anatomy felt more and more detached from my body as the blizzard swept the Riverside the words to my mates in Derby started ringing in my ears. Score one and you will get a point, two and you will probably win.

Still it is job done and a decent gap to Bolton though why we cannot go on and finish a side off still baffles me. As at Derby we sat back and let them into the game yet they are truly poor.

Posted by: Ian Gill  | March 23, 2008 12:06 PM

Richard wrote...

Yep. That says it all.

Posted by: Richard  | March 23, 2008 12:33 PM

John Powls wrote...

Ian, who drove up all the way from Derby and back through the frozen wastes to help swell the better than expected Easter crowd texted me after the game that we'd be lucky to get on MotD at all!

He was nearly right - we were in our usual last place even after a goal-less draw at the Reebok.

This confirmed Gate's view of the entertainment value - 'instantly forgettable'.

As you rightly say, AV, it was a case that the only thing that mattered in the end was the three points, though I say that as someone who only had to suffer the agonies of the last portion of the game from afar and in the warm - sure that Derby were destined to equalise.

Even Gate was moved to criticise our lack of quality and our retreat to the edge of our six yard box. But then, isn't he supposed to be leading the coaching and giving the instructions?

But, three points is three points. If we can sneak a point from the next two without further increasing our injury list and suspensions and the rest of the results go our way, then we can all but settle it against Notlob and The Mackems, as you say AV.

On the injury front, I hope that whatever forced Young off isn't too major.

But we're far from out of the woods yet and this squad and management doesn't do complacency well.

gt - couldn't agree more with what you say about our lack of a creative central midfielder. Along with a striker it was the position we never sorted in the Summer and we didn't even try to do so in January.

If we stay up, that must be a priority for the Summer coming along with a goalkeeper and a striker.

Whatever the merits of Tuncay and Aliadiere - and there are a lot - our goals for tally tells you all you need to know.

Mido's lack of discipline and the disappointment that Alves remains (despite the 'staged' 5 minutes yesterday, I don't get a good feeling about what is going on there) means we have to look to strengthen.

Gate MUST also recruit a specialist coach for the strikers. We have many years of evidence that the current crop are clue-less in that particular discipline.

Our problem in recruiting will be the same as last Summer - no UEFA (having thrown away the best chance in years) and being one of the poorest and least entertaining sides in the bottom half of the poorest Prem in years.

It would have been good for Wheats to have gone through to the final 23 but actually better for Boro that he didn't.
Let's hope that Stewie and Pogo stay injury free.

I presume that Huth's lack of fitness will rule him out of the Germany squad. Since his absences recently all seem to derive from the same recurring problem that kept him out for months, I presume we're destined to see him operated on again in the Summer.

Oh, well. On to Chelski next weekend. I'm hoping for a draw in their game with Arsenal and for ManUre to win handsomely against The Scousers.

I figure that these results are more likely to have the Londoners and the Reds tempted to rest players against us for their Champs League games.

Posted by: John Powls  | March 23, 2008 12:38 PM

jc wrote...

I agree with gt and CapK, a visionary midfielder who can both create and finish chances should be our priority in the summer.

But, it's good to see Boateng in good form again - I'm still reeling from his 3 stepovers in the Villa game, something I never thought I'd see!

After I criticised Catts at the start of the year for his clumsiness and lack of apparent progress, I'm glad to see him have another good game, following on from his good performance against Arsenal in the second half.

Hopefully he'll continue to work on his game and maybe even learn to avoid the bookings. He could and should become an excellent player, given that he's so young, but it'll be down to him.

And Tuncay is fantastic for his energy and enthusiasm, and some great touches. If his waywardness in front of goal is indeed just a blip, then he'll likely be our most important player next season.

If only O'Neil could score, we'd be laughing. I reckon they should play him as a striker in all their training games. Might work.

Is Aliadiere injured? He spent a lot of time on the ground yesterday clutching his ankle...

Posted by: jc  | March 23, 2008 2:17 PM

Pat Mc, Dubai wrote...

Great to get the three points, especially in light of Bolton failing to win, opening a healthy eight point gap. But man, we do like to make things difficult for ourselves.

Stewey, Tuncay and Ali had the Derby defence all at sea in the first half. With George and O’Neil supporting them we looked like we could go on and win the game comfortably.

When the team are playing positively, how does the negative disease creep in? And, more importantly, why doesn’t the Gate do something about it during the game instead of saying AFTER the match, ”we subconsciously sat back…”

What’s all that about? It’s like he was watching the game on TV some 100 miles away, unable to get his instructions across. At least Gareth actually noticed that we had sat back, whether it was subconsciously or not.

So why didn’t he change things? Get a message to his captain, to instruct the team to move up 25m? To take the game to the opposition? To support the strikers?

When’s Ali’s shot was saved by the Derby keeper in the second half, the ball rolled invitingly across the six yard area, just waiting to be thumped home by an onrushing Boro midfielder, supporting his striker. Nowhere to be seen, probably thinking that he had better sit deep in
case Derby broke away in Manchester United fashion, to threaten our precious lead.

Derby were woeful but the respect we suddenly showed them gave them confidence and we were very lucky not to concede.

It is noticeable how both Tuncay and Ali are subbed in just about every game they start. I’m not surprised given the amount of ground they have to cover in order to make up for the lack of support. They run themselves ragged and leave themselves short of energy, a crime for such
creative players. Exploit your strengths, don’t drain them..

The home games where we have played well this year, Birmingham, Arsenal and Liverpool have returned eight points out of nine. In each of them we played high up the pitch, got in their faces, got in the box and took the game to the opposition. That is what we generally do away from home, and should have had more points in the bag as a reward for the performances.

Delighted with the three points, but I fear if we had played so negatively for much of the game against a team with just a little more about them, like Bolton for example, the result may have been somewhat different.

Posted by: Pat Mc, Dubai  | March 23, 2008 3:44 PM

stockton red wrote...

Same story as usual.Unable to score the second goal to finish the opposition off.villa Blackburn away -Wigan Derby Fulham at home all exactly the same.

Given our next 3 fixtures away at Chelsea Spurs and home to Man Utd we needed a points cushion.

I still think that the next match after that at home to Bolton will be crucial,and I'm not convinced we're over the line yet.

Posted by: stockton red  | March 23, 2008 9:35 PM

Ray Porter wrote...

Admittedly this hasn't proved difficult for the rest of the Premiership this season (apart from Newcastle) but the important thing was to ensure we got the three points against Derby.

Your comment about the Baltic blast was right! It was like sitting in an old village hall, with holes in the roof letting in hail and rain and the door left open to admit a regular freezing draft, watching Hamlet as the lighting steadily faded.

The important bits were there: Ophelia -gone mad and drowned; Polonius - stabbed through the Arras; King and Queen - both dead; Hamlet - mission eventually achieved but also dead; Fortinbras - one of the few left alive amongst the carnage to make the final speech.

However the actors spent much of the time bumping into the furniture, fluffing their lines, and causing humour at inappropriate places during the play.

The verdict of the West End critic: "Job done, just, but no chance of any Laurence Olivier Awards this year". Problem is that we haven't yet worked out whether it was a comedy or a tragedy - but if Earnshaw had done what was expected in front of an open goal in the dying minutes, I would know which!

**AV writes: Broo go from Bard to worse....

Posted by: Ray Porter  | March 23, 2008 11:59 PM

Neil (Baku) wrote...

I watched both the big 4 games yesterday, and if we get even a point from our next two games we will be doing well.

Out of Chelsea and Manure, the Londoners seem less able to break teams down, but always seem to manage it, and the Mancs are just unbeatable at the moment in my opinion, but they will give you chances.

So bring on "untypical" Boro.

Posted by: Neil (Baku)  | March 24, 2008 5:22 AM

greeny wrote...

Well, there were some positives - 3 points for a start.
The attitude of Boateng amazes me - I wish it was infectious. Here is a player saying in the press that he might not be here next year and he puts in a performance like that. I don`t think there has been a better, more consistent player at the Riverside in the last 5 years.

Once again though we were painfully unable to score goals (although there were 2 definite penalties). Tuncay showed some great touches and a heavy dose of the Boateng attitude. He is though, very inconsistent and I have hard time seeing him as anything other than a bit player in a 40 plus game season.

I see some posters are calling for a forwards coach. That may be the answer, because one way or another, GS needs to understand what it takes to make a goalscoring team - and fast.

The end of season purchases will be critical to this club. How we use them will be even more critical.

Posted by: greeny  | March 24, 2008 10:07 AM

John Powls wrote...

Just want to build on Pat Mc's comments in response to Gate's 'subconscious' stuff but in another area where Gate signs himself 'Baffled of Boro' - why we are top (or bottom) of the naughty boys' league for yellow and red cards.

His analysis equates to 'search me, Guv.' He has said that he can't figure it out because, if he has had a criticism of the team (what, only one!?) it has been that they don't get enough tackles in.

Well, let me venture some reasons - beyond the vagueries of some referees, the tendency to pick on the smaller teams because they are an easy target and the odd bit of individual stupidity from some players.

The comments I make are using the comparator of other Prem teams.

First of all we are not as fit as we should be or as positively aggressive. What I mean is that in many games we aren't as often first to a loose ball or to breakdown of play as we should be.

The players are also either assessing the challenge wrongly as they approach or assessing it correctly and then not getting there in time.

Arriving late and without positive aggression to win the ball turns a 60/40 for to the same against and risks a foul and a card.

Then - and we are particularly prone when the Tippy-Tappy Twins are in the team but Redcar Red also describes the Chuckle Brothers syndrome - there is the tendency to lose the ball in compromising positions and having to foul to stop the defence or the goal being exposed.

In the positive sense, good passing and ball retention adds to confidence and control. Lack of it does the opposite.

You can add to those, technique. With some notable exceptions it is clear that players don't work on the basic skills of the game like tackling hard but cleanly, staying on your feet in a challenge or how to 'jockey' an opponent.

We lack some technique in defensive headed challenges too. This is particularly wasteful as our three main central defenders have all the physical attributes and positive aggression that, coupled with good technique, would render the risk of fouling minimised.

I don't know if they're left to do this on their own after regular training and don't do it, they aren't required to do it at all because someone thinks that that they don't need it after they have left the academy or they are being coached and ignoring it.

This lack of - or steadily declining - technique is a continuing problem with Boro in every area except the academy.

At the risk of starting TB off again (but I agree with him) we need to remedy this running sore in our set up.

What I've set out above might also account for why we pick up so many injuries in training too.

Players who are not fit enough with poor technique and not assessing situations properly and going into tackles wrongly is a recipe for injuries in training sessions as well as a plethora of cards in games.

Last, but by no means least, the fact that we spend the bulk of time in most matches - and even in matches where we shouldn't like last Saturday - on the back foot and defending like our 18 yard or 6 yard box was the Alamo.

That, in itself, must increase the odds of picking up cards, particularly when it happens as we tire even more in the last twenty of matches.

Being on the back foot is also a result of lack of fitness, technique, shape and tactics of course.

How about working on some of that Gate? Or perhaps explaining to me that I'm wrong and why.

Whilst I'm on the misbehaviour tack, did anyone else have the feeling of the sporting gods exacting a little revenge on Mascherano yesterday for the Aliadiere incident?

Wouldn't it be good if the FA now chose to make an example of him and increased his ban?

Following my line of lack of coaching at Boro, especially for strikers - has anyone (except Tony) been following Macca's season at Siena?

Another 2 goals yesterday. 11 for the season in total in a league where scoring is more difficult than in the Prem. Interesting, to say the least.

It may just be because he's happier and more settled but it could just be because they work on his finishing.

Closer to home, you could look at The Yak. I mean, it's well after February and he's still scoring.

He was made to get fit - common theme there - and his attitude got addressed the first time he stepped out of line.

He's playing in a team which sets store by hard work, teamwork and consistency. Man for man, they're really no better than our team or squad.

Does anyone believe that playing at Boro - if we ever get him fit, where he should be and not afraid of his shadow - is going to improve Alves as a striker? If you do, tell me how.

Hmmmmm......makes you think, doesn't it? Or at least it should do.

What about you, Gate? Or your coaches and fitness staff?

Posted by: John Powls  | March 24, 2008 12:02 PM

'Ignorant' of boroland wrote...

For all that effort we got the minimum result, a squeaky just about style 1 nil.

Boat played well and helped out in attack but on some of the crosses and second balls in the box nobody is anywhere near the near of far post to tap in.

Southgate's game plan seems to be heavy attack for an hour if possible followed by total defending for the last 30mins.

We need a right winger to balance Downing and enhance the attack and Alves needs to get on the pitch for more than five minutes and show some heart , I think he has the FEAR!
Luke young has been massive and I hope his injury is not too bad. Tuncays goal was great -GERRIN!

Posted by: 'Ignorant' of boroland  | March 24, 2008 12:06 PM

tonyblack wrote...

Job done ? Absolutely, and a massive MASSIVE relief.

A job well done ? Absolutely not.

Yet again we get the Gazette serving up their usual brand of Official Boro propaganda about this being our 11th consecutive season in the top flight and that somehow this is cause for a parmo and a bottle of fizz.

So what ?

If we are comparing ourselves to the utterly woeful Derby's, Bradford's, West Brom's and the like, then yes this is a cause for celebration.

If however we expect just a little bit more and would like to compare ourselves against a few of the teams like Portsmouth, Villa, West Ham and the like who aren't actually all that amazing anyway, then this yet another utterly crap season devoid of passion, quality and guts, which for the vast majority of it served up drabfootball, a team that choked when it mattered most, and in a ground with ever fewer fans.

If anyone thinks that we are moving forwards, that we have turned the corner, that we are playing attractive attacking football and that GS is the messiah, then personally I think you're off your nuts.

Yet another season scrapping with very average teams indeed. Shocking.

Highlights?

Tuncay
Pogatetz
O' Neil
Downing resigned
Wheater - Outstanding prospect
Woodgate - We cashed in very nicely and survived without him

Low Points

Gareth Southgate is still here
Colin Cooper is still here
Chris Barnes is still here
H is still here
Mido - Too big. Too slow. Too arrogant
Arca - Poor season overall. Started well and faded fast
We need a new keeper
We need a seasoned English striker

TB

**AV writes: If we compare ourselves to Aston Villa, Portsmouth and West Ham today we are well behind them - but do it over the past few seasons and we are a Carling Cup win and UEFA Cup final ahead of them and about on a par when it comes to average league placings.

Division's two and three of the Premier League are in constant flux and it is hard to draw any conclusive lessons from any team's position at any given time.

I wouldn't change places for instance with West Ham and their team of over-paid crocks and neither would I put money on Portsmouth's team of over 30s repeating their form next year.

Call me nuts but I think Boro ARE moving forward: a much younger, faster team that is starting to look solid at the back and threatening on the break, especially away from home... they just need goals.

A few tweaks behind the scenes and a couple of players and we are not that far away from having Villa and West Ham fans moaning that they should be more like us.

Posted by: tonyblack  | March 24, 2008 12:25 PM

Denzil wrote...

Thinking out of the box here, but given all the new recruits at Old Trafford, what about a cheeky bid for Paul Scholes? I know he's a Manc through and through, but he's no getting any younger. Well worth a 7-8m bid.

**AV writes: £7-8m? Are you mad? A free transfer maybe.

Posted by: Denzil  | March 24, 2008 12:28 PM

Werdermouth wrote...

I agree with you AV that it was job done and a vital 3 points in the bank - given the next three fixtures.

If these fixtures go to form (and not to Ian Gill's unlikely points are won theory), we could still be going into the Bolton game with only a 4 point cushion over them - imagine how nervous our fragile players would be if that was only one point.

Anyway, I think we need only to beat Bolton now to stay up - as it would mean Bolton would need to win 4 of their other 6 games to overtake us - these fixtures are:

Bolton v Arsenal
Aston Villa v Bolton
Bolton v West Ham
Middlesbrough v Bolton
Tottenham v Bolton
Bolton v Sunderland
Chelsea v Bolton

It looks tough for them on paper but both Arsenal and Villa are struggling and West Ham are not much better.

Luckily Bolton look less likely to score than the Boro at the moment - BTW: Why did we splash £12m on Alves during the inflated transfer window if he wasn't going to be fit to play until next season?

Posted by: Werdermouth  | March 24, 2008 3:44 PM

'Ignorant' of boroland wrote...

I still think after an hour of attacking we think ; oh dear we cant score another and we are tired from running around so much that we will have to defend for our lives as there is no cavalry charge of attackers from the bench.

Mido has never been fit all season - disgrace, overweight with no self discipline.

Dong Gook- say no more, although he is fit and on with Alliadierre and Tuncay and Downing has the pace to keep up.Yes I am that desperate!

Alves - needs to get stuck in sooner rather than later and one of Alliadierre or Tuncay should move into an Advanced right wing/striker role {Macarone's sub position when we are loosing] so Alves can play in his favoured role.

I still wonder why we sold James Morrison as he was quick and got forward well.

What is the point in putting Alves and Johnson on for a few minutes! Johnson needs some games back to back even if he is played on the right with downing on the left.

The whole attack needs sorting and these chances and early pressure should result in goals.

Blackburn went down to 10 men and continued to push for the win - ITS ABOUT FOOTBALLING PHILOSOPHY and ATTITUDE.

Gate talks the talk but he is so scared of loosing that we can bearly score or win! Am I being greedy to ask to see 2 goals against Derby at home for Christ's sake.

Okay, Gate is clever and Wenger likes him but his comments after the match are getting too objective.

Maybe just maybe if we get mathematically clear of relegation Gate can put three up front at home and our lads can enjoy the match and score some goals and in the words of Southgate ' ENTERTAIN" the fans.
Attack is the best form of defence.

We have a great defence so lets push forward.
Look at Spurs 4 Chelsea 4 , Ramos put Bent on and kept Keane + Berbatov on as well as having Lennon, Jenas (Huddlestone 46) and Malbranque supporting the strikers.

Come on Southgate we want to compete for 95 minutes not nick one, freeze and try and hold on for the win as unless you are playing Derby maybe Fulham you will be punished.

Qualified Positive Attacking coach required now at the Riverside.

Posted by: 'Ignorant' of boroland  | March 24, 2008 6:56 PM

mark j wrote...

We shouldnt be looking at other teams and playing scared . We should play to win and select the team sheet and player positioning to carry it out with a strong bench to push on with if necessary .

Defensive manager and coach, say no more.

Come on Boro!

Posted by: mark j  | March 24, 2008 7:04 PM

John Powls wrote...

AV

I accept your invitation - you are nuts!

Just need goals - give me strength.

The more people are prepared to accept third best - not even second - then that's the BEST we can hope for.

Where's your evidence that we're going to get the 'tweaks' - actually needs something seismic - behind the scenes and the couple of players?

If Gate's choosing the players how are we going to get a goalscorer? He's had 5 goes so far, £25m plus in fees and wages and no success yet.

He'll want 'Northern Rock' as our shirt sponsor at this rate of investment!

Posted by: John Powls  | March 24, 2008 7:45 PM

Richard wrote...

Denzil’s theme:

Denzil??
Scholes? £7-8M?
Delboy Trotter's mate? Yer 'avin a laff intcha?
Wot a plonka!
Hang on - you're not Scholes's agent are you?

Werdermouth’s theme (well sort of):

Looking forward -
Complacency is not the only danger going into the last 7 matches of the season.

All but two (Bolton and Manchester City, believe it or not) have worse relevant home and away “points per match” (ppm) stats than Boro.

Boro's seasonal stats to date are:
Home: 1.267 ppm.
Away: 0.938 ppm.

(I’d have listed the other clubs' home and away ppms but I thought the formatting would screw up. So you can have a look yourselves or take my word for it!)

If this is taken as an indicator of likely performance for home and away for the remainder of the season, Boro only have advantage over Bolton and Manchester City, looking at the relevant Home and Away stats for all the clubs we still have to play.

The positive perspective is that if this season-to-date form carries forward, wins against those two would get us 6 points and leave us on 40 minimum. Well enough to avoid the drop this season.

The negative take on this however, is that it’s our worst points total since we were relegated on 39 points in 1997. If you add back in the 3 docked points in that season, THIS season becomes our worst accumulation since the Premiership was formed with 20 clubs!!

That said, it also says plenty about the state of the league when there are likely to be as many as 8 teams below us with fewer than 40 points, which has, until this season, been taken (roughly) as the relegation-avoidance target.

As I said in many a previous blog, the rich are getting richer and the strong are getting stronger. The also-rans are having a harder time running to stand still.

John Powls theme (well, one of John’s many themes in his last interesting post!):

Other teams players are intrinsically better than ours! And they have more of them. Sure, we have a few who may match a few of theirs, but we don’t have anyone who is a match for their best, or even their second best. And they have quite a few in the “best” category.

The best, the excellent, the great and the very good, have qualities many of our players don’t. They don’t need time on the ball. They lay it off under pressure and find their men. They anticipate where colleagues will lay it off and they’re in position when needed. They are just as fit and strong as ours, but they are mentally sharper, more intelligent, more intuitive, quicker thinking, more mentally robust. Temperamentally, many are more mature (year for year).

To get the complete article, clubs need to spend a lot of money. If Steve Gibson suddenly found £250M under his bed that he’d forgotten about, then Boro might be able to start to compete with the Premier League’s “elite”.

Training and practice undoubtedly will improve some skills and conditioning, but if you already have Red Rum in your stables, you’re 75% of the way there!

However, that said, I accept that with some tweaking here and there and judicious spending (it’ll still take 10’s of millions), Boro might be able to put together a challenge for a 6-10 spot in the next couple of seasons. And with such a squad and a fair wind, mount some decent cup challenges as well. (But they’ll need to pay attention to the psychological aspects of their game preparation.)

Posted by: Richard  | March 24, 2008 10:20 PM

Werdermouth wrote...

Reading Richard’s point about the fact that we’re heading for our lowest points total since the premiership was formed (even though we may end up finishing 12th) only goes to show how much the premiership is changing.

Let’s take our best ever PL season when we finished 7th with 55 points.

That season Everton qualified for the Champions League in 4th place with 61 points – they are currently 5th on 59 points with 7 games to go.

Currently all the teams down to 9th place need only 2 wins from the last 7 games to equal our 55 point total of 2004-05.

In fact, if West Ham in 10th place win 4 of their last 7 games they would have 56 points and that would mean in today’s Premier League our 55 points would still leave us in the bottom half of the table.

So in summary, life in the Premier League is getting much tougher and avoiding relegation is going to be a bit of a lottery unless Boro start making decisions that enable us to compete at a higher level.

Posted by: Werdermouth  | March 25, 2008 8:58 AM

Never Happy wrote...

Finally thawed out - Only good thing for me was the quality of Tuncay.

As GS seems to think that is is more important not to lose, rather than take the game to the opposition and try to win my team selection stands no chance.

Schwarzer
Young
Huth
Wheater
Taylor
O'Neill
Botang
Downing
Alliadiere
Alves
Tuncay

Both Alliadiere and Tuncay have the work rate to allow them to drop back and make a 5 man midfield when required.

Subs
Johnson to replace Alliadiere or Tuncay to keep the formation.

Pogi and Grounds to cover the defence.

Mido up front if he ever gets fit.

Sub keeper Turnbull.

Posted by: Never Happy  | March 25, 2008 10:48 AM

David Morrison wrote...

Derby game was totally appalling. I said after the reading game i wouldnt go to another game this season, however with it being bank holiday weekend and the beer flowing I was coaxed into going.

How I wished id have stayed in the pub and watched the game on the TV. It was totally shocking and worse than Fulham and Reading put together.

There is no spark in the crowd, no singing and its pathetic it realy is. where is the riverside roar? As for the game, what was there to get us excited? Apart from cattermoles tackle in the 1st half and Tuncay's goal, not a lot.

The game fizzled out and the 2nd half was a non event but I hear you say 3 points is in the bag. Yes i agree we needed to win but surely we could have gone at Derby a lot more, penned them back and got more shots in.

We gave the ball away far to much and our final ball was very very poor. I've also become increasingly uneasy at the sight of our 13million striker looking more like Jason Lee than a Brazilian.

Yes he was only on for 5 mins but he had the opportunity to play Downing in only to fall over the ball with no one round him. I'm worried this guy might not be the real deal and looks a far cry from the player that was scoring for fun in dutch league.

Posted by: David Morrison  | March 25, 2008 10:56 AM

'Ignorant' of boroland wrote...

Richard, I agree totally , the rich are getting richer and the Champions league means more to the top 4 than any other cup .
The top 4 are so used to beating everyone that it is horrific say if Arsenal don't beat the Boro for their fans. They have the money and the Chamions league and everyone else should just lie down.

I enjoyed the Mascerano sending off, the fool was begging for it but it wont change much as one of their second 11 can step in no bother as their squad is so strong.

Lets just hope man U and Chelsea fancy resting some players against us to level the playing field a bit.

Posted by: 'Ignorant' of boroland  | March 25, 2008 11:15 AM

TTimothy Fyffe_Fortescue wrote...

Soccer supporters and players definitely have lower IQ's than their Rugger and Polo loving counterparts.

How you people can get all worked up about a lot of girls blouses prancing about the soccer pitch is beyond the imagination of intelligent people like myself.

What is it with all of these foreign johnnies feigning injury and being disrespectful to the umpires.

Soccer should be barred as it is perused by violence loving council dwelling scruffs and the participants are over paid , lily livered dunderheaded simpletons.

Posted by: TTimothy Fyffe_Fortescue  | March 25, 2008 11:38 AM

'Ignorant' of boroland wrote...

Timothy , 'Are you talkin to me?'

Posted by: 'Ignorant' of boroland  | March 25, 2008 11:59 AM

Werdermouth wrote...

AV, you've just answered my earlier question in today's Gazette.

RE: Why did we splash £12m on Alves during the inflated transfer window if he wasn't going to be fit to play until next season?

AV: "Alves was signed in January because Boro couldn’t afford to see him go elsewhere but in truth he is one for the future."

But don't you think it was a massive gamble given that we were (and still are)struggling to score and at the time Mido was (and still is) unfit and Boro were in desperate need of a goal scorer ASAP.

If we were relegated due to lack of goals would Alves stay to spearhead our campaign out of the Championship?

Luckily, I think we'll get enough points in the bank to scramble over the line but it was a damn risky strategy - though I also agree with your point that we're now creating less, which means the problem lies in midfield.

Talking of which, The Times says we're hovering over the corpse of Fulham ready to pick up Jimmy Bullard - could be a good move if it were true.

**AV writes:I don't think anyone though that he would still be in a tactical limbo and struggling with the physicality seven games in but neither, given he had been kicking his heels for the best part of two months, did they expect him to slot straight in and start scoring.

Obviously, if Boro were safe he would be playing in almost every game now to get him up to speed and get him acclimatised. As it is right now there is a balancing act between best and fittest possible team now and the need to give him pitch minutes.

Posted by: Werdermouth  | March 25, 2008 12:19 PM

David Morrison wrote...

Does anyone feel that Alves should be playing in the reserves to warm up for the next few premier league games ready for next season?

He hadn't played football for 3 months and he has struggled to find any form in the premier league at all.

Get him in the reserves then on the bench for Chelsea, again a reserve game for 45 - 60 mins then start against Man utd that will be 4 games in 2 weeks he might get a few goals in there and build his confidence..

AV whats your slant on his form?

COME ON BORO!!!!!!!!

**AV writes: I've covered that in my Gazette column today. He has been most unfortunate in coming off the bench long after Boro had started to 'sub-consciously' retreated and were sitting deep. He was bought to put away the chances but when he has been on the pitch very few chances have been created.

I think he looks an excellent player and will come good. Remember it is not so long ago that Tuncay and Aliadiere were being written off because they hadn't scored in a lot longer than 268 minutes.

Posted by: David Morrison  | March 25, 2008 12:23 PM

James Emmerson wrote...

Last season we beat West Ham 1-0 with a Maccarone goal in a match which GS apologised for afterwards, it was THAT dire. "That is not how I want to play, believe me" was the drift afterwards...but here we are, a season and a bit onwards, and the trend continues. Not scoring enough goals and never killing off teams.

I find myself wondering what on earth the players actually DO work on during the week.

And while so many are relieved a) that the game is over and b) 3 points have been secured, I shall make the point again that, despite a good draw at Villa and a less convincing one at Arsenal, Boro will end this month a point worse off than if they had won their home games and lost all 3 away games (assuming they take nothing away from Chelsea this w/e).

And with several awkward fixtures to come - of which Man U is but one - we could all too easily find ourselves right back in it.

Must also say credit to GS for dropping Arca who has been rubbish recently but why on earth give him such a long deal?

Posted by: James Emmerson  | March 25, 2008 12:26 PM

David Morrison wrote...

AV, I'm not for one second writing the guy off, I'm just wondering if it will be good for the lad to get sum football under his belt no matter what level and try to pick up the diferences in the game here.

Reserve team football isn't the greatest but it would surely give him a blast of football that he hasnt had in 6 months whilst coaxing him into the 1st team.?

Posted by: David Morrison  | March 25, 2008 1:52 PM

Ian Gill wrote...

Like many I couldnt resist a wry smile at Mascherano being sent off. Having seen Bennett at Villa it is clear that he is one of the group of refs not to mess with.

A Liverpool fan I know said after Aliadiere being sent off that Mas likes winding people up, a bit of a cheeky chappy, likes a bit of fun.

Clearly Mr Bennett was not impressed but will he back track and rescind his decision? Unlikely I would have thought.

**AV writes: It is football karma.

Posted by: Ian Gill  | March 25, 2008 1:57 PM

John Stone wrote...

Good 3 points.

We made some good chances,Roy Carroll made some very good saves.

The "Boat" has been great since he came back in ! sign him for another 2 years.

We are still lacking on the right,O,Neill seems to be stuck on the half line often on Youngs toes.

If Mido isnt fit on his return offload him in the Summer and go for Peter Crouch,we can offer him regular first team football he is good on the floor and offers you a good target man and he knows the Prem.

Time to start planning for next year !

Posted by: John Stone  | March 25, 2008 2:51 PM

'Ignorant' of boroland wrote...

AV, your column today about Alves was spot on!

I think that these cameo's are not helping him as much as a full game would.

If you look at Adam Johnson's comments about 'trying too hard when coming on from the bench' and 'needing a run in the team' to try and get some confidence and consistency together then the same applies to Alves.

I just hope his mind can handle the pressure and that the treatment he gets is beneficial to getting him involved in the first team.

Southgate hopefully is asking him what he would like and making some decent plans so the lad doesnt think 'What the hell am I doing here' like Maccarone and forgotten man Mendieta .

I understand we have to stay in the Prem but is it at the consequence of trying to nick a goal and then shutting up shop for the last half hour of every match?

If we were all over Derby so much at the Riverside and they offered no attack - how come when Luke young went of injured on 65mins we didnt go to a back three and bring on Alves to help do what he has been bought for and help out Tuncay and Alliadiere while we were still going forward and had players on to support him .

By the time Earnshaw missed his header we would have been well clear and Derby would have had too much to deal with. Did Southgate not watch Chelsea show everyone why Derby's goal diff is so bad?

There is clearly fear holding the team back as we are not clear of the drop. The fear and prudent play is keeping us near the drop and vise versa!

Psychology is a massive part of it and I dont want Gareth to start another sentence with unfortunatly.

We have stopped and tried to defend a lead too many times this season but the advantage is always with the attacking side as goals win you matches.

Sometimes we were hanging on for a draw and the clock has counted down and bailed us out.

Can we not finish on a bloody High!

Posted by: 'Ignorant' of boroland  | March 25, 2008 4:07 PM

mark j wrote...

Mascerano's cheeky hobby of swearing at refs and thinking hes God. Hes a great player but his antics are a disgrace.
One match extra ban if there is a god.

Did I say god , I meant Juninho!

Posted by: mark j  | March 25, 2008 4:13 PM

dave wrote...

Southgate is inexperienced and reluctant to make big changes in a game. He always ends up asking cooper and Crosby for advice. He is a more cautious manager than McClaren.

The fans need a lift to get the crowds back up. Where is this entertaining football we were promised with lots of pace and movement?

Posted by: dave  | March 25, 2008 5:07 PM

Never Happy wrote...

Since Boro moved to the Riverside only one foriegn player has been at the top of his game since day 1.

Step forward Ravenelli, unforgettable hat trick against the scousers.

As you have posted AV, Alves had hardly had a chance to make an impact.

The only real chance he has been provided with was the missed header against Sheff U.

Give him chances and he will score

Posted by: Never Happy  | March 26, 2008 9:36 AM

tonyblack wrote...

Alves just needs time. Time to adapt to the English game and time to adapt to the English way of life and his new suuroundings. It's way too early to write him off.

One without the other will make him perform to a lesser degree. In order for him to perform he absolutely must feel comfortable and happy with the North East.

Juni always said he loved it here and that he loved the people. It was never like home, obviously, but he was very happy here.

If Alves finds it the same here then I've personally no doubt that he will be a very, very good buy, if he doesn't I wouldn't be surprised if he's gone before the start of next season no matter what contract he has.

The gossip I've heard is that he doesn't like it here and so I don't think he will stay all that long. It's just gossip though. I guess it's that time of year again !

TB

Posted by: tonyblack  | March 26, 2008 7:52 PM