The Fog Of Wor!
CRY HAVOC! And let slip the fogs of wor.... Boro banished the Bolton blues with a red hot derby display of pride and passion that had a Riverside rocking.
They battled, chased, tackled and surged forward with an urgency and intensity from the first whistle that helped restore morale after the previous lack-lustre surrender. The tempo, work ethic and mental strength of the team was in marked contrast to the sluggish side that were booed off against Bolton.
And that spirit was matched by a sterling show from the stands, Boro supporters helping create a crackling atmosphere for the full 90 minutes that helped insulate a near capacity crowd from the bitter cold and swirling banks of second half fog.
The second half break was marked by plunging temperatures and by the restart the encroaching banks of fog cascaded over the East Stand to shroud the pitch, the mist added to by the breathe and rising steam from the players.
"We can see you through the smog," sang the Newcastle fans: one of the few chants from the visitors that were decypherable and weren't straight from the gutter.
Other chants included the usual twisted obsession with a public inquiry 20 years ago (and an idiotic lack of self-awareness as they stood up to chant "stand up if you shag your kids!") and a renewed outbreak of bile directed at Mido, and while it was less vocal, intense or noticeable than last year the FA are on the case (don't hold your breath).
The swirling fog wasn't quite of the will-it-get-abandoned density of the infamous Ayresome pea-souper against Manchester City in 1992 - the action and the players were always visible - but it did give an eerie dimension to a game with a real edge to it.
Boro may not have taken the three points that the performance probably deserved - but they ticked a lot of boxes.
There were vastly improved performances right across the back with David Wheater and Emanuel Pogatetz crunching into tackles from the off and Andrew Taylor redeeming himself after his fan spat with a determined show.
The defence easily coped with the pace of Martins - both Wheater and Pogatetz made excellent last gasp tackles as the Nigerian threatened to get away - while Owen was almost invisible.
And they stayed sharp and tight right to the end when a scrappy Newcastle rally saw former favourite Mark Viduka pounce on the ball in the box only to be crowded out.
The previously untried central midfield pairing of Didier Digard and Julio Arca combined relentless industry with shrewd invention in the engine-room with the Argentinian in particular on song, pinging sublime long range passes that helped carve open Newcastle time and again.
Several combinations have been tried in the middle with Mohamed Shawky and Gary O'Neil also in the mix but having two natural ball players in there who share an instinct to look up, put a foot on the ball and search for an incisive pass brought the best out of Boro's movement up front and will give the boss food for thought.
Left wing livewire Stewart Downing ran riot down his flank and put in a string of inviting crosses that really deserved some reward. From two Alves would have scored if he had hair, from another a diving header from the Brazilain flashed over.
And on the right the not universally popular Jeremie Aliadiere had an equally profitable afternoon, probing behind the defence and linking up well with former Arsenal team-mate Justin Hoyte who has looked increasingly impressive in recent weeks and fast become one of Boro's most potent attacking threats.
The pair put together Boro's best move of the game as Hoyte over-lapped and cut inside then slotted a neat ball outside to the right and kept on running to collect the quick return before drilling in a shot that Shay Given did well to save at the near post.
Even the enigmatic Afonso Alves - who has come in for a lot of stick from fans of late - came away with some credit. Easily brushed off the ball and clearly struggling with the physicality of the game in an insipid first half, as in recent weeks, he perked up considerably after the break and made some excellent runs.
His best movement came with a weaving run in from the left touch-line in which skipped past a string of defenders to get to the edge of the box then rifled a sizzling shot a fraction over the bar to give a hint that despite the weight of that straitjacket of low confidence there is actually a £12.7m Brazilian striker somewhere in there.
But wait. After such glowing praise of the credit column you would think Boro had won easily rather than been held to a goalless draw at home to a team that kicked off in the relegation zone.
The Hoyte shot was the only save of any note that Given had to make, although there were plenty of chances created - an Alves diving header flashed over, an Aliadiere header from a Downing corner was hooked off the line - and several spells of sustained pressure and so arguably it is two points dropped.
But strugglers who come to defend and knock long balls forward on the break are exactly the kind of team Boro struggle with and last term they could easily have lost it, probably Viduka's late effort flying in to collective angst.
What was important was the spirit shown as Boro bounced back from Bolton. They showed steel and fire and passion and a real will to win.
The spirit was exemplified by Pogatetz, who was almost laid out and looked badly injured as he stooped to head clear at knee-height and got whacked in the shoulder by Wheater - then realised Boro had won a corner at the other end and bounced up to charge forward derby dazed and join the attack, gesturing to the supporters to up the volume as he lumbered forward. True Teesside steel.
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Anthony Vickers
After hearing the pathetic vile personal abuse hurled by so called Boro fans (with exceptionally short memories) to Mark Viduka perhaps the FA should be on Boros case about vile chanting as well
yes Terry M. Shouting fat greedy b****** is just as vile as singing songs about child abuse isnt it?
Great display. Great point. We've now only lost 1 in 7 which you can't argue with.
I found it particularly nice to see that we went for it all the way to the end and that GS didn't just want the point but all 3.
Well done all and let's be here come the end of the season !
TB
AND Perhaps Terry M you are one of those singing stand up if you "\": your kids, whilst standing up no doubt,
Stephen
There will be b******* all over the world upset by being linked to someone fat and greedy.
I cant believe what i am reading.
1 point from 2 home games against Bolton and Newcastle is pathetic.
The performance was that of 11 workmen not of a Premiership side.
It sounds like a huge relief to manage a draw.
Maybe it will take a humiliation against Barrow for this club, managers, coaches and chairmen to wake up and see that running about for 90 mintues does not make a footballer.
What is re-assuring is that everytime Boro put in a poor shift as against Bolton they follow it up with a strong performance as they did on Saturday. It's a shame we didn't get three points but as TB points out one defeat in seven is a good return.
AV - I posted a long post this morning on the previous thread which appears to have vanished.........in the fog perhaps?
Terry M; hang your head in shame son. You come on here spouting self-righteous carp(*), comparing being fat, greedy and illegitimate with abusing children. You're clearly not that bright are you.
Onto more palatable issues and credit for the performance on Saturday which perhaps didn't quite get the rewards it deserved. Still slightly worried about the lack of a discernable Plan B when Plan A fails but I have confidence in the current set-up to develop this.
Both team and management are still developing and are relatively inexperienced, which causes frustrations, which are frequently aired when results dont go as planned. Given the resources at our disposal and the predicament of 'bigger' clubs than we are, 11 sesaons in the top flight is indeed something to be proud of.
It was an excellent performance, and while the result doesn't look great on paper, those of us who witnessed it recognised what a great effort it was.
The comments of Jiffy above, smack of someone who didn't go to the game.
It was brilliant to see Arca back in the middle, and as I suggested a few weeks ago, Arca and Digard could well end up being our best central midfield partnership as they complement each other so well. Arca's eye for a pass is invaluable in games like that, and Downing and Alves can only benefit from him being in the team.
When Gary O'Neil is fit, I would like to see him playing on the right, he offers a lot more than Ali who simply doesn't get involved enough and I think him and Hoyte, who impressed again on Saturday could be an excellent right-hand side partnership going forward, which would of course take some of the responsibility from Stewie's shoulders.
Alves was excellent 2nd half, if we can get the ball to his feet more often and get him running at defenders, he will score plenty of goals - again Arca's presence in the team could be the key to this.
One defeat in seven is a fantastic run, lets keep it going next week against Hull, where we should definitely be looking to win.
Jiffy - totally agree with you.
No matter what your outlook, doom & gloom or upbeat, whether you believe we are good enough to be contenders for europe or you think we are doing as well as we could expect, taking only 1 point from 2 home games against teams like Bolton and Newcastle is very disappointing.
We have 2 difficult games ahead and could have done with points in the bank
I agree totally, one point from two games against bottom 3 opposition just isnt good enough im afraid.
Newcastle are a poor poor team and in turmoil. Their only threat was Martins and I thought Wheater and Pogatetz looked after him really well apart from the shot that spooned off his foot and skimmed the bar.
The tempo of the game was good but I thought we held onto the ball to long at times rather than looking to get the ball to Alves early on the deck it went sideways or back. I'd like to see arca looking to hit Alves as early as possible give him the ball into feet so he can get turned and run at defenders or get a shot away. Alves needs the ball into feet or he just dosnt look interested, forget the long ball up and trying to get a flick on he just dosnt want it there.
We have a got a massive game on saturday and I cant help but look at the table and think what could have been and where we could be sitting. It was 3 points dropped against the geordies and we must, must start winning our home games.
COME ON BORO!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Abuse is abuse, no matter what shape or form it takes.
There is no need for ANY of it.
If you cant see that then you are simply stupid.
**AV writes: And they say irony is dead.
By all accounts a better performance than against Bolton.
Jiffy does have a point, exactly the same return as we got from two home matches against teams below us in the table.
That cant be acceptable, Gate expecting a response from his team on a regular basis isnt acceptable. There are reasons for it as the team gains experience but it doesnt make it acceptable. The minute you accept it is the minute the rot sets in and you slide down the greasy pole.
To point out the facts isnt being negative but realistic. We have two tough games coming up and could get zero points from them. One defeat in seven rapidly morphs into two points out of fifteen, no wins in five (including Everton).
Dont get me wrong, I like the football we are trying to play but we dont want to be going to Fulham looking for a reaction.
At what point will some people rejoin the real world and realise that Boro are not going to sweep aside all teams outside the top four.
It's quite clear this season that there are a dozen teams that could either finish sixth or end up relegated.
What is going to determine where we (or any other team) will finish is a mixture of working hard, team moral, concentration, converting chances, luck on the pitch, luck with injuries and luck with refereeing decisions.
So with a bit of luck we'll be watching premiership football next season as the North-East's sole representative...
I had to laugh at the comments by Mr Viduka after the match. When asked about the boos he said "It's ok, I know they all love me really"
Errmmmm... do we ?
Back to the game this weekend. I don't consider a draw in a derby game to be a terrible result. Bolton was an atrocious performance, but as Boro fans we are used to a few of those per season !
It was good to see Arca back in the middle & personally, I would like to see him there more regularly. Mainly due to him bringing a creativity that is missing from the play of O Neil & Shawky. Even more ideal, would be santa (by which I mean santa Gibson) bringing me a top quality central midfielder for xmas. I will not offer any possible names, but as we have "more targets than cash" our new & improved scouting network hopefully has.
Taking one point from two home games is disappointing but previously we'd taken 4 points from 2 away games when most had us down for one. I think it is going to be up and down for us and a lot of others for the rest of the season.
I thought the first half was poor but the second was a decent game of football. As stated above we lacked a cutting edge and unless Mido is on the pitch have nobody to mix it physically with the opposition defenders. Newcastle only really had any sort of go in the last 10 minutes to try to steal the game.
I'm still not convinced about Aliadiere on the right. If O'Neill is available he would come in on the right for me and I would also start Mido in place of Alves. His heading ability would come in very handy against a team that have scored a lot of goals from set plays this Saturday.
Totally biased reflection on a very close game which could have gone either way. Boro had one shot on target all afternoon against a team third from bottom. You are certainly deluded in thinking you are destined for anything other than a relagation battle, along with Sunderland and Newcastle.
I always find it quite sad when ordinary people are ready to set aside all norms of decency and integrity because of a mis-placed loyalty to their football team.
I am sure there are many good upstanding people from Newcastle (especially parents) who would think that crowds of grown men shouting such hateful ignorant references to child abuse in the name of 'banter' are beyond the pale and would be throroughly embarrassed to think their town was represented by the type of people who scream such base things at strangers.
It would be nice to hear from such people because sadly, usually the Newcastle "fans" who come on here (and last year there were a lot of them) try to defend it.
Aw bless, the Smogs are chuffed to bits because they kept a clean sheet at home to their bigger neighbours. LOL.
Its a shame that fans of a club literally fighting for its survival in the top flight, who have hounded out several managers in the name of wanting entertaining football, who have an absentee owner (again hounded out because of their alleged passion for their love of the game and "Wor Kev" ironically after their previous owner made insidious remarks about them and their womenfolk) have disgraced themselves and the proud reputation and history of their Forefathers, City and Club by making Global headlines yet again for their Islamaphobic rantings allied to Child abuse chants.
The Fog on the Tyne is thicker and murkier than ever......give me the clean fresh air of Teesside smog any day!
We are averaging a goal a game at home and the same away so clean sheets are imperative to victory. Lady luck could return too and change things.
We could do with 32 thousand inside the Riverside more often and its worth keeping Arca in the team to play in Alves [ to feet] more. O'Neil has been playing well however and has found his shooting boots so its difficult to know who to bench as Aliadiere is playing well too.
I used to love it when Viduka scored for the Boro and he was involved in some great games for us too! There is no loyalty in business these days and when people are offered more money for the job they do I think you will find most people take the highest payed job on offer.
But the Mido abuse is stepping over the line and its a shame he didnt score to silence the Newcastle fans involved.
Alves give us a goal.
There seems to be an Arca 'love in' going on here. For me, he gives the ball away far to much, as he is just not quick enough.
In the last few mins on sat he got the ball, flapped, and poked it away. Cue 2/3 mins of pressure in our box and hearts in mouths time again. No doubt he has a clever left foot and can play a great ball, but only when he has more time. Stick him back in at LB which is why we bought him in the first place isn't it?
Still, a good atmos and good effort by all on sat and sure the frying pan will hit the barn door soon enough.
Why is it that Newcastle fans can't control their emotional outbursts and can't see what damage their displays of chav teenage petulance is doing to their club?
They chase managers out at the drop of a hat, always at war with the board, blub every time a camera appears, can't wait to wave their trainers in the air or organise boycoutts and have this frankly delusional belief that they are 'special' and that we poor Smogs look up to them, the 8th biggest club in the world, everyone's 2nd favourite club and XXXXXXXL fans.
They are a joke. No wonder Ashley can't sell the poisoned chalice. He can't even go into the ground without police protection. Or is he back in favour again after two 0-0 draws in a row? Joe F. Kinnear seems to be the chosen one now. All those public tears over old whatsisname Kenny Reagan were just self indulgent posturing.
If their behaviour is questioned they go ballistic, spitting red faced abuse, saying it is not fair and blaming other people for picking on them starting it before slamming the door and stomping off to their bedroom to play emo music .
I posted similar on JP's Boro Banter piece, modified a little here.
Personally I'm with the realistic brigade, as although I was happy not to lose this one, after watching it at daft o'clock here in Korea I felt somewhat cheated.
There was little in the way of exciting play from either side as each battled to keep the other out, although we had by far the best of it, but I don't think we'd have seen a goal had the game continued until next Saturday, and certainly not from our northern cousins.
Alves continues to be both an enigma and a severe disappointment in every department, even taking into account a slight improvement 2nd half. I had to chuckle after watching the highlights again when the commentator was waxing lyrical about Alves' run, trip stumble for the left, and how he held off the Newcastle defenders with his height, pace and physical presence, pah!! Must have been the fog obscuring his sight.
The game was screaming for Mido from midway through the first half in my opinion, if for no other reason than to get someone willing to rough up their defenders. By the time he did come on it was too late to make an impact.
Tuncay, Alliadiere and Alve's just don't have that physical presence, and apart from Alves' obvious failures in front of goal, Ali did not having a great game either in my opinion and should have been subbed for Mido a lot earlier.
But we have to be thankful for small mercies I suppose in that Veruka failed to get his scripted last minute winner.
To echo Ian's post, we MUST get something out of the next 3 games. Arsenal look vulnerable on their travels this season, so I hope Southgate has been studying the videos; defeat for us will mean the trips to Hull and Fulham all the more difficult.
I read some of the first replies earlier this evening, but before I go back to finish off, has everybody read the George Caulkin article about the Boro v Newcastle game in today's "Times"?
A comparison between two methods of running a football club - let's for the sake of argument call one Middlesbrough and the other Newcastle. I know which one I prefer, and not just because I have lived in this area for so long.
I want, as far as possible, a team with its roots in the loccal community and with the backbone of the side coming through the ranks as young trainees, maybe with a light leavening of talent from wider afield where our own academy has left some gaps.
And while we are on the subject, can we do some DNA testing on Poggi. Can we be sure he hasn't got a grandad from Port Clarence, or Grangetown or South Bank (despite the sweet-sounding names of those leafy suburbs of the Boro, somehow one just KNOWS that the dark arts of being an effective centre-back is automatically imbibed there with mother's milk). He could be David Wheater's long long cousin.
A few people want to replace Ali on the right with O'Neill. That is questionable.
We know what O'Neill can do on the right and I ask is that enough?
Surely this is what Emnes was signed to do so if he doesnt get his chance now when will he ever get it?
It wont happen. Southgate said re Riggott that he wont make the mistake of playing the name over the man in form but all season he has kept on making those same mistakes with a pecking order of subs coming off the bench with scant regard for the role they are taking over from. So fat chance of Ali being dropped for Emnes and even less of dropping Alves who simply is a total failure at Premiership level.
At least we got a nice FA Cup draw - any possibility of seeing Johnson, Emnes, Walker in that game? I wouldnt mind a look at Joe Bennett at left back either.
Alves a total failure at premiership level!
jiffy, you are on a wind-up.
Terry M; thanks for proving my point son; jog on now, there's a good boy.
Inconsistency is affecting all teams in the PL which why we are 4 points off both european and relegation places. Even the top 4 are dropping points, and winning at home is becoming a dying art. Nobody expected 4 points off Villa and Everton whereas we all did off Bolton and the unwashed.
To keep things in perspective, we are ahead of where we were last year with minimal investment, have slashed the wage bill and the average age of the squad. Whichever way you look at it, that is progress.
The Boro will continue to frustrate because they're the Boro, thats just the way it is! We've beaten the unwashed 3 times in 27 attempts in the PL so was anyone really that surprised that good didn't triumph over evil on Saturday?
Conversely, Villa haven't beaten us at their place for 4 years and they are a far better team than Mike Ashley's play thing. These things happen in football and if any of us knew why we wouldn't be passionately bashing away on our keyboards would we?
The game was a bit of a non-event, the Geordie fans were not. As usual they were vile and disgusting, their chants were of the type long gone from football in most other places. So the FA will hold an investigation, and as it's not Boro to blame will doubtless do sod all as usual.
Then there was the trouble afterwards near the railway underpass on Dock Road. I see from the Gazette tonight a vicious old grandad with his grandkids got his just deserts from 4 heroic Geordie thugs.
But just how were these Geordies there at all? Were they not held back in the ground until the way was clear? I was there and although I could see nothing of the actual incident through the crowd, there was a large number of Geordie fans mixed in with us.
A lone policeman up on the grassy bank beside the path witnessed the incident and called for back-up. It arrived in quick time to push the Geordies away and across Dock Road.
However, a lot of Boro fans had taken refuge up on the bank, mainly youngsters and parents with kids. The next thing was mounted police came along the top of the bank chasing people back down. There was some panic and this could have turned into a real incident.
Questions should be asked of the club and the police.
1) How was it that Newcastle fans were mixed up with us immediately after the game?
2) Just what were mounted police doing up on the bank running at Boro fans who were just trying to escape the trouble?
3) How about banning Newcastle fans from the Riverside next season (if they are still in the Prem that is).
Mal from Ingleby