Boro Aiming High

 

 

Ledesma

Emmanuel Ledesma started against Sheff Wed at home, arguably his best game in a Boro shirt. He was lively, his range of passing was superb, playing some delightful through balls, one set up Justin Hoyte to score a beauty! Another set up Scott McDonald who tucked a low shot under Kirkland, Miller was taking no chances and pounced to make sure it went over the line to claim the goal. Two assists for Ledesma and his all round play was brilliant going forward and racing back into tackles to win possession back. The midfielder hasn’t started or featured much since the opening day v Barnsley, where he was frustrating to watch giving the ball away cheaply. Since then I think there has been great management by Tony Mowbray making Ledesma watch from the sidelines and learn the way we are playing. Since his recall his all round game has been very impressive, more of these performances and he will be a fans favourite.

Top Crowd

What a great Friday night it was at Riverside against Sheffield Wednesday the build up to game was so much better with a big crowd, a packed train to Middlesbrough I could hardly hear the BBC Tees commentary! You sensed the buzz in the town, even more so when got in the ground a big attendance makes such a difference, it looks amazing and the noise generated makes the match day experience a million times better. The club reacted after we hit our lowest league attendance at Riverside against Derby 13,377. Well done to the club for putting the deal on which was half price tickets starting from £12 + £7. To get 28,229 for a game that was Live on SKY surprised me to be honest, fair play to the local public the Riverside was bouncing like them big nights in Europe. In the game we won to go top of the league great for everyone involved with club. Let’s hope this is the start of something special. I was a proud season ticket holder on Friday night. We can achieve so much more as a club together!

Ticket Deals

After Friday’s ticket sales success v Sheff Wed, the club announced a 2nd deal – 2 for 1! This means if you buy a ticket for the Bristol City game you get the Huddersfield game free. Another great deal by the club, at a time when there is not a lot of money on Teesside and with Christmas round the corner. I always said it is hard for walk up fans to afford 2 home games in a week and so they are more likely to pick one. I’m expecting another bumper crowd at the Riverside for these 2 games hopefully some fans that were at the Sheff Wed game come back. We are in great form at moment and the more fans the better to help drive the team on. If we build on Sheffield Wed game keep spreading the word on the Boro, this could be a special season to follow Tony Mowbray Red and White Army!

Unbeaten Run comes to an end

The run had to end sometime but to end how it did on Saturday away at Cardiff was gutting. Cardiff took the lead from their first corner of the game, an unmarked Matthew Connolly heading in from the back post. A frustrating goal to give away yet the reaction and performance from going behind deserved something from the game. We battered them 2nd half with plenty of really good chances to get back in the game, it was one of them days our finishing let us down. On another day we would have won comfortably. The performance was very encouraging and one we can take heart from for the rest of the season. It has been a fantastic run which has seen Tony Mowbray deservedly win the Manager of Month award for October with 1 draw v Derby, 4 wins against Watford, Brighton, Hull, Bolton and not forgetting our fantastic cup win at Sunderland in the league cup! After the cup win at Sunderland we went to Charlton and won comfortably 4-1 our highest score so far this season. Following that a trip to the City Ground where we don’t have a good record getting a point after not playing brilliant it was a gritty, determined display which limited Forest to a few chances. A pleasing point on our travels and one we may look back as having been valuable at the end season. Now we have 2 games at home to start another unbeaten run. Come on Boro!

The Return of Matthew Bates

Matthew Bates will be returning to the Riverside this Saturday after joining Bristol City late last week. Matthew played his first game for Bristol City at weekend v Blackpool his first competitive game since doing his 5th Knee cruciate ligament injury last March away at Ipswich. To come back from 1 or 2 serious knee injuries shows great determination/character but to come back from 5 major setbacks fair play to the lad like Mogga says he made of the real stuff! I hope Matthew gets a good reception from the Boro fans he was key player for us last season and always give 100%. Since he got injured a lot of things have changed at theclub we have brought in Bikey and Woodgate. From being our captain last season Matthew was always going to be well down the pecking order and in order to be guaranteed first team football I think he made the right decision. I wish him well with Bristol City after Saturday of course!

 

Few Things On The Boro!

Loan Deals

Stephen McManus loan deal to Bristol City went through this week, I never understood why you loan a player out to strengthen a team in your own division especially with our injuries in defence. Our Captain Rhys Williams is out til The New Year, Woodgate won’t play every game in this league leaving us with Seb Hines and Bikey. A bit thin in the defence department! Financially for club it’s a player off wage bill, and from McManus point of view he needs to find a club with his contract running out in June.

I wish the player well he’s not in Mowbray long term plans, but credit to him he’s conducted himself well and helped behind the scenes with the younger academy players.

Going back to loan players in same division it has happened more in last few seasons. The one that really annoyed me was Marvin Emnes move to Swansea under the previous manager I won’t mention his name! We have Miller from Forest, Huddersfield have Beckford on loan from Leicester, just few examples, a sign of the times, off the wage bill, out of favour etc.

Captaincy

Just a word on captaincy at the Boro. Since our skipper Rhys Williams got injured in the cup game away at Gillingham in the league Cup, we have had Jonathan Woodgate, Kevin Thomson or Nicky Bailey as our club captain. Your captain should be your future and with Nicky Bailey getting the armband. I’m surprised he hasn’t been offered a new deal with his current contract up in the summer!

Regarding The Home Crowd

The last home game v Derby was our lowest League attendance at the Riverside. I did get concerned as I was travelling to Middlesbrough on train to the game, the train carriages were less than half full. Then as I was walking and approaching the Riverside Stadium there were only small groups of fans. Derby only brought a small following of 279 fans which also doesn’t help. Apart from Leeds, I can’t see many away teams bringing more than 1,000 fans. Leicester brought the most so far this season with 918 away fans. Worrying times and it’s not easy when there are 2 homes games in the same week. Fans can’t afford to fork out £60 in a week to see both games and will pick one. A deal really needs to be done to boost the revenue otherwise we will end up selling one of our main assets. Home advantage. Making it harder to compete to get out of this league. A few new ideas need to be tried out, family packages etc, a decent saving on 2 home games in a week. We need to act fast!!

The season so far!

It’s been a reasonable start to the season for Boro after playing 10 league games it’s time to look at the table, sitting 11th, and 2pts of a playoff place. Our season so far has been hit with a lot of injuries to key players which hasn’t helped. Our first 3 games at home were very enjoyable on and off the pitch. It has been a while since I can say that. The football was good to watch. The team keeping possession, creating chances, just good entertaining football, you can see what Mowbray is trying to do with his passing philosophy.

The last 2 home games have been similar to last season with not enough creativity in the team and an easy game for the away team’s keepers with little goal threat to test them. I know we were lacking real wingers who will get behind the opposition’s defence and test them. We need find a way of winning games at home even with our injuries. The system of 5 central midfielders just doesn’t work. We need to make The Riverside a fortress, a real tough place for the opposition to come to. Where we end up in the league will be largely down to our home form. If we can use the first 3 homes games as a platform to build on and get some consistency we will be up there.

Away from home, I’m sure we would have expected to have few more points on board from Barnsley and Millwall. Blackpool was a disaster game, very painful to watch and more frustrating than anything as the same happened last season. We didn’t play to our full potential and these are the games that annoy me as I like to see how we would compete against a team I think will be up there.

This is how crazy football can be, from the worst performance at Blackpool to best performance of season at Blackburn just a few days later. It was the return of The Juke and what a game he had! The forward held up play well, scoring two top goals, a man of the match display. It was a great team performance away at Ewood Park.

We won away at Watford before the international break, a return of another forward this time Scott McDonald grabbing the winner! Tony Mowbray and Scott McDonald had a meeting the previous week, clear the air talks. Whatever has gone on, I hope they can put that behind them and we can see Scott McDonald do his business on the football pitch. We have now lost the Juke for 5 weeks with a knee injury so the more competition for places the better!

The international break is coming to an end now, back to games coming thick and fast in this crazy Championship. Starting with Brighton this Sat, followed by Hull at home on Tues and Bolton at home the following Sat. A big week to collect some points. If we can put a good run of results together in this league we can jump up places very quickly. You only need look at Cardiff winning 3 games in a week before the international break and now sitting top of this league. It’s important that we start the week well, a point tomorrow would be a good one. Come On Boro!

Good Luck Joe!

The transfer of Joe Bennett to Aston Villa came about on Tuesday before our league cup game v Gillingham, news came out that Villa had made a bid for our talented left back. After further discussions the following day Middlesbrough accepted a bid and player travelled to Birmingham for talks. It all happened pretty fast with the transfer confirmed early evening for fee believed be 4.25m.

Joe shortly after news broke about signing for Aston Villa, tweeted ‘Not going to lie it’s been a really hard decision for me, I’ve spoken to a lot of people about it and for my development I think I’ve made the right choice’ This followed another tweet saying ‘I’m going to miss everyone at Middlesbrough. I just want to say Thank You to everyone that has supported me throughout my time there. I’m excited for a new challenge at Aston Villa’

Always sad to see players from academy who starred in first team leave club, in an ideal scenario you would like to keep your best players and hopefully he will be playing for Boro in prem next season. That’s not case we have got good money for an England U21 player who’s not the finished article, but has huge potential to make to the top.

This pre season been frustrating for Joe after suffering a knee injury, George Friend come in and looked bargain buy for 250k the figure that Strachan nearly sold Joe for! Friend had best game last weekend against Crystal Palace looking solid in defence and making some great runs to support the attack putting some great crosses in the box. Since Andrew Taylor left to join Cardiff Joe didn’t really have any real competition Friend was bought to give him that.

Joe has got a new challenge now in Premier League, I’m sure he will strive on the competition for places at Aston Villa. Joe done well in last 20 months after been frozen out by former manager Gordon Strachan, Mowbray believed in his ability and gave him his chance in first team making the left back spot his own. I’ve enjoyed watching him play for the Boro over last few seasons, and will watch his development continue at Aston Villa. He comes across as nice down to earth lad who well respected in game, from all good wishes he had on twitter! It could be a quick return to the Riverside next season for the talented left back! Let’s hope so! Good Luck Joe!

Season Preview

As the new football league season approaches this is our 4th campaign in the Championship. After coming so close to a playoff place last season. I really fancy us get back to the premier league, I feel this is strongest team and squad depth we had for some time. The Championship is a very competitive league and one I see wide open. Any out of 12 teams could be in with chance of promotion. The team I fancy to get promoted is Bolton with mix of these in top 6: Boro, Birmingham, Wolves, Cardiff and Blackburn.

It’s a demanding league the games come quick and fast with 3 games in a week, we start new season on Saturday against Barnsley, Then our first home game v Burnley on Tuesday Night and another home game against Crystal Palace following Saturday. It not a bad start we have avoided the teams that have got promoted from league 1 who normally start the new campaign well.

A new season brings extra expectation and a renewed optimism which as fan I can’t wait for us to get started. I believe this could be our year my prediction is 2nd/3rd, maybe that is my heart and my head prediction! The squad we already had plus the additions Mogga brought in, I think we will cope with the demands of this league better this season and learn the lessons that costed us last season.

The squad has never had so much cover in each position, Joe Bennett now has some competition for left back spot which he didn’t have last season. We have added much needed creativity to the squad in Ledesma and Winger Carayol. The return to 7 subs is great news for us and the youth talent to make a breakthrough in the first team. The likes of Luke Williams and Adam Reach have been ones that have impressed in pre season friendlies. Then we have Park, Smallwood and Main who I think will see feature a lot this season.

With all the new faces it takes time for squad to gel that’s why good for players to get a game in league cup under they belt before the big league kick off this weekend. It was all about getting into the next round, though some of the play was great at times. Leadbitter had at least 3 good chances I can see him getting a good 8-10 goals from midfield this season. Carayol a winger we have been crying out for, is what we need a player who gets the ball and goes for it taking players on and crossing ball at byline. Great to watch! Ledesma showed great link up play at times and got his first goal for Boro following in Bailey shot that was pared by Bury Keeper.

Our new captain Rhys Williams Was announced last week, he been with the club 8 years now I’m really pleased he has been given the armband. Rhys knows club inside out, what means to the fans, he fan too supporting the Boro at Derby while out injured at back last season. He well respected by his team mates, I hope this responsibility drives Rhys and all team on and gets up back to Premier League. That where our new captain deserves to be he’s top player who signed a new deal not long ago stating his ambition to play at top level with Middlesbrough.

Kevin Thomson has spoke well in pre season stating he will win the Boro fans over, I really hope it works out for him. It’s a big if, after his Boro career has been disrupted by injuries meaning he not had rapport with the fans like has done at previous clubs Hibs and Rangers. If can play first 10 games this season I think we will see best of Kevin Thomson in Boro shirt, he can help dictate the midfield and slip decent balls through to forwards.

There seems a good mix of experience and youth in squad this season, all top teams spread goals in team that’s what we need to do and not rely on Emnes all time to get the goals. I think with squad we have we will see goals chipped in from defence and midfield this season, looks like Bailey will get more forward role this season, Defenders chip in with few from set pieces. I do think see more goals from midfield this season with likes, Bailey, Leadbitter, Carayol, Ledesma, Reach and Park.

It first time since been back in championship that we have started league campaign with an away game, the performance of last season game against Barnsley will take some beating it was great watch Boro play great football one best displays of season. Passing was sublime! I be happy for us to just get the points on board tomorrow! I cant wait for season to start tomorrow at Oakwell, over 3,000 Boro fans travelling to game going be a great atmosphere lets hope winning start! COME ON BORO!

CLUB FOOTBALL IS BACK!

This summer has been a busy one jam packed with sport, Euro 2012 followed by Wimbledon then the London Olympics. The new football season seems to have crept up fast with the Boro playing their first competitive game of season tomorrow v Bury in league cup.

What’s impressed me this summer is the way Tony Mowbray got his signings in early. Helps new signings get full pre season with their new club, get to know new team mates and settle in the area. Boro stepped up pre season training with a trip to Portugal, it sounded like a successful trip, a hard work out for the players doing 3 sessions a day. Good for players to go away helps the team bond and get that understanding, as going into the new football season the games come quick and fast in this league.

Boro new signings

Grant Leadbitter was first to sign for the club on a free transfer after his contract at Ipswich had expired signing a 3 year deal, meaning a return to North East for the former Sunderland academy player. A midfielder good on ball, breaking up play who will chip in with goals. If you told me a few seasons ago we would have Grant Leadbitter at Boro and Sunderland would have Lee Cattermole I would laughed. That’s the Football world always full of surprises. This brings me on to the next signing …..

Jonathan Woodgate well this signing came as a big surprise the news broke out quite late on a Thursday evening with Anthony Vickers breaking story on twitter. I remember replying ‘really? Big player if can stay fit, Prob best debut I seen had Henry in his pocket’ He rejoined the club on a free transfer after his Stoke contract expired signing a 3 year deal. Jonathan come back to his home town determined to help get us back to premiership, at 32 plenty of experience and if he can play 25-30 games for us I’ll be happy. We know his background from in past. I’m sure he’s more sensible off pitch now and will turn out great signing for us one that young players can learn from and look up too.

Emmanuel Ledesma another free transfer who was released from Walsall signed on 3 year deal. A creative midfielder/forward who can play in a number of positions will be a useful addition to the squad. We have been crying out for creativity especially in our games at home where we struggled to break the opposition down last season.

Christian Burgess is a promising centre back who signed on a 2 year deal after been spotted in university football. The 6ft 4ins defender will start football for club in development squad.

Stuart Parnaby rejoined the club signing a 2 year deal with a further one year option. The right back had season out game having talks with numerous clubs coming to nothing. Be good having Stuart back at the Boro he is a versatile player who can play in midfield if needed and another experienced player.

George Friend signed from Doncaster on a three year deal, the 24 year old defender can play centre back and left back. The former Doncaster captain was voted fans and players player of year last season. This signing gives the squad good competition for places especially at left back, since Andrew Taylor left been no real competition for left back spot for Joe Bennett.

Mustapha Carayol signed from Bristol Rovers on a three year deal, the 23 year old is lightening fast winger after watching little clips of him on YouTube. Looking forward to watching him in a Boro shirt Mustapha wasted no time in discovering our own Teesside dish a Parmo after asking fans on twitter where best place to go try one in the Boro! Central Park was place he tried first parmo and said he be recommending them to his friend! Already a Boro legend!

Justin Hoyte rejoined the club signing a new two year deal. Last season he had his best season at club, I put that down to Mogga. He took pay cut and sees Boro as 2nd home now after settling in area. Tipping him to shut the boo boys up and have another good season.

Overall I think Mogga done great job in the transfer market with little money signed some good players. A much stronger squad than last season cover in all outfield areas which should help us cope with injuries to the team. Signed some creative players in Ledesma and Carayol a winger that been crying out for which should excite the fans. The signings of Leadbitter, Parnaby and Woodgate give us experience you need that in this league.

Players left Club

Barry Robson and Tony McMahon are main two who have left the club that played regularly in first team. We knew about Barry Robson leaving after he agreed contract with Vancouver Whitecaps before end of last season. Tony McMahon was offered a deal and for whatever reason a contract couldn’t be agreed by club and player. With a new wage structure in place it has to be right for the club. Only the player can say if it was the money or not been guaranteed first team football. Either way I wish both players well you could never question their commitment always giving 100%. They are also players that used to take the set pieces often arguing who would take them, so new set piece takers for new season with Ledesma and Leadbitter I reckon.

I wish all players that have left the club well. A lot of former Boro players are in League one you can always go and watch when there is an international break.

The summer ins and outs

Ins

Mustapha Carayol, Emmanuel Ledesma, Stuart Parnaby, Jonathan Woodgate, Grant Leadbitter, George Friend, Justin Hoyte, Christian Burgess

Outs

Barry Robson (Vancouver Whitecaps), Tony McMahon (Sheff Utd), Danny Coyne (Released), Jonathan Franks (Hartlepool), Jonathan Grounds (Oldham), Malaury Martin (Released), Bart Ogbeche (Released)

Bad Day At Riverside!

It was a day to forget at the Riverside, we didn’t get going from the start, giving Leeds far too much space and time. Leeds were much quicker, organised and more up for the game than we were. Winning the majority of 50-50’s, Becchio was winning a lot of headers. There were two errors at the back for the Leeds goals even then there was plenty of time left in the match, it was just like when we played Burnley at home this season. We seemed to fizzle out with the team lacking any real belief to get back in to the game. Overall a terrible display, simply not good enough on the day to deserve anything from.

 

It wasn’t an end of season game with nothing to play for, there was so much more at stake. We had our strongest team possible out there with only Scott McDonald missing through injury. We are in the top 6 as we have been all season. I am not sure why we weren’t up for the game but there is no time to dwell on it now. We could have done without it especially when the game was broadcasted on national TV. It was an ideal opportunity to try and put on a display to get fans back to the Riverside. We need attendances like this and against Hull and Sunderland at every home game this season. It’s all part of the match day experience; a decent atmosphere and getting Riverside Rocking again.

It was a bad defeat to take but no defeat is nice. The performance wasn’t acceptable and we will need to be on our game in the last 11 games. Let’s hope we get an instant reaction, after a good week of training to help bounce back against Birmingham and West Ham on the road. We have 2 away games before we come back to the Riverside, with Plan B against our next opponents Bristol City.

I don’t understand the way we’re set up at home by having forwards out wide and so distant from each other. We don’t seem to attack in numbers at home like we do away. We are too goal shy at the Riverside at times and that needs to change if we are going to stay in the top 6. I’m sure Mowbray will be thinking of ways to mix it up. We have played 3-5-2 this season with our full backs pushing on which has worked well away from home. I’m not sure that’s the way to go when we have got Adam Hammill on the wing and I would like us to give Adam Reach a run out on the other wing. He looked good when he came on against Sunderland and he could be a good option for us while Robson is suspended for the next 3 games.

It is vital we come away from Saturday’s game v Birmingham with at least a point. With Cardiff winning at the weekend they are only 2 points behind us and we are looking over our shoulder a bit now. Birmingham and Hull have a game in hand over us having played 34 games. They are not far behind us now, a win for Birmingham would put them level with us on points plus a game in hand. We need to get back on form for every one of the 11 games is a cup final.

Boro have been in the top 6 all season and it would be a shame to miss out and crumble. Sunday’s game was a wake up call maybe on the 28th April it’s one we can look back on and say we kicked on and finished the season well with a playoff place. Let’s hope so! Saturday’s game v Birmingham won’t be easy they have only lost one game at home, though they are similar to us at home in having drawn 7 games. We are better on the road, so it should be an interesting contest.

On that note please Let the Real Boro Stand UP!

COME ON BORO!

Why I can’t wait for Derby Day!

When the draw was made and we got Sunderland, (one of the big cup ties of the 4th round) I would rather have got them at home but even so I was buzzing at the thought of playing one of our local rivals, a great occasion for the players and fans alike, these are the games football is all about.

Local derbies full of passion, guts, complete commitment, and with a big crowd the noise should be echoing from the fans singing their hearts out for the full game. We haven’t played Sunderland in a few years, in fact last time we played them was in January 09 the year we got relegated from the premier league. So it’s about time we played a big game!

Our performances of late in the championship haven’t been up to scratch and games like these can be a nice distraction from the league. It hasn’t helped losing a key player in Nicky Bailey who really does make our team tick. Ideally I would have loved us to have our full team out that started the season. Though anything possible on Sunday it’s a one off game and we have nothing to lose.

It will be a new experience for a lot of our players who have never played against Sunderland before. I know a few of the local lads on twitter, Joe Bennett and Richard Smallwood cant wait for the game and are as excited as the fans. These are the type of games you can become an instant hero with the fans. What a game it could be for Lukas Jutkiewicz (The Juke) his full debut a derby game. A repeat of Chris Riggott’s debut at the SOL would be the perfect debut for The Juke to become an instant Boro hero by scoring two against the mackems!

The game sees Matthew Bates our captain up against Former Boro player Lee Cattermole, Sunderland’s captain who still has Boro at heart. It will be a great occasion for them, being good mates since their younger days and both from Boro Youth Cup Winning team in 2004. All will be forgotten when the game gets underway at 1.30pm though!

I was at the SOL when an Emerson thunderbolt and Robbie Mustoe scored in a 2-1 win, in our 97/98 promotion season how I would love a repeat of that score this weekend. I do fancy us to get a replay and bring them back to Riverside which would be great wouldn’t it? A packed Riverside, electric atmosphere and much needed money generated to invest back in the club.

I’ll still be dreaming tonight of one of our local lads sticking the winner in and us fans going mental at getting one over our local rivals! Come on Boro!

Match Prediction 1-1

I leave you with two of our wins at The Sol. 

Oh Nicky Bailey!

Against Peterborough on New Years Eve Nicky Bailey didn’t come out for the 2nd half. We later found out that he had been subbed after picking up a knee injury in the first half. In the early stages of the game he took a nasty knock. He is one of those players who every time he comes of the pitch, he must be bruised and battered!

After the game Mogga said Bails would miss the Blackpool game and then be assessed hoping that he would be back in 2 weeks. This week it was announced after his scan that the damage was worse than first thought and Bailey would miss 4-6 weeks with a medial knee ligament injury. A massive blow to us! Our Boateng Our Mustoe type of player and I don’t say that lightly when Mustoe my all time favourite Boro player.

His impact has got us where we are, pushing the team towards the top of the table. For me it’s between Bailey and Robson for the player of the season. Bailey plays his role well and makes our team tick. Playing in front of the defenders sweeping up play, been a nuisance to opposition, winning possession and mixing his passing range long and short. We will miss his leadership qualities too he is always communicating with the team. With his passion, determination and never give up attitude he has become a fans favourite. The goal against Cardiff is one of my favourites of the season. Bailey released Hoyte down the flank who found Scott McDonald who Volleyed home from 6 yards. A great team goal.

It’s now a big chance for Richard Smallwood, he never let us down last season playing consistently and getting his first goal away at Cardiff. A different player to Bailey he wins procession and plays the simple pass. It has been a frustrating time for Smallwood who has struggled to get a place on the bench this season following the new 5 man bench rule introduced this season. It is such a bad move! He has made three starts this season against Walsall and Crystal Palace in the cup and away in the League at Blackpool just this week. Step forward Smallwood it’s your big chance to shine in the first team! It’s a test for us as our squad has become stretched with midfield players out, yet we coped without Emnes while he was injured with a hamstring strain recently and won at Cardiff and at home to Hull.

If Mogga can buy a different style centre forward to what we currently have and Smallwood carries on his form from last season, there should be no reason why we can’t stay in the top 3 or 4. I wish Nicky Bailey a speedy recovery to come back for the last part of the season and hope he can help push us to gain promotion.

Well done Mogga on winning December Manager of Month, well deserved for closing the gap on the top 2, with fine form in December, 4 wins and 1 draw. Who thought that would happen after the West Ham game at the end of November?!

UTB!