Mowbray Confirms Wheater Exit

Skysports tonight have confirmed what we have been thinking for some time - David Wheater will be sold in the January transfer window.

It is the sensible thing to do financially, we can't afford to let him walk away for nothing after all the money invested in him on his journey through the academy, but I do wonder if this is the right thing to do for the football club as a whole.

In the past Boro have had to decide on the best time to sell players when we have been on the decline. The first was Stewart Downing - we opted to stick with him, not buy any players and were promptly relegated. The next Adam Johnson - we sold and then the team stopped performing ensuring no chance of promotion. I would argue in both situations Steve Gibson made the wrong call. With the money from the Downing sale we could have got a couple of players in that might have made the difference and kept us up and Johnson was the star man in the team when he was sold. What sort of message does it give to the fans when we insist on selling the local talent to our old Premier League rivals?

We walk a fine line with January coming up - Boro are in danger of relegation on current form - so what do we do? Twist or Stick? Gibson has opted to twist. Cash in now, get rid of Premier League quality and replace with Championship quality.

My major concern with all of this is will any of the money be reinvested back into the squad. How much will Wheater fetch? £2m? Well that in itself certainly isn't going to get us the players that we need to climb up the league. Another concern is where will the selling end? Surely Gary O'Neil is a prime candidate to leave in January and Kris Boyd has been another name mentioned. With our past record I doubt very much that these players will be replaced with better ones for the same money.

The only saving grace is that Tony Mowbray can spot a player with potential - we have to trust that he can bring in the sort of players that can help build a team ready to challenge for promotion in the next two seasons before the parachute payments run dry.

So I ask you Boro fans - would you sell David Wheater?

Boro Fans To Have Say On Community Projects

npower and The Football League have announced the 'Home Town Heroes' programme, a new £2m community initiative.

npower and The Football League have announced the launch of 'Home Town Heroes', a new community initiative that aims to put the power into the hands of the fans.

The £2m Home Team Heroes initiative - which will be run over the course of the three year sponsorship - will ask communities around the UK's 72 Football League grounds to vote on how this money should be spent, in order to make the most impact in their local area.

Communities can choose from one of three projects for children:
- A 'respect' training workshop for ten year-olds run in schools with a focus on team work and citizenship
- Football skills training for 4 - 6 year-olds run by the club's community coaches
- Improvement/clean up of a local park into a more football friendly space

The public will have until the end of December to decide and then each Football League club will work with npower to implement the project their fans have selected, before the end of the season. The 72 clubs will be supported in this initiative by The Football League Trust which oversees the League's community and youth development programmes

Fans can cast their votes by clicking onto the npower website, texting; filling in postcards at their local Football League club or one of npower’s touring event stands in the local area; or by logging onto their club’s official website.

Volker Beckers, RWE npower's CEO, said:"This scheme is all about giving power to the fans. As a new sponsor, we didn’t want to come in with a ‘one size fits all’ approach. Instead, we’re asking the communities around each club to vote and tell us which option suits them best."

Greg Clarke, Chairman of The Football League, said: "Football League clubs are an integral part of their local communities, demonstrating that football has the power to make a difference to peoples’ lives. Whichever project each community votes for - be it respect workshops, football training or the improvement of local playgrounds - our clubs will be actively engaging with local children to encourage them to get involved in football."


WeShallOvercomeBlog - "This is a great opportunity for Boro fans to have a real say on what projects are undertaken in the Teesside area. We encourage all Boro fans to vote on this great initiative from npower"

Deja vu?

Selling our proven Premier League players in a bid to gain promotion - this sounds familiar...

When others have kept the majority of their squads and gained promotion, at Boro we seem to like to buck the trend and sell. Huth and Tuncay were two players that were moved on as Boro cut the cloth to adjust for Championship life, players that we could ill afford to lose and for some reason it seems to be happening again as the January transfer window looms.

I'm sure most fans would be looking for Boro to strengthen the squad in the window, but paper reports this morning indicate that two of our most experienced players, David Wheater and Gary O'Neil, will be sold if a suitable offer comes in. I'm fully aware that if a sizeable offer for any of our players came in we would consider them, but for it to be all over the media surely can't be a good thing when Tony Mowbray is trying to turn our fortunes around.

I just hope these reports are false, as in the past we have sold and not replaced. If that was to happen this time round and the money just banked I fear all hope of promotion, either this season or next, will be gone. The Championship will be our home and our youth team making up the majority of the side. To be honest, I wouldn't mind that in itself, but with the lack of ambition shown in the past few months would it end there?

What do you think? Sell our Captain and the Redcar Rock or not?

Mogga Returns Home

Middlesbrough Football Club have today announced former Boro captain
Tony Mowbray will be replacing Gordan Strachan as manager.

A press conference is scheduled today at 3:30pm to introduce Tony as
the new boss to the media.

Hopefully this will be a great boost to the Boro team, and who knows,
with a good win on Saturday we could really turn our season around.

More to follow...

One Man For The Job?

There is only one man for the job, not that I think its the best man for the job, but Tony Mowbray is the only man who can galvanise the town, club and fans in this time of crisis. The club need a boost, and this could be it, but the problem is that it is taking a while to appoint him.

Surely as soon as Gordon Strachan handed in his resignation the call to find out if Tony Mowbray was interested in the job should have been made. If this was the case why was it only Monday (according to the local press) that his interview was carried out? I can understand leaving the appointment until after the Norwich City away game, especially with our away form, but I really thought that an announcement would have been made on Monday. But alas no, all that has been revealed is that Mowbray is on a good contract for the next six months at Celtic, even getting win bonuses, and he is reluctant to lose this cash.

So what for now for Boro? Well it seems that whilst the negotiations are ongoing with Mowbray and Celtic we are in limbo, apart from lining up Paul Ince as the number two choice in case Mowbray turns the job down due to his Celtic deal. This surely can not be good for Boro, and I don't know how Gibson has let this situation arise. Basically how I read it is that if Boro don't pay Mogga something near his current deal, or Celtic can't be reasoned with to pay some of the money we are going to go with Ince. Ince will know that he always was second choice, and so will the fans. Having come so close to signing Mogga, getting Ince would be a blow for the majority of Boro fans, and I don't think it will help with the needed recovery on the pitch, after all no one like playing in empty stadiums.

I just hope that something can be sorted out asap. The players need time with the manager and new staff, and vice versa. We have a must win home game against Bristol City on Saturday, and all this unrest surely can't help with Agnew's preparations. Come on Steve Gibson, lets get this sorted for the sake of the club!

Win tickets to Boro v Portsmouth with npower

http://www.npower.com/football

Win Tickets To Boro v Pompey With npower

We Shall Overcome Blog has teamed up with npower to give Boro fans the chance to win two pairs of tickets in the home end at the Riverside Stadium for the game against Portsmouth on Saturday 2nd October (ko 3:00pm)

All you have to do to enter is email us weshallovercomeblog@googlemail.com with the answer to the following question along with your name, email address and phone number (daytime contact as you will be contacted about collecting the tickets):

Who is Boro's all time leading goal scorer?

Winners will be picked by random and no entries will be accepted after 3:00pm on Wednesday 29th September 2010. Multiple entries will not be accepted. Winners will be notified by email that they have won by 6pm on Wednesday 29th September 2010 and posted on this page prior to the game.

If you are not lucky enough to win this competition you can always enter npower's own Big Ticket Giveaway which will see a pair of tickets up for grabs for every single npower football league game and fan club members will also have the opportunity to win club player and manager appearances. All details can be found at http://www.npower.com/football-league website.

Please note you will have to collect the tickets from the Middlesbrough Football Club ticket office at the Riverside Stadium prior to the game.

All we ask the winners in return is that you take plenty of photos of your matchday experience so npower can display them on their football league Facebook page and their flickr site. We might even post one of you on here!

As npower have been kind enough to offer the tickets to us please can you visit their website using the above links after you have entered, and it would be great if you follow this blog as well!! If you are thinking about changing your gas and electricity supply npower are currently offering a football saver tariff, with discounted gas and electricity until the start of the 2011/12 football season. You will also receive £45 worth of vouchers to spend at your football league club shop. For more details go to http://www.npower.com/football.

Many thanks and good luck!!

We shall overcome

[R Wells from York was the eventual winner, and enjoyed two tickets for the game, thanks for entering]

Brought to you by weshallovercomeblog & big mouth media on behalf of npower.

How Do Boro Fix It Then?

As I have already said in past blog posts, we do have quite a few moaners at the Riverside. Judging by recent performances they have every right to be venting off - but how can Boro sort out the form on the field?

It's fine posting on the internet 'Strachan Out!!!' but is that really the answer? Martin O'Neil is a name mentioned, even Tony Mowbray, but really is a quick managerial switch going to propel us up the league? Here is my thoughts on the current situation.

Sacking Strachan

I don't think this is the answer at all. The current team are Strachan's players and if he was to be sacked they wouldn't take too kindly to it. Remember they all said he was the reason they came to Middlesbrough. Sack Strachan and we would have to rebuild another squad again starting in January. Not good for a promotion attempt. I wonder also if we have the money for yet another squad rebuild?

Martin O'Neil

Really? Come on. Why would Martin O'Neil want to come and manage us? Talk about poisoned chalice. He'd have no money, a half full stadium and a Chairman who is getting into the habit of sacking managers after not even a full season trying to get promotion. I think he's give that one a miss.

Tony Mowbray

Brilliant captain for Boro... we have heard this story somewhere else before... Mogga will always have fond memories on Teesside, so why would he ruin his relationship with the fans by subjecting himself to the managers job? He has hardly proved himself in the managerial stakes either. There are Boro fans saying Strachan is a poor manager despite the fact he succeeded in the SPL (and also saying their mothers could manage Celtic in the SPL), but Mogga tried, and failed badly.

Keeping Strachan

Is five games a fair crack of the whip for an injury ravished side before the manager is sacked? I think not. But something has to happen, and fast. We need six points in the next two games to get a serious promotion push back on track. If we can do this we are not really that far behind - with Boyd and McDonald up front banging goals in I'm sure we could make up nine points. There are a lot of games left.

So The Sensible Choice Is..?

What do you do as a Chairman? Sit back and hope things change, or make a snap decision and hope that it works, at a financial cost to the club? As I don't have Steve Gibson's mobile phone number I couldn't ask him but I did get the views of Paul Fraser (Northern Echo) and Robbie Mustoe on what we should do with regards to out recent form via Twitter:

@paulfraserecho What's your thoughts on Strachan and Boro? Surely we gotta stick with him??
@MFCFacebook that's my opinion at the moment. I think, given the turnover in personnel, I don't see the point in axing Strachan now.

@robbiemustoe What's your thoughts on Strachan and our dismal start?
@MFCFacebook I'm saddened like everyone else, he must be given time, the fans must try & be patient. It's still early this season.

So Paul and Robbie think we need to keep the faith, and to be honest so do I. Boro fans if you do one thing please do this - if you shout for Strachan to be fired have a decent argument about why its best for the club... not only football wise, but financially as well. Getting rid of this squad and starting again could put us in more trouble than we are already in.

Feel free to put your ideas to save the club in the comments section - you never know, Gibbo might have a read :-)

Give Strachan a chance!!

So we are three league games in and the typical moaning element of Middlesbrough fans are coming out in force as they have finally got a slight reason to start venting about Gordon Strachan as Middlesbrough were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Millwall last night. These 'fans' as they like to call themselves, are the staunch Southgate supporters who for the entire second half of last season criticised Steve Gibson and Gordon Strachan for every decision made at the club after their messiah was dismissed after ruining a team only the season prior his appointment featured in an UEFA Cup final.

You just have to look at the legacy of Southgate's Boro to see that these people are clueless. Only a week ago we still had Mido, Digard and Emnes still taking Premier League wages from us and no club wanted them. Mido, now on his 11th club has finally departed to Ajax and Boro haven't recouped any of the £6m Southgate paid for him. Project Emnes (£3.2m), Digard (£4.0), Mido (£6m) and Alves (£12m) are just four massive failures that come to mind, for a total of £25.2m, not to mention others than have come in and failed. How is this conducive to Southgate being considered better than Strachan? Southgate also managed a relegation in his three years at the club, and managed to shift out young talent such as Lee Cattermole and failed to play Adam Johnson preferring the other flop, Jeremie Aliadiere on the right wing (£2.5m).

Gordon Strachan on the other hand has come into the club and has had to totally rebuild the team and staff. He initially brought loanees into the side, some dubious, but was honest with the fans advising that they were the best on the market available at the time. In the January transfer window he brought in Scott McDonald, Stephen McManus, Willo Flood, Barry Robson and Chris Killen who improved the Boro squad dramatically (McDonald currently this season scoring 3 goals in 4 games). Summer additions have included Kris Boyd, Kevin Thomson and Matthew Kilgallon amongst others. All of these players, nowhere near £25.2m, and more importantly they all have the right attitude. There has been the odd failure, Lee Miller has failed to impress and Nicky Bailey has had a shaky few games but you can afford the odd one not working when you are not paying much for them.

Promotion

So Strachan's objective for the 2010/11 Championship season is simple - promotion. This is what he will be judged on, and if he fails it may well be the end of his time at Middlesbrough. Steve Gibson will be patient with him, and in January will probably make more funds available if our squad is in need of even further strengthening, so why are the fans getting on his back after three league games? It is farcical. I accept that the opening game against Ipswich was not good enough, he knows that, Gibson knows that, but we followed it up with a solid draw away from home, then a win on Sunday against Sheffield United. Anyone calling for Strachan's head at this stage in the season are fools.

Did these same fans not see that sacking a manager in the opening part of the season last year didn't work? So why would it be a good idea now? Do they not understand that a majority of the players are Strachan's? So do they give another manager a few million to rebuild the squad again? The problem is that there is a hardcore bunch of Boro fans who just like to moan. They will moan to anyone and everyone about anything. I thought being a fan was about getting behind the team, not relishing the fact that the team has struggled and that means they can slag the club of again... Yep, these fans have paid their money so they can have their say... fair enough... but if a monkey bought a car would you let it drive it on the roads? No. These fans have little football knowledge and are still obsessed with the Southgate era.

You may say we also lost in the Carling Cup. Good is what I say... There are enough games to contend with in the Championship without playing in the Carling Cup. We need to plough all our resources and efforts into the league. We, as Boro fans, need to unite, get behind the club, team and manager and stop this constant moaning. It is killing the club. If its not people of Fly Me To The Moon slagging of the good work of the Red Faction it's fans moaning that the ground is empty and then not going themselves. Lets get behind the team, get to the ground and support the lads on to promotion!!

Come on Boro!!

Win tickets to Boro v Sheff Utd with npower - Winners...

And the winners of the npower competition to win two tickets for the Boro v Sheff Utd are:

Chris Hughes
&
Darren Allon

I hope you and your guest have a great time at the game, and remember to take some pictures for the npower blog!

Remember... If you were not lucky enough to win this competition you can always enter npower's own Big Ticket Giveaway which will see a pair of tickets up for grabs for every single npower football league game and fan club members will also have the opportunity to win club player and manager appearances. All details can be found at http://www.npower.com/football-league website.

Thanks to everyone for entering. Keep a look out on Twitter (@MFCFacebook) and check the links section of this blog for the Facebook MFC Fanpage for all the latest Boro news, views and score updates!

Win tickets to Boro v Sheff Utd with npower

http://www.npower.com/football

Win Tickets To Boro v Sheff Utd With npower


We Shall Overcome Blog has teamed up with npower to give Boro fans the chance to win two pairs of tickets in the home end at the Riverside Stadium for the game against Sheffield United on Sunday 22nd August (ko 1:15pm)

All you have to do to enter is email us weshallovercomeblog@googlemail.com with the answer to the following question along with your name, email address and phone number (daytime contact as you will be contacted about collecting the tickets):

What was the score last season when Boro played Sheffield United at home in The Championship?

Winners will be picked by random and no entries will be accepted after 11:30pm on Thursday 19th August 2010. Multiple entries will not be accepted. Winners will be notified by email that they have won by 9am on Friday 20th August 2010 and posted on this page on Friday night.

If you are not lucky enough to win this competition you can always enter npower's own Big Ticket Giveaway which will see a pair of tickets up for grabs for every single npower football league game and fan club members will also have the opportunity to win club player and manager appearances. All details can be found at http://www.npower.com/football-league website.

Please note you will have to collect the tickets from the Middlesbrough Football Club ticket office at the Riverside Stadium prior to the game.

All we ask the winners in return is that you take plenty of photos of your matchday experience so npower can display them on their football league Facebook page and their flickr site. We might even post one of you on here!

As npower have been kind enough to offer the tickets to us please can you visit their website using the above links after you have entered, and it would be great if you follow this blog as well!! If you are thinking about changing your gas and electricity supply npower are currently offering a football saver tariff, with discounted gas and electricity until the start of the 2011/12 football season. You will also receive £45 worth of vouchers to spend at your football league club shop. For more details go to http://www.npower.com/football.


Many thanks and good luck!!

We shall overcome



Brought to you by weshallovercomeblog & big mouth media on behalf of npower.

Middlesbrough v Ipswich 7/8/2010

Middlesbrough 1 - 3 Ipswich
McDonald 22

There was hope amongst Boro fans this morning but this was short-lived after a dismal display at the Riverside this afternoon which produced Boro's first defeat at the Riverside since December 2009.

Boro went into the lead after 22 minutes with Scott McDonald opening his 2010/11 account with a composed finish but if anything the game was open with both sides looking like they could score, with Ipswich hitting the bar before half time.

Boro fell asleep in the second half which allowed Ipswich to score three goals which ensured the win for Roy Keane's side. The boos where clear for all to hear around the Riverside as the full time whistle was blown.

More to follow...

Boro Man of the Match - Danny Coyne (Despite conceding three goals)

Attendance - 21,882

Game Highlight - Scott McDonald scoring our only goal...

Thanks for reading, and as always comments (good or bad) are always appreciated. Keep a look out on Twitter (@MFCFacebook) and check the links section of this blog for the Facebook MFC Fanpage.

England And The FA - Hang Your Heads In Shame

You won't hear me say this often, but I admire the French, or at least the way the French FA handled their exit of the World Cup. The players weren't taken back to their five-star hotels and pampered for another day at the FA's expense, no they were transported via coach straight to the airport and flown back economy. We can look at where, how and why England have failed in South Africa but our problems do not stem from 'player fatigue' alone, they stem from the very top, from the English Football Association.

Firstly we have Lord Triesman proclaiming to his mistress that 'Spain are looking for help from the Russians to help bribe the referees in the World Cup', then we have the FA extending Fabio Capello's contract two weeks before the tournament starts. Two massive blunders made by the top brass at the FA. Are these people even on the same planet as us? The Chief of the FA, brought in by Gordon Brown to clean up the organisation from the past sex scandals has one of his own and puts England's World Cup bid in jeopardy, then having seen how much it cost Liverpool to get rid of Rafa Benitez after giving a massive contract extension decide to do the same with Capello. Unbelievable. This incompetence runs from the top, straight down through Capello and finishes off on the pitch.

Enough about the FA for now. I was concerned when I saw Capello announce his final squad of 23. The usual suspect were there, Rooney, Gerrard, Lampard, Terry, Cole, Ferdinand, but there was no depth at all. There was nothing to change a game, no way to change the system. We have some promising young players, namely Adam Johnson, but even he was overlooked and the likes of Shaun Wright Phillips and Aaron Lennon were selected over the ex-Middlesbrough academy player. SWP and Lennon have has many chances at international level and haven't produced. Johnson can change a game. Then the strikers... Emile Heskey was chosen over Darren Bent. Heskey is not a goal scorer, he is unable to hold the ball up, does not contribute assists and has struggled at his club all season. Obviously a far better selection than Bent who has scored 24 goals in 38 Premier League appearances compared to Heskey's 3 goals in 16 appearances (15 of those as a substitute). What I would like to know is how is Heskey not good enough to start for Aston Villa, but good enough to start for England?

England's potent World Cup strike force

Peter Crouch has 5 more goals to his name for not many more starts, but Capello amazed England fans with his bizarre team selections in the group games. Neglecting Defoe and Crouch and starting with Rooney and Heskey was not what the England faithfull wanted to see - we wanted Rooney up front on his own, as he has played for Manchester United all season, scoring 26 goals in the league. The other shocking decisions were playing Carragher (whose legs have gone), Gerrard on the left, Upson instead of Dawson, King's inclusion having not been fit his entire life etc etc but as fans we have become all to familiar with England managers knowing better than us fans, then the team crashes out of the competition without even a whimper (or not qualifying at all).

To top all this off, after two miserable performances Wayne Rooney decides to insult the fans who have paid £1000's to go out and follow the three lions. We then paper over the cracks with an average performance against Slovenia, then bomb out against Germany. I'm not surprised that the team were booed, I have never seen such a gutless display from England.

So with the team knocked out it was nice to see Ashley Cole and Ledley King enjoying a laugh and a joke shortly after the Germany game, and it was nice to see that the FA had provided the England team with a private jet landing early in the morning at Heathrow to avoid angry fans. This again is more incompetence from the FA. Those England players should have been made to travel back economy, landed at Heathrow at lunchtime and if there was fans there to vent their anger so be it. The players obviously don't know what it means to support England, to follow your team all over the world, having maybe saved for years to afford it.

So what now? I think the likes of Heskey, King, Carragher, Barry, Upson, A Cole, Gerrard, James & SWP should never play for England again. Rooney will need to buck his ideas up to remain in for me, he has been woeful of late and looks unfit. We need to sack Capello as well. I would appoint a coach with a contract to the 2012 Euro's and no more. His job would be to build a capable young squad with a view to get to the quarter finals on the Euro's, and leave the team able to push on for the following World Cup. The selection policy should be clear - If you are too old to play in the 2014 World Cup you are too old for the England team now. We need to build a solid group of players, who don't take for granted their England call ups.

Well that's my thoughts / rant over with. No more England talk for me, I now can enjoy the rest of the World Cup without worrying about how England are doing. For the record I think it will be a Argentina v Brazil final, and Argentina will sneak it. Now to look forward to the start of the domestic football season, and seeing who Gordon Strachan signs in the next few weeks.

Slovenia v England - My Analysis

We played very well for the first 25 mins, but as soon as the goal went in we noticeably backed off and started firing up front from the back again, but despite this we controlled the first half and thoroughly deserved our lead.

In the second half there was more of this long ball hoopla, but England were fairly solid despite a few close calls that last ditch efforts from Terry and Upson managed to prevent turning into something more. Rooney still looks off, he needs a goal fast, but apart from that a decent performance all round.

I couldn't work out why Heskey was brought on as he proved against Algeria he is as capable of holding the ball up as a man with no arms, J Cole made little impact, and for both changes I would have preferred Crouch coming on - he may have caused more problems...

Positives were Terry and Upson (a solid partnership), Milner was excellent, Gerrard was disciplined, Defoe managed to convert, and the fullbacks looked good going forward in the first half.

I think though that we still don't have enough to get beyond Argentina (presuming they win), Germany will be close and could go either way, but despite winning I feel down heartened that we didn't push on for the second goal as when playing to our potential as we did for the first 25 mins as we were by far the better team.

We need to improve for Germany, and hope that we are able to substantially improve again against the Argies if we hope to get into the Semi's.

Team performance: 7/10
MoM: James Milner
Highlight: Terry's last ditch effort to stop a shot with his head 6 inches off the floor

Boro's Promotion Hopes - They think it's all over... It is now

I'm sick to death of reading how we need to keep the faith, that promotion is still possible, and how we need to back the team. The latter is true, but just because something is mathematically possible it doesn't mean it's going to happen, and it isn't.

Personally when the Boro spin machine churns out the 'we can do it' messages I feel insulted. It’s like they think they can dupe you into still believing. I think Middlesbrough Football Club need to be looking at how to get fans to renew and come to the games next season rather than trying to con the fans into thinking our promotion campaign is still on.

£370 to sit in the North Stand next season (the early bird price), another price freeze - but I'm sorry, I really think that Steve Gibson has dropped a clanger... There are only so many seasons that you can pay nearly £400 based on 'blind faith', and I think after 4 seasons of dross the Boro fans are finally realising this. I would personally have gone for a £50 drop in season tickets prices, making the early bird price in the North Stand £320 - an offer that I'm sure would have had many doubters renewing straight away. Maybe if that wasn't practical throw in a half price shirt, or £20 to spend in the club shop - something... but alas, no.

There will be people who have already renewed, but these would have renewed even if the price had gone up - it’s the middle grounders that Boro need to convince - the ones who haven't been entertained, with families, that maybe have lost their jobs or have low incomes. Why should they renew? £370 is a week’s holiday, which after the season we have endured would be much more preferable if you had to choose one or the other.

My prediction is we will finish around 10th in the league this season, and will be facing regular sub 15,000 crowds at the Riverside next season unless something is done fast, and that might be reducing the renewal prices, or signing someone that will bring the crowds back - but who would that? - I don't even think Juninho could bring the fans back now.

The next few months are the most important since 1986, correct guidance could see Boro flourish next season, with 25,000 fans at every game, but if even more mistakes are made I dread to think of the consequences - relegation, administration - they are all possibilities. I hope I'm wrong, I hope we could somehow manage to get promoted, I hope we sell more tickets next season, but I'm a realist, I just can't see it happening.

Boro v Newcastle - Trophy Virgins or Lazy Journalists?

I would have to argue both. I have enjoyed reading blogs and articles from more main stream papers trying desperately to work out what we were saying with the infamous 'Trophy Virgins' banner... and they have all failed. Why? Because as with most Newcastle fans they are so far up their own proverbials that they are unable to take a step back and appreciate the bigger picture.

For season upon season both Middlesbrough and Sunderland fans alike get told from Geordies that they are the 8th biggest club in the world, that they should be in the top 4, that they should be mentioned in the same breath as Manchester United, Liverpool and the other massive clubs that this country has produced. We also here how because they sell out every week (a fact that is untrue as of late) they are up there with the likes of the aforementioned Premier League Galaticos. But when you ask for any proof of their success, like winning a recent trophy, they are stumped.

And this is it entirely. How many of the 3,743 Newcastle fans at the Riverside on Saturday have ever seen their side lift a major trophy? 2%? 5%? What you certainly can say is that the majority have not - that the majority are 'Trophy Virgins'. No one who supports Boro are saying for one minute that Newcastle in their history haven't won anything, as saying that is absurd. That is why its so unbelievable that trained journalists from the North East have gone down this line with their articles, merely listing the FA Cup wins, and various other pots won in years gone by and thinking that Boro fans have never know this.

Stuart Rayner from the Sunday Sun wrote a tremendously lazy article on this very same subject, highlighting the papers bias towards Newcastle United, and with that reducing sales on Teesside. What would have been a change is if, like some Newcastle fans, thought that it was quite witty, and did wonders to create an even better atmosphere at the Riverside. But, with their laziness they have just told us all that they can't take a joke, and confirmed to us all that Newcastle fans think that they are better than us all.

The Boro fans took the Geordie rendition of 'We'll Meet Again' with good humour and it was well received, and I suppose Newcastle will have the last laugh if Boro can't miraculously make the play-off's and regain their Premier League status, but for that one afternoon we upset the league leaders using their own insecurities and got one reaction that both sides will never forget.

Anyway, I thought the banner was genius. I got the joke. But you know what they say eh Geordies? 'If you can't take it, don't give it'.

The Day Boro Stood Still

The date, Saturday 6th March 2010, is the day when Boro's season was finished off by a recent nemesis, Cardiff City. The Bluebirds, responsible for Boro's exit from the FA Cup the season before, hammered the final nail in the coffin for Gordon Strachan's men the 3rd minute of play, and typically Boro were unable to find an answer.

So what now? Maybe a token victory against Newcastle? The chances of that are slim, and even it did happen it would just prolong the agony even more. Even if we beat Newcastle we still have no chance of reaching the play-offs in my eyes. The gap is 5 points, Cardiff have 2 games in hand, and the gap to 5th is another 2 points away. On our recent form we will be unable to pick up enough points to keep up, never mind overtake anyone.

All we can hope for is that Steve Gibson has learned a few valuable lessons:

* You can't get promoted automatically if you sell your best players
* Sacking a manager a third of the way into a season when in a play-off place is bad timing
* Leaving a manager who gets the club relegated in charge is a bad idea
* Not to make promises to fans that he can't keep ie. Promotion, signing TOP players, Johnson staying etc...

I sadly predict that Boro will finish mid table this season, and that after the Newcastle game attendances will fall, booing will increase, and so will the calls for Strachan's head. All very sad, but that's Boro fans for you.

The Newcastle game couldn't have come at a worse time for Steve Gibson. Defeat in this game will be a disaster for the club, ensuring that no fan will have any hope of our promotion this season. The worst case scenario is the most likely, defeat on Saturday, and 8 point gap to the promotion places, and quite probably spin coming from the club telling us all to keep the faith. If this isn't a reason for fans to stay away for the rest of the season I don't know what it.

So looking ahead to next season what do we need to do to get promotion a second time around?

* Keep Strachan on as manager - any more change is too disruptive to the players he's already brought in
* Keep Gary O'Neil if possible
* Buy some strikers who have a PROVEN Championship goal scoring record
* Buy a creative midfielder
* Buy a left back and a right back
* Get rid of Aliadiere and use his wages for someone who either scores or creates goals, as he does neither

I think if we do the above we should get promotion. Please add your own suggestions in the comments box, or if you disagree with mine please post also!

As usual, I hope I am wrong, I hope we can still turn it around, but alas I think it is to late. Boro, its been emotional, and as long as sensible decisions are made for the good of the club I'll see you next season. If not a Boro Pride card it will be...


Thanks for reading, and as always comments (good or bad) are always appreciated. Keep a look out on Twitter (@MFCFacebook) and check the links section of this blog for the Facebook MFC Fanpage.

Middlesbrough vs Bristol City 30/1/10

Boro 0 - Bristol City 0

By Steven Byrne

After the midweek 4-1 demolition of Doncaster Rovers at the Keepmoat things were starting to look up for Boro and there was a feeling around the Riverside that we had finally turned the corner, maybe. Bristol City took at 6-0 beating at home to Cardiff City in the week and a win for Boro today would mean back to back wins for the first time since early September.

Barry Robson made his home debut in centre midfield in place of Julio Arca and Leroy Lita started up top in place of Jonathon Franks. Jonathon Grounds kept his place at centre back after an impressive display against Doncaster. With the end of the transfer window looming it could also be, as many feared, Adam Johnson’s last game in a Boro shirt. New loan signing Stephen McManus from feeder club Celtic took his place on the bench.

Boro started the game brightly with Gary O’Neil and Chris Killen both coming close early on. Leroy Lita was frustrating the home fans again as he spurned a series of half chances. Willo Flood was again putting in a busy industrious performance but Adam Johnson was finding it difficult to get into the game after being closely watched by City’s Bradley Orr. This resulted in Justin Hoyte constantly finding himself in loads of room down the left, but due to the fact he left his left foot at Arsenal nothing ever came off for him. Tony ‘one ball’ McMahon on the other side seemed as reluctant as ever to pass the half way line and tried his trademark ‘over the top’ a few too many times again with no end result.

Half time ensued and you got the feeling that one goal would win it. City were well organised and had virtually taken Johnson out of the game, leaving Boro short of ideas. The second half got underway and Boro again started brightly but on 56 minutes the until then impressive Robson was sent off after a second booking for a foul on Nicky Maynard, only moments after a final warning from the ref. The three points now seemed to be slipping away, but if anything this seemed to spur Boro on.

Julio Arca came on for Hoyte at left back, which seemed a strange decision considering Joe Bennett and Andrew Taylor were both on the bench, but Boro continued to press. Chris Killen headed over when it seemed easier to score and Adam Johnson came close with right footed shot which whistled past the post. Jonathan Franks replaced the disappointing Lita but his energy couldn’t help create that vital opening.

Late on Killen again found himself in space after a clever pass by Gary O’Neil but fired over. David Wheater had a great chance to win it in injury time but he seemed surprised by the amount of room he had and his diving header from Gary O’Neil’s corner flew over the bar.

Boro, despite being down to ten men for most of the second half, had the better of the possession and will feel that the three points were there for the taking, but once again due to a lack of quality in the final third the home fans are left waiting for what will be only our second home win since mid October.

Player Ratings

Coyne - 6

McMahon - 5

Hoyte - 5

Grounds - 7

Wheater - 7

Flood - 7

O'Neil - 7

Robson - 5

Johnson - 5

Lita - 4

Killen - 6

Subs:

Arca - 5

Franks - 5

Boro Man of the Match - David Wheater

Attendance - 17,865

Game Highlight - Promising performances from Flood and Wheater

Thanks for reading, and as always comments (good or bad) are always appreciated. Keep a look out on Twitter (@MFCFacebook) and check the links section of this blog for the Facebook MFC Fanpage.

Boro Transfer Window Round Up

Well 5pm has been and gone, and we have a far different Boro to the one that played in 2009. Lets have a look at the players that have gone in and out:

Ins:

Barry Robson (13 January 2010)

SPL winner Robson joined Boro from Celtic for an undisclosed fee. The 31 year old Scotland international is a firm favourite with Gordon Strachan, and was arguably Celtic's best player this season.

A great buy from Strachan, Robson is a solid midfielder with a hard working attitude.

Willo Flood (13 January 2010)

Flood found himself out of favour at Celtic Park and was keen to rejoin his old manager when the opportunity arrived on a free transfer.

The midfielder appears hard working and has already got his name on the score sheet in his second game for Boro with a miss hit 35 yard cross.


Chris Killen (13 January 2010)

Another Celtic free transfer, Killen found himself our of favour at Celtic Park and has a point to prove at Boro.

Killen has shown already that he can hold the ball up well, and may be the target man we have been lacking since Viduka departed.


Stephen McManus (29 January 2010) (Loan)

Celtic's current captain joined on loan, a proven defender in the SPL, and I'm sure Celtic will miss him.

A rumoured £500,000 loan fee was paid by Boro to secure his services, but I hope we can tempt him with a permanent deal in the summer.


Kyle Naughton (1 February 2010) (Loan)

Ex Blades and current Spurs player Naughton has struggled to break into the Tottenham first team having been arguably the Championships best player last season.

The young right-back is keen to make a good impression in his spell on Teesside.

Scott MacDonald (1 February 2010)

MacDonald leaves Celtic as their joint top scorer on 9 goals & 2 assists from 18 appearances, and joins for an undisclosed fee.

The Aussy striker may just be what we need in front of goal as since the departure of Viduka, Hasslebaink and Yakubu we have severely lacked a proven hit man.

Lee Miller (1 February 2010)

Miller joins Boro from Aberdeen for another undisclosed fee, and is another striker from across the border.

Miller isn't as prolific as MacDonald having only bagged 4 times this season in 18 games, but in the last two seasons he has contributed double figures to the campaign.


Outs:

Didier Digard (8 January 2010) (Loan to Nice)

Digard always had potential, but his injuries got in the way. Never featured enough to be any sort of loss to Boro.

Mohammed Shawky (13 January 2010)

Never got a run in the team despite still featuring on the international scene for Egypt. Like Digard, never played enough to be a loss.

Mark Yeates (19 January 2010) (Sheff Utd - Undisclosed Fee)

It was a surprise that Yeates having spent less than 6 months on Teesside was sold in quite an abrupt fashion, but since Strachan's arrival his involvement has been sporadic. Rumours on Teesside indicated other reasons for his departure, but he is now happily at Sheffield United for the next 2 seasons.

Adam Johnson (1 February 2010) (Man City - £7,000,000 estimated fee)

This is the big one, will he... won't he... Well he did, and with minutes to spare he made the switch just before 5pm for a rumoured £7,000,000 fee that bankrolled the signings of MacDonald and Miller. As you may have read in this blog, Adam Johnson was the most influential player at the Riverside this season, so it will be interesting to see how we fair now he has gone.


Well, time will tell, and now Strachan will be judged with his team at the end of the season. Its certainly been a busy January with no less than 7 players joining Boro. You never know, now there is a gaping hole on the left wing a loan deal may still be on the cards for Shunsuke Nakamura to join until the end of the season...

Doncaster vs Middlesbrough 26/1/10

Doncaster 1 - Boro 4

Johnson 30, 90+1
Franks 45+2
Lita 66

Well if you saw my apology on MFC Facebook you will know this already, but yes I missed the game, was going to go, was going to listen, but for some reason ended up doing neither... and what a game to miss.

Boro had been threatening a result like this for the past few matches, especially last week against Swansea, but as usual we were ruing missed chances, sloppy goals conceded etc - but not against Donny.

For the match report, as I have no knowledge of the game, I'll have to link you to the official MFC.co.uk's match report, and I'll list the fans player ratings from Sky Sports.

I'm sorry for such a weak write up, will do better for Boro's upcoming fixture against Bristol City.


Player Ratings

Coyne - 8
Grounds – 7
Wheater –7
Hoyte – 7
McMahon – 7
Flood – 8
Johnson – 9
Arca – 6
O'Neil – 7
Franks – 8
Killen – 8

Subs
Taylor - 6
Bennett - 6
Lita - 8


Boro Man of the Match - Adam Johnson
Attendance - 10,794
Game Highlight - Adam Johnson's brace, showing us all what we'll be missing if he goes in search of the big bucks at Manchester City...


Thanks for reading, and as always comments (good or bad) are always appreciated. Keep a look out on Twitter (@MFCFacebook) and check the links section of this blog for the Facebook MFC Fanpage.

Middlesbrough vs Swansea 23/1/10

Boro 1 - Swansea 1

Flood 58

An overcast and chilly day at the Riverside stadium was to be the setting for Boro's lowest league attendance of the 2009/10 Championship season. A mere 16,516 Boro fans held tickets for the first of a long list of 'must win' games in a push to propel the team up the league, and back into the Premiership.

Boro started the game with all the available senior players on the pitch, not all match fit, and a bench made up of youngsters. Despite this Boro made a positive start to the game, with home débutante Willo Flood looking lively down the right wing. Leroy Lita came close to opening the scoring on a couple of occasions whilst the other home débutante Chris Killen was a little quieter.

Half time came with polite applause from the home crowd as Boro went back to the dressing room, ruing the missed earlier chances, and believing that they had done enough to be leading at this point.

As we have seen so many times this season after the interval Boro started sluggishly, and this led to Pintado taking the lead for the visitors after 47 minutes. The crowd fell silent, especially in the knowledge that in the last 100 games Boro have only come from behind to win once.

Boro began to work their way back into the game, when in the 58th minute a miss hit Willo Flood cross flew into the back of the net, bemusing the fans and players alike. As the game wore on it opened up slightly, with both teams unlucky not to get a winner, but in the end the result stayed the same and Boro strode off the field unbeaten in the last two league home games, and possibly showed signs that the ship is steadying, despite the injury crisis.

It was good to see Joe Bennett come on at left back, and he did seem to make a positive impact when he was introduced, which left me wondering if it was time to stick him in the starting eleven and begin games with a more attacking mentality at home.

The anti-Strachanites will have left the ground unhappy, and no doubt calling for his head down the pub later that night, but for me the performance showed signs of improvement, and for the first time in a while give me the belief that with a proven Championship striker up front alongside Lita we might have a chance at putting a bit of a run together.


Player Ratings

Coyne - 7
Riggott – 7
Wheater – 6
Hoyte – 6
McMahon – 5
Flood – 7
Johnson – 6
Arca – 6
O'Neil – 7
Lita – 6
Killen – 5

Subs
L Williams - 6
Bennett - 6
Grounds - 6


Boro Man of the Match - Willo Flood
Attendance - 16,847
Game Highlight - Flood made a positive start in first half and rounded off his day with a goal, even if it was a fluke. Also Killen despite not doing much did show signs that he can hold the ball up which is something we have been lacking for some time.


Thanks for reading, and as always comments (good or bad) are always appreciated. Keep a look out on Twitter (@MFCFacebook) and check the links section of this blog for the Facebook MFC Fanpage.

Boro - Just a One Man Team

As I sat in the stadium yesterday I wondered 'has our recent decline really been due to Gordon Strachan, or is there another reason' and then it hit me. Adam Johnson.

I mentioned this to my mate sat next to me, and we both wondered how what the results have been when he has played well, and what they have been when he's not directly contributed, so I set about collating a few statistics to see what the answer was.

Now unfortunately I can't find a site with his player rating out of ten for each game (and this blog doesn't go back that far) so I had to go with the games he played, missed, scored and assisted in, and it makes shocking reading:

Includes two cup games where points have not been counted

When Johnson plays, and contributes with a goal or assist, we win 64% of our games, compared to 12% without a contribution. 23 points with a Adam Johnson contribution, and only 10 without.

Has Johnson's contribution flattered Southgate?

Now here is the interesting thing, Boro have now played 28 games in all competitions this season, and also each manager has managed for 14 games each, so its a good time to look at the 'Johnson Effect' for each manager. Now something you hear quite a bit is that we should never have got rid of Southgate as we were one point off top... but how much of this had to do with Southgate's managerial ability, or just that Adam Johnson was in a patch of good form?

In Gareth Southgate's 14 games in charge, Johnson contributed a goal or assist in 8 out of 14 games (57%), and in Strachan's first this figure is 3 out of 14 games (21%).

Now it could have been that Southgate got the best out of Adam Johnson, but there was signs there that his form was ebbing away - in the last six games Southgate had in charge Johnson only contributed in two games, leading to three losses in the same period, so I'm not convinced that it was this. We all know Johnson couldn't keep his Ronaldo like form up all season, and I believe that his drop in form had started prior Strachan taking over, not because he took over.

I'll leave you to make your own conclusions, you might still think that Southgate should never have got sacked, or that we should cash in on Johnson now, or even that Strachan is the answer, but whatever your opinion, the figures speak for themselves and go to show that Adam Johnson is the most influential player at Middlesbrough Football Club by far...

Steve Gibson has talked the talk...

Steve Gibson has talked the talk, now he needs to walk the walk

Since we were relegated Steve Gibson has been telling us all that promotion is his aim, and that we must not fail in achieving this. First it was by automatic promotion, then as our form dived the talk from the club has switched to the playoffs, but with the end of the transfer window closing in on us fast is Middlesbrough Football Club’s aim just consolidation this season?

I am disappointed, and somewhat concerned with the lack of players coming in to improve the team, and bolster squad numbers. Currently we have let Mohammed Shawky, Didier Digard and Mark Yeates leave, with Marcus Bent also leaving having finished his loan spell – and the additions are Chris Killen, Willo Flood and Barry Robson. Four players out, three in, with a net loss of a midfield player - and now there is talk of Gary O’Neil leaving.

We still are dreadfully short up front, and we need to replace Yeates as soon as possible. We still lack creativity in midfield and any sort of goal threat from our strikers. I personally wouldn’t like to rely on Lita, Aliadiere and Killen for the rest of the season.

What I would like to see is Steve Gibson getting serious about signing some strikers with proven records. Jermaine Beckford, David Healy and Kris Boyd are all names that have been doing the rounds, but its money that seems to be the problem. So, come on Steve, show us you mean business and get your hand in your pocket.

I think the consequences of staying in the Championship are horrific for a club like Middlesbrough. If the Manchester City game was anything to go by we could be looking at 10,000 home fans being the average next season, and overall support for the manager, chairman and team being at an all time low. Something needs to be done, and it needs to be done before the 31st January 2010.

Sheff Utd v Middlesbrough 16/01/10

Sheff Utd 1 - Boro 0

By Steven Byrne

Despite three signings from Celtic in one week there wasn’t as much optimism in the air as there probably should have been.

Barry Robson, Willo Flood and Chris Killen all made their Boro debuts in the trip to Bramall Lane - where the Blades had only lost once in twelve and not conceded a goal in over eight hours prior to this match. Jeremie Aliadiere and Isiah Osbourne also returned to a Boro side which for the first time in a while looked as though it had a bit of balance and some much needed bite in midfield. Adam Johnson was also on to the bench after a hamstring injury.

It was a fairly uneventful first half with referee Andy D’Urso waving away the Blades appeals for a penalty after the ball appeared to hit Robson’s hand. Boro’s best chance came from Isiah Osbourne after he intercepted a clearance, wriggled his way into the area but could only manage a tame shot straight at Mark Bunn in the Sheffield United net. Moments later Chris Riggott’s tame header from a Robson free kick was gathered easily by Bunn.

Despite the home side having lost just one of their last eleven the home fans weren’t impressed with their team’s first half performance and the players left the field to a chorus of boos. The three Boro debutants impressed in the first half, all three putting themselves about, but it was clear to see that something was still missing. Unfortunately that something was getting the ball into the back of the net.

The second half began with the same 22 players taking to the field again and there was a sense that one goal would win it – hopefully it would be scored by a player in ‘Transporter Blue’.

Boro started brightly with captain Gary O’Neil forcing a good save from Bunn from a 25 yard free kick. It was a little disappointing that Robson’s ‘sweet left foot’ didn’t get a chance moments later when O’Neil then sent another free kick from a similar distance well over the top. Boro were starting to control the game but it was Sheffield united who got the decisive goal on 55 minutes. Andrew Taylor (no, not that one) whipped in a good cross from the left hand side which was met by Richard Cresswell after David Wheater was once again second best. Danny Coyne managed to get a hand to it but was unable to keep it out.

Not long after, the returning Aliadiere chased a long ball into the box and went down under a challenge from Chris Morgan in what looked like it a blatant penalty. Referee D’Urso didn’t think so and awarded a goal kick. That was it, you knew it wasn’t going to be our day, and I think the players did too. Their heads all seemed to drop at once, and even substitute Adam Johnson, on just after the hour for the once again injured Aliadiere, couldn’t impose himself on the game.

The game was petering out and Jonathan Franks replaced the hard working Flood with 15 minutes to go, but it was United substitute Henri Camara who had the best chance late on forcing a fine save from Danny Coyne tipping a low shot onto the post.

It was same old story for Boro, who have now lost 3 consecutive away games. There are signs that we are starting to turn things around and I feel that with the addition of someone who knows where the goal is we could have a good second half of the season. Oh, and someone also needs to give Wheater a kick up the backside!


Player Ratings

Coyne - 7
McMahon - 6
Riggott - 7
Wheater - 4
Hoyte - 6
Flood - 7
Robson - 8
Osbourne - 6
O’Neil - 7
Aliadiere - 5
Killen – 6

Subs
Johnson – 5
Franks - 5


Boro Man of the Match - Barry Robson
Attendance - 23,974
Game Highlight - Finally seeing some new signings

Thanks for reading, and as always comments (good or bad) are always appreciated. Keep a look out on Twitter (@MFCFacebook) and check the links section of this blog for the Facebook MFC Fanpage.

Learning from Southgate

The majority of fans could learn a thing or two from Gareth Southgate, including myself... He said on the BBC last night that he'd moved forward, and I think our support needs to move forward as well. We need to stop calling for Southgate to be reinstated, stop calling for Strachan's head, stop blaming Gibson for errors in the past and commit to the Boro until the end of the season!

Everyone wants the same thing - PROMOTION. Steve Gibson wants it, Gordon Strachan wants it, the players want it, and the fans want it. We can play our part as well - we need to have all the fans behind the team, the attendances about 25,000 and no boos at the end of the game and we'll have a much better chance of succeeding this season.


Late Kick Off, featuring the interview with Gareth Southgate is available on the BBC iPlayer until 12:04am on Tuesday 24 January 2010. Click here to watch...

January Transfer Window

So the window has opened, and as I write we are 9 days into it, and no new additions, although today it has come to light that Celtic have accepted bids for Gary Caldwell and Barry Robson. In the Mail online it also reported that we have also offered Kris Boyd £250,000 a year more than Rangers to come down to Teesside, but it remains to be seen if Boyd signs for us, signs for Birmingham, or stays at Rangers.

So it would appear that we are staying away from European players in this window, with Srachan mainly going for the Scottish players which he 'knows and trusts', that are 'leaders'. I for one are pleased with this policy, especially in the position in the league that we find ourselves in. We do need grafters, players who lead from the front - not Afonso Alves' and Lee Dong Gook's - promising so much and never delivering. We need some grit, steel and determination - that is what is going to get us winning games and climbing up the table.

On a positive note it has also been reported that Didier Digard has been loaned to Nice, with a view to becoming a permanent deal. I for one think that this is a great move - freeing up wages for new signings, and also freeing up a space on the Physio's table. Digard is a good player, but has never stayed fit long enough to impose himself. I think any manager in the Championship would love a fully fit Didier Digard, but he is simply made of glass.

Another positive is Mohammed Shawky reportedly coming back from the dead, making an appearence on the Boro bench, then been linked with a move away from the Riverside. With any luck he'll be on his way out, ending one of the most dissapointing spells at the club in recent times.

With these players moving on it is a little worrying that none have come in yet, but hopefully Gordon Strachan in the next few weeks will have bolstered our side for the promotion challenge... (I hope).

Middlesbrough v Man City 02/01/10 (FA Cup 3rd Rnd)

Boro 0 - Man City 1

No match report due to Christmas holidays

Player Ratings

Coyne - 6
Riggott – 6
Wheater – 6
Hoyte – 6
McMahon – 6
R Williams – 5
Johnson – 5
Arca – 6
O'Neil – 7
Franks – 6
Bent – 5

Subs
Emnes - 4
Yeates - 6
L Williams - 6


Boro Man of the Match - Gary O'Neil
Attendance - 12,474
Game Highlight - Boro persevered, and maybe with a decent striker might have done better. Not a bad performance at all.

Thanks for reading, and as always comments (good or bad) are always appreciated. Keep a look out on Twitter (@MFCFacebook) and check the links section of this blog for the Facebook MFC Fanpage.

Should We Worry..?

I though I might try and work using averages of points scored, and previous league final standings to see if we have any chance of going up without divine intervention...

Averages...

Looking at a few stats from last two seasons in The Championship and our current performance we firstly, to gain automatic promotion in 2007/08 would have needed 76 points, and a play-off place would be 70 points... And for the 2008/09 season it was 81 and 74 respectively. Now what will be required this year? Well West Brom have played 23 and have 45 points, but not knowing how they will play for their remaining 23 games I'll just have to average out their points over 46 games, that figure being a massive 90 points. So we are looking at quite a tall order to get up there, probably requiring 80-90 for automatic promotion, and 70-80 for a play-off position.

So, how are we doing on our current form? Well we are currently on 32 points from 24 games, at an average of 1.3 points per game. Now that averaged out over the season would put us on 60 points, someway short of our target. Interestingly for the games that Gareth Southgate was in charge of (23 points from 13 games - average 1.8 ppg) the points gained averaged out over the course of the season would have us on 83 points - pretty much guaranteed in the play-offs...

What do we need...

Well for the play-offs we need say 75, which would be an extra 43 points over 22 games which equates to nearly 2 points per game, and promotion at say, 85 points would leave us requiring 53 points from 22 games at 2.4 points per game.

Strachan's points per game ratio is 9 points from 11 games at a rate of 0.8 points per game...

So, it will take us to get double the points under Strachan for the last 22 games if we are to come anywhere near, and obviously we will be taking points from the teams above us, so that will help... but its looking very unlikely that without a miraculous turn around in form that we can come near to the play-off positions. More worryingly still, if we continue at the same rate of points scored we will have 50 points come the end of the season, which last year would have placed us 21st (fourth from bottom) and only 4 points above relegation.

Can Strachan do it..?

I believe he can get near, if he brings in the right sort of players in January, and we shouldn't be in danger of going down. But, and its a big but, it is imperative that Steve Gibson backs him in January and we start picking up points against Swansea on the 9th Jan, at home.

What do you think..?

Barnsley v Middlesbrough 28/12/09

Boro 1 - Barnsley 2

Hoyte 23

No match report due to Christmas holidays

Player Ratings

Coyne - 6
Riggott – 8
Wheater – 7
Hoyte – 6
McMahon – 6
R Williams – 7
Johnson – 6
Arca – 5
O'Neil – 6
Franks – 4
Bent – 4

Subs
L Williams - 6


Boro Man of the Match - Chris Riggott
Attendance - 18,001 (4,446 Boro)
Game Highlight - Amazing away following again - well done!

Thanks for reading, and as always comments (good or bad) are always appreciated. Keep a look out on Twitter (@MFCFacebook) and check the links section of this blog for the Facebook MFC Fanpage.