Not all Doom and Gloom

Portsmouth 0 - 1 BORO

BORO's Christmas schedule had, until today, been filled with disappointment after defeats against West Ham and Birmingham City. But a rallied performance and another Tuncay goal handed BORO a shock three points away to Portsmouth.

BORO were down to the bare bones regarding fit players and Gareth Southgate found that his team picked itself with just 16 fit senior players to chose from. This meant that Mohamed Shawky, Robert Huth and Dong Gook Lee found themselves in the starting line up.

BORO went into the game looking for their first win of the Christmas period after losing 2-1 to West Ham and 3-0 away to Birmingham on Boxing day, whilst Portsmouth were looking to end a run of 450 minutes without scoring at Fratton Park, on the back of their goalless draw to Arsenal in mid-week

Many would have thought, therefore, that the game was poised to be a cracker and Pompey started fast, determined to put an instant end to their unimpressive goalscoring record. However wayward passing and even more wayward shooting explained a lot about why Portsmouth have struggled to score in recent weeks.

BORO showed that they weren't prepared to rush into the game and started to play the sort of composed football that Gareth Southgate has aimed for. With the mighty Robert Huth back in defence, BORO were happy to absorb the Portsmouth pressure and release Stewart Downing and former Pompey star Gary O'Neil down the wings in attack.

Both Downing and O'Neil were involved in the opening goal as Downing crossed to the far post where O'Neil volleyed the ball across David James leaving Tuncay to tap in his fourth goal in six games.

BORO then turned the game their way as a series of near misses with O'Neil, determined to score against his old club, narrowly hitting a free-kick over the bar and then Robert Huth missing a rare chance by the post.

Portsmouth continued to look unconvincing in their efforts and really gave Harry Redknapp a reason to add to that January shopping list of his, with pass after pass going astray and embarrassingly wayward shooting, Papa Bouba Diop with a real contender for miss of the season as he lobbed his effort, from less than ten yards, over the bar.

Matthew Taylor replaced Hermann Hreidarsson at half-time and seemed to make an instant impact as his early second half free-kick picked out Kanu who agonisingly struck the post. A sign, perhaps, that it wasn't going to be Portsmouth's day.

Dong Gook Lee looked on good form, deputising for the injured Jeremie Aliadiere, and he seemed fitter and stronger than previously this season, holding off Sol Campbell time after time and was presented with several early second half chances, which he failed to convert. But by far showing his determination to prove himself at BORO and certainly giving his best BORO performance since signing nearly a year ago.

Both sides seemed to drift from the early quality they had shown and the game withered out to desperation as BORO tried to increase their lead and Pompey fought for an equaliser.

BORO saw four players booked as they defended hard to hang on to their one goal lead and they battled to the final whistle to record a vital and, quite honestly, unexpected three points on the road and a win against a side that they have failed to beat at Fratton Park in the top-flight for over half of a century.

"People probably looked at us and thought we'd be rolled over at a place like Portsmouth but I was delighted by the attitude we showed." - BORO Boss Gareth Southgate

Attendance: 20, 089
BORO Blog BORO Man of the Match: Gary O'Neil

Photos & Quotes courtesy of BBC Sport (www.bbc.co.uk/sport) & SkySports (www.skysports.com/football)

San-sational!

Derby County 0 - 1 BORO

BORO recorded their first back-to-back league win of the season this weekend as Tuncay Sanli scored his third goal in as many games.

It was a less than entertaining display from two teams battling relegation but, as expected, there was plenty of grit and determination at Pride Park on Saturday.

BORO started brighter and Gary O'Neil was presented with the first chance after a superb chipped pass from in-form striker Tuncay, but his first touch was less than convincing and so his weak shot was easily saved by Stephen Bywater.

New Derby boss, Paul Jewell, was handed a further reason to feel glum, having taken over a team rock-bottom of the league, when defender Andy Griffin picked up a knock and had to be replaced mid-way through the first.

The game seemed to tip both ways as both teams battled for an opener, but it was BORO who bagged the first goal in the 38th minute as Matt Oakley was caught in possession by David Wheater; whose hopeful down-field punt was leaped upon by Stewart Downing who glided a pin-point cross into the box for Tuncay to latch onto with a sensational first time left footed volley past the helpless Stephen Bywater to mark his third goal in his last three appearances.

However, the goal seemed to serve as a boost for the home side as they mounted a series of attacks to launch a comeback. Derby had a dubious penalty appeal turned away by referee Rob Styles just before half time as Kenny Miller seemed to be pulled down by David Wheater, but replays showed that, whilst Wheater was holding Miller, the striker was also backing into Wheater.

Downing produced a good save from Stephen Bywater, just after the break, as Aliadiere and Tuncay combined in a great piece of attacking play before skipper George Boateng saw his diving header agonisingly rebound off the post as he latched onto Fabio Rochemback's inviting cross.

Derby were then infuriated as an almost certain penalty was denied by Rob Styles when Emanuel Pogatetz missed timed his attempted header and the ball struck his arm. Styles pointed for a corner as Pogatetz protested to Derby players that the ball had struck him on the back of the head.

Jeremie Aliadiere had a late goal disallowed when he controlled a long pass before superbly rounding the onrushing Stephen Bywater and striking from a tight angle into the open net. Rob Styles declared a ruling of hand ball after his lines-man wrongly flagged when Aliadiere controlled the ball with his torso, close to but not actually with his arm or hand.

Giles Barnes then seemed poised to strike an equaliser for the home side as he controlled a pin-point cross on the edge of the box and lashed at the ball with a stinging volley. But back-from-injury BORO keeper Mark Schwarzer seemed comfortable as he frustrated Barnes and Derby, saving the shot with a confident catch in the centre of his goal.

BORO defended valiantly, however, to the end to deny Derby an equaliser and to record their second consecutive win after beating previously unbeaten Arsenal, at the Riverside.

One worrying note for BORO is that England winger Stewart Downing picked up a late knock and had to be replaced by youngster Adam Johnson, both of whom have been subject to rumours suggesting that they will be leaving BORO in January. Boss, Gareth Southgate and chief executive Keith Lamb have flatly refused to entertain any bids for either player and encourage teams not to waste their time with a fruitless effort.

Attendance: 32, 676
BORO Blog BORO Man of the Match: Tuncay

BORO in for Dica?

BORO have, understandably, been linked with a number of strikers ahead of the January transfer window after their dismal start to the season and whilst, today, Gareth Southgate has denied reports linking BORO with Sheffield United and Championship top scorer James Beattie, fresh reports are emerging that BORO are making a move for a striker that they know all too well.

Nicolae Dica is Steaua Bucharest's Romanian striker who BORO came face to face with in their amazing run up to the UEFA Cup final. Dica agonisingly scored twice against BORO, with a goal in each leg of the semi-finals.

Gareth Southgate was in BORO's back line on the night that Dica sank BORO hearts when he scored in the second leg, before BORO, and most memorably, Massimo Maccarone mounted a monumental comeback to mark their place in the final.

Dica has impressed for both club and country, of late, and has attracted attention from many clubs, most notably of those being Premiership rivals Aston Villa.

BORO are reportedly close to sealing a deal for Dica worth €5 million, with Steaua president Valeriu Argaseala, who is looking to make some money out of Dica whose contract will expire at the end of the season.

BORO Steal Gunners Ammo

BORO 2 - 1 Arsenal

BORO claimed a massive scalp, today, in their fight to break free of the relegation zone as they ran league leaders Arsenal ragged.


Arsenal traveled to The Riverside, today, with an unbeaten league record. But were without key players Cesc Fabregas, Robin Van Persie and Aleksander Hleb, and it showed.
Arsenal had looked unsettled against BORO's North East rivals, Newcastle, in midweek as they only managed a draw and Gareth Southgate was looking to exploit Arsenal's vulnerability.

BORO started the game on fire and took Arsenal completely by surprise in just the third minute, as Jeremie Aliadiere burst into the box past Kolo Toure, who then fouled the former Arsenal striker to concede an early penalty. Up stepped BORO's top scorer of the season, Stewart Downing, to take the penalty and he looked nervous before rifling the ball into the bottom corner to give BORO a rare early goal.

Uncharacteristically, Arsenal looked sloppy and nothing seemed on for them as BORO ran them ragged all over the field, with Aliadiere and Tuncay showing that they have formed a formidable partnership in the BORO frontline, working tirelessly to create some good chances.

Emanuel Eboue was lucky to be on the field after blatantly striking Emanuel Pogatetz in the face before, later, jabbing Stewart Downing in the thigh. Both attacks went completely unnoticed by referee Howard Webb and so Eboue avoided even a yellow card.

Emanuel Adebayor was presented with a good chance for Arsenal, but he headed wide and sarcastic cheers met Rosicky's driven effort that trickled yards wide.

BORO went about their attacking onslaught as they pressured Arsenal into a series of mistakes to create some quality chances. But for all of BORO's chances, their lack of a clinical finisher showed.

Arsene Wenger must have been infuriated with his team's performance in the first half and was compelled to remove Eduardo Da Silva in place of Niklas Bendtner, which proved to be a fruitless endeavor.

BORO continued to excite the fans and pressure Arsenal all over the field and they could have gone two or three up as, first, Rochemback fed an intricate ball to Tuncay who found himself one-on-one with Almunia but slid his angled shot just inches wide and then George Boateng fired a rare shot just wide of Almunia's goal.

Aliadiere than exposed Arsenal's back line, again, to force a corner. The corner provided Gary O'Neil with a perfect opportunity, which he drilled at Almunia who could only parry the shot. But Tuncay was first to react as he lofted the ball into the roof of the net from a tight angle to give BORO a two goal lead and to claim his second goal in two games.

More good news for BORO came when Julio Arca made his long awaited return from injury, having not featured since picking up an injury back in September. Arca replaced Aliadiere in the eightieth minute, as both players received a standing ovation from the twenty six thousand BORO faithful.

Tuncay continued to battle on to the end when he ran himself into the ground, in the ninetieth minute, to close down first Clichy, then Almunia and then Kolo Toure in turn to force Arsenal to give away possession.

Tuncay received the standing ovation that he more than deserved, in injury time, as he was replaced by Adam Johnson.

BORO held on into the fourth minute of injury time, when their deffence was undone for the first time in the game as Arsenal put a good move together, which ended with Thomas Rosicky's low shot beating Ross Turnbull and hitting the back of the BORO net.

Gareth Southgate was clearly gutted with the late Arsenal goal as his team were seconds from a rare clean sheet. But the fact that BORO became the first team to beat Arsenal in the league this season, will more than serve to keep everyone associated with the BORO smiling until, at least, next week when they do battle with Derby.

Attendance: 26, 428
BORO Blog BORO Man of the Match: Tuncay, it was genuinely really difficult to pick one BORO player for the blog's man of the match award this week as every player could have taken the award.

BORO Bid for Ronaldinho!

The future of one of the world's greatest footballers, Ronaldinho, has been much discussed in recent months after speculation that he will be leaving Barcelona following a dip in performance.

A number of top clubs including Chelsea and Milan have been strongly linked with Ronaldinho, however it is lowly BORO who are the only team yet to make a firm bid for the Brazilian ace, ahead of the January transfer window.

Although BORO's hopeful bid of just €15 million is almost certain to fall flat as any potential bid from the likes of Chelsea or Milan will be surely around double what BORO have offered.

Also, Ronaldinho is unlikely to leave Barcelona and Champions league football if BORO, a team battling against Premier league relegation, are to be his only other option.

Where Do They Go From Here?

BORO 0 - 3 Aston Villa

BORO were, tonight, spared from falling into the relegation zone after local rivals, Sunderland, were humiliated in a 7-1 away drumming to Everton, dropping below BORO on goal difference.

BORO again failed to entertain as home fans could be seen leaving The Riverside as early as the 58th minute when Aston Villa's Gabriel Agbonlahor planted Villa's third goal past BORO keeper Mark Schwarzer.

BORO opened with few chances, but were determined to test Scott Carson's confidence after his midweek shambles for England. His nerves did come to show early on as his first touch of the ball was a sliced clearance and an early shot was allowed to squirm under him, fortunately for Villa it rolled just wide.

Gareth Southgate might have been pleased with the first 30 minutes or so, as BORO managed not to concede, as they have done so many times in recent weeks. But it was Villa who ended the first half on top of the game and it was John Carew who gave the visitors the lead on the stroke of half time. Controlling Gareth Barry's cross with a knee, before lashing the ball past Mark Schwarzer. Not the end to the first half that Southgate was looking for.

Unlike in recent games, BORO did not seem to come out for the second half fired up and determined to get back into the game and it just three minutes were played, before BORO youngster Lee Cattermole made a hash of his clearance, which looped into the BORO box and into the path of Villa defender Olof Mellberg who struck home for Villa's second goal of the game.

The BORO fans were clearly frustrated, yet still they tried to get behind the players; "C' Mon BORO" ringing around the Riverside.

Gareth Southgate introduced Fabio Rochemback to a smattering of applause in the 53rd minute as he replaced Lee Cattermole.

But Fabio's introduction did little to add fire to the game, despite some good link up play with Aliadiere and Downing.

BORO were down and out just 10 minutes later when Scott Carson earned himself an assist, as his long goal kick bounced to Gabriel Agbonlahor who pushed his way past Jonathan Woodgate to score past a seemingly wrong footed Mark Schwarzer.

Agbonlahor then had a chance to make it four as his shot narrowly missed, agonisingly ricocheting off the post.

But the BORO fans had seen enough and The Riverside's second lowest attendance of the season petered away as the game wound down to yet another disappointing result and to a team who have won four of the last five games at the Riverside.

Attendance: 23,900
BORO Blog BORO Man of the Match: Gary O'Neil

Red Barron Makes Move to the Toon

BORO have confirmed that first team goalkeeping coach, Paul Barron, has followed Mark Viduka up the road to rivals Newcastle.

Barron has been with BORO since Steve McLaren brought him to the Riverside in 2001 and has worked closely with BORO number 1 one Mark Schwarzer as well as Brad Jones, Mark Crossley, Ross Turnbull and others during his 6 years at the club.

BORO have also confirmed that academy keeper coach and former BORO star Stephen Pears has taken over from Barron as senior coach. Pears was a fan favourite during his 12 years as BORO's number one in the eighties and nineties and even managed to set a club record of seven consecutive clean sheets, making over 400 appearances and even earning a call up to the England squad whilst with BORO in 1992. Pears was also the last person to score a goal at BORO's former home, Ayresome Park, where he was allowed to take a penalty in his sell-out testimonial game in 1995.


In other news, BORO have been linked with a number of strikers ahead of the January transfer window. The latest, Saudi Arabian striker Yasser Al-Qahtani, is yet another player who is a firm fan favourite in his homeland, just like recent flops Lee Dong-Gook and Tuncay.


25-year-old Al-Qahtani has a prolific international record with 44 goals in 54 games, earning him the nickname 'Sniper'.

The player is also a close friend of BORO striker Mido, who is said to be trying to persuade his bosses that a move for Yasser Al-Qahtani would be the right move for BORO.

However, BORO have stated, through their official site, that reports of such a move for Al-Qahtani were far from accurate.

Robbo Says "No!"

Former BORO boss, Bryan Robson has said that, despite speculation, James Beattie will not be leaving Sheffield United in January.

Beattie has been on superb form in the Championship, scoring 11 goals in 16 appearances and it's easy to see why Robbo is keen to keep hold of him.

"I haven't been contacted by anyone about James or any other of my players for that matter,

"And there isn't anyone I want to let go either."

BORO are beginning to be linked with a number of goalscorers ahead of the January transfer window, after the likes of Mido, Tuncay, Aliadiere and Dong Gook Lee have failed to set the stage alight so far this season with just 6 goals between them.

BORO were earlier linked with a move for Rangers' striker Daniel Cousin, 30. But, again, the speculation was quashed as a supposed clause in the player's contract that would allow him to leave for a set fee in January emerged as inaccurate tabloid speculation. Rangers claim that the player could leave for a fee of £3 million, but not until the end of the season.

However, this could simply be haggling on the part of Rangers as they look to make a handsome profit on the striker that cost them just £1 million in the summer, when he moved from French side Lens. Further speculation has arisen that if BORO were to offer £4 million for Cousin, in January, then Rangers could be prepared to let him go.

A Well Fought Point

Bolton Wanderers 0 - 0 BORO

BORO put in a battling performance, today, in their scrappy away clash against a Bolton side who surprised most in midweek as they drew 2-2 with Bayern Munich, in Germany.

BORO are staring down the barrel of relegation after they could only drill out a goalless draw away to a Bolton side who had to face a tough test, midweek, against Bayern Munich. BORO's hopes weren't helped, today, as fellow strugglers Spurs ran riot in a 4-0 win over Wigan leaving BORO hovering over the relegation zone.

BORO faced early pressure from Bolton and created very few chances themselves. The Wanderers faithful thought that Gary Speed had opened the scoring just half of an hour into the game, as his free-kick bounced off the outside of the post and rattled the side netting.

Then striker, Kevin Davies, saw his 20-yard effort slide agonisingly past both keeper and goal post.

BORO faced more injury woes as, ironically, Emanuel Pogatetz saw his return to action as he replaced Andrew Taylor who had suffered a foot injury in the 30th minute.

Yet again, BORO mounted a second half revival as Jeremie Aliadiere showed why Gareth Southgate had signed him; linking in, once again, with Tuncay and creating chances with bursts of pace.

But it was Gary O'Neil who was BORO's best player as he worked tirelessly along the right hand side, both attacking and getting back to help in deffence.

Bolton Keeper Jussi Jaaskelainen kept his team in the game, pulling off a series of great saves. First stopping Aliaidere, then denying Stewart Downing from 20-yards out.

BORO were, by far, the stronger team in the dying minutes and could have walked away with a win. But the teams had to settle for a point and a goalless draw.

Attendance: 17,624
BORO Blog BORO Man of the Match: Gary O'Neil

A Point Will Do

BORO1 - 1 Tottenham Hotspur

BORO boss Gareth Southgate has said that the point his team earned at home to Spurs can be a platform to build upon and turn round their lousy start to the season.

BORO started Brightly with Garry O'Neil coming closest in the opening minutes, as his driven cross cut across the face of goal whilst Stewart Downing nearly latched onto it as he slid in at the far post.

BORO, who had started without Jonathan Woodgate at the back, through injury, continued mounting pressure with Tuncay and Aliadiere linking up well as they did last week at Old Trafford.

But BORO, once again, conceded the first goal in front of a mere 25, 000 fans as they looked to turn their season around. Spurs' new boss, Juande Ramos, opted to drop Robbie Keane and Dimitar Berbatov from the starting line up in favour of Jermaine Defoe and Darren Bent, and it was Bent who opened the scoring just 10 minutes before half time after some superb link-up play with Defoe, slicing the BORO deffence wide open and slotting the ball past Schwarzer at the near post.

Moments later, Defoe and Bent combined again and nearly scored a second. This time Bent's flick just narrowly skewed wide of the far post.

BORO had to start the second half the same way they did the first and they did, with new vigour and determination. Aliadiere saw his header palmed away by Paul Robinson before, 7 minutes into the second half, right-back Luke Young was presented with the ball from Gary O'Neil and, from 25 yards out, he smashed the ball into the top corner of the net, with a first time shot.

The goal revived the players and the fans and quite fitting that such a goal should come from a player who, just last week, spoke of how he was sick of seeing opposition teams scoring 'wonder goals' past BORO.

Aliadiere had a late penalty shout turned down as his cross clearly hit Michael Dawson on the hand and so the game seemed to just wind down from then, as both teams played for the draw and were reluctant to break for fear of getting caught out defensively.

"We know what we need to do in games but it's not happening - we keep conceding the first goal and that never makes things easy.

"But we scored a fantastic goal to draw level and that was deserved after a nice spell of possession. A draw was probably fair". - BORO boss, Gareth Southgate.

Attendance: 25, 625
BORO Blog BORO Man of the Match: Gary O'Neil (captain)

Lee in Disgrace!

Boro's South Korean striker Dong Gook Lee has been, today, banned from international duty for 2 years after disgracing himself in a late night drinking session during the Asia Cup.

Dong Gook Lee gets 2 year ban for drunken disgrace

Lee, along with others from the South Korean team including Captain and goalkeeper Lee Woon-Jae, abandoned the team base during the competition earlier this year following their 2-1 defeat by Bahrain.

Captain, Lee Woon-Jae, offered an emotional plea before the KFA (Korea Football Association) hearing, but it did little to influence the decision as the board opted to come down heavy on the players; issuing a 3 year ban and 80 hours of community service to Woon-Jae and 2 year bans along with 40 hours of community service to the others involved.

The ban will surely see the end to the international career of 34-year-old captain, Woon Jae who had been dealt a harsher penalty after leaving the Korea team hotel 2 nights before the game to meet up with friends at a local bar as well as taking the others to a karaoke bar the day after the 2-1 defeat.

Lee's disgrace comes at a time when he is desperately trying to fit in and prove himself at BORO as he has failed to score a Premiership goal since joining in January this year.

Just Keeps Getting Worse

Manchester United 4 - 1 BORO

We might have hoped to get a result against Manchester United because we had some key players back, including Jeremie Aliadiere and we have had a formidable record against United in recent years, even at Old Trafford.
But we couldn't really have gotten off to a worse start as Nani embarrassed us all with his amazing drive that hit the top corner of the net from around 25 yards out, yet another contender for goal of the month scored past BORO.
But Aliadiere gave United a shock as, just 2 minutes later, he headed home a Tuncay cross after some clever foot work by the Turkish International.

Tuncay looked good and BORO were starting to match United with some good passing and positive chances. But then Downing slipped in his own penalty area before executing a wonderful pass for Wayne Rooney to rocket a shot past Mark Schwarzer, giving United the 2-1 lead at the break.

BORO's luck appeared set to change though as Ronaldo was presented with an abundance of chances, all of which he hopelessly fluffed. But Carlos Tevez, linking up sublimely with Rooney netted United's 3 and surely put the game beyond BORO just 10 minutes into the second half.

Efforts from Downing came close but he saw an earlier header spin jut wide of the goal and likewise a curling free-kick, whilst Lee Cattermole had his looping shot superbly saved by Van Der Sar.

5 minutes left of normal time and Tevez decided to bag another goal, once again linking in well with Rooney before striking from a tight angle only to be thwarted by Andrew Taylor thinking he was the goalkeeper. Diving in front of Schwarzer to stop the shot and almost certainly giving away a penalty for hand ball, had the ball not deflected over the disorientated Schwarzer and dropped just over the goal line and into the net.

"We had a very young side and sometimes mistakes will happen. But our young players were outstanding today and they are a shining light." - BORO boss, Gareth Southgate.

Coming Soon

_


_

A Flat Display

BORO 0 - 2 Chelsea

BORO put in yet another disappointing display on Saturday as they were defeated 2-0 by an out of form Chelsea team, who have had to contend with the recent loss of their greatest ever manager Jose Mourinho.

Fresh back from injury, Didier Drogba opened the scoring for Chelsea after just 8 minutes when Frank Lampard fed the ball through for Drogba to calmly slot the ball across Mark Schwarzer into the corner of the net.

BORO could have equalised when Mido headed a Gary O'Neil cross into the arms of Petr Cech. As Chelsea sat back and seemed content with their 1 goal lead, BORO enjoyed a healthy share of possession but created little in the way of chances, despite a less than impressive display from Chelsea.

Drogba then came close to bagging a second as he curled a free kick just wide of the goal.

Gareth Southgate must have stuck a rocket up the backside of his players in the second half as they returned from half time looking threatening and ready to take the game to Chelsea, but with just over 10 minutes of the second half played Chelsea put the game beyond BORO as Alex drilled a superb free kick, from at least 30 yards, into the top corner beyond the stretching Mark Schwarzer.

Mido was the closest to scoring for BORO as he saw a series of headed chances stopped by Petr Cech and Gary O'Neil sliced a shot over the bar from close range as the game neared a close and BORO looked resigned to yet another league defeat, leaving the club hovering just above the drop zone.


I don't like to be negative about the BORO too much. But one has to ask, with all of these defeats and with us lying too close to the relegation zone for comfort, if we were one of the top 4 or 6 teams would Gareth Southgate have most certainly been shown the door by now?
I know that it's never a good idea to sack a manager because there is a chance that it can have an adverse effect on the team and Gareth Southgate did, indeed, start the season alright and certainly improved on Steve McClaren's premiership finish in his first season. But with a string of poor results and having conceded 18 goals in 10 games we must start to look at where we go from here. I am almost certain that the stubborn Steve Gibson will stick by Southgate no matter what, and so it is from here that Southgate must do something to combat the fact that BORO are conceding too many goals. His quest for a more attacking BORO team has led to forfeiting his quality deffence.

BORO after Great Dane?

Reports this week suggest that BORO, along with Chelsea and Real Madrid are holding interest in Danish superstar youngster Simon Kjaer.

The Under-19 Danish international centre-half has attracted attention from across Europe and remains highly regarded in his home land as one of the rising young stars of Danish football.

The interest from BORO can be linked back to the fact that the player's agent is former BORO striker and winner, with BORO, of Sky One's Premier League All stars Mikkel Beck.

International Call Up

BORO star, Luke Young, today received the news that he has been waiting on for 2 years as former BORO boss Steve McClaren has given him a call up to the England side.

Young last appeared in an England shirt during an international friendly against Argentina back in 2005. But, after an impressive start to the season with new club BORO, Young has earned himself a call up to the squad as Ashley Cole was ruled out with an ankle injury picked up in the 3-0 win over Estonia.

Luke has made 7 appearances for England, helping the team to victory in 6 of those games and his call up marks the 3rd BORO player to feature in the England side this year, with Jonathan Woodgate and Stewart Downing having already made appearances.

If Young can help England to win their next Euro 2008 qualifier against Russia, then they will automatically qualify for the finals of the competition in Austria and Switzerland next year.


Meanwhile, BORO defender Andrew Taylor was in action for the England under-21s against Montenegro, on Friday night at The Walker's Stadium. England edged to a 1-0 victory when Blackburn's Matt Derbyshire finished off from a superb through ball by Newcastle's James Milner.

In other BORO news, striker Jeremie Aliadiere has suffered a further setback in his return to fitness after a recurrence of the injury that has ruled him out for a number of weeks, during a training session.
Aliadiere had this to say to The Northern Echo, "I had been running and sprinting and going well but I have been feeling some discomfort in training this week so I will have to take it easy."

A Boost For 'Mad Dog'

BORO boss Gareth Southgate was given a further boost today ahead of the international break as he awaits the return of key players from injury.

Influential Austrian defender Emanuel Pogatetz has announced that he is aiming to back for first team selection within two weeks, just in time for the big clash with Manchester United at Old Trafford.

Pogatetz has been out of action since pre-season after suffering a severe knee injury, which required surgery. A major setback for one of last season's best players in a BORO shirt, who had come to form a formidable partnership with Jonathan Woodgate.

However, Pogatetz's return to the first team wont be as easy as he would have hoped with youngster David Wheater in such good form so far this season and with Chris Riggot back fit and fighting for his place.


Also this week, BORO defender and local lad Andrew Davies has joined Championship side Southampton on a 3 month loan deal in hope of securing a permanent move in January.

Davva has been a good player for BORO in recent seasons, always reliable and prepared to give his all for the BORO in any defensive position and I'm sure that he'll be well missed by many BORO fans. But BORO Blog would like to wish him good luck with The Saints and hope that he is able to secure a permanent move in January so that he can start to play regular first team football.

Davies made 27 first team appearances for BORO last season and managed to net 3 goals during a successful loan period with Derby County in the 2005-2006 season.

Yet Another Defeat

Manchester City 3 - 1 BORO

Boro fell to yet another defeat today as they were well and truly mashed by Manchester City at The City of Manchester Stadium.

Yes. BORO were once again run ragged as City went 3-0 up with an Elano double, before youngster Ben Hutchinson grabbed a late consolation in his first ever first team appearance for BORO.

With an injury ravaged squad, manager Gareth Southgate had to start with a 4-5-1 formation; forced to remove Dong Gook Lee from the squad through injury and giving 20-year-old Tom Craddock his first Premiership start. With Mido and Aliadiere out injured and Tuncay, though on the bench, not at full fitness it was hard to see how BORO even hoped to snatch a goal against an on fire Manchester City side.

Once again, BORO conceded an early goal as Martin Petrov's corner was agonisingly steered past Mark Schwarzer by BORO defender Chris Riggot after just 8 minutes and so BORO were, once again, on the back foot trying to get themselves back into the game.

BORO did try to mount a comeback, but with just one striker and their typical reluctantness to push forward they never really looked as threatening as City with only a Lee Cattermole header, saved by Joe Hart, to take note of.

The 35th minute brought a speedy counter attack as City exposed BORO's frailty pushing forward and it was Elano, with a superb drive into the bottom corner that gave his team the 2-0 lead that would surely sink BORO.

Tom Craddock came out for the second half fired up and determined to launch BORO back into the game and he was presented with a great chance to bag his first Premiership goal, but was thwarted by Joe Hart who dived at Craddock's feet to stop the shot. Tuncay made his speedy return from injury as he replaced George Boateng for the second half, perhaps Southgate's attempts to bolster BORO's fire power.

But, just a quarter of an hour into the second half, Craddock made way for fellow youngster 19-year-old Ben Hutchinson to make his BORO first team debut and what better time to make his debut than when BORO were 2-0 down away from home?

But less than 5 minutes later BORO conceded a free-kick and so Gareth Southgate saw his team's day get even worse as Elano stepped up and struck a superb shot into the top corner of the net to give City a 3-0 lead and to end BORO's hopes of a revival.

Elano then received the standing ovation that he deserved as boss Sven-Goran Eriksson subbed him with just over 10 minutes left to play.

But City hadn't finished just yet, Mark Schwarzer was kept on his toes till the end as first Ireland, then Petrov lashed in attempts to make it 4-0 but Schwarzer produced a series of world class saves to spare total embarrassment, before BORO youngster Ben Hutchinson pounced on Tuncay's spilled shot, at the other end, to bag his first senior goal in his first Premiership appearance.

A mere consolation at best, though, for BORO as they slumped to yet another defeat and with just their 3rd goal in 5 games.

"We planned to keep things tight. But we were on the back foot after an early set-piece.

"We had as much possession as them and created chances. But we are giving away sloppy goals and that costs you games." - BORO Boss, Gareth Southgate.

Jezza Boost

Boro pace-man, Jeremie Aliadiere, has set his sights on a return to action and has announced that he is wishing to be fit for the big home clash with Chelsea in just under 3 weeks.

Aliadiere limped out of the 3-0 defeat to West Ham with a hamstring injury and was expected to be out for a while and, whilst the news will come as somewhat of a boost for Gareth Southgate, he will still be without 3 strikers and Julio Arca for some time after Mido was ruled out for 3 weeks with an injury that he aggravated in the 2-0 defeat at Goodison Park.

Southgate will have to go with Dong Gook Lee and youngster Tom Craddock in the few games before the return of Aliadiere and Mido, unless he decides just to put a complete stop to our goalscoring chances and play Lee, yet to score in the league, up front alone.

Glory and Disappointment

Boro took a share of glory and disappointment, yesterday, as they cruised to the winners spot in this years hottest competition but were agonisingly crushed 2-0 away at Goodison Park in the 4 o'clock Sky Sports Live game.

Yes! Boro walked away as winners of one of the hottest, most unique footballing competitions in years.
All of last week, Sky One, presented the unique concept that is Premier League All Stars; legends, celebrities and fans all join forces to represent their Premier league teams in a week long tournament raising loads of money for charity.
Each team had a representation of 4 former professionals, 3 celebrities and 3 die hard fans; all playing for victory, their chosen charity and, of course, pride.

Boro lined up with former legends Jim Platt (goalie), Graig Hignett (Forward), Mikkel Beck (Forward) and Bernie Slaven (Forward) with celebrities Alistair Griffin (Singer and Boro Fan), Mark Stobbart (Actor & Boro Fan) and Gary Havelock (Speedway legend & Boro Fan) and finally, the fans, Steven Aithwaite (Sports Lecturer, Thornaby) Tony Rovardi (Ice-cream Cone Manufacturer, Acklam) and Julian McGuire (IT Consultant, Ealing).

Boro opened with a classic local derby against Newcastle. A cagey battle that ended in a 3-3 draw. The teams went to penalties and it was Boro who walked out victorious, Mikkel Beck scoring the winning penalty in sudden death.

Through other results in Boro's group, they made it to the quarter finals where they beat Birmingham City 2-0 thanks to Bernie Slaven and an unbelievable strike from IT Consultant Julian McGuire.

The Semi-finals threw up another derby clash, this time against Sunderland and, with another 2-0 win, Boro booked their place in the Premier League All Stars final against West Ham, who knocked out Manchester United in the semis.

Boro dominated the early exchanges of the final but, unfortunately went 1 down before the break and were thankful for some Jim Platt heroics in goal. Despite having had a longer preparation for the final, Boro looked the more tired and sluggish in the second half and it was only through a series of squandered chances and a lucky clearance off the line from Hignett, which ricocheted off the post, that Boro didn't concede more.

Craig Hignett was then the hero at the other end after his rebounded shot squirmed under Hammers goalkeeper Allen McKnight. So Boro were level and Mikkel Beck was looking the best he'd been all tournament; jinking round the Hammers players and providing chances for the other Boro stars.

With 1 minute remaining it seemed that the game was going to go to penalties. But the unique nature of All Stars is that the final minute is 'Power Play', where goals count double and so both teams were pushing to grab that vital goal when, Mikkel Beck received possession in the middle of the park, before beating 2 Hammers players and playing the ball through to Alistair Griffin in the 6-yard area who calmly slotted the ball under the goal keeper to give Boro a 3-1 advantage with just 20 seconds remaining.

The Hammers quickly rallied and forced to grab a last gasp goal, but the Final whistle came and Boro had won the 2007 Sky One Premier League All Stars and £100,000 for the Butterwick Children's Hospice and Teesside Hospice.

Sadly the 'real' Boro were defeated 2-0 away to Everton, despite creating any number of chances. But failing to take the chances they had Gareth Southgate's men had to sit back and watch Everton take the lead by 1, then 2 goals.
I don't really want to dwell too much on the bad Boro news for 2 reasons. Firstly it's better to look at the good news from yesterday and, secondly, this post is already really long.

Sky Sports Sunday Clash

Boro face Everton tomorrow at Goodison Park in a 4pm kick-off, as the game is televised live on Sky Sports 1.
Undoubtedly, former Boro striker, Aiyegbeni Yakubu will be looking to follow in Mark Viduka's tracks by scoring against his old club on Sunday and I believe that, if he makes it into the squad, he will stand a good chance of scoring against us. Because that's the way our luck always goes.


Rochemback
After much speculation over his future and amidst reports of his father pleading with other clubs to sign him, Fabio Rochemback has shone as one of Boro's best performers so far this season and has created a formidable partnership with fellow South American, Julio Arca, in the centre of midfield. But with Arca now out of the frame for some time, due to injury, Rochemback can hold the limelight and hope to kick start his, so far, below par Boro career. In a recent interview with Boro's official website (mfc.co.uk) Rochemback has expressed his delight at being at Boro and the joy of playing how he knows he can and should be playing, week-in week-out.

"I feel I've personally had a good start and I want to carry it on further.

"I've worked very hard to get to the stage where I am at the moment and I am always pushing myself to do better.

"I found it difficult to adapt in England at the start but there is a new atmosphere here and one which I am enjoying greatly."

Look-a-Like?

You may have heard, recently, that Julio Arca is itching to push through into the Argentina national side after an excellent series of performances in the centre of midfield under Boro Boss, Gareth Southgate.
Southgate believes that Arca has been overlooked by the national team. But I'm sure that, by cleverly impersonating Carlos Tevez, Arca might be in with a chance...

Embarrassing

West Ham 3 - 0 BORO

Boro walked away from their weekend game at Upton Park embarrassed 3-0 losers as West Ham ran riot in the second half.

West Ham started with Craig Bellamy and Dean Ashton up front as they looked for their first home win of the season.

The Hammers started brightly and Bellamy looked on fire with bursts of pace and flare.
Then Mark Noble saw his 20-yard effort zip just wide of Schwarzer's goal after a deflection off Jonathan Woodgate.
But it was Dean Ashton who scored first. His first goal since the 2006 FA Cup Final, but fortunately for Boro he was ruled to be offside.

However, West Ham were dealt a crushing blow on 26 minutes as Welsh hit man Craig Bellamy had to be substituted with what appeared to be a groin injury. He was replaced by former Chelsea striker Carlton Cole.

Aliadiere had Boro's best chance in the opening minutes as he looked to open his Boro account. His shot, after a good lay-off from Mido, ricocheted off Rob Green's post.

Aliadiere looked like he was going to run riot now, with the Hammers pace man, Bellamy, off the field. But with just 4 minutes passed since Bellamy had left the field, Aliadiere had to be subbed as he pulled-up with a hamstring injury. The Frenchman was making a blinding run on the counter attack when he stopped sharp, fortunately managing to play the ball through to Mido.

Aliadiere made way for another new boy to try to bag his first Boro goal, Tuncay.

Both teams looked a little sloppy now that they had lost their pace players and Carlton Cole looked simply awful for West Ham. The teams went into the break with a fair 0-0 scoreline.

Gareth Southgate would have looked for his team to maintain their first half performance and push through for a win. But Boro got off to a nightmare second half, Lee Bowyer scoring after just 1 minute.
Bowyer embarrassed Boro's defenders as he forced his way into the area and volleyed home Carlton Cole's cross.

It was important that Boro try and fight back to equalise, but barely 5 minutes had past when Carlton Cole, the weak link in the first half, played a low cross into the 6-yard area where Luke Young, agonisingly, slid the ball into his own net whilst attempting to clear.

Tuncay aimed to go on where Aliadiere had left off and found himself with chances to score on more than one occasion as, first, his lob shot beat Rob Green but bounced out off the bar and a second chance from six yard was saved well by Green. Tuncay could undoubtedly have had a hat-trick of goals before Dean Ashton scored again, only this one was not disallowed as he timed his run well to beat the deffence and score from Matthew Etherington's left sided cross.

Not the best circumstances to come on, but the Boro Boss handed Gary O'Neil his Boro debut as he replaced in form Brazilian, Fabio Rochemback, to try and regain a foot hold in the game. But O'Neil could do little to clinch a result for Boro, having just one notable chance on goal.

The game had proved to be a tale of 2 halves as the teams looked completely different second half compared to their first half performances.

Boro must overcome their inability to take chances if they are to give themselves a chance of winning games. They could have at least gained a draw from Saturday if only they had converted a fraction of their chances.

Boro Boss Gareth Southgate:
"They have effectively won the match in the first five minutes of the second half.

"It's a harsh lesson for us, we didn't get out of the blocks in the second half, but we'll learn from it."

Be the Best!

Gareth Southagte has, today, told his £5 million new signing Gary O'Neil that he wants him to take his career to a new level with Boro.

Southgate has had his eye on O'Neil since taking over the reigns from Steve McLaren last season and was just delighted to finally sign the 24-year-old on transfer deadline day.

"He is exactly the kind of professional I want at this club. He’s in the right age bracket and he has the hunger that we are looking for."

With the number of quality midfielders Boro have available and the promise of a regular spot, it is believed that O'Neil can expect a role in Boro's right side of midfield, meaning that fellow new boy Tuncay might have to work even harder to force Mido or Aliadiere out of the striker position. However Tuncay will always be an option, if needed, on the right.

However this means that Southgate may have a potential selection nightmare. He'll want to try and fit the new boys in somewhere, but with Julio Arca and Fabio Rochemback playing well together and with captain George Boateng being a guaranteed selection along with Stewart Downing, Southgate will have to do some serious thinking because he'll need to fit in O'Neil and Shawky around Arca, Rochemback, Boateng, Cattermole and Downing with Adam Johnson, Jason Kennedy and Josh Walker pushing through from the Academy and Reserves as well as Gaizka Mendieta, who has recently vowed to push for a recall to the first team.

However Southgate has always remained confident that competition for places is only going to improve the team and the player mentality.

And I suppose he's right, if you have so many quality players all wanting to get into the first team then they are all going to give 110% in order cement a position in the squad.

Gary O'Neil

It seems, or so I've read in various media reports, that Gary O'Neil is almost disappointed to have joined Boro.
The 24-year-old joined Boro late on transfer deadline day after Boro agreed a £5 million fee with
Portsmouth, but O'Neil has since told of his shock and surprise upon hearing that Pompey boss Harry Redknapp had agreed to sell him to Middlesbrough.

"I got a phone call from my agent that Portsmouth had accepted an offer from both Fulham and Middlesbrough.

"I certainly wasn't expecting anything to happen - I was getting ready for the Arsenal game.

"If the club accepts an offer, you haven't really got any options."

O'Neil then cements his move to the Boro saying "They're probably the best fans in the country," referring to the Portsmouth fans that he says he will miss sorely.
Little has been published in the media of O'Neil's feelings about his new club other than he has said that it will be a 'Challenge' to play for Middlesbrough and I'm sure that the fans will be just as happy about having O'Neil here as he is being here.
O'Neil is likely not to make his Boro debut for some time, due to a long running ankle problem that kept him out of the end of Pompey's last season and which lead the player to fail his medical at the Boro.

Ins and Outs

A Round Up of Boro's ins and outs with less than half an hour to go till the transfer deadline

Ins
So far, Boro have only completed two signings since that of Mido just over a week ago and that is that they've signed fellow Egyptian international Mohammed Shawky on a 3-year deal, from African club champions Al Ahly for just £650,000.

Shawky, like captain George Boateng, is a defensive midfield player and has earned over 40 caps for Egypt and, by all accounts, has really impressed Boro officials, including Gareth Southgate, during his trial period at Rockliffe park.

Another confirmed 'in' for Boro is 24-year-old midfielder Garry O'Neil from Portsmouth. The two clubs agreed on a £5 million fee for the player, who will fix Boro's ongoing right sided midfield problem, earlier today and had been undergoing a medical.
However the deal looked to be scrapped as O'Neil, suffering from a long-standing ankle problem, failed his medical and Boro looked to re-negotiate terms.
It is now believed that the fee will be based on O'Neil's appearances as boss, Gareth Southgate attempts to avoid the mistake he made when signing Robert Huth for £6 million from Chelsea, after he failed a medical with a similar problem.

One potential 'in' for Boro is Manchester City's Georgias Samaras, who has been left out of Sven's squad for the weekend and has reported showed keen interest to stay in England, after being told he could leave. Boro's interest was made public earlier in the week, though no deal has been thrashed out and it looks likely that the deadline will come before a deal is completed.

Just a quick word on the 'outs' for Boro. The club, today, confirmed that Jason Euell, who failed to make it big at Boro, has joined Southampton on a free transfer and will fit straight into their squad for this weekends game.

Also Boro have confirmed that they have allowed local lad, David Knight (goalkeeper) join Swansea on a one-year deal to cover Dorus De Vries.

Carling Cup Win

...and thanks to a first Boro goal for Dong Gook Lee

Middlesbrough 2 - 0 Northampton Town

Boro have recorded a home win in their Carling cup 2nd round clash against Northampton Town thanks to a 66th minute goal from South Korean striker Dong Gook Lee and a superb 35-yard free-kick from Fabio Rochemback.

Boro, who lined up with 6 changes to the side that drew to Newcastle on Sunday, began the game, as expected, on top of their opposition and Tuncay came close to a chance in the opening 10 seconds, but was thwarted by a last ditch tackle.

Stewart Downing and Adam Johnson started well and brought plenty of pace along both wings with captain for the evening Luke Young overlapping on the right. Fabio Rochemback also continued his good start to the season, in the centre of midfield, alongside youngster Lee Cattermole who was handed a chance to stake his claim as a first choice centre midfielder.

Dong Gook Lee, Boro's South Korean 'yet to score' striker, was also handed a start alongside new boy Tuncay. Lee and Tuncay got along well together and were provided with some excellent service from the wings. Lee came close with a left foot volley after a great cross from the right by Adam Johnson, before Stewart Downing saw a left foot strike sail just over the bar.

However Northampton proved to be good on the break and nearly gave Boro an early upset as Brad Johnson saw his long range effort parried by Boro keeper, Brad Jones, and Ian Henderson's follow-up diving header ricocheted off the post.

Worryingly, Boro received a further defensive blow as Andrew Davies had to leave the field and went straight down into the dressing room to receive treatment for a blow to the head that grounded the local lad for several minutes. Davies returned to a round of applause after having had 4 stitches applied to his head wound. But the tough defender was still looking a bit shaky and, after just 2 minutes back on the pitch, captain Luke Young indicated to the Boro bench that Davies needed to come off. After just 36 minutes played, fellow youngster Seb Hines stepped into the fold and slotted straight into Davies centre-back spot.

After his earlier fumble, Boro keeper Brad Jones was looking a little uncomfortable in goal and seemed reluctant to command his box, frustrating David Wheater who had to clear the ball for a corner when Jones failed to come for the ball.

Boro created further chances, at the other end, as first Dong Gook Lee glanced his header just wide from an Adam Johnson cross, then Johnson likewise narrowly missed the target with his effort as Downing crossed to the near post.

The teams went, frustratingly, into the break at 0 - 0 after both sides had created good chances to score.

Just 8 minutes into the second period Boro won a free kick, but from 35 yards out and with Fabio Rochemback hovering over the ball, the fans mustn't have been feeling optimistic. But Rochemback showed that every now and then he can pull something special out of the hat, with a superb 35-yard drive into the bottom left corner of the goal and Boro were 1-0 up.

There were more chances to come, but with both teams looking unlikely to score, even with the game being billed as a 3, 4 or 5 nil Boro win. On the stroke of 66 minutes, however, Stewart Downing cut in from the right and played the ball infield before it fell to Dong Gook Lee, who turned past one defender then turned onto his right foot to slam a 20-yard shot into the back of the net to score his first ever Boro goal.

5 minutes after the goal Stewart Downing made way for new fan favourite Mido, who received a standing ovation as he came onto the pitch. Boro switched Tuncay to the right and Johnson onto the left, whilst Mido and Lee held the front line before temporary captain was swapped for full time captain as George Boateng replaced Luke Young, who had put in another strong performance with a clearance off the line from an Ian Henderson effort.

Adam Johnson capped his great performance with another superb, right-footed cross, this time to Mido who agonisingly struck the bar with his headed attempt.

Mido continued creating chances into the final minutes and could have had a hat-trick of goals, but saw his angled shot from outside the box saved and a second effort curl just wide. Tuncay was also presented with a late chance but the opportunity seemed too good to be true and, in the end, he took to long over the weak shot that was easily saved by Bunn.

Attendance: 11,686
Boro Blog Man of the Match: Fabio Rochemback


"See 'Yak' Later!"

Boro said "See Ya' Later" to Yakubu, today, as the Nigerian goalscorer was handed a work permit following a successful appeal from Everton, after original applications were denied due to Yakubu opting out of Nigeria's 2006 World Cup campaign to focus on his training for Boro. Meaning that the player did not meet the required number of internationals to automatically qualify for a work permit.

Yakubu joins Everton in a club record fee of £11.25 million after joining Boro just 2 years ago for only £7.5 million. Good news for Boro though as they make a near £4 million profit on Yak and reports suggest that Gareth Southgate will be looking to add some of the money towards bringing in 'big Sam'. No, don't worry Sam Allerdyce isn't making a playing comeback, not at his age and weight, he'll be staying as the Toon Boss for the time being. I am talking about Manchester City's tall, Greek striker Georgios Samaras, who looks set to leave City as Sven has told the player he wont feature in the club plans and that he can look for a new club. Samaras' agent has announced that a number of European clubs have expressed interest in the player, but he wishes to stay in England opening the door for Boro who, as yet, are the only premiership club reported to be interested.

"We are still in negotiations to try and sort something out.

"There is interest from all over Europe in Georgios, but he wants to stay in England."

"Middlesbrough is a big club and we will wait and see what happens."

Racist Geordie Scum!

"Mido, Mido, he's got a bomb you know!"

I didn't mention anything yesterday in my match report of the Tyne - Tees derby, but today I thought 'What the hell', its my blog and something has to be said about the Newcastle fans who seem to have gone unpunished for their sickening racist slurs on Boro striker Mido.
Action was swiftly taken on the international stage when black English under-21 players were subjected to racist abuse from fans and players and there has been similar action involving teams been punished for fan behavior, in Europe. However, as yet, there appears to have been no action taken against Newcastle as all 3000 traveling fans joined in racist chants directed at Boro's new Egyptian striker, Mido.
"Mido, Mido, he's got a bomb you know!" The Newcastle fans shouted throughout the game, but this only fired up the big front man, who abruptly told them to "Shut it!" as he bagged Boro's equaliser right in front of them and then ran over to the fans to further make his point. (below)


Mido was subsequently booked for his celebration, quite an injustice Gareth Southgate thought; that a crowd of people can get away with racism, something that was supposed to have been kicked out of football; the Geordies obviously missed that one, whereas one player can get punished for telling them to shut up and another point worth mentioning is that Charles N'Zogbia also went unpunished as he ran over to and taunted Boro fans in the North Stand after scoring his opener. I struggle to understand how telling people to "shut it" after they subject you to racist chants can be worse than overtly taunting people after you just scored past them.
"It's OK for 3,000 to abuse one person. But when the boot is on the other foot, he gets punished."