Catch Up

I haven't posted on BORO blog for some time now because I have been bogged down with work, but I thought I'd deliver a summary of what I understand has been going in with BORO in the last couple weeks. Because I am not dillusional enough to think that people are sat waiting for me to deliver up-to-date BORO news, here's a condensed look at what's being going on.

BORO will host former Premiership side, Sheffield United, at the Riverside for the FA Cup fifth replay on Wednesday night after the sides played out a 0-0 draw at Bramall Lane on the 17th. Wednesday's match will be broadcast live on BBC Match of the Day. Whoever wins at The Riverside will host Cardiff City in the quarter-finals.

BORO also ended their eight game unbeaten run on Saturday in a battling game against Liverpool at Anfield. BORO took the lead in under ten minutes when, back from injury, striker Tuncay netted on the nineth minute. But BORO's lead didn't last long as Spanish Striker Fernando Torres netted goals in the 28th and 29th minutes after a pair of terrible mistakes from Mark Schwarzer and Julio Arca (that captain's armband must be a curse at the BORO), giving Liverpool a 2-1 advantage at the break.

Torres then capped his day off with a third goal before Stewart Downing pulled one back in the 83rd minute, keeping him top of the scoring chart at BORO.

Jeremie Aliadiere then saw red as he received his second yellow card of the match, with just five minutes to go BORO had little chance, now, of a comeback and, once again, new signing Afonso Alves came on as a late substitue but failed to prove, yet, that he is worth the £12 million that we payed for him.

BORO's next premier league game is at home against Premiership free-fallers Reading, a chance there, maybe, for three points as 'The Royals' are fast becoming favourites (besides Derby) to be relegated after a string of poor results, the latest of which coming at home yesterday, against Aston Villa.

A final word, former BORO defender Jonathan Woodgate placed his name into the record books as he bagged the winner for Spurs in the Carling Cup final against Chelsea, yesterday. Woodgate, who only joined Spurs from BORO last month, headed home an 'extra-time' goal to give Spurs the 2-1 win at Wembley after normal time ended with the sides level at 1-1.

Sheer Jubilation

Sheer jubilation rung around Middlesbrough today as the news that Stewart Downing has finally agreed a new 5-year deal began to circulate.


The England winger is BORO's top scorer this season and has been subject to heavy transfer speculation in the last year or so, with Tottenham reported favourite to sign him, on more than one occasion.

But today, he ended all doubt over his future by agreeing a five-year deal with his home town club, bringing delight to manager Gareth Southgate, "It's so important not only to sign new players but to keep hold of your best ones. It's fantastic news as a club and we're delighted that Stewart sees his future as being here. He's wanted to sort it out for a while and we're delighted to have been able to come to an agreement."

Downing, himself, cited the signing of Afonso Alves as one of the main reasons he decided to stay at the club. The signing, he believes, shows the club's ambition to succeed. Ambition, which former BORO player Jonathan Woodgate claimed the club was lacking in,

"It's my hometown club but I've told them that I didn't want us to stand still. Signing Alves shows how ambitious we are, the fact that the chairman was willing to splash out like that.

"The chairman has proved again just how much he wants this club to go forward. To be fair, the chairman and the manager have been spot on about it.

"They've never pressurised me, they've just made it clear that they wanted me to stay."

Downing can now focus on maintaining his recent good form with BORO and adding to his current goal tally of 5, though I'm sure who would rather turn provider for new boy Alves to grab the goals.

Quotes and Photo courtesy of MFC official website (www.mfc.co.uk) & Google (images.google.com)

Josh Has Valentine's Day To Remember

On loan BORO youngster, Josh Walker, had a Valentine's day to remember tonight, as he grabbed a stunning 24th minute goal in Aberdeen's stunning 2-2 UEFA Cup draw with German giants Bayern Munich.


Josh, who is on loan at the Scottish club has made a huge impact since arriving last month and was even awarded the Man of the Match award in his first game for the club.

Walker had been very much a fringe player at BORO, having come through the famed academy system and was allowed to leave on loan in order to gain more first team experience.

Aberdeen faced Bayern, tonight, in the last 32 of the UEFA Cup competition and got off to a flying start, with an early penalty claim turned down, before the 18-year-old loanee, Walker, curled a fantastic shot into the corner of the net in his first ever European appearance.

Photo Courtesy of BBC Sport (news.bbc.co.uk/sport)

He's Here!

BORO unveiled their new arrival, Afonso Alves, at The Riverside stadium today in front of 2,000 fans.


Alves was granted his work Visa earlier in the week and made a Juninho-style appearance at his new home ground, vowing to be the answer to BORO's goal scorer dilemma.

Southgate is hoping that Alves will prove to be just as much a hit with the BORO faithful as Juninho was and believes that the Brazilian could line-up against Fulham on Saturday, provided he is fit enough.

However, I believe, that anything short of a broken leg and Alves will be in the side, either starting or on the bench on Saturday.

Photo Courtesy of SkySports (www.skysports.com/football)