[R] Middlesbrough Match Talk and Results [R]

[ERIMUS]

Id like to see him here.

In other news, Colin Cooper signed a new 12 month contract today.

[ERIMUS]

Reiziger is expected to leave this summer, its okay because McMahon and Parnaby are ahead of him.

[Val1]

Any update on Downing?

Actually, this may be a blessing in disguise for him, give him a good rest. I'm of the opinion that the footy offseason is way too short, and you add the internationals and it's no wonder that guys cannot shrug off injury. So, glad to have him home.

[ERIMUS]

Any update on Downing?

Actually, this may be a blessing in disguise for him, give him a good rest. I'm of the opinion that the footy offseason is way too short, and you add the internationals and it's no wonder that guys cannot shrug off injury. So, glad to have him home.

He's having knee surgery today to explore the damage.

[Boro_lad]

On http://www.mfc.co.uk it says all went well and he will be back for pre-season training.

[ERIMUS]

Boro have made a move for Austrian left back Emanuel Pogatetz

[ERIMUS]

Theres speculation linking Aussie free agent Craig Moore with a transfer to Boro.

[gaijin]

Craig Moore???

We are not amused. He's crap.

Was talk about Ljubo Milicevic coming to the Boro. I shall see some more of him in the Confed Cup before, I make a statement.

[gaijin]

Okay here’s how I think the squad should shape up for next year:

Goalkeepers

Mark Schwarzer - Is our no1 keeper and shall remain so. Still one of the best keepers in the league.

Brad Jones - Showed he was more than capable when he was called upon last season. He will be more than an adequate replacement for Mark.

Impressions?
I think Brad proved his worth last year. Mark is still one of the best keepers in the league. If either one gets injured we are up s***t creek. But here’s hoping one of the other youngsters (presumably, Turnbull or Knight) are good enough to be called up to the first team.

Defenders

Stuart Parnaby - Has great versatility, can play on the right, or as right wing back or in the centre. He shall remain and hopefully try and claim the right back spot as his own - as he did a few seasons back. His injuries last season didn’t help.

Tony McMahon - Again, proved he was up to the task of playing in the Right back position after being propelled into the first team. He shall continue to grow and grow, and will fight with Stuart for the right-back spot.

Michael Reiziger - I like ol’ Dwayne Dibley. But he’s not the long term replacement for the team. He has proven he is quality and his versatility came in usefully during last season. He shall remain for another season. His experience and quality is a valuable asset. And gives us more options.

Chris Riggott - After a error against the skunks on the opening day of the season - learnt from his mistakes and has proven to be a solid centre-back. He shall take over from Ugo and probably start alongside Gareth in the heart of the defence. A starter for sure now.

Gareth Southgate - Still our captain and still has a lot to offer. Age may be against him and he may hang up his boots next year. Until then, we shall continue to play him and get someone in to partner Riggott at the back. Ideally someone with a lot of experience but not massively old and someone who can really shake up the back-four when needed. Steven Pressley of Hearts would be an ideal replacement.

Ugo Eghiou - His injuries have finally caught up with him and he has lost a lot of that pace and has become slightly lethargic. What I hope is temporary, may not be. I think he shall stay on, maybe not as a regular first-team player, but as a squad one. We shall sell him either this season or the next, with Zat Knight or someone of the ilk coming in.

Colin Cooper - Coops has been offered a 1 year player/coach deal, and really won’t be called on much unless we suffer another mammoth injury toll. But he still gives 100% commitment and will never shun the chance of playing in the first team or disappoint. A Boro legend. He will be very handy to have…

Andrew Davies - The season before last he looked a little of out his depth. Since going to QPR on loan he has really excelled and looked a little more assured of himself. He shall be loaned out for another season to get more first-team experience. Hopefully he can come in, when Ugo leaves and replace his position in the squad.

Franck Queudrue - The fans favourite. Unlike so many Frenchmen, this guy actually likes to get stuck in and last season proved he is probably one of the best left backs in the league. Can score a few and when going forward offers so much more options. Indispensable to the club. Still have doubts over his disciplinary record, but to be honest we need his sort, even it does cost us a few reds down the line.

Emmanuel Pogatetz? - Would be a great signing for the club. He’s a big guy and can play at centre back if needed. Ideally, he will merely slot into Franck’s position if needed. In that case Francky may be pushed forward into the left wing spot if we need to do so.

Impressions?
Good enough. Doubts remain over Ugo’s competence in the squad any more. With reports of a new centre-back coming in - he could leave. Other than that, if Pogatetz can come to the Boro - then we will have healthy competition all round. Barring injury of course. *crosses fingers*

Midfielders

Stewart Downing: no1. Our best player. Hands off. The best. Nuff said. Owns the left wing spot.

James Morrison - Was another one of those players that really excelled. From what I have seen of this guy. I really think he can blossom into something really special. I would happily see him stay on, fighting and contesting that right wing spot.

Gaizika Mendieta - Has class, skill and experience. All of which will be vital to us. Suffered a nasty cruciate ligament injury last August and hopefully will back in the squad this year.

George Boateng - I simply cannot under-estimate how much we miss this guy when he is out of the team. When he got injured last season, our form nose-dived. When he came back, we started winning. Its no surprise. Indispensable for us.

Ray Parlour - Ray, like George is the combative midfielder in the centre. Still got lots to offer. Miles better in the centre than out wide. Him and George really do excel in that area. His experience is extremely vital.

Doriva - He is an option for us. Offers competition for the midfield.

Impressions?
We still need some left wing cover for Stewie. Someone who can play both on the right and on the left wing, a la Andy Van Der Meyde would be good. Getting VDM on loan for next season would be a good move imo. I would prefer to see Parlour and Mendieta in the same role next to George in the centre. I think, playing them on the right is not a good move imo. Another attacking midfield option is a must, especially if Zenden leaves. If he does, we definitely need a new attacking midfielder, who can get us a around 10 goals next season. No names spring out, but I would look at the youth-team or maybe the lower leagues in England for answers. Adam Johnson is a possible option for left wing cover, we will have to wait to see how he progresses...

Attackers

Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink - Our top scorer last year. Still has so much to offer. Another season out of him and then he'll leave. Here’s hoping he can build on the goals he scored for us this year.

Mark Viduka - Injuries played their toll, but during which he showed his class and finishing prowess. In time, he will start alongside Yakubu.

Joseph Job - Will be sold, thanks to the Yaks arrival. Bye-bye. Will go back to France imo.

Szilard Nemeth - Has one more year on his contract I believe. He may find first team chances hard to come by. But I think he will leave either in the middle of this season or the summer of the next one.

Malcolm Christie - Still the only ‘real’ striker we have at the club. Every time he gets a run in the side, he looks more and more like the 20 goal a season man we expect. But cursed with freakishly bad injuries. We can only hope that he recovers and starts to score. I really want him as one of our top centre-forwards, but he just keeps getting damn injured. A real shame. He will stay though.

Yak - Oh yeah. The new 8m boy. Expect him to start alongside Jimmy and then Viduka (when fit)

Massimo Maccarone??? - Well, I think they shall look of how he has progressed in the summer months. I think he could well be loaned back out, if the manager doesn't think it will work out...

Danny Graham - I think he could be loaned out, to get some first team experience. Lacks that great first-touch but he is still young and hopefully will learn. One for the future I think. Will be called upon during an injury crisis.

Impressions?
Good enough. But all depends on how many can stay fit. Both Jimmy and the Yak can score goals easily at this level. And together with Viduka, it means explosive fire-power. Job and Nemeth are looking incredibly more marginalized. And unless Job or Nemeth can revert to the right wing spot, then they will leave in due course. Christie, if fit - should remain as the 4th choice. Hopefully, if my Manager prediction is right (see below) then Derek Riordan should be joining us for the 2006/07 season. :D

Manager:
Jury is still out. One more season. He will leave to take the England job after Eriksson blows England’s best chance of a World Cup and Mogga will leave Edinburgh after his Hibernian graduation to join his beloved home team. And hopefully he will bring Derek Riordan with him. ;)

Youngsters?
Well, we have seen a lot of the good youngsters come through last season, and obviously we can only hope that the others can come through too.

Signings?
Pogatetz, Van Der Meyde (loan), a new attacking midfielder (if Zenden goes) and possibly Zat Knight or Steven Pressley this year or Jonathan Woodgate next year.

Overall?
Generally speaking our squad is what a squad should be. A mix of exciting young players and experience.

I think with this in place, if we stay injury free. I don’t see why we can’t get into Europe again, and or have a nice little cup final run.

[gaijin]

Let's hope Jason Kennedy can occupy this attacking midfield role, in the not too distance future. ;)

[Husker]

Nice job on the rundown of the possible squad for next year. I'd really like to see Zenden back though for another run with the club. How well did Maccarone do on his loan last season? I'm just a casual fan of the club and really didn't hear that much about him.

From what I've read it really sounds like McClaren will be around for awhile now, I for one am a big fan of what he's done with Boro!

[ERIMUS]

Tony McMahon to compete with Stuart Parnaby for the right back spot? Tony McMahon is a mile ahead of Parnaby.

Michael Reiziger & Ray Parlour are garbage.

[Boro_lad]

MIDDLESBROUGH - BARCLAYS PREMIERSHIP
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Sat Aug 13 Liverpool H
Sat Aug 20 Tottenham Hotspur A
Tue Aug 23 Birmingham City A
Wed Aug 24 Carling Cup 1
Sat Aug 27 Charlton Athletic H
Sat Sep 10 Arsenal H
Sat Sep 17 Wigan Athletic A
Wed Sep 21 Carling Cup 2
Sat Sep 24 Sunderland H
Sat Oct 1 Aston Villa A
Sat Oct 15 Portsmouth H
Sat Oct 22 West Ham United A
Wed Oct 26 Carling Cup 3
Sat Oct 29 Manchester United H
Sat Nov 5 Everton A F.A. Cup 1
Sat Nov 19 Fulham H
Sat Nov 26 West Bromwich Albion H
Wed Nov 30 Carling Cup 4
Sat Dec 3 Chelsea A F.A. Cup 2
Sat Dec 10 Liverpool A
Sat Dec 17 Tottenham Hotspur H
Wed Dec 21 Carling Cup 5
Mon Dec 26 Blackburn Rovers H
Wed Dec 28 Bolton Wanderers A
Sat Dec 31 Manchester City H
Mon Jan 2 Newcastle United A
Sat Jan 7 F.A. Cup 3
Wed Jan 11 Carling Cup Semi-Final (1)
Sat Jan 14 Arsenal A
Sat Jan 21 Wigan Athletic H
Wed Jan 25 Carling Cup Semi-Final (2)
Sat Jan 28 F.A. Cup 4
Tue Jan 31 Sunderland A
Sat Feb 4 Aston Villa H
Sat Feb 11 Chelsea H
Sat Feb 18 F.A. Cup 5
Sat Feb 25 West Bromwich Albion A
Sun Feb 26 Carling Cup Final
Sat Mar 4 Birmingham City H
Sat Mar 11 Charlton Athletic A
Sat Mar 18 Blackburn Rovers A
Wed Mar 22 F.A. Cup 6
Sat Mar 25 Bolton Wanderers H
Sat Apr 1 Manchester City A
Sat Apr 8 Newcastle United H
Sat Apr 15 Portsmouth A
Mon Apr 17 West Ham United H
Sat Apr 22 Manchester United A F.A. Cup Semi-Final
Sat Apr 29 Everton H
Sun May 7 Fulham A
Sat May 13 F.A. Cup Final

fixtures for next season

[ERIMUS]

Austrian Left back Emanuel Pogatetz has signed a 5 year contract with Boro, good bit of business for £1.8m

[Val1]

I'm reading that Bolo seems to be on his way out, linked closely to Liverpool.

Any comments that express what he's unhappy about? I mean, if he thinks Pool is going to be better overall and more likely to play in Europe, I guess that's understandable. But, did he have a history of problems with McLaren or anyone else on the team?

[gaijin]

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=288359&CPID=8&CLID=&lid=2&title=Pogatez+faces+six-month+ban&channel=football_home

Lmfao. :D Only at the Boro. We sign a player who gets malaria and then refused a work permit, and to top it off, sign a defender who is facing a six month ban for his last game in a Russian shirt.

I believe the ban will only last for RPL games though, so we will be lucky. If FIFA jumps on the bandwagon, we are up s***t-creek.

If you are of a nervous disposition, then DO NOT download this. (well not really :rolleyes:.)

http://gol.mkafisha.ru/2005/13/russia2005_250605_13_spartak-shinnik2.zip

Ouch. Lol. The thing is, it was a nothing challenge, and compared to Ruud Van Nistelrooy’s misdemeanour against Arsenal last year - it was tame in comparison.

The problem I have is that there was no malicious intent like Keane’s against Haland or RVN against Cole. Even then, the suspension was minimal. It was a late challenge and a bad fall, and the injuries were unfortunate. I have seen a tackles 100 times worse than that, where the player has come off with no injuries whatsoever. The sustained injuries caused, resulted in this blind knee-jerk reaction.

If FIFA implement that - it makes a complete mockery of the system.

Still, as a Russian football fan, I’ve known for a long time that the RFU are a complete joke. This only furthers my suspicions.

Now anyone who does that in Spartak shirt, is cheating, dirty ugly little pig. Still, at least the scum didn’t win that match and he left a nice little legacy for Spartak behind. Them having to play with 10 men against Shinnik and only mustering a draw that helped Loko’s lead at the top. :D

Already he has got off to a good start in his fledgling Boro career, before he has even put the shirt on. :rolleyes:

[gaijin]

Bolo has signed for Liverpool.

Now, we definetly need cover on the left wing. Please, bring in Van der Meyde!

[nirvaanfc]

Bolo has signed for Liverpool.

Now, we definetly need cover on the left wing. Please, bring in Van der Meyde!

Boudewijn Zenden...

Steve's plan of signing more players to add sqaud depth is uner threat beacue he now has lost a key instrument to his first team....

I'd say now, Boro have to make a move to get another top notch creative middie, possibly on loan....

Though i am not a big fan of him, i'll throw a name out there...
Kieran Richardson (Manchester United), McClaren shud use his ties well.

[gaijin]

Boudewijn Zenden...

Steve's plan of signing more players to add sqaud depth is uner threat beacue he now has lost a key instrument to his first team....

I'd say now, Boro have to make a move to get another top notch creative middie, possibly on loan....

Though i am not a big fan of him, i'll throw a name out there...
Kieran Richardson (Manchester United), McClaren shud use his ties well.

Hmmmmm. He could do well.

I think we need two new players now. A new winger who can play both sides effectively and a creative goal-scoring spark in midfield.

Richardson could well be the answer. We'll wait and see.

[gaijin]

http://skysports.planetfootball.com/list.asp?hlid=288704&lid=2&cpid=8&title=Downing's+Boro+'frustration'&channel=football_home

Meh. He'll sign.

Its not as if we can't pay what he wants.

Making the worse out of a nothing situation.