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...