Halsey - Mobbed by Boro

By Borofan - Football Network
January 18 2009

Following a spineless 3-0 defeat at the Hawthorns, the question on the minds of many Boro fans is where does the team go from here? With little happening up front, the midfield in disarray and the backline looking decidedly shaky it is getting slightly worrying to see how we are going to avoid the drop this season. But where exactly should we launch our criticism?

Blaming it on Southgate:

Many Boro fans are now launching their critcism towards manager Gareth Southgate after the team have gone without a victory in ten Premiership games. Questions are being asked as to whether Southgate will have the grit to grind out a relegation scrap after it appears like the team have ran out of steam. Fans have been speculatively suggesting replacements such as Curbishley and Souness, but realistically would they come, and would they be able to do a better job?

Granted Southgate has had little money to play with during his tenure as manager, but nevertheless he does have a Premiership quality team to work with. Many Boro fans were expecting (or anticpating!) a top half finish this season which looks increasingly unlikely. We were in a similar position to now in December 2007 until we got a victory against Arsenal, so perhaps Southgate will still see the Boro out of this mess.

Blaming it on Alves:

The 12 million pound man from Herenveenen has found himself the scapegoat to many of the Boro fans complaints recently. It is true that the Brazillian has not scored as many goals as we had expected, and to an extent he himself had promised.. but then again chances have been through and far between in many games that preceeded todays match at the Hawthorns.  Personally I feel there is still a touch of class about the striker who scored a superb goal against Sunderland, and at the tail end of last season a double brace against Man United and a hat-trick against Man City. It just remains to be seen whether Alves can develop any consistency.

Blaming it on the Transfer Rumours and Speculation:

With Downing recently handing in his transfer request, O'Neil seemingly increasinly unsettled in the area, and speculation surrounding Mido going to Wigan, it draws to question how morale and atmosphere is in the dressing room, at the training ground and more importantly on the pitch.  As far as I'm concerned after we were rolled over by West Brom - anyone who does not want to play for the club and is not fully committed should be replaced by those who want to be here and have the determination to face a relegation battle. If Portsmouth offer what we paid for O'Neil (perhaps unlikely) we should take it as he has looked less committed of late.


With a tough trip to Championship high flyers Wolves coming up in the FA Cup next weekend, we will have to use this as an opportunity to rebuild confidence by grinding out a victory. The next Premier league game is the following midweek at Stamford Bridge so to get anything out of that we will have to considerably improve and eliminate any behind the scene problems.

Nervous Times for the Boro - Whats to blame?

Discussion started by Down by the Riverside (IP Logged), 18/01/2009 00:48

Down by the Riverside
18/01/2009 00:48

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Spirit of Steaua
18/01/2009 12:22

I started to really get worried when I heard David Wheater on BBC Tees talk about not worrying about relegation due to the quality in the squad - unless they wake up and realize they are in a dog fight then we're doomed (to quote Private Fraser).

Watching Cattermole fight for Wigan was a real eyeopener - it makes me wonder what other talent we have coming through and not getting a run in the team. We seemed to discover Josh Walker by accident even though he'd captained England under-18s.

We've got to blend steel with a touch of class - and I agree - I think Alves has it. If Gary O'Neil and Mido want to leave I'd try to get as much for them as we can and spend wisely on a proven fighter - a 30 year old equivalent of Dean Windass who kept us up for Terry Venables.

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