McClaren talks to his FC 20 supporters

I only hope that his PR team tell him his team is called 'FC Twenter'. They might be happy that they understand "big club!", but I am sure they still don't get who FC Twenty are.

Samba comes to the Riverside again

Alfonso Alves has brought the Samba beat to the Boro again. The last time we heard the samba beat was for the signing of little Juninho, for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd time.

But with Alves we have an exciting goalscorer at last. His record in Holland speaks for itself.

45 goals in 38 appearances for Heerenveen is an exciting prospect but can a striker from the Dutch Ere divisie step up and do the same in the Premiership.

Alves set the all time club record with 34 goals in the 2006-07 campaign with Heerenveen, butyou have to look at how easy it is to score goals in the Dutch Eredivisie.

I don't think Alves will find it so easy in the Premier league and whether his £12.5M price tag is justified we will have to wait and see.

One thing for sure he must be glad to be playing in the Premiership and avoiding all those glamorous clubs like De Graafschap, Excelsior, FC Groningen, Heracles, Almelo, NAC Breda, NEC, RodaJC, Sparta R'dam, FC Twente, FC Utrecht, Vitesse, VVV-Venlo & Willem II.

Saturday England Triple

It is unusual to see 3 England teams looking for success in one weekend. But this weekend it happened.

First up was the Footie.

Rooney scores the second in a 3-0 comprehensive win over Estonia.


Second up was the Rugby Union World Cup Semi-Final against France. It looked like it was seriously going wrong until 5 minutes from the end old JW does it again and finished the match off. The Final beckons against the Argies or the South Africans.



Johnny safe foot Wilkinson does it again


And Finally it was the turn of the darts England team in the Darts World Cup semi final against the USA in the team event. Martin Adams, Tony O'Shea, John Walton & Steve Farmer took on the USA in the World Cup which involved 45 countries. Tomorrow they will take on the Netherlands in the Final.



Tony O'Shea the 'Silverback'

Close Premiership Finish

The Phillips Stadium, unlucky for some but not for PSV

Well it looked like yesterday we might have had a very exciting finish in the English Premier League until Rooney spoiled things for us. But in Holland today the Ere divisie had a very exciting finish. Ajax and PSV were tied on the same points with Ajax ahead on goal difference by 1 point. At half time Ajax were 1-0 up over Willem II and PSV leading 2-1 at Vitesse, which meant PSV would need to score 2 more golas and hope Ajax didn't score. Ajax pulled off a 2-0 win over Willem II but PSV managed to win 5-1 at home to take the title.

Apparently the 2nd time in Ajax's history that they have lost the title by 1 point in goal difference.

Downing 'lamps' Lampard

I saw this in the Gazette but it is quite uncanny

Did you see this man on Monday evening?

Gary's GoogleEarth Game

Zendens shirt

I went to Akkies Bar in Maastricht last night which is next door to ex-Boro Boudewijn Zenden's families' gym. Proudly standing behind the bar was a Boro shirt signed by Zenden. I had been told by someone about a year ago that the shirt had been replaced by a Liverpool shirt, but following Mr Zenden's lack of appearances the management have decided to put the Boro one up again.


Bench Sitting Fetish

Match of the Day

This article although factual may contain material of an extremely trivial nature







FA Cup Qualifying 2nd Round:

Marske Utd v Skelmersdale Utd, 15:00

The real minnows of the FA Cup are playing today for a chance to end up in the ping-pong ball bag for the first round proper of the FA Cup. Marske Utd. take on the mighty Skelmersdale Utd.

'Robocop'/Middlesbrough Mayor Ray Mallon has promised to be groundsman for a day for Marske if they can go through to the third round. Not exactly bearing one's arse in Binns window but certainly an incentive to cheer on Marske.

Star Forward David Onions could be the man to pull it off for Marske. Last years leading goalscorer won't be intimidated by Skelmersdale with experience at Guisborough Town FC and Northallerton.

Marske will be hoping to break this season's record attendance of 161 from the preliminary round of qualifying where a 'rampant' Onions scored a hat-trick to bury Brigg Town.

The 'Seasiders' manager, 'ex-copper' and former Boro player Charlie Bell will be hoping for a win at the Mount Pleasant ground this afternoon otherwise to honour Mayor Mallon's bet he will be spending a day sweeping roads in Middlesbrough for his former boss.















Marskes "state of the art" stadium on Mount Pleasant Road may be stretched if attendance today tops the '200' mar'k

Sunday Bloody Sunday

122 dead in a Russian plane crash (mainly children),
40 dead in Baghdad in sectarian killings,
4 dead in a domestic slaughter in Newcastle.

But never mind Federer won his 4th Wimbledon title and
Italy won a 4th World Cup they didn't deserve.

Since i have digital television I thought I could have seen a bit more of
the first three events I was trying to see this morning , but had to wait until late afternoon, almost 12 hours after the first to see a detailed report but even that was interspersed with reports of Federer/Nadal and the World Cup.

What is more important Wimbledon, the World Cup Final or the tradegies?

None of the above because one thing will fill the front pages tomorrow and
that is Zidane's forehead.



















"I wanted to go out on a high!"

Has the World Cup just become shit or not?

Germany v Sweden - Boring as shite.

Argentina v Mexico - well OK

England v Equador - also boring as shite

Portugal v Holland - Good to watch but not for football.

Australia v Italy - One team wanted to win and the other won by a dodgy penalty.

Switzerland v Ukraine - just plain crap and was only looking forward to the penalties (which was rubbish)

















Please bring some entertainment on with Brazil, France, Spain and Ghana.

Come on Ghana!!!!

Going to Walk the Dog

I've managed to avoid my local so far through the World Cup. But decided to go tonight.
1: It'll be stress free. We are through.
2: I got turned down a job I applied for today that i really wanted.
3: It's Tuesday and the dog needs a walk.

I don't really have a dog, just my pussy which i play with a lot!. The phrase is from Newcastle (Geordie-Land), where the local brew (Newcastle Brown Ale - or Newcy Brune) got the nickname 'dog' as that was the old fellas excuse to the wife when he wanted to nip doon the pub for a pint.



Anyway so I'm abandoning the sofa for the pub. I have a wierd feeling about watching football int the pub this year. I've been about 10 times to watch Boro UEFA matches and each time I have been the only Boro supporter in the whole place. So at least I won't look like a dick if we score tonight.

I think we do need to win though tonight to avoid the Germans. They must be becoming confident now with 8 goals to their name and 9 points. I was happy to hear though that 5 of those goals are actually scored by Polish. Klose and Podolski.

Anyway my prediction for tonight is England 3 - Sweden 1
Rooney 2 Gerrard 1 and Larsson 1

this title has been deleted due it's inappropriateness

As if it weren't enough to be in the UEFA cup Final. Yesterday Sven 'the Swede' Eriksson announced that Stewie Downing will be going to Germany as part of the England squad. Was very unexpected as he has had a few matches with the team in friendlies but it was almost sure he wasn't going to feature in the final squad. More suprisingly Mr Eriksson has decided to take a 17 year old who has not only never played for England, but has never played for his present club (Arsenal). Saying that I have just watched a video of his performances and I think Sven is no fool taking him along. Those long socks and quick legs remind me of a certain player that is no slouch. Oui Oui I mean you Monsieur!.


Here is a liitle clip of the boy wonder http://www.metacafe.com/watch/56388/theo_walcott/

A new sign which has been erected in a Middlesbrough High Street.

Sorry England Your Loss is our gain

Wey Hey!!
A UEFA Cup Final and we get rid of McLaren.
Finally we might see some attacking football next season. The only time old ginge ever showed us
it was when we needed 4 goals and we were losing badly.

With this squad and a decent manager next season I think we may be going places. Watch out Spurs!
We're having that 4th place off yas next season!

OK maybe a bit harsh. He's been our most succesful manager ever, maybe except Jack Charlton. But I think he has had his time . Fresh start and please try and score rather than defend defend defend.

Another Football Blog

Sorry I can't not mention last night, it was fooking brilliant. I wasn't going to go to the bar to watch but decided at the last minute to go. I arrived 10 mins late for the kick off to an empty bar so sat down with the Landlord and he told me what i had feared was going to happen Steaua Bucharest had just scored 1-0.

We would need to score three goals and not conceed anymore. Then the second went in and i gave up. Good for the heart as when you decided 'fuck it we've lost' you kinda relax.

Even when Maccarone got one back before half time I honestly believed the match was over. But then in the second half Boro became this lean fighting attacking machine again that we saw with Basle. 4 strikers on the pitch. What the Fuck! McLaren you usually are blubbing to put more than one on!.

And then the 2nd and third came. After the second I change to having a glimmer of hope. Someone next to me (yes the stragglers were arriving by now) mentioned "You only need 2 goals in 25 mins". And that did it i had belief again. And after Riggot popped in the third it was 1 goal in 17 mins.

At this point i was convinced we we were going to do it , Bucharest were falling apart. They hadn't had one goal attempt in the second half. Boro had had over 20 at least. But then with about 4 mins left i almost gave up hope until Macca stepped up and became a Teesside legend once again. And this from a guy who can't get in the 1st team regularly, if at all. £6M ...A Bargain!

So Eindhoven here we come . Put it in your diary 10th May! Now how do we go about getting a ticket.

P.S Here is an amusing local radio commentary from Century FM.
This guy (Alistair Brownlee is unable to hold his load when Boro win a premiership match so you can imagine what it's like). I especially love the quote "Everybody round my house for a Parmo!". We are such a cultured lot in Teesside.

2nd link is the highlights without 'annoying twat' commentary.

The Century Commentary
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/l.roth1/steaua.mp3

The Highlights
http://homepage.ntlworld.com/l.roth1/steaua.wmv

8 Glorious Days?

OK. It's here already, the set of three matches which will not put Middlesbrough on the map, but knock Newcastle off it. If all goes well this will be the way Geordies introduce themsleves in future

Johnny Foreigner: "Oh hello are you liking my country. Very different from ze UK yes!??"
Geordie: "Oh way hay man. It's champion. Arrm from Newcassel like!"
Johnny Foreigner: "Ah zis Newcastle . It is in ze UK yes?"
Geordie: "Way hay man, Its in the North East like. Ye narrr. Up the road from Middlesbrough"
Johnny Foreigner: "Oh yes I am knowing ze Boro very well. Morrison, Hasselbaink, Yakubu yes. ze UEFA cup final yes. Oh yes so you're a smoggie then!?"
Geordie: "Feck off man! Donna be calling me no Smoggie yeh fucker!"

And North East domination is complete.


There again, we might be out of both competitons by Sunday. But who cares lets enjoy the ride:



Day 1 : UEFA Cup Semi Final 1st Leg, Ghencea Stadium, Bucharest Steaua Bucharest v Boro
Day 2, 3: Rest Days
Day 4: FA Cup Semi-Final , Vill Park, Birmingham Boro v West Ham
Day 5,6,7: Rest Days
Day 8: UEFA Cup Semi Final 2nd Leg, Riverside Stadium, Middlesbrough (down the road from Newcastle) Boro v Steaua Bucharest

Better than the Carling cup

Middlesbrough 4-1 Basle (agg 4-3)



A brace from Mark Viduka gave Middlesbrough hopeMassimo Maccarone struck a 90th-minute winner as Middlesbrough produced an astonishing comeback to reach the Uefa Cup semi-finals.
Eduardo's 23rd-minute tap-in for Basle left Boro needing four goals to win.
But Mark Viduka pulled one back before half-time with a powerful run and shot and angled in a second before Daniel Majstorovic was sent off for Basle.
Jimmy Floyd Hasselbaink's stunning shot made it 3-3, leaving fellow substitute Maccarone to slide home the winner.
The unlikely comeback, which booked Middlesbrough a semi-final meeting with Steaua Bucharest, was reward for some brave changes by Steve McClaren.
The Boro boss threw caution to the wind at half-time by introducing Hasselbaink to play alongside Viduka and Yakubu, and then later brought on Maccarone as Basle stumbled.

Absolutely brilliant display, the pride and passion shown was first class
From HM
Have your say on 606
Indeed, his side might have considered themselves unlucky to have gone behind after a storming start to the game.
Inside a minute, Yakubu's challenge forced Basle keeper Pascal Zuberuehler to fumble the ball, but the striker hooked his shot narrowly wide.
That incident infused new belief into the home fans and on 14 minutes, they were appealing for a penalty.
Yakubu burst into the box and was clumsily brought down by Mile Sterjovski, with replays showing it deserved far more than the half-hearted appeal the Boro players mustered.
But a momentary lapse at the back cost the hosts dear.
Stuart Parnaby was not quick enough to prevent Boris Smiljanic heading across goal where Eduardo easily beat Gareth Southgate to the ball and smashed home.
With Boro now needing four goals to win, the Riverside Stadium fell silent, but the hosts stuck to their task.
Viduka gave them the lifeline their first-half display deserved when he shrugged off Majstorovic's challenge before wrong-footing Zuberuehler.
McClaren hails 'monumental' Boro
That brought the crowd back to life and they were almost celebrating again on 42 minutes when Yakubu turned Majstorovic brilliantly but shot too close to Zuberuehler.
McClaren sent his team out in barnstorming mood after the interval.
Basle's defence succumbed on 57 minutes when Yakubu slid the ball through for Viduka to sidestep Zuberuehler and shoot home from a difficult angle.
Boro's hopes were lifted again when Majstorovic, who had been Basle's dominant force in defence, was sent off for raising his hands.
His departure rocked Basle and they were reeling again when Hasselbaink collected the ball 25 yards out and, with hardly any backlift, powered in an unstoppable shot.
And as the minutes ticked down, Fabio Rochemback's shot was only parried by Zuberuehler and Maccarone squeezed home the rebound to send the disbelieving Boro fans into ecstacy.
If Boro can now get past Steaua, they will face Sevilla or Schalke in the final on 10 May in Eindhoven.
Middlesbrough: Schwarzer, Parnaby, Riggott, Southgate, Queudrue (Maccarone 67), Morrison (Hasselbaink 45), Boateng, Rochemback (Taylor 90), Downing, Viduka, Yakubu.Subs Not Used: Jones, Ehiogu, Doriva, Davies.
Booked: Riggott, Maccarone.
Goals: Viduka 33, 57, Hasselbaink 79, Maccarone 90.
Basle: Zuberbuhler, Zanni, Majstorovic, Smiljanic, Berner, Degen (Chipperfield 61), Delgado (Ergic 70), Ba, Petric, Sterjovski (Quennoz 85), Eduardo Da Silva.Subs Not Used: Crayton, Rakitic, Kulaksizoglu.
Sent Off: Majstorovic (73).
Booked: Majstorovic, Degen, Zuberbuhler.
Goals: Eduardo Da Silva 23.
Att: 24,521

I nearly wet myself!!!!! P.S Maccarone ....All is forgiven

Man City v Boro

Manchester City 20/1 v Middlesbrough 7/1

Ok What are these odds for....?
Todays match or.......
Answers on a postcard

Swiss Cheese

I thought that was all they we're famous for.!!!!
Not for silky moves and swift forward passes.
But no they have to upset our move on the UEFA cup.
Well let me tell you Basel , or Baaahthelll however you pronounce it
we will give you a game at the Riverside, even if you do kick our asses over the 2 legs.

Anyway bring it on. What can we lose.

I arrive at the pub 30 mins late and within 10 mins we are 2-0 behind.
Why did i go i out?

Probably to show my allegiance to the Boro. And we didn't do that bad, but it was annoying to watch. The Swiss were way too good. I hope with a less slidy pitch our boys can show some form next time. 1 week to wait and three goals at least to score. Not easy but hey It's the Boro and this season we have surprised the best teams so I'm not giving up yet.

Roma wasn't conquered in a day

Boro v AS Roma

Boro's biggest ever tie in Europe tonight, taking on the mighty Romans. Unbeaten in 12 matches in Serie A. And now a trip to the Riverside.
Bring it on.....

12 mins: Penalty Yakubu 1-0

FT: Boro 1 Roma 0

Bring on the Olympic stadium in Rome.

Boro march on in Europe

This week i've been mixing in with many Germans, Americans, Aussies and basically a mix and match from around the world in an exhibition in Maastricht. But i did enjoy telling our Germans friends how we would be taking them on after the expo finished on Thurday. I could have gone to watch, but would of involved a mad dash to Stuttgart after 5pm; car full of my pc's and a table which they stood on. Not a good idea, especially after walking what feels like a 100km these last three days pestering companies.

But the Boro are marching on after their, now historic, win over Chelsea and are beating Vfb Stuttgart 2-1 in the away fixture. Surely a ticket to the next round. Can we take it that stage further this year and get to the Semis. I think this may be our year.

I feel a song coming on....

Oh Boro my only Boro,
You make me happy when skies are grey,
I never noticed how much i love you,
You'll never take my Boro away!.