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Let's just be grateful it isn't a picture of Pulis superimposed on one of their heads with a headline that says "Boro are in for a Buzz Sh*teyear"

Today's front page of the fixtures pull out in the sun

The Irish S*n (yes, thats a thing unfortunately) went one step further and crowbarred in a Robbie Keane picture.

If downing had Alberts numbers in last few seasons (goals and assists) i would happily have kept him. I dont think we should look away from a deal simply because a player is a certain age or an ex player. I think each deal should be judged on its own merits. If a player can still make a positive contribution and it makes financial sense then go for it imo.

When did King boro start working for the sun?

A win or a draw and we’ll be in the promotion spots, lose and we’ll be bottom of the table and those Woodgate critics will be having a field day. ?

Pinched this from fmttm. Mine is David Currie in a 4-0 win over Shrewsbury 29th October 1983. There was a match on my birthday (22nd) but I was born in the evening (during Match of the Day).

Heard we used a 1 year extension to keep Brahimi, anyone heard anything on him?

That's not really what he's said. He said that throwing money at players has been relatively unsuccessful. We want to get our targets in, but there's little to gain in being held to ransom even over proven players, let alone young ones who represent a risk.

Think you will see a lot of this... we are offering what we think and if they don’t want to sign for the terms offered then we are moving on

No thanks.. if we wanted old cover we might as well have kept Downing.

I think we missed the boat on Adomah. Last summer was probably the ideal time if we were to go for him. I think at his age we would need to offer very low wages to make it worthwhile. Although if we did somehow get him on a cheap deal it would at least give us some cover and experience in a position we have next to nothing.

80,000 blondes meet in a football stadium for a “Blondes Are Not Stupid” Convention. The leader says, “We are all here today to prove to the world that blondes are not stupid. Can I have a volunteer?” A blonde gingerly works her way through the crowd and steps up to the stage. The leader asks her, “What is 15 plus 15?” After 15 or 20 seconds she says, “Eighteen!” Obviously everyone is a little disappointed. Then 80,000 blondes start cheering, “Give her another chance! Give her another chance!” The leader says, “Well since we’ve gone to the trouble of getting 80,000 of you in

Well that is the Downing debate put to bed. First bit of small evidence that the words spoken at the press conference are not empty?

And after we went all the way to Holland to see him as well. What a rotter! ?

Top 16 clubs with grade 1 academies who take up the invite. L'pool & Utd have taken up their option this year.

Put me down for this season's competition then!

Nice one mate,pity about the gee gee's I could do with a little help now and again. ?..(These emoji's are so crap aren't they.) I'm not gonna laugh anymore.

I felt an update to my profile was required MM ? Well done on putting in the hard work to run the competition ? I'm afraid I don't know anything about horse racing ?

You would think so and I agree but one thing last season taught me a real lesson and that is to expect the unexpected. Who seriously would have imagined us losing 6 on the spin and playing Brentford and Wigan (solitary point in a seven game run) so early doors amplifies my first comment. At this time seeing as none of us know really what to expect from a "Woody" team so all we can hope for is that we try to make a fist of it. However as it is going to be interesting to see how things pan out I for one am looking forward to the new season

But the promoted teams rarely win the opening games. They are slightly better than the relegated teams though over the last 5 seasons. Relegated teams have won 3 opening games in the last 5 seasons while promoted teams have 4 wins. I'd say an opening day game against either a promoted or relegated team is a good chance for a win.

I find it funny how I'm seen by some as a miserable sod - guess they do know me then?

Well yeah good point. Tavernier had played all 90 mins of the previous games but was then on the bench at home against Burton. Only Fry and Downing were academy players who started that game and actually those three were the only academy players even in the 18 man squad. The team that beat Palace had three others on the bench and there were more in the games before that. If someone somewhere is trying to make it look like Pulis was giving these lads a chance please tell them they can *** right off from me ?

Looking like we actually have a clue what we're doing in the final third would be a good first step for me.

Let's ask @SmogDane - he's the expert in such matters. SD?

I'm just hoping we stay in this division and we have a team we can get behind - players we can love again.