chapattheback

So they have an enviable director of footy as well then?

Appointing a successful manager can defy logic. Le Bris got his coaching qualification in 2022 and guided L’Orient to 10th place in Ligue 1. Next year they were relegated and he left the club by mutual consent at the end of the season, joining scumderland immediately. He has done well! Am I missing something or did scumderland just get very lucky?

Apparently, Edwards is being informed of the wolves situation only by his wife and daughter, who live in the brum area! I assume they are keen for him to spend more time at home within commuting distance of his job. So that, I assume, is the end of his time here.

In the National league, a local sponsor has offered a sack of potatoes to the first Yeovil Town player to score a goal in a competitive match! What incentive do you think may inspire a Boro player, present or past, to boost their performance?

Knowing the squad really well does not imply that he thinks that they all have potential to improve or the heart for a battle He will also know who doesn’t surge to win a tackle, who pretends to go for a header and doesn’t actually compete etc. It suggests that he has analysed who he wants to keep and who to show the door to

The quality of the facilities is only part of it. I was querying the actual global location when trying to attract wealthy quality players

Barrow have relocated their training base to Manchester, I hear, so as to attract players who don't fancy relocating to the far far north west. Now Yeovil Town have thought, that's a good idea and are moving their training to Bristol. The yeovil area may be attractive to seniors but young, lively, wealthy, professional footballers and their families will find Bristol much more appealing, so ytfc hope that this move will aid recruitment. They will travel to the Yeovil stadium for matches and probably not much else. Boro also have a bit of a location attraction problem with some players and families. I am sorry to ruffle any parochial feathers, but it is true. Where would you think is a better location for training for the ridiculously affluent professionals? Leeds, North London, Marbella, Paris?

I am disappointed that with a history of struggling to score goals we have sold 2 great forwards who were under contract. The income surge from promotion would have dwarfed the fees involved. It’s mad and infuriating We now have a team who are sporadic , some with fast feet, some with vision, few with fight and bottle. Great to watch, at times, but not appropriate for success in the championship. We need a manager with the vision and confidence to change a game as appropriate. Not when the clock ticks to a certain time or the opposition score . A decent spine to the team is key. We need more local lads in the team who really care. I would like to see Sol, Fry, Morris as he has bottle and potential, Hackney and Josh Coburn as that spine., With a manager who can get them motivated

My take on some the selections/omissions is that Southgate is selecting seriously professional, committed athletes whose careers are on an upward slope, not talented individuals who are too too easily lured into a less than healthy lifestyle for an athlete. It may be the shot across the bows that may lead to a resurrection for them, but in any case, the squad will be more professional without them and it may influence some of the younger players to avoid appearing tired and emotional in tabloid photos. Johnny Howson has done more for Boro than Gascoigne ever did.

I like Carrick. He seems a really nice, loyal and committed chap, but we won’t win promotion by being nice. His mentor, Alex Ferguson, was known for his hairdryer motivation. I can’t imagine MC doing that. A wet flannel comparison may be a bit harsh but who knows what goes on out of our sight.

To be fair to Greenwood we have no idea what is going on with knocks, niggles, other issues. He has scored a couple of excellent goals and it isn’t long ago that people were saying what a good deal we had with the purchase option. Perhaps a little patience is needed.

I agree about Ayling. Initially used as a full back, he is now match fit after 8 games and as a wing back he is keeping Jones on the bench with a splendid assist in each of the last 2 matches. Jones has the speed, but Ayling has the experience and guile to make space for himself and is a better crosser. I hope that Jones is learning from Ayling and hope that we see an improvement in him when he is subbed on when the opposition and Ayling are tiring.

Opposition seem to think that an early energetic high press can catch out our playing from the back. We concede and lose confidence and energy. i hope to see an early solid defence with quick ball over the top to catch them on the break. There is a time to play from the back but not early on, I suggest

“The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing” Unfortunately, if any of the political views on the other place are questioned, no matter how politely, the poster is labelled as tory, extreme right or even more bizarrely, a trump supporter! Then, apparently, converted to read only. You won’t find any opposing views on there.

I agree with Kev. Bristol City is my nearest Boro away match and I invariably leave disappointed. On top of that, my honda diesel isn’t welcome anywhere near, trains from Yetminster are slow, infrequent, crowded and leave a long walk from Temple Meads, so I am happy to be otherwise engaged this season. All the best to those making the trip from near and far. Will probably win this time leaving me disappointed again, but this time because I didn’t go!