Oslo_Syd

McGree should have been playing from the start.

Well, I wouldn't say that our season is over, as some are saying, but it's a helluva wake-up call.

Ah! Silly me. But I do have a cold.

We'll still be third, won't we - 1 point behind Sheff Utd.

Not a bad afternoon, all things considered. And we now have a better GD than Sheff United.

Well, you learn from your mistakes and we will. Carrick is a very smart guy.

Thank you, Luton!

And Alves got a hat-trick. Which just about doubled his goals for the season.

8

100% this, although it has to be said that at 34 Howson is nearing the end of his playing career (although you wouldn't say that to look at him). I'm pretty sure that MFC are thinking in terms of easing him out gradually and dovetailing someone else into his role. That will take time, but better to start now than wait until he's crocked.

Regarding Steffen. A good goalkeeper although sometimes he gives my poor old heart a flutter with his laid-back attitude. Regarding goalkeepers in general: the other 10 players can make mistakes all over the pitch without it leading to serious consequences. If a goalkeeper does that, it's usually a goal conceded. Give the GK a break.

Comment by a Blades fan on their site: "Intensity athleticism organisation committment and belief. Just watched our game then Boro this afternoon. Enlightening. They are streets ahead on all those things."

Brilliant! I love St Michael (and his underwear).

I'm gasping.

Great result! Onwards and upwards!

We scored from a corner?

No complaints about Boro recruitment. Solid and well-considered. No adrenaline buzzes (which have often gone fatally wrong) or frustrations. Just sensible acquisitions and departures. I'm sad to see Duncan go but it's certainly in his best interests.

Millwall is E14. Sounds East enough to me. Still, this helps pass the time.

Millwall is East London - Isle of Dogs (where Eastenders is set) - but the footie club is Sarf London.

I’ve given up trying to double-guess what the Boro staff are thinking. I just think it might be better to spend £15M on a good player now than the same amount or more on the same or a similar player if and when we reach the PL.

I wouldn’t be surprised if Boro splashed out at this point. Given that the first goal is to secure promotion, the second goal has to be ensuring that we stay in the PL if we do get promoted. Digging into SG’s wallet at this point – and increasing both the likelihood of promotion and keeping us in the PL – would make good sense. It’s a gamble, but this is football.

I wasn't looking forward to this match. Brilliant from the lads!

Unbef**ckinglievable!

Onwards and upwards. UTB. Edit: hey, that's my 2,000th post! Not bad considering that I've been a member for around 10 years (at least).

I enjoy these chats, CT. They are most illuminating. We were indeed talking about his ability, which frankly neither of us is really in a position to gauge. It's a bit of a conundrum really, isn't it? We splash a considerable amount of dosh on a young player who comes with - on the face of it - good credentials. And then he hardly even warms his bum on the bench. It's not the first time something like this has happened, regrettably.