Wow, three on the trot for me. Surely I couldn't make it four...

Bob is off fishing at the moment so I have drafted in another guest author. Norwich's very own Alan Partidge. Now reading this you might hear Alan refer to the Boro as 'We' .. which is quite strange as he is from Norwich but I slipped him a tenner and a Terry's chocolate orange (with some superficial damage) so he is 100% Boro this weekend!

Introduction

Good afternoon, sports fans — yes indeed — and welcome to the Riverside Stadium for a proper, traditional, red-blooded 3pm kick-off. None of this brunch football, none of your late-night nonsense. This is football you can set your watch by.

Today’s visitors are Norwich City. The Canaries. Yellow kit. Very visible — good for road safety, not so good for subtle defending.

It promises to be an absolute corker. The kind of match where you sit forward in your seat, loosen your scarf, and think, “Go on then, entertain me.”

Last Time Out: Preston North End (Home – 4–0 Win)

Now, last weekend. Preston came to town and frankly got the full Riverside experience.

Four goals. Zero reply. Clean sheet. Job done.

Alan Browne opened the scoring — lovely stuff — back of the net! Calm, composed, clinical.

Then Tommy Conway made it two, popping up where strikers should — sharp, alert, ruthless.

Morgan Whittaker added the third with a finish smoother than a well-served custard.

And then Conway again in the second half. Two goals. A brace. A double helping — which is what you want, frankly.

Four-nil is the sort of scoreline that allows you to relax by the 70th minute and start analysing goal difference like a seasoned professional.

Alan Browne: Mr Versatile, Mr Reliable, Mr “I’ll Do That Too”

Let’s focus on Alan Browne.

On loan from Sunderland — our rivals, remember — but now playing like a man who’s been born and raised within sight of the Transporter Bridge.

Originally a midfielder, now operating at right-back like it’s been his life’s work. And not just filling in — excelling. Tackling. Overlapping. Scoring goals. Running like he’s late for a train.

It begs the question: is there anything Alan Browne can’t do?

Fix a leaking tap? Possibly.

Host a quiz night? I’d back him.

Play in goal if needed? At this point, why not.

A fans’ favourite already — and rightly so.

Talking Points

1. Formation

We’ve found a system that works. The players know their roles. The shape is good. Solid but expressive — like a well-cut blazer.

But Norwich are tricky customers. Quick feet, clever movement.

Do we keep it exactly the same and say “if it ain’t broke”, or do we tweak it slightly like a man adjusting his seat in a hire car?

2. The Striker Situation

The big rumour mill. Phones refreshing. Fingers scrolling.

Will we have signed a striker by kick-off?

And if we have, do you throw them straight in like a ready meal in the microwave, or let them settle gently on the bench?

3. The Pedestrianisation of Norwich City Centre

Now look — people laugh. But this matters.

Traders need access. Vans need somewhere to stop.

But pedestrians want space. Freedom. A nice wander past WHSmith.

So was pedestrianisation a visionary masterstroke…

or an absolute car crash?

Your thoughts, please — no shouting.

Score Prediction

Right then. Final whistle of the warm-up nearly blown.

What’s your score prediction today?

Comfortable win? Narrow squeaker? Or one of those afternoons where you say, “I enjoyed it… but I’m exhausted.”

Let’s hear them.

UTB.

With Saramento signing and Strelec and Sene back, the competition for spots on bench could be wild:

If Mcgree starts with Whittaker and Conway up top you could have any of following on bench competing for the 5 attack spots we usually have:

1. Saramento

2. Nypan

3. Hansen

4. Castledene

5. Burgzorg

6. Silveria

7. Strelec

8. Sene

I think Hansen, Nypan and one of Silveria/Sene miss out

4-0 to the boro

1 hour ago, BearSmog said:

Wow, three on the trot for me. Surely I couldn't make it four...

Bob is off fishing at the moment so I have drafted in another guest author. Norwich's very own Alan Partidge. Now reading this you might hear Alan refer to the Boro as 'We' .. which is quite strange as he is from Norwich but I slipped him a tenner and a Terry's chocolate orange (with some superficial damage) so he is 100% Boro this weekend!

Introduction

Good afternoon, sports fans — yes indeed — and welcome to the Riverside Stadium for a proper, traditional, red-blooded 3pm kick-off. None of this brunch football, none of your late-night nonsense. This is football you can set your watch by.

Today’s visitors are Norwich City. The Canaries. Yellow kit. Very visible — good for road safety, not so good for subtle defending.

It promises to be an absolute corker. The kind of match where you sit forward in your seat, loosen your scarf, and think, “Go on then, entertain me.”

Last Time Out: Preston North End (Home – 4–0 Win)

Now, last weekend. Preston came to town and frankly got the full Riverside experience.

Four goals. Zero reply. Clean sheet. Job done.

Alan Browne opened the scoring — lovely stuff — back of the net! Calm, composed, clinical.

Then Tommy Conway made it two, popping up where strikers should — sharp, alert, ruthless.

Morgan Whittaker added the third with a finish smoother than a well-served custard.

And then Conway again in the second half. Two goals. A brace. A double helping — which is what you want, frankly.

Four-nil is the sort of scoreline that allows you to relax by the 70th minute and start analysing goal difference like a seasoned professional.

Alan Browne: Mr Versatile, Mr Reliable, Mr “I’ll Do That Too”

Let’s focus on Alan Browne.

On loan from Sunderland — our rivals, remember — but now playing like a man who’s been born and raised within sight of the Transporter Bridge.

Originally a midfielder, now operating at right-back like it’s been his life’s work. And not just filling in — excelling. Tackling. Overlapping. Scoring goals. Running like he’s late for a train.

It begs the question: is there anything Alan Browne can’t do?

Fix a leaking tap? Possibly.

Host a quiz night? I’d back him.

Play in goal if needed? At this point, why not.

A fans’ favourite already — and rightly so.

Talking Points

1. Formation

We’ve found a system that works. The players know their roles. The shape is good. Solid but expressive — like a well-cut blazer.

But Norwich are tricky customers. Quick feet, clever movement.

Do we keep it exactly the same and say “if it ain’t broke”, or do we tweak it slightly like a man adjusting his seat in a hire car?

2. The Striker Situation

The big rumour mill. Phones refreshing. Fingers scrolling.

Will we have signed a striker by kick-off?

And if we have, do you throw them straight in like a ready meal in the microwave, or let them settle gently on the bench?

3. The Pedestrianisation of Norwich City Centre

Now look — people laugh. But this matters.

Traders need access. Vans need somewhere to stop.

But pedestrians want space. Freedom. A nice wander past WHSmith.

So was pedestrianisation a visionary masterstroke…

or an absolute car crash?

Your thoughts, please — no shouting.

Score Prediction

Right then. Final whistle of the warm-up nearly blown.

What’s your score prediction today?

Comfortable win? Narrow squeaker? Or one of those afternoons where you say, “I enjoyed it… but I’m exhausted.”

Let’s hear them.

UTB.

We need to win every game just for more of this content, lovely stuff.

Think I'd keep same 11...maybe McGree in for Leo, but that would probably be harsh on Leo who had a good game.

Even Brittain being fully fit doesn't automatically come straight back in....and he's been the signing of the summer and arguably been our best player (or certainly one of them) - so that just shows what a job Browne has/is done/doing in the right hand side channel.

If we do tweak the system and we go with 1 less defender, then unfortunately Fry has to make way....Malanda ain't going anywhere (he could actually surpass Brittain as signing of the season if he continues like he has done!! and it's only 4 league games played so far 😄)...and Ayling has been great alongside him.

Fully expect Sarmiento to get minutes off the bench too.

Our squad is fast becoming stacked now and with very good options (different options too) off the bench.

McGree, Brittain, Sarmiento could all be on the bench...and then we still have Strelec and Jones to beef up the squad too.

Depends if Norwich are low blockers. If they are I’d say why not start with McGree and Sarmiento, we need that level of skill to unlock defences.

34 minutes ago, Marz said:

We need to win every game just for more of this content, lovely stuff.

Lovely stuff. Not your words, Marz, the words of Shakin' Stevens

How many extra fans do you think we will have? 8? 8 and half? 9? 9 and a half? Te teeeeell you what tell you what its 9 and a half thousand fans.

Hopefully Norwich have a heroic victory tomorrow night but comes at a cost as several first teamers get suspended after a melee at the end.

we bounce the new managers, not the new managers bounce, they will learn the hard way 4-0 to the boro

Now that Kim Hellberg is a Peaky Blinder, very silly haircut, can the players still take him seriously.😁

I think this will be another 4-0 victory for super Boro.

Bought Kaly Sene, never gonna use him...never gonna use him.

3-0 Boro. Yeah, you heard me. Conway hat-trick. Why not

Edited January 26Jan 26 by Denzel Zanzibar

8 hours ago, smogsterking the Inspirati said:

How many extra fans do you think we will have? 8? 8 and half? 9? 9 and a half? Te teeeeell you what tell you what its 9 and a half thousand fans.

Hopefully Norwich have a heroic victory tomorrow night but comes at a cost as several first teamers get suspended after a melee at the end.

Let’s hope some of their better players pierce their foot on a spiiiiiiiikkkkke

10 hours ago, Rob said:

4-0 to the boro

Again I’ll raise your 4-0 to a 5-0 Boro win

Terrific OP @BearSmog let your run continue though I thought you were going to rest for a while!

I have my thought on this and without having to use my seldom used phrase I do believe the significance of this game is vital to us all.

It's up there in the TMIGOTS at home ...............so far!!!

The need to win is going to get very telling soon for quite a few teams including Boro almost blink and you miss!

56 minutes ago, Downsouth said:

Terrific OP @BearSmog let your run continue though I thought you were going to rest for a while!

I have my thought on this and without having to use my seldom used phrase I do believe the significance of this game is vital to us all.

It's up there in the TMIGOTS at home ...............so far!!!

The need to win is going to get very telling soon for quite a few teams including Boro almost blink and you miss!

This will be a big test against a Norwich side that have their mojo back. They were in a false position under Manning who clearly just couldn't get things to work despite having a decent squad on paper. Clement is making them tick and probably overachieving but we can't take that lightly. It's going to be one of the toughest fixtures I think.

Three points will be massive at this stage of the season, perhaps Norwich's proximity to the drop may yet still play a factor if we go in front.