r00fie1
Well-known member
Its that time again>>>>>>>
To some self-appointed "pundits" and anonymous radio presenters, this is a nothing Cup - Tie. Its between a team struggling in the Fourth Division and one which is [apparently] "recovering" from "defeat in last seasons play-offs". Well. For those of us in the know - not in London, sat on our arzes on a padded chair overlooking the Thames - its much, much more than that. So far, its the only consistent run in our season: beating the Terriers, then Bolton - neither easy to win or pretty to watch, but they have been part of the tough lesson for the squad - especially the younger lads.
Both Managers have experience - perhaps not equally, in the Managers chair, but certainly when it comes to playing for [arguably] the biggest club in the land and some of the greatest Giants of world football:
Mark Hughes began his 24 playing year career back in 1978 with the Red Devils, playing in two seperate spells for the Old Trafford outfit along with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Everton, Southampton and Blackburn Rovers. Over a fifteen year period he also made 72 International appearances for his native Wales. Altogether he made 606 appearances in his playing career, spanning four decades.
Just to add his "other" achievements as a player - it runs along the same track as Michael Carrick`s - without the Champions League Medal!!!!!
Manchester United:
Premier League winner - 1992/93, 1993/94.
FA Cup Winner - 1984/85, 1989/90, 1993/94.
Charity Shield - 1990, 1993, 1994.
European Cup winners Cup - 1990/91.
EUFA Super Cup - 1991
Chelsea:
FA Cup - 1996/97
Football League Cup - 1997/98
EUFA Cup Winners Cup - 1997/98
Blackburn Rovers:
Football League Cup - 2001/02
Hes no novice when it comes to winning.
Just like Carrick - he values Cups and Winners Medals!
You can spend your Managerial Career "focusing on the league" - but we want a trip to Wembley and bring back the winners cup to Teesside!
When Hughes signed for the Bantams in February 2022, it was the first time he had Managed outside the top flight: the first thing he did was to have a major clear out, with long standing players, deadwood and those at the end of their useful playing careers being shown the door. He has, since then, taken on the job of rebuilding the side from the outside in. Bradford have been 22 years out of the Premiership [not quite as long as Forest - but almost as long as Leeds - before their relative promotions!]. They currently have over 14,000 season ticket holders and believe in the ethos of making football affordable for all fans.
Hughes almost achieved EFL League Two promotion last season - losing out eventually to Carlisle United.
There are a number of well-known names familiar to Boro fans in the squad:
Richie Smallwood [Captain]
Brad Halliday
Sam Stubbs
Harry Chapman
.....and thirty-seven year old Matt Derbyshire. Now playing for his 16th team in a 21 year career!
Our first outing in the Cup wasnt a spectacular affair: we may have won 3-2 away at Leeds Road, but it was a close run game. We let them score first [of course] and the win was celebrated by Jonny howson, making his 700th career appearance [!]. Bolton was a bit more lively, even though the home "crowd" appeared to be at home watching Coronation Street. McGree`s goal was a foretaste of what was to come. Saturday`s goal was surely one of many more in the league this season.......
With a sell out away end and an expected capacity crowd, its going to be as good, if not better, than some of the drab atmospheres we`ve endured away from home so far this season. Bradford is a unique "old fashioned" ground - with a mixture of new and old stands. Surrounded by terraced houses and a railway line, with the main drag into town passing by the front door - its ideal for a bluddy good game underneath the floodlights.
Victory against Southampton!
At Last!
We got three points on the board and the relief in the whole ground was unbelievable. It didnt go unnoticed that all the stands were bouncing when Howson scored tat penalty. In an article elsewhere - Jonny Howson said it was Grant Leaderbitter who had told him to take the penalty. Under pressure - Leadbitter believed Leadership Skills included showing the team how to keep a level head and lead by example from the front. Jonny - usually so polite and controlled.......fist-pumped all sides of the ground and you could tell what that lead meant to him.
It was about defending against the Saints few attacks and converting them into deep runs into Southampton territory. Its great to see Hackney pass the long ball through to Josh out wide who screamed towards their keeper. McGree could have scored that second if the ground-staff had polished the inside of the post! It could have been four!
Just a point on Josh Coburn: has he been trained by the PTI`s at Catterick, running up and down Cross Fell with a 100 lb pack on his back and fed on raw steak? He`s come on in terms of footballing skill and physical ability. The way he barged through Southampton players at times - like a knife through butter - was great to watch. He needs to stay put [in my opinion]. Its unlikely we will see the same starting line up Tuesday, as we did Saturday. But thats "common sense". Everyone who played on Saturday deserved their place. Thats not to say some of the newer and younger lads havent a place on the starting sheet.
Lets make our Cup tie a secret affair between two Northern Clubs whose loyal fans, players and Managers dont need Hollywood Stars, Saudi Sheiks or Match of The Day!
Come On Boro!
To some self-appointed "pundits" and anonymous radio presenters, this is a nothing Cup - Tie. Its between a team struggling in the Fourth Division and one which is [apparently] "recovering" from "defeat in last seasons play-offs". Well. For those of us in the know - not in London, sat on our arzes on a padded chair overlooking the Thames - its much, much more than that. So far, its the only consistent run in our season: beating the Terriers, then Bolton - neither easy to win or pretty to watch, but they have been part of the tough lesson for the squad - especially the younger lads.
Both Managers have experience - perhaps not equally, in the Managers chair, but certainly when it comes to playing for [arguably] the biggest club in the land and some of the greatest Giants of world football:
Mark Hughes began his 24 playing year career back in 1978 with the Red Devils, playing in two seperate spells for the Old Trafford outfit along with Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Chelsea, Everton, Southampton and Blackburn Rovers. Over a fifteen year period he also made 72 International appearances for his native Wales. Altogether he made 606 appearances in his playing career, spanning four decades.
Just to add his "other" achievements as a player - it runs along the same track as Michael Carrick`s - without the Champions League Medal!!!!!
Manchester United:
Premier League winner - 1992/93, 1993/94.
FA Cup Winner - 1984/85, 1989/90, 1993/94.
Charity Shield - 1990, 1993, 1994.
European Cup winners Cup - 1990/91.
EUFA Super Cup - 1991
Chelsea:
FA Cup - 1996/97
Football League Cup - 1997/98
EUFA Cup Winners Cup - 1997/98
Blackburn Rovers:
Football League Cup - 2001/02
Hes no novice when it comes to winning.
Just like Carrick - he values Cups and Winners Medals!
You can spend your Managerial Career "focusing on the league" - but we want a trip to Wembley and bring back the winners cup to Teesside!
When Hughes signed for the Bantams in February 2022, it was the first time he had Managed outside the top flight: the first thing he did was to have a major clear out, with long standing players, deadwood and those at the end of their useful playing careers being shown the door. He has, since then, taken on the job of rebuilding the side from the outside in. Bradford have been 22 years out of the Premiership [not quite as long as Forest - but almost as long as Leeds - before their relative promotions!]. They currently have over 14,000 season ticket holders and believe in the ethos of making football affordable for all fans.
Hughes almost achieved EFL League Two promotion last season - losing out eventually to Carlisle United.
There are a number of well-known names familiar to Boro fans in the squad:
Richie Smallwood [Captain]
Brad Halliday
Sam Stubbs
Harry Chapman
.....and thirty-seven year old Matt Derbyshire. Now playing for his 16th team in a 21 year career!
Our first outing in the Cup wasnt a spectacular affair: we may have won 3-2 away at Leeds Road, but it was a close run game. We let them score first [of course] and the win was celebrated by Jonny howson, making his 700th career appearance [!]. Bolton was a bit more lively, even though the home "crowd" appeared to be at home watching Coronation Street. McGree`s goal was a foretaste of what was to come. Saturday`s goal was surely one of many more in the league this season.......
With a sell out away end and an expected capacity crowd, its going to be as good, if not better, than some of the drab atmospheres we`ve endured away from home so far this season. Bradford is a unique "old fashioned" ground - with a mixture of new and old stands. Surrounded by terraced houses and a railway line, with the main drag into town passing by the front door - its ideal for a bluddy good game underneath the floodlights.
Victory against Southampton!
At Last!
We got three points on the board and the relief in the whole ground was unbelievable. It didnt go unnoticed that all the stands were bouncing when Howson scored tat penalty. In an article elsewhere - Jonny Howson said it was Grant Leaderbitter who had told him to take the penalty. Under pressure - Leadbitter believed Leadership Skills included showing the team how to keep a level head and lead by example from the front. Jonny - usually so polite and controlled.......fist-pumped all sides of the ground and you could tell what that lead meant to him.
It was about defending against the Saints few attacks and converting them into deep runs into Southampton territory. Its great to see Hackney pass the long ball through to Josh out wide who screamed towards their keeper. McGree could have scored that second if the ground-staff had polished the inside of the post! It could have been four!
Just a point on Josh Coburn: has he been trained by the PTI`s at Catterick, running up and down Cross Fell with a 100 lb pack on his back and fed on raw steak? He`s come on in terms of footballing skill and physical ability. The way he barged through Southampton players at times - like a knife through butter - was great to watch. He needs to stay put [in my opinion]. Its unlikely we will see the same starting line up Tuesday, as we did Saturday. But thats "common sense". Everyone who played on Saturday deserved their place. Thats not to say some of the newer and younger lads havent a place on the starting sheet.
Lets make our Cup tie a secret affair between two Northern Clubs whose loyal fans, players and Managers dont need Hollywood Stars, Saudi Sheiks or Match of The Day!
Come On Boro!
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