birkbeck_dj
Well-known member
If Boro are successfully promoted, how do fellow posters think we'll do in the Premier league? The heavy defeat suffered by Burnley v Manchester City and ours v Brighton demonstrates a very wide gulf in class between the top half Premier league teams and the top of the Championship.
Many Premier league clubs are owned by either by billionaires, petrostates, oligarchs, etc, and this gives massive advantages in the transfer market. The likes of a local multimillionaire bankrolling a club to relative success is harder in such an environment.
Also, the last PL campaign under Karanka was a damp squib if ever there was one. I also detected unrealistic ambitions from many fans. Surviving in the PL was frowned upon, the style of play not helping though we didn't have the players nor could we attract the ones Karanka believed would have helped. It was probably a factor of the team, the money and the perception of an unattractive, unfashionable town, many miles from London.
There was anger among a large section of fans (not a majority) who hated Karanka. I recall verbal arguments in the North Stand if a song was sung in praise of him. There was a fan in the North Stand who was permanently angry. He would slam down his seat up and down a few times, the red mist in his eyes. I didn't see him in his seat at the start of the following season, seemingly giving up when we were relegated. I am sure he's back now. He's an extreme example: many fans will be angered without petulant displays. Many will give up again if we're relegated. However, let's be realistic: it is very likely Boro will probably struggle whenever they are promoted. The football may be dire. Emotions will rise again. Many fans will not be happy with a pragmatic style of football even if it keeps us up. And if we're relegated, will they accept it? Would being a yo-yo team for a few seasons to gather cash and build for the future be acceptable?
I'm thinking aloud and I should enjoy what's happening at the moment. I will, and do.
Many Premier league clubs are owned by either by billionaires, petrostates, oligarchs, etc, and this gives massive advantages in the transfer market. The likes of a local multimillionaire bankrolling a club to relative success is harder in such an environment.
Also, the last PL campaign under Karanka was a damp squib if ever there was one. I also detected unrealistic ambitions from many fans. Surviving in the PL was frowned upon, the style of play not helping though we didn't have the players nor could we attract the ones Karanka believed would have helped. It was probably a factor of the team, the money and the perception of an unattractive, unfashionable town, many miles from London.
There was anger among a large section of fans (not a majority) who hated Karanka. I recall verbal arguments in the North Stand if a song was sung in praise of him. There was a fan in the North Stand who was permanently angry. He would slam down his seat up and down a few times, the red mist in his eyes. I didn't see him in his seat at the start of the following season, seemingly giving up when we were relegated. I am sure he's back now. He's an extreme example: many fans will be angered without petulant displays. Many will give up again if we're relegated. However, let's be realistic: it is very likely Boro will probably struggle whenever they are promoted. The football may be dire. Emotions will rise again. Many fans will not be happy with a pragmatic style of football even if it keeps us up. And if we're relegated, will they accept it? Would being a yo-yo team for a few seasons to gather cash and build for the future be acceptable?
I'm thinking aloud and I should enjoy what's happening at the moment. I will, and do.