r00fie1
Well-known member
Its that time again>>>>>
EFL Championship. West Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough. The Hawthorns. B71 4LF. KO: 20:00 hrs.
Four months ago, on a Friday night in September, Boro were on our way to a record-breaking start to the season. David Strelec and Kaly Sene scored two brilliant goals. Little did we know, the then coach would be scurrying off not too many months later.
West Brom have had a dreadful start to their season. For a club which has always been up there challenging in and around the top six, this season has looked more like one of fighting off relegation. Their new coach, Eric Ramsey, only joined them on Monday 11th January, so this is going to be his first test in the Championship, against the team second in the table! At 34, he is just three weeks older than our Lambeth boy, Luke Ayling. He has a job on his hands.
West Brom New Coach. Eric Ramsey:
The new coach has a job on his hands.
Ramsey has been coaching in the United states with Minnesota United, but learned his craft under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and Eric ten Hag at Old Trafford. At least he “knows the area” around Dudley and the West Midlands. He was born just the other side of Wolverhampton, in Shrewsbury. [That sounds familiar!] Ramsey told local media that everyone starts with “a clean slate” and the chance to prove their worth. Lets hope they impress their new young Coach after Fridays game!
Baggies. A dreadful Start:
The Baggies sit 18th in the Championship table, having lost half their league games [13] so far. Only Norwich City [lost 14] and Sheffield Wednesday [lost 16] have worse defeat records in the Championship. Just four places and seven points above third-bottom Norwich, the omens are not good for a once really competetive team. Previous Coach, Ryan Mason was given the boot after his sides 10th consecutive away defeat, 2-1 at Leicester City.
Changing Socks:
It was only back in December 2024 that Carlos Corberan departed for pastures new, having spent over two years building a solid team, always hard to beat and frustratingly “well organised”. He managed to win almost 45% of his games, which is good in the grand scheme of things. Since the turn of 2025, including two “caretakers”, the four coaches have included: Chris Brunt, Tony Mowbray, James Morrison and Ryan Mason. Watford used to be the team who changed Coaches, like changing socks, but West Brom appear to be catching up.
Moved On:
Names once familiar to opposing Championship Clubs are no longer on the pay-role. At the end of last season, Kyle Bartley, John Swift, Darnell Furlong and Semi Ajayi were amongst those who departed the Hawthorns, mostly on free transfers. They sold Tim Fellows to Southampton for over £9M, whom we welcomed to The Riverside just over ten days or so ago. He was the one who made a hash of shots at goal, mostly hitting row Z!
Mowatt, Wallace and Illing-Junior:
There are some familiar names still plying their trade with West Brom: former Boro-loanee, Alex Mowatt [soon to be 31] tends to play in a midfield role. War-horse Jed Wallace is still doing his job on the right wing, and Sam Illing-Junior [remember him?] has played 20 out of 26 League games this season. Their Top-Scorer is Aune Heggebo with eight goals [+3 assists]. He has played in every league game for the Baggies this season. Second is Isaac Price on five goals [+2 assists]. Perhaps one of the “danger men” for Boro, is Republic of Eire forward, Michael Johnston with nine “assists” to his name.
EFL Championship. West Bromwich Albion v Middlesbrough. The Hawthorns. B71 4LF. KO: 20:00 hrs.
Four months ago, on a Friday night in September, Boro were on our way to a record-breaking start to the season. David Strelec and Kaly Sene scored two brilliant goals. Little did we know, the then coach would be scurrying off not too many months later.
West Brom have had a dreadful start to their season. For a club which has always been up there challenging in and around the top six, this season has looked more like one of fighting off relegation. Their new coach, Eric Ramsey, only joined them on Monday 11th January, so this is going to be his first test in the Championship, against the team second in the table! At 34, he is just three weeks older than our Lambeth boy, Luke Ayling. He has a job on his hands.
West Brom New Coach. Eric Ramsey:
The new coach has a job on his hands.
Ramsey has been coaching in the United states with Minnesota United, but learned his craft under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and Eric ten Hag at Old Trafford. At least he “knows the area” around Dudley and the West Midlands. He was born just the other side of Wolverhampton, in Shrewsbury. [That sounds familiar!] Ramsey told local media that everyone starts with “a clean slate” and the chance to prove their worth. Lets hope they impress their new young Coach after Fridays game!
Baggies. A dreadful Start:
The Baggies sit 18th in the Championship table, having lost half their league games [13] so far. Only Norwich City [lost 14] and Sheffield Wednesday [lost 16] have worse defeat records in the Championship. Just four places and seven points above third-bottom Norwich, the omens are not good for a once really competetive team. Previous Coach, Ryan Mason was given the boot after his sides 10th consecutive away defeat, 2-1 at Leicester City.
Changing Socks:
It was only back in December 2024 that Carlos Corberan departed for pastures new, having spent over two years building a solid team, always hard to beat and frustratingly “well organised”. He managed to win almost 45% of his games, which is good in the grand scheme of things. Since the turn of 2025, including two “caretakers”, the four coaches have included: Chris Brunt, Tony Mowbray, James Morrison and Ryan Mason. Watford used to be the team who changed Coaches, like changing socks, but West Brom appear to be catching up.
Moved On:
Names once familiar to opposing Championship Clubs are no longer on the pay-role. At the end of last season, Kyle Bartley, John Swift, Darnell Furlong and Semi Ajayi were amongst those who departed the Hawthorns, mostly on free transfers. They sold Tim Fellows to Southampton for over £9M, whom we welcomed to The Riverside just over ten days or so ago. He was the one who made a hash of shots at goal, mostly hitting row Z!
Mowatt, Wallace and Illing-Junior:
There are some familiar names still plying their trade with West Brom: former Boro-loanee, Alex Mowatt [soon to be 31] tends to play in a midfield role. War-horse Jed Wallace is still doing his job on the right wing, and Sam Illing-Junior [remember him?] has played 20 out of 26 League games this season. Their Top-Scorer is Aune Heggebo with eight goals [+3 assists]. He has played in every league game for the Baggies this season. Second is Isaac Price on five goals [+2 assists]. Perhaps one of the “danger men” for Boro, is Republic of Eire forward, Michael Johnston with nine “assists” to his name.
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They [Fulham] Were a little bit better over 90 minutes, I think. But that`s where we have to get better!
[Kim Hellberg].
Hayden Hackney:
Hayden Hackney proved his weight in gold against Fulham in the FA Cup 3rd Round Saturday! He wasnt the only one of course, but he set the away end on fire and raised expectations above the roof with his goal in the first half.
Sammy Silvera set up Hackney, who arrived on time and put it away into the back of the net. Hackney makes it look so easy sometimes, but he is a real class player whom we have done so well to keep hold of. Every time there is something on social media or on the radio where the name “Hackney” is mentioned…….the antena wakes up in the hope he has told another club he`s not interested. It might be a different story if our wildest dreams arent realised this season. But hey…!
The Scoreline Flattered Fulham:
Boro put up more than just a good performance for about seventy minutes of the game, until the tables were turned: Fulham boss, Marco Silva, brought on the “big guns”, who had that extra bit of quality to finish the job off. The 3-1 scoreline flattered Fulham, whose fans and commentators were “surprised” at how “good” we were and the “quality” of our football. Back-handed compliment, or not, we gave them a run for the money, but just couldn’t match them in the final twenty.
Hackney commented after the game:
I`m disappointed. We matched them and I felt we were in control of quite a lot of the game, but overall I think you`de take some positives from that.
We wanted to come here and try to dominate, to have the ball and create chances, which I thought we did. In the second half, we started a bit slower, but grew into it.
I thought we went head-to-head with them and gave it a good go.
Teesside On Tour:
[Our Fans] were unbelievable, they filled out the whole stand and we could hear them all game, fantastic support, so thank you.
Us fans made more noise than the home crowd. 5000 Teessiders on tour!
Hellberg`s Disappointment:
Hellberg also commented after the game that he felt “goosebumps” coming on to the pitch hearing the roar and passion from the 5000 in the away stand!
Our Head Coach, perfectionist such that he is, was also disappointed, but believed Fulham were “there for the taking”. He was proud of the teams approach to the game, the tight press on their midfield and back line and general play. He acknowledged that for about seventy minutes we played well, but made no excuses, “big guns” or no “big guns”.
Kim Hellberg was serious about winning and kicked himself after the final whistle. But he said it was "a tough test" and a marker from which to go forward.
A Surprisingly Strong Starting Line-up:
One key thing about Hellberg`s approach was the very strong starting line-up. During the period leading up to the game, he had told the media that the FA Cup was just as important as the league. He proved it, by putting out probably the strongest team he could, given the walking-wounded in sick-bay. Significantly, Matt Targett played his third game on the trot, having come through “the pain barrier”, which was mentioned in the previous Match-Day Threads.
The boys were ready for a tough game and excelled.
Cruz Ibed gets his chance:
Hellberg also gave young Cruz Ibeh his first Senior debut from the bench. This is a real filip for all our youngsters who have been promised the earth yet hardly given the chance by previous coaches. At 17, in front of 5000 noisy, enthusiastic, passionate Boro fans, he managed himself well. Hellberg told local media that he believes Ibeh is a very good player and after that chance, needed to go back and train even harder to step up a grade. Hellberg is true to his word. No “favourites” or “pencilled-in” starters on his team sheets. Maybe Sol Bryn [?!], but the rest is up for grabs. Its so refreshing to hear and see a coach actually doing what he says, and no bull-schitt!
Ibeh cruz makes his debut.
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It also means a lot to players to be able to go to a club that can go to to London, and have 5,000 supporters with them! - Kim Helberg`s answer in his press conference on how he "sells" Middlesbrough to potential signings!!!
Kim wants new players to be here for "a long period of time".
There`s a lot of positive things around Middlesbrough, that I think is making it interesting to be a player, and to be able to come here. I think we notice that. The way we play, I think attracts a lot of players. I think we're in a very good spot to find the right ones.
Finn Munroe and Leo Castledine are good players to be here for a long period of time (?), and we need to put belief in the environment. We can make them better, and we see big potential in those two players. We strike a balance all the time, to see who's going to be good here, and take us further ahead.
£££ Money for new players:
Hellberg stressed that is not his concern. That his priority is coaching the players he has. Thats not to say he doesnt have an input into the type of players he wants toadd quality to the squad, but its the recruitment team and the club who decide what they can afford.
Said Hellberg:
But, the question about money, that's not for me to answer. I'm just here to do everything I can with the players I have. I coach them as good as I can, and If this is the squad that's going to finish the league, then this is the squad that's going to finish league. It's just for me to do everything I can to help them. It's other people who are making those financial decisions. We have good discussions and I am involved in that. But, it comes down to their decision and that's that's not my question to to answer.
Transfers and Incoming`s:
Its interesting now, as we reach half-way through the “Transfer Window” to look at who has come through the door, who is likely on their way out and whom we have been “linked”:
Leo Castledine has been already labeled “unconventional”, but he has league experience in the tough lower EFL Leagues, for Shrewsbury [!] and Huddersfield. At Shrewsbury, struggling against relegation, he showed he had balls and dint drop his head. He stuck to his guns and dug in. Thats the sort of lad we need to fire up and sustain our challenge for promotion. He maybe only twenty and likely to make mistakes, but even our “old heads” are prone to a few of those. Sometimes youthful enthusiasm can overcome age and experience, by taking big risks. Hellberg told local radio that Boro need to go for the jugular right now.
Malanda also has the chance to start making a name for himself, like he did on his debut. Adulation from us fans aside, we now need to see consistency and seeing how he adapts along our ever-changing back line.
Matt Targett still has a big question mark over his head, which is a shame. He`s made it quite clear he likes it at Boro, getting game time and not just being a bit-part player at Sid James Park. Hopefully, Howe will sort his injury issues, otherwise Targett will be left wondering what is happening to his career. If Boro decide they want him, there will be the big question of affording his “huge” wages, reportedly in the region of £90,000 per week !
Young left-back Finley Munroe has joined form Aston Villa, who was playing for Ian Holloway`s Swindon Town. At 21 he joins our band of youthful players and at a reported £300,000`s seems a sensible decision for the club. Starting out at Chelsea then signing for Villa, he has already spent a season on loan at Real Union in Spain. That kind of experience, for a young man abroad, shows a desire to get on and not just trundle along. His experience in the Premier League, albeit one sub appearance against Crystal Palace will be welcome in the squad.
Jeremy Sarmiento: Who wouldnt want to swap the sea-shore of Brighton, with a rusting old pier, for the broad sweep of sea and sand on the North Sea coast of North Yorkshire. From South Gare to Whitby, via Staithes and Kettleness......Come on Jeremy lad. We know it makes sense!
Stop Press: Lucas Engel has left the Boro for Real Salt Lake FC on a permenant deal, for a reported £750K. Its no surprise really. 53 appearances in two years. For me, he was always that little bit short when it came to Championship standard.
Burgzorg? Dieng?
There has been talk of Burzorg departing the Boro for pastures new, but I would suggest the team wouldnt miss his limited ability and average standards of performance. If we want to go-for-it this second half of the season, we cant carry “passengers”. Sometimes we have to admit Boro need to upgrade and replace existing squad members with better quality. Dieng, of course, is another player who wont be missed and may well be at Hull City by the time we face West Brom. We all know that opinions vary amongst ourselves about who we think should stay or go,.
Morgan Whittaker is our top scorer, just one off top of the Championship. Some fans had their doubts about his ability to perform,
but he as proved us wrong.
Fans. Changing our Minds:
At the start of the season, our top scorer, Morgan Whittaker, was considered early on as “lightweight” and ineffective by some. Now he is key to maintaining our healthy points total and ensuring we remain in Second place in the Championship. Sammy Silvera has improved since Hellberg sprinkled “magic dust” in the dressing room and it also questionable whether several other players will be shown the door? Silvera has come on in leaps and bounds since our Swedish coach arrived. No one knows what goes on behind closed doors in the football industry. There`s nothing wrong with speculation and hopeful anticipation by us fans. There is, of course, the vexed question of “what next” for Tommy Conway….!? We wait and see. Tommy puts himself on the line every game, and probably needs a breather. There are also rumours and speculation that another forward player will soon be signing up. Its half-way through January, so there`s plenty of time to see comings and goings......
John Hendrie summary on Red Radio:
Our former Boro favourite had his say on the Southampton game. He never holds back and always injects a sense of humour. Summarising the Fulham game, his comments included that, Marco Silva, watching from the stands must have been scared the way Boro were playing, otherwise he wouldnt have brought on his big guns. It was fine margins, and split timing in the end. The boys gave a good account of themselves. Rather than concentrating on the negatives, its taking positives from the game.
Rogues Gallery:
What more can you say? Bandy, Yusuf and the lads at Fulham!
“Bread and Butter” and Up The Boro:
So here we go. Back to “the bread and butter” of the Championship. Cut and thrust, game after game, players coming back from injuries, others getting injured. Facing a team with a new Coach who wont have had five days to get ready by the time we turn up. Its hundreds and hundreds more Boro fans turning up in the middle of the Black Country on a Friday night. After West Brom, we have two games, Stoke away, then Preston at The Riverside. We know there are no easy games.
Eio Eio Up The Football League We Go:
Onwards and upwards folks. Believe. We are where we are because we`ve earned it and deserved it. Hellberg has learnt from Fulham and from that four-game barren spell. Whittaker nearly scored again against the Cottagers and Conway hit the woodwork. No worries, lets go for it!
Up The Mighty Boro!
@r00fie1
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