It seems extremely slow on here today, and aal we seem to have is doom and despondency aboot the finanshul results.

Have we forgotten the small matter of a local derby tonight? We've dropped 2 places in the league withoot kicking a baal. We need to make up that lost ground, and tonight is an ideal opportunity. I hope the talk in the papers over the w/e aboot Shearer being refreshed after the first mid-season break he can remember is going to kickstart his season. After a goal at City, he surely must consolidate tonight?

I sincerely hope the Toon TV jinx doesn't rear it's ugly heed tonight.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Answers

This is a must win game in my book. We have to start beating average sides. I have good vibes today and a bottle of Old Peculier that I found in the back of a cupboard!
It's gonna be a gud'un!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

I thought it was because everybody had had as much as I had to drink this weekend and was hungover, hence the lack of input today.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

me too kegsy , im eating tomato soup at me desk .. v sad !

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

I was exceptionally drunk on Friday (the drunkest I've ever been) and then had dinner with friends on Sat and drank 2 bottles of wine, and felt fine yesterday morning and then I only had a couple of beers last night and I'm hungover today. I guess it meant I was legally drunk all day yesterday.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

I was the model of sobriety over the weekend. Tonight could be different.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Local derby? You are having a larf?

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Taxi to the ground for me - right outside the away end so we don't have to run the gauntlet across the bridge. I've been practising being loud all weekend so hopefully it will come across on the telly.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

I've already started for tonight - meeting Loony Toon and Softie in the Strawbeery for lunch - hic!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Sing your hearts out for the lads , sing your hearts out for the lads ...

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Any of you see Lonly remind him to give me a wave!

I will be in the lounge watching so will not be listening to the webcast tonight!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Yeah what's this local derby crap Screach!!!??!

I'm convinced we're gonna lose (no not just doom and gloom!)...it's just that these are exactly the type of games we've been fucking up for the last couple of years....3 points to put us in a reasonable position and keep us in with a shout and we go and fuck it up....I'm that conviniced we're gonna lose that I'm gonna be over the moon with a draw!

Was pissed on Friday (very pissed!), sober and hungover on Saturday and sober yesterday...

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Sorry Gav. I forgot my html tags. My terminology was somewhat loose (a bit like my bowels of late).

I agree with the sentiment that this is one we must win - but so were others this season, and in the past - and we didn't. But this time will be different. Won;t it?

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

I woke up this morning with great anticipation for tonight's game, we're gonna stuff Boro' who will be defensively out of sorts so much with our attacking play. We may concede one while Boksic is on the pitch but that all adds to the spectacle.

Hammered on Friday night, hammered on Saturday night and happily merry on Sunday night. Also found out that Green tea is a n excellent hangover cure for me!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Not hammered at all over the weekend, don't have strong feelings as to how we'll do tonight. More just a nagging feeling that I'm going to go nuts trying to get to DC thisafternoon, miss kick off, miss the only goal(s) of the match and/or see the remains of a boring draw(0-0 or 1-1). Of course if my appt runs late and I don't get to DC at all, I'll come home to put on the webcast and listen to Al put 5 past the beggars. I can't win.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Green tea is sublime if you've a hangover and normally free in Chinese restaurants. Actually, I had good feelings but that SKY feeling came over me. Plus, we really want to beat Everton at home. Can you see us winning two games in one week?

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Team:

Given Charvet Goma HughesDomi Solano Lee Speed Dyer Shearer Cordone Subs:Harper, Lua x2, Bassedas, Marcelino, AN Other
I hope YBR kmows what he's doing. I don't want to remind you what happened last time he chose a different side from me ;-)

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

AN Other replaced by Gallacher.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

And who's this AN when he's at home? Are we trawling the Far East for players now? As long as he scores goals, I'm all for him!

Got out of pt too late to get to DC, BUT I may have satellite installed right here at home in time for the replay later tonight. Fingers crossed!

I'll be here as long as possible. The installer may need to access my phone line, so may have to log off. eeek.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Twevor Fwancis weckons we might plat 3 at the back with Nobs and Domi as WBs.

Howay me Bonnie Lads!!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Well, I'm much happier to have the tried and true Gallacher!

AN really should train a bit before his debut ;-)

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

I don't want to remember last time he tried three at the back...

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

gawd. Metro is already making me nervous. Carrying on about how relaxed we look, like a team who knows they have lost here since 1972."But all that can change when the whistle blows. Anyone can go to pieces". yikes.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

AND metro has just given what our league position could be if we win. Anything else they can do to jinx us??? *sigh*

CMON LADS!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Oh God - I hate it. Right, Boksic hat trick to titillate the home crowds. Gary On Me Heed Son Speed scores our consolation goal.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

My but we're cheery tonight, aren't we Dougs? ;-) I'll feel much happier when Big Al is on his way to his second hat trick of the game.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Hmm. Ciara, I hadn't thought about wor league position until now. I am NOT going to look it up.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

DON'T! No mention of league position on the bbs!! Until after the game. GAwd, Shay just saved a Uncle Fester shot.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Ciara, have we had any of the ball yet? I seem to recall the last Boro game being like a game of 5 a side.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

PS, Ciara, any indication of formation?

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Not sure. Was just dealing with the satellite installers. I can't get satellite after all. Stupid tree just a couple of feet too far over and blocks the signal. :-(((

Fraid the game doesn't sound much better. Came back just as Boro broke down the other end after Cordone failed to play in Dyer. Metro says Hughes and Given saved us

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Oh heck. To quote Johnny Bravo "This isn't gonna end well".

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Anyway, it's about time Shearer got us a goal. #40K a bleeding week surely requirtes at a least a goal a week. If Boro win they'll go above us in the table - sorry, Ciara, Hon, had a wee pewk while you were offline.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

eh? Goal? What's going on? I'm just back online after my pc decided to crash a few times then had to fire up the laptop. Metro did just say Bryan Robson and Viv "won't liek what they've seen" that it's the first time Boro have strung 3 passes together in awhile.

Anyone out there watching this near a computer?? What's happenin?

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Spokle to soon...SHEARER!!!!!!!!!!! Chants of "England's number one" from the Toon Army followed by "same old Shearer, always scoring" :-D

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Sheera! Woo-hoo!

Morning all...er, ciara anyway....!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Sorry, pet, didn't mean to mislead you. I meant that it's about time he got us one, not that he had got us one.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Sorry - I gather he has got us a goal.... I think. I;m too frightened to celebrate in case my information is wrong.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

spoke, too ;-) Hi Min! I think Dougs is off being ill. She seems to have made it a habit to miss Shearer goals. ;-)

Apparently Bassedas(??) scored, but was called back for offsides.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Hee. Welcome back, Dougal! :-) Metro are now saying things have been one-sided. To us. See....I said if I didn't make it to DC we'd have a good game. Happy, but rather frustrated that I'm not seeing this

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

can't believe it - late night, late waking up this am, switch on and connect and no sooner did the Big Man score. Don't you just love it....! ;))

How are we doing? Seem to be in control....

Hi Ciara - cat still stuck? ;))

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Hello Dougal - sorry, not ignoring you - just caught up on all the messages on this thread. Positive thoughts go a long way you know...!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

ah! It's you, Min. Go back to sleep and wake up again in 15min or so! Repeat for the next hour. ;-)

Metro reckons we're making Boro look "a shadow of their former selves". Shadow of sh*te?? Hmmmm....

Cat finally out, now lounging on top of the coffee table. Had to call the fire dept to come free him. Very embarrassing, but at least they got somethig to laugh about. And one of them was rather cute, so I didn't mind too much. ;-)

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Englands number one! Englands Englands number 1 And we was also robbed!!!! :o)))))

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Hard to complain after such a dominant period. But it's oonly 0-1 and we deserve to be ahead by three clear goals. Cordone looked less offside than Shearer at Maine Road, so I guess that's even on balance. In fact, the Sky Techno Gizmo just showed he was level.

But with a bit more application, we could have this game won out of site. We're playing 3-5-2, woth Nobby and Domi on the flanks. So why does Nobby seem to be tied to the centre spot on a 30 yd piece of elastic? If only he'd het out wide more, that would give more space for the rest of midfield and allow him to put in some great crosses.

I thought Speed was having a relatively poor game in the beginning, but credit where it's due and he made the goal for Shearer. But I woudn't be surprised if Bassedas comes on to replace him at some stage - or perhaps Rob Lee who is also not totally in control and was bliddy lucky with an awful backpass that Given cleared.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Er Dougal. I did warn you..................

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Anyone else having problems refreshing this page? It's either going incredibly slow or I'm getting "cannot reach page" or something like that.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Too late., my american cousin - already had the coffee on the stove and i'm now fully awake and raring to go....if i can get the webcast back that is....;))

Good to hear about the cat - AND a cute Fireman? I'm hoping you took a leaf out of Gav's book and got his number....? ;)

hello Jay...

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

After 30 mins, Sky reckonned we'd had 70% of the play. Probably ended 60:40 or maybe even 65:35. We should be more ahead than we are.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Stamp on for Flemming. I'll be back..........

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

ha..I really do need to learn to be a bit more outgoing. No number. But I did get to put my hands in his..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . gloves.

What exactly were you all thinking???? ;-)

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

bah. That was supposed to be spaced better. Oh well. Back to the game. Go back to sleep Min, we need another goal or 4. Thanks for the updates, Screach!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Cheers Screacher - much appreciated. Sounds a bit familiar - plenty of chances but only 1 goal in it....;)) Do you agree with Metro - best 45 minutes of the season? and can someone tell me - is that Mick Martin co-commentating?

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Hi there, Min. Just went to get some coffee to see if it would calm me down. I dunno why "watching on the Internet" makes me so norvous. I hate it when we miss chances like that: it's almost an invitation for the other team to score. Any sign of Lua Lua?

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Min - I'm sure it's Mick Martin. He was on Cafe Sport yesterday talking about the game (along with Bez, who is so sweet and love us so dearly).

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

All these missed cahnces point to us stuffing someone soon. I'd settle for Everton but would luv it, just luv it, if it was the Makems.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Goma! Woo-hooo!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Cordone to GOMA!!!! 2-0 to us!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Now the test....can we actually hold onto this lead and get all 3 points?? CONCENTRATE LADS!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Mon - what's Gima done? Anyone noticed that we've a Fesrter and Gomez on the pitch? Bout right for the Boro.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Ciara, I quite agree. Until we have about a four cushion goal (In fact a four goal cushion), I can't rest... Still, woo, and indeed, hoo.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

ROTFLMAO!!! Didn't notice the Gomez and Fester connection, til you mentioned it, Dougal! Perfect!

Toon army is all that can be heard now. Ooonnnnne Bobby Robson! :-D

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

big gloves, Ciara?

This is good from what i hear - we're controlling the speed of the play and if there's a criticism of this season, it's been that we don't control games and dictate the play.

"There's only one Bobby Robson..."

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

THERE'S ONLY ONE BOBBY ROBSON, ONE BOBBY ROBSON, WALKING ALONG, SINGING A SONG, WALKING IN A ROBSON WONDERLAND.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

>Still, woo, and indeed, hoo.

Doug, that's not you being positive is it? I wouldn't want to misinterpret a bit of enthusiasm for positivity...;))

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Big enough :-)))

Hopefully this will give the lads a bit of confidence. As long as it doesn't go to their heads. Sounds as if Bobby and Wadsworth are still giving out, so they aren't yet entirely happy with things.

Geez....Boro just shot over the bar. Boksic. CONCENTRATE!!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Bollox - we're letting them back in to it. You can't do that with Boksic on the pitch. CONCENTRATE YOU 'ORRIBLE LOT.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Dyer blows another chance. Guess that explains why the other players seem to keep ignoring him when passing the ball. ;-)

Lua Lua coming on for Cordone

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Lua Lua is on for Cordone - hello all BTW

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Oh No. Brian Deane's coming on. I'm scared now... Can't understand why he left a world class player like him him on the bench....;))

Yeah! Cordone for Lua-Lua! That's more like it! Go young 'un...!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

We can see you sneaking out!

Boro (un)faithful starting to leave. :-)

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Men against boys!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

aaargh - lost the webcast for a bit - 2 mins is a long time isn't it?

hello chevy ;o)

ooooh, another chance to us....

They'll be leaving before the paint starts peeling from their cars...;)

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Remember when Ruud Gullit was gonna buy us Karembeu?

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Good thing he didn't. Sounds as if Karembeu is having a howler....along with the rest of em. ;-)

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

he wasn't was he? He was probably just after his girlfriend...can't blame him for that...;)

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Right, now lads, jus about 10 more minutes and you're sorted. CONCENTRATE.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Toon army 5000 strong!

Lua Lua just came close to goal. :-)

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

DYER!!! from Shearer cross, Lua Lua headed down for Dyer.

3-0!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Great! I hope that breaks the jinx on Kieron!!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Dyer!!! HA HA HA!

GET IN THERE!!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Sounds like there won't even be enough Boro supporters left to boo their team off the pitch. heheh

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

This is going to be a really HAPPY WEEK. I can savour this!!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Well, Min, knowing wor Ruud (Ruud by name, Rude by nature...) :-)) Actually, no, seriously, he was one of those that fell through owing to the press getting wind of it. Mind you, if it had dreads, the press thought Gullit was gonna buy it (no kidding - we almost got the William sisters at one point).

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Is anybody watching this on tele? Are Boro really useless - or are we really making them look useless.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

me and my big mouth..... ;(((

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Oh geez.....ball bounced off DEANE for a consolation. Still...we've won! Another 3 points and third in the table!! :-D

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Damn. Let them get one right at the end.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Really Doug? Wouldn't have minded the younger one [Serena?] She'd have made a good er, fitness, coach...;)

You're right sounder - a VERY good week....

Woooo-indeed-hooo....! ;))))

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Bring on the Toffees!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

WE ARE THIRD IN THE LEAGUE!!!! Right, we MUST beat Everton on Saturday, it's as simple as that.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Agreed. Boro and Everton are games we HAVE to win if we're to mount a serious challenge for europe. Mind, the same has to be said for Soton and Charlton [at home!]. Still, no souring the sweet taste of victory from me:

"Oh me lads, you shud've seen us gannin'........"

Woo-hoo!

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Well, that was a rather satisfying evening. We totally controlled the game from start to finish. Surprisingly, they had probably as many shots as we did, but that didn't show the real game. Posession was a different matter - 72:28 in wor favour.

YBR on Sky. Doesn't see himself as a long term prospect. Short term? "Got a big job to do at Newcastle. FA have a difficult position. I could do it of it was the FA's decision. Then I would give them an answer. I'm not ruling it out. If there's anyway I can help England (then something about still working with Newcastle - I'd have to see what the Chairman said. England are not quitters. We need a blend of youth and some of our more experienced players."

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000

Hmmm - I seem to have got distracted by a 67 yr old grey haired chap.....

.....as I was saying.

Given - hardly tested but made a key clearance from Rob Lee's cr@p backpass. Missed a cross which he should have got.

Back 3 - Charvet, Goma and Hughes. Not pressed hard but always in control. I could keep them as a three under the right circumstances.

Midfield - Solano looked better when out wide. The usual mixture of brilliant crosses and those which fell too short. Domi had the whole left wing to run into. Looked OK going forward but final ball let him down. Lee and Speed didn't do too much but Dyer had one of his best games. Got MotM on Sky.

Up front - Shearer and Cordone pretty much what was expected. Shearer played with a smile on his face (except when looking at the linesman and ref) and took his goal well. Cordone sadly appears to have flattered to deceive in his early games. Scored what looks like a legit goal which was chalked off for offside. I really think he might be better coming off the bench, and probably will when Cort is fit.

Subs: Lua x2 came on for Don Cordeone and again played well, setting up LKD for his goal and unlucky with a couple of shots hinself.

All together, a cracking game against a very poor side. Sky's virtual reality showed that Cordone was not offside for the goal.

-- Anonymous, October 16, 2000