Egyptian Boro Fans

Having seen the Birmingham game on my newly installed satellite system here in Cairo and thoroughly enjoyed the way we played, the pace, the endeavour, and above all the outright attacking nature of the team. I have been amazed at the level of interest in the Prem and more importantly in Boro.

I seriously think that I would have a Boro shirt, with Mido or Shawky written on it, ripped from my back, such is the level of interest.

It probably helps in sparking comments having a Boro Tat' but lots of people as soon as I mention being a Boro fan, are wanting to know all about the Boro. Not just the team, but the town, the people etc.

Ok, so you might say why would you bring up Boro in casual conversation? Well I am sorry for those of you who are a bit on the plastic side, but being Boro is a major part of me, moan as I might when things aren't going well, it is more than just a tat on my arm. As i said to my ex wife when she asked why the Boro and not a tat with her name in it.... "Aw c'mon, I will always love the Boro..." Unintentionally prophetic.

The Egyptians love football, and they really want their players to succeed abroad, and I have to agree that I would love those two to be in a top four team, yeah, thats Boro in the top four, not them playing for someone else. They want to know how we played, how good was Mido, and even though he hasn't played how good do we think Shawky is, and a question I have been asked a stack of times "why you no take Moteab".. Which of course I have no idea, although having seen Ahly play twice in a week I can understand why the 'Gate sent him back, no real penetration. So now you can expect him to get a hatful and the conversation will be back to how little I know :-)

As for Saturdays game.... I have criticised Gareth and Steve Mac in the past, but I have to say the 'Gate seems to have found a formula. The passing was good, the movement was excellent, we just need to be a bit more ruthless in front of goal. I was dissapointed that Ali baba failed to score, because I thought he really deserved it, worked so hard, got into position, I am sure he will get a hatful this season if Gareth keeps faith with him, which on that performance it would be hard to see why he wouldn't.

We need to take maximum points from the next two games, West Ham and the Scum from the Seaside. We have got to ram it so far up the mackems that they can taste it from inside. They looked organised against United, but then again, Fergies Fags looked so uneasy at being shorn of their creative flair that they were not too much of a threat. Lets take six points after the international break and then lets see where we are in the table....



C'mon Boro.

Phew, thank God for that !!

Three points yipee, we are off the mark.

Ok, it might not have been a convincing display but at least we have got points on the board before next weeks clash with the monochrome mackems.

I haven't seen the game so forgive me. I had to "watch" it on BBC's online commentary... Gary Lineker said he preferred to watch Wimbledon on teletext because it was less boring... Sorry Gary you have never tried supporting a team and watching on something that only updates every two minutes. I really don't have any finger nails left, and when the Catt got the second goal all I could do was pace around the place waiting for the next update, all the while dreading it would go the wrong way.

A couple of goals and what sound like reasonable assists will give everyone a real shot in the arm. Mido will be flying, as long as the ankle he turned is ok. It doesn't matter how you get them, the first goal for a new club is absolutely critical. Look at the flak big Peter Crouch took when he didn't score for ages. Closer to home I still remember Peter Davenport struggling badly after he didn't get a goal for a while, it took him ten games eventually, but as these things turn out his first Boro goal was against his old club.....Man U. Knock out. In the same game I recall Gary Pally getting a hard time from Mark Hughes, until he kidney punched him about half an hour in. I couldn't beleive the ref and linesman hadn't seen it, almost everyone in the Holgate did !! We just about pissed ourselves at the sight of Sparky going down like a sack of spuds and Pally just jogging away looking at him like, "whats up with you?"

I just hope we get a few players back for next weeks big game, we have to turn the black'n'white shite over. Looking at the comments on a few of the chat pages, they are butting in left right and centre gloating about how good they are. I hate to say it but they look like they could have a good season, filth. It would be nice to bring them down a peg or two (oh please, oh please, oh please). Hopefully by the time we get around to playing the other bunch of trash up the road Mr Keane will have been humbled a little bit. Far too arrogant that one, although I have to say I loved his rant at WAGS in the middle of the week.
I have lived in London and its a fantastic place to live if you've got the cash to enjoy it, but to be honest, the shopping is not that great, don't get me wrong, all the big designer names are there and you can spend a fortune on really nice stuff, but it takes you hours to get there and back again and there are so many hassles involved, even if you have got a big limo and you can park where you like. Sorry, but I prefer nipping into Psyche, across the road to Bakers, then down to Triads, or if you have to do a lot of stuff in one go, nipping up to the Metro Centre. What are these boys like letting the Totty rule there lives, well said Mr Keane. Now shut up and get your team back where they belong.... In the Championship.

I won't pass comment until I see how we played, but a win is a big confidence booster, now we have really got to get behind the team and lift them against the barcoders. Lets show them who the top team in the North East is.

C'Mon Boro.

What a start to the season !!

Ok, lets not get this out of perspective, we haven't had a good start, but we have had worse. Remember McLarens first season in charge, lets hope we don't have the same thing obviously but lets give Gareth some time.

Being in Egypt I am getting some interesting feedback from the locals, Mido could be a good signing if we can get him fit. The Egyptians don't think he has an attitude problem and they rate him highly (check out my post on Egypt to get that into context though).

I have also heard that we are supposed to be in for another player "the best midfielder in Africa" was the description, plays or played for Al Ahly, (Sometimes the translation can be difficult), now this means a few things, Ahly are indeed the best team in Africa at the moment, but having seen a couple of their games on telly (a bit like Sven eh!!) they aren't quite European standard, however if he is that good, I hope we get him. Whoever he is?

It seems like we have kept our Jeckyl and Hyde standards from last year, but without the cutting edge of the big Aussie. I hope the press speculation dies down soon for Yakubu, or we sell him and bring in a huge name, because its clear all of the talk is getting to him.

What we need if we sell the Yak is a real quality strike and not one of these Beattie types. Although I don't know where we would pull that one out of the hat, so i would prefer to see the Yak get his nose back to the grindstone.



I am really worried about Gareths strategic thinking.

The last two games we have ended up depleting our strike force toward the end of the game when we desperately needed goals. I admire young Wheater, I think he will go a long way in the game, but pushing him forward as a battering ram at the end of the game i snot what he is there for. It was one thing for Brucey to push Mogga forward all those years ago, or even everyones favourite spud, Big Al Kernaghan*. But come on GS sort it out man, you need to plan every avenue before the start of the game, not make it up as you go along.

Don't get me wrong Ilike GS and I think he will be a good manager, but right now I think strategically, the team of him and Super Cooper are abit lacking in that department. Maybe we need a little help in the backroom form a man with the experience to make a few subtle changes in the pre match planning. I don't mean El Tel, but someone with that level of experience might be a useful addition to the team.

*I have recoded a few thoughts on the good old days on a post entitled "Ayresome Days".