So it looks like we will not have the squad proper sorted until September. Boro seem content exercising the balance of the transfer window to raise more funds, facilitating the badly needed amendments to a core first team already compromised by injury: Didier Digard is out for up to a month; Gary O’Neil is sooo [...]

Boro’s baptism into the Championship produced a result all too familiar: a tepid 0-0 home draw to fellow promotion contenders Sheffield United. Considering the aforementioned stead of the Blades, it’s not a dire outcome – had it been Donny or Blackpool we’d be indubitably gutted, demanding Gazza’s head on a stick Cromwell-style, along w/ a [...]

The advent of meaningful matches has ushered in a convivial spirit. Goodwill towards fellow supporter and club has been restored at the end of this long and winding road… Optimism abounds as we’re inside 48 hours of the start of a new beginning – the Blades beckon on Friday – is it genuine, or merely masked [...]

Side: West Bromwich Albion F.C. Nickname(s): Albion, The Baggies, The Throstles, West Brom Ground: The Hawthorns From Boro: 180 miles slightly southwest Kit: still trailblazing the sans sponsor look…classic Supporters: anchored by the official West Bromwich Albion Supporters Club, Baggies are renowned for their passion, nous, and intelligence The Yo-Yo Men: constantly suspended between the top two divisions it seems…too good [...]

Side: Watford F.C. Nickname(s): The Hornets, Yellow Army, The Horns Ground: Vicarage Road From Boro: not quite London calling as Watford sits in the north-eastern reaches of Hertfordshire – 4 hours by car Kit: some evolution! The 2006-07 kit was streets ahead of that thing It’s Not A Moose: the large game emblazoned on the crest is actually a hart, [...]

Side: Swansea City A.F.C. Nickname(s): The Swans, The Jacks Ground: Liberty Stadium From Boro: a long slog halfway into Wales – 330 miles, or nearly 5.5 hours by motor Kit: can we get a moratorium limiting any more red/white/black kits in this league? The State They’re In: might be hard to capitalize on last year…Roberto Martinez has done one to [...]

Side: Sheffield United F.C. Nickname: The Blades Ground: Bramall Lane – worldwide, it’s the oldest venue still hosting professional footie From Boro: a little further than Hillsborough at 105 miles – United dominate the southern quadrants of the the city Kit: very continental…looks Spanish, which isn’t entirely negative… Made In Sheffield: the club has blazed a far-reaching extension of The [...]

Boro trudged on back home for final pre-season prep after drawing 1-1 @ Millwall – Rhys Williams continued his uprising by contributing a 4th goal in 5 exhibitions…the gaffer sported a side that probably will not deviate too much from what we’ll see come Friday – Didier Digard, Marvin Emnes, Jonathan Grounds and Gary O’Neil [...]

Side: Sheffield Wednesday F.C. Nickname(s): The Owls, SWFC, The Wednesday Ground: Hillsborough Stadium From Boro: about 95 miles SSW Kit: the home top is like a dynamic rendition of Wigan…the pirate teddy bear sponsor is completely adorable too Wednesday Til I Die: Get giro, Go down pub, Get really plastered, Find a blade, Fuck him up, We are Wednesday bastards!…and [...]

Boro were blunted at Boundary Park – the pristine pre-season was marred in a 2-2 draw w/ Oldham…after falling behind earlier, we stormed back w/ some set-piece perfection; Rhys Williams and Robert Huth both crunched headers home to stake us a lead…it was short-lived as Oldham pegged back quickly…in the end they shared the insignificant [...]