Round 10 results: 6 correct  - 1 perfect scoreline

14 Oct 11

7.45p

Doncaster v Leeds – Keepmoat Stadium

Former Wrexham boss Dean Saunders clearly had a vision for how to start the transformation of a sluggish side stuck to the foot of the table. West Ham defender Herita Ilunga and Wigan keeper Chris Kirkland have joined on loan, French defender Pascal Chimbonda was thrown a short-term contract to help resuscitate his career, and there’s talk of more to come. His tactical model is working a treat too; seven points collected from nine, including an impressive away result procured at Peterborough before the break.

The preponderance of current attention focused on Leeds United does not relate to their much improved form on the pitch, but rather the increasingly murky state of club’s ownership. It’s a tale so turbid it prompts one of the game’s top investigators to cross the media conglomerate divide. All it does is fuel more distaste for the dirty bastards…Donny 2-1 Dirty Leeds

15 Oct 11

3.00p

Bristol City v Peterborough – Ashton Gate

In the end it was time for fresh perspective. Keith Millen resigned his post after long, loyal service to the club. The rumoured candidates to assume his seat are varied: Sean O’Driscoll, Mark Robins, Derek McInnes, Dave Jones, but no Jamo. Disappointing, really – the erudite former England number one oozes managerial nous.

For the Posh, the goals have dried up, and losses have mounted – four defeats in their last six see them near the bottom of the form guide. Also on the rise is the ever-bulging number of football personalities getting punishment for tweeting their minds during fits of passion…Bristol City 1-1 Posh

Burnley v Reading – Turf Moor

The Clarets are finally getting going after a stalled start to the campaign; Charlie Austin and Jay Rodriguez are providing the goals propellant – they’ve already combined for 15 in all competitions. Pushing towards the playoffs will depend heavily on the pair continuing to bulge the net.

Leroy Lita: for reasons still unknown, newly promoted Swansea want an ex-Boro powered strike force to see them through…an original offer of £500,000 was beat back recently, and rightly so…Lethal has thrived under Mogga…and QPR were gonna pay at least three times that amount back in January…fuck off Huw

Marvin Emnes: one landmark goal in a South Wales derby and we’ll never hear the fucking end of it…Brendan Rodgers really fancies our dreadlocked Dutchie, who should have never went on loan there in the first place…it would take a remarkable offer to let him leave…something close to the £3.2m we forked over to Rotterdam

Andrew Taylor: the veracity of this one is in question…it’s only been resurrected cos Malky Mackay got the Cardiff job, and ostensibly would have more dosh to fill his Tayls-shaped ambition, but aren’t Cardiff a financial mess? it’s no matter, Mogga loves the lad and really wants him to sign a new deal before 30 June 11

Julio Arca: it was an anti-climactic exit for the Argie…he hobbled off to his homeland for a knee procedure before the close of the season…his Supporter’s Player of the Year award was accepted remotely, and there’s certain resignation that he’s determined to find a last deserved payday…as long as it’s not at Wigan

Rhys Williams: casual rumours at the surface, nothing more…there’s the longstanding interest from Owen Coyle…the wild machinations that Arsenal is in for him, willing to come north for a money-spinning friendly as part of any deal…any offer would have to be gobsmacking, with sufficient sell on clauses and escalators

Matthew Bates: I think this was the product of Paylor playing with his meds…there is no evidence of any such activity in this virus ridden receptacle of news and links…plus, who wants a permacrocked is-he-a-defender-or-midfielder insurance liability?

Scott McDonald: it’s fairly surprising there hasn’t been more – hell, any – interest in the diminutive down under striker…14 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions is positively prolific given Boro’s lack of reliable scorers the past few seasons…it’s the prohibitive wages that outstrip his commendable work rate and exceptional technique

Kris Boyd: the cinderblock hanging round our neck…his departure could fund several financially responsible additions, but the only real suitor is a club who now got rid of the gaffer who pushed to make a move for him in the first fucking place…hot European gaffer import Steve McLaren could resort to him as a permanent replacement for Dele Adebola or Robert Earnshaw…but could we bear sending him someplace where his inevitable goals could adversely affect our own objective of finally earning promotion? if only someone could persuade him that these endless offers from Turkey actually include delicious, savoury turkey…

Here are our notes on the action, distilled from the rave-y cocktail of live streaming audio, orderly real-time blog chaos, and existential social networking banter…

Boro experiment with a 3-5-2: Steele, McMahon, Davies, Hines, Grounds, Bennett, Bailey (c), Arca, Taylor, Lita, McDonald. Subs: Ripley, Park, Smallwood, Halliday, Boyd, Zemmama, Haas

Andrew Davies, fresh in on loan until the end of the season from Stoke, goes straight into the heart of an previously untried defence. Barry Robson misses out through injury – Marvin Emnes travelled across the North Sea back to Holland for a family medical emergency. Nicky Bailey takes the armband in the absence of the captain and vice-captain.

1^st half

• Lively Millwall start – a few quick corners, then a decent chance for goal hawk Steve Morison that goes wide – 4 mins
• Ref – Chris Sarginson (Staffordshire)
• Leroy Lita enjoying a decent opening: a free header directed well wide early on, then a run in on David Forde halted by an awful first touch. At the moment he’s the only striker we’ve got who can consistently mix it up and cause headaches for the opposition
• Last 31 in the series: Boro 14W 6D 11L
• Neil Harris strikes in the 14^th min – simple, harmless ball over the top, allowing the old head to get around Davva and half-volley past Jason Steele…Millwall 1-0 Boro
• Steve Morison: bargain of the decade in this league after being plucked from Stevenage
• Boro have seen a decent amount of the ball, but the touches/movement have been benign – Millwall are gaining possession, turning up field, and attacking our goal directly
• Great play Julio Arca; a terrific burst forward, unlocking LL. It’s another heavy touch as he rounds the keeper, forcing him to steer too wide, and giving the defence time to cut down the space
• James Henry is miles ahead of anyone else on the pitch this first half. He’s marshalling this effort to constantly assault and disrupt the visitors
• twitter despatch from @keithlambmfc: new old signing andrew davies has made a massive difference, we’ve conceded in the first half now!! #Boro
• Millwall have conceded just 6 goals in their last 15 at the New Den

HT Millwall 1-0 Boro

It’s a marvel that this is still 1-0; Millwall have had loads of possession and chances. Boro have had chances too – it’s not as one-way as it seems: Arca has fashioned a few openings with inventive passes…Leroy Lita is seeing chance after chance evade him with heavy touches and poor finishing

Adjusting to the new system harshly – Bennett is getting called out of position by the bench, Hines is getting terrorized by Morison and Harris. Can we afford to stick with this in the second half?

2^nd half

• Attendance – 11871 (878 Boro)
• Arca booked for dissent 8 mins into 2^nd half. In an effort to protect him, and his club, Tony Mowbray introduces Merouane Zemmama for the Argentine
• Millwall: one double over Boro in 1967-68
• Tony, Tony McMahon!! Fantastic free kick from 30 yards – great work from Scott McDonald to earn the opportunity…Millwall 1-1 Boro
• End to end, breathless stuff – right after the restart Jason Steele produces a world class save to keep it level…60 mins
• Scott McDonald stamps a remarkable turnaround…terrific ball from Zemmama after his dance on the edge of the box…inspired change by Mogga…Millwall 1-2 Boro
• Fans, missiles, rozzers, stewards; they are all on the pitch…obvious mind games from the smart Millwall supporters, thwarting Boo’s momentum… Chris Sarginson consults with his crew, some of the security staff, and the gaffers whilst contemplating pulling the players off…it can’t end like this!
• Boro seeking first win at Millwall since 1973
• Kenny Jackett brings on a late-match magician…Kevin Lisbie – on loan from Ipswich (7^th diff loan club) – the nomad has come up large with late goals in each of Millwall’s last two matches
• Here comes the surge: Hameer Bouazza picks his spot masterfully after a questionable foul leads to the set piece…Millwall level it 2-2 with 13 mins to play…grandstand finish on our hands
• Lethal Leroy Lita!! This was a chance her couldn’t possible fuck up: astonishing control on the flank from Zemmama, creating enough space to deliver a pinpoint cross. LL made no mistake with his finish… Millwall 2-3 Boro…8 mins to play
• 6 goals in 2 matches…this is an explosion
• adidas should make Leroy Lita a onesie – there simply has to be a remedy to his natural inclination to rip off the top after a goal
• Davva giving himself a concussion with seemingly dozens of desperate headers
• 6 mins added courtesy of the yobs and their shenanigans

GG MOM – Andrew Davies

FT Millwall 2-3 Boro

Took some doing, but Boro finally kicked on in the second half – to come here and get all three points is massive. The mettle displayed to hold on and see this out, after last weeks’ meltdown, is a tremendous confidence builder…

Zemmama had a go at the Dockers Stand during the kerfuffle – Ali offers a terse explanation for his desire to get involved: ’it gets tasty in Marrakesh’. His addition added a new dimension, a spark of creativity and energy that kick-started our attack. Two assists in a relief appearance; he looks a natural for that dynamic role behind two strikers.

Tunnel reaction with Tony Mowbray: pretty draining result – through the intensity of the match you could easily see why they’ve won 6 on the trot at home – Davva: he’s in because he’s done the work, training with the club over the winter holidays – he can help us – a leader on the pitch – disappointed with the first half, but somewhat expected given the required adjustments – had a few words about what is was like to be a footballer in this league – demand the character and composure necessary to improve the overall fortunes – Zemmama: this why he’s here – genuine quality, class with the ball – ref was committed to removing the players from the pitch; we just needed the match finished – hopefully this result is a great bonding exercise for the young defenders

Andrew Davies triumphantly returns: eventful affair – first real competitive game in 4 months – the type of match where the youthful defending was under serious scrutiny – really just wants a chance to play regular football – 1 Prem match in 3 seasons at Stoke – ‘if I’m in a Middlesbrough shirt I’ll always give my best’ – ‘I just wanna do well for everyone’

Standard straight talk from Tony McMahon: ‘I’ll talk about the goal all day if you want’ – smashed it in, may never score another one like it – everyone is buzzing – didn’t deal well with their early-and-often pressure – team answered the gaffer’s questions from half time – redeeming performance from Jason Steele too – referee handled the transgressions well – Davva had a hard time at Stoke, ‘nightmare 2 years’ – he’ll win headers, lead the team, and give it his all

New foreign folk hero Merouane Zemmama: really enjoyed the game – fans created a special atmosphere – spirit in the ground generates enthusiasm between the players – heard prior to the match that Millwall was an ‘aggressive’ place

Saturday – 19 Feb 11

1230p

Chelsea V Everton – Stamford Bridge R4R (winner hosts Reading in R5 01 Mar 11)

Carlito has gone and thrown in towel – the one John Terry conveniently dropped whilst parading the halls during the visit of the new number 9’s wife hospitality tour of the Bridge – for the league title race, and Frank Lampard is the latest to reveal similarly dashed dreams…Everton look to exact a measure of revenge for the 2009 final…1-2

300p

Birmingham v Sheffield Wednesday – St. Andrew’s

A gaggle of ginger gaffers in the respective technical areas…when was the last time that happened? The hosts would surely trade one of these cup runs – they’re in the Carling Cup final already v Arsenal – for league stability…for Wednesday, any type of sustained success will do as they tread perilously in League One, a mere 5 points above another relegation trapdoor…1-0

Stoke v Brighton – Brittania Stadium

#freethebigsam! No longer will we burst out loud at proclamations that one Rory Delap thrown missile accomplishes what 14 Xavi prescient passes do…expect Tony Pulis to release the hounds and unleash some pain on the lower level table-toppers…Gus Poyet may want to park this seaside revolution firmly in the Championship, and no further, if this is what life at the top is like…2-1
515p

Man Utd v Crawley Town – Old Trafford

Crawley Town will not just showing up with their hair parted, suited and booted, to collect a massive check – 9000 or so supporters will sojourn northwest to flood the Theatre of Dreams…afterward they may just be grateful for the day out, and the large-ish check…come on United, there is nobility in helping those less fortunate achieve great things…3-0

Sunday – 20 Feb 11

200p

Man City v Notts County – City of Manchester Stadium R4R (winner hosts Aston Villa in R5 02 Mar 11)

In the blue half of Manchester they’ll go mad for a continued cup run, and an unlikely double is entirely conceivable…Roberto Mancini knows one brand of football currently: isolate Carlos Tevez from his mates waaaaay up front, making him work really hard to get touches on the ball…it works most of the time…3-1
300p

Fulham v Bolton – Craven Cottage

Fulham absolutely shit-hammered Spurs in the last round; risible defending, a sending off, two early penalties, it was over well before half time with Tottenham players having the comport of a soon-to-be-whacked guido digging his own grave…Owen Coyle will get a nice long look at what roughly £3m buys you in the lower reaches of the Championship – David Wheater looks to continue deputising for a sidelined Zat Knight…the Redcar lad introduced himself to Bolton back-up keeper Adam Bogdan with a dodgy half-clearance directed towards his own goal…yep…2-1

430p

Leyton Orient v Arsenal – Brisbane Road

Yes, Arsenal have now demonstrated the requisite spirit for a multi-pronged attack on various silverware, who gives a toss? Leyton Orient are on their way to becoming cultural refugees, the Olympic and football lobbies conspiring to encroach on hallowed, spoken-for territory…the full house and TV dosh should brighten the spirit a bit, in only temporarily…1-3

Monday – 21 Feb 11

800p

West Ham v Burnley – Upton Park

Avram Grant undoubtedly has the empirical experience of dragging a relegation-threatened side to a cup final, but Eddie Howe brings the youthful exuberance and conviction that’s imbuing Turf Moor, confirming what a smart and shrewd hire it was to replace Brian Laws…neither have much to lose, suggesting a possible goal orgy…4-3

Boro makes two changes from Palace: Steele, McMahon, Hines, Grounds, Bennett, Robson (c), Bailey, Arca, McDonald, Emnes, Lita. Subs: Ripley, Haas, Zemmama, Boyd, Halliday, Franks, Smallwood.

1^st half

• Barry Robson makes his return after a nasty leg injury, captaining the side in the absence of Matthew Bates
• @higs8 in for Gary Gill in the expert summariser role
• Boro have sent out an unnamed side only once in 72 matches. That is absolutely stultifying, stretching back to manager who oversaw the freefall that’s brought us here
• Referee: Robert Madley (West Yorkshire)
• Swansea did their last double over Boro way back in 1925. Higgy seizes the opportunity to ask Ali if he remembers doing those games. That’s a smart and easy way to bed in as a broadcast deputy
• £500,000 paid for the peripatetic Scott Sinclair represents some great business by Huw Jenkins. The outlay has netted 17 goals overall this term
• Marvin Emnes, Swansea Tormentor! 8 minutes in he puts Swansea under the cosh – it’s a neat turn and finish to a chance created by Leroy Lita…Boro 1-0 Swansea
• After the goal Mogga continues to implore his charges to pressurise the Swansea defenders
• Julio Arca still dealing with the foot stamp from Palace…picks up a knock in the same area here, but he appears good to continue
• Another week, another horrific mistake from Seb Hines, this time attempting to dribble the ball across the defence. Nathan Dyer is on hand to capitalise and get Swansea level after a whole six minutes after Boro score
• Leon Britton back as the metronome in the Swans midfield after his Sheff Utd nightmare
• If we are deficient in leadership in the heart of defence why don’t we turn to the Haas? A Bayern captain, even if it’s the B team, is still surely good enough for the current fight?
• This match will be decided by whoever terrorizes the others shaky defence more
• Good link up Emnes and Lita…the latter’s acrid touch killed the move after a decent surge up the field
• Jonathan Grounds opens his senior Boro account – a powerful header from a Robbo free kick…David Who? Boro 2-1 Swansea
• The chance for an unassailable half time lead is cleared off the line; Seb Hines was forward, looping a header destined for goal…3 goals in the first 45 minutes could have shattered this Swans defence

HT Boro 2-1 Swansea

Swansea are behind for not taking their chances – Luke Moore, of all people, hasn’t been his usual assertive-against-Boro self. Maybe he’s just a Prem level bête noir?

Boro flagrantly need to tighten up the defence; Hines has had another shocker so far, refusing to impose himself and be a physical force. Going forward we’ve been bright and effective. Leroy Lita should have scored earlier after Emnes set him up. Substitute ‘Emnes’ for anyone else and you have a line suitable for any Boro match report

Apart from the scoreline, there may not be much to shout about. Swans playing with their usual cavalier, no-fear approach, highlighted by their hypnotic passing

2^nd half

• No changes for either side – surely Zemmama and Haas will get consideration for the second half
• Pratley, Gower, Britton have been a force for Swans. Just as we finished reviewing that statement Brendan Rodgers registered his disapproval by taking off Pratley and Britton. Balls
• Angel Rangel tangle? Oh Higgy!!
• Lethal Leroy Lita!! Barry Robson again with a quality ball into the box…easy header to finish – no mistake…Boro 3-1 Swans
• Attendance: 14825 (267 Swans)
• Swans pull one back from the spot – needless push by Arca on Joe Allen…Scott Sinclair converts to make it Boro 3-2 Swansea
• Seb Hines continues to have a shocker…another poor goal conceded whilst we were temporarily down to 10 men. Ashley Williams nods it home while Joe Bennett waits for clearance to return from the sideline…Boro 3-3 Swans
• If there is any consolation from our 3 awful conceded goals, it’s that Swansea are just as dire and unsure at the back
• Merouane Zemmama – wearing number 5 – and Jonathan Franks now up front after Lita and Scott McDonald exit. Diminutive.
• Harsh challenge Mark Gower on Julio Arca, eliciting a yellow. Could have been another colour rightfully
• Richie Smallwood – who Mogga thinks the world of – comes on for a wounded Arca
• Craig Beattie nets an unbelievable winner that stupefies everybody except the 267 away supporters…Boro have thrown away a 3-1 advantage at home and got fuck all from this match

Higgy MOM – Grounds

FT Boro 3-4 Swansea

Sickening finish. Boro score 3 at home and conspire to lose – shocking defending all around today. Swansea were just as jittery, but we couldn’t punish them sufficiently. Serious questions about Hines now. Jason Steele too…

Tunnel reaction with Tony Mowbray: can’t say a lot really – disappointing for the fans – our defending is indefensible – couldn’t stop the ball from going in the net – Whetaer and Bates a few weeks ago, now this – obviously should’va had the 3 points today…need to continue looking over our shoulders – ‘we will improve,  I’m sure’

Barry Robson, commendably honest: scored some good goals when up 3-1; the last 20 mins was diabolical – it’s not just the defence, the rest of the team, collectively, needs to pitch in – we can match the top teams, just needs to be on a more consistent basis – as a team, we need to learn to calm down and get back into it – we played good football, exciting stuff at times – ‘at 3-1, the game should be out of sight’

Boro make one enforced change: Steele, McMahon, Bates, Hines, Bennett, Franks, Bailey, Arca, Taylor, Boyd, Lita. Subs: Ripley, Haas, McDonald, Halliday, Grounds, Smallwood, Park

Pre-match niceties with Mogga: on the progress of Merouane Zemmama –  ‘he’s in a post office in Marrakesh probably’

Jonathan Franks in for Marvin Emnes (groin), who failed a late fitness test

35 played in this series – Boro: 13W 9D 13L

1^st half

• Dougie Freedman is still searching for first win. He’s been permanent for a month, fostering a stingy defence that hasn’t conceded at home since 09 Nov 10. His number two Lennie Lawrence shared a few hearty moments with Mogga pre-match
• Jason Steele and Joe Bennett get the call for the England U21 match in Empoli against the Italians
• Julian Speroni – looks a bit gruff…and heavy…’you sound like Brucie’ quips Gary Gill
• Arca the, ahem, Arcatect
• Ref – Roger East (Wiltshire)
• Matthew Bates off with hamstring knack after 22 minutes. Jonathan Grounds comes on, leaving Maxi  Haas to still wait for his English debut. Crutches for the captain? Nah, he’s proper hard…
• Macca took the armband after Bates exit
• Boro looking to score in 9^th consecutive league match
• More poor composure from Leroy Lita…had Speroni committed and scuffed his shot
• Anthony Gardner having a Kalifa Cisse-esque shocker
• Dean Moxey the standout Palace man so far. A cracking piece of late transfer business from the looks of it…he’s the standout presence in this Palace side looking to close the gap between them and their current opponents
• ‘A catalogue of errors’ leads to Palace’s opener – awful play from Seb Hines…goal claimed by James Vaughan…Palace 1-0

HT Palace 1-0 Boro

Loads of possession for us, with no end product. Arca has been masterful, completing at least as many passes as the hosts combined. Bates exit has really had an impact. Hines shocking during the concession of the goal – Vaughan outmuscled the young centre back entirely too easily. Get your head on son and repay the favour this half…

Scott McDonald can change the shape for us – he can get forward and profit from the fruitful passes Arca and Bailey are offering

2^nd half

• Franks off – Cameron Park on
• The strikers must be strong, getting the ball to stick…keep possession and be stronger
• Darren Ambrose denied a chance to possibly kill it off…great save Steele
• Boyd off – McDonald on, vociferously
• 15 mis left – no subs left to reshuffle – who will conjure up the magic to get us something
• Att – 14060 (1315 Boro)
• Hines heads up front for a last roll of the dice…with Boyd off there’s a decided lack of height in the attack…

GG MOM – Arca

FT Palace 1-0 Boro

One mistake punished us, though to be fair they could have had 2 or 3. We dominated possession and did fuck all with it; not a good sign to do this away against a team below you. Boro’s glaring, flagrant lack of presence in the Palace penalty box ensured we wouldn’t be a threat. Confidence waned as the match progressed. And once Bates left the spirit disappeared entirely

4 points from 9 – simply not a good enough return against teams in the bottom three. Obviously the Preston lapse set the tone for this critical run

Fans openly questioning transfer window logic – £2m  wasn’t enough for Lita? And why no reinvestment in the squad? Mogga’s admission that the club wanted, and needed, to move more players around in the transfer window will sting throughout May – summer will be the time for wide range perestroika

Tunnel reaction with Tony Mowbray: punished quite a bit for one mistake in this division – standards slipped – the squad didn’t succeed with the game plan in training, and it showed – Matthew Bates: hamstring injury confirmed ; less than ideal training conditions may have played a role – Grounds is better with ball at his left foot; he played well ahead of a potential English debut for Maximilian Haas – another day and it’s 0-0, no-one deserved to win the match – Cam Park; late call to plump for Franks after Emnes was ruled out; he came on because we needed a creative player on the pitch

Nicky Bailey needs consolation: disappointing end to a good run – got ‘caught up a little bit’ – ‘didn’t create enough or play well enough as a team’ – not trying to make excuses, but the wind ‘was everywhere’ and the pitch was ‘bubbly’

Julio Arca, Boro’s new best interview: too a nasty kick, leg is hurting – ‘we tried everything’, ‘couldn’t find the space’ – they waited for us to make a mistake, and apart from the goal they created nothing – ‘frustrating when you can’t break in’ – regarding Swansea, it could be better for us to play against a team that wants to play good football…slightly elitist eh, Julio?

Boro employ a fluid 4-4-2: Steele, McMahon, Hines, Bates, Bennett, Bailey, Arca, Taylor, Emnes, Lita, Boyd – Subs: Ripley, Haas, Grounds, Smallwood, Park, McDonald, Franks

11 academy players in the squad, rendering it easier to name the foreigners: Bailey, Arca, Haas, McDonald, Lita, Boyd, Emnes

Maximilian Haas has been allocated squad number 3

Having a listen to Mogga’s pre-match with Ali. He describes Richie Smallwood as a pragmatic footballer. Perhaps the best bit of January business was inking the young talent to new long term deals – Smallwood, Joe Bennett, and Seb Hines are in on the ground level of this renaissance

1^st half

• Extremely low crowd in this unfashionable midweek fixture – only two coaches full of Scunny support, and they’re only about 90 minutes away

• Ref: Rob Lewis (Shrewsbury) – this is his Championship bow. Does this mean we can harshly scrutinise his performance and infer he doesn’t know the laws of the game?

• Early clanger for Matthew Bates – after some panic it’s determined he just needs some tissues stuffed up his nostrils

• Kris Boyd, still around after a series of transfer dominoes failed to fall fortuitously, makes an early mark in the match, just like at Glanford Park – an easy ball over the top from Seb Hines leads to a decent finish past a hapless defence…7 mins in and Boro lead 1-0

• Boro lead the recent series 9W 4D 4L – Scunny haven’t won on Teesside since November 1961

• Woeful defending on display by the visitors. Keeper Joe Murphy remains out with an ankle injury, so Josh Lillis – himself the lad of former Iron player and assistant manager Mark Lillis – is tasked with organising this ragtag bunch

• Mogga looks for a spark and a bit of conviction – Taylor and Emnes are ordered to switch their roles on the flanks to make something, anything, productive happen

• Feliz Cumpleanos (tardio!) Julio Arca, who turned 30 yesterday

• Average so far – limited cohesion and concentration – fortunate to be ahead

• Come on and take these corners/free kicks short…be crafty Mogga

• Scunthorpe: 6 away wins this term, which is a smashing return. It’s their home form that’s abandoned them and consigned them to the relegation zone

HT Boro 1-0 Scunthorpe

Much better end to the first stanza, marked by more chances, improved passing, and better attacking intent. The forwards need to ‘liven up’, and they are not the only ones to draw a scornful eye from the Boro technical area.

2^nd half

• It’s the first shot across the bow this half – Julio Arca goes very close with an expert free kick, past a rooted Josh Lillis – great work Tony McMahon to earn the attacking opportunity

• Following the script: Ahead by a slim margin. Dominating the second half. Now what – kill the fucking game like a group of professionals, or bottle it?

• The bench asks it too – where’s the second goal? McMahon and Bennett are the only reliable attacking outlets

• Attendance -14364 (265 Scunny)

• Penna awarded! Then 6 Scunthorpe players mob the referee and force a consultation with the linesman who overturns it. Leroy Lita goes in the book for being ‘over-theatrical’

• Tony McMahon blows kisses to the crowd! It’s a killer free kick that takes a solitary hop on its way in, and Boro have some breathing room…this can be a propelling result

• Abdisalam Ibrahim is sent off – he accrues two harsh bookings to prompt an alacritous red card from the rookie ref

• Last time Scunthorpe came to the Riverside they finished w/ 10 men, harshly (Cliff Byrne the offender), and Leroy Lita was sent off for ‘petulance’ after decking an opponent…LL is on a yellow currently after the reversed penalty decision

• Scunthorpe enduring a wretched run – 1 win in their last 11 league matches

• Cameron Park receives another late cameo – it’s a home debut this time round

• 5 mins added

• Julio Arca pulls rank on the youngsters as he commands the free kick he earned – his effort is top notch, just missing the crossbar in a quest for the third goal

GG MOM – Tony McMahon

FT Boro 2-0 Scunthorpe

Nicky Bailey was excellent again – this is nine or ten matches on the spin where he’s been a masterful technician. The full backs were outstanding, often providing the best attacking options. There’s no underestimating how psychologically important the clean sheet is when factoring recent, and historical, transgressions. In the end it’s a satisfying result.

Tunnel reaction with Tony Mowbray: two goal advantage takes the sting out of the opposition – in the end it was relatively comfortable – disappointed at half time…played poorly for the first time in a long time, couldn’t string together passes and execute moves – have to continue believing in Kris Boyd to help him score goals – no matter who claims the second goal; the win is the only thing – Tony Macca was ’exceptionally good’ – the result is all the more important given the future visits of Swansea and QPR

Tony McMahon tells his mates ‘I’ll ring you back’ so he can chat about the match: the goal was his, full stop – Leroy Lita continued the stick after the final whistle, adamant that he got the slightest of touches on the wondrous free kick – gaffer constantly encourages the full backs to press forward

Final thoughts from Seb Hines: really good performance in the second half – trying to take the opportunity he waited so long for, even with an imported centre back now lurking over his shoulder – the underlying aim is to win; send a statement to every club in the division

Boro with a revamped academy back four: Steele, McMahon, Hines, Bates(c), Bennett, Bailey, O’Neil, Robson, Taylor, Boyd, Lita – Subs: Ripley, Grounds, Arca, Smallwood, Park, Miller, Emnes

pre-match bobs

• Lee Miller, Notts County folk hero, makes a return to the bench – Conor Ripley is named substitute ahead of the injured Danny Coyne

• 4 unbeaten in the league for the hosts – a return of 8 points from 12

• GON/Robbo/Tayls sit on 4 yellow cards – one more merits automatic suspension

1^st half

• PNE – 3 CBs at the back – how does Boro respond to an unconventional system?

• 84 meetings: 37 W 20 D 27 L to the Boro

• Early knock for Robbo as he writhes on the ground favouring his left leg. It must be a hell of an ache to keep him down for this long

• Iain Hume is the new PNE danger man now that Jon Parkin is at Cardiff

• Ref: Mick Russell (Hertfordshire)

• Phil Brown assesses the orange boots of Leroy Lita and thinks ponderously, ‘why flesh coloured footwear?’

• Midway through the first half and we’re seeing betterplay from the full backs, with Tony McMahon enjoying his usual free reign on the right side

• Sean St Ledger on the changes under Phil Brown: things have been much more organised versus the stewardship of Little Ferg, aiding an improved spirit and general goodwill towards their fellow Lilywhites

• For all of the tangible improvement under Tony Mowbray we still struggle mightily with providing quality service for our strikers

• ‘Growing discontent’ from the crowd re: Boyd

HT Boro 0-0 PNE

Lethal Leroy Lita is certainly less so when partnering with Kris Boyd. The links are there with Emnes and McDonald – with the former Rangers hitman it’s a cold a loveless affair. Whoever is upfront needs to be in the box when the full backs are pushing up because  they’re putting balls in. Very important to keep the discipline and not switch off, i.e. don’t get mugged. Ian Hume is ‘a tricky customer’ says Gary Gill

It’s another tremendous start from Nicky Bailey – this is a remarkable run of 5 or 6 games where’s he’s been the midfield stalwart we’ve craved for so long. Seb Hines has acquitted himself well with a confident and composed first half display.

2^nd half

• Robbo off – Arca on…injury gets the better of our resident hard man

• Sustained pressure to start the second half; Bailey in the middle of everything, and Boro are getting more bodies in the box

• Good performance Sean St Ledger. His former loan club are keeping him busy defensively, preventing his patented surging up-field runs

• Phil Brown continues to bend the ear of the ref: Joe Bennett has dived 3 times in his worthless estimation

• Boyd exits for Emnes to wide derision

• Iain Hume and Seb Hines clatter hard, sparking worry for Hume after his head injury at the hands of Chris Morgan last season while still with Barnsley. Both men are good to carry on

• Marvin Emnes has the best chance so far to put Boro further ahead, as the ball falls to him in a Shaun Harrad-esque way. The end product is risibly bad, hit horribly off target

• ‘Like Beckenbauer at his best’ – Matty Bates with a wonder goal to give Boro their reward! Boro 1-0 PNE thanks to a marauding run redolent of a Boro-era Sean St Ledger!

• Andy Lonergan keeping PNE close here – a clutch of stellar saves have kept his side within shouting distance

• Phil Brown and Brian Horton are having kittens on the touchline, denigrating Bennett for perceived continuous diving, and as a result Bennett isn’t getting the benefit of refereeing doubt

• Att: 16157

• Super play from Julio Arca in his limited shift; a terrific resumption of the profitable engine room link up with Nicky Bailey

• Macca keeps buccaneering forward, offering loads of crosses, with varying degrees of success

• Another late switch off, right on the usual cue: PNE deserve fuck all from this match and somehow find themselves level thanks to Billy Jones, who also tallied in the tilt at Deepdale, although less dramatically…Boro 1-1 PNE

GG MOM – Bailey

FT Boro 1-1 PNE

They were dead but not quite buried. We spurned bags of chances to kill this off only to be undone by some dire finishing. That’s what supporters immediately identify at the end of things, and it’s absolutely spot on; Leroy Lita is great in spurts, Marvin Emnes has tremendous promise, but Kris Boyd is a lost cause. The sooner he naffs off to either Glasgow, Grozny, or Bursaspor the better.

Tony McMahon and Joe Bennett were ever-present on the flanks, however the left back was under the keen forensic eye of referee Mick Russell, heavily influenced by the constant shouting and pointing from the opposing technical area. Frankly it was a shocking display of sportsmanship – better yet, a lack of – from the PNE brain trust. This was amateur dramatics at their best from the thespian duo of Brown and Horton

Tunnel reaction with a muted Tony Mowbray: feels worse than a defeat – second half was where we want to go as a football team – the opposition will always have a chance if you can’t put the ball in the net – we should be beating teams like this at home – we want to get the Tayls situation resolved – Robbo: a gaping hole in his foot – Bennett: fiery, he stands his ground exceptionally, going to be a top footballer – Seb Hines: does the basics well – Kris Boyd: needs to get his head down and work hard, his struggles don’t necessarily reflect his approach in training

Nicky Bailey cuts a dispirited figure: they came here to flood the midfield and make it hard, and they did it fairly well – walking off the pitch you obviously look for something or someone to blame – we have to start sticking the ball away, keep working, and look forward to the next game

Final words with Matthew Bates: wants to keep playing the ball from the back – late switch off is the story of the season – we dominate possession, then concede from 1 or 2 half chances – we were miles ahead in everything – maybe there is a bit of nervousness? – confident that Wheats can excel at Bolton – will be a considerable step up from defending Bristol one week and marking Didier Drogba the next – things are going the right way, looking forward to the games as opposed to earlier in the season

4 changes for Boro: Steele, Hoyte, Wheater, Bates, Bennett, Robson, Bailey,

GON, Taylor, Boyd, Lita – Subs: Coyne, Hines, McMahon, Arca, Park, Kink, Emnes

1^st half

• Leroy Lita: 6 matches as an opponent at Ashton Gate – 0 goals and his visiting sides are winless

• Mogga continues to toe the diplomatic line re: Mido – still a very complicated situation with no quick resolution on the horizon

• Referee: Darren Drysdale (Lincolnshire) – his day job? Sergeant in the RAF

• Bristol City looking for their first league double over Boro

• Barry Robson and Andrew Taylor sit on 4 yellow cards – 1 booking away from suspension

• 15 mins and the match lacks a decided shape and pattern – great start from GON – Robbo/Bailey pairing well in the engine room
• Boro: only 3 away clean sheets in the last 16 months – Leicester, Scunthorpe, and…Plymouth last Easter

• Attack Kalifa Cisse – looks short on confidence – poor overall by the hosts -  Brett Pitman also appearing woeful

• Taylor/Bennett bracketing Albert Adomah effectively on the wing, preventing Cole Skuse from getting the livewire involved

• Steven Caulker, on loan from Spurs – highly rated – a big, physical, skillful centre back

• Following a predictable formula so far – dominant for the first 35 mins, but no end product…the longer we allow Bristol City to hang around the more we expose ourselves to a late mugging

• Kalifa Cisse’s shocker of a day continues: Lethal Leroy Lita’s late half drive deflects off the Malian to give us a deserved lead just before the half

HT Bristol City 0-1 Boro

Can Mogga afford to depress the accelerator? They have the pace to punish us on the counter – now with the lead we should perhaps tighten up and be difficult to penetrate. And how will we deal with the supremacy? Do we have the discipline and commitment to see this out and claim a great result? Justin Hoyte – hamstring knack – went off on 38 minutes, replaced with Tony McMahon – no word on the extent of the injury after the interval.

2^nd half

• Surprisingly, there were no Bristol City changes at the break – and for the first 5-8 minutes of the second half it looked like the right decision – best spell of the match so far for the hosts

• Andrew Taylor, however longer he remains a Boro player, can in theory provide the optimal coverage for a foraging young left back like Joe Bennett

• 62 meetings – 27 W 18 D 17 L favouring Boro

• Lethal Leroy Lita! 58 minutes he strikes for his first goal at Ashton Gate since leaving Bristol…outstanding cross from Tony McMahon to punctuate the move ending in the goal that should provide an impenetrable lead

• It’s been better from Bristol City, which really was the only way they could go after a disgusting first half showing – Ivan Sproule has provided a nice boost

• Robbo gets a third with his assiduity and determination – great run and a brute finish to beat David James

• Will Lethal claim the OG? Consider the efforts to discredit Sean St Ledger’s Reading goal from last season

• Cameron Park gets his debut, after being denied by the weather against Hull and the tragic circumstances at Burton

• Attendance: 13699

• The debutant earns a late pen and gets England’s David James sent off! He has the cheek and bottle to petition the senior players to take it, but Lethal doesn’t relent…LL steps up and converts for a nice brace to make it 4

FT Bristol City 0-4 Boro

GG MOM: Lethal

What a strong, controlling, professional performance – ‘a perfect afternoon’. See, we can keep clean sheets, and score goals. Andrew Taylor was so good, so effective; Robbo and Bailey had tremendous shifts – a real selection headache now for Mogga considering Arca was on the bench. All of the sudden we’re overrun with capable footballers.

The Boro away supporters (still waiting on an official number) are holding court in the Wedlock Stand. After the final whistle they’re richly applauded, rewarded with shirts chucked in the crowd by the appreciative players.

Tunnel reaction with Tony Mowbray: most important thing is the points – clinical performance, all the talk of being the better team has finally been turned to action – clean sheet should give the defence lots of confidence – Andrew Taylor: ‘my type of player’ – Kevin Thomson: hairline fracture in the same spot that was damaged originally against Leicester…it’s going to be weeks and months before we know when he’ll return

A nonplussed Andrew Taylor: wasn’t expecting to be back to be honest – enjoyed his role on the left side of midfield – massive changes since Mogga has taken over…didn’t get on with Strachan at all, and the changes in training and approach have been abundantly clear – Watford is in for him, and his future here is still very much up in the air

Barry Robson speaks: glad everything fell into place today – we looked like we could score virtually every time going forward – quite annoyed when Lita demanded the pen – boilerplate Robbo reply that makes us love him: I’m just interested in winning football matches, that’s it

• Boro have won the last six versus Rovers…last Donny result was 1957 at Belle Vue – 17th meeting in the series – Boro leads all-time 12W 2D 3L

• In the fetching blue away kit, Boro line up in a 4-4-2 – Marvin Emnes on the left…Julio Arca/ Kevin Thomson in the middle…Gary O’Neil right… Wheats – who had a spell at Donny under Dave Penney – is back, forcing Seb Hines to the bench…Justin Hoyte remains favoured at right back and Nicky Bailey is out ill…the training facilities at Hurworth remain as salubrious as the intimate booths down the local gentleman’s arcade

• Fantastic start, redolent of Scunthorpe! A few telling attacks early, then Emnes does the creation for Scott McDonald to tap in after 4 mins: Donny 0-1 Boro – 6th goal for Mac

• Narrow midfield 3 by Donny – the flanks are there for the Boro taking

• Hosts seize control after the bright Boro start…increased possession led to the equalizer from James Hayter, his firm header placed past Jason Steele to level things after 22 minutes

• Concrete surface at the Keepmoat – no undersoil heating – ball doesn’t roll with any integrity

• Ref:  Carl Boyeson…presided over Mogga’s first match against Bristol City…very liberal that day as no cards were brandished…he’s letting the footy flow here too…that or the cards are frozen to his breast

• HT Donny 1-1 Boro

• Before retreating to the warm dressing room the referee holds a quick pitch inspection with his cohort and the Keepmoat groundskeepers – after a cursory glance and a bit of stomping and forking, we get the thumbs up to carry on, despite a tangible risk of injury to the players

• Boro are gifting possession too easily, allowing John Oster, Brian Stock and company to exert control and probe for openings…after a promising opening the visitors need to regroup and ally the work rate with a better end product

• Current away form: 1W 1D 8L…beyond relegation fodder

• Emnes needs to exploit his newfound fervency with more direct runs at defenders…force them to commit and make a mistake

• Attendance: 9543 (approx 1800 Boro)

• Kris Boyd, on for the ineffective Leroy Lita, is still craving service of any kind – Hoyte is giving a good effort with the usual poor end quality, unable to spoon-feed the SPL’s all-time leading scorer the way he’s accustomed to

• Barry Robson imposing himself w/ some good, telling passes from his attacking position on the left…this is a good sub appearance so far…it’s still unclear if Mogga rates him…perhaps he can evolve into a regular, reliable alternative off the bench?

• Gary Gill MOM – Matthew Bates…no one has really stood out, but his lively tussles with striker Billy Sharp have kept him active and involved

• Boyd blows a chance to wrap this up – terrific work by Bennett and the, ahem, SPL all-time leading poacher cannot get a beak or drumstick to it from 7-8 yards…off to Ewood Park you go to help Venky’s crack the cutthroat Scottish poultry market

• Sickening end to proceedings – deep into stoppage time Donny press and Brian Stock provides the hammer blow…effort mishandled by Steele and bobbles over the line…3 points chucked away…you’d say it’s an astonishing finish, however this is Boro…we’ve been here all too frequently

Tunnel reaction from Gary O’Neil: massively disappointed, should have gotten something – same old story really – next 2 matches crucial versus Forest and PNE in a pivotal Christmas programme

Final word from Gilly: let’s draw a few of these matches – 3 in 22 – we need something to arrest this vile run of away form…