[retired_physicaltips]

so, how long before southgate's back playing?

[retired_wendyhiestand]

Originally posted by Razzler:
<BLOCKQUOTE>FRIENDLY: FT Heerenveen 4-0 Middlesbrough

Oh, dear ... defence is not looking so hot, chaps </BLOCKQUOTE>

Didn't help the ref sent off one of our defenders after he tugged a shirt and gave a pen away after 8 mins. The Heerenveen manager even ran on the pitch to tell the ref to reverse the decesion but to no avail.

We are still in desperate need of a defender. I don't think the likes of Bates and Davies are good enough and Wheater and Hines aren't ready yet. Tonight showed that.

Team was;

Boro: Turnbull (Knight, 46), McMahon, Taylor (Bates, 69), Hines, Wheater, Morrison (Davies, 17), Kennedy (Liddle, 75), Downing (Boateng, 46), Johnson, Mendieta (capt), Maccarone. Subs: Rochemback, Yakubu.

[retired_Fit]

Didn't help the ref sent off one of our defenders after he tugged a shirt and gave a pen away after 8 mins.

:eek: :thdn:

You're pretty much going with Yakubu/Viduka front line this season ? I thought Southgate was hinting on TV during World Cup that Viduka was leaving ? Maccerone may get some games too then, again, thought i heard he was off on a free to Empoli (great business for them that would be) !

[retired_wendyhiestand]

Neither Viduka or Maccarone are going anywhere. Not after Jimmy left anyhow.

[retired_heidigoebel]

Maccarone wont leave on a free he is out of contract in a year and Boro need him (gah need him!) as he is back up with christie to the front line.

Ive missed a wee bit on the thread, but from my own opinion id have took a gamble on gooch the yank because he cant be more of a liability than ugo, he has time on his side and the premiership is suited to one kicker at the back with one player who stays on his feet (riggott)

anyway might npt be at the coops testimonial because im looking after my weeun

[retired_heidigoebel]

where'd everyone go?

[retired_karenrb]

Hiya.

I'm concerned. I haven't seen much of our play but the pre season results have been pretty awful. 14th again.

[retired_meowmeow21]

Im quite worried about the season ahead. I think its gonna be a relegation fight all season, although i hope im wrong. eio

[retired_frogchickie]

Well I went to the match on Saturday (with a Spurs-supporting mate) and we both agreed we looked pretty good. Obviously lacked any form of finishing though.

Downing was impressive and seemed to almost have a free role, was popping up all over the place. Arca looked good. The strikers were a bit anonymous. Morrison doesn't look the answer on the right atm, I'd play Johnson and Downing.

And, I played in the FMTTM fans match on Saturday morning

That's me in the 1st half team, second from the left on the back

I was playing right wing, not exactly my favoured position We got beat 5-0, but was only 2-0 after my stint finished at HT :cool:

Met Coops after the match, top bloke.

I think we'll be alright this season, expectations seem to be low from everyhwhere so we might just surprise a few people.

I think I heard Coops say Cattermole was off for an x-ray on his ankle, so hope that's not too bad.

My opening day team would be:

Schwarz

Parnaby
Arca
Riggott
Bates (by default tbh)

Downing
Johnson
Boateng
Rocky

Viduka
Yak

[retired_adsi10]

link doesnt work :/

Im not that hopeful tbh. We need defenders. and idont want to spend £4m on Distin.