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Um, very poor performance yesterday but it's not too worrying in my opinion. We have 6 players that could and should come into the team, Rochemback won't though.
I'd like to see Mido and Tuncay as our front two with Aliadiere on the right as Tuncay is simply wasted there. Another right winger would be nice though!
08-16-2007, 06:27 PM
The Middlesbrough 06/07 Thread. "lets get back into Europe!" Post #583
Brian Clough began his football career at Middlesbrough
Ten replica versions of a 7ft-tall statue of Middlesbrough FC legend Brian Clough have been snapped up by football fans hours after going on sale.
The limited edition 18in figures were all sold for £500 each by a memorial committee on Tuesday.
The original bronze figure was unveiled in Middlesbrough's Albert Park in May.
Councillor John McPartland, chairman of the Brian Clough Memorial Fund, said the cash would be used for the maintenance of the statue.
'Hearts and minds'
He said: "I'm afraid people can no longer get their hands on these statues as they have already gone.
"They are now collectors items as we advertised them as the only 10 available, there will not be any more made.
"I can't believe how much the statue is now in the hearts and minds of the Teesside public."
After being injured, Clough carved out a career as a manager and went on to become one of the game's most colourful characters.
He was appointed Hartlepool boss at 30, then the youngest manager in the league.
Later he led Derby County and Nottingham Forest to league championships and won two European Cups with the Nottingham club in 1979 and 1980.
He was awarded an OBE in 1991.
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Mido can lead us to success, says Southgate
Last updated at 14:03pm on 16th August 2007
Comments
Middlesbrough manager Gareth Southgate has expressed his delight at signing Mido from Tottenham for just under £7million.
The Boro boss is thrilled at the transfer which strengthens an attack weakened when Mark Viduka moved up the road to Newcastle in the summer.
Scroll down to read more:
Boost: Southgate says Mido will strengthen the Boro attack
Read more...
Boro keen to get Mido into shape
Sibierski makes it tough viewing for new boy Mido
Harry and Hammers target Anelka as Yak looks set for Everton
Sunderland fail with Arca bid
"We're delighted to get Mido," Southgate said. "It's important to keep strengthening the squad because we're short of experienced players.
"I've been wanting a centre-forward who can hold up the ball. He has got a physical presence and can be a leader on the field. Ultimately he has to score goals as well and I think Mido has all those attributes."
08-16-2007, 06:29 PM
The Middlesbrough 06/07 Thread. "lets get back into Europe!" Post #584
BIG-MATCH FACTS
Gareth Southgate's 50th match in charge of Middlesbrough.
The Teessiders have lost their first two matches of a Premier League season for the third time in their history. They last suffered such a fate in 2003, but two years earlier they failed to pick up a point from the first four fixtures.
Victory for Fulham would equal their best start to a Premier League season.
CLUB FORM
FULHAM
Club stats
Fixtures
1. Gained a first win of the season midweek by defeating Bolton 2-1 at home, after losing 2-1 at Arsenal in their opening match.
2. Lost one of their first five Premier League matches last season.
3. Not won by more than a single goal in 52 Premier League matches, since defeating West Brom 6-1 at home on 11 February 2006.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Club stats
Fixtures
1. One of three clubs to have suffered successive defeats so far in this Premier League campaign; the others are Bolton and Tottenham.
2. Lost 1-2, home to Blackburn and 1-0, away to Wigan.
3. One of five clubs without a Premier League point so far. Aston Villa and West Ham have played just one match.
4. Won only one of the first seven Premier League matches last season.
5. Won one of their last eight away league games; 0-1 at Wigan on 5 May.
6. Victory would take their all-time tally of Premier League wins away from home to 50.
7. The north-east derby, home to Newcastle, follows this on Sunday, 26 August.
KEY PLAYER NOTES
FULHAM
Ins and Outs
David HEALY has scored two of Fulham's three goals so far.
If on the field from the outset:-
Brian McBRIDE will be making his 100th start in a Fulham shirt.
MIDDLESBROUGH
Ins and Outs
Stewart DOWNING has scored Middlesbrough's only goal so far.
Last season, only YAKUBU and Mark VIDUKA scored more than two Premier League goals for Middlesbrough.
If he plays:-
Robert HUTH will be participating on his 23rd birthday.
Andrew TAYLOR will be making his 50th Premier League appearance for the Teessiders.
HEAD TO HEAD
These clubs have never met outside the league.
Although evenly matches in the Premier League head-to-head standings, Middlesbrough have only taken points off Fulham once in London. They won 0-2 on 25 August 2004, courtesy of goals from Mark Viduka and Szilard Nemeth.
Home and away
League (inc PL): Fulham 21 wins, Middlesbrough 24, Draws 7 Prem: Fulham 5 wins, Middlesbrough 5, Draws 2
at Fulham only
League (inc PL): Fulham 14 wins, Middlesbrough 9, Draws 3 Prem: Fulham 5 wins, Middlesbrough 1, Draws 0
LAST SEASON'S CORRESPONDING GAME
Fulham 2-1 Middlesbrough
18 December 2006 - Ref: Mike Dean
Fulham scorers: Helguson 12 pen, McBride 35
Middlesbrough scorer: Viduka 74
REFEREE
Lee Mason (Lancashire)
Premiership referees' table
Lee Mason's 2007-08 Premiership card count
08-16-2007, 06:34 PM
The Middlesbrough 06/07 Thread. "lets get back into Europe!" Post #585
Boro Complete Mido Deal
MIDO has signed a four-year contract after Boro completed a £6m deal with Spurs for the Egyptian international striker.
The 24-year-old, whose full name is Ahmed Hossam Hussein Abdelhamid, has been granted a work permit and is available for Saturday's trip to Fulham.
Manager Gareth Southgate believes Mido can thrive on the sort of service Boro are capable of giving - particularly from England winger Stewart Downing.
"He is someone I played against as a player and he always impressed me," he said.
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"He gave me a hard game and he certainly has attributes I'd like to bring into the team to give us different options.
"When you've got one of the best crossers of the balls in the league in Stewart Downing, you want someone like Mido who can head the ball.
"You want a centre-forward to hold the ball up, to be a physical presence and to score goals. Mido brings all of those attributes."
Asked if Mido would be Boro's final signing of the summer, Southgate responded: "You never know.
"We're still a little bit short of numbers in certain areas of the field, but the chairman has shown me great support in the transfer market this summer so I'm grateful for what we've been able to do."
Mido, who has scored 18 goals in 44 games for African champions Egypt, made his name in Belgium before moving to Ajax and after a loan spell at Celta Vigo joined Serie A giants Roma.
He made a huge impression with Spurs during an 18-month loan spell, scoring 11 league goals in 27 starts in the 2005/06 season.
That eye-catching form earned him a permanent move to White Hart Lane, but with Dimitar Berbatov, Robbie Keane and Jermaine Defoe all competing for striking places he struggled to get his game.
"Mido is a player I believe possibly has a point to prove," said Southgate. "He is a player of great ability, a strong player and a big character - someone who can lead from the front.
"He's got good technical ability and he's a goalscorer. He has proved that in his career in Holland and France and at Tottenham.
"He has got a desire to come here and score goals, and that is an important thing for any team.
"In terms of the squad, we needed another striker and he will give us different options. He's very good in the air, and that will be an important contribution.
"We have got some very good players here, players of great character and big reputation.
"That's one of the reasons we were able to attract Mido to come here. We need strength in depth and I feel we need four strikers to provide competition for places."
Mido will be officially introduced as a Boro player in a press conference at Rockliffe Park tommorow afternoon.
To see the press conference and the first interview with the striker, subscribe to Boro World today.
08-17-2007, 02:27 PM
The Middlesbrough 06/07 Thread. "lets get back into Europe!" Post #586
Despite enduring a torrid opening week of the new season, Middlesbrough boss Gareth Southgate insists he will be a better manager for the experience.
Boro have started the new campaign with back-to-back defeats and desperately need to get points on board at Fulham on Saturday.
While Southgate's side performed reasonably well in their opening day 2-1 reverse at home to Blackburn, they were dismal in Wednesday's 1-0 loss at Wigan.
The failure of the manager's new-look front-line has caused particular frustration.
Boro barely created an opening at the JJB Stadium and while new signing Tuncay Sanli looked bright, fellow summer arrival Jeremie Aliadiere faded as the game went on and unsettled striker Aiyegbeni Yakubu was substituted after a negligible contribution to the cause.
Completing the £6million signing of Mido has improved Southgate's spirits, but he knows his team must deliver a credible performance at Craven Cottage tomorrow.
He said: "We've got to go to Fulham and be as positive as possible.
"We'll have Mido, which will give us a lift and we go there to try and win the game.
"I'll be a better manager for having to deal with the things I'm having to deal with at the moment," he added. "And the team and the club will be stronger for going through.
"We didn't do enough to win the game on Wednesday, we didn't create enough chances or have enough shots and if you don't get shots on target and threaten the opposition goal you run the risk of letting one goal in and that can decide the game. That's exactly what happened."
Boro won just two away games in the Premier League last season and Southgate is determined that this time around his side will be better travellers.
"You want to get that first win as soon as possible and if you can get that first win away from home that's a huge boost," he said.
"We realize the importance of this game and we know we need a reaction after the game the other night and we're hopeful that we'll get that."
The two bad results have been compounded by Boro's injury crisis at the back and the absence of Fabio Rochemback through suspension.
An entire international class back-four is currently unavailable for selection - Jonathan Woodgate, Robert Huth, Emanuel Pogatetz and Luke Young.
Southgate believes it's simply a case of getting on with the job in hand.
He said: "We're now in a phase where we are having an incredible number of things thrown at us and none of them particularly positive so we've got to deal with that.
"You have spells in the season where this happens and we've got one at the start which is really difficult to take.
"We wanted to get off to the best possible start but we've known for a while that we would be a few short and some of our senior players would be missing.
"Quite a few of them would be in the 16 if not the starting XI.
"When we get everybody back we've got the basis of a very good side so it is frustrating but I've got to be patient and make sure I keep things on an even keel because we understand that from outside of here there will be all sorts of flack flying.
"You could lose two games in the middle of the season and it would be quite a big issue but when you lose the first two it almost has an added impact.
"But we're not the only ones in that position and we accept it and get on with it."
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Sanchez delight as Yakubu misses Fulham trip
Last updated at 15:51pm on 17th August 2007
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Fulham manager Lawrie Sanchez is delighted Ayegbeni Yakubu has been left out of Middlesbrough's squad for the Premier League clash at Craven Cottage.
Everton are believed to be closing in for the £11million-rated striker.
Scroll down to read more:
Twin terrors: Sanchez is delighted that Viduka and Yakubu will not face Fulham
Read more...
'Nasty' Mido just the job for Boro
Boro keen to get Mido into shape
Viduka blasts back at Boro's top brass
Yakubu stuns Boro with transfer request after being told - you're staying
Premier League Rumour Mill: Blues battles Boro and Reading for Koller
Fulham v Middlesbrough: Downing facing fitness battle
Fulham manager Sanchez prepared to axe his stars
Gunners rally downs Fulham
Warner tightens grip on Fulham starting slot
Bouazza completes Fulham switch
Sanchez bids to placate Fulham's Rosenior
Middlesbrough beat Fulham 3-1 on the final day of last season, and Sanchez said: "Yakubu and Mark Viduka turned us over last year, so I am quite happy with the fact we are not facing that pair.
"But I have said to my players that Middlesbrough will be like a wounded animal after the first two matches, and their pride will be dented. They will not want to come away from our place without anything."
Diomansy Kamara will have to settle for a place on the Fulham substitutes' bench again this weekend, as David Healy keeps his place following two goals in as many matches.
Sanchez said: "Kamara has not been quite 100% fit; he still isn't - but he will get his time. It's nice that someone is scoring in front of him - that's what we want.
"Last year, if you were fit you played. That did not help the situation. I hope we have raised the bar here, and if you are not playing you will have to wait.
"We have bought new players in and asked them to step up to the plate and raise the bar for everybody."
Sanchez is confident his players have nothing to fear as Mido prepares to make his Middlesbrough debut against them.
The Egyptian striker has completed a switch to the Riverside from Tottenham, with Gareth Southgate's side aiming for their first points of the new Barclays Premier League season.
Fulham have already gained their first win of the campaign, a midweek success over Bolton.
Sanchez feels the side he has rebuilt over the summer will be able to deal with Middlesbrough's latest acquisition.
"Gareth has spent £6million on a proven centre-forward. He is a big lad and he is an aerial threat, but we will deal with it," Sanchez predicted.
"In Zat Knight we have a 6ft 6in centre-half, so I hope he will be able to cope with him.
"I'm not sure how match-fit Mido is, because he will not have played too much and may need a game or two to get into his stride.
"I hope the game against us will be a couple of weeks too early.
"We have done some work with our back four, and they seem to have taken it on board. They did very well against Bolton."
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Fulham v Middlesbrough: Downing facing fitness battle
Last updated at 15:28pm on 17th August 2007
Comments
Stewart Downing's battle to be fit for Middlesbrough's trip to Fulham tomorrow is Gareth Southgate's major pre-match worry.
The England winger suffered an injured thigh in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Wigan and is rated 50-50 to start at Craven Cottage.
Scroll down to read more:
Doubt: Stewart Downing
Read more...
'Nasty' Mido just the job for Boro
Boro keen to get Mido into shape
Mido set for £6.8m Boro move
Viduka blasts back at Boro's top brass
Yakubu stuns Boro with transfer request after being told - you're staying
Premier League Rumour Mill: Blues battles Boro and Reading for Koller
Fulham manager Sanchez prepared to axe his stars
Warner tightens grip on Fulham starting slot
Sanchez: I was wrong to accuse Gunners of diving
Gunners are there for the taking - Sanchez goads Wenger
Catch it here first on video! Wayne Rooney, the Sanchez boys and the search for accuracy and pain
Mido has been named in the squad following the completion of his £6m move from Tottenham but Luke Young (thigh strain) must wait at least another week for his Premier League debut.
Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback sits out the final game of his three-match ban.
Antti Niemi remains sidelined with his wrist injury, so Tony Warner will start in goal for the third match in succession for Fulham.
Forward Diomansy Kamara will be forced to wait for his full Fulham debut, following his summer move from West Brom, as manager Lawrie Sanchez stays with a front pairing of David Healy and Brian McBride.
Sanchez is likely to stick with the same starting line-up that defeated Bolton in midweek.
Philippe Christanval has returned to light training but will not be considered for selection. Ian Pearce (ankle) is still sidelined.
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Mido: I joined Boro because I like the shopping!
Last updated at 16:09pm on 17th August 2007
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Middlesbrough's new £6million man Mido is preparing to shop for success on Teesside after buying into the belief that Boro are heading for a top six Barclays Premier League finish.
In a week in which Sunderland boss Roy Keane complained that too few players were willing to move to the region for consumerist reasons, Mido joked today: "I decided to come here because I like the shopping here."
Scroll down to read more:
Shopping spree: Garteh Southgate welcomes Mido to the Riverside
Read more...
'Nasty' Mido just the job for Boro
Boro keen to get Mido into shape
Mido set for £6.8m Boro move
Viduka blasts back at Boro's top brass
Wanted man Mido in talks with Boro
Yakubu stuns Boro with transfer request after being told - you're staying
Premier League Rumour Mill: Blues battles Boro and Reading for Koller
Sanchez delight as Yakubu misses Fulham trip
Moyes closes in on Yakubu
Premier League Rumour Mill: Hammers switch attention to Yakubu
In reality the 24-year-old Egyptian striker made Middlesbrough the eighth club of a nomadic career because he was convinced by boss Gareth Southgate that the club were capable of clinching a European place.
Mido said: "I believe we have the quality to finish in the top six. Sometimes players say things they do not really believe, but I really believe this club can finish in the top six.
"After I had spoken to the gaffer and what he told me about his plans and how ambitious he is with the team, it is easy to see how this club is ambitious and how it has got that sort of quality."
Mido said he had been "frustrated" by the drawn-out transfer saga which also involved bids from Premier League rivals Birmingham and Sunderland. He will go straight into the squad for tomorrow's trip to Fulham.
Mido's deal will almost certainly spell the end of the Ayegbeni Yakubu's Boro career, although Southgate insisted today that the Nigerian remained part of his plans for the Fulham game.
"Absolutely", said Southgate when asked if Yakubu would be in the travelling party. "As far as we're concerned we need competition for places and he has been a big part of the club over the last couple of years."
Southgate has taken something of a risk bringing in Mido, who has a history of speaking his mind. Most famously, he sat out the 2006 African Nations Cup final in Cairo after rowing with coach Hassan Shehata.
However Southgate insists Mido's outspoken character is precisely what his dressing room needs in order to recover from a sluggish Premier League start and make his new signing's ambitions come true.
Southgate added: "In my experience the best players are the ones that have an opinion and are prepared to fight and go in the dressing room and speak out. I have no issue with that and I think it is something we lack.
"If you haven't got players who will stand up and fight you have got a problem. It is no issue for me at all. In fact it is one of the reasons why I saw Mido and thought he would be perfect for this club."
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Yak 'left out' as Boro wait on Stew
Middlesbrough have reportedly left Yakubu out of their squad for Saturday's Premier League trip to Fulham, while Stewart Downing is doubtful.
Bet on Fulham v Boro
Fulham evens, Draw 9/4, Middlesbro' 9/4. Tuncay is 8/1 to open the scoring!!
Sky Sports News reports that powerful forward Yakub has been omitted from Gareth Southgate's plans for the Craven Cottage clash.
Downing's battle to be fit is Southgate's other pre-match concern.
The England winger suffered an injured thigh in Wednesday's 1-0 defeat at Wigan and is rated 50-50 to start.
Mido has been named in the squad following the completion of his move from Tottenham but Luke Young (thigh strain) must wait at least another week for his Premier League debut.
Brazilian midfielder Fabio Rochemback sits out the final game of his three-match ban.
BORO SHOOT DOWN YAKUBU RUMOURS
Posted 17/08/07 16:42EmailPrintSave
Gareth Southgate insists Ayegbeni Yakubu still has a future at Middlesbrough despite reports suggesting he's on the brink of a move to Everton.
The Boro boss, who unveiled new £6million signing Mido on Friday, also rubbished rumours that the Nigerian striker had been left out of the squad for Saturday's trip to Fulham, claiming he needs more strength in depth.
"Absolutely", said Southgate when asked if Yakubu would be in the travelling party for the clash with the Cottagers.
"As far as we're concerned we need competition for places and he has been a big part of the club over the last couple of years."
Earlier David Moyes was staying tight-lipped on Everton's reported interest in the player.
When asked if he wants the hitman, Moyes told Sky Sports News: "We've got an interest in one or two players.
"The board have been terrific, but we are seeing now if we want Everton to compete, they are going to have to give us some form of tools.
"Not that they haven't in the past, because you only have to look at the players that they have allowed me to bring in - the likes of Tim Cahill, Tim Howard and Joleon Lescott - to see they have already done that.
"Now we feel it's time to have another go to get ourselves in amongst the top, now is the time.
"Again, we are still looking to strengthen and who knows what name it might be when it comes around
Quote:
Boro close on Egyptian pair
Moteab and Shawky could follow Mido
By Lewis Rutledge Last updated: 17th August 2007
Bet on 'Boro - £20 Free Matched Bet
Fulham evens Draw 9/4 'Boro 9/4. Click here to bet on correct score, to score at anytime and to win both halves. Yakubu is 2/1 to score at anytime.
Moteab: Al Ahly striker
Middlesbrough are set to follow up the signing of Mido by bringing in two more Egypt internationals.
Emad Moteab and Mohammed Shawky, who both play for African champions Al Ahly, are to travel to Teesside next week.
Moteab is a striker with 11 international goals from 25 appearances, while Shawky is a defensive midfielder who played every single minute of Egypt's successful African Cup of Nations campaign in 2006.
Al Ahly sporting director Hossam El Badary has confirmed that Boro beat off competition from several other clubs and are likely to sign the pair before the end of August.
"The two players will be with Middlesbrough next week for observation after we reached a deal with the English side," El Badary said in The Sun.
"We have received several bids for these two players, in particular from European clubs, but Middlesbrough's offer was the most lucrative.
"We have had a long and tortuous negotiation before we agreed to release them because we don't want them to go through any exhaustive trials as they are world-class players.
"If they players are successful in the observation and medicals we should close the deal before the close of the transfer window."
With Mido signing a four-year deal at The Riverside on Thursday, the arrival of another striker would fuel speculation about Yakubu's future at the club.
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Moyes quiet on Yak talk
Striker left out of Boro squad to face Fulham
By Mark Buckingham Last updated: 17th August 2007
Bet on 'Boro - £20 Free Matched Bet
Fulham evens Draw 9/4 'Boro 9/4. Click here to bet on correct score, to score at anytime and to win both halves. Yakubu is 2/1 to score at anytime.
Yakubu: Misses Fulham game
David Moyes is staying tight-lipped on Everton's interest in Yakubu Aiyegbeni after the striker was left out of the Middlesbrough squad to face Fulham.
Yakubu has been strongly linked with a move away from The Riverside this summer, despite Boro protestations that the Nigerian is happy at the club.
Sky Sports News understands that the powerful forward has been omitted from Gareth Southgate's squad for Saturday's game at Craven Cottage.
Reports also suggest he is closing in on a move to Goodison Park, although Moyes did not confirm a specific interest in Yakubu.
Terrific
When asked if he wants the Boro hit-man, Moyes told Sky Sports News: "We've got an interest in one or two players.
"The board have been terrific, but we are seeing now if we want Everton to compete, they are going to have to give us some form of tools.
"Not that they haven't in the past, because you only have to look at the players that they have allowed me to bring in - the likes of Tim Cahill, Tim Howard and Joleon Lescott - to see they have already done that.
"Now we feel it's time to have another go to get ourselves in amongst the top, now is the time.
"Again, we are still looking to strengthen and who knows what name it might be when it comes around."
08-18-2007, 11:03 PM
The Middlesbrough 06/07 Thread. "lets get back into Europe!" Post #589
massive result today, saw the second half, thought we played ok, but it really could have gone either way. we looked a bit rough at the back but at least looked threatening going forward.
Gazette linking us with a new forward:
Quote:
BORO are set to launch a club record swoop for Brazilian striker Afonso Alves after agreeing a fee with Everton for the sale of Yakubu.
Gareth Southgate will attempt to splash £9m on the free-scoring samba star, who plays for Heerenveen in Holland, with a deal in place for Yakubu to go to Goodison Park.
The Nigerian is set for talks with Everton chiefs over an £11m transfer to Merseyside this weekend as they attempt to push through a transfer which would end months of speculation over the unsettled forward’s future.
The former Portsmouth frontman, who has also attracted interest from West Ham, Pompey and Manchester City, cut a disinterested figure as Boro lost at Wigan on Tuesday.
His expected departure will see Southgate attempt to spend the bulk of the money Boro receive on Alves as he bids to revamp his attack.
Mido was unveiled at the club’s Rockliffe Park training ground yesterday after completing a £6m move from Spurs and Southgate is now set to step up his interest in Alves.
The 26-year-old impressed Southgate as Heerenveen romped to victory over Boro last pre-season and has taken the Dutch Eredivisie by storm since arriving at the Friesland club from Malmo.
Alves smashed 34 goals last season to finish just behind Francesco Totti in the race for the European Golden Boot, figures which saw him break Ruud van Nistelrooy’s club record in the process.
Alves’ reward was a place in the Brazil squad for the friendly against England at Wembley and he was also part of the group that lifted the Copa America.
Heerenveen will be reluctant to part with their prized asset, who started his career at Atletico Mineiro before moving to Scandinavia.
The Yak situation is an absolute farce, can't believe we've allowed it to drag on all summer into the start of the season.
08-18-2007, 11:18 PM
The Middlesbrough 06/07 Thread. "lets get back into Europe!" Post #590
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