Talking To The Enemy

[jamiemaher85]

This weeks interview has been undertaken by members of comeonboro.com

 

1)- Boro' have a chairman, similar to Kenwright, that has stuck with a Manager through thick and thin. Do you think that Southgate is the right man to take you forward to take you to the next level?

 

Toby: No, sadly, it doesn't look like it. The further we have moved away from McClaren's squad, the worse we have become. Southgate might just have enough to keep us up - as for taking us to the next level, it doesn't look like it.

 

Cam again: If the next level is regularly achieving top 5 finishes (or even top 8 would do) then probably not. He could surprise us all though. To be honest the right level is making 14th our own together with the odd good cup run

 

Bob End and His Sexy Bitch: Barring miracles, the only way to move levels is with an owner who owns half of Saudi

 

2) Stewart Downing seems to be a footballing enigma. He has moments of genius followed by months of montonmy. Do you think you should cash in or keep hold of his talent?

 

Toby: Downing is the best English left winger in the country by a mile. There is no way we should be letting him go by choice; though after January and Downing's transfer request, it doesn't look like that's really up to us any more. If Spurs (or Everton, even) bid £15million, then he would probably have to go.

 

Cam again: Keep hold if at all possible. Without him we'd have looked even worse of late

 

Bob End and His Sexy Bitch: Keep hold. You havn't seen the rest of the bastards

 

 

3) Boro currently have a fairly strong squad that can consistantly achieve safe premier league status, what do you feel is needed to push you onto the next stage in your history?

 

Toby: I'm glad you think we've got a good enough squad to keep us in the league. Have you had a look at the table recently? We are in the bottom three - we'll wait until the end of the season before we decided if this squad is good enough to keep us in the league. At the moment, the next level is on the back burner - staying at this level is the main priority.

 

Cam again: Chelsea, Arsenal, Man United, Liverpool and Man City being thrown out of the League for match fixing or finanical irregularities

 

Bob End and His Sexy Bitch: Without new money? Luck or a new manager.

 

4) After last years unlikley FA Cup Final do you feel that you have a team that could mount a real challenge for this years trophy?

 

Toby: Again, a little bit of research will tell you that we should have been in last years F.A. Cup final, having been dumped out by Cardiff at the Riverside, who then went on to beat Barnsley in the semi final. As was said above, the main priority is staying in the league, and while everybody would love to be in the F.A. Cup final, and to win it, we've got another tough away game in this round. I don't see why not, though.

 

Cam again: Tell you after Saturday. Toughest game by far we'd have had in the Cup this year

 

Bob End and His Sexy Bitch: I thought we were!

 

 

5) Yakubu was a member of your squad that recently made it to the Eufa cup final. Who do you feel is the biggest loss from recent years?

 

Toby: It's a bit naughty to say it out loud, but losing Steve McClaren was massive. Everybody outside of Teesside has this 'Wolly with a Brolly' image of him, but you cannot argue with what he did for us, and the success he had as number two at Man U - he's our most successful manager ever. In terms of playing staff, I'd say that the solid, reliable players like Boateng, Queudrue and Zenden haven't been properly replaced, and up front we look much weaker, having replaced Yakubu, Hasselbaink and Viduka with Aliadiere and Alves, via Lee Dong Gook.

 

Cam again: Never thought I'd say it but Boateng

 

Bob End and His Sexy Bitch: Oh, deffo Yakubu. He was a major loss to us. His selfless workrate and team ethic were something to behold. Actually, Viduka was a solid gold twat but, by God, he was good when he fancied it, once every six months or when his contract was up

 

6 ) How was been your star performer this year?

 

Toby: Downing has been consistent. Tuncay has phases of brilliance with weeks of absence. Huth hasn't been able to establish himself regularly until recently, and Wheater has been moved from centre half to right back too often to have found any real level of consistency. It would have been Ross Turnbull, until he was dropped a few weeks ago. Just because he's the only one to have played every game, it'll have be to Downing.

 

Cam again: Downing. Consistently good - for us. Bates has been incredible. We've missed Aliadiere. He was the difference on Saturday

 

Bob End and His Sexy Bitch: Not much to choose from. Downing and the keepers

 

7) What are your predictions for the game and how do you think will win the FA Cup this year?

 

Toby: I think we've got a chance - the pressure will be on Everton, who look a little short on numbers. If we get a result at Spurs on Wednesday, confidence will be high, we'll go into the game with no pressure, knowing that we're expected to lose anyway, and we might just pinch it on the day. If not, we'll get you back to the Riverside and do you there, as has been the Boro way in the Cup for about the last 5 years.

 

Cam again: 2-1 to you with us having taken the lead. Spawny goal going in off Lescott's backside and a run where our defence goes missing.

 

One of the big boys. Sadly English football is becoming too predictable

 

Bob End and His Sexy Bitch: Terrible place to get a result it always seems. There has been the 'once in a blue moon' last year. Normal service will be resumed

[MikeO]

"If we get a result at Spurs on Wednesday, confidence will be high...."

 

Oops .

 

Thanks for that Jamie.

[Romey 1878]

Another good one Jamie

[The Beard]

Must congratulate Jamie on these posts. It is refreshing to hear honest, if sometimes tongue in cheek, answers. However i think that is acceptable as they are from honest football supporters. Well done and fair play :speak_cool: to all.