BOF Posted November 24, 2007 Moderator Share Posted November 24, 2007 Who's done the most in recent years, considering where we are based as well? You have, and we have Ellis to thank for that, but I don't want to go there. I'm trying to forget about him. Villa may have a decent academy, but I look at ours and I can see Premiership regulars all the way through. Just the fact they are all defenders or midfielders that have the best talent doesn't help. I think both teams deserve credit here. Both have featured prominently in recent youth FA cups and both sides are generously represented by academy graduates. Downing is your shining example, and Agbonlahor is ours. Few current Premiership teams can boast academies like our 2. Carling Cup '04, UEFA last 16 '05, UEFA final '06 after the 2 best games I've ever witnessed as a Boro supporter. You've had a good few years and good on you, but believe it we are on the way back. Everyone is spot on about Gibson. He is a top, top man. He doesn't have all the money in the world, but he's a supporter of the club so he will push his budget as far as he can for the good of the club. Gibson is one of those rare chairmen that even fans of other clubs can appreciate. No-one can begrudge him success putting his money where his mouth and heart is. Young against Young is a clash I can't wait to see. One isn't afraid to put in a tackle, the other isn't afraid to run at his man. Seriously, I think your Young is going to come out of it glad he only plays Villa twice a year. Zat Knight and Scott Carson should be our main targets, especially Knight because that man... well how he got an England cap bemuses me. Wholeheartedly agree with you re- Knight. He shouild be your target. Carson on the other hand ... that England match was a huge nervous experience for him. He has been rock solid for us, and if anything he will want to put Wednesday behind him with a mighty performance this weekend. Good luck to you for the rest of the season because I'd much prefer to see the likes of Wigan, Birmingham, Derby, West Ham (wont happen) going down. Can't see where your goals are going to come from though. Aliadiere just doesn't 'do' it for me really :? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OutByEaster? Posted November 24, 2007 Moderator Share Posted November 24, 2007 ... we're a small town, and we got into a UEFA Cup final with Steve McClaren as manager. That's a bloody good achievement if you think about it that way. Like a modern day Norwich? Enjoy the match wilson, but I hope we bring three points home. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson_2k4 Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 Aliadiere, thing with him is he's a quality player, just not a quality goalscorer. He's impressed everyone up here, but he either doesn't get into the right positions to finish (i.e. always out wide) or he can't finish off runs he makes himself. He's quality for running at players, just needs to improve his finishing. Our prime target in January is a striker. If it wasn't for possible Work Permit problems and the fact that Man City may launch a much bigger offer than us for Afonso Alves, I'd say he was our main target, but I can't seriously see that happening. Luke Moore is a possibility, plus we also need a keeper, and word is it's going to be Sorensen. No one else has been linked for that position, and seems like he'd be cheap at £1m. Not exactly the perfect replacement for Schwarzer mind. He bottles it from time to time too, e.g. Rochemback's opener last season. Most our goals will come from Mido, I expect. Shame he missed pre-season, or we might of been higher up. His first 3 games he was fantastic. Hasn't played for ages, though. Arca will create goals for sure, because he is just a quality centre-mid. Anyway, expected team for tomorrow... Schwarzer Young Woodgate Pogatetz Taylor O'Neil Rochemback Boateng Downing Aliadiere Tuncay Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BOF Posted November 24, 2007 Moderator Share Posted November 24, 2007 How has O'Neil settled? Always liked him and thought we could've moved for him in the summer. That's a decent first 11 if you could select it week in week out. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wilson_2k4 Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 O'Neil is up there with our top performers. We were all worrying about his commitment when he first joined because he talked about nothing but Pompey. But since then, he's been quality. Creative, hard-working, can see why we payed £5m for him. He deserves to have a goal or 2 for his displays so far, because he's just an absolute quality player. Shame we already have Rochemback and Arca settled in the centre, or I'd say move him there in the future, and get a quality right-winger in. What would be better is having Arca in the line-up ahead of Boateng, purely for the creativity of Rochemback and Arca together. And also having Mido up front alongside one of Tuncay or Aliadiere. Personally, I'm currently Tuncay's only fan I reckon, so I'd have him. But I can't deny Aliadiere has probably been the best forward so far for us, even having only scored once. His pace is something to give Agbonlahor a run for his money, just wish he could finish like Gabby too. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OldFart Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 Ahem. 1/9/07. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rjw63 Posted November 24, 2007 Share Posted November 24, 2007 Piece of piss wasn't it? :-) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
VillaChris Posted November 29, 2007 Share Posted November 29, 2007 Most of Boro's youth team players are shite: the likes of Andrew Davies, Morrison, Danny Graham and Tom McMahon are all playing at low levels and Stuart Parnaby can't even get in the SHA team at present! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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