My first 'boro hero' was Bernie Slaven.
I started going to the matches in 1980.
During that Rioch era we seemed to have a few players who could 'do a job' up front . Archie Stephens, Iain Baird.....then onto Paul Wilkinson etc.
They all seemed to bring something to the table - even if it was just being good in the air like Archie.
Maybe I'm just getting old but excluding the 'ageing superstars' of the Hasselbaink/Viduka era our forwards have been a bit 'meh' in general.
I suppose this is the hardest part of the team to get right.
I also feel like back in the day (jumpers for goalposts
) it seems there was a bit of a faustian pact amongst teams. Both play roughly 4-4-2 and go hell for leather. I was a bit young to see the great Jack Charlton team which I read could be quite defensive at times (as well as brilliant)?
This perhaps gave forwards more opportunity to shine???
I remember getting tickets for Euro 1996.
Romania vs Bulgaria at St James Park. It was a bit of a culture shock.
Couldn't believe how pedestrian the players were - but then they'd burst into action with players like Stoichkov on the pitch.
I feel that this 'continental approach' has become fully entrenched in english football.
It's a bit like playing pool - go for your shots or 'cover the pockets'.
The cagey approach tends to win.....but bloomin' eck it can be boring