* The Unofficial "Official" Blackpool v Boro Matchday Thread and Programme *

[r00fie1]

Its that time again.......


Welcome to everyone - wherever you are.
We`ve got 4 consecutive clean sheets behind us.
Wins over Swansea, Bournemouth and Forest.
5th in the table.
Played to the highest Riverside crowd in the last three years on Boxing Day - a tadd under 30,000.
Many fans at the game and on social media have said its the best game for atmosphere, technical skills and all round performance - since that Brighton match in our promotion season!
The transformation since Chris Wilder took charge of his first game against Millwall on November 20th, is astonishing.
A win against Blackpool will cement us in the top 6.



The fixtures have been devastated, but Boro have taken all precautions to stay safe and protect each other.

Fixtures [As at 20:30 BST 30th December 2021]

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Championship Table [2031 BST 28th December 2021]

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Blackpool v Boro Record [Most recent Seasons]

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Match Preview:​

Courtesy Sportsmole:

Preview: Blackpool vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team

Sports Mole previews Wednesday's Championship clash between

www.sportsmole.co.uk

Preview: Blackpool vs. Middlesbrough - prediction, team news, lineups​

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 1d

English

Middlesbrough square off against Blackpool on Wednesday evening looking to strengthen their position in the Championship playoff places.
At a time when Boro are pushing for a return to the Premier League, Blackpool's recent poor form has left them to focus on ensuring that they remain well clear of the relegation zone.

---

Match preview​

© Reuters
While Middlesbrough supporters would have had high expectations after the appointment of Chris Wilder, they would not have envisaged their current upturn in result so soon after his arrival.

Fourteen points have been collected from seven games, moving Boro from mid-table into the playoff spots, and there is now an efficiency regarding how they go about their business.

Boro did not score many goals under Neil Warnock and that has continued on Wilder's watch, but conceding just once in five games has been the difference maker.

Nevertheless, the North-East outfit deserve praise for the level of their performance against fellow in-form side Nottingham Forest on Boxing Day, Boro ultimately having to make do with a 2-0 win when they could have easily prevailed by a wider margin.

With just six points separating fifth to 13th, there will be no complacency within the Boro ranks, but they can continue to perform with a certain level of freedom as they bid to chase down the inconsistent top two.

© Reuters
Boro have already had two unhappy experiences against Blackpool this season, losing 3-0 at Bloomfield Road in the EFL Cup before suffering a 2-1 defeat in the league.

However, the Seasiders are currently enduring their worst run of the campaign with just six points being collected from the nine games played since the start of November.

Neil Critchley's side rallied to claim a 3-1 triumph over Peterborough United on December 18, but they slipped up equally late in proceedings in succumbing to a 3-2 defeat at Huddersfield Town on Boxing Day.

While playing the final 29 minutes at a player disadvantage did not help matters, Critchley would have expected his team to have at least held on for a point after leading with 10 minutes remaining.

Although staying out of trouble will be Critchley's primary objective, Blackpool head into Wednesday's fixture with the chance to move within three points of their next opponents.

Blackpool Championship form:

• D
• L
• L
• L
• W
• L

Middlesbrough Championship form:

• L
• W
• W
• D
• W
• W

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Team News​

© Reuters
Dujon Sterling is expected to return to the Blackpool XI as a replacement for Jordan Lawrence-Gabriel, who was sent off at the John Smith's Stadium.

Critchley must decide whether to hand a recall to Richard Keogh, although the veteran has just 86 minutes of football under his belt since the start of November.

Reece James and central midfielder Ryan Wintle are both likely to remain out of the team due to coronavirus.

Boro are expected to make just the one change with Duncan Watmore likely to replace Onel Hernandez in the final third.

Marc Bola will be sidelined for the foreseeable future after sustaining a serious knee injury.

Blackpool possible starting lineup:
Grimshaw; Lawrence-Gabriel, Ekpiteta, Gretarsson, Husband; Bowler, Dougall, Carey, Anderson; Madine, Yates

Middlesbrough possible starting lineup:
Lumley; Dijksteel, Fry, McNair; Jones, Crooks, Howson, Tavernier, Taylor; Watmore, Sporar

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We say: Blackpool 1-2 Middlesbrough​

There have been signs in the last two matches that Blackpool are starting to get back on track. Nevertheless, we cannot ignore Boro's recent form, leading us to predict a narrow victory for Wilder's team on the North-West coast.

​

Blackpool Manager - Neil Critchley has so far only expressed his concern that injuries to players, plus a covid case this week, has put the game "on the limit of postponement". Lets hope not: thousands of Boro fans have spent tens of thousands of pounds, buying tickets, paying for overnight stays, trains and fitting in their work and other committments. Clubs need to be aware that small-squad-or-not, they need to field a team. Such is life as a manager.

'It's a personal choice' - Neil Critchley gives Covid vaccination view

The Blackpool boss was speaking after another positive test ahead of Wednesday's game against Middlesbrough

www.lancs.live

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'It's a personal choice' - Neil Critchley gives Covid vaccination view after another positive case​

The Blackpool boss was speaking after another positive test ahead of Wednesday's game against Middlesbrough


Blackpool's squad is threadbare after another positive covid case and injuries in recent days.

The Seasiders as of yet haven't been hit by any postponements of fixtures due to the pandemic but they are right on the limit when it comes to Middlesbrough tomorrow night.

Their New Years day fixture against Hull City is in doubt following an outbreak in the Tigers camp and just two fixtures went ahead on Boxing day.

Blackpool were proactive in implementing their own protocols before official EFL guidance and have continued to keep strict rules in place.

Neil Critchley believes the club have done everything they can, telling Lancs Live: "“I wouldn’t want to speculate on percentages and numbers because I might be wrong but we’re doing everything we can in our environment to control what seems very difficult to control.

“You’ve only got to look at the data coming out from the Premier League, the number of games being called off, we’ve done everything here in our environment.

“The players, quite rightly, thought it was right not to go out and have a Christmas party before Christmas, which seems as though some other clubs have and maybe are paying the price for that.

“We didn’t, we thought it was the right thing to do and I said on Boxing day I think we’ve got a duty to try and keep playing within reason, if it’s safe and we’re doing everything we can.

“But yesterday we had a positive covid test and sometimes it’s very difficult, it can just come from nowhere.

“Going to vaccinations, it’s personal choice, you can’t force anyone to do something they don’t think is right for them so we’re doing everything we can.”

​

 

[r00fie1]

STATS
[https://www.flashscore.co.uk/match/29450MR5/#match-summary]

Blackpool v Boro

One of only four Championship sides to play on Boxing Day, Blackpool let a lead slip twice as they fell to a 3-2 defeat at Huddersfield.

Though nowhere near the promotion battle at present, Blackpool seek a first league double over Middlesbrough since their fairytale 2009/10 season, following a shock 2-1 victory at the Riverside earlier in the campaign.

The only side Blackpool have beaten across the last nine rounds is relegation-threatened Peterborough (D3, L5).

However, that victory emphasised Blackpool’s ‘never say die’ attitude, as they overcame a 1-0 deficit to win, and on that note, only Coventry have picked up more points than Blackpool’s 13 from losing positions this campaign.

Middlesbrough were also in action on Boxing Day, and recorded a convincing 2-0 victory over Nottingham Forest to move into the top-six for the first time since matchday 14.

That further boosted Chris Wilder’s win-rate as Boro manager (W4, D2, L1), but his attention now turns to maintaining an unbeaten away record in the Teesside hotseat (W1, D1).

While the visitors boast an impressive run of four straight clean sheets, there is an undercurrent of caution, with Middlesbrough losing three of their four competitive clashes against promoted opposition this season.

That includes a 3-0 cup loss here in August, which made it four defeats by a multi-goal margin across six trips to Bloomfield Road this century (W2).

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Players to watch:

Blackpool top-scorer Jerry Yates (seven goals) hit his first match opener on Boxing Day – three of his six league goals prior to that were equalisers.

Meanwhile, Andraž Šporar is Middlesbrough’s only scorer (excluding own goals) across their last three games, with both goals coming after half-time.

Hot stat: Blackpool have failed to win each of their last ten year-ending league fixtures (D5, L5).

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FACT:

 

[Middlesbrough123]

We haven’t really had the the pleasure in looking at the league table since karanka was here , I have a feeling wel become a better side under wilder . I’ve never been this desperate for a game to go ahead

 

[r00fie1]

Beyond Our Wilderest Dreams:

Chris Wilder hoping Boro celebrations can extend into New Year

The mood in Middlesbrough is high ahead of the final game of 2021

www.gazettelive.co.uk

Chris Wilder hoping Middlesbrough can celebrate the New Year on a high by continuing momentum​

The past 12 months may not have been the plainest sailing for Middlesbrough, but Chris Wilder is keen to ensure they end the calendar year by extending the current good feeling.

After disappointing results failed to see Boro challenge for promotion either in the second half of last season or the first of this, Neil Warnock was replaced as Boro boss by Wilder last month.

And the transformation has been huge, with a new look Boro playing a hugely attractive and positive brand of football that is most importantly also leading to an uptake in results.

In seven games in charge, Wilder has tasted defeat just once and his side have picked up 14 points - the usual gold-standard rate of two points per game. They've kept four consecutive clean sheets for the first time since 2015-16 too.

Last time out on Boxing Day the team gave arguably their best performance yet against the equally in-form Nottingham Forest to win 2-0 in front of a bouncing Riverside Stadium.

And with a quick turnaround leading Boro quickly to Blackpool, Wilder is hopeful they can keep their good form up and the good mood high heading into the New Year.

Wilder said: “Boxing Day was a brilliant experience.

“I would imagine for the majority of players it was the first time to play in front of that kind of crowd and the positivity of the players was great.

“You saw just how big an impact that kind of atmosphere can have on the players and I can assure you that’s never underestimated by myself.

“I spoke about it when I first came in though, it’s not for the supporters to start that, it’s up for us to start it and we have done and we have to keep going and earn that right and hopefully earn the trust of the supporters in terms of what we’re trying to do.”

Looking more towards Wednesday evening's trip to the north west coast, Wilder continued: “I’ve enjoyed my short period here and the reception we’ve been given has been fabulous for us.

“We want to give something back, and hope we are at the moment.

“We’re only seven games in though and we know Blackpool are a decent side in a tough division.

“They’re going in the right direction now under a really progressive manager. They have a lot of really good footballers there.

“The expectation is maybe slightly lower than some of the other clubs in the division, but they’re a really dangerous side and one for me where we’ve got to get our attitude right.

“If we play well we’ll give ourselves a good chance of winning. But we’re up against some talented players that were pretty unfortunate to lose late on at the weekend, even playing with ten men for a large period.

“As any Championship side is, they’re really dangerous in front of their own punters and we’ve got to make sure we’re bang at it to get a result.

“There are no gimmes in this division against any side and we know we have to be on it and this is a game I really look forward to.”

Blackpool manager Neil Critchley celebrates after the match (Image: CameraSport - Alex Dodd)

Having taken over with Boro 14th in the table, Boro's excellent form now sees them up into fifth and occupying one of the heavily coveted play-off places.

The table is skewed by the varying amounts of games played by each side, however, during a heavily disrupted period thanks to rising Covid-19 cases.

Indeed, this fixture itself has some doubt as Blackpool boss Neil Critchley revealed on Tuesday morning his side were 'right on the limit' of players needed to fulfil the fixture.

The Tangerines will do further rounds of testing on their players but do hope to complete the game as planned on Wednesday evening.

For Wilder, that's music to his ears as he refuses to shy away from the league position and the potential to bring success this season.

Asked about the league position, he said: “Listen, when you win games of football your reward is moving up the league and that’s what we’re after. We can’t shy away from that.

“As I’ve said, my remit is long-term, but my competitive nature and the staff and hopefully the players is: let’s deal with what’s in front of us.

“There are 22 games to go and a lot to look forward to and hopefully a big second half of the season.

“We’re on a decent run, we’re playing well and there is certainly a feel-good factor around the place. We’ve got to keep that going.”​

 

[r00fie1]

Blackpool Scrapbook:

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[Tryasize10]

Will it be on, that is the big question!

 

[r00fie1]

Hes One of Our Own:

GARY PARKINSON
The story of Gary`s Journey - as told on his site - The Parkinson Trust.

Parky's Story | Gary Parkinson Trut

From playing professional football to fighting locked-in syndrome, we guide you through Gary's story so far.

www.garyparky.co.uk

[Page 1 / 2]

Follow this link to donate: https://www.garyparky.co.uk/donate-now

​

Continued >

 

[r00fie1]

GARY PARKINSON

The story of Gary`s Journey - as told on his site - The Parkinson Trust.

[Page 2 / 2]>>>>>









DONATE HERE: https://www.garyparky.co.uk/donate-now

 

[r00fie1]

ONE OF OUR OWN:

From "The Spirit of 86"

 

[Laughing]

Superb, as always roofie

 

[r00fie1]

Red and White Shorts:
Boro played out a 2-2 draw with Blackpool at the Riverside in the 2011 / 12 Season. [1 min 55 seconds]

 

[r00fie1]

FLASHBACK:
Published 2015.

Blackpool 1 Boro 2: Full-time match report

It was nail-biting stuff but Boro climbed to the top of the Championship table thanks to a late Kike goal at Blackpool

www.gazettelive.co.uk

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Blackpool 1 Boro 2: Full-time match report​

It was nail-biting stuff but Boro climbed to the top of the Championship table thanks to a late Kike goal at Blackpool

Boro left it late to claim a nervous win over rock bottom Blackpool that took them to the top of the Championship table.

They scrapped away on a muddy pitch but struggled to make a break through – then just squeezed home in a frantic fuinish.

They made the breakthrough on 81 minutes and had the travelling fans singing about the summit as Jonathan Woodgate slammed home a header.

But it looked like they had shot themselves in the foot soon after as Ben Gibson headed an own goal to silence the fans.

Then in a dramatic finale Kike put a close range header in off the bar to snatch a crucial victory on a night when rivals Bournemouth and Derby drew 2-2.​

Aitor Karanka made seven changes to the side that had beaten Charlton 3-1 on Saturday with Dean Whitehead, Adam Reach, Tomas Kalas, Adam Forshaw, Kike, Daniel Ayala and Jonathan Woodgate all starting in a 352 formation.

It was club captain Woodgate's first start since a League Cup win at Oldham in August.

Boro had some early possession but the ball was bobbling about badly on a heavily chewed up surface.

Blackpool showed first as Perkins tricked into space in midfield then slotted a pass into the box but it was too far ahead of Dunne and he stretched to poke a weak shot that Dimi Konstantopoulos saved easily.

Blackpool's Clarke was booked on five minutes for climbing over Kike in the centre-circle.

And Boro almost scored from the free-kick as Adam Clayton chipped over the crowded box to the far side where new boy Forshaw sent a low cushioned effort inches outside the far post.

Boro then had to defend as a Kalas blocked conceded a corner that was headed away then two crosses were cleared and on nine minutes Ayala had to be alert to hook a bouncing ball into the box over his shoulder as Clarke closed in.​

Boro went close on 11 minutes as crisp passing move from side to side saw Clayton pick out Adomah on the right and he sent a low ball into the box that forced the keeper to come off his line and dive in to collect before Jelle Vossen could connect eight yards out.

Blackpool threatened on 13 minutes as Davies played a quick low ball forward for Cameron to chase but alert Kalas tracked back and put in a timely tackle as he reached the box.

Boro continued to pass and probe as they came to terms with the rapidly chewing up surface.

They almost broke through on 19 minutes as a long patient move sent Adomah down the right to cross and although Kike couldn't connect with a header it fell to Adam Reach at the far post but he was crowded out before he could find an angle for a shot.
​

​

Blackpool broke out to win a corner that was easily cleared them Adomah charged down an attempt to play the loose ball back in.

Then Boro had to clear two corners and two free-kicks as Blackpool knocked the ball into the box.

But Boro almost made the breakthrough on 28 minutes as a routine cross fron Vossen sailed across the face of goal and defender O'Dea put in a needless header that just flashed wide then from the resulting corner Ayala's downward header sent the keeper full length to save at the foot of the post.

Then Clayton sprayed a superb ball wide down the right for Adomah but his cross was charged down.

Once again Boro were forced onto the defensive for a spell as Blackpool pressed forward and first O'Hara then Cameron had to be stopped with timely tackles by Woodgate and Ayala after weaving into the box.

They threatened on the break on 40 minutes as Whitehead pumped a quick ball forward that sent Kike racing forward but the alert keeper dashed well out of his box to just beat him to the drop.

HALF-TIME: BLACKPOOL 0 BORO 0

Blackpool were forced into an early substitution after the restart as Maher replaced injured Dunne on 48 minutes.

And Boro put on Ben Gibson for Ayala on 50 minutes.

Boro almost broke through on 51 minutes as Adomah cut in from the right and slotted a ball into the box for Kike but the last defender stretched to just cut it out.

Straight up the other end Blackpool threatened as Davies touched a ball into the box towards Cameron but Woodgate cleared.

Then on 55 minutes Orlandi pushed a ball down the left for Telford to cut into the box but his low ball towards the near post was cut out by Woodgate.

Boro launched a quick raid on 58 minutes as a ball was played out of defence for Clayton to control and wriggle forward then threaded into the box for Kike but his angled shot was weak and straight at the keeper.

On the hour Boro put on Grant Leadbitter for Whitehead while Blackpool put on ex-Hurworth Acadamy lad Gary Madine for Davies giving him his debut after arriving on loan from Sheffield Wednesday today.

Boro again cut through with a quick counter-attack on 63 minutes as Leadbitter and Reach combined to send Kike to the edge of the box but he dragged his shot just wide under pressure.

Then on 67 minutes from a Kalas ball forward Vossen flicked on and Kike pushed it wide for Reach to lay it back for Clayton but his 20 yard effort sizzled just over.

Soon after, another sweeping move found Clayton again just outside the box and this time his shot was on target but charged down in a crowd.

On 73 minutes Blackpool put on Delfouneso for Cameron.

The game was being frantic and twice Boro balls into the box caused scrambles then on 77 minutes a neat Leadbitter flick into the box set up Kike to backheel goalwards but it was blocked on the line by the keeper.

And a minute later another threaded Leadbitter pass found Kike in the box but as he tricked and turned and looked for angle to shoot a sliding tackle by O'Dea cleared the danger.

And as the pressure mounted Forshaw fired over from 20 yards.

On 80 minutes Boro put on Lee Tomlin for Vossen.​

[1 minute]

Boro finally made the breakthrough on 81 minutes as they won a corner and when Leadbitter curled it to the near post JONATHAN WOODGATE arrived to power in a header.

But as Boro fans chanted they were top of the league Blackpool levelled on 85 minutes as corner from the left was flicked on at the near post and BEN GIBSON headed into his own net as he attempted to clear.

But determined Boro soon had the fans singing again as they regained the lead on 88 minutes as Tomlin swung in a cross for KIKE to power in a header that came down off the bar and bounced onto the line and in.

There was a nervous last few minutes and six minutes of stoppage time and Blackpool threw some high balls into the box and Madine cut in to fire an angled effort straight at Konstantopolus but Boro stayed calm and held on.​

BORO: (352): Konstantopoulos, Kalas, Woodgate, Ayala (Gibson 50), Adomah, Whitehead (Leadbitter 60), Forshaw, Clayton, Reach, Kike. Vossen (Tomlin 80). Subs: Meijas,Ledesma, Omeruo, Bamford.

BLACKPOOL: Lewis, McMahon, Perkins, Clarke (Maher 48), Dunne, Orlandi, O'Hara, Telford, Cameron (Delfouneso 73), O'Dea, Davies (Madine 60). Subs: Parish, Aldred, Rothwell, Waddington.

Ref: Chris Kavanagh (Manchester)

Att: 10,806 (1,738 Boro)

​

 

[r00fie1]

Who are they?

Blackpool FC - short history and facts

www.footballhistory.org

Blackpool FC​

Blackpool has long traditions, but has not been one of the countries top teams for many years. One of the best periods for the team was around the 1950s: FA Cup finals in 1948, 1951 and 1953 (with victory in 1953), and the clubs best result in the highest English division with a second place in 1956. Since 1967, it has been only two visits in the highest division (1970-71 and 2010-11).

Basic facts​

Founded: 1887
Country: England
City: Blackpool

Home grounds​

Raikes Hall Gardens (18786-1897)
Athletic Grounds (1897-1899)
Raikes Hall Gardens (1899)
Bloomfield Road (1899-)

Main trophies​

FA Cup: 1
Football League Cup: 2

Prominent players​

George Farm, Hugh Kelly, Tommy Garrett, Jackie Mudie, Stan Mortensen, Stanley Matthews, Harry Johnston and Charlie Adam.

Bloomfield Road, the home of Blackpool FC.

History​

Blackpool Football Club was founded in 1887 by former students of St John‘s School. Two years later, the other football club in town, South Shore FC, was merged into Blackpool.

After two missed applies for the Football League, Blackpool was elected to the Second Division for the 1896-97 season. After a placing 16th in their third season they failed to be re-elected, and missed a season before being re-elected again. After being division champions in 1929-30 season, they were promoted to the top division for the first time.

Some of the biggest profiles in the history of the club are Jackie Mudie, Stan Mortensen and Stanley Matthews.

​

 

[r00fie1]

FIVE OF THE BEST:
Blackpool players of 20 / 21

According to: https://footballleagueworld.co.uk/ranked-the-top-5-best-blackpool-fc-players-of-2021-do-you-agree/

Originally on loan from forest. Now permanent.

4. Ellis Simms
Played second half of last season before heading back to Everton.

Captained the club to promotion.

A local hero - scored the winning promotion goal.

23 goals in 53 games in 2021

​

 

[r00fie1]

Red And White Shorts:


[1 minute 25 seconds]

 

[r00fie1]

Programmes!

 

[Laughing]

Here are the algorithms musings on the championship, such as it is today.

We have, for the first time in a while a predicted boro win, with a small correlation. It seems the algorithm has finally started to see boro as possible winnes after a choppy start to the season. It is also pretty confident of under 2.5 goals.

2-0 to boro today if it goes ahead. One thing I would say, is that if we click in front of goal we will hammer someone and the under 2.5 goals will look ridiculous. Statistically though, at the minute it just doesn't happen for boro. Some boro blackpool stats:

In the last 8 games boro have scored, on aveage 1.125 goals per game, just below the average of 1.3 for the league, but up on the season overall where boro score 1.13 per game, where the average is 1.32
For blackpool in the last 8, they have averaged 0.875, pretty paltry. There average for the season so far is just 1.13. So they look on a downward trajectory from a goal scoring perspective.
Defensively in the last 8, boro concede a miserly 0.625 goals per game. An improvement on the season overrall, where they have conceded, 0.96 per game. Readers may recall that for our last game, these numberrs were 1 and 1. So boro are improving defensively, as well as in front of goal.
Blackpool have conceded 1.375 goals per game over the last 8 games, and 1.25 goals a game for the whole season so far. Again a downward trajectory.

Could this be the day where our forward line click and we get 4 or 5? It's possible and it's coming, just probably not today.

From a betting pespective, Blackburn to win at home to Barnsley looks a banker with a PHI corelation of 0.69. They are prices at 1.61 on betfair as I write.

 

[Cardiffdaffs]

I can’t believe Roofie hasn’t put in a photograph of Bill Perry sweeping home the winning goal in the 1953 FA Cup Final from that mazy dribble by Matthews.


edit. Mind you what’s stopping me adding to it.

 

[r00fie1]

TOP SIX COMPETITOR:

Tony Mowbray - Blackburn Rovers.

Tony Mowbray is a wise owl when it comes to building effective teams on a shoe-string. His tenure at Blackburn has been no different. Tony arrived at Ewood Park in 2017 - with Rovers having been relegated to the old Third Division. They made an immediate return in the following season - second to Wigan Athletic.

The team was weak in many areas and crowds had drifted to below five figures. In his first full season [2018/19], they finished 15th in the Championship - 13 points above the relegation places above Stoke and Birmingham City. The 2019 / 20 season saw them miss out on 10th place - by a point - to Derby County.

Last season they finished 15th - 7 points behind Boro in 10th. That may not appear to be very impressive, but with some crowds as low as 9000 for home games, the financial difficulties as a result of covid and facing competition from more well off clubs, hes steered Rovers to a stable condition: just like he did at Boro - he`s sourced players whom most of us, outside Rovers or in recruitment, had never heard of.


This season is no fluke, with Rovers flying high - currently 3rd! That is some achievement, even at the half-way stage of the season.



It appears that Blackburn and Boro have something in common [other than Tony] - Recruitment !

The new landscape in sensible football [Outside the big rich Premiership bubble] means that clubs arent going to have millions in the biscuit tin under the bench in the changing rooms! What is happening is that clubs are scouring the "lower leagues" [?!] for "bargains" - but that is somewhat a misnomer: with the huge influx of players from abroad - many players havent had the opportunity to develop and progress in the higher echelons of the League and non-league game in the British Isles. This is by no means an attack on anyone who joins football from abroad. If anything, it is a reflection of the skewed consequences of Sky and big TV Money - which has fragmented our league structures and placed a tiny number of clubs, with rich owners - who effectively control the game.

Our recent recruitment of players includes those from: Tooting and Mitcham, Charlton Athletic, Blackpool, Rotherham, Billericay, Richmond and free agents. Just look at our current First Team and the majority are not the expensive "ready made" [?] imports of the past!

​

Tony Mowbray on the January window, Souttar link and Brereton Diaz asking price

Christmas has flown by, January is upon us and the transfer window looms ever closer

www.lancs.live

Tony Mowbray on the January window, John Souttar link and Ben Brereton Diaz asking price​

Christmas has flown by, January is upon us and the transfer window looms ever closer


Tony Mowbray stressed the importance of the ongoing player contracts scenario as Blackburn Rovers look to find value for money during the January transfer window.

Darragh Lenihan, Joe Rothwell and Ryan Nyambe all possess contracts that expire at the end of the season and despite extensive negotiations with the key first-team trio, Rovers have yet to reach a successful conclusion with any of the individuals.

Ben Brereton Diaz and Thomas Kaminski are two others who possess deals that expire in the summer, although the club have 12-month options for both of which they're likely to trigger at the end of the season if no new deal is agreed.

Mowbray previously explained that those who were unwilling to commit their long-term futures to the club could be sold in January to avoid missing out on a transfer fee but given Rovers' lofty league position and the influence of their out of contract stars, retaining them may be of greater value depending on how they fare across the second-half of the season.

But Rovers do have contingency plans in place if players do depart and the club's recruitment department have preparations in place for the upcoming window as they look to bolster their squad.

One player Rovers have been tracking is John Souttar, the Hearts defender out of contract in the summer and unlikely to sign a new deal at Tynecastle.

According to the Daily Record, Rovers have entered pre-contract discussions with the 25-year-old, who's recently re-established himself in the Scotland national team set-up having endured a bleak few years impacted by injury.

A pre-contract agreement would mean Souttar would not officially join Rovers until the summer, a long-term acquisition that looks to the future.

Asked if there was anything in the reports suggesting Rovers were in discussion with Souttar, Mowbray replied: "I don't think so. I think we've got quite a few things boiling underneath but that's my job, that's what you have to do.

"But what I would say is that we have four players who are running out of contract in the summer, important players for our team and my job is to cover all bases for our team. If they're not going to sign contracts - and it's not a question of whether we think they're worth it because we love them all and want them all to stay - but as I've said, you can only spend a penny once.

"You've got a budget, you've got to stick to your budget. If you give all your money to your existing players, you can't sign any new players! I have to be diligent and make sure that if people do leave, whether that be this window or the next window, then we know where we're going. We know where we can get really good value for money.

"If you haven't got millions to spend, you have to look for value and we're looking hard.

"John Park is very thorough in his work and we're looking all over Europe, trying to make sure that we're ready for the window if and when we need to be active."

Another topic that will be prominent over the January window is the future of Brereton, the forward attracting interest from across the Premier League and Europe with his electrifying form, returning 19 goals from 23 league appearances.

Given how Brereton's been integral to Rovers' success this campaign, the club - comforted by the one-year option they have in his contract - feel they're under no pressure to sell their prized asset in the coming weeks and Mowbray reiterated it would take a significant offer for them to consider parting ways.

"Ben's situation is an interesting one. From a club perspective and my personal relationship with Ben, I think he would like to finish the job here," explained Mowbray.

"And yet I'm not his advisor. I'm fully aware that is someone comes in with an offer that is unbelievable, then I would advise the owners not to stand in his way.

"I think with any football club, players come and go but you have to be ready; who is the next player that will step up? When Adam Armstrong was scored, everyone wondered who would score the goals? Brereton's stepped up and could potentially score more.

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"Who's to say if Ben isn't at our football club in January or in the summer, the likes of Sam Gallagher, Tyrhys Dolan and Bradley Dack don't step up and score 25 goals?

"If it does happen and Ben is sold at any given time, I expect the money will be reinvested and hopefully we can find another pebble on the beach that we can polish into a diamond and he's the guy who's scoring the goals.

"I'm not worried about Ben. I hope he stays, I hope he scores 40 goals for us this year and enjoys a fantastic season. But if somebody bids the money that we can't turn down and it's life-changing for Ben Brereton Diaz, then who am I to stop him from earning £100k-per-week and living in a foreign country where he wants to go with his partner.

"He's earned that right but I'm not sure the phone is ringing at this time for Ben. There's a lot of talk but not much action. I just hope it stays quiet, he stays here and continues scoring goals."

Asked whether £15m equates to an 'unbelievable offer', Mowbray sarcastically replied: "How much? Armstrong went for £15m and Ben's going to score nearly twice the goals Armstrong did, and he's younger.

"Think about doubling it and you might be getting somewhere!"

 

[r00fie1]

Middlesbrough FC - Middlesbrough FC

Welcome to the official website of Middlesbrough Football Club. Visit for Boro's latest news, videos and highlights, plus tickets and match information.

www.mfc.co.uk

Blackpool FC have issued the below for Boro fans who are attending this evening's game at Bloomfield Road...​

On behalf of Blackpool Football Club, the SLO team and our management and fans, we welcome all Boro supporters to our ground. Travel safely and enjoy the game and your time in Blackpool, where the Illuminations have been extended through December.

Away fans are being seated in the East Stand this season. Entrance is either via turnstiles 18-21 at the South-East corner, by the BFC Hotel on Bloomfield Road, or 22-25 at the North-East corner, depending on which half of the stand your seat is in. Check your ticket for turnstile details.

After the game, exit for all away fans will be from the North-East corner, regardless of which way you came in. Stewards will direct fans as appropriate.

Please note there are only portaloos at the north end of the East Stand, so if you wish to use the toilet before leaving the ground, best to use the facilities at the south end of the stand.

As with all EFL clubs, you will be required now to comply with the recently introduced Covid Pass regulations (an NHS Covid Pass on your mobile device or a printed letter of the same or evidence of a negative lateral flow test).

You are advised to arrive in good time (at least 45 minutes before KO) to minimise last-minute queues. Masks (except for children under 12) will be required on public transport, when queueing at turnstiles and in enclosed spaces (e.g. under the concourses) but are not required in the bowl of the stadium.

Also please note that all the concessions inside the ground are now card-payment only (no cash), and smoking (including e-cigs) is not permitted.

Additionally, flags must carry a fire safety certification and no pyrotechnics are allowed into the ground.

Bloomfield Road stadium is a short walk from Blackpool South station and is on the tram route from Blackpool North station. Parking for private cars is available in the Council car parks along Seasiders Way and for official coaches on Central Drive.

Away fans friendly pubs near the ground are: The Castle (28-32 Central Drive FY1 5PZ), The Manchester Bar (231-233 Promenade FY1 6AH), Bloomfield Brewhouse (47 Ansdell Road FY1 6PW) and The Bridge (124 Lytham Road FY1 6DZ).

There are also numerous fast-food outlets, chippies, bars and restaurants in the town.

If you need to be in contact about anything, email slo@blackpoolfc.co.uk or phone 07711-796685