This day 1988 - Super, super Boro

Erimus74

Erimus74

Well-known member
Boro beat Luton by 2-1 with a header from Bernie Slaven for his 5th top flight goal & bueaty from Colin Cooper with his 1st top flight goal & 3rd Boro career goal to date

Watching the clip how good did Boro look, IMHO & I've said this before that team really didn't deserve to be relegated

Boro were a good attacking team & maybe inexperience in crucial games cost us, maybe in hindsight we bought two DM journeymen instead of Davenport, who was paraded before the fans the following week, we'll never know, it was great seeing a good attacking team with Mark Brennan & Stuart Ripley playing their part

Bruce's team

Stephen Pears
Gary Parkinson
Colin Cooper
Tony Mowbray
Gary Hamilton
Gary Pallister
Bernie Slaven
Mark Brennan
Mark Burke
Paul Kerr
Stuart Ripley
Sub
Alan KernaghanB.Slaven.jpegColin Cooper...jpeg
 
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Yes it is a good team on paper but for these three weak links (IMO) and you're right it does make you think how a team with the likes of Mogga, Pallister, Ripley & Slaven could get relegated?!?!

Mark Brennan
Mark Burke
Paul Kerr
 
Looking back at that season I always thought Brucie's big mistake was letting Brian Laws go, there was so much talent in that back 4, but it was still lacking in the sort of experience Laws could bring to the side.
 
Erimus74 said:
Boro beat Luton by 2-1 with a header from Bernie Slaven for his 5th top flight goal & bueaty from Colin Cooper with his 1st top flight goal & 3rd Boro career goal to date

Watching the clip how good did Boro look, IMHO & I've said this before that team really didn't deserve to be relegated

Boro were a good attacking team & maybe inexperience in crucial games cost us, maybe in hindsight we bought two DM journeymen instead of Davenport, who was paraded before the fans the following week, we'll never know, it was great seeing a good attacking team with Mark Brennan & Stuart Ripley playing their part

Bruce's team

Stephen Pears
Gary Parkinson
Colin Cooper
Tony Mowbray
Gary Hamilton
Gary Pallister
Bernie Slaven
Mark Brennan
Mark Burke
Paul Kerr
Stuart Ripley
Sub
Alan KernaghanView attachment 7789View attachment 7790
Click to expand...
As I've posted before last day of the season was the only time we were in the bottom three, small squad and injuries caught up with us in the end. Kevin Poole played quite a lot that season didn't he? Also mentioned that last minute Stuart Gray goal at Villa Park, we hang on there in April and stay up while Villa go down! Often wonder what would have happened had we stayed up, sure we would have got stronger, maybe kept hold of Pally and it wouldn't have unravelled for Sir Bruce the following season. Davenport seemed the perfect signing when we beat Villa to his signature, but perhaps that was the turning point? :LOL:
 
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Otto42 said:
As I've posted before last day.....of the season was the only time we were in the bottom three, small squad and injuries caught up with us in the end. Kevin Poole played quite a lot that season didn't he? Also mentioned that last minute Stuart Gray goal at Villa Park, we hang on there in April and stay up while Villa go down! Often wonder what would have happened had we stayed up, sure we would have got stronger, maybe kept hold of Pally and it wouldn't have unravelled for Sir Bruce the following season. Davenport seemed the perfect signing when we beat Villa to his signature, but perhaps that was the turning point? :LOL:
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Yep agree with all that otto, i was at Villa Park that day too
 
Squarewheelbike said:
Looking back at that season I always thought Brucie's big mistake was letting Brian Laws go, there was so much talent in that back 4, but it was still lacking in the sort of experience Laws could bring to the side.
Click to expand...
The Brian Laws transfer / release always seemed weird at the time, but Rioch had mainly used him as a central midfielder and it was Cloughie who saw him more as a defender, if my memory is not playing me up again.

Rioch must have thought he was never going to get back to his pre penalty miss injury best (still one of the weirdest Boro long term injuries).
 
I find it difficult to watch, read or even comment on anything regards to the 88/89 season considering we didn't even step foot into the relegation places until the final whistles of the season were blown. :ROFLMAO:
 
junos_boots said:
The Brian Laws transfer / release always seemed weird at the time, but Rioch had mainly used him as a central midfielder and it was Cloughie who saw him more as a defender, if my memory is not playing me up again.

Rioch must have thought he was never going to get back to his pre penalty miss injury best (still one of the weirdest Boro long term injuries).
Click to expand...


From memory I think I heard


Rioch offered him a 2 year deal, then when Laws received it (while Boro were in the US) it was 1 year and less money. Laws wasn't on the US tour due to a family bereavement. He spoke to Bruce on phone who told him he wouldn't discuss it unless he flew out there. He flew out there, and Bruce said yes 1 year on the lower amount. Laws signed for Nottm F shortly after
 
junos_boots said:
The Brian Laws transfer / release always seemed weird at the time, but Rioch had mainly used him as a central midfielder and it was Cloughie who saw him more as a defender, if my memory is not playing me up again.

Rioch must have thought he was never going to get back to his pre penalty miss injury best (still one of the weirdest Boro long term injuries).
Click to expand...
I'm sure that penalty injury had it's roots in his injuring the same knee in the FA cup on a frozen pitch vs Preston a few weeks earlier
 
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