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THE BORO YOUTH COLUMN SEPTEMBER 2005
Written by Laurence I'Anson
My original start was- "Well here we are. New season and as usual new expectations from all. I think we can safely say that so far it's been an inconsistent start to the new campaign."
But now I'll start like this- GERRIN' THERE YOU BEAUTY!!!!! What an awesome result that was against the Arse. Makes me proud to support the team I love.
Okay the first twenty minutes were a bit shaky and we were under pressure but we came through and we came through strong. Rochemback and Xavier quickly gelled and my pre-match confidence - I had a 1-0 and Rochemback first goal bet going - was very much on the cards.
Then on the turn of the 39th minute, a delightful ball from General George to Yakubu in the penalty area created the spark that was needed to set us on our way.
A brilliant turn past Toure followed by the excellent finish into the corner beyond Lehmann gave us the 1-0 lead we so much craved and dare I say it, deserved.
Arsenal's eleven players plus the referee did their best to hinder us throughout the rest of the game but we held firm and after Maccarone's goal I felt that three points were definitely coming our way.
The one goal lead wasn't going to be enough and so it proved as Reyes grabbed a suspiciously offside looking goal. Yet again the ref did his best to give Arsenal the advantage by playing about thirteen minutes of injury time, but it was to be our day and we merited it.
Like I mentioned, my 75/1 bet almost come off. A Boro win was so unexpected that they gave the longest odds I've seen for a long time. 4/1 Yakubu first goal and 2-1 Boro win was 85/1 in itself.
The Man Of The Match vote on the MFC website concluded in only one runaway winner. Massimo. Glad to see Ehiogu got 0% of the vote. Danny Graham was in there but got 0% as well?
A good day all round meant I had to celebrate somewhere and a night out was compulsory. But for a somewhat alternative viewpoint on the day, read Harry's story on the main site.
The Arsenal game was a complete turnaround from two weeks earlier when we produced a despicable performance and result against Charlton. No co-ordination, no team spirit, no nothing.
However, there were rumours flying around as to why this dreadful result came about. With it being Queudrue's birthday on the Saturday I guess they decided to party. And party hard they did as a number of team players were seen in Club M at 3am in the morning.
Just ten and a half hours until the 1.30pm kick-off. And to round it off Morrison was sick at half time (lightweight I'd say) which resulted in a change of tactics put further into disarray by Mendieta's injury. The first day to forget for this season.
This only put more pressure on Smac to strengthen the team before the transfer window closed three days later. Still no midfielder had been acquired by McClaren - or was it Lamb's fault - by August 31st. However, the tide turned and the situation unfolded like this.
August 31st am- Midfielder required. Rumours flying all over from people seeing players at airports, on the A66, A19, A1. Maybe they've seen Pogatetz in Middlesbrough centre as well. Then again, maybe not.
Midday- J.D. Job is loaned out to Al Tittyhad or something like that over in Saudi. We only have seven strikers now Steve. Might have to buy another one.
Afternoon- Michael Reiziger is given to PSV. Yeah free of charge Reiz, because you were and still are absolute shite. But now we only have two young replacements...
Late evening- Who else but Abel Xavier strolls into the squad. You just know he's off the hook with that name and hairdo. Still a midfielder needed Steve.
Late, late evening- Rochemback agrees a deal to become our new Emerson. I hope so anyway. The deal was agreed with Barca and Sporting earlier in the day apparently and Lamby just got his finger out in time to complete the transfer with just an hour left before the transfer window closed for the winter months.
So with new players gelling in and a rejuvenated performance against the Arse, I can't wait for my trip to Wigan next Sunday. Sunday again! Where's three o'clock Saturday gone to?
I predict 3,000 Boro fans there out of 4500 tickets, so the atmosphere should be rather vocal. I was stood in the ticket queue waiting to get tickets for the game and the guy in front received four after giving his postcode of LE3... I'm also predicting that we have Boro fans in Leicester...
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