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NO PRISONERS 2-4-05
It's been quite a few seasons since we entered the final eight league matches with something to play for.
Just a few short years ago, we were very familiar with being involved in the dogfight at the bottom of the Premier League.
Over this last three or four seasons, we have become accustomed to playing out our finales without the pressure of the drop looming but also without anything really positive to play for.
But it is different this season because something is at stake from our last eight and it's very far removed from 1998's corrective promotion or 2001's leap to safety.
Our whole season now hinges on finishing in the top seven and qualifying for the Europe. Not just for the sake of the achievement and because it will mark 2004/05 down as our second most successful season ever but because the consequences of not qualifying are just too terrifying to consider really.
The possible loss of star players who we may not be able to replace. There is already transfer talk in the air with Werder Bremen allegedly enquiring after Bolo Zenden.
I don't fancy having to brace the psychological impact of a Europe-less season. How will next year compare to this if we don't have those fantastic Thursday night to look forward to and savour?
Should we not make it, personnel changes may be inevitable and although some may welcome certain new appointments, I am not sure that they would be for the benefit of the club at this stage.
Then there is the negative effect that taking part in the Inter-Toto cup would have on our league performance next season. There is a familiar performance pattern for teams entering the competition.
They all start the season well and then fade away just before Christmas and I think the reasons for the pattern's consistent emergence are plainly obvious.
One or all of the above possibilities could occur at Boro if we do not make the top seven. So we have to do it, no excuses and no prisoners...
Great progress has been made by Steve McClaren in my book because it's over a quarter of a century since we last played out a top flight league campaign with something positive at stake and if that is not progress, then what is?
The question now is 'can we pull it off, get the required results and qualify for Europe?'
The news that three key players will travel to Palace and probably play has given everyone a massive boost and that can only be to our advantage.
The team seem to be up for it, the manager certainly seems to be up for it and the supporters are definitely up for it.
And so we should be. Because we usually have nothing to shout for at this stage of the season. Well now we have so let's shout the Boro on to next season's UEFA Cup and then we can all enjoy our Inter-Toto free summer.
Until next week.
Steve
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