Ipswich Town v Middlesbrough
Saturday 20th December 2014 - 15:00
Portman Road
Opening thought Jamma
In the wake of Mick McCarthy’s words ahead of Saturday’s trip to Bolton, about how his mantra of there being ‘no such thing as a bad away point’ still applied, it was somewhat inevitable that we would come away from the Macron Stadium with a draw. As Mick himself may well have said, ‘If you’d offered me a point beforehand, I wouldn’t have bothered to get on the bus’! It was also ironic that, on the day the East Anglian Daily Times ran a back-page feature on McCarthy’s confidence in our strikeforce, Town would register their first goalless draw of the season. But that’s enough of the negatives! The general consensus is that it was a point gained on Saturday, even though we enjoyed the best of the chances in the second half and looked the more likely to win it. As Bluemike quite rightly pointed out in the Bolton match thread, we may have ‘dropped’ two points but, with Derby missing out on all three, we actually find ourselves a point closer to the league summit, even though we have also moved down a couple of places.
The Superblues have now picked up 38 points from 21 matches, exactly the same tally as we had at this stage of our last promotion campaign in 1999/2000. While we obviously went on to secure a play-off place that year, we are also just 4 points short of the 2-points-a-game ratio that generally results in automatic promotion. With three of our next four league games being at Portman Road – and all against fellow promotion challengers – there would seem to be an excellent opportunity to pick up the pace over the hectic Christmas period. This begins with the mouth-watering prospect of a home encounter against an in-form Middlesbrough, who have had a (very brief) taste of topping the table and will be keen to get back there…
The Opposition - Middlesbrough
The club turned professional in 1889, but reverted to amateur status in 1892. They turned professional permanently in 1899 and after three seasons, they won promotion to the First Division, where they would remain for the next 22 years.
In 1903, the club moved to Ayresome Park, their home for the next 92 years.
Over the next few years, their form fluctuated greatly, rising to sixth in 1907–08 before dropping to seventeenth two seasons later. The club rose to their highest league finish to date, third, in 1913–14. The First World War soon intervened and football was suspended. Before league football resumed, Middlesbrough won the Northern Victory League, but the team were unable to maintain their previous form and finished the 1919–20 season in mid-table. They remained in the First Division for the next few seasons, but were relegated in 1923–24 after finishing bottom, ten points adrift of their nearest rivals.
Three seasons later, they won the Division Two title. Their tenure back in the top flight lasted only one season, and the club were relegated. They were promoted at the first attempt in 1928–29, winning another Second Division title. The club remained in the First Division until 1954.
Middlesbrough climbed to fourth in the last full season before the Second World War and were expected to challenge for the title next season, but the war intervened. After the war, the club was unable to recover the form of the previous seasons and hovered around mid-table and exited in the early rounds of the FA Cup. Soon afterwards the team began to falter, eventually suffering relegation in 1953–54. This was the start of a 20-year spell outside the top division.
Over that period, Middlesbrough maintained reasonable progress in the Second Division but were never serious contenders for promotion. After a fourth place finish in 1962–63, the club endured a steady decline and were relegated to the Third Division for the first time in their history in 1966.
New manager Stan Anderson returned the club to the second flight at the first attempt. Middlesbrough would not finish below ninth during the next eight seasons. By 1974, Jack Charlton had taken over as manager and guided the team back to the top flight.
The club experienced severe financial difficulties during the mid-1980s. In the 1984–85 season. In April 1986 the club had to borrow £30,000 from the PFA to pay wages. The final game of the season saw Middlesbrough relegated to the Third Division once more. That summer, the club called in the Provisional Liquidator and shortly afterwards, the club was wound up and the gates to Ayresome Park were padlocked. Without the £350,000 capital required for Football League registration, a new rule, it seemed inevitable that the club would fold permanently. However, Steve Gibson, a member of the board at the time, brought together a consortium and with ten minutes to spare before the deadline, they completed their registration with the Football League for the 1986–87 season. Following the registration came both a change of club crest and a change of the official company name to Middlesbrough Football and Athletic Club (1986) Ltd.
Over the next two seasons, Middlesbrough gained successive promotions into Division Two and then into Division One. The next season though, they came straight back down to Division Two. Despite constant promotion and relegation, Middlesbrough were founding members of the FA Premier League for the 1992–93 season.
The 1996–97 season was compounded by a deduction of three points imposed just after Christmas, as punishment for the club's failure to fulfil a fixture against Blackburn, which ultimately resulted in relegation. At the same time, the club managed to reach both the League and FA Cup finals for the first time, but lost out in both. Despite being in the second tier they were again runners up in the League Cup final the next year.
Middlesbrough were promoted back to the Premiership at the first attempt in 1998. They continued to stay secure in mid-table the following season.
Bryan Robson left the club before the start of 2001–02 season, having served as manager for 7 years, and was replaced by Manchester United assistant coach Steve McClaren. The following seasons saw Premiership security maintained as Middlesbrough slowly improved and were seen as a tough side to beat when playing at the Riverside Stadium. During McClaren's reign, Middlesbrough achieved their highest Premier league placing of 7th in the 2004–05 season.
The 2003–04 season was the most successful in the club's history as they finally won a major trophy after beating Bolton in the League Cup final.
Middlesbrough reached the 2006 UEFA Cup Final in Eindhoven, following two comebacks in the rounds preceding it, but lost to Sevilla. Following the cup final, McClaren left to head up the England team, and captain Gareth Southgate took over, despite not having the coaching qualifications, but he was allowed to continue after receiving special dispensation. Southgate's first two seasons saw the club finish in 12th and 13th places. He oversaw the club reaching the quarter finals of the FA Cup for three seasons, but the club was relegated to the Football League Championship on the last day of the 2008–09 season.
Despite starting the 2010–11 campaign as promotion favourites, the club endured a disappointing start to the season securing only 1-point in 5 away games. Having slipped to 20th in the Championship following a home defeat to rivals Leeds, Gordon Strachan resigned on 18 October. A week later, Tony Mowbray was confirmed as the new manager. Having staved off the threat of relegation, Mowbray successfully transformed Boro's fortunes, eventually guiding them to a top-half finish.
Following a poor run of form of 2 wins in 12 games in the 2013–14 campaign, on 21 October 2013, nearly 3 years after his arrival, Tony Mowbray left the club with immediate effect. Aitor Karanka, a former Spanish defender and assistant coach at Real Madrid became the new Middlesbrough manager on 13 November 2013, signing a two-year contract. He became the first non-British manager at the club.
One To Watch - Enrique García (‘Kike’)
We all know what Grant Leadbitter can (and can’t) do, even if he does seem to have gone on to be a different player since he left Portman Road. But Aitor Karanka has brought in a number of exciting talents since his arrival, making use of his impressive network of contacts from his days coaching in his homeland.
Probably the most high-profile of ‘Boro’s summer signings was Spanish striker Enrique García, better known by the rather endearing nickname ‘Kike’. The 25-year-old arrived at the Riverside with a reputation as a prolific goalscorer, albeit in Spain’s Segunda División, where his 23 strikes for Real Murcia in 2013/14 saw him finish as the league’s second highest scorer. Amid questions of whether he would be able to replicate his form in the hustle and bustle of English football’s second tier, Kike hasn’t taken long to adapt, netting seven goals in 24 appearances. Another summer arrival, Jelle Vossen, has kept the former Spanish U20 international out of the side in recent weeks, just underlining the strength in depth that ‘Boro boast in the attacking positions.
The Gaffer – Aitor Karanka
Born in Vitoria-Gasteiz, Álava, Karanka played as a youth with hometown's Deportivo Alavés and then switched to Basque neighbours Athletic Bilbao. He made his senior debuts with the reserves of the latter in 1992, competing with the team in Segunda División.
Karanka was promoted to the main squad by Jupp Heynckes in 1993, making his La Liga debut on 7 November and going on to feature in exactly 100 league matches in his three full seasons, before joining Real Madrid in 1997. With the capital team he was used mostly as a backup, but appeared in 33 UEFA Champions League games for the club, including the 1999–2000 final against Valencia CF . He also missed the vast majority of the 1998–99 campaign due to a heart condition.
For 2002–03 Karanka returned to Athletic Bilbao, helping the Lions qualify for the UEFA Cup in his second year after a fifth place in the league. He switched to Major League Soccer and the Colorado Rapids in 2006.
Karanka only played once for Spain at senior level, on 26 April 1995 against Armenia for the UEFA Euro 1996 qualifiers. He also represented the nation in the 1996 Summer Olympics in Atlanta, playing in four matches in an eventual quarterfinal exit.
In June 2010 Karanka was appointed assistant manager at former side Real Madrid, by newly appointed manager José Mourinho. Three years later he left the club, following the arrival of Carlo Ancelotti who brought his own coaching staff.
On 13 November 2013 Karanka was appointed manager of Middlesbrough, replacing Tony Mowbray.
Past Match - Video Highlights - Trev
Trev's Trivia
Players to play for both teams
John Wark ITFC 1975–1984 1988–1990 and 1991–1997 Boro 1990–1991
Tony Mowbray ITFC 1995–2000 Boro 1982–1991
Mark Venus ITFC 1997–2003 Boro 2013 Manager
Kieron Dyer ITFC 1996–1999 2011 Loan Boro 2013
Media Watch - K L Blue
The Football League has confirmed that Blackburn Rovers, Leeds United and Nottingham Forest are the first clubs to have been handed transfer embargoes for failing to meet the requirements of Financial Fair Play (FFP).
The trio exceeded the maximum permitted loss of £8 million during the 2013/14 season.
In a statement, the Football League said that other sides could also face embargoes: “The Football League is currently in discussions with a number of other clubs over their FFP submissions and will confirm any further FFP embargoes, if any, in due course.
“It will also now consider submissions from the three clubs promoted to the Premier League and the three clubs relegated to League One at the end of the 2013/14 season.”
Clubs who have been promoted to the Premier League who transgressed the rules will face significant fines. QPR, who are reportedly set to be fined upwards of £30 million, have indicated that they will look to launch a legal challenge.
The embargo, which starts on January 1st, means the three clubs will be unable to register any new players on either a permanent or loan basis unless they have 24 or fewer ‘established’ players and only then within certain guidelines or on a one in, one out basis, again within parameters set by the Football League.
The embargo will be lifted at the end of the season if the clubs are able to show that they have hit this season’s FFP target of of £6 million.
Last week, Town announced losses of £7.2 million for the year to June 2014 with managing director Ian Milne having previously confirmed that the Blues would hit their FFP target: “We’ll be within FFP. We won’t face any embargoes."
Stat Time
Head To Head
Ipswich Town Wins...........28 (47.46%)
Middlesbrough Wins..........17 (28.81%)
Draws...........................14 (23.73%)
Ipswich Town Goals...........94 (Ave. 1.59 Per Match)
Middlesbrough Goals.........74 (Ave. 1.25 Per Match)
Head To Head at Ipswich
Ipswich Town Wins...........19 (63.33%)
Middlesbrough Wins...........5 (16.67%)
Draws...........................6 (20.00%)
Ipswich Town Goals..........59 (Ave. 1.97 Per Match)
Middlesbrough Goals.........28 (Ave. 0.93 Per Match)
The Predicted Teams
Ipswich Town
33 Bialkowski
04 Chambers
05 Smith
06 Berra
03 Mings
27 Bishop
08 Skuse
18 Tabb
11 Anderson
10 McGoldrick
09 Murphy
Middlesbrough
13 Konstantopoulos
24 Nsue Lopez
04 Ayala
06 Gibson
03 Friend
27 Adomah
08 Clayton
07 Leadbitter
20 Reach
21 Vossen
23 Bamford
Marko’s Caption Competition
Last weeks winner was Don, with the YMCA reference. Funny stuff
Don 4pts
Frosty 3pts (The face said your caption perfectly!)
Quasar 2pts
TABLE
1. Frosty ......... 22
2. Herforder .... 21
3. Quasar ....... 20
4. Bluemike ....., 19
5. Blueblood....., 18
6. James.........., 16
7. Derick.........., 14
8. The Don ......, 12
9. Barmy Billy..., 8
10. Supershred. 6
10. Floors ....... 6
11. Andy M........, 5
12. Charnwood..., 4
12. Mr Punch......, 4
12. Jamma........., 4
13. Ashfordblue., 3
13. Morph........., 3
14. Number 9...., 2
14. Hallamblue,.., 2
14. LnP.............., 2
15. Nicscreamer.., 1
That's it until the week after FA Cup week in January. If you all attempt captions with the referee pictures from now until the week we resume, I can check back over the previews and score them accordingly. I will remember to check back as far as this Middlesbrough game. Make them good ones....... We all know refs are mammoth arseholes!
Merry Xmas & Happy New Year to all......., and by all, I mean all the referees too. Cheers.
Match referee - James Linington
A stupid looking ref photo as per Marko's request
Final Thought - Frosty
Hmmmm, tricky little fixture this against the second placed team in the Championship, although the fact it is ‘Boro’ gives me some confidence as we have had their ‘number’ in recent years.
The have come off two great results, firstly, last weeks win against the competition front runners Derby and in the preceding week a 5-1 thumping of Millwall away. However the two matches prior to these fixtures saw 1-1 draws between Blackburn and Wigan respectively.
Looking at our title rivals this week. Derby have a tricky fixture against the Budgies, Bournemouth should stay top as they face Blackpool, surprise package Brentford head off to Wales to meet Cardiff and Watford have the misfortune of meeting Reading who have a new manager after manager Adkins was shown the door this week.
It was interesting to note the three transfer embargo’s handed down to Blackburn, Leeds and Nottingham Forest this week for exceeding 8 million pound losses. It just shows that although Mick runs the squad on an ‘oily rag’, just how difficult it is to stay under the FFP requirements as we were not too far off that figure either last season.
As this is the last fixture before Santa visits, on behalf of myself and the guys that make these previews happen each week, we would like to wish you a very Merry Christmas and have a great time with your family and friends.
Enjoy your pilgrimage to Portman Road …… COYB!
IPSWICH TOWN 2 MIDDLESBROUGH 0
This weeks educational piece .......... the differences between Steaua and Middlesbrough fans
, I have to be honest and he is the only ex town player that i would say i truly detested .the bloke was a bloody oxygen thief while he was here...total crap..dire set plays , dire passing , and negative play for the most part...hope we stuff them just because i dislike him so much..!!!...but i feel a draw for this one..
I Had a dream last night that we beat Boro 3-1, 
