Never let it be said that Boro fans lack culture or an interest in current affairs. It was stirring to see support thrown behind the BBC’s flagship programme ‘Panorama’. With a new editor and a prime time slot, it is an uncertain time for staff and it was heartwarming to see Teesside come out and loudly proclaim its backing for top quality investigative journalism.
Surprisingly, visiting manager Fat ‘Sam’ Allardyce did not seem interested in such an important debate. Perhaps he is too busy investigating what Gary Speed thought he was doing in front of his own goal or compiling the mammoth calculation needed to work out just how much of a twat El-Hadji Diouf is. Either way, he was not the only one flummoxed as Boro fans tried to think of the last time a visiting team had been so obliging. Even Les Reed’s lot put a bit of a fight for five minutes or so. Not content with scoring the opening goal for us, Bolton neglected to mark Abel Xavier as he powered a superb header for 2-0. Quite how they failed to notice a man as extravagantly coiffured as Xavier is a mystery.
Stewart Downing had a field day against Nicky ‘Dirty F***ing’ Hunt, bending a cross with the outside of his foot to pick out Mark Viduka for the third. The optimist in me hopes Viduka maintains this form when he signs a new contract – and that the contract is at the Riverside. Downing capped an eye-catching first half display with a belting right-foot drive to render Kevin Nolan’s goal irrelevant.
The second half was a tad anti-climatic after the deluge of goals before the break. Boro added just one to their tally, as Lee Cattermole’s tireless grafting was rewarded by Ricardo Gardner’s ineptitude. Hartburn’s finest set up Viduka for an easy fifth. The second 45 minutes was more notable for a cruel but nonetheless amusing assault on Fat Sam’s character. His dubious approach to business ethics and his larger than the average head were targets as well as the aforementioned support for the BBC’s current affairs output.
Player Ratings
Schwarzer 7 Not a lot to do – no chance of saving Nolan’s goal.
Xavier 8 – Colossal. Mooched well for opener, towering header for his first Boro goal. Inexplicably crazed celebration.
Taylor 7 Must be the easiest afternoon’s work in his short career.
Woodgate 8 If Fat Sam is still looking for Anelka, he might want to try Woodgate’s pocket.
Pogatetz 8 A violent man. Took the fight to Bolton. Residual bonus marks for last season’s Davies taunting.
Cattermole 7 No messing.
Downing 9 Best game for ages. Tortured Hunt. Reminded us why Martin Jol has wet dreams about him after sinking 15 pints of Grolsch, eating loads of Edam and retiring to his windmill.
Arca 8 Not bad for an Argie Mackem.
Boateng 8 Echoes of the bygone era when he was not a complete liability. More of the same please.
Yakubu 8 Some days he looks lazy and clumsy. Today he was a powerhouse.
Viduka 10 A man who knows he is in the shop window. Immense. Sign him on quickly.
Bolton(the lot of them) 0 Absolute gash hammock. Without even mentioning Diouf’s dismissal.
Good news for regular readers (hi Dave), BoroBlog’s library will be uploaded soon with the acquisition of a memory stick and a well-aimed, Cattermolian kick at my PC.
Bye-bye now.
Surprisingly, visiting manager Fat ‘Sam’ Allardyce did not seem interested in such an important debate. Perhaps he is too busy investigating what Gary Speed thought he was doing in front of his own goal or compiling the mammoth calculation needed to work out just how much of a twat El-Hadji Diouf is. Either way, he was not the only one flummoxed as Boro fans tried to think of the last time a visiting team had been so obliging. Even Les Reed’s lot put a bit of a fight for five minutes or so. Not content with scoring the opening goal for us, Bolton neglected to mark Abel Xavier as he powered a superb header for 2-0. Quite how they failed to notice a man as extravagantly coiffured as Xavier is a mystery.
Stewart Downing had a field day against Nicky ‘Dirty F***ing’ Hunt, bending a cross with the outside of his foot to pick out Mark Viduka for the third. The optimist in me hopes Viduka maintains this form when he signs a new contract – and that the contract is at the Riverside. Downing capped an eye-catching first half display with a belting right-foot drive to render Kevin Nolan’s goal irrelevant.
The second half was a tad anti-climatic after the deluge of goals before the break. Boro added just one to their tally, as Lee Cattermole’s tireless grafting was rewarded by Ricardo Gardner’s ineptitude. Hartburn’s finest set up Viduka for an easy fifth. The second 45 minutes was more notable for a cruel but nonetheless amusing assault on Fat Sam’s character. His dubious approach to business ethics and his larger than the average head were targets as well as the aforementioned support for the BBC’s current affairs output.
Player Ratings
Schwarzer 7 Not a lot to do – no chance of saving Nolan’s goal.
Xavier 8 – Colossal. Mooched well for opener, towering header for his first Boro goal. Inexplicably crazed celebration.
Taylor 7 Must be the easiest afternoon’s work in his short career.
Woodgate 8 If Fat Sam is still looking for Anelka, he might want to try Woodgate’s pocket.
Pogatetz 8 A violent man. Took the fight to Bolton. Residual bonus marks for last season’s Davies taunting.
Cattermole 7 No messing.
Downing 9 Best game for ages. Tortured Hunt. Reminded us why Martin Jol has wet dreams about him after sinking 15 pints of Grolsch, eating loads of Edam and retiring to his windmill.
Arca 8 Not bad for an Argie Mackem.
Boateng 8 Echoes of the bygone era when he was not a complete liability. More of the same please.
Yakubu 8 Some days he looks lazy and clumsy. Today he was a powerhouse.
Viduka 10 A man who knows he is in the shop window. Immense. Sign him on quickly.
Bolton(the lot of them) 0 Absolute gash hammock. Without even mentioning Diouf’s dismissal.
Good news for regular readers (hi Dave), BoroBlog’s library will be uploaded soon with the acquisition of a memory stick and a well-aimed, Cattermolian kick at my PC.
Bye-bye now.
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