In the old days, the Saturday game just before Christmas was usually poorly attended. It was likely due to a combination of people wanting to save money for Christmas and it being the prime day for being dragged around the shops to spend whatever you had put aside. I’m not sure that’s the case anymore with online shopping.
However, this game felt more like a Boxing Day fixture with those who work away already home and with most people finished for the holidays. The main talking point in the car on the way there was the extent of the Boro’s injury list and whether we actually had an entire first choice eleven currently on the sick.
With Howson, Jones and Fry available I couldn’t argue that it was a true stiffs side and with McGree, Coburn and Crooks being fit enough for the bench maybe the tide was turning.
Sammy Silvera was pushed further forward to fill the lone striker’s spot. He’s known primarily by Harry and Ali as the player most likely to hit the roof of the stand rather than the target but with plenty of interchanging between the front four the burden of finishing was shared around.
We took the lead just before the break with a good finish by Morgan Rogers after some excellent build up play. He was rewarded with his name being used in that re-worked version of Last Christmas. He’s looking to be a decent prospect and hopefully he’ll kick on with a bit more game time.
The lack of a second goal meant that I was never comfortable until the final whistle went and whilst the result was just what we needed I think I was probably more pleased by the return of McGree and Coburn. If Hackney isn’t too far from fitness and we can bring in a couple of players in January, then it should all start to look a lot rosier for the New Year.
Tags: Middlesbrough FC, Wham!
Trail of the Lion King 
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