Stu Montagu asking the questions | |
How many of us have sat around for hours pondering to themselves "I wonder what other fans think of my football team, If only there was some reveloutionary way I could find out"? Okay, I'll rephrase that a bit. How many of us have got nothing better to do for the next fifteen minutes than read some mildly amusing banter about the Middlesborough game. Good, that's more like it.
This week the man fending off the questions it Robert Nichols, editor of the "Fly me to the moon" fanzine . For enlightenment on issues such as East Anglian incest, Smog infested slander and throwing people to Lions then just read on....
So, what are your realistic expectations and ambitions for the rest of the season?
We hope to finish in a European spot again but obviously that will mean playing out of our skins in the second half of the season. Still all is to play for on every front. If we get the right draws we could progress a long way in both Carling and UEFA Cups. To win either would be superb.
How do you see the upcoming fixture between us going and who do you think are going to be the match winners and weak links on each side?
I'm expecting a draw to be honest. It's going to be a difficult fixture for us because Liverpool have hit Premier form at last. Everyone here fully expected Peter Crouch to break his duck against us. It seemed to have been written in the stars. Our weakness has been in defence lately, which is strange for us. Viduka, Yakubu and Hasselbaink are all keeping the goals for column ticking over but we desperately need Mendieta back in the engineroom. The bad news for you is that the man who took Man U apart at the Riverside should be fit. Fingers crossed. Obviously we have really missed Downing and have no replacement down the left flank. Especially as Zenden had left. Zenden leaving was a big blow he was such a big creative force for us last season. Your strengths always seem to be through the centre, Gerrard is often unstoppable, certainly his shot was v us last season. Alonso is a fantastic talent, great passing vision. But you have so many more quality midfielders.
How do you rate your signings this season?
Yakubu has been prolific, just quietly notching up goal on goal. You can't argue with that. Pogotetz has caused a stir getting in ahead of the popular French Franck at left back but he has a tremendous engine. Especially useful at getting up and down when we play him as a wing back. Rochemback is still trying to fit in consistently but he has a brilliant work rate and refuses to hide away even when having a bad day. He should make his mark in the second half of the season. Xavier was the surprise package until he opened a surprise package!!
Who are the fans that you have most disliked over the past year and why?
Didn't dislike them, but the singing of the Canaries stuck in the throat when they came from 4-1 behind with 15 mins to go to draw 4-4 at Norwich last season.
Any supporters in particular impress you with their wit, enthusiasm and interesting chants last season; and what's the funniest song you've heard?
I'll give Norwich fans a break as there was a tremendous atmosphere at Carrow Road and even when they appeared down and out the fans stayed on and had the last laugh. Well, for that game anyway. Boro fans song to Robbie Savage "only gay I the village" was pretty amusing. As was our chant in Graz "you only sing when you're skiing." Oh back to Norwich again "Your sister is your mother, Your uncle is your brother, You all f??k one another -The Norwich family der der der der .
When we did this feature for the Man City game they cited you as a dislike, with a last day of the season European banner being brought out when winning and taken down when not winning being cited as evidence, what's the case for the defence?
Seems very unlikely indeed. As at no stage were we out of Europe. If Fowler had scored the last minute penalty we would have been out. Perhaps the banner bearers were covering their eyes unable to look. Fortunately Schwarzer was the saviour.
What is the general feel around the club at the moment with regards to the manager and the team?
We're doing superbly in the cups but cannot find consistency in the league. I guess therefore the crowd is split but generally much more behind the manager and team in recent weeks after all we are scoring goals and playing entertaining football. All we need to do is win a few more games. At home.
What is your opinion on Rafa Benitez and the job he is doing at Anfield?
You can't argue with a Champions League success can you? I think he has amassed some quality players if he can get the best out of Crouch and the forwards you could bridge the gap with Man U and Arsenal. But closing the gaping chasm with Chelsea will test Rafa to the limit.
What were your feelings on both the run to the final and the Miracle of Istanbul itself?
Amazing game. It was so low key the way you got to the final. All the talk was about Everton and this season's Champions League and people
were saying (but it will never happen). Some quality results to get there, you beat Chelsea which was amusing and then the way Liverpool came back from the dead in Turkey was quite phenomenal and surely an inspiration to any football side. Never give up.
It has been claimed by some, mostly players employed by your club, that Middlesbrough is a smog infested wasteland, is this justified or a cruel myth?
You of all people should know never to believe the tabloid press. They get the stories they want. As if Pogatetz and Nemeth would both say exactly the same thing about Middlesbrough, when neither of them had even been here. No, it doesn't bother us anymore or rather it gives us some further motivation to ram the words down others gobs.
Who should win the World Footballer of the year?
Ronaldhino no question. The man is a genius and spreads enjoyment everytime he steps on a pitch.
It looks as if you seem to have a steady supply of youngsters coming into the first team now, are there any that we might not know about that we should be looking out for in the next few years?
Right back Tony McMahon (left) made a big impression between injuries last term. He will be fit by Christmas and has the determination to go a long long way in the game. He is not alone I expect young England centre backs Matty Bates (who might even start against you) and whether to make it. Tricky teenage winger Adam Johnson scared the living daylights out of Arsenal this season and is next in line behind Stewart Downing. We have an embarrassment of riches to be honest and a manager prepared to bank on youth.
Any parasites that need to be booted off the books?
No, we got rid of any remaining deadwood in the summer. We now have a better blend of youth and experience. There are no Winston Bogardes at the club.
You find a coupon in a packet of ready salted that allows you to be Chief Executive at the FA; what policies do you force through?
I ask the government to set up an independent regulator for football. I first impose even stricter licensing of agents. I instigate a far reaching investigation to clean up the game. I bring the fans on board into all major policy decisions. I reduce the amount of live football on tv. I recommend a rethink on safe standing areas and fans standing infront of their seats at grounds. I bring in a £30 maximum ticket price for away fans and insist on concessions at all grounds for home and away. Then I get thrown to the lions.
Who will be ticker-tape dancing with what this season?
Chelsea will win the Championship. I wonder if Arsenal might finally win a Euro trophy? Maybe not. Doubtless Man U will give Fergie a retirement present of the FA Cup.
Give us your tip for the Young Player and Player of the season this year in the premiership?
Player of the Year Frank Lampard and Young Player probably Wayne Rooney; a bit predictable I'm afraid.
Robert Nichols and the "Fly me to the moon" fanzine can be found online at www.middlesbrough.rivals.net
Last edited by dave u; 8th December 2005 at 11:43 PM.
