Carrick, Promotion, Beating City and more
“For Michael Carrick, future permanent Man United boss could be his lasting achievement”
Despite us being a Manchester United site, it is always interesting to get some outside perspective from other fanbases. I spoke with Robert Nichols from the long lasting Fly Me to the Moon fanzine to get his insight on the club and more.
I started by asking what the fans expectations were prior to the season starting. He admitted that their current position of second has surprised them. “Expectations were low. We had a very disappointing end to last season and it looked like a hard sell from Rob Edwards to get us all buoyed up for another tilt at promotion. In the event it has been exceptional. Even a second unforeseen management change hasn’t derailed us.”
He agreed with the idea regarding the league being more exciting and unpredictable this season without the usual teams in the shakeup. “Oh without a doubt yes. Football Fair Play really works at our level, or would without the mad distortion of parachutes. So, with two of the relegated teams struggling and the third Ipswich now recovering from a faltering start it has made it such an exciting, competitive and open league.“
“And it is so healthy for the whole pyramid that only 1 of the 3 promoted sides is struggling to stay afloat in the pyramid. Parachute money was taking all the competition out of the Championship, so this season is such a welcome change.”
Despite Sunderland being a local rivals, they are cited as being a team for promotion hopefuls to aspire to replicate. “Last summer there was the feeling that the football dream was dying. Am not talking about Wrexham here so much as the story of a Swansea City or Watford (you can tell my age) pushing through the leagues. Luton did it of course, fleetingly but we thought that door was starting to creak close.
For two promoted teams to survive in the Premier really is important and a beacon of hope for football fans right down to the bottom of the pyramid.”
Middlesbrough were of course a staple club in the top flight from the end of the 90’s to the mid 00’s. I asked him for the highlights of that particular spell. “Well, I suppose, league wise, it was Mark Schwarzer’s last minute penalty save at Man City to ensure we qualified for the UEFA Cup through the league. Such an accomplishment at the time. We had won the Carling Cup the season before in Cardiff (We never win at Wembley!).. The greatest cup success in our history. The only cup success in our history.
And we made it to the UEFA Cup final after 2 miraculous comeback wins in the quarters and semis v Basel and Steaua Bucharest – maybe the greatest games in our history.”
He cheekily mentions our struggles against them before redeeming himself: “Of course you would perhaps not want me to mention how we became almost a bogey side for Fergie’s Man United. The Mendieta inspired 4-1 win in 2005 will always stand out. Am I on safer ground turning to our 8-1 end of season victory over Manchester City?”
That Boro side was a far distance from the massively underwhelming team who last played in the top-flight in 2016-17 though. Nichols groans upon remembering that group. “Yeah – what a let down. But until this season that gap between divisions seemed to be widening to Grand Canyon like proportions. Am obviously no fan of Sunderland or Leeds but what they are doing this season inspires us with hope if we can get promoted. But first things first…”
It is up to a new class of Middlesbrough players to make their names. I pressed him to give us a bit of insight on the current crop. “Our young homegrown midfielder Hayden Hackney gives everything every game and under manager Kim Hellberg he is given licence to drive at and through the opposition lines. Until he was injured new signing Callum Brittain was a revelation at attacking right back.”
“His emergency replacement Alan Browne (ED a fellow Corkman!) is the unsung hero, whether as play maker or stand in right back he never fails to deliver and now even gets into the box as a goal poaching fullback! But Alan is far too modest to celebrate at the end of the game with the other goalscorers. He has done his job and claps the fans and then head bowed trudges away leaving the fist pumping to others.“
One of the major disappointments encountered by the fans was the manner of Rob Edwards departure to Wolves. I put it to him that many would be all too glad to pass them by on the way up. “Too right. He was fast on the way to becoming a legend here. He really built up a special rapport with everyone only to let us down shockingly. The fans were duped, the players were duped. It was awful, in the end the team didn’t want him around. He was stood down for his last game in charge. I really don’t understand his decision. He may well live to regret it.”
Of course his predecessor has now become our manager until the end of the season. He was in charge for two and a half seasons but was unable to secure promotion for the club. I asked if there was some mixed feelings amongst the fans about his time there. “I think there is. But he delivered a team that served up some wonderful football at times. Michael Carrick carries that calmness as a player into his management. Never any panic. He is a thoroughly decent man too, that is important. He also developed players from unrealised potential to top performers. Am thinking, 29 goals in a season, Chuba Akpom and of course Morgan Rogers here. I felt at the end that he was too close to the action to see that his team were repeating the same mistakes time and again.”
He was keen to point out the qualities of the man though and his bright future ahead: “But I think many of us believe he is so astute that after a little bit of time out and step back to reflect he will come bouncing back as a top coach. I was wondering about Michael Carrick one day being part of a future England managerial team maybe but perhaps future permanent Man United boss could be his lasting achievement.”
As we are deep into January, the transfer window is set to close shortly. I asked whether the club were likely to do any business or risk losing players. “I think we will only lose players through wanting to trade. Hayden Hackney is probably our most saleable asset but he is absolutely loving the opportunity of starring for his hometown club in a promotion push.”
“The Premier League can wait… for a season. We look to be strengthening by bringing in young players and wide players. Maybe adding some speed and also guile. Most fans would like to see us landing an out and out goalscorer. But we will see whether our summer buys David Strelec and Kaly Sene can get fit and come good to answer that call.”
But one of the key questions for travelling fans would be the choice of nearby watering holes. Rob is quick to point out a number of options for thirsty Utd supporters. And sights to see for those visiting the City for the first time. “The ground is near The Transporter Bridge, our iconic flying ferry bridge. If you are lucky you may spot seals in the river or the former Middlesbrough dock next to the ground. Get down to Albert Park for the parkrun and you might watch the family of otters that enjoy stealing the fish from the cormorants in the park lake.”
“Away fans tend to be welcome round many of the town centre watering holes, the micropubs of Baker Street or the former Weatherspoons of Isaac Wilson are particularly popular. Only in Middlesbrough would they name a pub after a local leading light of the Temperance movement in Isaac Wilson.”
Finally I asked him what his message to the team and supporters for the rest of the season. “We are going to enjoy the ride, home and away. We have a progressive young manager in Kim Hellberg and there is a real buzz about his brand of football and what we are starting to achieve. I have been watching football for a long, long time and it has to be fun as well as exciting, tense and a real battle at times. But this is a season where we are coming together as fans and home and away we are having a ball. That is what it is about.”
For those looking to support Fly Me To The Moon, still a paper fanzine 662 issues not out. Well worth picking up for those visiting the Riverside. They also have a humorous and active message board.
Best of luck and see you next season!
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