There's No Knowing Where We're Going

I'm pretty speechless.

From almost certain play-off contenders to nine points off the dreaded drop in a matter of weeks. What more is there to say?

What can you say, when our back line is apparently failing to grasp even the most basic aspects of defending? Or when the manager, for the sake of proving a point, continues to try and jam square pegs into round holes?

Seriously, McDonald in midfield? Especially when Smallwood and McEachran are available? Bikey as a holding midfielder, when Bailey, despite his unpopularity and bad influence, can do just as good a job, if not better? It's like watching Matthew Bates struggle in the same role - and, as we all remember, such a tactic did nothing to stop us from being relegated.

And substituting the two players who were hurting Wolves most, regardless of how effective their replacements can be on their day?

Apparently, the Leadership Question I raised yesterday has only been half answered - if Leadbitter added drive and charisma (not to mention two goals), he failed to bring confidence and organisation, the very things we are lacking completely at the moment, and need most. Once upon a time, everything Mogga touched turned to gold; now, everything's melting in his hands. He seems to have no idea what to do, and neither do we. There really is no knowing where we're going.

If you want a more detailed opinion on today's game, be sure to read John Powls' report on Boro Banter. In the meantime, I'm going to dedicate a poem to the club:

There's no earthly way of knowing
Which direction we are going
There's no knowing where we're rowing,
Or which way the Boro's flowing,
Is it raining? Is it snowing?
Is the hurricane a-blowing?
Not a speck of light is showing.
So the danger must be growing.
Are the fires of hell a-blowing?
Is the grizzly reaper mowing?
Yes! The danger must be growing!
For the Boro keep on rowing*
And they're certainly not showing
Any signs that they are slowing...

(With apologies to Roald Dahl.)

* * * * *

*I wonder if "rowing" should be pronounced differently the second time around, considering the supposed friction in the dressing room these days.