Fly Me To The Moon column: Middlesbrough need this international break - and it's good to enter it on a high

How will you be spending your time during the international break?

Normally the autumn pause is a well-earned rest for players and fans alike. Boro's footballers get to kick back and recharge after a quite gruelling programme. Saturday's highly creditable 0-0 draw at Brentford ensured we were unbeaten through the seven, Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday.. games over a hectic month since the last break. Maybe not quite so demanding for fans watching in their own living rooms.

I asked manager Neil Warnock for his plans. He was hoping to jet off from Teesside Airport to his home in Cornwall but lockdown has intervened there.

“I am told I can't really go to Cornwall with the government guidelines,” he told me at last week's press conference, “so I am staying put in sunny Darlington. So, your guess is as good as mine if I am going to enjoy it.”

Of course you will Neil, I replied.

Joking apart, the players do need these breaks if we are to avoid a mounting injury list. I’m sure many Boro fans will be supporting Paddy McNair and George Saville as they attempt to negotiate Slovakia in the play-off finals for the delayed European Championships. Tough games ahead for two key players in their international team who have also become key to Boro's chances this season.

I thought McNair lacked his normal unerring accuracy from deadballs against Brentford, hopefully he will rediscover his range again this week.

The absence of Saville from midfield was also a big miss as the former Millwall man has become a real workhorse this season as well as proving himself to be a much needed goal threat. It was the very reason he was signed in the first place, to add firepower from midfield.

Saville's late withdrawal meant a door was opened for Lewis Wing to make a first start.

Fly Me To The Moon message boarders have clubbed together to sponsor the former Shildon player this season and I can tell you that we were all pretty excited to see him finally getting a start.

Then in the second half he smacked one of his cannon balls at goal, we thought our man might make the breakthrough.

Unfortunately for Lewis, Boro and fmttm he was thwarted by an acrobatic flying save from the Bees keeper, David Raya. Yet Lewis has let everyone know he is still very much around and ready to step up and step in for the cause.

So, back to Neil Warnock again and if you think he is going to rest on his laurels then think again.

“I might have to get a bit of warm clothing on and get on my bike,” he beamed, “and do a little bit of cycling because it is really nice around here, isn't it?”

Absolutely right. And I reckon it looks especially nice when Boro are doing so well.

Robert Nichols

Fly Me To The Moon

fmttmboro.com

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