COMMUNITY PRIDE DAY

Well done MFC! What a brilliant idea to invite the Coldstream Guards band and the returning soldiers to the Riverside. They created a great atmosphere before the game. May I put in a request for a band to play before more games and at half-time too, something I remember from early days at Ayresome Park?
Pam Slater

Can I just say well done MFC for inviting some service personnel to the match? These young lads do a very difficult job for very little reward and get very little support it seems from the UK public. I hope MFC can make this a more regular occurrence, just to show it appreciates what they are doing. Again, well done.
Dom, an ex forces member

TRANSFERS

Re-sign Carlos Marinelli, he's a quality player. Watch him on Youtube playing for the MLS team Kansas City and he plays quality.
Frederick Alabaster

I'm a Boro fan through and through and my point is that now we've got the strikers for success, could we please invest in two world class midfielders? We are a top ten club but over the last few years we've been unable to live up to that value. PLayers I'd like to see in a Boro shirt include Darren Fletcher of Man United, Shaun Wright-Phillips of Chelsea, Joe Cole of Chelsea, Arteta of Everton or similar attacking midfielders we need to compete with the top clubs.
Marc Kelly

Boro must act fast before the quality players are snapped up. Some suggestion are? Strikers: Gabriel Agbonlahor and Marlon Harewood of Aston Villa. Harewood gets limited games from Carew and with his strength and pace should be able to provide some attacking prowess. Peter Crouch of Liverpool, very limited games and will definitely able to make some impact with his headers. Midfield: Stelios Giannakopouols of Bolton, a speedy and tricky midfielder who can create opportunity for the strikers. With Bolton looming in relegation, he will make a move. Jimmy Bullard of Fulham, free-kick specialist. Defenders: Paul Konchesky of Fulham, a hardworking and reliable right-back. Wes Brown and Gerard Pique of Man Utd, young and energetic. The bottom clubs usually have a few quality players but football is all about team work, these players are not able to bring the club to the upper half by themselves. So Boro should gather all these quality players into a team and we will be able to push for better position. Portsmouth are a fine example.
Joe Tan

TEAM MATTERS

Yes, this season has indeed been a poor season for our club. It is just as well that there are a few worse teams than us in the Premier League at the moment. However, there are many positives to consider from this season and I believe that we can buy the players we need in the summer to make next season much more successful. Remember the season of 2003/04 when Everton came 17th with 39 points, and the following season ended fourth? I believe that we now have in Tuncay and Alves two quality strikers that will become a very effective partnership. Mido has had an awful season with injuries but I still think he can contribute to the team. Aliadiere is a quality footballer and has a good future with us. In Downing we have a quality left-winger, with the improving Johnson a good understudy (if we can keep him). In centre midfield some improvements are needed. Arca, I feel is worth sticking with, and we need to bring O'Neil into the centre. We should then make it a priority to buy a quality right wing specialist. If we can do that in the summer our midfield will be much improved. Our defence is fine, in my opinion, but we need to buy a quality goalkeeper, even if Schwarzer re-signs. All in all, we are not far away from a really good squad. This season has been disappointing but we have at times played some good football and I for one am hopeful that we can follow in the footsteps of Everton a few seasons ago.
Jeremy Newbegin, Southampton

When are we going to get this corner situation sorted out? I refer to the bringing all eleven men back for corners' it seems that bringing all 11 back means that no-one has to take responsibility for any marking. That must be why we conceded yet another goal against Sunderland. If the back four and two or three of the midfielders can do the job then get rid of them, because they can't defend. All we seem to do is put everyone in the box then stand around and watch thin air.
M Summerhil

I would just like to say that I'm a beloved Boro fan who lives in Yorkshire and I get so frustrated when we lose, my weekend is ruined. Gareth is doing an awesome job but I would say this season is too close for comfort we shouldn't be in this battle for survival. We've invested in strikers over the past few years, Job, Nemeth, Macaronne, Viduka, Yakubu and Dong Gook. Now please invest in top quality attacking midfielders. Let's hope Gordon McQueen and his staff can find top players because we don't deserve to be in a dog fight for relegation. We are a top ten team and we should be pushing for Europe every season.
Mark, Yorkshire

Having read Gareth Southgate's comments about Boro turning draws into victories I wonder whether the solution lies in greater self-belief and more composure. The players may be trying to hard to score. Perhaps they need to relax and just do what needs to be done.
William Lucas

Being a long distance supporter I rely on your newsletters and the games that are shown on TV. I have two observations to comment on. Why doesn't the manager play three strikers all the time? Against Manchester United it worked and also against Spurs, in both cases we should have won. The other point is the midfield, it seemed to be non existent until Rochemback came on. It is obvious that the team needs a ball winner along side a member who can distribute the ball. Why not consider moving Downing to midfield where he can use his very accurate boot to spread the passes for the front runners? I am able to watch many of the games here in South Africa and the above points are all based on watching the top teams play and also my own coaching over the years since moving from England. I remain a loyal supporter of the club, and I hope to be able to watch a game on my next visit in December 2008.
Malcolm A Taylor

The matter of the fact is our whole front line has scored 14 goals this season. Although it may be a bit unfair on Alves since he's just joined. If we are going to be a low scoring team, I'd like to see us pack the midfield and play the way Chelsea do. Kevin Nolan would be a great buy.
Jake, Northallerton

I have been a Boro fan all my life, I am 44. This year has been painful experience to follow Boro with so many promising players coming up through the Academy and the expensive signings coming on. The lads play so well against the top opposition (Man U, Tottenham, Arsenal and even Chelsea) and lay eggs against the teams that should be put away (Bolton, Reading, Cardiff and Wigan). This is very worrying and if the team does not get a lot more discipline to stick with a game plan and also play at their own level against all levels of competing teams,I fear for Boro's longevity in the Premier League. I love the Boro and I get up early in the morning to watch the match on the television when ever they appear on Fox Soccer Channel, which is more frequent than I expected given the media's obsession with the elite four. I hope we maintain some consistency with the team during the summer break and come back in August with the team playing as a unit better than they did this year.
Jamie Debenham, Cleveland, Ohio

PORTSMOUTH GAME

Congratulations to Gareth and the boys for securing another season of Premier League football and a big thank you to Steve Gibson for making it all possible. He doesn't get the recognition he deserves in the media, but I've yet to meet any opposition supporter who doesn't think we have the best chairman in football. Here's hoping for a successful assault on Europe next season. Up the Boro!
Ian

SUNDERLAND GAME

Getting beaten by Sunderland is the lowest point of the season for me. We started the season as the number one team in the north. I think we're going to have a very difficult summer in attracting quality players to the Riverside. We have struggled to stay in the Premier League this season and next season will be harder. West Brom and Stoke look a lot better then the teams that are going to go down.
Kevin Nicholas, Ingleby Barwick

BOLTON GAME

All the positives that came out of our last few games thrown by our defeat at home to Bolton. I feel like breaking every window in the house I'm so frustrated! Why can we pull out the stops against quality opposition and then go to sleep against second rate teams? We have now thrown away opportunities against Reading, Cardiff, and now Bolton, in recent weeks. How do you expect to make the Riverside a fortress with performances like that! Come on guys. Show us you care. Thank goodness other teams in the Premier League have been even more inconsistent than us otherwise we would be playing in the Championship next season. This inconsistency is getting everyone down. Will it be Jekyll or Hyde that the supporters will see at our next match? I reckon the time has come for Mr Hyde to be killed off GS and that means we must buy a quality right winger to compliment the good work Stewey does on the left wing. That will take the pressure off the centre midfield to create. May I suggest a realistic purchase is....well, that's not my job, is it?
Jeremy Newbegin, Southampton

I was at the match and I must write to say what an abysmal performance. What I'd like to know is simple. Why did Boro not stick to the attacking play the used in the first 20 minutes? At first I thought hey up, we're playing like Premier League football players. Unfortunately, as is often the case, 20 minutes is all they can manage then they go back to Sunday league form again. Seem harsh? Well no it isn't, it's a fact.
Geoff D

I was disappointed when the Boro lost to Bolton but knew that the next match playing against Sunderland would be played much better than the match with Bolton. I hope we could have a better team, if more speedy players like Downing would be transferred in. I would like to also like players like David Ordonkor or Walcott to be on the team. Best luck to the Boro.
Arrat Ong

I have to say I feel so sorry for Steve Gibson, the promotions team and managerial team at the Boro. The season ticket renewal forms dropped through the letter box this morning. It really is an excellent package and the DVD stirred the emotions of attacking football and goals. We all discussed the option and whether to renew. Well done to all at Boro for that. Unfortunately the whole of Boro FC relies on one thing - performances on the field and, once again, for the umpteenth time at home, the Boro kick the home fans in the teeth with a performance which, apart from 20 minutes, was a totally inept, end of season performance. Unless Gareth Southgate is ruthless with his midfield in the summer then it will be same old same old.
Rob Muscroft

SPURS GAME

I'd agree with Gareth about the Spurs game. Very poor first half, but a good strong performance and finish in the second. May we ask the team to stay focused and have a strong finish to the season, please? We can set ourselves small goals to keep chasing to help with our efforts. Let's aim to finish King of the North East ahead of Newcastle and Sunderland. Let's have that as the minimum target every year. And tenth in the league is still up for grabs with West Ham stumbling. With O'Neil out how about Tuncay running the right flank? Anyway, congratulations to the team and Gareth for continuing to push for a professional finish; combine that with ruthlessness (as George points out) and these are the things that champion teams are made of.  I know, I know - as if I need to point that out to anyone.
Ian Spenceley, Tokyo

The two draws against Manchester United at home and Spurs away are impressive since the team are showing they are capable of taking on the big boys without fear. It's just a shame it's come at a difficult time for the club, considering their mid-table position. George Boateng seems to play better without the responsibility of wearing the captain's armband to worry about the rest of the team while Alfonso Alves is slowly becoming something of a fans' favourite despite a slow start. We have to remember when Juninho first arrived he did not exactly set the place alight in his first season but with time and patience he exploded the season after with his pace, passing and eye for goal. In time, next season, the Fonz may end up hitting the net with regularity providing he gets plenty of service from those around him.
Robert Thorpe, N Yorkshire

MANCHESTER UNITED GAME

Just found this on the BBC sport blog, which was posted by a Chelsea fan this season: "After the first MU goal I was thinking like most viewers, 'Here we go, how many more to come?'. Then Boro showed the courage, grit and resilience of a team that really wanted it, to almost beat the team that showed you so much respect by having their virtual first team on duty. Players on paper that should have in the commentator's words, 'Put Boro to bed before half-time'. Your team is a credit to football and of course played for their fans and team. But we Blues of Chelsea owe you a big thank you for not accepting the beating that the pundits were predicting, and not just going through the paces like so many teams before you have done confronted by the great MU. Yes you played your part in affecting the destiny of the league title. We wish you well for the rest of the season. That was a brilliant match played by an inspired team and you deserved to win the match.' Shows that the Premier League fans can be united.
Lewis Wood

My compliments to Boro for the game with Man United. I am from Malta and live in Saltburn and of course support the Boro team. To me it is like my home team always ready to hear that they have won. My concern is why Boro always winning a game and lose it most of the time? I saw them for my first time due I had off work day off and that was great but was a bit unhappy when I have seen mostly the players in the penalty area! I have seen the goalie confused with the all the players around him and pushing them, I saw he cannot see what is going on! When I was younger I have trained with Valletta City of Malta and even in my plays never wanted players close to me (mine was always the small box). I kept shouting out like I did last Sunday! I am sure if the game at the back will be with Wheater and the goalie things get better. They have to have more power and priority. Time to change game.
Noel Haber

Well done Gareth and the team. You have been a credit since the Cardiff game and have shown that you are a great strong team. What is needed now is for you push hard to the end of season to be the highest placed team in the North East and give us fans at least something to be proud of for next season. I know you will try your best to do that, but cannot understand why you do not have more belief in yourselves. You have given some of the "big" clubs a great match. Now all is needed for the rest of this season and the next, is to believe  that you are good enough to beat the not so lofty clubs. Please get that mentality and you will be more winners than losers and get the club where it should be -fighting for European football. Congratulations to Alves may those two goals be the beginning of many!
Rob Harris, season card holder   

Congratulations to everyone involved with Sunday's game at MFC. It was a superb example of how not to be affected by reputations but believe in your collective selves. You were great and are capable of so much more.
Norm in the USA

GENERAL

I like the flags from the supporters clubs all over the world. I'm a Boro fan from the dreaded folding days in the third division (as was). I've been in the Army for the past 18 years and have served all over the world. It would be good to have a services flag for Boro supporters.
Sean Lone

Gareth, I live in the USA, with a hardened Arsenal fan. Being an American, I've never been really into watching sports. I saw you on TV today and just wanted say after all these years I fell in love with you and have adopted you, unknowingly, as a member of my family. This event took place when you made the "Brown Paper Bag" TV commercial. I instantly thought any man who could move beyond the past and be able to make fun of himself was someone I truly admired. Whenever your games are televised here in Bakersfield, I always rave about how much I admire you as a person. I also say a prayer that your team wins (especially if you're playing against those red shirts, Arsenal, Man United and Liverpool!). I wish you a great day and keep winning. PS If you come to Bakersfield, you have a home cooked meal waiting for you.
Joyce Tollins, Bakersfield, California, USA