Today marks the beginning of a massive few more days,
And we expect one of the Boro’s much more memorable displays,
Over Villa we are looking for a most infrequent double,
But, will it end, as many do, with them bursting Boro’s bubble?

Under dismal grey skies and in weather that is chilly,
We need the three points and the display need not be frilly,
All we ask for is, to end the day, our faces wreathed in smiles,
As the signal for the start is heard from referee, Rob Stiles.

Southgate’s header to his ‘keeper didn’t have sufficient power,
And in on goal rushed Vassell, keenly seeking to devour,
Towards the edges of his area, and as quick as any flash,
Thereby to save the Boro’s skins came ‘keeper, Carlo Nash.

Former Magpie, Solano who, to us, is no real stranger,
Got a very lucky break and brought the game’s first genuine danger,
His lovely ball found Barry, just as Nash fell to the ground,
But the shot went high and, thankfully, was never goalwards bound.

What a great ball from Solano as he picked out Gareth Barry,
Who then closed in on Boro’s goal and he certainly didn’t tarry,
He then repaid the favour and ‘Nobby’ took it in his stride,
To force another corner as greater pressure was applied.

Southgate brought in Jimmy and that proved the right selection,
But, the power-drive from our hit-man, took the wickedest deflection,
That brought about a corner at which their ‘keeper only flailed,
To give a second bite of the cherry but I’m afraid, again, we failed.

Doriva’s ball to Nemeth showed great vision and fine skill,
And the move was well continued by the expertise of Szil,
He forced a further corner and was admirably supported,
But, the move that promised much, was so very easily thwarted.

“Dreadful” was one word used to describe the game hitherto,
Which would, no doubt, be verified, by those watching pay-per-view,
No pretty pictures were being painted: neither ‘keeper really tested,
To describe this all as ‘football’ would mean you’d risk being arrested.

Doriva cleared the danger, when Gareth Southgate lost position,
And many disappointed fans can’t wait for the intermission,
His headed clearance saved the day without a lot of hassle,
After greater threat was promised from the speedy Darius Vassell.

Floyd concedes a free kick and up steps ‘Nobby’ the optimist,
But, he fired wild and wide, and by miles the target’s missed,
So ends a disappointing half and one of sheer frustration,
And one wonders who, if anyone, can now be Boro’s salvation.

It must have been quite painful for those fans who’d paid to watch,
And many left quite early for their warming glass of Scotch,
McClaren mustn’t listen to players’ moaning and their whines,
They now all need a hefty kick where the sun no longer shines.

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No changes have been made and I’m not sure that I approve,
But one thing does need changing: the Boro must now get in the groove,
And if they fail to do so they’ll be well and truly clattered,
Then hope of a top six finish may well finally be shattered.

Jimmy forced a corner after a better spell of play,
It looked set to fall for Riggott but was quickly hooked away,
Then Downing warmed the travelling fans, who’d doled out hard-earned cash,
It wasn’t his best-ever shot but at least he had a bash.

The Boro were left wondering as they tightly held their heads,
How Villa missed a sitter after tearing us to shreds,
Vassell left us floundering as he opened up the throttle,
Then left an open goal for ‘Nobby’ but he seemed to lose his bottle.

That was a timely warning and one hopes it will be noted,
And it brings support from loyal fans, so totally devoted,
Then Vassell is substituted and he’s ‘killed’ us down the flanks,
It might well be appropriate for us to give a vote of thanks.

Hendrie picked a ball up that ricocheted off Riggott’s head,
He danced around inside the box and Boro appeared dead,
Then Southgate’s intervention was an absolute sensation,
But Boro must appreciate there’s no time for relaxation.

Those words were never truer but then our ‘keeper made a hash,
As he then went totally missing, so the blame is all on Nash,
The ball in from Solano brought for Boro misery,
Laursen bundled it o’er the line: confirmed the assistant referee.

So, it’s all the Aston Villa fans whose hearts are now aglow,
Whilst Boro’s negative game plan flew directly through the window,
Danny Graham is brought on, to play two up in attack,
But one wonders if it’s possible for the Boro lads to come back.

Graham and Jimmy interchanged and how the Boro fans roared,
When Jimmy laid one on a plate and the young lad should have scored,
Though at an angle, one-on-one, towards the goal he did advance,
Only to put it somewhat wide and spurn a decent chance.

Solano took on Parlour, who’s now looking battle-scarred,
In jumped Ray to have a bite and earn a yellow card,
Outside the box the ball’s now placed, and to the left-hand side,
With Villa waiting eagerly, for ‘the chop’ to be applied.

The mountain Boro had to climb quickly became much steeper,
When the free kick from Solano was just parried by the ‘keeper,
Moore then punished Boro for some really weak defending,
Our favourites have been really poor and there’s no point in pretending.

Downing’s not been at his best so he can now disrobe,
As he leaves the field and wishes well, his colleague, Joseph Job,
But changes came too late to affect the outcome of this game,
And many Boro ‘heroes’ should really hang their heads in shame.

The team was just a nightmare and they truly lacked ambition,
And surely, in the coming days, we need an inquisition,
Of link-up play and general craft this game was just devoid,
And Sorensen in the Villa goal was totally unemployed.

Amazingly, we still remain in position number six,
But McClaren really should come down like the proverbial ton of bricks,
Though even he must answer for his tactics and selection,
And release the Boro’s faithful fans from their misery and dejection.

The lack of passion, pride and grit earned the result we all were dreading,
And it all now begs the question, “Just where is this season heading?”
All the talk of sixth place, I’d suggest, we can forget,
Keep your money in your pocket for it’s just not worth the bet.

Am I too pessimistic or do you, my friends, agree?
But eighth or ninth position is the best that I foresee,
Most men are promised ‘heaven’ when they’re on their honeymoon,
But that heaven would be hellish, should we finish ‘neath the Toon.

One hopes the current misery doesn’t mean the chance is gone,
When we meet again, on Thursday night, to tackle Sporting Lisbon,
Even if their reps may go back home, with plans already thought out,
Revealing, on today’s display, “Not much to fear or report about.”