Winter's World 5/11

Last Monday afternoon saw the expected unveiling of Gordon Strachan as Boro's new manager.

The press conference did not fail to disappoint although the media masses were advised that it would commence at 2.30pm and GS and his admiring suitor, Keith Lamb, finally arrived at 3.20pm, fifty minutes late.

This is not unusual for Boro. Gareth was rarely on time and it is annoying for journalists who have deadlines to meet. Sky Sports David Craig started proceedings but not before GS had offered him some sarcastic observations.

Unnecessary but quite typical, GS came out with the 'Don`t need to be here, don`t have to be here, here because I want to be here' line and also insisted that he enjoys making players better.

We will see, but he won't take prisoners. BBC's Dawn Thewlis was next and she received the usual Strachan anti-female journalist technique, being vague and fairly uncooperative.

I don't know why he has to be like this, but that is the man. Not many fans will care if he brings his passion to the dressing room and success with it.

You may have deduced that I am not exactly orgasmic about Boro's choice of manager but I will support him and the club because, like it or lump it, it`s the way ahead.

I was pleased to see that Gareth Southgate had spoken to the media. Being a gentleman, he will not tell all but his comments perhaps explained to many just how he was treated at times.

I still maintain that he had a tough time with the cards that were dealt for him. He will be back and he will hopefully prove a lot of people wrong.

After attending the Chris Turner press conference, I set off for Coventry.

The travelodge in Coventry provides a postcode that means getting to it by sat nav is nigh on impossible due to roadworks. I was therefore not best pleased when I finally got there having done more laps of the ring road than if I had been in the Midlands grand-prix.

Never mind, these things are sent to try us. The evening at a golf club in Coventry was not the best either. It was less a fundraiser, more a social evening with an older audience, but comedian Nicky Newsome and I put our heads down and ground out a result. The Speaking circuit throws up nights like this, just like in football!!

As I was working in Swadlingcote on Saturday evening, a trip back home to watch Boro was not possible and neither Darlo's nor Pools' away games were within travelling distance of the venue. I therefore opted for Burton Albion v Bury as it was only about five miles away from the gig.

En route, I did a radio interview for Radio City in Liverpool. Yet again Fergie was high on the agenda. The game - a 0-0 draw - was not as bad as the scoreline suggests.

I am sure that the Pirelli Stadium will attract more than average away support this season purely because it is a new one in the League.

Five hundred noisy Bury fans made the journey and I am sure Darlo will take just as many.

There appears to be a bar inside the ground for away fans and it's the sort of ground that should have been built in Darlington. Good parking, plenty of room to expand should the need arise and there was a cracking atmosphere as all sides were fairly full. Oh George, if not for your ego!!!

My texts kept me updated and unfortunately Darlington slipped to another defeat, Hartlepool scored three away from home and still only got a point and as for Boro, the 'great' new Strachan era got off to a flying start against struggling Plymouth Argyle.

As readers will be aware, I am not an admirer of the man and am fearful that Steve Gibson has made a big mistake in appointing the outspoken Scot.

I hope I am wrong - only time will tell.

The truth is that the competitive League (translated as crap) will mean that you can still probably lose about a quarter of your games and still go up!!

Star Radio launches across Darlington, the Dales and Durham and final arrangements are being made to the new show that I am likely to be involved with.

Tuesday, weather permitting, will see me at Catterick races and Saturday sees the FA Cup First Round proper and I will be at Hartlepool v Kettering.

The next Phone-in show will be on air on Saturday after Hartlepool's home game in the FA Cup on Radio Hartlepool.

The show will be on 102.4 from 5-6pm. So Poolies will have the chance to get their views off their chests immediately after the game.

You can ring me on 01429 275111, contact me to let me know your views by email, or text me on 60300 starting your message off with 'hart'.

Enjoy your week.

Jeff Winter

For more of Jeff's columns visit his official site at jeffwinter.co.uk

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