The Middlesbrough Gazette
Squad5 Oct 2026
A one-man rearguard from Sol Brynn
There were 6 saves in it, and at least three that had no business being saves at all. The ten outfield players owe him a drink and they know it.
Market5 Oct 2026
Middlesbrough may not be able to give Morgan Whittaker what he wants
It is the most legitimate ambition in the sport and the hardest for most clubs to satisfy. Morgan Whittaker wants continental football; whether Middlesbrough can provide it is a question about the next two seasons, not about him.
Squad5 Oct 2026
Tempers go at Middlesbrough
Riley McGree was at the centre of it, and by the time it was pulled apart there were three or four others involved. Training grounds are small places and long seasons make them smaller.
Squad5 Oct 2026
Cruz Ibeh is a better footballer than he was
Not a run of form — an actual step up, held for months. At 18 he is doing things at this level he could not do at the start of the season, and the coaching staff will tell you exactly which of them.
Squad5 Oct 2026
Callum Brittain falls out with a teammate over standards
The oldest argument in any dressing room and the only one that is genuinely about football: one man thinks another is not putting enough in. It is also the row a manager privately does not mind having happened.
Match3 Oct 2026
Morgan Whittaker’s goal not enough for Middlesbrough
Morgan Whittaker scored, and precious little else went right: 1‑2 to Birmingham, and a quiet walk to the dressing room.
Player ratings5 Oct 2026
Dávid Strelec runs at them all day
Successful dribbles: 14. There is a particular sort of despair on a full-back's face by the seventieth minute, and it was on display.
Player ratings5 Oct 2026
Off the pace: Aidan Morris
A mark of 4.45 tells the story without any need for embellishment. He will want the tape of this one quietly lost.
Player ratings5 Oct 2026
Off the pace: Alex Gilbert
A mark of 5.73 tells the story without any need for embellishment. He will want the tape of this one quietly lost.
In brief
- Player ratings Sontje Hansen never got going
- Market Middlesbrough put Mazinho up for sale
- Market Luke Woolston leaves for nothing