Squawk like an Egyptian

So another away game, another point and the unbeaten record remains preserved. However - didn`t it feel like we`d just been beaten. Going into the lead twice against a team like Boro, whose attacking options are limited to say the least, and then throwing it away is pretty much inexcusable. Still, anyone knows we`re still bedding in our comprehensive set of summer signings.

Again we started with the same team that had drawn against Villa. Carr stayed in the team despite a long week for the Republic of Ireland and Oba made it into the line up despite missing Nigeria`s game in midweek and having been the subject of Arsenal bid rumours again in the morning press. However Sam quickly had to draft in Peter Ramage as the right back tore his hamstring within the first 5 minutes of the game.

Time ticked on and we ended up in a bit of a chess game situation out on the pitch. That was, at least, until the Zog decided to cut in from the left and launch a purely belta shot into the top right corner past Schwarzer. Game on, goals galore.

Now to something that seems to have got the media`s knickers in a twist. There`s nowt like a bit of blood curdling baiting of an opposition player in a match and it`s fair to say Mido got his slice of the abuse. Our fans sang a few ditties about "Mido is a Paedo" and "Mido, he`s got a bomb you know". Straightaway the media response was to dub us sick for abusing him for being a child molester cum Muslim terrorist.

Two facts for the Cockney press to consider - "Paedo" refers to the Marietta Higgs instances of the 80s we level at Boro fans in general, something they`ve never taken much interest in until yesterday despite the fact we`ve sung it for the last 20 years. They brand us rapists. Do we care? Blind eye turned instance number one. The second instance is to the uncanny resemblance between Robin Reid (not the boxer) and the Boro centre forward. Which is what we were referring to. Like. God knows what level of sh*t he`s going to get at SJP in the return game.

In any case the Egyptian got his revenge for the taunts by poking home after rounding Steve Harper. 1-1. Bugger. He then decided to do the 'shush` taunts in front of our fans, which went down as well as fart in a spacesuit. Booking for him, radgy gadgy posses racing down the stairs for us.

The second half came on like a train and the bookings seem to start accumulating. Aliadiere was stretchered off unconscious following a forearm clipping off Stevie T. Milner got a gashed knee and Ramage was stretchered off with knee ligament damage.

Despite all that the Duke planted a beauty of a strike past Schwarzer, holding off some former Newcastle centre half who looked like a homeless hobo and lacing home.

However ex-mackem Fray Bentos eater Arca, copying the Woodgate gypsy style, volleyed home from the edge of the area.

Overall honours even in a very feisty affair. Deserved? Probably but it still works you losing a lead twice.