During the Boro v Fulham match, Boro legend Craig Hignett was hosting the pre match entertainment in the hospitality suite at the Riverside stadium and threw the floor open to questions from the fans.
He also shared some stories about former team mates Paul Merson and Paul Gascoigne. ComeOnBoro.com's Elle Brunton paid attention...
When asked what has gone wrong with the Boro this season, Hignett was characteristically frank:
"Last week was a massive result for everyone, the fans thought we have scored three goals! But we haven't managed that before this season that's why we are in the position we are in."
And why has Alves fallen so short of expectations?
"Because he's crap! [laughs but in a way that suggests he's enjoying the audience's shock, not that he is joking] He's been here long enough now for me. He has been incredibly disappointing in himself. He is not a link up player, he can't make a pass. I know he can finish, I've seen him do it in training but he is not doing that."
The ex-Boro player did offer some hope for the future however. As co-coach of the under thirteen team he is excited about the young talent which the club's famed academy is still producing.
"The fifteens, sixteens and fourteens we've got and down to the thirteens, we have really got high hopes for them. We think there is one, maybe two who will go on to play for their country.
"I don't just mean Premier League players, we think they will all make the Premier League.
"The ability they have is phenomenal, the things they can do...
"They have learned from watching people like Ronaldo and Messi."
And the question all the fans want an answer to, what is Gibson thinking about retaining a manager who is so clearly out of his depth and who has under perfomed so badly?
"If you cross Steve [Gibson] you'll know about it. He knows what he wants. I think Gareth is determined and committed to the football club and how he wants to bring changes.
"Clubs are too quick to change manager, you only have to look up the road, they do it all the time!
"Gibson has stuck to his guns."
I asked Hignett to respond to Bernie Slaven's assertion that none of the players deserve to be 'crowned' Boro's player of the season:
"Bernie has got a big mouth! I don't think you can say none of them deserve player of the season. I would say Downing, Johnson has done well when he's come on and Tuncay, although not all season...
"It is a little bit disrespectful [to say that]
That is why Bernie doesn't come to the club anymore!"
Back to his own career, can he single out his favourite goals for the Boro?
"The last two I scored for Boro, to leave on those terms was fantastic for me."
Hignett was equally forthright when describing former team mates Paul Merson and Paul Gascoigne.
"I 'credit' Merson with introducing the gambling culture to this club. Before he came there was a little bit of it yes, but nothing like the extent he brought. He would bet on crazy things like golf or the colour of the winning jockey's hat or something, anything... and not small sums on money either, he lost a fortune, I think it was in the papers that he lost three hundred thousand? and... it was hard for him.
"I don't think he needs to slag us off quite as much as he does though, people forget the clubs they played for..."
He has nothing but warmth for former Boro hero Paul Gascoigne though.
"I was Gazza's room partner for the cup final, I got dropped for him! He gave me his medal from that game, that's what he's like.
"Sorry to any animal rights people in here but there was a story with Gazza and a cat... and I'm going to tell it!
"We were staying in a hotel somewhere and Gazza walks in with this cat under his arm, he'd found it somewhere, and he took it up to our room on the top floor, we were usually on the top floor, and he opened the window... and I got a bit worried... but he goes "no look there's a tree there it'll hit the tree and climb down"!
Now I'm thinking this is a bit high up but... well there was nothing else to do so Gazza chucks the cat... and it lands in the tree. But it kept climbing back up. We must of spent all night watching this cat go up and down that tree, but it was fine!
"I could talk about Gazza all day, there are so many stories, like the time he turned up in full diving gear and sat in the hotel lobby. Everyone thought he'd lost it but he was fine, he just wanted to see how people would react, he could always make you laugh."
Slightly worried about the nature of some of what Hignett had said, I introduced myself and asked if I could use my notes, "Of course you can" he told me, "BUT only use the good bits!"
Hignett's honesty and willingness to give his opinions make him a great guest speaker, let's just hope he's right anout those Boro youngsters!
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 11/5/2009
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