Kudos to our Middlesbrough supporting friends over at ComeonBoro.com for being the first team from a ever-increasing list to realise Leeds United fans don’t consider them a rival. The author of their latest post admits that this week has been an real eye-opener for him, and whilst the first fixture Boro fans looked for at the start of the year was Leeds, this wasn’t the case over in West Yorkshire.

A post made by the same site earlier this week was picked up on by both myself and Darragh over at Clarke One Nil, with me describing the clash as ‘the one way rivalry of the season’ and Darragh also puzzled by the hype the Boro fans were trying to create. Whether their latest post is in reply to myself and Darragh, I have no idea, but whatever it was that made the Boro fans realise we don’t see them as rivals needs to be repeated for the vast amount of similarly deluded clubs out there, not least, our six-fingered friends down in Norwich.

Whilst the Boro site is quick to accept the distinct lack of mutual rivalry, they continue the banter by taking a swipe at the great Don Revie’s side (as is the norm). They also remind us of that ridiculous exchange deal that saw Michael Ricketts arrive at Elland Road with Mark Viduka heading in the opposite direction.

What really seems to stick in the memory of Boro fans however is the relegation party we enjoyed at Elland Road in 1997. Admittedly, the Leeds fans weren’t exactly sympathetic that day and the Boro fans really seemed to enjoy their revenge several years later.

You can read more tiresome digs at Don Revie and the rest of the reasons Boro hate us here.

There’s no real rivalry today for me, but that doesn’t mean I want to win this one any less. After the poor results before the international break, it’s important that we register some points. Middlesbrough haven’t made the start many were expecting them to, and there’s growing rumours that their manager could be sacked if he doesn’t turn things around quickly. Boro have plenty to play for then, but if Grayson has managed to sort out our defensive frailties, maybe we can help send Boro’s manager on his way…

Anyway, time for me to head off to the birthplace of the Don. For those of you that won’t be in attendance today, don’t forget the game is live on Sky Sports at 17:20. MOT!