THE clock on the plasma screen said 10.30, I had just missed breakfast and the phone rang. 'Hello Paul, I'm calling from Sky Sports News, is there any chance I can quiz you for a few minutes?' said the chap at the other end of the phone, whose name I can't remember because I was in a sleepy-dazed state.

He was, of course, not ringing about the football side of things here in Rome. He wanted to know about casualties.

Having not been at the Campo de Fiori late on Tuesday night when the Ultras of AS Roma attacked around 200 Middlesbrough supporters, I could only tell him hearsay from what I had heard from a couple of guys who'd had a good drink.

So, after informing him of what I thought I knew, I was then asked to go on Sky Sports and tell the nation about what life was like in Rome on Tuesday night, to which I declined.

Having gathered a few thoughts together I thought better of going on national television and giving unsubstantiated evidence but, as Sky don't have anyone out here reporting because ITV claimed the rights to the game, I was willing to help the man out.

At the 11.30 press conference, held by Cleveland Police and Middlesbrough Football Club, I was able to put Sky Sports in touch with Boro's head of safety and security, Terry Tasker, and superintendent Steve Swales of Cleveland Police.

That was good enough for Sky and, without sounding too much like a name-dropper, a few hours later I realised I had covertly contributed to the lead story on the Sky Sports News channel.

But, as well as Terry Tasker telling his story, they also had the Evening Gazette's Boro man Eric Paylor on the line. A missed opportunity for myself? I think so. Particularly as it remained the lead story on Sky for many hours later. A case of what might have been and my chance of TV stardom gone. My work colleagues do say, however, I've the perfect face for radio.

IN LIGHT of everything that went on in Rome on Tuesday night, and what was expected to happen again last night, it is difficult to describe the feeling ahead of the second leg with Roma.

One of the biggest games in Middlesbrough's history was completely overshadowed by the events away from the ground, something that had been expected ever since the draw was made.

By the time the coach left for the ground at 6pm, Italian time, the fact we were here to go to a game could quite easily have passed everybody's mind by.

That is in stark contrast to the feeling when we first went to the stadium on Tuesday, before the violence. At that time we all had a wander around the 81,000-seater stadium and, although needing a lick of paint, the venue that was built for the 1960 Olympics looked fantastic.

There were plenty empty seats last night and you could only imagine the tensions when the stadium is full for a Rome derby between Lazio and Roma.

For Boro, backed by 3,000 supporters, the black cat that strolled casually around the empty seats should have brought luck . . .

INCIDENTALLY, before I travelled to Rome, many people I spoke to had told me just how great the food is over here.

As a huge fan of Italian food, I was excited by the prospect of tasting some of the best around in its country of origin.

But, apart from the exceptional idea of having pasta for a starter, my expectations were not met in either of the restaurants we went to during our three-day stay in Rome.

The first, Ristorante Matricianella, came strongly recommended but did not have the most appealing menu in the world to choose from,

In fact I have had better at Hartlepool Marina. The wine was nice though.