Boro a bed of roses but thorny issue of relegation remains

by werdermouth, posted in Uncategorized

Aitor Karanka’s demeanor in Thursday’s press conference was one of relaxed contentment and there were no signs of the prickly character of the previous week where he showed his displeasure at Boro’s January transfer activity, or more precisely the lack of it. Gone was the furrowed brow and the smouldering eyes as he wandered linguistically along the boundary of what was acceptable in his blunt criticism of the club’s performance.

Now he said that he couldn’t be happier with the 25-man squad he now has at his disposal – ‘the best squad in the world’ as he describes it – and everything at Boro was now ‘a bed of roses’. It was probably not the late signing of Adlène Guedioura from Watford that had given him this new horticultural perception of his lot at Boro but perhaps the strain of the transfer window had previously taken it’s toll – especially having seen all his first choices getting crossed off his shopping list one by one, not to mention the prospect of losing his most creative player in Gaston Ramirez.

The Boro manager also brushed aside questions about his future at the club and the suggestions that he was trying to get himself sacked – he declared that he doesn’t need the money so he will just walk away when he no longer wants to be in charge at Middlesbrough – so the chairman has no need to reach for the gun as everything is looking rosy in Karanka eyes.

So let’s remind ourselves of what the ‘best squad in the world’ looks like:

No. Shirt Position Player Country
1 26 Goalkeeper Víctor Valdés Spain
2 1 Goalkeeper Dimi Konstantopoulos Greece
3 12 Goalkeeper Brad Guzan United States
4 3 Left-Back George Friend England
5 40 Left-Back James Husband England
6 4 Center-Back Daniel Ayala Spain
7 5 Center-Back Bernardo Espinosa Colombia
8 6 Center-Back Ben Gibson England
9 22 Center-Back Dael Fry England
10 25 Center-Back/Right-Back Calum Chambers England
11 17 Right-Back Antonio Barragán Spain
12 2 Right-Back/Left-Back Fábio Brazil
13 7 Midfielder Grant Leadbitter England
14 8 Midfielder Adam Clayton England
15 14 Midfielder Marten de Roon Netherlands
16 34 Midfielder Adam Forshaw England
17 27 Midfielder Adlène Guedioura Algeria
18 19 Forward Stewart Downing England
19 21 Forward Gastón Ramírez Uruguay
20 11 Forward Viktor Fischer Denmark
21 37 Forward Adama Traoré Spain
22 18 Forward Cristhian Stuani Uruguay
23 20 Forward Patrick Bamford England
24 10 Center-Forward Álvaro Negredo Spain
25 29 Center-Forward Rudy Gestede Benin

This is the squad that will decide the fate of the club this season and it’s now up to Aitor Karanka to get the best out of them. Hopefully, Gaston Ramirez will get back to doing what he does best – he’s been arguably our most likely player to unlock defences – we can’t really afford to have him sulking on the sidelines and biding his time for the summer. He needs to accept that it was unrealistic of him to expect a move to a team now equal on points with Boro in the relegation scrap. Though I noticed Karanka has used Leicester as a measure of Boro’s success – stating we are level on points with the current champions.

So on to the game on Saturday, the tea-time tussle on television – well it’s going to be tough for Boro as Spurs have not lost at home this season and we really need some points. I’m no expert but it’s quite possible that the Boro boss will setup to defend and keep it tight. It’s probably going to be an away at Arsenal or City or United (OK I’ll just stick with away) type performance. The bookmakers give us little chance of victory at 14-1 against – though decent odds in a two-horse race, where we generally only lose by an odd goal or put in a plucky 0-0. Dafter quids have been squandered on less likely outcomes.

Gaston still has sore-knees from pleading for a transfer so is out of the equation – surely Boro could do a lot worse than play Downing on the left, who looked again up for it in the recent cup game. There’s been much talk of Guedioura adding a new much-needed dimension to the middle of the park – but we shouldn’t suddenly expect a goal-rush from midfield, as despite his apparent eye for a long-range shot, he’s generally only bagged 2-3 goals a season in the last few years.

I hope and I’m sure Adama will play, but on the right where he’s dangerous, and not moved to the left to accommodate Bamford on the right. We must play to our strengths if we are to get points on the board – but again Fabio will need to cover for George, which may see Chambers at right-back again.

I suspect we will play with the requisite three defensive midfielders – though maybe Karanka will surprise us with three at the back again – maybe he will be encouraged by Adama’s improved defensive display last Tuesday and make him a wing-back. Though Boro should be up against two very good wing-backs with Walker and Rose and will be tested down the flanks.

So how many of you are feeling as rosy as the boss? Can the Boro get something from this game, maybe nil-nil or will we be in the bottom three before kick-off? So usual predictions, team-sheet, score and how far out will the new bloke from Watford have his first crack – 35 yards?

 

 

61 thoughts on “Boro a bed of roses but thorny issue of relegation remains”

  1. I guess if Chambers isn’t fit, then we might have an unchanged team. I can’t really see him making any changes to the front 3 or midfield 3. Danny Rose is out injured for Spurs, so Ben Davies will probably have a rare game at LB – something for Traore to exploit hopefully.
    I think there is a bit of an opportunity here, Spurs perhaps not quite at their best of a few weeks ago, so if we can keep it tight early on, who knows.

  2. So no serious pruning for the squad other than the ones we had thought
    De Pena and Rhodes good luck to you with your new clubs.
    The first 20 minutes are going to be crucial to our overall performance as for the last few games we have started very slow.
    1 1 will do me

  4. As everything’s now rosy, can we hope that AK’s 2017 “hissy fit” will be followed by a string of good results as occurred last year? I sincerely hope so.
    Anything from tomorrow will be a bonus but, at some point, we need those points not gained from our “winnable” fixtures to be recouped. That means wins/points coming from unexpected sources. On form so far, it seems unlikely but anything is possible. The Prayer Mat will be in constant use for the remainder of this season!
    UTB

  5. Ok, outta the blue Aitor pulls Messr le Rabbit out of the hat & drops Negredo to the bench putting Traore in a no9. He plays 3 at the back with Espinosa right Alaya centre and Ben left. He puts Fabio on the right as a Wing back withDowning on the left as Wing back – how many’s that?
    Alright, he can have his three DM triangle with De Roon sitting at point, Forshaw/ Clayton left & Leadsbelter right.
    Now for the real surprise Biff Bam plays fluid midfield centre partnering Traore up front.
    Zim zala bim – as rock solid as it can be with speed and shooting boots and the heading ability of Ben, Alaya & De Room to booties for set plays, corners etc.
    What dya think of those rabbits Sportsfans?
    If i were Spurs facin that I’d be havin serious doubts about how to handle it.
    Happy days if Aitor plays my ways.
    1-3 to the Boro
    Urrraaahhhhh!!!

  6. AK’s press conference comments and the Gazette’s biased reporting is all a load of nonsense. It is clearly not all a bed of roses and he doesn’t have the best squad in the world so either he is taking the proverbial or he has completely lost his marbles. Hopefully he is doing the former, insulting though it may be to loyal fans who can see the reality of the mess the club is in.
    As for tomorrow, no doubt he will continue the habit of putting players in the wrong positions and leave his bizarre substitutions until too late so unless Spurs make a complete pig’s breakfast of it they will win the game.
    2-0 to Spurs.

  8. Very good piece Werdermouth. But I think we all know in our hearts what is coming – to get out of this game with anything other than a hefty and emotionally draining defeat will require a footballing miracle. It might be no bad thing if Spurs score early and force the team to at least try and press with some consistency, but this has got many goals to nil (or possibly one) written all over it.

  10. Spurs away is a free hit for AK. I expect nothing so he may as well try something almost different.
    Downing on the left, Traore to start on the right. Bench Forshaw and start BamBam alongside Negredo, or preferably Stuani. No, I don’t expect this will happen.
    Realistically our best hope is a draw. That at least would be a point from an unexpected place.

  11. Chris
    I expect 433, being generous. A line up of
    Valdes
    Barragan, Espinosa, Gibson, Fabio
    de Roon, Clayton, Forshaw
    Traore, Negredo, Stuani
    They may line up 4141 with Clayton shielding the back four.
    Realistically it will be a flat back nine and Eric Carmen up front.
    What would I like to see? Anything that gives us more than ‘nul points’
    Ideally, 4231’sh with Traore right, Downing left, Bamford playing off Negredo. Just wont happen.

  12. Ironies.
    AK has been accused of many defects this week. Tomorrow we will desperately need most of them.
    All out defence. Not a weak link.
    I wouldn’t be surprised if Traore didn’t start.
    As much passing the ball from side to side as we can muster. Whilst we have possession of the ball Spurs don’t. Pointless retention might get us a point. It shortens the time that we have to defend.
    Dull park-the-bus anti-football. Objective? To stop the other team from playing.
    Dreadful TV fare, deplored by the neutrals. Rubbish as entertainment. Do we care?
    Draws are not enough? One here would be a triumph.
    In a two horse race Boro at 14-1 have to be good value for a daft tenner.
    So my dual prediction is that we pull off a 0-1 win and that there will be no “sack AK” posts on the blog next week.
    Spartak excepted, of course.

  13. AK’s “best” moments are when he plays against the sides where we have nothing to lose. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if tomorrow he pulls a Rabbit out of the hat, besides after a meltdown/crisis is when he comes out and puts a run together.

  14. I couldn’t disagree more with the idea we should try something different or go for broke, or anything like that. We’ve played 3 of the big 6 away – Arsenal, Man City and Man Utd – picked up points in two of the games and nearly won the other. In fact, we could have easily won two of them.
    So, not really sure why people are ‘dreading’ it or so quick to write it off.

  15. I posted a prediction that was more like an outbreak of pessimism attacking the roses but it didn’t arrive. So here goes again.
    Boro to score first, probably in the first ten minutes, but the final score Spurs 3 – 1 Boro. Pessimistic and glass half empty and all that but I fear this is the Boro rose garden’s autumn arriving late. Along with discontent.
    UTB,
    John

  16. Len
    If we lost in the Champions league final having won the League, FA Cup, League Cup, FA Youth Cup, U23 league, U18 League, Women’s Premier League, Women’s FA Cup, The County Championship, T20 league, one day trophy, Ashes, Cricket world Cup, Six Nations, Rugby World Cup, Davis Cup and Ryder Cup, Spartak would be saying sack AK even if he had left five years previously.
    He reminds me of Father Jack, but not as friendly.

  17. Typical Boro will see us win 1 0 with our only fluffed shot on goal via a deflection in the 75th minute.
    The AKRTS says
    Valdez
    Barragan Gibson Bernando Friend
    Clayton Forshaw Leadbitter Downing
    Bamford Negrado
    i think AK is trying to boost the troops with the best squad in the world although the reality is a bit different and Boro may be many things, world beaters at present is not one of them, sorry to say!
    UTB

  19. If we had anything like the best squad in the world, as suggested, it would take spectacular mismanagement to get the team relegated. In fact even finishing runners up in the Premier League would be a bad return, so 15th would be disastrous and 18-20th would be catastrophic.
    Unless, of course, the squad is only the best squad on Teesside. Maybe that’s what he meant….. I mean, Guisborough Town would obviously struggle against Boro. Stockton & Norton Ancients wouldn’t trouble our defence too much, In fact, if we played those teams, the bookies’ favourite score in both games would be 1-0 to Boro.

  20. Ian
    Aitor has won nothing! With the greatest squad/team in the world he’s looking at relegation – nothing more, nothing less.
    His chances of winning anything rest with the greatest squad/team in the world doin the opposite of what he demands e.g. against Swansea.
    I understand that the points we ‘agree’ on dont include replacing Aitor – so therefore you are NOT for change. Fine, wonder at what point you may have a change of mind?
    Have a great day!
    UTB

  21. Oh, & while I’m at it – suddenly we dont have slow midfielders we have the best squad in the world.
    From the sublime to the rideculous.
    More popcorn, please!

  23. Dormo, we have the best team WITH our resourses in the world. We can also say we have as good a squad as the reigning Champions (Leicester).
    Of course we are not Barcelona but we have the 18th best squad in the world. Just there after Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern München and some 14 better teams in the PL.
    And we can get better. Look at your calender – it is February now and the post Chrismas slump in in the past. I think we can improve now after the window is closed.
    I will go for a 1-1 draw today. I know AV would have said 0-1 to us. Up the Boro!

  25. Do the Spanish have a sense of humour? The first time we went Majorca was in January many years ago. Forest had been knocked out of the FA Cup by Derby and as their punishment they were training on the beach in Magaluff. We are talking early eighties.
    We were in a bar trying to have a drink but the waiters were all stood about laughing away as they watched Benny Hill on TV. They loved it.
    Why do I mention it? I wonder if AK was having a bit of fun when he said he swapped Traore to the other flank after half time in our last two home games so he could be in Traore’s ear, he wanted him on the touchline near AK.

  26. I noted AK’s piece about Traore and switching flanks so he is always on the touchline nearest to the dug outs so he can coach him through games.
    It just goes to show how ridiculous and ignorant most of us are for challenging the stupidity of Stuani left and/or switching Traore onto the left flank at half time. Just as well AK has the best squad in the world as it clearly gives us the luxury of being able to nursemaid a player through games at Premiership level whilst we square peg another player for 45 minutes!
    How do you get into this state? Is the question that should have been asked. 60% into a season and we are dependant upon one errant player who needs his hand holding on one flank but to do that we have to reduce our effectiveness on the other to accommodate this folly?
    I can’t see any problem with that at all, its not as if we are impotent in attack or not creating enough chances or goals or anything like that now is it? Good job we are not in a relegation scrap so we can afford this genius piece of in-game management. In a season that is all about survival in the toughest league, at the highest level and this is considered our best let alone a viable option?
    Shakes head in unbelievable abject despair to go and lie down in a darkened room repeating to myself “we are going to give it a go, we are going to give it a go, we are going to give it a go”………………………….

  27. I don’t think so, Ian, and that AK feels he needs to be in Traore’s ear for ninety-minutes is highly indicative of his management, showing an element of mistrust with his players, particularly flair players, and his overwhelming willingness to sacrifice (or stifle) attacking threat for the sake of defensive solidity.
    Do I want him out? No. For all the bad that we regularly point out, there is an awful lot of good in AK’s management. You only need look at where we were and where we are, as Karanka himself would no doubt shamelessly say.
    Do I want him to improve? Good lord, yes. He can start by letting his attacking players play a bit, and maybe picking one or two more of them to balance the side (though perhaps not today).

  28. Surely Karanka was joking when he said that was the reason for switching Adama to the left after half-time – given his attention to detail he must know there is a quite simple method to achieve this goal and keep him on the right where he is most effective – choose to kick off the first half in the direction that means Adama is playing on the right flank closest to the dugout in the second half!

  29. No, I didn’t think he was having a bit of fun either.
    He may think he needs to be in Traore’s ear, the improvement in his overall play has been very good. It could be Traore is benefiting from the close attention, at Villa perhaps he was adrift in the general chaos.
    Jose turned Joe Cole in to a really good player by getting him to focus. Arry kept Taarabt on track by banning his team from passing to him in their own half.
    All mercurial talents who could disappear up their own orifice if not carefully managed.
    Just look at the effect Sean Dyche had on Paddy with kind man management.
    Oddly I think we may give it more of a go at Spurs, comments about the first and second halves against Spurs from AK suggest he took some notice of the differences. Will he do anything about is a different matter.
    I have a feeling we may see the new midfielder in the mix.
    I will be happy with a point.

  30. Spurs’ recent home form is impressive; five wins in a row 4-0, 2-0, 2-1, 3-0, 5-0, 3-2. They’re missing Danny Rose which sometimes means they go 3 at the back, last time we played them our 4-2-3-1 got the run-around so I wonder if AK goes 3 at the back to match them. More likely to go with the 4-3-2-1 that got draws at Arsenal and City. Whichever way we go it’s going to take maximum effort and zero errors, we’ve done it before, we can do it again . . if we go down at least go down fighting.

  31. Spurs 0 Boro 4 !
    Not a prediction but a reminisce of our LC win in the 74/75 season which I was there to see. Far away now but still rooting for them as I do every week no matter what shenanigans are going on in the back ground.
    Heart says usual 0-0 nail biting afternoon but head says 3-0 but you never know perhaps this could be one of those typical boro moments!
    CoB

  32. Breaking Newts
    Martin De Room says ‘Now draws are not enough!’
    Spartak replies ‘Martin they NEVER were!’
    A draw away from home, yep understandable. A draw against top six opposition, Ok! But draws as a strategy – this way to the house of fools, idiots & numpties!
    Strewth!!!!!

  33. Still, dont worry Aitor coz Ian is not for change – you can keep yer job continue with the ‘Draw Strategy’ & keep whispering sweet nothings into the lughole of Adama -bless!
    Happy days
    No enough popcorn! Enough already!

  36. Now De Roon’s said it, maybe people will believe that draws are not enough.
    We’ll have to hope that the necessary wins materialise sooner rather than later.
    A few wins under our belt would then mean that draws might just get us over the line.
    UTB

  37. Having read Karankas comments yesterday coupled with last weeks outbursts I’m convinced he’s Bipolar. Hopefully he’s got his meds sorted and the rest of the season is a breeze
    I wouldn’t be surprised if SG hasn’t read the riot act to him for dragging everyone into his hissy fit this week and told him to go and improve relations between him the fans and the press.
    Not expecting anything today but then again I felt the same at Arsenal and City so I’ll keep an open mind
    As usual the team selection is anyone’s guess but don’t think Gaston is that crocked,more like the naughty step,someone i know was at Hurwoth watching training and he was on his own training running around like an Olympic athlete,
    We’ve got to start attempting to get three points,we are surrendering without a fight which is a crying shame considering how long it took us to get back up.
    Will be ultra defensive today trying our best to get nil at each end

  40. As if to underline the point, Hull and Sunderland, like Swansea recently, demonstrate how wins can quickly change the dynamic in the league standings. Hopefully, Liverpool will find their mojo and peg back Hull and we can only hope that the Sunderland scoreline is a freak. It’s getting close to “squeaky bum” time unless, of course, Boro are about to pull off their own surprise!

  41. Whilst I am advocating sacking the Manager, it does show you what a new manager and change of philosophy can bring.
    We have had too many draws which have been hailed as a success, when one win brings with it 3 points. Best we can hope for today is to keep it tight, be awake from the off and not after they score, and try and nick a goal. Mind you to do that we would have to start shooting between those two upright things.

  42. Should of said NOT advocating sacking the Manager. Hope Spartak reads this before he reads my first post, otherwise he will think he has an ally. Still if results don´t improve soon there will be more vocal calls for his head.

  45. Callum Chambers can’t continue to stand 10 yards off Son Heung-min at right back, he’s giving him space to allow Son to get him back-peddling and is looking very vulnerable . . only a matter of time before it leads to a goal.

  46. Espinosa gives away a soft penalty. Another one of those scratching your head moments thinking why is he in front of Ayala? Oh yes.. ak has favourites and it’s not based on ability.
    For all our battling still not one shot on target.

  48. At last there is something to chuckle at.
    77 minutes gone, 1 0 down, all Spurs, then a classic line from Radio Tees. ‘Since Spurs scored it has been a procession’.
    Guffaw.
    Spurs just look good. Fabio has been excellent

  49. Our manager the only manager in the league who actually plays for a hard working 1-0 defeat. He’d rather that than have a go and lose by more. It’s appalling and sickening.

  51. Well played but without reward. If Negredo in the beginning or De Roon in the end had scored, we could have got a point.
    The faul by Ebioso was useless but the penalty was correct. Generally Valdes was excellent.
    Not many teams play as well at White Hart Lane as we did. So nearly there.
    Up the Boro!

    1. Things are starting to get serious. If we continue to collect points at the current rate we’ll end the season with 33 and almost certain relegation. Something has got to change. We all know what that is and it’s to be a bit more positive. We don’t need to be gung-ho in every match. Given Karanka’s strong preference for a single striker how do we achieve this?
      The answer might to shift to a midfield diamond four in a 4-1-4-1 line up. The base of the diamond plays in front of the holding midfielder – let’s say Clayton. The middle line are the more conventional wing men – let’s say Downing and Traore. In this sysytem the head of the diamond is crucial and plays behind, but in support, of the striker. The obvious candidate is Ramirez but if Karanka can’t build the bridges we have options. I can see both Stuani and Bamford being useful in this role.
      For the system to work the wingers have to be effective and we’re rather limited by what we’ve got. Stuani should never start on the wing. It’s like starting with ten men and his main contribution is conceding needless fouls. I’d rather see Fischer or Fabio given a run. Downing should have been an obvious choice but his confidence has dipped with being in and out of the side.
      Remember the premise is that we have to change if even only slightly. Thoughts?

  54. People calling for Karanka to go, what makes you think Gibson will get the next appointment right,
    You know it would be someone with very little experience or indeed none at all,what’s the reason he does that,strange considering you are competing in the toughest league in the world, with very savvy individuals running their clubs.
    If anything ,I think him and Gill should step down and allow the coach to get on with his job.
    Too many hands and all that,
    Hope I don’t upset too many,just my thoughts

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