As expected a much changed Boro side saw Guzan back between the posts with Ayala in for Ben, Stewy restored along with Grant in midfield and Fischer given a chance to show the longed for potential we have heard so much about with Gestede leading up front. A full away end (or corner) will have had their hopes raised as Lincoln had just toppled Burnley in the lunchtime KO. That said the very same result brought much amusement to the faces of the gathering Boro fans, a warning though if ever one was needed for Karanka’s men.
The opening minutes treated us to the latest in a growing list of clangers by Espinosa (or should that now read Oopsinosa?), the regularity of these slips is now a worry and it almost and probably should have led to an opener for the League one side. Gestede then had a great early chance with a header that he inexplicably headed down into the ground for Eastwood to collect easily. This was the first return of the talismanic ex Blackburn keeper and we were all hoping that history would not repeat itself.
Moments later Grant had a deft chip just glance of the crossbar. He was to have more opportunity later on as the game settled nicely into a steady cup tie which was surprising as Oxford clearly came to play football. We broke out of defence via Fischer who was wiped out on the half way line but Andre Marriner waved play on and the ball then broke to Stewy who charged straight into the 18 yard box and he himself was wiped out giving an easy penalty decision in our favour. Grant stepped up and even ten Simon Eastwoods couldn’t have saved it as he thunderbastarded it just under the crossbar.
Just a few minutes later as we were hoping Oxford would wilt they fired in a shot come cross that skipped across Espinosa and past Guzan into the back of the net to equalise. The ref blew for an infringement on Espinosa which was fortunate but there did appear to be “nudge” on the CB which was enough to save blushes. Questions though need to be asked how the cross was so easily delivered under no pressure with Fabio out of position.
Seconds later Fabio stormed up the left wing fired in a cross which was acrobatically brought down by Traore when it seemed lost and played in Gestede to score with a bicycle kick, 2-0 and surely game over you would have thought. Observation on the first half was that Boro were breaking out quickly, passing quickly and looking uncharacteristically very slick and composed (apart from when defending that is). At half time 13 shots with 7 on target, it’s not often this season that Boro fans have such a wealth of excitement.
Something happened at half time because the second half was from an entirely different book let alone chapter. Oxford came out, played and fought as though their very lives depended upon it, they attacked with two strikers to aim for and started to tear into us and tear our circus like defence apart, defending as though they were complete strangers. Oxford had sensed that the Boro back line was edgy, nervy and looking anything but comfortable. Chambers was having an off day, Espinosa was well Espinosa and Ayala was trying to win everything and anything and in doing so clattering into every one and looking ill disciplined. Fabio was OK but the threat was coming down our right side, centrally Ben Gibson was seriously missed.
An Oxford attack seen Adama clatter into a player on the edge of the box that looked as though it could have been a penalty. Thankfully it was outside the box but the resultant free kick from Maguire was a delicate gentle lob over the Boro wall and into the net, not the top corner just simply over the wall and past an outstretched and flailing Guzan. Seconds later Clayton not concentrating lost the ball centrally, Oxford charged forward and our generous defence just kept on giving, 2-2. What on earth happened? How can you be cruising, playing great football and then suddenly be pulled back by a side several leagues below you at home? Fair play to Oxford, as much as it hurt they certainly deserved it.
In the second half our midfield didn’t impose or create, our defence was abysmal and as a consequence there was nothing offered up front. Then came probably the most controversial moment of the match when AK made his double substitution. Despite our lack of creativity Traore was taken off (for giving away the free lick?) along with Fischer who after an optimistic first half was a shadow of himself.
Ramirez entered the fray for Fischer but Stuani came on for Traore along with groans, mumbles and some boos. For me the majority of boos and groans were for taking Traore off when chasing the game as our most creative outlet rather than for Stuani entering who has struggled out wide. It wasn’t great to hear but trying to attack and to win the game and bringing on a wide player who is a great finisher but a lousy wide player or creator just didn’t make sense.
As fate decreed it was indeed Stuani running into the box in the closing minutes chasing a Fabio cross that Negredo had miscued (or set up brilliantly) en-route that led to the Uruguayans tap in at the far post for the victory. The Stuani debate rages on. A great finisher? There is probably 99% agreement across the Riverside on that but as a wide player well that probably sees a huge drop in the ratings. The question is what did AK put him on as? The answer today is that once again he has the knack of being in the right place at the right time in the box.
The first half had some great bits of Boro play but Espinosa has struggled with decision making and today it was little different. Gestede put in a good first half shift as did Grant and Stewy but all faded in the second half. To be fair Oxford had us pinned back for large parts of the second half. Fischer has me in a quandary I can see what the Scouts seen in him but he seems incapable of that final bit of skill or magic to become a major influencer. Let’s hope it’s just a confidence thing but todays was a game you would have expected him to boss.
21 shots 8 on target is where it finished for Boro which tells the story of a very poor 2nd half embarrassingly rescued in the end by Stuani sneaking one in to spoil it for the underdogs and neutrals.
A word for Oxford, they came and played good football, no parking of buses or Burnley style hump it and hope and were almost rewarded for their efforts. They can at least go home thinking about if only Stewy hadn’t been awarded the penalty, if only Espinosa hadn’t been nudged, if only Boro hadn’t brought on two Uruguayan Internationals it might all have been very different.
A typical Cup Tie with all the magical ingredients thrown in there. As it turned out one that in the end we are thankful to be in the hat for the next round. There were however lessons to be learned and some are overwhelmingly obvious despite the calibre of opposition.
MOM for me is a difficult one, after the second half not many came out with any glory but once again at the risk of sounding like a stuck needle but whilst I like Grant and Stewy in the first half for 90 minutes it has to be Fabio again.
Good accurate report RR
Infuriating performance,like you said 2.0 up at the break and in full control then in the space of a minute just after the hour terrible defending and its 2.2,I was almost booking my coach fare to Oxford for the replay.
Espinosa after his initial good performances when he was fit again now fills me with dread,he has too many errors in him.
Ayalas obviously match rusty,gave too many fouls away but also played the ball out well with good distribution
Chambers not a right back as we’ve all said many times and I wouldn’t welcome Barragan back there either
Fabios a breath of fresh air,still think he’s our signing of the season,once George is fit he has to be the number one right back.
Traore impressed again,I too think the boos were because he was going off and not for Stuani,with the amount of running he does it’s hard for him to keep that up for ninety minutes.
Not sure about Gaston,didn’t look interested or himself when he came on and never looked far from getting a booking. As soon as the final whistle went off he ran down the tunnel without looking back. He certainly doesn’t look happy or look as though he wants to be here.
In the hat for the next round,a kind home draw against Lincoln or Millwall and we could be dancing down Wembley Way again!
First though another potential cup final and three points needed next week at Palace
I’m gonna be honest untill the winner, I was ready to call for the sacking of some on the management side,and playing side,simply because any club that sends out a team of players who are totally inept and in some cases lazy, frightened,selfish, undermining the fans,then that was if.
Don’t kid yourself we led at halftime because Oxford showed us too much respect,in the second half they didn’t and they nearly beat us.
Forget the goal Gestede is a waste of money, Bernard, too iffy, Ayala we now no why he doesn’t get picked, Chambers never a full back, leadbitters can’t last more than sixty minutes, Downing legs have gone, Fischer too long on the ball, and Ramirez should never be picked again, he’s trying to get sent off and thus hurt the teams chances, I don’t believe in violence, but I’ll tell you I’ve been in teams were if Ramirez was part of it,some guys I know would have chinned him.
I’m not a happy camper tonight even though we won.
I’ve mentioned how I feel about the recruitment team this club has and the lot should go.
I thought grant returned to his best today and Stewy wa determined to make an impression
It was interesting to note that John Hendrie and Gary Pallister made Stewy their man of the match
John Hendrie said it was the most exciting game he had seen at the Riverside this season as Oxford Played with 2 up front and not the usual Premiership 1 lone striker
Good honest reporting chaps, not like the sugar coating from the Gazette.
Regardless of the quality of entertainment experiences at The Riverside this season, Premier survival and the quarter finals of the Cup has to be regarded as a successful return to the top flight.
I recognise there is a huge ‘but’ in that sentence.
I’ll go further.
I’m happy to win the cup and be relegated. I appreciate I don’t have to suffer watching the games.
If AK is serious about the Cup, then in the next round he must pick his strongest side i.e. one with fewer changes from the league than we saw today.
Thanks for the excellent match report. I’m looking forward to the Exmil Challenge.
I think there is the basis of a decent side. Admittedly it would be five or six changes from today but the set up would be similar.
I just hope and pray the slightly more attack minded system we employed today is not dropped for the rest of the premier league games.
We could gain a lot from looking at the tactics employed by some of the lower league clubs today because none of them, Oxford included, set up to keep it tight. They all tried to win the games they were in, something we should be doing in every game.
What did I learn:
That we’re better when we have three players supporting the lone striker rather than two.
That downing is much better when we play higher up the pitch and give him some support and on a similar note, although I question his talents as a right winger, stuani is also better when we press higher up the pitch simply because his ability to get into the box, his main strength, is utilised. When we play two players behind with three holding midfielders downing and Stuani’s lack of pace is highlighted.
That clayton and leadbitter are hard working but limited central midfielders. Something a lot of fans commented on last year. For me it would be de roon and forshaw as my midfield two.
That our centre back pairing needs to be two from Ayala/Gibson/chambers and that Fabio and George must be our full backs.
I thought in the first half, apart from some lapses defensively, we looked much more creative and positive than we have in recent games. Admittedly it’s only Oxford but we played on the front foot and that’s not something I’ve seen us do in the premier league. Instead we seem to approach premier league games like a game of chess not wanting to open up in case our opponents seize the advantage.
I’ll wait and see what next week brings but if we’re back to our defensive midfield three I’m going to be seriously disappointed.
Stuani was definitely booed on (there was a gap between booing Traore off and then the booing starting again when Stuani’s name was read out) – from where I was sat it seemed to be coming mainly from the North stand. Totally counter-productive and I was delighted to see him then score yet another crucial goal for us. He did well not to stick two fingers up at them and great to see him celebrate it so enthusiastically.
I would have thought today’s game was exactly what some people have been crying out for – defences going awol and chances at both ends.
Leadbitter was MoM for me, always wanted to drive it forward, scored a superb penalty and unlucky with the chip. Traore did well to, and finally chalked up an assist. Fabio was the best of the defence, who looked ropey at best though Guzan had a decent game behind them.
I thought Fischer was ok first half – some of his link up play was good and he made some nice touches – but there wasn’t a great deal of substance and he went missing in the 2nd half. Similarly, Downing had a good first half but he faded badly in the second.
Ramirez scared me again when he came on – I’m afraid he looks like a red card waiting to happen to me.
I wonder if RR celebrated Gestede’s goal or not?
I can confirm that I remained seated and didn’t but made up for it with Stuani’s!
I too thought Leadbitter was back to his best yesterday playing in a more advanced position and threading through forward balls.
There was not much side to side or backwards passing yesterday. Was this a change of tactics and what we can expect to see in future games?
I thought that we had seen the end of Leadbitter in a Boro shirt but was pleased to be wrong yesterday
But let’s face it he wasn’t up against Premiership players !
Boro Phil
A bit shell shocked at your rating of the keeper as decent. The position is a challenging one admittedly, but watching him positioning himself one metre from his right hand post for the free kick was stomach churning, made no better by the person taking the free kick choosing to do a practice ground medium chip into the other corner of the goal, LOL, as they say.
To follow that by the poke out one minute later was not funny. It would be kinder not to comment on the loose ball which he allowed to career into his goal with gay abandon(unchallenged) would be cruel, but if we do not take this warning and have done with him, then I am afraid we will suffer the consequences in due course.
Great report as always RR.
While the end result sees us in the hat for the quarter finals which is good news, I agree completely with GT’s comments above about individual players.
I would just add that I think Guzan could have done much better with Oxford’s first goal and I don’t agree with RR’s view that he can understand what the management sees in Fischer. I first saw him play at Fulham in the League Cup where he was very poor and I haven’t seen any improvement since then when he has been given the chance to show what he can do.
Hopefully Karanka will have a full squad to pick from next week and he will put out the strongest possible team at Palace with the right players in the right positions. The game at Selhurst is a big, big six pointer and a defeat could be terminal.
I agree with you about Fischer he looks too lightweight and his overall performance was poor
However it was his ball from the centre circle out to the right wing before he was flattened which lead to the goal by Gestede
I think he needs to go out on loan he is definitely not the player we were lead to believe he could be
I’m disappointed with reports of booing Stuani. Certainly he’s not a great player on the right wing, but it’s hardly his fault he’s square pegged and I’m not aware of a lack of effort on his part.
The crowd were not booing Stuani coming on.
They were booing because Traore was being taken off and they saw him as a creative spark to earn Boro a winner
I was lucky this weekend as the match was live on BEIN and us Boro lads got together for our usual.
4″ of rain the day before and a cold chilly wind and we thought we were in the North stand after all although the amber light nectar warmed us up a little.
Any how, great match report RR, and the same to all of you for your technical analysis which adds an extra dimension to what we see on the box.
On the emotional side as a true Boro supporter [Boys end 1969] there are two words which summed up the game . . . . we won.
All else pales inot insignificance although I did think the FA were taking the mickey when they added 5 minutes to try and give Oxford a glimmer of hope at the end.
It was boring being 2-0 up and to be honest when they scored from the free kick I thought it was a good goal and even expressed my appreciation [with the benifit of being 2 goals to the good.
Before I could say words to the effect of now concentrate and dpont blow it we were pegged back and it was game on.
All the analysis in the world deosn’t help when we have been rumbled and a deafeat looked on the cards – so I was pleased when AK resorted to type and decided to defend for the last 20 minutes with his tried and trusted non functioning trio of Gaston, Negrado and Stuani who quite honestly didnt look any good either.
As we know they conspired to do the minimum and slot one in at the end just to show that Spanish is the accent for NE and god forbiid we had better get used to it and appreciate how lucky we are. A little disapointed that we were denied disappointment yet again and that there would be no heads on spikes at the riverside gate this weekend but you never know defeat at home to Lincoln is still a possibilty.
Onwards and upwards as they say, defeat is still within our grasp.
Allan in Bahrain
What’s that amber light nectar you are drinking again? Good report though.
I have to say that it was a really enjoyable spectacle in the first half and any neutrals will have really enjoyed it. End to end stuff, Boys Own Manual, but unfortunately Roy of the Rovers didn’t make an appearance for us.
I don’t understand why RR is so dead set against Gestede. I honestly think Rudy has the edge over Negredo in that he is faster in the sprint, more mobile in the box and that scissors kick was the work of a true athlete.He also might have more self control and be less likely to attract yellow cards.
I wasn’t all that sure that Bernardo was a weak link previously, but I would have to say that he didn’t have a good game today. Neither did Ayala for that matter. He seemed to be a bit of a loose cannon charging around and didn’t show as much finesse as he could have done. Perhaps he needs more exposure to the real game, but then again, he could be suffering from the same affliction that Ramirez is suffering from. Something wrong there. Looks like he has a grudge.
I like Fabio’s marauding runs down the wing and he has a good cross in him, but he definitely leaves the defence exposed when he does that and nobody seems to cover properly for him.
Traore continues to amaze and one of his best assets, is that unlike Ramirez, he does not get personally wound up when he is fouled or beaten on the ball. All his energy is directed to running with the ball and dribbling and beating his man. It doesn’t always work, but he is really good at what he does. The end product will come eventually, I’m sure. He has already improved dramatically. In a way, I just wish he would continue on his mazey runs through the penalty area until someone inevitably fouls him.
What was surprising was how easily Boro was carved open for their two goals. It happened so fast and so easily.
“their two goals” meaning hose of Oxford United.
Johnny my issue with regards Gestede isn’t entirely a footballing one although £6m was a joke. Its more to do with a Boro pensioner being dragged through the courts not once but twice to eventually clear his name after being accused by the aforementioned and his overpaid arrogant Blackburn colleagues (who themselves were blatantly and deliberately provoking the home fans at the time) of something that he isn’t.
I personally abhor racism or indeed any kind of discrimination but I deplore even more those who attempt to use it as a trump card at every opportunity as it devalues genuine cases. A little bit of investigation and discussion by both clubs, players and the Police at the time would have revealed the reality of the situation but unfortunately it went too far for them to back down when the facts became clear.
As a consequence a lifelong Boro fan had his reputation tarnished and great angst and financial burden placed around him and his family so that is why I will never celebrate the said individual in a Boro shirt. It was an utterly thoughtless and tasteless signing and for me by Boro. If I had felt genuinely abused then no amount of money could have tempted me to play for that particular club.
We got through and that’s the main thing. Most teams on a cup run have a touch of luck and this is no different.
I do think the fans or club should not confuse playing at Wembley with getting to Wembley.
That the semi-finals are now played there is a farce, Hillsborough, Villa Park, Highbury (as was) are far more natural and better homes.
Yes it would be nice to get to Wembley but a semi-final loss there is nothing to aspire and forgotten in a heartbeat. Getting to the final, is something so very different and where the magical pull of Wembley matters.
We’ll need to drop Guzan, immediately and forever, but are now just two games from the final. We should remember that we don’t get there to this stage too often, once every 11 or 12 seasons over our history. It’s a big thing.
I hope we can stay up but I hope we win the FA Cup a lot more.
Great report RR, as always, plus few others too. Thanks fellow bloggers. All we need in the opening paragraph is a note of the weather at the beginning, wind direction and condition of the pitch and we’ll have echoes of Cliff Mitchell, when the Evening Gazette could report a match.
Is Ramirez in a sulk because he didn’t get his own way? If he is how come he hasn’t been naughty stepped? Just a thought, but if he has attitude as some are describing he is a liability, he would enjoyed playing for Leicester yesterday.
Philosophically after all the analysis we are in the draw. The Lincoln Imps next?
UTB,
John
John
Gaston came on to rapturous applause from the crowd.
At the end of the game he ran straight down the tunnel didn’t wait to hang around and wave to the crowd
OFB, Thank you, it sounds like a bit of an attitude problem. I think even AK mentioned he shouldn’t sulk.
UTB,
John
Had to fly back to Australia this weekend after my long visit. It was a real pleasure to see a few games and stay in touch with the Boro in ‘real time’ and this blog was a very big part of it. Thanks to everyone for all of the effort that everyone puts into all of the articles and comments.
Anyway, as soon as I touched down in Sydney, I checked the score and was delighted to see the result. Even more so when I checked the other results. It also reads as if it was a really entertaining afternoon and surely that must be better for everyone? Winning is always good but hats off to Oxford. It sounds as if they put on a great show.
For Boro, i do hope that this and the Everton game represent a change in fortune for the rest of the season. I look forward to a more enterprising approach, a bit of luck that more shots and more attacking bodies will bring and, hopefully, survival and maybe a cup final as well. That would make this a pretty successful season and something to build on
Fingers crossed for the Palace game and best wishes from Oz.
UTB
For all the talk of a collapse after half time,(again) I must say, I had a very good view of the keeper’s antics when positioning himself for the free kick, and the general opinion around me was that they would score. The keeper was way too far over to his right and was never going to get to a slow lob into the left hand side of his goal, and so it proved. To be fair to him he then followed up by pushing the ball out to their attackers for the second goal, but they were so close together that they could be considered as one great blunder. I would think that we will not be seeing him again.
I hope not. He also spilled pretty tame shot early in the game before Boro scored.
Lots to bleat about yesterday.
After Ox-ford cowed over like lambs to the slaughter for our spring chickens it was #Boro who looked sheep-ish after fowl-ing things up in an utter-ly crazy minute. Thankfully, Stuani milk-ed the applaused in a barn-storming finale. Wembley? Ewe can all but count on it.
Sorry, that was udder-ly, as ewe probably guessed. Hopefully we’ll have better tails to tell later this season. And, paws for thought – no more hoof-ball.
Simon
What a load of Bull
And Cock a doodle do
Only kidding like
My comments are really a pigs breakfast
Clucking awful
Great report as ever RR.
Whilst not a fan of Stuani on the right, I think he’d be better in the middle, I am appalled if he WAS booed when he came on. From the West Stand the booing seemed to be for the decision to bring Traore off. I would never condone booing any player.
Agree that Espinosa is making too many errors, so we need to get back to having Chambers or Ayala in the centre with Gibson. Hopefully, Fabio and George will be at full back with Ayala/Chambers and Gibson from hereon, injuries and suspensions permitting.
Ramirez is a conundrum. He doesn’t seem totally committed to the cause. Do we persist with him and hope he does enough to influence play?
Final word, respect to Oxford who came to play football and gave us a fright. Also, their support was temendous.
Espinosa had an erratic game yesterday but I hadn’t previously clocked him as unreliable. Mind you, I don’t get to see many games in the flesh but I’d thought he was solid and classy when he first played and hadn’t spotted any deterioration since.
As others have said, Fabio has been a revelation and is testament to our recruitment department. I must admit, I was underwhelmed when he was signed (coming from a struggling Championship side and hadn’t made the grade at United) but the lad has seized his chance and has been outstanding. Once opposite George, we will have the best pair of Boro FBs in many years.
The same can’t be said of Guzan and Fischer. Fresh from Villa, Brad is welcome to return. The much-vaunted Fischer has yet to show much. He might possibly come good but I can’t see it being this season. He looks like another De Pena and may well go the same way. No good reflection so far on our recruitment there.
With Ben restored alongside Chambers and with Valdes back in goal, our best back 5 are more than a match for any defence outside the top 8 or so.
I thought Leadbitter showed his experience and expertise and was the better for not being deployed in a holding role. Forshaw has faded since the New Year so I’d give Grant a run in his position. I remember the last game at Yeovil (2 years ago?) when he and Clayton were nominally the holding midfielders but alternated in pushing forward to good effect. That could work again because, surging from deep, it catches out the opposition.
I don’t join in with the negativity about Gestede. I never thought he was the answer to our goal desert but he did well at Blackburn, scored regularly, and deserves a crack at the top flight. You can’t count Villa because that was a funny farm and plenty got lost there, including Traore.
Examining the possibility/dream of another Wembley appearance, the pain of the last one is still traumatising me (for God’s somebody score an earlier goal). However I’d relish defeat in the final, as long as we stayed up. In fact, I’d take relegation if coupled with our first FA Cup win, especially as I’d fancy us to come back stronger next season a la Burnley.
I’m sorry Bob, but you are 100% wrong on this – maybe you couldn’t hear it properly from where you were (I’m in the East close to the North). Traore was booed off, and then it stopped. Stuani’s name was read out and the boos rang out again.
I’ve got to be honest though, booing the decision to take Traore off is pretty mindless in itself. The decision has been made, what is the point in booing? It just makes the atmosphere negative. Act like a grown-up, give the player going off a deserved reception and give the player coming on a great reception.
Ok I’ll go with the flow I sit in west upper front row near half way line and agree it was the North Stand who’s boos we heard.
I suppose i was being charitable thinking they wouldn’t boo their own player coming on
I bet they cheered when he scored !!
I’ve seen him around the club after a game and Stuani seems a nice family guy.
It’s not his fault he is playing wide on the right he is doing a job for the team
BoroPhil, I am in agreement with you, Stuani was booed onto the pitch as there was a definite break in the booing between Traore going off and Stuani being introduced.
I think it is totally disgraceful behaviour by so called BORO fans and it was very embarrassing for all the true fans. I, for the life of me, cannot comprehend why any “fan” would want to boo one of their own players coming onto the pitch, who, in fairness always gives his best on the pitch.
Ramirez, wants to be away from the club, looks as though he tries to get himself booked and sent off, leaves the pitch without the slightest acknowledgement to the crowd, yet these same morons cheer him on the pitch, which shows their mentality. I am not advocating booing Rameriz but no way should he be treated like a returning hero, polite applause is all he gets from me, until, if ever, he stops behaving like a spoilt child. I wonder if he gets himself sent off, costing us the match which could lead to us being relegated, at the same time keeping Leicester up, will he still be a hero.
Just saying like.
Come on BORO.
Just got from helping my son move, he hired a couple of men with a van who were running late and didn’t arrive until 2.30, pretty painful! (work it out for yourself.
All communications disconnected but from Alex’s smart phone found out 2-0 up. Couldn’t take much more notice as busy.
As things were running late Mrs G eventually coaxed Alex in to phoning the estate agents, he was certain they were open until 7pm, ni sir we leave at 5pm.
4.25pm, need to get from Highate to Angel, only 3.5 miles but down the old A1 to the agents. No chance by car plus we had the men packing. Rushed off in the car to Highgate tube and dropped him off at 4.30pm.
In the car and remembered the footie, switched the radio on, and how about the excitement at the Riverside? What? 2-2, bugger. drove back the half a mile slowly and dragged myself back to the dreaded stairs. I am sure more have been added over the years, they twist and turn, certainly more landings than Durham Tees Valley
At least the packing nearly finished, call from the lad at 4.50pm and told him the score. He had the keys to his new flat but he didn’t say bugger at the score.
Got back in the car to drive to Angel, on went the radio. Lincoln through to the next round, so are Millwall, they are joined by Premiership Middlesbrough.
Things got even better, his new flat is in a place called Islington Green even though it is in Angel, surrounded by pubs, eating places and pubs. Did I mention pubs and eating places? Even better, his new flat is on the first floor, has one flight of stairs and a lift. Told him the score and he was over the moon.
Parked the car in the local Hilton – £37 from 6pm to twelve noon!! Off for beers and food.
Back to football, we had caught a fair bit in the background of Burnley v Lincoln. Mrs G said I should get a grip and stop moaning about Barton. Move on to MOTD and we watched Lincoln win, my wife watched and decided Barton was a decidedly nasty piece of work. I give her a potted history of his career and she decided he shouldn’t be employed by any football club.
I did stress he had come from a tricky background, no use, she has now decided that he is trouble and no wonder you don’t like Burnley if they employ louts like him. I also stressed I have never had any gripe with Burnley until the last 18 months.
Good crowd yesterday, home in the sixth round please.
Sorry to note that anger over the two quick goals should obscure the very great improvement in our attacking play. All(repeat all) our goals were excellent, the first showed that AK has finally got it into Stewie’s head that he is not an ornament but a serious player, the way he flew into the box (front and centre) caused the pen. The poor defender had no time to finess his foul into a shove and the resultant wipe out offered no escape route for the ref. The pen would have been saved had it been hit moderately. The second goal was shown in slow mow to be a piece of brilliance by both Traore and Gestede, the first got his foot shoulder high to control and pass to the second who got his shoulder high to hammer it into the net(note, neither took a touch) the third was wonderful work by Negredo and Stuani, the first, back to goal took the softest touch and shuffled it on to the second who squeezed it into the net at speed just inside the post, (neither took a touch). It took slow mo to show the true brilliance of all three goals.
As a massive fan of Traore I was naturally disappointed to see him off the pitch. But I did not think that he subbed for other than tactical reasons. Whenever a player who is tormenting the opposition is subbed you know the one or two members are happy happy, and are going to be more effective for the rest of the match, but it is up to the manager to decide these things, not the fans.
Interesting comments about Ramirez, watching him, he is best described as mercurial, following a quick google one definition is subject to sudden or unpredictable changes of mood or mind.
He has always been like that, we saw him several times like a headless chicken with a grudge. If he isn’t going to play ball, no one will begrudge him time on the naughty step.
Are we seeing hints of why he has struggled in the premiership.
Watching the FA Cup draw
Cheslea v ManU
Boro v Huddersfield or Man City
Spurs v Millwall
Sutton or Arsenal v Lincoln.
Could well be tasty, A home draw was all we could hope for. It will have to do.
It would be good if Huddersfield could win the replay at City but I can’t see it. Still, as Ian says at least we are at home.
Boro
Be careful what you wish for, Huddersfield are one large bundle of trouble. Note carefully the two teams who are cruising the champ, to great applause, I might say,
They have a nasty little shadow behind them, and it will not go away and it’s name is Huddersfield.
Man city have not won the replay yet, and they might find that they are worn out by European matches, maybe with injuries, when the time comes to play it.
Plato, which would you rather play – Huddersfield or City?
Presumably the booing when Stuani came on was for the decision rather than being directed at the player, a subtle difference? That said booing your own team is mindless and counter productive in any circumstances.
As for Ramirez, he needs to play out of his skin between now and May in order to get himself the best move possible.
Looks like City in the next round, at least we’re at home.
For all the talk about the big clubs not taking the cup seriously, it will probably be five of the top six in the Premier League plus Boro, Millwall and Lincoln. Then four home wins would be amusing. A last four of Chelsea, Tottenham, Arsenal and Boro.
UTB
Just as the sky seems to be clearing for boro, this blog has got into the habit of getting into a spin. It can be about anything.
A substitution
A tactic
What the crowd said or did
What AK said or did
What a player did or did not do on leaving the field
For gods sake can we agree to give it a rest and enjoy the cup run?
I’m loving the cup run, Plato.
Amongst the general gloom, Chris hit the nail on the head: if we stay up with the cup quarter to boot, it’s a good season.
We are enjoying the cup run and it’s nice to see other squad players trying to force their way into a regular first team spot.
It certainly gives the manager options and i for one am looking forward to playing the quarter final of the fa cup at home no matter who it is. I’ve seen every game this season and talking to friends on Saturday we were hoping to make the semis or even the final
All our games at Wembley have been a disaster and I’ve seen every one.
Even flying to London for a weekend from Argentina (twice) so the cup means a lot to me.
Come on Boro
OFB
Loved the post, your sentiments are the same as mine, my post was to jog the memories of all the bloggers on here.
Just think of the pleasure of a good cup run, the thrill of getting through(last few minutes as well) if we are not careful all we will remember will be some petty squabble about some substitution or other. Try to live in the moment, for every team still in the cup will suffer bitter disappointment, except the two finalists(and one of them will suffer even more bitter disappointment) .
Ian
Your son has done very nicely. I had a couple of years living very close to Islington Green.
With apologies to those who live/work in the capital, you couldn’t pay me enough to ever return but if I had to, you could do a lot worse than where Gill Jnr has ended up.
BOOO!! BOOO!!!
Wasn’t that a cartoon character who was bestest mates with Yogi Bear? I didn’t know AK had signed him up on the sly in the transfer window.
‘Better than yer average, played out of position, bear -Boo Boo!’ lol
You’d think the ceilin had fallen in at the Riverside to read some reactions on this ere blog – get a grip mates. It’s not like the whole place erupted with chants of ‘Sack the Board!’ now is it.
Knickers in a twist or what?
Meanwhile, we hav the 6pts deadly relegation battle against Palace away to comr. Shiver me timbers mateies but Blunderland put 4 past them. I’ve little doubts Boro will do a typical, put Guzan in goal & it’ll be goalfest time for Palace, after which Simon will hold his head in his hands, BO will laud the Boro positives and Jarkko will cheer the Boro on whatever (& why not).
In other news we could have the ultimate match up between 1 Guardiola & the manager who’s worth a thousand Guardiolas – step forward Aitor, you time for glory has arrived my son!
If Huddersfield do beat the great Man City then dont forget I baggsied their manafer to replace Aitor when he packs his sombreo & sangeria.
Last but not least, I’d name Gaston on the subs bench for the rest of the season & make sure he sits there for the ful ninety plus. I would ensure he’s sent out for 4 or 5 runs each half, so those fans who feels he needs it can cheer him. Still, he’d never get to kick a ball in compeditive play again for the Boro. Then in the summer I’d sell him to Coventry City for two Mars bars and a Crunchie.
Enough said
UTB
Andy R
The flat is great, it is quite close to Arsenal land. And Jeremy Corbyn come to think about it.
To sum up. great place to visit but would I want to live there? If I had the money not a problem. There are other problems such as everybody shouts, I cant understand why they need phones. Alex just copes with it.
Never mind, looking forward to visiting.
You got me feeling all nostalgic there Ian as I spent many an evening drinking in the bars around Islington Green – I worked nearly ten years in Farringdon, just round the corner from the Guardian and we often ended up in Islington Green for a few after-work drinks (or a long evening) before I’d get the tube back home to Primrose Hill from the Angel via Camden or Chalk Farm. I left London 12 years ago now and like Andy it’s hard to imagine going back to live their but it’s a great place to live when you’re young(ish) and don’t mind the crazy lifestyle – wouldn’t contemplate it with small kids that’s for sure.
My wife and her first husband used to manage the Empress of Russia pub in Islington, back in the 80s.
Her claim to fame is trying to eject Bob Dylan from the premises when he came in looking like a tramp. She had no idea it was him until his minder came over and had a word. Apparently he used to go in because a big London Folk Club used one of their rooms upstairs.
We went back to revisit it some years ago but it had become a trendy fish restaurant.
Plato – what would you have us talk about?
I’m loving the cup run too, the next match even though its at home will be a tough one. I’d love another day out at Wembley irrespective of the arguments against playing the semis there.
We’ve got to win at Wembley one day surely!!?
Nigel
Speech is free, end of.
The point I was making was the following.
All the minor points raised in my post were very minor, indeed, they were of no account whatsoever. You will, I hope, have noticed that they were all chewed over with varying levels of angst, each seemed to be a major factor in the running of the club and the team, players feelings were going to be hurt, why did the manager sub player x and not player y?
I would have thought as a rule of thumb, that the subs are good if we win, and bad if we don’t. But what do I know?
I had not realised, until FA cup MOTD tonight, that the quarter final has got to be resolved at the Riverside as there is no replay, no matter who we play.
Come on BORO.
Exmil, thanks for the info. Without a replay, it will be a classic match at sold-out Riverside, then. Just wonder why they have different rules for quarter finals than the earlier rounds? Don’t mind, this is better for us (I hope).
Up the Boro! The Boro is going to lift the cup up.
Spartak
That gave me a right chuckle. Thank you.
You also reminded me of last season.
The f-f-f-funtastic year where we nearly beat Dyche Dastardly and his Muttley Crew in the Wacky PL Races, but a Perilous Pitstop and late Boo-Boo made Yogi Boro’s rise less Bear-able.
Exmil
I missed the bit about the quarter finals, apparently 6th round is passe, so no replays.
Middlesbrough Supporters Forum
Further to recent posts please note that I have been in contact with the MSF to request if I can attend a meeting with them at their next forum.
Please see detailed below their response.
Thank you for your interest in the Middlesbrough Supporters Forum.
We will discuss your request at the next meeting and I will get back to you.
Best wishes
UTB!
Chris
We needed to see Ramirez for the full ninety, he hasn’t played much competitive football for several weeks and we need him getting back up to speed. As it is, the suspicion remains that he is a very frustrated player who may do something silly and get himself sent off, but now we will find out in the vital game at Palace.
In the first half we had a fair degree of control and Grant and Stewy were lining up to take shots at goal, but as RR and others have pointed out our defence looked shaky.
The second half was going badly well before their first goal, with them looking quicker to the ball, fitter and sharper. To be fair, most of our midfield lacked game time and probably aren’t fully match fit, but the thought of what would have happened againest a Premiership outfit is terrifying. Forshaw and De Roon will only have to worry about Guedioura when looking at the teamsheet for Palace.
I also wondered why there was no response from AK to what was developing on the pitch, because we had options on the bench while we were being pinned back and conceding a string of free kicks around our box.
Stuani is one of AK’s dilemmas. His positioning and timing of runs in the box is excellent and he can finish, but he doesn’t create anything from the wide right position. On the other hand, Adama’s runs to the byline are thrilling, but how often do we score from them? A fair number of his crosses end up arrowing in low at the near post, generally with no-one there too meet them.
We badly need to be able to field a back four of Fabio, Chambers, Big Ben and George at Palace.
Back to reality on Saturday
Will we throw down the red carpet when at the Palace?
Will we have Traore as the jewel in the crown?
Or will the sceptre be like a lance in our hearts?
Will our own game of thrones be full of dragons and kings?
Will our heads be held high and regal after a great result ?
Or will we have to abdicate and lie low for another week?
Will King George make a triumphant return ?
Will it all be Fabio?
Find out in the next thrilling episode down at the Palace
OFB
Will our dreams and hopes shatter like crystal when the Fat Lady sings?
On to football in general, driving back at lunchtime I listened to Radio 5 and a debate about the Cup.
I have mixed memories of Mr Claridge scoring but it isn’t like my feelings towards scumbag – no prizes for guessing who that is. Steve made some telling comments about the shocks, I will list a few
1. You cant change an entire eleven, stay with a core and bring in 3 or 4 to give them a structure in which to play otherwise you basically have a team that hasn’t played together in a competitive match. Even if you are part of a squad but haven’t played you are not up to speed.
2. Are academy players up to it? This was a thought echoed by Steve Morrison. Top notch academy players have been mollycoddled and are not up for the battle, they have been taught how to pass the ball nicely but no muck and bullets. I suppose that can be backed up the results of academies in the EFL trophy. In the lower leagues they are battle hardened.
3. Lower league teams are not dim, they know how the higher league teams play and will mug them at every opportunity. Most top flight teams play in a certain way passing the ball out from the back so the lower league teams will set up the trap and wait. Many top teams will not head the warning signs and keep playing that way. They have to be more inventive and move the ball forward quicker, tnhey have to adapt their games to suit.
Interesting thoughts.
I also listened to a Spurs fan on radio five phone in. He was articulate and not the usual moan. He believes Spurs will be a top four team under Pochettino but wont win the title because he has a rigid way of playing with players drilled in that way. They have good players but when things are not going their way cannot change the way, no plan B.
Hmmm! I wonder who he took his coaching badges with?
Andy R, Werder
My lad lived in Angel for a year before he moved to Highgate but it was south of the tube and we only visited briefly a few times. A couple of lunches passing through was about it and those were in the depths of winter. Mrs G suffers with a bit of arthritis so long marches are out of the question. His new flat is actually next to the memorial gardens, the evening and yesterday morning was a chance to actually explore the area.
Ian
Interesting what you say about young academy footballers
I’ve been talking to a lot of ex professional players and managers about the perils or otherwise of young men and women trying to make the grade in professional football.
With a unified voice they said go for an engineering career and play northern league football for enjoyment.
So I think it’s decision made for my grandson.
Watched him captain his team to a win in the northern league juniors on Saturday which takes them top
Then see the Boro great day
Bob,
As a Nordic person, I cannot see why not choose both.
If you remember the former Hibs and Bolton striker Mixu Paatelainen, he graduated from University while playing in the Scottish League. Mixu went on to have an International career as a player and a manager.
Many Nordic players think there is time to study while having a football career. It helps to fill the gaps between the training. And it is training for your brains.
I think we see most footballers as uneducated and not interested in other than sports. But there are exceptions to rules like Mixu, Bamford and the Brazilian chap with a academy degree (sorry I remember the Boro players better by name!).
So please let your young grandchild have a go on both. Just make him rethink and not copy the “lazy” footballers. Both are possible!
Up the Boro!
Jarkko
The problem is that most football academies want to tie the young players into their own further learning system. It ticks the boxes for grants and how the academy is educating students but also lessons can be scheduled around training and matches against other academies which involves a lot of travelling.
This would interfere with any education provided by any other establishment.
Talking to Northern League managers on Friday evening and at the game on Saturday they think if you’re good enough you would get spotted in Northern League to win play at a higher level
A quick PS about Stuani, it appears he did what he is best at and appear on the end of a ball in the six yard box.
I don’t think of him as a right side midfield player, how to fit him in is another matter. Even harder is fitting Bamford in to the squad.
That Spurs fan’s thoughts on Pochettino reminded me of my own comments post-Burnley. Paraphrased in placed.
“When the ball dropped to Andre Gray in the right position, he didn’t overthink things. He just struck it instinctively. I think he knew that as long as he got it on target and hit it powerfully enough, the chance of a goal was strong – and luckily for him and Burnley, it paid off. Chambers, Gibson and Valdes were caught off-guard and unprepared for Heaton’s quickly taken free-kick, Vokes’ flick and Gray’s shot in the direct, immediate aftermath of a Fabio booking – and paid the price.
“Contrast the simplicity of that goal with Boro’s meticulously prepared but overelaborate, going-almost-nowhere probing and you saw where a problem lay, except in possession stats.
“It is easy to admire Boro’s passing play and solidity, and lament what might have been but for one silly little defensive slip, one awful final ball or one golden chance squandered, but, as often appeared the case with Rafa Benitez’s Liverpool, for all the huffing and puffing there was no or not enough end product.
“Boro’s difficulty at coping with these ‘this wasn’t in our script’ moments is arguably holding them back from achieving more.”
Which makes the instinct of Gestede’s quite special finish on Saturday all the more welcome. Getting off the mark may do wonders for him and us.
Intriguing, too, to compare Rhodes and Gestede’s strike rate at Blackburn.
50.3% for Rhodes, 47.9% for Gestede.
Not a big difference, and Gestede is more than an archetypal goalpoacher – the latter of whom can be a great asset in his own right, but tends not to fit the role of the Premier League No. 9.
Simon
What are those stats like over Rhodes and Gestede’s enture careers?
Just sayin like!
Entire even!
I’ll look into it now RR and get back to you.
Our top scorers this season are:
6 Negredo
4 Stuani
2 De Roon
2 Ramirez
All others are on one goal (or zero).
Scoring frequency (in minutes) are:
231 min Leads
252 min Stuani
339 min Negredo
388 min Ayala
610 min Ramirez
(source: @boroform via Twitter).
Leads and Ayala have not played much yet because of injuries, so Stuani’s scoring frequency looks impressive. As boronurk said, Stuani is one of AK’s dilemmas with Taore a total opposite value to him at the right.
But I agree with AK that Stuani need more respect from the fans. No booing, please.
Up the Boro!
I think and always have that Stuani is our best Striker at the Club, just not a wide man.
Simon
You are in danger of encouraging incoming but I would be intrigued to see how many assists they both had in the same period.
If I think back to Rhodes and Nugent I can recall Nugent laying on chances for others but not Rhodes. Nugent for Rhodes against Bolton, Nugent for Stuani against Brighton spring to mind but I am struggling to think of any by Rhodes. There may be some but those were two key moments that made them easier to remember.
As for Burnley, I have been banging on about them all season, very little possession but they kick and head the round thing towards those sticks with nets attached. You have to buy a ticket.
Well, I can think of at least one by Rhodes… his knockback across goal for Gaston to put us 2-1 up against Brum. He also nodded it down for Gaston v Cardiff… again, the score was 2-1 to us after that.
Simon
Oddly I saw both those games live but it was the drama of the Bolton winner and the early goal in the promotion match that stuck in the mind.
OFB
As long as the lad does what he thinks best as well. Good luck to him, many professional footballers are not products of academy systems.
OFB
Not an overly effusive welcome from MSF
Ian
Me I’m just like Groucho Marx.
I wouldn’t want to be part of a club that would have me as a member !
Nuff said !
Thanks Werder for the pre match Headliner and to Redcar for his take on the match itself.
I just love the different opinions on here all scripted and posted in the correct manner. They do make you think at times if you are correct in your take on events/issues, a different pair of eyes and of course for me watching on the small screen.
Certainly a match of two halves, comfortable in the first, although Oxford did have one or two good chances gifted to them.
Then in the second half. well what went wrong there? Appleton must have thought we were not playing that well and to get at us and cause mistakes. They certainly turned the game on its head and I am sorry BoroPhil but I did not think Guzan had a decent game. At fault with the first and could have done better with the second.
After a decent first couple of matches Bernardo has gone back over and is no Gibson. At this time he has too many mistakes in him. Ayala for me was trying too hard, hence the constant fouls, but his heading ability is far above any of the other CB´s. Also as others have said, Chambers is no RB. I think I would prefer Barragan if only to have Chambers at CB. Interesting that George was not on the bench and OFB saying George was to. I cannot see him been given the nod against Palace with no game time. At best on the bench?
Fabio had another good game going forward, great crosses, but still gets sucked inside leaving gaps…needs resolving. But there was a lot of loose passing in the game.
AK will ring the changes I assume for the most important game of the season to date and I do not think will change his system of keeping it tight and sneaking a winner. Palace do have goals in them so there is the conundrum….let one in, can we score two?
Pedro Wrote:
Werder….apologies with this problem. Have sent two posts and neither arrived. problem with first and WordPress said that “you have already sent this post” Did not get posted. Sent another post…nothing
I’ve revived it and copied it over your question comment (above) so that it doesn’t get lost before it was read
For some reason your last two posts went into the Spam folder – I can’t see anything obvious to cause that so I just retrieved the latest version as they were similar. Maybe you’ve been watching too much Monty Python recently…
I also discovered a post from SteveH from an earlier blog too (so apologies to Steve too) – I better keep an eye on the spam folder normally it’s just blatant advertising or links disguised as comments (e.g. Great blog keep it up – but with a link to something unrelated)
Pedro
The site was having a hissy fit when I posted a comment to OFB about MSF, it made me ask for a new password.
Seems ok now.
I was a bit confused when I sat down to watch the Blackburn v Utd game and saw the Blackburn team sheet; Steele…Emnes, Graham, just a minute?
Good combo from Emnes and Graham for the goal, we could do with some of that at the Riverside. LOL!!
Update on local Boro Lad Finley Ingles
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-tyne-39032442?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=twitter
Didn’t know Ian Baird was the first team coach at Sutton United just saw it come up on the TV as I’m watching them play Arsenal
OFB
I will risk the wrath of the regulators but following on from the Finley post I would urge posters and family to speak to someone about insurance cover. If they take out critical illness cover for themselves often it covers their children as well.
The younger you are the cheaper it is. Bugger, I may well get stitched up but I don’t care. They monitor social media and web sites. So be it.
Good advice Ian
Ian that is very wise advice and Finley is one of two kids at my granddaughters school who has had extensive treatment.
The other child was able to be cured by NHS expertise Finley’s only how was to go to the USA
A lot of people made this happen and for their support and donations i thank them
Hello, it’s the FCA here. Up the Boro!
OFB,
MSF seem to be some sort of pseudo-political union trying to gain traction (cliche) from those in charge (of something). We are independent, perhaps self-opinionated but free to express what we think.
OFB, you tested the water but it wasn’t quite right. Diasboro does not need to be absorbed into anything. It is what it is. Thank goodness.
UTB and the Diasboro,
John
John
It was rather an effusive welcome from them wasn’t it?
Bob
jarsue
I tend to agree. I don’t think we are the sort of grouping they want.
For a start the very term Diasboro infers a wide geographical grouping, that may not be what they are after. Local groupings or larger attending fan groups are probably of more interest.
That is nothing against what they are trying to do but a debating shop is possibly not their intended market.
Okay, Rhodes v Gestede.
If we go strictly by the final tallies on Soccerbase – league only – Rhodes is the clear winner.
173 in 344 (301 + 33 as sub) appearances, to Gestede’s 49 in 175 (84 + 91 as sub).
That’s 50% v 28%.
Dig deeper, of course, and you find that Gestede has always played in either the first or second tier. Rhodes’ League One and League Two record (71 in 118) bloats it a bit.
But really, Rhodes and Gestede are different kinds of forwards. One is more of an outright poacher, the other is good in the air and possesses physicality that most top-flight managers look for in their No. 9s.
They’d be a great pair… oh, hang on, they already were. Never mind.
I should add, Will Grigg is looking like Jordan Rhodes lite – very likable on and off the pitch (note how he shows concern for his teammates rather than run away to celebrate his first and only international goal in the clip below), scores lots of goals in the English league, gets a very popular chant (We had “Take us home, Jordan Rhodes”, he had “Will Grigg’s on fire”), manager earns ire from fans for not picking him on the biggest stage (Michael O’Neill: “I don’t pick my team around what supporters sing at games”), confidence visibly drops. One hopes he finds his form again.
Here’s that Grigg goal.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NTmU7-Np5ko
Simon –
Your post also ended up in the Spam folder – there’s only one link so that shouldn’t have been a problem – perhaps WordPress have made changes to their algorithms that makes them more sensitive and perhaps your calculations fooled them?
OFB
Your list of questions make our season sound like an episode of the US comedy ‘Soap’. You may be onto something.
https://youtu.be/OSaNWYHmUvI
From the highlights, I agree Guzan seemed culpable for the first goal and the 2nd should have been turned around the post.
As to the forum, it would be useful for someone to attend, if only so we knew what they were planning.
I used to like Soap it was ahead of its time
Billy Crystal?
Chris
A programme I remember well, it did make me laugh.
Pedro,
I thought it was a good free kick and Guzan was (rightly) positioned on the other side of the wall – but the consensus seems to have been he was at fault for that one, so fair enough perhaps. On the second, I thought it was a good save and he was a bit unfortunate we were asleep and it went straight to their man. Other than that, his distribution was good and he commanded his area well.
AV has done a good article on the Gazette website on Stuani.
http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/need-talk-cristhian-stuani-should-12629433
As Ian said above, it’s about trying to find a place for someone who has a knack of scoring (and certainly scores more than others we play on the right). He would be too lightweight to play the lone striker role in our system and we aren’t going to play 2 up front (although I daresay he could play off a striker). The article also explains the right is where he has played most of his career – so the claims that he is out of position seem increasingly bizarre.
As long as he keeps contributing from there I have no problem with it. Anyone expecting him to be a tricky winger totally misses the point of his role in the team
If anything, I wish he would be a bit more clinical, he has missed a few chances in recent months – he clearly has the invaluable ability to be in the right place at the right time.
I always remember when I was taking my coaching badges under Dave Richardson who went to Aston Villa and is now FA Director of Coaching
He used to say
you can improve the skills of players
You can teach them how to shoot
But you can’t teach them how to be in the right place at the right time to have a shot at goal
Boro Phil
I’m afraid The keeper was in the one position that you must not be in for the free kick, from where we sit it was a not so lovely view as he lined it up, the heart sank as he behaved like a jumping jack, moving, little leaps, shuffling, grabbing him jumper in a great handful and pulling it(me neither) when he took his final position, we all groaned, why would you challenge the opposition to put it in the open half of your goal, and why would they refuse the challenge? The person taking the kick watched him and decided that a rocket shot was simply not necessary, a gentle lob shot into the open goal would be fine, and so it proved.
Think on this, no first goal, no second goal, the one followed the other as surely as night follows day, his ignorant poke at the ball simply gave three players the chance to score.
His behaviour in letting a stray cross into his net with no one challenging him defies explanation, because that ball was a long time on it’s way in reaching him.
I think there is a role for Stuani as a right-sided forward IF we have width on the left flank. He will only get the chance to drift in at the back post if we can stretch the play on the left and drag the defence over to that side.
And therein lies our current problem with Stuani playing that role, there is no left-sided width. Having George/Fabio provide width is fine, but it’s not enough to pull the defence across, you need your left-sided forward to be wide, otherwise the defence will stay central and track their narrow runs too. So, in short, a Stuani-Gaston axis as the 2 “wide” forwards does not work for me.
Another Stuani issue is his mobility. I don’t think he can play right-side with Barragan behind him, both of them are not mobile enough to cover the full side of the pitch. Stuani needs Fabio behind him to provide defensive cover and pace. Again, injury problems have meant that we’ve rarely had chance to deploy that combination.
And that is why Stuani is not a cult hero. Although he gives his all and works hard, his limitations are also plain. Unfortunately, football has moved on from the days when a limited, but hardworking, player could make his name (Phil Stamp, Jamie Pollock…). Stuani is basically the new Dirk Kuyt – and he also had somewhat of a love/hate/indifferent relationship with the Liverpool fans.
I actually think Stuani would be great in a 343 formation as one of the wide three, alongside Bamford and Negredo/Gestede as the other 2, but that would be FAR too attacking for AK and he would never countenance it. Plus, I’m not sure we would have a strong enough midfield 4 to choose to make it work. We would end up far too narrow and without the pace to avoid being done over by balls over the top.
Smoggy
The two names, Phil Stamp and Jamie Pollock are unfortunate, to say the least, when quoting ‘ players of note’
Their achievements in getting into the first team illustrate perfectly how not to run a club. They would have struggled wherever they played at whatever level, and the swiftness of their decent to humbler fields show it.
smoggyinexile
343 works for someone like Chelsea who can field the like likes of Hazard, Costa and Pedro as the three. They have pace and guile. For us the best three would be Traore, Negredo and Ramirez.
Alonso and Moses as the wide men of the four are better attackers than George and Fabio.
Matic and Kante are excellent as the holding midfielders
Our back three would be OK with Gibbo, Ayala and Chambers.
To me, someone who’s made the contributions Stuani has and kept going despite all the obstacles thrown in his path by the doubters *is* a cult hero. Without doubt.
People who’ve read my views know that I like players like that – everyone seems on their case, yet they keep their head down and get on with it, and when we need them most, they do the business.
And yes, I liked Dirk Kuyt too.
Simon
When I used to be a referee players said I was a cult
At least I think that was what they said
OFB
Yes the articulation in the speech of the average footballer in not what it should be, but still, they meant well.
Hmmm, I think Stuani still has a way to go to be a cult hero. If we’re going to start handing that moniker out to Stuani then there are several other candidates in recent seasons who you would likewise name. My problem being, that I think it simply dilutes the impact of the phrase “cult hero” to lessen it. Examples: Lee Tomlin – cult hero for his mazy runs and goal scoring antics in that nearly season? Bamford for coming to fire us to Wembley, only to leave us lovelorn and never repeat his goal scoring heroics since?
My Boro cult hero’s are the ones who’s names are writ large in the indelible fabric of the history of the club. In 20 years time will we continue to mention Stuani in the same company as Uwe Fuchs, or Hamilton Ricard, or Maccarone? Or to go further back, and as I mentioned above, Stampy or Pollock? I doubt it. Stuani is a good player, who pops up with some good goals at key times, but unless he scores the goal that secures us a premier league place in the 90th minute of the last game of the season, or the winner in a Wembley final/semi-final, then he has a long way to go yet before he makes my cult hero list.
Well, he did score the goal that secured promotion…
Simon
His goals are not easy ones either, the winner on Saturday was by no means easy, easy to miss perhaps
I have nothing against Stuani.
He appears in the right place at the right time.
🔴 I notice you seem to be collecting those little red cars Ian…
– – – – – -🚗- – – – – 100
Redcar, red car or blue one? It is blue now, defo.
Up the Boro!
Just like that.
People of a certain vintage will remember Arthur Horsfield. In the Ayresome Angels promotion season the glory went to O’Rourke and big John but Arthur’s vital goals in the middle of the season kept us clawing up the table.
When we play 443 and put Traore left and Stuani right it does him no favours, I think he is better in 4231 where his relative lack of pace is less exposed. In a three man attack alongside Negredo we are a bit pedestrian especially without George, George and Fabio as full backs would give far more attacking intent whichever formation we play.
You certainly cant fault his work rate and he seems to be no trouble at all. I bet he is popular in the dressing room.
Ther’s a blast from the past dear old Arthur Horsfield. He had a physic akin to Lee Tomlin when Lee first arrived at the Boro.
I had forgotten about his contribution to that season’s promotion. As you quite rightly say John and big John took all the plaudits.
Watching the Sutton match last night I saw the Sutton first team coach being interviewed, one Ian Baird. The same Ian Baird who played for the Boro back in the day? I liked him, thought he was a decent striker.
I see Nicky Bailey is still enjoying his food, although his mate in midfield, the no. 27 I think, clearly enjoys his even more.
Best bit of the evening was Roly Poly Goalie scoffing his pie in the dug out, class.
Nigel
The poor keeper is being investigated because a bookie had taken bets on someone eating a pie during the match. The keeper stresses it was a pasty.
Ian, maybe the keeper was the patsy !
Come on BORO.
Nigel I agree about Roly Poly pie eater but I see it is now being investigated by the FA, as a bookie was offering odds of 8-1 for him being caught on camera eating a pie, before the match.
Sutton manager is not impressed as it has taken the gloss off their efforts last night.
Come on BORO.
He seemed to be enjoying the pie, although I’m surprised Nicky Bailey didn’t trundle over and try to nick it.
I trust Mr. Poly Goalie had a few quid on via a ‘good friend’.
The poor goalie may be in trouble but I suspect it was a bit of fun. It is as if they were changing the game or betting on number of corners.
If a bookie is daft enough to offer odds on a pie being eaten you cant be surprised of someone for taking advantage.
Manager to goalie I bet you can’t see your belly button or your pecs ?
Goalie yes I can I’ve got the upex in my hand !!
Sad to say it is roly poly on the doley, he has resigned from Sutton United.
Meanwhile Owen Coyle has left Blackburn.
Ian, the problem with our full backs, in as much, George, Fabio, Barragan and Chambers who have all played in the two positions, is that apart from one cross I remember from Chambers that resulted in a goal and Fabio’s crosses against Oxford, they have all been poor in that department.
George has generally been woeful in his end product. Barragan, what crosses.
That leaves not many real optins for balls into the box.
Pedro
We have what we have. That goes throughout the squad and goes back to my basic view that it isn’t as strong as some think.
What it does have is heart.
PT done a piece in the Gazette about the five players most critical to our survival. Out of his five I only agree with Ben Gibson. His others are Valdes, Traore, Negredo and Ramirez.
Ramirez could go either way but I wouldn’t be confident in putting my trust in him. Valdes has improved but I’m still not convinced he isnt just an expensive Jason Steele, Traore is exciting but its now 2/3rds through the Season and hasnt scored or really turned a game around, Negredo battles and scraps but his goals return are no better than I would have expected from say a Danny Graham or even dare I say it Gestede given the same number of games.
Most surprisingly he omitted Fabio. I would probably add Chambers at CB to my list but after that I’m struggling to name five. Maybe George to keep the back line intact rather than for his individual efforts and thats still only four at an extreme push.
Fischer? For all our criticism of him, two of his corners were headed home and earned us four extra points.
For crosses I would argue that Fabio and maybe Chambers are good bets – which is why Aitor keeps playing the latter at RB I suppose.
Chambers has delivered some good crosses but, as is often the case, there’s nobody in the box to get on the end of them. We don’t have anyone who attacks the ball or gambles in the box, except De Roon and Stuani perhaps. We seem to want to walk the ball into the net.
As I said in an earlier post, I hope we can get George and Fabio in the full back slots and delivering decent crosses in the hope that someone will be there to collect them.
I also think that it’s time to give Grant a few starts as he has the drive and passion that we need in the run in.
UTB
Grant also hits the target when he shoots unlike Forshaw who hits Roseberry Topping and Clayton who hits Billingham Forum. I think Grant should come in for Forshaw if AK wants to keep 3 DM’s.
Yes. Forshaw seems to have gone backover of late and he has never been prolific in the goalscoring stakes, so I would agree that Grant should replace him.
None of the MF are prolific, well in terms of Boro, apart from de Roon who has scored two.
Leadbitter may be the best of the rest of the bunch, but that’s not saying much. For professional footballers their shooting and passing, beyond 5 yards, leaves a lot to be desired.
“We seem to want to walk the ball into the net.”
A major issue. I think I remember Scotland v Spain, and Barca v Chelsea, and wondering when the Iberians were actually going to be direct from outside the box. Be daring. Be risky.
No, they just *had* to pass, they just had to carve open an all-but-certain-to-be-taken opportunity. Otherwise it would be betraying the proud methodology that delivered seemingly endless success and a consistent trophy haul over a four year period.
They were soon found out.
See super striker Rhodes is doing well- 1 goal..
AK new the crack with him.
Redcar Red
I take it you mean Forshaw in the second half and Clayton in the first?
Watching Citeh v Monaco and Ben Gibson’s value is soaring by the minute. 4-3 to Citeh and appalling defending.
AK, Jose, Pochettino and Conte will be hiding behind the sofa. Luckily Arsene wont have seen it.
I’m probably being extreme, but “schoolboy” doesn’t even cover that defending.
Simon
You mentioned Chambers playing on the right because of his crossing, it may be that absence of Friend is a bigger factor with Fabio moving to left back.
We will know better because George is back in training this week. AK likes his players to be fully involved before playing them so we may see most peoples favoured pairing at full back.
Ian
George has been in full training for past two and a half weeks. He had a slight twinge on Friday and that’s why he wasn’t risked for the Oxford game.
As I said on a previous post I spoke to George after the game on Saturday and even he was surprised that he didn’t get a game.
But as you point out AK won’t pick a player if there is even a slight doubt about fitness
I see we sent another one of our youth team (Borelli) out to Levadia in Estonia, that’s two of ours that are there now. Tarmo Kink also used to play for them, wiki tells me.
OFB
I had noticed a clip on sky saying George was back in training, if he had a twinge you wouldn’t want to risk him in a cup match however it turned out in hindsight.
Hopefully back against Palace.
Full Backs
Callum Chambers is good going forward as a full back, and some of his crosses are certainly decent, but he is in difficulty against a quick or tricky winger when he can look a bit flat-footed, and sometimes can’t turn and recover quickly enough. Antonio Barragan is similar when defending. Barragan is accurate – putting the ball where he wants it to go – but tends to give it elevation so it is in the air too long and defenders have time to adjust and meet it.
I think Fabio and George are the ones who offer the most in terms of a whipped-in cross with pace and curve – remember George’s cross for De Roon at City? Ideally the ball is whipping in behind the defenders, and perhaps curling back out away from the keeper, if the player is crossing with his outside foot down towards the byline.
Mark W
My Roy Keane quote of the day:
“Character is just as important as skill.”
Essentially that was his explanation for why Arsenal haven’t won the league for 12 years – they lost some of their strongest characters and haven’t replaced them.
Leads and/or Guedioura will fill our midfield with character. Nuge was a character. So is Negredo. And Gibbo and Friend.
We need a good balance, a good mixture of character and craft.
And Mogga is back in business – now at Blackburn!
How many ex-Boro players they have in addition to Mogga? Steele, Emnes, Graham, etc.
I have always had a soft spot for Mogga. Having met him once at Rockcliffe, I must say he is an exceptionally nice guy. Don’t know him as a manager, but would take him to the moon with me, if I ever went.
All the best, Mogga. Up the Boro!
Jarkko
When Mogga was still a player at Boro he used to coach my eldest sons team Ina junior league
He was always gentle courteous and had a great rapport with the players
Some of whom went on to play professional football
I actually have met him at quite a few ex players functions he still looks and acts the same like he did years ago and remembered me
How I wished he would have been our manager for the next 20 years. But then he would have needed to be more successful, though.
Great chap, mind. Up the Boro!
Simon.
You quote often from Roy Keane.
Am I alone in thinking he was greatly overrated as a player, whose notion of commitment and inspiration was to bully, to threaten, to chastise, to intimidate in a generally thuggish kind of manner, especially if he was not getting his own way. Not my idea of a leading sportsman. Add to this that his track record in a coaching/managerial capacity has certainly been found wanting, I’m not sure I would give any great value to his outbursts or his opinion.
Maybe its just me.
Keano had much to admire in his play & in his voracious will to win. His darker side, which he displayed on & off the pitch, was a ruthlessness which strayed into acts of violent play.
There are others I could menton, Vinny Jones, Joey Barton, Norman Hunter. They are a small but significant breed in the game. Waan’t Lee Cattermole specically identified at the Boro for his robust playin style?
I hope Mogga does well at Blackburn, they are a real basket case, not the players but the club itself.
Venkys are the Indian owners I believe.
Indian business culture is unique to say the least. Its dominated by powerful family clans whose sole aim is their own enrichment & perpertuity.
Mogga will have to adopt a compliant & humble approach to the demi-gods if he is to be successful in his new role.
I do quote often from Keane, yes.
For all his demons, for all the flaws in his character, both his books are compelling reads.
Ghost-written by Eamon Dunphy and Roddy Doyle, how could they not be?
Mogga does seem to like a challenge doesn’t he?
With Boro, Coventry and now Blackburn he certainly couldn’t pick a worse time to take over.
I hope he succeeds for his sake.
It would be great to see Mogga succeed at Blackburn. If as is likely they go down I hope they hold their nerve and hang onto him as he undoubtedly will uncover a few “budget gems” for them as he did at Boro.
Just a shame they are in such a state as he hasn’t had a decent opportunity with cash to spend since his Parkhead days. I’m sure he will do well given a fair crack of the whip.
Redcar Red
Don’t mention his Parkhead Days, they are fondly remembered by Rangers fans.
If my memory serves right, the Venky’s were said to be unaware of relegation when they took over at Blackburn. There was a huge amount on Talksport last Friday morning trying to get to grips with the situation at Rovers.
From the outside it seems like they have lost interest, just keep selling any assets. They sold £38m of players last season and they had £500,000 available to the manager in each window.
Do they care?
Anyone swap Gibson for them? I think not.
Also fondly remembered in Inverness (or Rangers Lite).
“Super Caly go ballistic Celtic are atrocious!”
I seem to recall from the Daily Record at the time in one of Football journalism’s finer moments. Mind you in those days they only had to report Football news not invent it or worse still make it up.
Was John Barnes was in charge for that game, the same John Barnes who made a success of coaching, er, mmm!
I’ve just read PT in the Gazette saying “Negredo is a player who can turn a defeat into a draw, a draw into a win, he’s the real deal”.
Someone remind me how many defeats has Negredo actually turned into draws this season and better still how many games have we actually won?
Failing that where can I legally acquire some of the stuff that is apparently being pumped through the air conditioning at Gazette Towers?
Could Boro become the first side to use 4 subs in an FA Cup game as the rules have been changed.
Will it be a Striker or a defensive Midfielder?
Is the size of the bench the same if four players are allowed to be used?
I think the fourth can be used only if there is extra time.
Up the Boro!
Just to let you know I’m working with Exmil on the final preparations for this season’s Exmil Challenge, which this year includes an interactive entry form to assist you with your predictions. We’re just going to clarify the rules and we need to decide whether we’ll allow bonus points for eating pies whilst making predictions – hopefully there will be something up later this evening.
Well… what I *can* say is that Negredo’s goals earned us points against Stoke, Leicester, and West Brom, and he has certainly played his part in three of the four wins we have mustered.
I quote Len from November 22, 2016, before Negredo’s (brilliantly taken) double against Leicester:
“Against Sunderland and Bournemouth, our only two wins (then), Negredo laid on the decisive goals with two wonderful set-ups that required simple tap-ins.
“He showed exceptional quality on both occasions, not least because almost any other striker in the midst of a goal drought would have gone for goal himself.
“Negredo didn’t. He showed great awareness of what was happening around him , created the easier chance and unselfishly allowed others to take the glory. He was instrumental in getting us the six invaluable points from those games.
“He turned the game at Man City. His amazing strike from the halfway line gave the whole team their first inkling that something could be gained from the game and we never really looked back from that point.
“One goal so far does not do justice to his overall contribution.”
When Aguero laid it on for Sane v Monaco, I smiled and thought “That’s a Negredo moment.” Because how many strikers would have gone for their hat-trick instead?
Yeah, RR’s anti-Negredo stance is baffling, similar with Valdes. It’s like he entrenched himself in an extreme position earlier in the season and can’t quite manage to disentangle himself from it.
He’s been directly involved in 53% of our league goals, plus some vital cup goals too. It’s guess-work at best to suggest that anyone else would have performed as well – yes, he could have scored more, and it’s open to question whether he is worth the money, but there is no doubt that without him we’d be adrift at the bottom.
It is all supposition BoroPhil. Who knows what Stuani would have done if given the game time Negrado has been given, in the same position. Correct me if I am wrong, but did you say he was probably the best striker? For seeking out goals that is.
Negrado has also had some poor games aswell as a few good ones. But one could argue that any choice in the number nine shirt would have a difficult time of it.
But remember we are paying Negrado 100K a week???? And paid a hefty multi million loan fee. Has he been worth all of that? Not in my opinion
Valdes has certainly been very good of late and gained us points. But he started poorly and Simon, if Negrado won us a point against Stoke, Valdes lost us two.
I don’t know if I said he was the best striker, best finisher perhaps. I don’t think Stuani has the strength to hold up play in our system (despite being good in the air). I think (and happy to be corrected) that RR believes that Rhodes, Nugent or Gestede would have exactly the same return as Negredo if they’d had the same number of games – I disagree, I think they would have contributed less, both in goals and assists.
However, that doesn’t mean I think Negredo has been value for money. For what we’ve paid (if true), I would have expected more – particular in taking chances, and he has missed some sitters.
Valdes started slowly, but I think it was overplayed a bit because he wasn’t Dimi. But as a few of us pointed out at the time, all foreign goalkeepers (De Gea?) take a while to adjust to England.
Ouch. Pedro, that Stoke free-kick was a great one. It could have happened to anybody.
Try not to fingerpoint. Be like FRED – the Boro fan who supports each player Fairly, Rationally, Equally and Decently. Valdes needed time, he settled, he improved. End of.