The bright South Wales sunshine brought a small chink of hope when we found out Llorente was injured and wouldn’t make the game. For Boro it was pretty much a fairly predictable line up with no surprise returns for Ayala or even a Husband or a Bamford. Barragan was on the right, Fabio left with Bernardo and Ben in the middle of the backline. The main difference to an AK side was the inclusion of Downing in the central No.10 role leaving just two DM’s in Clayts and de Roon. Negredo was up front supported by Traore right and Gaston left.
The game started with a fairly steady if uninspiring pace with neither side exactly “going for it” from the off although there were at least a few early robust challenges. Boro started the brighter and Negredo had a half heated hand ball claim against Mawson in the penalty box. Traore looked lively and ran at them causing mayhem but after 20 minutes or so things eased off and Swansea dominated possession with Narsingh giving Fabio a tough time, eventually leading to a yellow card for our potential player of the season. Nerves were clearly to the fore as neither side wanted to do anything sloppy and as such it was far from a classic. Traore played a peach of a ball over the top through to a marginally onside Negredo who uncharacteristically failed to bring it down, the ball spun away and the clean through chance was gone.
Swansea’s possession stat was growing but it was against a Boro side well drilled in the art of soaking up pressure. Valdes pulled off one good save but other than that and a fumbled punch and re-grasp (as the ball came off the back of Bernardo) we rarely looked threatened. Ramirez was fairly quiet in the game and an innocuous looking challenge lead to him being grounded clasping his right ankle only to pull up two minutes later to leave the pitch for Gestede to enter the fray, Agnew switching to a more straightforward 442 with Downing switching from central to the left flank. The half time whistle came and apart from the one Valdes save there was very little for either Keeper to do in the opening 45.
The second half started with the same nervy tempo with the up till then relatively quiet Sigurdsson testing Valdes from distance with a weak speculative effort. Without Llorente Swansea were fizzling out in the final third despite Olsson and Narsingh offering pace down the flanks their final ball wasn’t ideal for Ayew. On 52 minutes Boro worked a ball up to Gestede who laid it off to Negredo who dummied it and let in run for Traore who cut into the box and saw his shot pass Fabianski but just past the wrong side of the far post.
That Traore effort seemed to spark Swansea into life and they upped the pressure but 5 minutes later Traore again burst out of defence leaving a despairing Mawson lunge which earned him yellow for his troubles as had Fer in the first half for a similar attempt on stopping him. A serious looking injury to Fabio had us all worried as he landed badly looking dazed and concussed. As if our defensive injury crisis wasn’t bad enough whilst down to 10 men Sigurdsson had a brilliant strike and an equal save from Valdes. Forshaw entered the fray on 64 minutes for the Ayatollah impersonating Fabio with Downing dropping into the LB slot, changing position now for the third time in the game.
A drop ball saw Barragan nick the ball from the two nominated players contending the drop ball much to the chagrin of Clement and the home fans. His cheek continued further up the pitch when he was consequently fouled and then wound up the Swansea fans further when he pinched a yard (or two) on the free kick. Whether it was brewing or because off or perhaps the need for points but the game became a little tetchier afterwards as the home fans suddenly found their voices. Unfortunately for Boro with Forshaw arriving and the default 3 DM’s by accident rather than design we lost some of our creativity.
Barragan played Traore through on 78 minutes with Negredo waiting in the box but Fabianski got down to the cross. The subsequent break from Swansea saw Gestede pick up a fortunate yellow for a two footed tackle. Ten minutes to go and Swansea were forcing the game with Boro relying on our stalwart defence and Traore’s pace in the hope of finding Negredo or Gestede. A drag back from Bernardo gave away a stupid free kick just on the edge of our 18 yard box and we sat with hearts in our mouths as Sigurdsson took aim. Fortunately Sigurdsson’s attempt was well wide courtesy of a Forshaw “deflection” and after an ensuing series of calamitous desperate defending Gestede again launched a desperate lunge and lucky not to see red.
With two minutes to go Fer broke free and charged down the middle of the pitch with the Boro defence left in his wake but fortunately Downing chasing back done enough to put him off and push him wide. We had an opportunity one minute into injury time with a throw in 10 yards from the Swansea corner flag and Barragan frustratingly produced yet another foul throw. Seconds later Negredo put in a brilliant cross for Gestede who rose but headed the wrong side of the post in what was probably our best opportunity. Hitting the target would have been easier than missing but that’s what happens when you are down in the bottom three. Then Negredo was played through by Traore with seconds remaining but was pushed wide and the chance faded for a goal kick. 0-0 it ended, a result which done neither side a great deal of good but better than a defeat and in nine games time who knows we may be grateful for that point and let’s face it when have Boro ever done it the easy way?
I’m looking forward to reading plenty of posts describing what was served up today, total dross.
I’ll give you a clue, it’s not a pop duo from the 1980’s.
Here we are, the last minute of the game, a chance win it. Boro have a throw-in 15-20 yards from Swansea’s goal line. What happens next, a foul throw. Correct me if I’m wrong, but this isn’t the 1st, 2nd, 3rd or even 4th time this guy has done this. Get him out of the club & don’t pay his wages for the game.
Then there was Gestede, a simple header into a gaping net, across the goalie to the side the ball was crossed from, dross.
Traore, he’s a headless chicken who obviously isn’t running fast enough, judging by the number of seagulls that have pooped on his head.
Swansea must be gutted, because on another day they’d have won by at least 3 clear goals.
Let’s hear all the excuses because in my book there aren’t any.
From the Daily Mail , sums it up
For Middlesbrough that meant a performance of limited ambition, when they relied on what is an admirably solid defence but barely gave a second thought to chasing the goals that might save their season. Considering their predicament, that is a staggering indictment.
They have not scored away from home in 2017 and they have not won a league game anywhere since beating Swansea in December. To therefore go to a struggling side and conjure up just one chance was simply not good enough.
Good report, RR. And for those who may have missed it, Werder’s brief summary at the end of the last thread is, for me, one of the posts of the year, displaying more creativity and craftsmanship, and giving more pleasure than the Boro have managed all season.
🔴 Thanks Len! Sometimes six minutes spent on a comment can say more than a six hours spent on a blog post – Werdermouth
The hairy puns? Oh yes. Brilliant.
Can anyone explain to me why when Fabio was injured we did not play Ayala and move Ben to left back?
Why play your so called creative best crosser of a ball at left back when you really needed three points to have a chance of survival?
Smacks of Krankaism!
Curses – posted a couple of minutes ago without realising this new thread was here. (see below)
But while I am here, and with the dearth of left-backs staring us in the face, what has Husband done to the management team? Or is he injured/suffering a long-term sickness/clearly rubbish in training/can’t be bothered to turn UP to training, or has he run over Steve Gibson’s dog?
Here’s that earlier post…
That Gestede header! That Barragan throw in!
Instead of being the super-fit Adonis that I recognise in the mirror, let’s pretend that I was a 62 year old, unfit individual with a bandaged leg. I could STILL take a better throw in than Barragan. I could even take a LEGAL throw in.
I thought much about football could be reduced to straightforward things which even the unintelligent should be able to understand, that it is about getting the simple things right, time and time again, at least as the basis for making some progress. Taking a throw in is about as basic a football skill as it is possible to identify.
I don’t want to sound cruel or over critical, but surely if your 18 year old demolished the gatepost every time he tried to take the car out of the drive, if he’d done it several times since last autumn, you’d take the keys off him, wouldn’t you?
I came I saw i conked it
I’m just wondering if they’re going to erect those peculiar rectangular white things with nets attached for Saturday’s home game. They’ve been there at each end for most games this season. I’m dying to know what they’re actually for.
They’ll put one at our end and move it at half-time, but not the other end there’s no need. I still blame the shirt.
UTB,
John
As I have stated in the past i always felt we wouldn’t be strong enough at this level, with the inexperience squad we assemble,
However early in the season we were competitive, and gave us a little hope of staying up, during that period we had a good shape,and everyone seemed to know their role.
Now the players are all over the place chasing shadows, getting caught out in bad areas, they seem to be lost ,even on the basics,
I understand our midfield is very weak,but for the life of me ,Clayton is at least putting tackles in and winning the ball,De Roon is frightened to death of recieving the ball ,as soon as he gets it,he immediately panics, every pass he makes is irrelevant and most of them go back to the defence, Forshaw today was way out of his depth,Ramirez forget it? Traoria is a work in progress .
What Agnew has to do, is find a formation that keeps us solid at the back,but because the midfielders cannot dominate ,he must bypass the midfield ,or at least tell them pass the ball forward and early,long ball if you like,not pretty but can be effective, maybe a 343, with Gestede,Nebraska, and Stuani high up all looking for knock ons .
We’ve got to do something that helps the personnel we have,we are not blessed with top skillfull players. Something has to change.
I thought it was a decent game, we certainly showed more going forward than in the games v Stoke and Palace. We defended superbly and it was nearly the perfect away smash and grab, what can you say about that miss by Gestede. The reaction of the other players said it all.
The Daily Mail was typically dealing in non-facts, we had other chances – Traore’s in particular plus a few opportunities that Negredo really should have done better with.
I honestly think that is a decent point, Swansea had won their last three at home and were flying, they’ll be pretty gutted tonight, for us it was more must not lose than must win. If we add in the three points against Sunderland (which I know aren’t guaranteed but have to be if we are to have any chance) then it looks pretty tight between us, Hull and Swansea.
As for the subs – I guess he didn’t want to move Gibson away from the centre, which is understandable, he was immense again.
Phil
Glad you mentioned Gibbo, the real sign that you are finally gone and will not be coming back is when you move your regular, soon to be international central defender from his position to shore up a position that has not been filled for weeks. What next Traore in goal.
I think that we are in the hands of a bunch of know nothings, their behaviour in the two matches they have controlled(now there’s an oxymoron) passes belief, the injury situation is scandalous,(Friend, Ayala, Chambers) we still stand about until the match gets underway(both halves) we still regard Traore as an irritation (the Times has some glowing things to say about him today) we are a better team with Gested(strictly because he has some height and weight about him).
Still, look on the bright side, Traore and Gibson will make a cheap buy for some club, (they might do a buy one get one free deal, about fifteen million for the two, probably Real Madrid. Nothing would surprise me with this lot)
Its difficult to report on something and try not to be biased and critical (or overtly enthusiastic should that day ever come) and today was very difficult to the point where it felt like there wasn’t a point if that makes sense. There were some obvious things that were woeful and incredulous beyond belief but they are inherent deficiencies within the squad and deficiencies that with his blessing hampered AK and that SA has now inherited.
A 29 year old full back who can’t take a throw that is at best League one or two mediocrity isn’t Agnew’s fault. A striker who sets new records of not winning Premiership games and yet ironically the Head Coach’s Nephew was deemed surplus to requirements. A Uruguayan International who goes down quicker than a Z list silicone enhanced celebrity clutching the opposite side of an ankle to the side that was actually touched (note the word “touched” not “clattered”). And a goalkeeper who cannot catch crosses because put simply he makes the late Hervé Villechaize look like a six footer. Great shot stopper however albeit not as Hollywoodesque as Jason Steele. “It is what it is” as one of our own oft said
There are some with fight and spirit and some who are just well short of what was required at this level whilst others watched and rubber stamped those self same acquisitions. Watching today what I would have given for big Dimi in goal, Nsue and Albert on the right, a fit Ayala and Friend and even Kike up front all fighting and scrapping for a win but Aggers hasn’t got those luxuries so has to make the best out of what remains.
Downing I thought put himself about and played well in the No.10 role then done OK wide left when called upon and then was the one getting back stopping a late goal when the rest of our defence switched off. Three positions in one game and “fans” still slate him. If fingers are to be pointed it shouldn’t be just at those on the pitch despite their obvious limitations in some cases. As I have said before it goes back to the shirt, not literally of course but before a ball was kicked that shirt defined just how much of a go MFC were prepared to give it this season. Budget, cheap, half baked, half hearted, grossly overpriced and not worth the money. The exact same could be had for far cheaper elsewhere.
The season still isn’t over and with some fight and spirit there are enough points to play for to rescue what is becoming a dire but predictable situation but it has to be with those who want it and for the avoidance of doubt I emphasise the word “want”. I seen a few today who were too stupid or too petulant to “want it” aligned with some who are just plain garbage. I won’t name names, I don’t think its necessary as it was pretty obvious but for the remaining 9 games there are at least 4 players who wouldn’t feature at all for me for the rest of the season and for the avoidance of doubt Stewy would be first on my team sheet.
If Aggers reads this, lets go down in a blaze of glory!
RR,
Is it only you and I that hate that amateurish, cheap, nasty and ugly ‘designed’ shirt?
UTB,
John
Could it be described as a bit as the result of a slap-dash approach? And if so would that be indicative of the general approach of executive management to the running of the club?
Aggers said he’d got one phone call from SG since he’s been appointed. Hardly overwhelmed with support!
I hadn’t realised the shirt was that good 😊
To the one person who likes the shirt, please make yourself known 😊
Ramirez is an easy target at the moment but I can’t believe he wasn’t genuinely injured. Ben Gibson went over to him and gave him a pat on the back when he went off and I can’t believe he would tolerate anyone in the team who wasn’t fully committed.
He is indeed an easy target and all of his own making so I have zero sympathy for him (or his agent). The contact was on the inside of his ankle and it didn’t look that severe yet he rubs the outside of the ankle?
Maybe he was injured, maybe he was taking the proverbial as I think he was but for me his season and Boro career should now be finished. He has shown nothing since the Bournemouth game. He has the talent and the ability but along with a few others he is one of the reasons we are now headed towards the Championship.
We are second bottom and 5 points adrift for a myriad of reasons but a player whose heart isn’t 100% up for the fight shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad and for me Gaston has a heart the size of a pea, outdone only by the minuscule size of his loyalty. Damaged goods in more ways than one.
I don’t have much sympathy either and if we go down he can take a lot of the responsibility. But I don’t think he would be accepted anywhere near the team by people like Ben Gibson if he wasn’t committed.
He wasn’t great at the start of the season (he had a purple patch before xmas) and of course has a pretty dire history in this division – I think like the rest of the team he just isn’t actually that good, not at this level anyway.
Mix Valdes’ shot-stopping with Dimi’s catching and Given’s command of his box and – presto. You have the perfect Boro ‘keeper.
Or Jason Steele and a few grand in the bank?
nb. I thought Steele was a poor keeper who theatrically dived spectacularly, usually after the ball had passed him en route to the net.
As I said in my last Talking Point:
Whether new signings are technically better than what we have or not is irrelevant – are they the right signings for Boro? Do they connect with the area, and Boro, in the same way? Do they plug into the ethos of the club and what it is all about?
High-profile recruitment is, and always has been, a gamble. Their ability of prestige players (look at Negredo’s cross, for example, and Valdes’ saves) can delight fans and inspire everyone on the pitch to play above themselves.
But their wage and status can also cause friction within the squad and resentment among the paying public, who may well perceive them as proof of the George Graham maxim that if a player doesn’t see his new club as a step up, he’ll think he’s doing you a favour by being there.
It goes for managers too. Not everyone warmed, I think, to AK, because perhaps he left some with the impression that “little Boro” should be grateful to have a coach from big Real Madrid. I think it left him little wriggle room when all went wrong.
I forgave him for Charltongate – I wrote it off as a momentary rush of blood to the head because he didn’t feel he was getting the support he needed – but I know not everyone did.
I never thought Steele was poor, RR. He was probably the best of our collection of shot-stoppers from the academy… next would probably be Turnbull, then (shudder) the Corporal. But you couldn’t really rely on him like you could Dimi and Given.
Regarding goalkeeping, I wonder if we give Connor Ripley a go next year. Big guy, best keeper in League 1, saving penalties and back with us in the summer.
The game was frustrating but I do feel that some posters are being a bit unrealistic. What miracle did they expect to happen. Agnew shuffled his pack, played with four pure attackers and moved the ball forward a bit more quickly and we could have been 1-0 after twenty minutes. We then contained Swansea despite a boatload of free kicks and corners and should have nicked it at the end. Ramirez looked to have rolled his ankle which can create a strain no matter where he was actually kicked. Playing Downing at left back probably made much more sense if we were intending to win the game because it gave us an extra quality crosser of the ball going forward. I was just a little surprised that it was Forshaw and not Guediora or Stuani who came on.
Can I also say that Gibson must have added a chunk to his transfer value. He makes so few mistakes and just gets the job done. Happily Esposito and Barragan were also a bit more solid but what I’d give for a player like Sigurdson. We’d be mid-table and it just points out the pure cockup that was the January transfer window. I have nothing against Gestede as we seem more dangerous with him on the field but we had the money to buy creativity as well and couldn’t get it done.
In the spirit of honesty in which this blog is written, can I ask what would people have said about the game if Gestede had put that header just inside the post and we’d won 1-0. Would it have been a ‘triumph of the Boro underdog spirit.
Now we have to beat Hull and hope that Spurs do a job on Swansea. Not impossible.
UTB
Yea I’ve been thinking about Rippers 2 who I think will be back next season but probably as a number 2
I’m not going to contemplate who will be here and who won’t next season until we know what division we are going to be playing in
Had Gestede’s header found the target we would have been ecstatic for the three points and the crushing psychological blow it would have dealt Swansea (and the knock on effect it would have had on Hull).
Had Swansea been awarded a penalty for Forshaw’s high arm it would have sent Swansea into delirium. I think the decision to bring Forshaw on was to give a bit of extra bite in our midfield rather than as a conventional wide player as Swansea were pretty much in control at that stage.
Had Negredo managed to control the ball when clean through by chesting it forwards instead of trying to hook it with his boot it could have killed the game as a contest in the first half or if Traore’s effort been twelve inches nearer the post etc.
The biggest piece of bad luck for me was Mawson not being booked just after Fer’s challenge on Traore, had he been booked then he would have been off for the second offence but then again perhaps we were lucky Gestede was still on the pitch to have that last ditch header after two crude challenges.
Swansea had 15 attempts to our 8 with three on target to our one, whilst our efforts have perhaps increased over the recent past Swansea had twice as many of them. Lets hope that one or two of them go in on Wednesday night because we are running out of time and games now for hard luck scenarios.
Excellent post, selwynoz!
I could only add that we should have been 1-0 up after 20 min, mind.
We now need to win at Hull to see light in the end of the tunnel. Still plenty to play for.
Up the Boro!
Jarkko
Indeed you are right, there is still plenty to play for. The only problem is the collective we have playing for us & that we dont score & we dont win games. Martin de Roon said the same ‘We need to WIN games!’ weeks ago.
The light at the end of the tunnel is receding not getting closer.
I reckon we might get one or possibly two wins out of the next nine games on the basis of our form. That’s not enough – next season in the Championship we may have a new manager that you and others will be able to say ‘In X we trust!’ Depending on who X is and the support he can get from MFC, will determine if this time you will be right.
Happy days
Spartak
Ref our next manager
“Support HE can get”
What makes you think our next manager is a HE?
Just sayin like
The light at the end of the tunnel is the light seeping around the trapdoor…
UTB,
John
A point earned and two squandered. I couldn’t believe it when I read about another Barragan foul throw; what is wrong with the lad!? Surely they can work on that in training, or simply tell him that if we have an attacking throw in that he leaves it to someone else. It wouldn’t surprise me if Bernardo was a secret long throw in expert but we hadn’t discovered it because we haven’t spent any time on set pieces (certainly looks that way). PUT. THE. BALL. DOWN. BARRAGAN.
If Gestede’s header had gone in then I would have celebrated 3 points and hoped that the reminder of what it feels like to win would prove the spur for an unlikely escape. As it is – it didn’t, so I won’t. That’s a fact we can deal in.
Sounds trite to say it again, but Hull is now MEGA-MUST-WIN. We need to drag Hull +1 into this battle and the only way we can put remotely under our control is to beat them on Wednesday. Then our game in hand against Sunderland, probably to be billed by Sky as the £100M game would take us above Hull.
Who else can we drag in? Well, I’m with borophil on this – despite their prolific start Burnley are sinking fast. If they lose midweek and we win then beat them next weekend and they start to look wobbly. The only problem is that they probably only need 5 points to be safe.
OFB
Are you suggesting Boro have a trans-sexual manager ready & waitin in the wings?
🙂
For myself I couldn’t care less about gender, sexual preferences or for that matter species. You could put Mr Parker’s Dog in charge for all I care just as long as we play well and win more than we lose.
Currently, we’ve lost more than 3x the games we have won in the EPL ie. won 4 lost 14.
If that trend continues with 9 games to go, as I said earlier, maybe we’ll win 1 or 2, a max of 3. That’s 9 points & maybe 3 draws which equates to 12 – so 12 + 23= 35 points & that’s not good enough. Draw one instead of win & that’s 33 points & only the effervescent Jarkko will believe we will not be relegated.
Happy days
Well, I suppose 0-0 was a predictable result given we can’t score and neither team could afford to lose.
Not an exciting game, but no surprises there, good to see only two defensive midfielders and Downing at 10.
Gestede is definitely a handful in the air, must be opportunity there for the remainder of the season.
Negredo’s cross in at the end of the game with the outside of his foot was exquisite and deserved a goal, pity Gestede couldn’t take the opportunity of being on the winning side in the prem for the first time in 38 games.
Hull next, the prem just keeps on giving!
Great report RR an accurate reflection of the game whilst not castigating those who didn’t perform well
As an ex referee I shook my head in amazement as yet again Barragan did another foul throw
When I refereed youth players I used to actually show them how I wanted them to take the throws and they soon learnt. Obviously as they grew older they were punished for their mistakes and quite rightly so players have to conform to the laws of the game.
I didn’t think Forshaw deserved to have a penalty awarded against him although I have seen them given.
Gestede was lucky to stay on the pitch either for a straight red or two yellows so at least we have him available
Wonder how Fabio is the little fella looked dazed after falling heavily to the ground and the FA will probably rule him out for the Hull game
I thought Downing showed more spirit and tried to get into the game although he did play in three positions during the 94 minutes
Fabio wasn’t so dazed that he knew how to wind up the Swansea fans as he walked off around the pitch giving him stick for being an ex Bluebird giving them the “Ayatollah” Cardiff salute.
Well I could say, same old, same old. However to be fair to SA, what has he got to choose from, very little and we all know now that realistically the majority are not good enough for the EPL. Probably a good number of the players we will be left with will be not be good enough for another promotion charge next season.
Can Aggers get more out of them in the final games, not if yesterdays performance is anything to go by.
So the game and a win against Hull may just keep the fires burning, anything else will be the final nail.
Good match report RR, thanks for that and also to Werder for his untiring work and Headliners.
RR
You’re quite right to point out that every game has a number of turning points that could have made a completely different outcome had they gone the other way. I was just trying to calm down the negativity by pointing out how near it was to a great outcome. At least we had a few chances to miss.
Incidentally, further to your comment about bookings, I have a few thoughts. Firstly, I found it strange that after Fer was booked, I don’t remember Traore running at him any more. It was an opportunity lost. Secondly, can I ask our resident referee whether Boro can appeal against Downing’s booking on the evidence that the Swansea player dived. It was very clear on TV and I don’t see why they don’t do something about blatant cases like that.
Watching the Hull highlights, they conceded a terrible goal to a really simple cross. Maybe it’s time to unleash the two man front line from the start.
Finally, what does Agnew do if Fabio is ineligible for the Hull game?
UTB
Selwyn
I hope Fabio may be available as he seemed more winded to me rather than concussed after a heavy landing as opposed to a clash of heads or a forearm in the face. That said the physios didn’t seem keen on letting him back on so we wait and sweat on that one.
Fully agree about Fer and his booking on Traore but I suspect that was why Mawson took up the gauntlet to shackle him afterwards. For me if Traore danced his magic into the 18 yard box then we could really benefit from fear of tackling him and fear of him running straight through defenders. I’m sure its what is intended in training but teams are throwing a wall of players in front of him but even if he won 20 yard free kicks instead of in neutral zones it could be of benefit especially with Gestede in the box or Stewy taking the type of free kick that Ramirez could take if he was interested enough which I sadly suspect now he isn’t.
Traore looks to be getting closer but I just wish he would get stuck in a bit more when out of possession instead of the casual almost languid body language. He could be one of those players that once he bags one his confidence soars and goes on a run.
Yellow Cards
the FA supports Fifa rules that do not allow reviews of yellow cards.
Authorities are worried if such a system was introduced it could cause bureaucratic chaos.
Just de-spammed a SmoggyinExile post – I guess the MEGA-MUST-WIN game in caps may have caught it out – here’s a link to the post in case anyone missed it
I love the shirt
I love everything about a Boro shirt
I love the fact that it’s got a distinctive pattern
I love that it’s got such a historic badge
I love that it’s sponsored by a pawnbroker
I love that it’s sponsored by an Asian betting company
I love that’s it’s sponsored by flamingo land
Sorry Chaps
I meant to send this on Saturday the first of April !
Still never mind
Ain’t it about time Bamford got a start?
Gaston is obviously injured for the rest of the season, Negredo could do with a break (?).
At least he might have the legs to latch onto one of Adama’s crosses!
No???
And another Boro Swansea report
http://thefootballfaithful.com/swansea-boro-match-report/?utm_campaign=premier-league&utm_medium=twitter&utm_source=twitter
It seems bizarre to me that Bamford hasn’t been without a club since leaving us and has trained as normal aand as part of a Premiership squad yet he apparently isn’t fit?
Why pay good money for a Player to come in at the business end of the season who is seemingly another “project” and an unfit one at that?
Some of the stories about our recruitment you literally couldn’t make up.
Yea I was wondering how high the naughty step is that Bamford is on so no one is able to lift him down.
Spartak
When Bamford arrived I suggested Paddy may be for next season and received a certain amount of abuse.
He was put out to grass by AK, Agnew has brought everybody in to the fold but the fold seems to include the paddock where Husband and Bamford are grazing in peace.
As Paddy was sick in the run up to ManU I half expected him to be on the bench for yesterday. I made the comment I was surprised that we had three midfielders as potential subs, Paddy or Husband would have been better with only two midfielders.
A proper left back would have freed Stewie after Fabio left, Paddy could have come on for Negredo or even go three upfront and stretch the defence. That would have pinned back their marauding full backs.
But we don’t know what goes on in Rockcliffe.
Redcar Red
I may have missed something by being away, is Bamford unfit or is it just assumptions?
I think BamBam is fit but lacks match routines and has not been able to develop as by playing.
Maybe we should give him a few matches at the reserves? Oops, we don’t have a reserve team anymore. One thing I do not understand about the modern game or the PL.
Up the Boro!
Apparently if he wanted he could turn out for the under 21’s (under 23’s?) or something like that was the last comment I “dismissively” seem to recall hearing from AK about Bamford in his attempts to get fit.
I don’t know if anything has changed since, I would guess that SA and others would be more involving and supportive, at least I hope so because £4/5 or £6m depending upon which source is a lot of money to shell out for someone that had no competitive offers elsewhere.
Like the rest of January, seems a Championship purchase.
Ian
Total speculation but I dont think it has anything to do with naughty step. I think it has evrrything to do with Negredo and his contract agreement. Could be something to do with number of appearances. Could be the amount of money he’s being paid and SG doesn’t want to see him sitting on the bench. Imagine Bamford comes on bags a brace or a hattrick, crowd go mad, he has to be played next game, Negredo on the bench again. How much salary has been spent by the Boro whilst Negredo’s backside polishes the wood – is it another example of finance before football success? Stranger things happen. Then, there was the curious comment of Bamford having four games to score and didn’t. What a load of giant sized nonsense! How many has Negredo scored in 25 games, 3 or 4?
Hope not too many folk are insulted if I repeat the word ‘Shambles’, again!
Just checked and Negredo appears to have scored 4 goals since and including the win against Swansea back in Dec 17th. 2 of these were penalties, 2 from open play.
Just lookin like!!!
AK ‘Steve, I’d like to buy Bamford’
SG ‘How much’
AK ‘£6million’
SG ‘Ok, no problem’
SG ‘Just one thing though’
AK ‘what’s that?’
SG ‘You can’t play him ’cause that would mean Negredo on the bench and we pay him too much to sit and do nothin’
AK ‘Fair enough, I’ll buy him then’
Shambles, absolute shambles!
I’ll give you one thing Spartak, you’re posts can be very entertaining!
No, problem Nigel. Your pleasure is my pleasure!
Still, you only chose one of the possible explanations offered. Do you have another? Love to read it or are you still hoping everyone still has faith in AK?
Sorry to have to inform you, but he’s gone!
Interesting debate on Radio 5 with Andy Townsend and Danny Mills plus a nomark (aka Journalist), I have been rude about the journo because the ex footballers were talking about what happened within football clubs.
Discussion focussed on Luke Shaw plus a bit on Ross Barclay after both were criticised by their managers.
The managers have the stats such as how hard they worked in training, fitness levels, movement in matches, where they played, pass completion etc.
The players had to prove they were up to it, they have the print outs and can go in to the manager’s office armed with facts. If the players are out of favour they have to bust a gut in training and prove them wrong.
Luke Shaw had been with injury so Danny Mills asked how he had worked, had he put on weight, was he in the treatment room working his socks off, was it clear to the staff and manager he was doing the best he could?
Both Townsend and Mills put the responsibility at the feet of the players, they had to prove the manager could trust them.
Sadly there was no discussion of ‘losing the dressing room’.
Play the ball not the messenger.
Interesting Vic has been discussing the bench options for last Sundays match, he must be reading our comments – only joking Vic.
We didn’t need three holding midfield players, would have been better to have two to free up options. Husband would have been a good choice to give some balance with Fabio able to play left or right.
Fabio going off left the team unbalanced with Stewie at left back and Forshaw coming on, with Traore leaving Barragan exposed and two deep midfielders it allowed Swansea the space to attack. Husband would have kept the balance.
Rather than Stuani, Fischer or Bamford would have been better options. Fischer especially can play across the three behind the striker, Bamford would offer something different up front.
Agnew needs to have better options on the bench.
Ian
I entirely agree with your comments. I had expressed my concerns previously as to why it was necessary to play a creative midfielder at left back when there were a better options.
If we can see it why can the so called professionals not?
I wonder if trying to keep individuals happy/involved plays a part in the decision making process. It should however always be the needs of the team that should come first but we have had some very strange decision making this year and it seems to be continuing under new management.
That’s another rant over – now off to clean the pool on a bright sunny warm day on the Costa Blanca, which all helps to ease the worries of supporting my beloved team!
Some we crying for the attacking runs George Friend used to make. Perhaps – just – Agnew wanted that to happen by Stewie.
Just saying, like. UTB!
Unfortunately when Stewie attempted an attacking run from left back against Swansea he ran out of steam before he reached the halfway line and lost control and ran the ball out of play – unfortunately Downing hasn’t got the legs to get up and down he pitch anymore – fullback these days is is a young man’s game.
Well I didn’t have a pool to clean but enjoyed a nice relaxing 17-18% in the sunshine of Boro this afternoon.
I’m also perplexed at the make up of the bench and the substitutions. I fail to see how Husband could be a worse option than Downing at left back, especially given Downing’s lack of pace. Even without the Fabio injury, Husband would have allowed us to cover an injury to either Barragan or Fabio, as in the event Barragan had been injured we could have swapped Fabio to right back and put Husband at left back.
In this area alone I think Agnew is proving himself to be a mini-me version of AK. It also reflects badly upon the coaching staff and the recruitment staff that we can be in our first season back in the PL and have several members of the squad (Husband, Fischer, Bamford) who seemingly can’t be trusted to even make the bench and others such as Guediora who are not at the level of quality to threaten the first 11.
I read a stat today that pointed out that the teams in 3-6 of the Championship at the moment finished 19th, 17th, 13th and 20th place respectively last season. If anyone thinks that we will “do a Newcastle”, bear in mind that the league is so competitive that teams can come from literally nowhere and drag themselves into the play offs. Especially teams that have stuck together and incrementally improved season upon season (i.e. AK Boro Championship vintage).
Where we to be relegated we would not, as Newcastle did, maintain a significant crop of our current first 11. We would more likely be looking like Norwich (9th) or Villa (11th) given the massive cultural and tactical makeover we are likely to undertake.
Despite having plenty of money to throw around we would also be tarred with the brush of this seasons dreadful football. Once you’re competing with several of the other Championship clubs that can offer big wages, some of them up in that Big London, then we would have a fight on our hands to spend that money.
Discovering some balls and sticking them in the net in order to stay in the PL is definitely our preferred option. I’d like to see Paddy and Gestede given a start together against Hull, at the end of the day if we’re going down then those are the two that we would expect to fire our promotion charge.
Spartak, I have no other explanation, of course that fact doesn’t mean there isn’t one neither does it mean there’s any sort of conspiracy afoot.
I also don’t think Bamford is the solution to all of our problems.
We don’t have a striker (Negredo) who is being fed loads of chances and keeps missing.
The fundamental problem is we as a team aren’t offensive enough and don’t create sufficient chances or put the opposition under enough pressure.
I’m not sure Ravanelli in his pomp would be the answer right now.
Nigel, how about Juninho? UTB!
Even in 1996-97 it could horrendous.
“What of Fabrizio Ravanelli? Well, in the absence of the injured Juninho, Boro’s £7 million forward seemed devoid of decent passes…”
– The Sunday Times, 1996.
Sorry, “could BE horrendous”. My bad.
Well as OFB predicted Fabio under FA guidance rules is officially ruled out for seven days missing both Hull and Burnley games!
Good job we don’t shoot messengers on here Bob 😉
I only tell it the way it is guv !
The FA again trying to get Boro relegated! Up the Boro!
Redcar Red
That makes things interesting for selection.
Will Aggers rely on a Friend or will we see an estranged husband back in the fold?
A sort of Family Misfortunes.
We polled 100 disaboro posters for who should be left back and our survey said…..
I’d say quite a few should be left back,
In the dressing room 😃
Maybe a reconciliation with an absent Husband or perhaps just go for a threesome at the back!
RR
A three some at the back sounds very interesting
Hmmmm
https://youtu.be/N9tRyWEgTbg
Once upon a time, I was able to say, “We’ve got AA, Friend”…
They both scored in a 2-0 win over Derby.
AA was traded in for a newer model and Friend has no MOT unfortunately.
Ian
Think my tongue in cheek reply perhaps went into Werders “naughty” filter 🙂
Anyway the gist of it was that if Husband is not considered a fit and proper person to play first team football then unless Ben is pushed out there with a hobbling Ayala alongside Espinosa (shudders at the thought) in the middle of the back then the only option is to go with three at the back.
Stewy can play wide left and also get back and defend but that leaves a dilemma on the right. Go with Traore who doubt can skin defenders with his pace thereby nulling the threat on the right or someone more dependable defensively. Under AK we know that would be Stuani but I doubt Aggers would be that blinkered. Do we then throw Fischer in there or indeed maybe risk Traore trotting back if the mood takes him?
Three at the back would of course allow another forward and still keep three DM’s of which one must surely be Grant for this type of game. We could rest de Roon and play Clayts right midfield to get back and cover at RB if needed and Forshaw left to do the same with Grant snarling and snapping centrally breaking things up.
Like the Palace game however rather than disrupt the entire side and tactics maybe its simpler to just play Husband and give the lad his chance, heaven knows he has waited long enough for it and cometh the hour and all that.
Can’t see any missing post from you – naughty or otherwise – in any of my special folders. Must have got confiscated by the CIA looking for Reds under the bed or something…
Thanks Werder, it did appear as if by magic but after a brief lull in proceedings. It was probably due to a stoppage in play after a hefty challenge from Spartak on Nigel.
Just spotted another long post fro SmoggyinExile in the Spam folder – not sure why it ended up there but I’ve long stopped second guessing what annoys it – anyway, here’s a link to the post so you don’t miss it.
If you want to blacklist me I won’t get upset, honest. I’ll just call my lawyer – George Carman QC.
Before you pick up your prototype medium iPhone, or if you haven’t got one, go to the trouble of lighting a few candles, drawing a pentagram on the earth and invoking a resurrection spell on the very late esteemed QC – I should explain that you’re just the innocent victim of a less than discerning algorithm as I haven’t had time yet to make a list of any colour…
The most obvious thing is to play a left back at left, that minimises change.
When you start shuffling things about you end up with more than one player out of their best position in formations you are not totally in sync with.
It is a total no brainer but I don’t have coaching badges. We are paying Husbands wages and given him a squad number so use him.
Assuming Ramirez cant play we are not so flush with attacking midfield options we can put Stewie at Left back or left wing back, the thought of Traore at right wing back terrifies me.
Ian
Apparently Ramirez is having a scan today to check on his ankle. I’m assuming that means they’ve had the stethoscope out first checking for a heartbeat.
On the subject of Husband it would be Typical Boro for him to play and be MOM in every game between now and the end of the Season.
Nigel
So you hav no other explanation but prepared to mock others speculation.
Nevermind, we move on!
UTB
Boro only have one day on the training pitch so it would be a huge risk to attempt new formation so let’s assume a back four.
Most likely would be Barragan moving to left-back (apparently the Gazette said he’s played for us there once before), Gibson-Ayala in the centre and Bernado at right-back – though not sure what the plan is after Ayala goes off injured – probably Fry in the center.
With Bernardo’s footwork the thought of him at RB terrifies me. He has the turning circle of one of those huge container ships anchored in Tees bay and the speed to match.
Barragan did play at LB early part of the season and although I was highly critical of his signing back in August conceded at the time he done a decent job there. Events since unfortunately has only confirmed that my initial concerns and “surprise” at his signature were not without foundation. If Husband isn’t brought in from the cold then it has to be three from Barragan, Espinosa, Ayala, Fry and Gibson. Having Chambers, Fabio and Friend all out simultaneously is nothing short of a disaster.
The sole objective is to win tonight so the potency of the front line is of far greater importance than our backline. just hope Aggers and Co. realise and appreciate that and don’t get too hung up about the defence, as Mogga says, “it is what it is”. We could go 343 and seize the day.
RR
Ref your post about Mogga I saw him on Sunday morning his son was playing on the next pitch to my grandsons team
We exchanged pleasantries didn’t talk football he looks nice and relaxed and enjoying life
Our former manager AK has been invited to Man U as an assistant coach to the special one.
If he does go there’ll be some grumpy faces all round
I have and always will be in favour of playing players in their natural position/dominant side.
I would give Husband a go but if not would prefer to leave Baragan at right back and shuffle Ben to left back that then gives the option of Bernardo/Ayala/Fry for the two central positions with Bernardo and Ayala being my chosen two as they have the greater experience. This causes less disruption in my view.
Given AK’s penchance for two players challenging for each spot we should not really be in this position. This highlights yet more flaws in the management strategy albeit I accept you cannot account for who and how many will be injured at the same time. Nor can you go against the wisdom of medical regulations introduced to protect individuals in the workplace.
I think Smoggy’s “missing” post above addresses the issue of “two in each position” very well. As he points out we have players in the squad (most of whom were bought for the Premiership) who put simply are not considered good enough to be trusted.
Werder
That’s what you get if you have coaching badges, rather than having a back four all playing in relatively natural positions lets play two out of position and compound it with a right footed left back.
If we line up as you suggest may happen both full backs will be skinned or we lose all width because of having to pull people back.
By the way I am not saying you are recommending that line up, I agree it is likely to happen.
I think the least risk is either Husband slots in or we go with Barragan, Espinsoa, Gibson at the back with Traore and Stewy wide. Despite my concerns with Espinosa I wouldn’t want to risk Ayala starting and then to go off after 5 minutes with a paper cut thereby reducing SA’s ability to make changes.
Or play Stuani on the right and let Traore have a more central role
A paper cut! Nice one! I have heard it said that he has a “low pain threshold”.
At the start of the season I’m sure karaoke said he had two players for every position but with a coaching badge does that mean you have twenty two players to play out of position?
The options are probably far greater than that low and simple figure but what a way to confound your opposition. Never mind your own players, fans and yourself.
UTB,
John
A back three with either Traore or Stuani as right wing back does not inspire great confidence in a much win match.
If Silva sees that line up I would expect him to channel as much as possible down our right.
As we all contemplate the possible permutations for a defensive Boro line up for tomorrow, I had an amusing vision in my head that Messrs Agnew, Jordan, Jenkins and Woodgate are more than likely having the exact same conversation – with probably the same retorts to all the very similar suggestions.
We’ll probably end up with Clayton playing right-back before the day is through – as long as a two-footed lunging Gestede and an Adama intent on dribbling past the entire Hull team along the edge of the box are not in the mix I’ll consider it a result.
Okay, lunchtime.
Been doing some thinking.
The edginess of AKBoro/AgnewBoro (take your pick?) has done and still is doing us no favours.
To be honest, although it’s easy to say this with hindsight, it very rarely has.
I think of Tomas Mejias, Adam Reach, Bernardo Espinosa (yes) and now Rudy Gestede. Players past and present who could have made/could make a difference.
But, to borrow Len’s words, their confidence was/has been damaged after blunders/bad positional sense/misses which, had they been saves/good positional sense/chances taken, “would have produced a very different result”.
After striking the bar against Bournemouth and missing an early one-on-one at Blackburn, Reach retreated further and further into a safety shell, the fear-of-error characteristic of AKBoro inhabiting him. Similarly, Mejias’s blunders vs. Reading, and Leeds H and A? They just happened to be the only goals of the game. Had we shown ourselves capable of scoring enough it wouldn’t have mattered. Espinosa? He was on his way to a good debut at Old Trafford when… Martial & Pogba. In a minute. Boom, boom. All that good work undone. You could say the same against Spurs where we were in a position to claim an undeserved result before his little trip. And Gestede? Would his misses against Everton and Swansea receive so much attention had we been good enough to put the opposition to bed beforehand?
And yet.
The fault has not so much been missing those chances or making those blunders as leaving ourselves in a position where we have to rely on such things “going right”. We can defend ourselves to kingdom come with words such as, “We passed it well”, “We worked hard”, “What can I do if players make elementary errors or don’t take their chances?”, “If it was not for bad luck, we’d have no luck at all”… but the bottom line is, we can’t score.
Simon
There was an article in my morning Torygraph that had pundits looking at several issues one of which was are Sunderland and Boro doomed.
The basic answer was yes, in our case sheer lack of quality was one of the views. I will have a gander later and post some of the comments.
well, I’ve just done the Gazette predictor again, I have us just staying up now I think – level on 36 points with Swansea but we’ll surely have a better GD. Hull on 34, Sunderland 29.
I am not as positive as I see us finishing bottom of the table beneath Sunderland and Swansea – 28 29 & 35 respectively with Hull staying up on goal difference!
At least you got your pool cleaned out 🏊 😊
An interesting headline on Sky Sports website
Apt for this time of year
And one which could split opinions
Spartak – In fairness it was there to be mocked, I just knocked the ball into an open goal.
The truth is I don’t believe Bamford would make a jot of difference if in the team and on top form, so why he isn’t picked is of no interest to me.
‘Pep optimistic over Jesus return’
Boom tish !
So James Husband is in the squad for Hull.
Steve Agnew said he took the whole fit squad to Swansea so everyone was involved.
Does that mean Husband is part of the whole squad or the matchday 18. Must be in the 18.
In my view if he is in the 18 he must play or it is pointless having him on the books. If premier clubs can blood youngsters we can play someone who has plenty of first team football albeit not in the top flight.
A right-back crisis? Who’d have thunk it?
It’s at times like these that you realise the defensive elements in Adomah’s game were exceptionally useful. Fergie “improved” Antonio Valencia the exact same way and it came in handy.
I bided my time with Barragan, of course, but enough is enough. Our right-side is so feeble now that… well, I’ve no answers.
The injuries to Fabio, Chambers and Ayala, and the sales of Nsue and Adomah, have really come back to bite us in the backside. De Laet was a natural right-back, too…
Whatever. I’ll be at the theatre tomorrow night so fingers crossed it all works out.
Simon
Enjoy the theatre although the real show will be staged against the tigers !
Let’s hope it’s a bravura performance and not a tragedy
Oh woe is me and thrice woe…..
De Laet and Kalas or Barragan and Bernardo, let alone getting rid of Nsue and AA. Most teams replace with clear upgrades, Typical Boro!
Apparently 18K have made the commitment for next season, thats more than I thought and probably more than deserved. Still the fat lady hasnt cleared her throat yet.
RR
No but she is warming up. Let’s hope tomorrow she develops a throat infection after the match at Hull!
Agnew Era, Part 3.
In the latest chapter of this drama cereal, Special K is gone and a flaky football club seem short on Bran new ideas. Can they get a Pop Start, earn their Corn and leave the Tigers Frostie?
That would be… grrrrrrreat!
Cheerios.
The Hull game is now the final Countdown, lose it & the season is Pointless, nil each & it’s Blankety Blank.
SA somehow has to Mastermind a win hoping our player can Strike It Lucky to win it with a Golden Shot (loved Ann Aston) Otherwise we’ve reached Tipping Point, we’ll be debating who’s the Weakest Link (Take Your Pick) ,it’s the Rover’s Return / Fox & Hounds (other hostelries are available) for me, with a Question Of Port.
Oh, sugar.
The new lads on board the Boro Espresso are no mugs but they Costa lot for what they are and could face a hard grind against teams full of beans. Change came too latte.
But if they give it a shot, at least we can say… better latte than never.
I’m amazed that some users of the Gazette’s rip off of Exmill challenge are tipping us to stay up. Either they haven’t watched us at all for the vast majority of the season, haven’t seen Agnew non-volution, or I’ll have some of what they are having!
Agnew is showing why he has never been a manager in his own right. Despite a coaching team overhaul, we are still playing exactly in the same way as we did under Karanka. If those in the know at MFC think that the tactical system is fine, just get rid of Karanka’s abrasiveness and awful people management skills, we’re in even bigger trouble than I thought. The Karanka system has been shown up to be ineffective against Premier League teams, where creating 1 or 2 chances a game simply isn’t enough. That thudding sound when Ramirez was subbed off on Sunday was the sound of my skull against wall as Gestede was brought on and Negredo dropped deep into attacking midfield.
Steve Gibson has many admirable qualities, but even just 2 games into his reign, the loyalty towards Agnew is mystifying. I can only assume that Agnew hung on to his job as no. 2 for so long by ‘buying in’ too Karanka’s methods. So much so that he has no alternative game plan. Just like Southgate was appointed because there was no one else around, the Agnew reign appears to be following a similar trajectory.
My prediction for tomorrow. For Hull, it is a must not lose game, a point won’t be the end of the world. For us, it’s a must win game. Another powder puff boro performance followed by a 0-0 draw or a 1-0 win for the home side. Championship here we come. Those season ticket prices sure do look like a bargain now don’t they!
It’s probably more must-win for Hull than it is us. Like us, they’ll be targetting the home games for their wins and tomorrow will be their no.1 target. A draw would be decent for us, a win fantastic. If we won tomorrow and Swansea lost to Spurs then I think we’d be favourites to stay up again. Which is incredible after not winning a game for what seems like an eternity.
A draw decent? That would leave us at least 5 points from safety having blown the chance to claw back the two above us. If any game is a must win for Boro this season, it is surely this. I’d hardly claim a draw as decent.
If things pan out as you say and we gain an out of character win, we’d be 2 points from safety with 8 to play. Of the remaining 8, we have to play Man City, Chelsea, Liverpool, Arsenal. Given that, I don’t understand how we would be favourites to survive?
We’re rubbish and we are going down. face up to it.
The turnaround in form for us to survive is impossible when you look at what has gone before. Oh, sorry, I forgot, and what is to follow.
We are knacked and that is what it is.
UTB,
John
Borophil – a draw would not be decent. A draw would mean we are still 5 points behind and with 1 less game to play. It would be disastrous. A draw versus Arsenal or Man City would be decent – against Hull only a win will do now.
Don’t agree. Hull play Man City away on Saturday. Swansea play Spurs tomorrow night. If we draw tomorrow and beat Burnley we’ll be right back in the mix. If we win both, we may well be out of the bottom 3 with a game in hand. If we lose tomorrow then it really is game over however.
I’m not saying any of that is particularly likely (you’d have to say a Hull win tomorrow is most likely based on current form) but it’s all possible.
we have a game in hand don’t forget. 36 points could be enough for safety. If we somehow won tomorrow we might need only 3 more wins – and then presumably we’d target Burnley, Sunderland and Southampton.
Swansea will be gutted to have not won on Saturday and Hull will similarly have tomorrow as one of their bankers.
I have to admire your endless optimism. As every one of our targeted 3 pointers disappears, you continue to believe that salvation is just around the corner.
I’d love you to be right but, when I renewed my SC for next year, it was in the expectation that I’d get to see four more games for my hard earned.
well I wouldn’t get carried away, I didn’t say I expected it to happen, despite the results of the Gazette predictor. But we do still have a chance.
I love my football team, I really do, and I will support them through thick and thin. BUT- I have to be realistic, I do not see us winning tomorrow. Steve will not play Husband, no doubt downing will play LB- I like all the optimism but unfortunately I’m lacking in that emotion..
Mr Misanthrope
The ‘Karanka’ system works but where it works such as Tottenham they have better players than us. In fact a lone striker with a no 10 is very much how most teams play.
We lack speed and guile, quite useful in a this or any other league.
AK leaving didn’t turn Negredo in to Costa or Zlatan, Gestede in to Rashford or Vardy, Gaston in to Hazard or Zaha.
As I posted, Steve Agnew commented it was good to have most of the squad available over the break, that tells us we don’t have many current internationals in the most international league in the world.
End of story, we have what we have and must rely upon them to do a job.
Don’t confuse a formation with a system. Spur do indeed also play a 4-2-3-1, but Pochettino gives far more attacking freedom to the 3, with 1 of the 2 holding midfielders also encouraged to attack. In the Karanka system, the 2 holding midfielder just hold, the wingers prioritise their defensive duties, the same formation but a very different system.
Just about players? Spurs undoubtedly have more quality but Pochettino got a better tune from more limited resources at Saints & Espanyol. Do the likes of Swansea, Hull, Watford, Burnley, Bournemouth have far better attacking quality than us than is currently shown by the goals for column? Would Negredo not have scored more in those teams? We can’t know, but I would wager that he would.
Much is made of failure to sign attacking reinforcements in January, but would they have made a difference in our system? Is Karanka actually the cause of that failure? The targets we were linked with likely saw Boro as a stepping stone and signing to play under the Karanka system is career suicide. The goals and assists would dry up, as they had for many others. Why, with your eyes on a bigger move, would you have signed for Karanka?
Delusion rules. I’d love to be wrong but…
UTB,
John
A promotion charge next season anyone?
You need luck in football.
ManU should have won against Everton, some rather poor officiating again, wasted chances and poor finishing.
Burnley have seven shots and score, Stoke fifteen and don’t.
The moral is that if you don’t score you are in trouble. Here endeth the lesson.
.
The problem is we have a gawd awful bang average Championship team with couple of mavericks, one of whom couldn’t cross the road and the other who has as much interest in playing for the Boro as I get from my ISA…
Four years ago, we were told we realize how football is a global game ,and Middleborough FC, must look beyond it’s past ideally and embrace it.
So we bring in a foreign coach,who played and coached at the highest level ,
Guess what? he employes likewise people to grab this club by the scruff of the neck ,organise a bunch of third tier players ,into a somewhat competitive team,
The club improve and progress upsetting alot of fans in some of his signings and sellings , Butterfield for Clayton example boo to that one, actually telling players if they allow that again your gone, Albert letting the winger get in behind late in the game to equalise, boo to that, he didn’t do that again did he?
After seven years of solitary confinement ,the club emerges into the promised land and fans from around the world, find out we are still alive.
But hold on a minute, a funny thing happened on the way to the mountain, the recruitment department including, the master of ceremonies, got together and had brain storming ,keep the money,we know who to sign , Aitor knows a couple ,and we have been all over Europe ,Norway,Sweden, Iceland, Holland, the talent pool is immense, and anyway we’ll give it a go and finish seventeenth, and survive.
Oh oh, hiccup, why aren’t hitting three or four goals a games ,that’s it sack him ,he knows nowt
And whopty, dupty Doo, let’s go back four years,to were it all started,
And that my friends is the end of the story, I for one fear we may do what we did in the past, go backwards because of an idealog that panics during one small period of uncertainty, going down is part of the future, a blip in the road,doesn’t mean ripping everything apart.
But still maybe All the poor form and bad luck may turn around, and we win six games?
Not a happy camper right now
Simon
‘Change came too latte!’
God’s teeth, this from the man, the sports journo, who piped on about the need for ‘patience’ for what seemed like an eternity.
My hair turned greyer much more before its time.
“Let me count the times you wrote patience!”
Maybees not!
Watford and Burnley effectively took themselves out of the relegation picture (if they were in it) last night. Shows what I know – I tipped them both for relegation at the start of the season.
I see I’m also languishing joint-bottom of the Exmil Challenge. Anybody want a tip for The Masters? 😀
The good news is I’ve felt we are going down for a while now. So there is hope.
Of course I did Spartak. But there came I time when even I couldn’t see a way forward. I’m only human. And so are managers.
Sadly you appear pretty determined not to let me live this down. Do you want me to illustrate why I called for patience again? And why even my patience snapped?
We do have a right to be open-minded after all.
Simon
You called for AK to stay in his job for too long. In retrospect I believe I called for him to go too soon.
People couldn’t/wouldn’t see what I saw. And this is understandable to me. They took what I said as an afront to their sense of loyalty. Maybe it was taken as an attack on their sense of hope for success for their team? All understandable – the message was not a pleasent one.
Have a better one!
🙂
Boro patience
‘Cause I
Need time
My heart is numb has no feeling
So while I’m still healing
Just try
And have little patience yeah
Have a little patience yeah
Simon
I was very much in favour of AK being left to fix the attacking side of the team. But as Christmas approached with it’s list of matches which could/should be won, I started to be very much of the opinion that we had got ourselves into a situation which was effectively lose/lose.
He was not going to change(therefore we were not going to collect the twelve? points on offer over the entire holiday period). After the holidays a far more difficult run of fixtures, which would require a far more abrasive approach from us to chisel out at least a couple of shock results(man utd, spurs away, everton at home,)
The club could see the writing on the wall, but they froze and did nothing(hoping something would turn up) those six games are now coming back to haunt us.
In football as in life you should learn from your betters, no big club
stays it’s hand when danger threatens, they are ruthless, the execution is immediate
and final
Well if our bunch of desperados are to avoid a resting place at Boot Hull then it really is now or never and time to come out shooting – here’s my Hull preview piece for tonight’s showdown…
https://diasboro.club/2017/04/05/hull-v-boro-match-preview/
Good post, Spartak.
Like Simon and Steve Gibson, I clung on to the hope/loyalty with AK for too long. The more I think about it, the more I think he should have gone after Charltongate. We went on a great run after that and ultimately got promoted but with the very decent Championship squad we had and being very handily placed in the league, I suspect another manager could have delivered the same at that point. AK’s groundwork had been done and with the hindsight of us limping over the line to promotion and then this season, it seems as if the AK decline started long before. He was probably helped in SG’s and my eyes by the awful performance at Charlton itself.
I think there is a similarity with Tony Mowbray’s time and exit and a learning for Gibson (and myself) – that he must be able to recognise when the tide has turned and act swiftly and confidently, in the best interests of the club.
I don’t go along with the theory that both TM and AK were poor appointments. I think both did very good things for the football club and, I believe, achieved their goals until the final season. Mowbray moved out some woefully poor value-for-money players, brought in the backbone of AK’s promotion-winning team and set about creating the scouting network and sports science department that modern clubs need. Yes there were plenty of poor signings too – you get that when you taking punts on cheap players – and the scouting department hasn’t exactly panned out thus far but that, I think, is more a case of poor execution than a flawed theory. But once much of TM’s work had been done, the next step was to deliver promotion. I believe he created the foundations for success but then faltered spectacularly. And that failure started about 10 months before his was removed.
AK took the ruins and added steal, discipline, teamwork and professionalism. Like Mowbray, there were some serious hiccups along the way, this time falling out with players and controlling behaviours, but, with Gibson’s millions, he gave us a Championship side to compete right at the top of the league and not just for half a season. But AK’s micro-management and inability to adapt erupted when he didn’t have things all his own way (the Chairman signing players for him, players voicing dissent) and, though, he got us over the line, something was amiss and it has spilled over to this season. Once again, promising and solid foundations had been laid but once again, we faltered and failed to act early.
Gibson is a loyal man. We’re seeing that again now with Agnew, Woodgate and perhaps the continued employment of Gary GIll. But Gibson’s loyalty must first lie with the football club. None of us have a crystal ball but SG has been looking after the football club for long enough now and I think needs to be able to recognise when things are going sooner. As do I.