Boro look to rebuild belief as Dyche arrives with Fat Lady

by werdermouth, posted in Uncategorized

Hot on the caustic heels of the Flamingo Land dance into oblivion comes a chances to pick up the pieces with the Legoland encounter with Sean Dyche’s Burnley. Whilst The Clarets have been quaffing the points on their own turf down at the moor they’ve been unable to construct a single victory away along the Lego-brick road. Though should Boro go in search of the fabled wizard it won’t be a quest for a heart or courage, as that is something that the team is not evidently lacking – though perhaps a new brain is needed at the club that can be picked at over the summer in order to find a new way forward.

Though guest of honour on Saturday will no doubt be the much maligned presence of the infamous Fat Lady as she becomes increasingly confident of getting the gig at the Riverside. The only question now seems to be which song she’ll opt for – “Going down with the Mackems” is perhaps not one of Verdi’s most well known arias, so she may instead possibly opt for something more pertinent like ‘Time to say Goodbye’ or even La Traviata – which also translates as ‘the one who goes astray’ – since somehow, other than the passes from midfield, plenty has gone astray in our debut season given the club spent seven years fighting to get here.

But it’s not over just now as she hasn’t even got to the mic yet – though I suspect there will be little chance of wrestling that off Mark Page – god knows many have tried – however, she may just be able to throw her weight around to grasp it off him, but given the volume setting of his PA I fear every window in Teesside will be shattered along with our hearts should she succeed in hitting those high notes.

Still even for the most optimistic it’s hard to envisage where Boro go from here – Agnew was initially confident that he knew what was needed to turn the season around. He believed that a shift in emphasis to a more attacking game-plan was going to pay dividends – but a slightly crest-fallen head coach declared his side were ‘naive’ after the Tigers clawed their way out of the bottom three at Boro’s expense – and admitted they didn’t get the balance right between attack and defence.

Though what that balance exactly is appears to be somewhat of a conundrum amongst the ever increasing resigned Boro faithful. Does it mean a return to three defensive midfielders following our boys shipping four goals on the Humber? If so, where does that leave our attacking intent and will that once again leave Boro with an ineffective isolated centre-forward?

If you lose your nerve after one failed attempt of trying to take the game to the opposition then surely the whole basis of your methodology is then almost worthless. What we actually witnessed against Hull was a poor defensive display by probably our weakest back-four line-up for several years given that Ayala is barely match-fit, Barragan is low on quality and Husband made his PL debut. Karanka managed adequately with two defensive midfielders for the vast majority of his tenure – indeed he probably played 4-4-1-1 in nearly half his games given that Boro played with dedicated wingers and a number ten and centre-forward. We shouldn’t think three defensive midfielders has been the rock on which Boro previously succeeded – that system has actually delivered us very few points indeed.

Perhaps a return to the tried and tested Clayton-Leadbitter axis would make more sense to start games with as they work together – plus Grant has more range in his passing that is required by at least one of the midfield duo. OK perhaps he’s not got the legs for the PL but he should be able to still see us through to the last half-hour.

It’s not going to be easy for Agnew against Burnley as he’s basically got the same defensive selection dilemma to deal with – Friend and Chambers still not fit and Fabio still serving his seven-day concussion break. Husband looked a bit shell-shocked when he came off and Downing spent most of the first half covering for him – as did Adama for a lacklustre Barragan – so would the Boro boss go again with this selection? not if he’s watched the match video at least once I suspect.

I’m almost wondering if he will be forced to plump for a back three – and personally I’d play my biggest three against Burnley – so Ayala, Fry and Gibson it would be for me. But perhaps 3-4-3 may be the best way to play a back three for Boro with Downing on the left and someone really good on the right (who’s name escapes me). That would leave a front three of Negredo (left), Gestede and Adama. Though it’s highly unlikely Agnew will play his fourth formation in four games as he may leave himself open to the accusation of managing on the hoof if it goes wrong.

So despite Sean Dyche denying he’s playing mind games by declaring “Every team we play will all be thinking, ‘we don’t want to be the side they beat’. They know people will be reminding them of the fact we haven’t won away” – he most definitely is. But Boro really have no choice in trying to win the game and Agnew won’t want to be too cautious in what is now more of a ‘must win’ game than the last two ‘must win’ games. At least the new Boro boss is good with numbers as he has concluded “I’m confident, three points can bring you closer to the rest” – personally I’m almost convinced four straight wins will bring us very close indeed – perhaps too close!

So will Boro send Sean Dyche back to Legoland in pieces after building a winning platform? or will the cracks start to show in a hastily constructed Boro team as they fall apart and leave the supporters bricking it over our slim survival chances. As usual it’s time make your predictions – will Boro finally win a game and if so what will be the score and who will the scorers be (yes we can now suggest more than one goal is possible even if one should have been disallowed) – plus any suggestion for what the Fat lady should sing if she ends up taking centre-stage?

 

53 thoughts on “Boro look to rebuild belief as Dyche arrives with Fat Lady”

  1. Surely I am not the first! Better post now as will be travelling back tomorrow from sunny Spain.
    Hoping that I can bring some back with me to cheer up us all with 3 points, which may or may not give us hope. I thought we would need 5 points at least from the 3 games although as it turns out, don’t think 4 will be enough.
    So, typical Boro will see us win 2 1 with goals from Negrado and Gestede, a sending off of Barton and Ramirez and the fat lady will be still waiting in the Wings warming up with Maybe i’m Amazed!
    UTB

  3. Werder
    Fat lady nomination
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XJj2ei6WNQs
    It is difficult to see where we go from here. I am in two minds because I am full of admiration for what Burnley have achieved, little possession, great shot stopper and tremendous conversion on ‘big chances’.
    That is offset by their behaviour last season making Millwall look like Mother Teresa. The yob known as Barton is a disgrace, a pundit pondered how Dyche had managed him. Clearly they just allow him to do what he wants aided by club management and even the local paper.
    I have always liked Burnley as an underdog team. The likelihood is they will stay up wnd we will go down.
    Good luck to them, a first away win? I wouldn’t bet against it.

  4. Burnley, they are staying up. Despite, or because of ‘Dick’ Barton. (one for the oldies there.)
    Prediction, (for Joey I think the emphasis is on the middle syllable),
    Boro 1 – 2 Burnley. They will get an away win and Boro will not blemish their losing record.
    Sorry to be pessimistic but Boro have as little belief as I do.
    UTB,
    John

  5. Downing in the team again , no thank you .He doesn’t care , only came back to Boro for the lucrative contract he was given. If Boro eventually get relegated he won’t be bothered , he will still be raking it in. Can anybody enlighten me, was he a success last season in the championship. NO ! Now with his pal Woodgate on board , the scenario smells so bad it makes me feel like being sick. I will get some stick on here but looking at other Boro blogs a lot of other people are of the same opinion. I love Boro and am originally from the Scottish borders , moved here in 1965 and supported Boro since 1966. Held a season ticket 3 times but due to retirement and having to watch the pennies , I now prefer to spend the money on a holiday. The gist of this post is I will always support Boro but I can spot when somebody is a rattlesnake .One of the things Karanka got spot on was his opinion on Downing , SG did not agree , so SA has the orders always play Stewie ‘ he is one of our own ‘ well I’m more like one of our own than he is .

    1. I just don’t see that. If I’d been hired to do a senior job in a particular role and then was asked to do a different job I think I’d be slightly peeved too. Particularly, if we weren’t getting results or winning orders, etc.
      I still think he can do a job for us.

  6. Great piece as always Werder.
    I predicted that our week of destiny would not go well for us and unfortunately I have been proved right.
    I think the mid week result and continuing injuries have left us shell shocked.
    There has not been any “new manager” bounce and I see Saturday as being a “typical Boro” performance with Burnley gaining their first away win 0-2 to the clarets.
    The sooner this season is over and the rebuilding can start the better.
    Can we bounce straight back I am not convinced. Has SG got to a point where he believes he has achieved all that he can who knows.
    Do we need root and branch reform then yes we do but despite all the parachute payments it does not guarantee success especially if the same personnel are allowed to waste it!

  9. Tremendous read, thank you Werder. I am having to split my time 3 weeks here and two weeks in Korea, knackering, but reading the blog on my travels really makes a difference to the morale, so thanks to all concerned.
    I think if you get a point for an ‘if only’ we would be challenging for a top ten, sadly we do not, that said i fancy a foam fingered 2-1 win, with a 89th minute winner from Negredo, some pride restored.

  10. Fantastic article, Werder, thank you.
    Unfortunately, the only song I can come up with for the fat lady is Status Quo’s ‘Down, Down.’ Even when I did the EG predictor earlier this week I had us going down, with 34 points. But that was before the Hull game.
    Anyway, I can’t make the game tomorrow, so Boro are bound to win 4-0.

  11. Redcar Red,
    Like you I think that a tall back three of Ayala, Fry and Gibson could work against Burnley, That then begs the question as to who can play as wingback on the right, I would recall the Whitehead experiment and play De Roon as the right hand man. He has tackling, fitness and strength in the air and should be able to do a decent job.
    With Downing on the left and the front three as you listed them, the call then becomes who should partner Clayton in the middle of the four. It comes down to Leadbitter, Ramirez or even Fisher.
    That setup could work, or at least as well as anything else.
    Guessing the score is pointless but it would be nice to think that something must eventually go right.
    As for the Fat Lady, how about Tomorrow from Annie. It kind of sums up the stupid optimism that you need to support this club.
    UTB

  13. Burnley to win their first match away.
    Boro are in disarray and SA does not have the players to improve us and I believe is not the man for the future.
    Old pals acts and with Woodgate and Downing it will only take us on one path.

  16. Many thanks for your comments, especially KP, Acklam Exile and Clive – it’s been a pretty hectic week over here and didn’t even have time to thanks those for their feedback on my Hull pre-match – particularly Pedro and Len – all very much appreciated!
    I’m hoping to break our Diasboro duck today – we’re still waiting for our first PL win since we got started back on 2 January – if this continues much longer it’s probably going to be a tough call of which Jonah to throw overboard from the good ship Boro – us or Gestede – though we’re probably safe if first mate Barragan is doing the throwing!
    I’ll go 1-0 to the Boro today with Negredo scoring.

  17. Well I’ve got over my dark cloud which had formed since the Swansea and Hull games and will just try and enjoy the game this afternoon
    What disappointment I had was really we started to score goals and then Ben who we had come to rely on had an absolute mare!
    I hope he’s got that out of the way.
    Crowd 30,322
    Goals 1 0 Bamford 82md minute
    And fat lady song
    Well it applies to all of us
    “You’ve got me under my skin”
    Come on Boro remember steau and the European run we can do it !!?

  18. Boro to lead 1-0 going into the last 15 only for the inevitable red zone sickening equaliser.
    Results going for us elsewhere gives the Gazette another chance to rerun the “we’ll keep fighting” headline. BoroPhil points out that if we can take 20 points from the next available 18 then we’ll be safe.
    Agnew’s reign of meh limps on for another week. He’s always wanted to be a proper manager you know.

  19. Is “Yellow Submarine” too cruel or too cryptic?
    Anyway onto this afternoon and being honest I’m not sure what to expect. A flat despondent performance or a battling never say die spirit. Whether the result will ultimately matter is unlikely in the scheme of things but what I would say is that despite doubts, criticism or otherwise being directed at SA (mainly elsewhere) is more than just a little unfair.
    His first game was against Man United with literally only two full days to step into the breach. A United with everything to play for and a Manager with a bit of vengeance in mind for his fallen mate was always a big ask.
    Swansea was simply two dire sides who produced a dire game with dire consequences for both but the side with home advantage couldn’t make it count. Hull was what it was a you know what or bust and we were busted, but our backline was an abject disjointed mess with no coherency for reasons that were way out of SA’s control. The poor recruitment was a partially absolving excuse for AK but it still equally applies to SA. He has been dealt a poor hand with no time to fix anything and is entirely in the hands of the Physios and Medical department, losing Fabio alone was a huge blow. The thought of Chambers farcically playing in that cup tie against Oxford
    What he has left to work with is a right motley crew and a disjointed one at that. No doubt a few of them have their agents already busy putting together promotional videos with a list of potential suitors. I suspect that regardless of what happens SA will be given the Summer to plan and out together his own squad.
    If we landed a Hiddink type Manager he would have the exact same mess to weed out and like as not with the same set of results so now is not the time to judge Aggers, put simply its unfair. I say that because back in the Autumn I felt when watching AK’s performances I could do a better job myself, watching what SA has to work with just leaves me shrugging my shoulders.
    That brings me back round to the “R” word, recruitment. I have a growing uneasy feeling that we have been royally stitched up, why? Well because I don’t think its simply possible to have been that bad at scouting and made far worse for the alleged stupid prices paid for some that mediocrity would be a gross exaggeration.

    1. Perhaps too many people out of their depth RR? Too many charges striking home. Torpedo’d by dupliticous executive management!
      And Boro get that snking feeling.

  20. Currently on train to see first home game since 2014. Won 1-0 v Derby. Hoping for same today, but not hopeful. Only prediction that there will be more than the 15000 there were there that day.

    1. I’ve seen it in Industry many times, often fronted with a brass neck, vacant quizzical raised eyebrow stare and that benefit of the doubt lingering just enough to create a modicum of uncertainty. Its almost a work of art to these people, a slight whiff of avarice, incredulity reaching levels which are almost unbelievable accompanied with a very bitter taste after wheedling their way into positions of trust and opportunity.

  24. Off to the game now,only thing I’m confident of today is getting a tan sat in the east stand 😎☀
    Could have been so much better today if we had only won one of the games against Swansea or Hull
    1.0 to either side with Burnley favourites

  26. Yes that is a surprising line-up – looks like it could be 4-3-3 with Gibson at left-back and Bernado-Ayala in the centre. With only three attacking players on the pitch it doesn’t appear to indicate Boro will be ‘going for it’

    1. Yes, Burnley rubbing their hands with glee that Traore is not in the team. The best Boro player on Wednesday and the only forward we have with real pace. In another must win game how can he be left out?

  28. I think the “New Manager Bounce” is more likely to happen when the person appointed is fresh, from outside the club and unknown to the team, although having said that, I do not know where Shakespeare was before taking over at Leicester.
    Although Steve Agnew may be on good terms with the players, that isn’t necessarily what is needed when push comes to shove.
    Too little, too late is where I’m at on the changes that needed to be rung.

  29. Barragan has played left back on occasion so I wouldn’t be surprised if he appeared there.
    The other option is three at the back with Barragan and Downing as ‘wingbacks’. Burnley are not renowned for playing with width. Give a bit of freedom for Grant to Leadbelt and Forshaw to buzz.
    Clayts in front of a back three should keep us solid(ish)

    1. And I used to think a Karanka line-up was an impossible guessing game – it is possible Barragan plays left-back but which of Ayala or Bernado would make the best right-back? I doubt we’ll play with a back three and a defensive midfield three as that just leaves two dedicated forwards or essentially a back-eight – which surely is not Agnew’s remit for a must-win game.
      No doubt we’ll be surprised – hopefully pleasantly!

  30. Lack of pace up front and in midfield is a major concern when this is a must win game. The two players who scored mid week on the bench. I think SA has spent too much time under the influence of AK.
    If we lose today, as I have predicted, then this could spell a death knell for SA’s CV and getting the job on a permanent basis.
    I can understand playing a back four with Gibson at left back but not to include our top scorer and quickest player beggars belief. Just another twist to a diabolical season.

  32. It must some kind of team selection chaos theory. Two men who scored goals, right we’ll leave them out they may score again. Heaven forbid. You cannot second guess the Boro team selection process.
    UTB,
    John

  34. First half which appears to have had plenty of endeavour but no shots on target!
    Other results going our way but we are so far failing to capitalise.
    CoB

  35. Apparently it’s a back three when we have the ball and a back four when we lose it with presumably the closest of Barragan or Downing dropping back. As usual lots of non-threatening possession and no real pace to get behind Burnley – plus Gestede is more waiting for a ball to arrive in the right place than making dangerous runs. It’s got the feel of 0-0 – hopefully we’ll get an opportunity and someone will put it away.

  40. Blanks Fired in Mission Improbable (again).
    In the tradition of football folk “taking the positives”, I’ll say we have it a good go and clawed one point closer to our rivals.
    Life is easier once you have accepted your fate.

  41. Well this week we needed 7 points and we got 2. The rotund lady is still warbling an aria. It was a typical championship match, shame we are in the premier league. I question whether we gave it a go the match just highlights our lack of quality. We had a couple of chances but when you are bottom of the league those chances never come off. Burnley are no great shakes so it just shows how poor we are.
    For me we need a new management team next season but who…….

  44. Boro are now as good as down & really would struggle to score in a br♡thel. So much for their famous academy, recruitment, you name it, it hasn’t worked & heads must roll.
    But hey…. please be patient… You can pop up the road next season to see the Barcodes in the EPL.
    Less games means more drinking time + there are better pubs in Newcastle.
    Why face a lifetime of dross when you can have plenty of alternatives ?
    Over to you, what’s your name ?

  45. After a glorious day out bathed in the sunshine of the Riverside a perhaps slightly more redder Redcar Red than usual has filed his match report and I’ve just posted it up – though I think I was probably caught in the virtual shadow of the Fat Lady as I’m still looking for that ray of hope. Anyway, here’s the link to his take on today’s game and I think he may have been inspired by a whistle blower with his headline…
    https://diasboro.club/2017/04/08/boro-v-burnley-match-report/

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