Today could have seen a few reunions for Muzzy, Bamford, Ayala and Assombalonga. Muzzy was on the bench but Ayala would miss out altogether as he didn’t make the squad despite rumours that he was close to fitness. Traore started but it wasn’t our flying Forrest instead it was the Forest wing back. Predictably Britt was treated to some “bants” from the home fans as the game started as a fairly open contest as both sides seemed intent on gaining the three points in front of the two thousand travelling Boro army.
Opportunities presented themselves in the opening stages but nothing concrete. Bamford broke free but had the ball nicked from him as it looked like we might gain an early advantage, seconds later George pushed the ball past Dorikwa who clattered George and deservedly went into Referee Graham Scott’s note book. The resultant free kick was whipped in by Clayts but ended in a goal kick which saw a clearance straight out, Forest broke and a slide rule ball through the Boro defence saw McKay clean through and slide the ball into the net after a quarter of an hour opening his account after his £500k arrival from Raith Rovers.
Just after the restart Traore (the Nottingham one) found himself joining Dorikwa in the Ref’s book. A goal down but with two of the Forest team already on yellows it was certainly anything but dull. Twenty five yards out Howson unleashed one of those trademark shots that Boro fans have been desperate to see. Forest then flew down our left hand side and a shot flew across that was another warning to those in white shirts with the unusual blue shorts and socks. Garry Monk will have been concerned at how inept our start was once again, fortunately their passages of play did not result in attempts on target yet we still found ourselves a goal down.
Assombalonga clattered into a challenge that he was lucky to avoid a sending off for rather than just a Yellow. As it happens he escaped both but Ben was ushered over by the Ref in an attempt to diffuse things. Britt was eager, perhaps a little too eager on his return to the Trent and was lacking composure.
Forest were in the ascendancy and Boro needed to get a grip pf things because the Tricky Trees were pushing the game and we needed to clear our heads and started dropping deep with 5 across the back at times. Assombalonga was still trying hard but he wasn’t being effective much to the joy of the home support. A brief bit of Boro possession led to the ball being passed around and inevitably Forshaw passing back, nothing was clicking for Boro and the Midfield again looked an alien unit.
Friend gave away a corner which McKay took as the Forest players lined up on the edge of the box but in a strange, presumably overly complicated training ground move the set piece fizzled out going backwards. The pressure continued to build as Christie had to make two tackles to end another threat. Boro had started slowly yet again, Bamford was trying but with limited options with Britt full of adrenaline but little to show for it. On thirty five Assombalonga had left Mills floored as he held off the Forest defender, the home fans were screaming for blood but the Ref gave it Boro’s way. Boro were messy, scrappy and without any of their recent swagger in evidence.
Paddy then made a run across Britt leaving space for the return ball but Britt decided to take it himself much to Paddy’s annoyance. Forest’s David Vaughan made way limping off, forcing Osborn to drop into midfield as Brereton came on and almost instantaneously forced Fry into making a brilliant sliding block tackle from Murphy. Brereton again ploughed forward forcing Clayts to take one for the team after the big unit stormed past Friend giving away a free kick right on the edge of the Boro box.
The resultant dangerous whipped in free kick was flicked over for a corner by Assombalonga as Boro looked desperate for the half time whistle. Brereton again started to drive forward this time with Howson getting a challenge in to save blushes. Assombalonga was everywhere and chasing everything (more headless chicken than effective) but it just wasn’t happening for him. Then Howson set him up via a delightful lob for a one on one opportunity just 8 yards out, he repeated his feat of Tuesday night and from the right hand side of the box he missed the target putting it wide which was met with a rousing chorus of jeers.
A right footed first time Bamford effort was turned around the post by Smith for an injury time corner from which Gestede clattered the Forest keeper Smith which was typical of the feisty nature of the half. Bamford pounced on a poor Traore ball from which Howson had a half chance which Jordan Smith got down to and that effectively ended the first half and an underwhelming 45 minutes from Boro.
Monk had his work cut out at half time trying to reorganise and inspire his charges to come out in the second half and get a grip of the game. So much for the pre-match optimism as we so far had failed to live up to expectations. Something had to change and it looked like it might as Adama (as opposed to the Nottingham Traore) left the half time warm up and headed back down the tunnel early. It looked like Monk had decided to freshen things up and inject a bit of pace to counter the pressure Christie and Friend had faced throughout the first half. As we came out for the second half Forshaw was missing and Adama readied for the 4th Official as we lined up 442.
A minute or so into the half Howson played in Gestede who in turn played in “our” Traore who burst through and his shot was turned off away for a corner. Adama had only been on for a few seconds but already lifted bums off their seats. Adama was facing his namesake Armand Traore on the same flank who had caused us problems in the first half and now had something to occupy him and push him back. Adama then won a free kick as Bouchalakis felled him but Clayts set piece came to nothing except Bamford getting crocked with Friend then ceremoniously upending Brereton. George was lucky to escape a booking probably as a result of the previous Bamford clattering likewise seeing no action.
We were looking better but by no means turned the tide. Assombalonga then had another great opportunity with Gestede flicking it over the top for only him to collide with the keeper then almost immediately he had another half volley and sliced it. He should have had a hat trick but instead was on course for picking up the donkey tag recently vacated by Gestede. Surely by the law of averages Britt must bury the next one we all thought.
Traore then tricked his way through a Forest of red shirts only to waste his hard work as those in white were screaming at him to feed Gestede. Bamford was hobbling on his right ankle with Baker warming up. Traore skipped past a few players played a one two with Gestede only for his effort to go wide. The inevitable Substitution then happened and Paddy forlornly went off with Baker on. The Forest Traore was abruptly halted by Dael Fry who received a yellow for his troubles. Fortunately the resultant Free Kick ended up in a goal kick for Boro.
Mancienne was then introduced for McKay surprisingly instead of the anticipated Armand Traore as Warburton went with three CB’s. Almost immediately Murphy set up Brereton and Boro breathed a sigh of relief. The game was looking edgy and could go either way as Adama was giving Forest cause for concern. A blocked Friend cross went out for a throw which was then whipped in for Armand Traore to put it out for a Baker taken corner which ended with a scuffed Gestede attempt that broke for Adama who put a far cross in but without any Boro shirts to take advantage. The game was ebbing and flowing as Boro had attempt after attempt but still trailed.
Britt’s next “attempt” saw him take out the Forest keeper with chants for him to be sent off, fortunately when the card came it was only yellow. Armand Traore then went off for Forest for Lichaj to come on as Sub with Clayts exiting for Fletcher as Monk went for it. The next passage of play saw Ben seemingly innocuously collide with Brereton in the box for a penalty to Forest which Murphy dispatched low into the right hand corner of the net leaving Randolph no chance despite guessing the right way on 79 minutes.
Boro made hard work of this all afternoon, Forest despite making Boro look ordinary had only had two attempts on target with two goals. Britt had had three clear chances just to himself and the banjo and the cow’s derriere came to mind. Just as heads and hearts dipped a Baker ball hooked back into the box after an over hit corner gave Ben the chance to right his wrong with a prodded effort to make it 2-1. Moments later Gestede then went close with a header to the far side of the far post on 85.
Forest responded by going up the other end and from a Gibson conceded corner Adama gave away the ball to Bouchalakis who played in Murphy who fortunately put it wide. As the game flew down the other end a flick on from Gestede from a Christie long throw saw Fletcher score only for it to be disallowed for off side. The frenzy continued as the ball then went out for a Boro corner which led to another Boro throw in which ended up via Mancienne into Smiths arms. Baker then broke with his shirt being tugged passing to Fletcher who presented it to Britt instead of shooting himself and you guessed, it still remained 2-1.
Five minutes went up on the board as Forest started to wind the clock down killing the game. A poor pass from Baker to Assombalonga saw Forest break and nearly put the game to bed. Then it turned to the other end and in a last ditch effort Smith dived down from a Fletcher shot after Gestede had nodded it down to set up the former Hammer. A scramble ensued in the Forest box as Boro pinged balls towards the goal. Assombalonga was then brought down but stumbled onwards only to see the ball go out for a Forest throw in and that was to be the end of a disappointing wasteful afternoon as “what a waste of money” was directed from the home end to our misfiring £15m Striker who had fluffed his lines all afternoon. Traore had at least showed something to be positive about in a second half that should have delivered much more but for poor finishing. Lessons to be learnt for a few undoubtedly but that midfield still looks a work in progress, six points off top and suddenly smashing the league doesn’t look so likely.
As I mentioned previously, we have the talent , but do they have the character to enhance that.
Another question is ,are we a little soft , if I’m going to get a yellow, it should be for let’s say a robust tackle and giving the guy you hit a little wink.
It’s early days obviously so difficult to be anything other than positive with Britt with his record but my fear with any new striker at the boro is that they take a while to get going or never get going or dont live up to their billing. Mixed results so far. 2 in 4 seems canny enough doesnt it but the description that you give this fella a sniff and its a goal hasnt played out. The real shame in our system is that Paddy is taking a back seat and is the supply line rather than the finishing line, which i see him doing very well, but he is a quality finisher. I can’t recall him missing a 1 on 1 and for me, he is still our best number 9.
Britt is getting into the positions but his nerve is seemingly wayward thus far. I have a hunch that if Paddy were presented with those same opportunities there would be more conversions. Early days yet and as long as we are creating there is hope but that midfield does look dysfunctional.
Defensively we are not too bad despite todays first goal and the Wolves goal. Attack wise we are perhaps suffering from an abundance of talent but at least it gives options. The midfield just doesn’t seem to be a good fit with either defence or attack. Its early days yet but already Forshaw is emerging as the new boo boy taking over from Downing and Howson surprisingly isn’t far behind him. Lets hope Baker is that missing link to make things click into place.
Brilliant report once again RR, I could not find a stream today to watch the match, so thank you for your in depth and very honest review.
We’ve lost away to Wolves and Forest, two games which prior to the season I’d have hoped for possibly a point at best.
Perhaps the fixture list has been kind in giving us our can’t win games while our team is still a work in progress.
Our home form is strong and there’s a long way to go.
Let’s hope Paddy isn’t injured for the next game.
Really disappointed
I called CliaimsRusWhatevertheyare after the match.
My first discussion was about demographic discrimination. This is based on the fact I unable to get away tickets because of where I live and as a pensioner it is unreasonable to expect me to have a season tickets to allow the opportunity, I also tried the line that people overseas can see the matches whilst taking advantage of tax dodges and that is unavailable to myself.
That didn’t work so I tried another tack.
As I got the commentary today my suggested line was that by allowing me to listen to the commentary MFC had failed in their duty of care to the vulnerable in society. Over 50 years supporting Boro against Forest meant I was liable to suffer stress and anxiety beyond normal supporting.
They were not very confident about the claim, the young lady said you could have switched the commentary off. What about the Typical Boro virus? Wont wash in court.
Damn!
Thanks RR just landed in Jersey and found out the score in the airport, disappointed but half expected as our history v them proves. Your words makes videos obsolete as I always say books are better than the films. Thanks again for taking me to the game. UTB.
Sorry RR, thanks for the report.
The fact the need to control midfield was predicted and ignored gives me no pleasure. Forest seemed to be OK with the chance to control the midfield and were vulnerable in defence is galling. My pre-match piece was read by Boro fans and said spot on, no surprise because I discussed Forest beforehand.
I don’t know how it played out in real time but if the feedback from Forest fans can see it why cant professional analysts?
I may have got it wrong.
Sorry Forest fans.
Perfectly summed up RR
If we had been playing any other team today I think Britt would have scored from a few of those chances,his desire to put one over his old club ended up being his downfall and was lucky to stay on the pitch. Still at least he’s making chances would be more of a worry if there were none to miss.
Still early days but the midfield isn’t working too well yet. Defensively Friend and Christie were exposed at times and Friends form is a concern too.
We looked better with the three changes,but still not sure if Traore is a starter.
Multiple changes for Scunthorpe and I also expect a changed team for Preston
3 bookings in 4 for Clayton,he’s going to be missing a fair chunk of the season if he carries on at this rate
Thanks RR. The best and most detailed report I’ve read on the game. And one of the earliest. Eternally grateful for all of your hard work.
Applause twice over.
First, for RR’s match report. Well done again good sir.
Second, Smoggy In The Heed – another brilliant point! Your comment on The Zen Of AKBoro and how it kind of changed my mind on his teams* still lingers with me to this day. What you’ve illustrated now is that, at first glance, Assombalonga’s Boro strike rate looks good. If it’s 50% by season’s end we’ll definitely be happy. But looking closer we find that, as with Maccarone, Alves and arguably even Rhodes before him (Rhodes did miss several one-on-ones), the price tag and billing is showing itself to be a bit of a nervy burden. He’ll have his fifteen minutes of fame, if not more – Maccarone had Steaua, Alves had Man. United, Rhodes had Bolton – but so far he’s not showing himself to be the reliable finisher we’re looking for. This is what we got from Paddy when he played up top in 2014-15, and what we’re not seeing from Britt.
In Britt’s favour I would argue that most if not all No. 9s, even Paddy, are confidence players, and you can’t expect it to be there every single game. That’s why other goal scoring options in the team exist.
*Often, AKBoro’s games hung on one more chance taken, one fewer defensive mistake or one decent final ball, and I regularly defended him over the fine margins. But then, I think, you hinted that such “fine margins” existed because we weren’t creating many chances to take and hence were far too reliant on these “game-changing” moments. The misses that, I think, Len once assigned to the Scapegoat Of The Week in some of the 0-0 draws and 1-0 losses in 2015-16.
It’s different under Monk. I think. We’re creating chances, plenty of them, but too often I recall games under Southgate and Mowbray where we would batter teams and end up with nothing because (a) we couldn’t finish enough of our chances and (b) for all the hard work and feel of the balance of play we always looked vulnerable at the back. (B) is something that, for all his weaknesses, AK at least mostly eradicated. And something that Monk must try and maintain as best as he can.
Great report as ever RR amd I agree 100% with your conclusion that smashing the league doesn’t look so likely. Indeed I would go further and suggest that on current form there is little chance of smashing anything.
Chris makes the comment above that Wolves and Forest away are our “can’t win” games and that he would have been happy with one point from both games. Well I’m sorry but I don’t accept that at all, Both were games that Boro should be capable of winning and are precisely the kind of games we have to take points from or promotion is just a pipe dream.
Yes, we may have had a lot of chances today but we played poorly for half of the match and we lost. Three points have gone that we will never get back and we are well adrift already of the top of the league. We have made no statement of intent to the rest of the league, lost both away games and at home we haven’t played a decent team yet.
The midfield is a mess that needs sorting and there is not enough width to our play. The team also looks lightweight and needs to get stuck in with much more intensity. Monk needs to sort it out and quickly.
Excellent summary Boroexile and mirrors to a large degree what I said on the previous post just after the final whistle.
I don’t know what is going on with the midfield but any one who has watched the team over the last few seasons will know that this has been our main problem. We do not have any midfield generals/creative midfielders who provide quality opportunities for forwards to latch onto. We have said for a long while that our midfield could make Messi, Suarez et al look ordinary.
As you say unless Monk sorts this quickly even the play offs could be a pipe dream.
The key is for the team to move on quickly – if they can. Because if you’re in sport, you will lose. You can’t win every game.
Haven’t seen any of the game so thanks for the great match report RR. Concerned at how poor the midfield appears to be. I think Clayton will definitely be left out on Tuesday just to delay what looks like an inevitable number of suspensions. Also of concern is the number of free kicks we are giving away, 22 yesterday and an average of 16 per game highest in the league. Those who have been at games are these for niggly things or full blooded challenges?
The worrying aspect of yesterday’s game for me was the grim first half possession statistics rather than Britt’s misses. We noted at Wolves that we could not hold possession in their half until PB came on, but yesterday we struggled for possession anywhere in the first half hour.
This would indicate that the teamwork is not gelling as well as it should, even though we have plenty of Championship experience in midfield and defence. The second thought would be once again that there is a need for more quality on the ball – players who can retain possession through their ability to hold the ball and their ability to see the passes less gifted players can’t see.
Dom: “In Adam Forshaw and Jonny Howson, Boro have two very tidy and impressive footballers but as a pair they haven’t been able to really put their mark on a game just yet and dominate proceedings…This is a relatively new set-up, of course, and the players are still adapting so it’s far too early to conclude that the system or the partnership doesn’t work. But Boro need to find a way to get the best out of their midfield players.”
It may be that Lewis Baker’s continuing integration will help with this issue.
Sounds like we had a good go yesterday, which based on last year’s comments should keep most people happy even if we did lose. Can’t have too many afternoons like that however if we want to go up.
Are we going to endless ‘smash the league’ posts after every defeat now as well? Sigh.
BP, yes there was more attacking intent yesterday but we lost and I would be very surprised if “most people” are happy with that. I struggle to identify any circumstance under which a fan would be happy with a defeat.
As for smashing the league comments, yes there will be many more over the course of the season because the owner of the club was unwise enough to set it as a benchmark.
Pretty sure I read people last year saying they don’t mind if we lose as long as we give it a good go. Could be wrong.
You may be right, but that was probably in the context of generally losing every week last season without appearing to offer much threat to the opposition. Though Boro under Agnew did briefly ‘give it go’ with little change in the outcome as we slid out of the league with a divided camp.
So I don’t imagine giving it a go and losing will wash for very long in a promotion bid no matter how exciting the games are – Averaging two points per match is now the name of the game – it’s early days for me so I’m not expecting Boro to be storming (not smashing) the league at the moment as the team hasn’t quite found it’s rhythm yet in view of all the changes.
Never happy about losing but death before dishonour. I’d rather see 17 attempts with 7 on target in a game that we lose than 17 attempts and 7 on target over an entire season and still lose every week. One gives hope that you might win the other just pointlessly depressed.
RR, thank you for your reporting the only thing missing is a description of the weather and pitch conditions a la Cliff Mitchell in the Sports gazette! Seriously an excellent report.
My concern, as someone has mentioned is the number of fouls we are giving away. Inevitably they lead to yellows and suspensions and a weakening of the team. It was interesting watching them mount up on the BBC’s live text/analysis reporting.
Hopefully we will improve but will Bamford get a role that is more suited to his abilities? As many have pointed out the weakness seems to be the midfield, at one point yesterday afternoon we only had 25% of the play (I think) and I thought we were being overrun but maybe that is one of the problems of not seeing a live feed of the game. Out in the country I’d probably be seeing the final whistle on the Burton game yesterday afternoon.
On to the next game.
UTB,
John
PS with the chances maybe we should have won …
On Britt’s misses, this may simply have been too emotional a game for him to be clinical. There were two situations where he had a clear shot at goal and enough time to pick his spot. Both efforts went wide, and the second was wild, suggesting that he is trying to hit the ball too hard. This follows on from a similar miss against Sheff U, and some practice and advice with Beattie is probably needed.
Maybe he could have stayed onside for the late ‘goal’, but his highlights reel does suggest that he scores a lot of goals from those positions from close range at the back post, probably by fine margins of being onside.
Positives are that GM is proactive, and he is giving a range of players a chance to show what they can do. Gestede looks transformed, and could easily have three or four assists to his name already this season. PB, Britt and Fletcher look hungry.
Adama is a harder problem. I suggested he would have been handy on the bench for us at Wolves, and RR’s match report shows that he made a difference when he came on yesterday. AV has always mentioned that the opposing defences have to drop back a couple of yards as they are terrified of him getting behind them, and that would create more room for us to play in and help relieve pressure. However, his decision making is erratic and he has poor game awareness, so he can’t be relied upon to contribute to the team pattern when he doesn’t have the ball. An enigma wrapped in a conundrum.
And lost in a mystery Mark.
UTB,
John
If the Lille link is true about £9m for Traore and that we are trying to prise Ryan Kent from Liverpool on a permanent deal Adama may not be our enigma for very much longer. With Gaston and De Roon having shop window game time at Wolves his recent appearances under Monk may stack up.
I also heard a whisper about a “surprise” arrival if a deal can be brokered, perhaps initially on a season long loan. Chambers came to my mind but I think Arsene will retain his services unless of course Arsenal bring in another CB after Gabriel Paulista departed. Over to Bob without creating a Dom and Jonno “situation” of course.
I’ve heard of this surprise signing for
The past week someone exciting !
I’ll ask around tomorrow night but all the rumour departments have been tightened up!
Just seen Costa at Teesside Park 😉
Ian
Sorry to hear that MFC did not contact as promised. Nothing worse than people/organisations who fail to deliver on their promises.
Glad to hear you found a solution and we’re able to listen to the match.
You may wish to email Bob.tait@mfc.co.uk and let him know about the failed contact but more importantly that there is an issue with Explorer.
I have had trouble with videos in Chrome but found I did not have the same problem with Explorer. I have not tried commentary in Explorer and will try and see next week if I have the same issue.
I changed my browser to Opera recently due to video freezing problems with both Google and Firefox. Have to say that Opera seems to run everything smoothly and without fuss and even comes with its own VPN built in. It may be worth trying if you are having problems.
Strong Rumour Boro are going to sign Jota from Brentford
José Ignacio Peleteiro Ramallo (born 16 June 1991), commonly known as Jota, is a Spanish professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Brentford. A product of the Celta Vigo youth system, he helped Eibar earn promotion to La Liga while on loan in the 2013–14 sea
Fingers crossed for that one to come off Bob but I think the lad previously went on record as not wanting to play for a competitor in the Championship to Brentford. Then again money always invariably talks!
Assombalonga should have got a hatrick yeaterday in addition to the goal he scored that was offside. We should have got a point from Nottingham.
Gutted, but still above Sunderland. Now we need to win the following two matches in the league to get back to two point per game average. Nothing less.
Up the Boro!
First of all I wish to commend Ian for his splendid article on Forest prior to the match, and also Redcar Red for his fine unbiased account and observations afterwards, both of which I have just read this morning being unable to comment myself due to some health problems which I won’t go into, suffice to say that anyone who suffers from the discomfort of a tortuous colon will understand.
Anyway, feeling much better this morning, and although I only managed to listen to a commentary of the second half and not wishing to give a knee jerk reaction, I have since read the Gazette, BBC and Sky Sports reports and give my observations for what they are worth.
Firstly, I think like many on this forum that Assombalonga was trying too hard, probably shocked by the incessant abuse and ridicule he received from the Forest fans even in the kick about. I won’t condemn the Forest fans for that as he was determined to leave, and their fans possibly wouldn’t have been as upset at his leaving, if in their eyes he had signed for a Premier League team, as they might have perceived that as a progression in furthering his career rather than signing for a club whom they might think as a rival.However, having been shocked by the reaction of his former fans, that might explain his anxiety to show them what they were missing – quite understandable, but not a good idea.
Secondly, having witnessed highlights of matches in the Championship this season, I am of the opinion that the standard is pretty low and I cannot see any team “smashing ” this League. Forest particularly are defensively poor, as they were last season; attack wise they are reasonably good, but I didn’t expect them to score against us, and I doubt they would have against a Karanka team. I do think as a defensive unit we have regressed, and I suppose that is because we have become more attack minded, but still wonder why we need three midfielders who are much of a likeness.
Garry Monk seemed to operate a 442 system in the second half, and I recently advocated that system.
Thirdly, most reports stated that Forest deserved to win, yet Garry Monk felt sorry for the players and indicated that they deserved something from the match. I’m afraid I can’t agree with that. It is not bad luck to miss so many chances, it’s bad finishing. I thought Wolves were the better side in our first match, but we sounded the better team against Forest, but we deservedly lost both; one because of a bad defensive mistake, the other because of poor finishing.
Fourthly, I expected us to win this match, and endorse Boroexile’s comments. There is no such thing as a “bogey” team, it’s a figment of one’s imagination. Just because it is perceived that we always lose away to Forest or whoever, we become pessimistic. How can that be? Over the years we rarely have the same players in the team season by season. Think about it; it’s completely irrational to think that a completely different set of players playing against another completely different set of players is bound to bring the same result. It’s like saying because a tossed coin has come out heads maybe 7 times out of 10, the next toss has a 70% of being heads again – no it’s obviously 50%.
I wonder if it’s in the Teessiders’s DNA to be so pessimistic. I doubt Wolves fans share the same trepidation when visiting Boro even though they have only won 4 times in 43 visits!
Finally, all,is not lost. As I have previously stated I think the standard in this year’s Championship is rather poor. There are moments in most matches where there is a moment of skill, but what will make the difference is consistency, and I think as there is no outstanding team that possibly 85 points might be sufficient to become champions, certainly to come second.
The big concern though is that the Premier League is showing a widening gap over the Championship. Having watched Brighton and Swansea, they look light years away, and Newcastle look not much better. If Boro do get promoted, another overhaul will be required for next season, but I guess you can put that aside for now.
Thanks to RR for another reliably excellent match report within a few hours of the final whistle!
Yesterday’s performance raised a number of issues and I think the game was definitely winnable but Boro failed to get to grips with Forest’s midfield in the first half, played too narrow due to them keeping our fullbacks occupied with their wide players and perhaps most of our gilt-edged chances fell to an over-eager Assombalonga, who perhaps wanted to prove his price-tag to his old crowd. Though I must say they seemed a little ungrateful that he’d helped to finance the rebuilding of a struggling team 😉
I mentioned at half-time yesterday that Boro needed to change something to make the team less narrow – at the moment the only option is Adama and with that comes a high-risk strategy, though I thought he was definitely looking up more and even pointed at team-mates to make runs into space. Yes he is extravagant but there were signs of him linking up with Christie, which saw the fullback execute a wonderful piece of extravagance of his own with that 360 degree pirouette in the box that so nearly came off – worthy of a player way above his pay grade.
I think, as has already been mentioned, the number of unnecessary fouls Boro are giving away in their impatience to regain possession – there’s no need to make many of those tackles as it just gives the opposition a breather, or worse still a chance to deliver a dangerous ball. Talking of set-pieces… Surely Clayton is not the man to supply the ammunition for Boro – again some of his deliveries were practically lobs that gave everyone plenty of time to tie their shoe-laces before they dropped to earth.
Which leads us onto the midfield three – it’s not working and we can only wait so long before deciding to persevere with the current arrangement. I sometimes wonder whether Monk should contemplate a switch to an actual back three with wing-backs, rather than having a psuedo back three with Clayton dropping between the centre-backs and having fullbacks who are the only means to playing with width. Clayton is often left covering the runs of our centre-backs – but they could then still make runs but we’d have a proper central defender covering and a midfield enforcer further up the pitch where it mattered.
So still early days and many of us kind of expected a slow start given all the changes but both games lost were winnable – so hopefully they won’t cost us in the long run.
First a thank to Ian for his pre-match article and also to RR with his early posted Match Report.
I managed to troll through the iFOLLOW info and subsequent signing in on the Notts Forrest site……the quality of the streaming was quite good without any buffering.
As to the match, well at times the Boro looked like a BAD streaming link, stop-start, no continuous flow and were has it gone now??. The first half was poor fare, especially the first twenty minutes or so up to their goal, which came out of nothing, and left egg on the faces of our missing mid-field.
As others have said, it is not working at all. If you go back two season to when we got promotion, we had Clayton, Leadbitter and at times Forshaw. fast forward and Clayton looks slower to me and continually loses his man, Howson has replaced Grant, but it nothing like as effective as he was and poor old Forshaw. I could not believe Mr Monk started with him after his Sheffield and Burton performances. I have always liked Adam, but he does not deserve his place at the minute.
Notts started from the off passing forward, running, tackling and giving Boro not an inch of space. We just had no answer against as has been said we should be beating if we want to have any chance of the top two.
Both goals were soft from a defenders position and we continually look vulnerable at the back. The FB’s are leaving spaces which are not covered and at times are porous. George unfortunately is not the George of two seasons ago and IMO should be replaced by Fabio. He was never very good at crosses and has become a one trick pony with his telegraphed cutting inside.
Up front, maybe we should have scored more, certainly Britt had the chances…..on another day against a different team??? I thought Adama had probably his best overall game, playing more through the middle as others in the past have advocated and creating more than a little turmoil.
In the end though it was too little too late. An average side beating a team hoping for the top spots.
Gaston made promotion possible, without him we would have fallen short. We now need somebody like him to make us tick, pick out the pass for our front runners who are all more than capable in this league.
If Mr Monk does not sort this out quickly, we will continue to drops points, pick up defeats and not get anywhere near where Mr Gibson said we would be.
I am not going to mention the s word because we were spuds.
Being a mature and sensible adult I waited until 15 minutes ago to watch the ‘highlights’. They were frustrating enough, I will need some time to watch the full match.
Those of you who watched live or on Ifollow have already given enough for me to get a feeling for the match.
Playing three strikers does leave the risk of being exposed in midfield and getting pinned back. Having a go is great if you win, not so good when you lose.
Doesn’t help when your star striker goes on ‘Stars in their eyes’ – tonight Mathew I am Dong Gook Lee.
It looks like I owe my Forest fans a thanks for being accurate, bossing the first half then being shaky bat the back.
I stick by my view that not many will leave Forest with three points, what is concerning is that in all four matches we haven’t got a grip on midfield, we have patches but not a lot of coherence.
Six points off top is not a huge gap, there are clubs having a brilliant start only to stumble, that is the nature of the Championship.
The major concern for me is that, despite not yet having played any team who might be considered a top half team, and despite having spent so much on strikers, only 7 teams now have scored fewer goals than Boro – three on 2, and four on 3.
As an aside I have just noticed that there were only 4 draws in the four English leagues, and only 2 draws in the four Scottish leagues. I wonder when was the last time there was such a low number.
Don’t know when it was but I can guarantee I’d have had two lines with both Vernons and Littlewoods at the time 🙂
I did not find a possibility to subcribe to iFollower for Tuesday’s match in the match center of Scunthorpe Utd. Does anyone know if the match is available live for the overseas followers at the away team’s site?
Up the Boro!
Jarrko
No it is not available only league games are available on iFOLLOW. ☹️
Cheers, nice to know. Up the Boro!
If there is anything I guess you might find it on the Scunthorpe site
https://www.scunthorpe-united.co.uk/news/2017/august/-ifollow-matt-gilks-previews-carabao-cup-clash-against-middlesbrough/
On the subject of our midfield is it viable that Grant comes back to partner Clayts with Baker central to intercept the sideways passing and set up attacks? Clayts and Grant know the division and can keep things tight. Baker is apparently useful and progressive on the ball and with a plethora of Strikers to pick out it may not need anything more complex than that. It may also benefit Howson and Forshaw to take them out of the spotlight for a while. If September comes and Stewy is still here I’d even be tempted to play him in place of either of those two regardless.
On Jarkko’s question of the Scunthorpe match coverage on Tuesday I think the best you will probably get is a radio commentary via MFC. As things stand the attendance is likely to be around 8,000 so I can’t see TV companies busting a gut to cover it.
It was basically Forrest ,ten men behind the ball,and waited for us to screw up, and we did,
The midfielder was overrun and then we just pumped it forward ,and this is a concern, relying on Gesdede is counter productive . he’s knocking it to no one.
OFB
I hope you are right about Jota.
I have been saying all window that he would be number one on my list to feed our attack, the perfect number 10. Proven in this league. I was also under the impression that he would only be sold to a prem club and did not want to face Brentford playing for another team.
I would still sign him and let him miss the two Brentford games.
Wright it into his contract.
Our history shows we always beat Brentford even when they play well.
Another player we should throw money at is Diame of the geordies. Did great at Hull and would be a great midfield asset not tarred with the AK metronome passing.
OK that my advise to G Gill and co. They have ten days left.
If we get Jota can we call him little fella Mark 2 ??
KP
I have dropped Bob Tait an email, I will let you now how I get on.
KP
Bob emailed me straight back, his daughter was like Boro’s midfield, ill on Saturday.
He suggested using Microsoft edge and will look at the IE problem though Windows no longer support IE.
Ian
Thanks for the update and pleasing to hear Bob is looking into the IE issue. 😎
Schteve off to Maccabi Tel Aviv as a coaching consultant.
And we complained about stewarding in the past!
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-humber-40992174
Maybe the security guys must be suspended. Sorry, OFB.
UTB!
I wonder if it was in response to provocation from the Mariners singing “Have you ever seen the Boro with a Cup”
A ‘B’ cup or a ‘C’ cup?
UTB,
John
Boro have been credited with having interest in Bristol City attacker Bobby Reid
The 24-year-old has had a superb start to the season and has helped City up to 11 in the Sky Bet Championship with four goals in as many league games.
Lee Johnson has used the midfielder as a make-shift striker this term and he has formed a decent partnership with record signing Famara Diedhiou, who also has one goal to his name since signing from French side Angers.
Reid, formerly of Plymouth Argyle, Oldham and Cheltenham is contracted with City until next summer and does have the option of another year.
🗣️ BREAKING: Leeds United have made a £6 million bid for Middlesbrough striker Rudy Gestede.
Thoughts????
Boro will make a move for Fulham defender Tim Ream if they fail to land other defensive targets
£6m for Gestede?
Just starting to show signs of progress, tricky shout.
I don’t think he’ll go
Monk seems to like him and perhaps our new coaches are bringing out the best in him
He gives us different options up front and that’s what we have to do try and mix it up a bit
I wondered how long it was going to take to see Christie’s long throw it’s a speciality of his and another piece in our box of tricks
The Gazette says the bid’s been outright rejected.
Whatever happens, Gestede is likely to feature in my next Talking Point. Stay tuned.
When I saw Monk on Saturday he was talking to Rudy and seemed totally at one with him
He rates him even joking
“How many are you going to score today Rudy ?”
Just realised tonight that this is my 50th season of supporting the Boro through good times and bad I still love them UTB
OFB
OFB
54 for me, may be more.
Of course Len and Ken supported them when Mount Grace Priory was still open for business.
🙂
In anticipation of Boro’s first outing in the Carabao Cup I’ve been looking at the strange tale of how a self-publicising Thai rock musician took the bull by the horns in the energy drink market and ended up being the sponsor of an English cup competition with let’s say organisational issues that few seemingly still have the energy for – plus just how did Scunthorpe United make such a fist of their club crest? Sometimes fact is indeed a lot stranger than fiction…
https://diasboro.club/2017/08/21/carabao-cup-second-round/
Sorry to find that a lot of bloggers are delighted to think we are getting rid of our speedball.
Just reading the report of RR seemed to indicate that he caused havoc when he came on, and I’m talking chances and shots and the opposition changing shape ad us looking the more likely to win the match.
Let us at least give him a go in this company.
We’ve moved on Plato!
🙂
Sparta
Yes we’ve moved on, into the championship, where the ability to compel your opponents to play ten yards nearer their own goalmouth is beyond price.
With our record of conceding strange goals (from thirty five metres, by a veteran fullback who gets a nose bleed if he scores, or of course the ornamental dive, difficulty seven point five, to include sending off of the defender who got too close to the diver)
Lovin it, Plato!!!
But wot i meant woz we got new thread and Werder lead article already.
🙂