Prior to this afternoon’s game I was reading an article on one of Bolton’s greatest, the legendary Nat Lofthouse who used to get up at half past three in the morning to catch a tram to work an eight hour shift underground then after clocking off he would make his way to Burnden Park to play ninety minutes of football. A far cry from todays pampered, petulant professionals complaining about fifteen days of sunshine which was in very short supply as torrential downpours drenched supporters on their way to the Macron Stadium.
Boro started positively with intent but Bolton settled and started to get a bit of domination in the game with Randolph being forced to pull off what is now becoming his customary one handed save from Madine on eight minutes. The warning signs were there that if we didn’t step things up we could be in for a difficult afternoon.
Traore then broke free on thirteen minutes and was manhandled to the ground, bounced up almost weeble like and took the two Bolton defenders on again, skinned them, then the third, sprinted down the line leaving them all for dead and put in a perfect right footed cross to Assombalonga jumping seven yards out and headed home with aplomb to give us a 1-0 lead. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who had the Chumbawamba lyrics enter my head “I get knocked down but I get up again” on seeing Adama’s determination.
Five minutes later and Traore was at it again on the edge of the Bolton box and jinked past two defenders, got another cross in that was cleared only to fall to Baker who blasted it over. Boro started to look like they were a class above, passing fluidly and playing keep ball despite the bouncing rain. Key for me was that the experience of Grant, Clayts and Downing were bossing the middle of the park.
In a rare Bolton foray a deflected shot led to a corner which brought a brilliant reflex header from Fry to save Boro blushes from Madine to go out for another corner which saw the resulting decision in Boro’s favour for an infringement on Randolph. The ball was skipping off the surface as players were sliding into challenges and some were having trouble keeping their feet including the ball boy who unceremoniously ended up on his posterior as he went to kick a ball back into play.
Anthony Robinson was probably facing his worst nightmare as Traore seemed to have the ball glued to his feet, able to run past the Bolton defence at will. Just after a scuffed shot from Adama went wide he predictably and recklessly gave away a silly free kick which seemed at this stage to be the only way that Bolton would find a way back in. When the ball was cleared upfield Baker found himself near the corner flag, nutmegged Darby who then threw an arm across his throat up-ending the Chelsea youngster but neither the Lino nor the Ref deemed it a foul.
Clayts “chested” down a shot in his own box with a suspicion of handball albeit “unintentionally intentional”. Downing then fed Traroe who crossed to the far side of the box but the ball then broke to Grant who fired a Thunderbastard that was deflected out for a corner. Just as the Sun started to break through the leaden Lancashire skies, the last minute of the first half saw another clumsy Traore tackle that looked initially like a high kick but replays confirmed it to be more of a coming together of knees with Morais whose theatrics saw a yellow card for Adama. Boro were by far the classier and more composed team but Bolton were still a threat and with the second half looming the solitary goal felt too slender for comfort.
Overall a satisfactory first half performance from Boro and in particular from Adama Traore who singlehandedly peaked Andrex sales in the Greater Bolton region but had the Clayton decision gone against us the half time team talk could have had a very different theme. As it was we looked on course to record a first away win since Sunderland.
At the start of the second half Stephen Darby was removed for West Ham loanee Reece Burke presumably in an effort to try and shackle Traore. Almost immediately on the restart Bolton nearly levelled it as Madine knocked the ball back to Pratley who shot wide fortunately. Phil Parkinson had clearly fired up his charges as they came out far livelier.
Leadbitter was back to his best tidying everything up with well-timed and judged tackles. A Boro corner was cleared out by Wheater straight down the pitch to Clayton in his own half who cheekily played a 40 yard through ball straight back down the middle for Assombalonga to chase. Moments later Assombalonga ran through on goal in a tussle with Wheats who did just enough to increase the angle allowing Ben Alnwick to palm Britt’s shot wide conceding a corner. An hour had gone and Boro looked far more likely to come away with all three points but Bolton were still in it noticeably via a much improved 2nd half Robinson performance and Gary Madine. Randolph was forced to palm away a shot from Morais as Bolton upped their intensity and a reminder that this game wasn’t won just yet.
On sixty three minutes Assombalonga put a cross in as Baker was pulled back chasing into the box for what should have been a definite penalty. That was Boro’s main effort in the second half to date and the away end giving a rendition of your’re going down with the Makems as news filtered through of them losing at home. Things were not entirely going to plan, Traore was quiet and after another careless free kick given away from the Spaniard it took an alert Britt Assombalonga to chase down Noone who sprinted to the edge of the box in a training ground routine to cut out the danger.
Marvin Johnson joined the fray in place of Baker. Johnson went wide left as Downing went central in place of Baker and almost immediately played a ball out to Traore to work his magic seeing his twists and turns lead to a corner from which Ben got clattered from Alnwick. Seconds later Traore intercepted a ball on the half way line, broke away from three stunned white shirts and then left poor Wheater in his wake as he ran to the by-line, crossed to Assombalonga who slotted home from twelve inches out.
Downings final contribution was a twenty yard shot that went over the bar as Bamford came on for Boro and Le Fondre for Bolton. Just after Bolton threw their last roll of the dice Marvin Johnson broke free with Fabio overlapping but instead of feeding the Brazilian out wide Marvellous Marvin went through himself and shot from the edge of the 18 yard box, his left foot effort squirming under Alnwick at his near post, 3-0 and the Macron started to empty.
In a triumphal switch Traore was subbed for Fletcher on 81 minutes to rapturous applause from both the travelling army and some fair minded sporting home fans as the ex West ham man returned to the ground where he used to support the Wanderers as a lad.
With three minutes of the ninety remaining on the clock Madine had a fierce shot brilliantly saved by Randolph to keep the all-important confidence boosting clean sheet. That was all Bolton had in their locker as Boro fans “Ole’d” a serious of passes which almost resulted in a third for Britt. As soon as the 4th Official had put up the board to indicate three more additional minutes Assombalonga again went one on one with Alnwick who deflected his shot onto the far post.
Three nil it ended and for the first time this season Boro looked to be too good for their opponents in every department. The line-up had a few of us asking questions before KO and whether Monk was looking like a tinkerman in the making but in fairness it worked and a three nil scoreline has to be congratulated. For me there were three stand out differences from previous games. Traore was unplayable and destroyed Bolton whilst Assombalonga had his shooting boots on but for me accepting Adama was the heroic MOM it was Grant Leadbitter that anchored and held the middle together that made the biggest overall contribution.
It’s nice to win but has to be noted that Bolton are bottom for a reason and that this time last season some early away day euphoria at Sunderland was a false dawn. I’m sure that this Boro side in this league has much better to come and at the time of writing sitting 6th in a play-off spot is better than where we were this morning.
A win is a win so no need to analyse it ( you know you people are)
Move on, to GM : Keep the strikers + suppliers in the team for next week. As long as Boro score one more than the opposition we’ve achieved Plan ‘A’.
[edit]
Only woofing like 🐕
🔴 I don’t see the need for that remark – Werdermouth
Agree with you, Werder. The joy of this blog lies in the many detailed and perceptive analyses that contributors have taken the time and trouble to post. They fill out the details and highlight the major points of similarities and difference after every game. It’s an invaluable service for us all, but particularly those who haven’t been able to get to the gamAnd It’s churlish and negative to start off this thread with a post that seems designed to deter people from posting. Anyone who doesn’t like to hear other points of view doesn’t have to either read the blog or contribute to it.
I expect the overall style of our blog is not for everyone but it’s not for us to change and dumb down – incidentally, I felt the need to edit a sentence from the particular comment in question as it was just an unnecessary dig at a fellow poster and a breach of house rules.
I should point out that I was liking Werdermouth’s red dot comment, and not endorsing Mr Parker’s Dog’s sentiment
Nicely written as per usual, RR.
Lookin at the table both before and after the game, the thought ocurred to me that I’d rather be a Boro fan than a Sunderland or Villa fan.
Yes, I know it’s early doors and the tramlines are just being ironed out (one for the ex military types there), but the transfer windy is shut & except for a loan or two that’s yer lot. On 6 games if I was a Villan or Macken supporter I’d be worried now. If it weren’t for the Burton and Bolton’s of the Championship world, squeeky bum time would start in autumn for the likes of them. And before anyone utters the immortal falacy ‘too big to fail’, take a look at Coventry, Blackburn and Blackpool, nevermind Wigan- all good winning teams at their peak.
Still, the sun shines on the Boro until Tuesda, then maybees the whingers will have a chance to vent their spleens.
And why not!
Good work, RR.
The difference between this game and Sunderland (A) was stark, however.
Barring thirty minutes of Borocelona in between and including Stuani’s two goals there really wasn’t a great deal to commend, and even that was a reserved, controlled kind of brilliance, the kind that a coach is more than happy to claim the credit for himself. The celebrations at the end, from me included, were more for what the win represented than the game itself – three points, a first win, an away win, the first Boro away league win in the top flight for nearly eight years, and a triumph over Sunderland.
The theory of relativity.
I enjoyed that game against Sunderland.
The Boro team showed a good quality of football at times and of course the rare Stuani goal was bliss. I recall seein AK bouncin like a happy new born 🙂
He couda bin a contender with some quality support behind the scenes but I got the impression of a man isolated by his own personality of, dare I say perfection & ambition.
It didn’t help matters that he was at the start of his managerial learnin curve.
Wonder if he’s had any form of debrief except his own?
Sparta
The words “perfection and ambition” sent a chill through me.
Obviously a big mismatch between manager and club.
One can only pray that he does not end up ruling the football world at some giant club.
I can hear the interviews now,” yes, now that I am more aware of the importance of which club you join, I can see that joining an unambitious club such as Middlesbrough was a grave mistake on my part. It was small thing which amazed me, such as never knowingly receiving a fee for any player that they moved on.”
Another note.
Good to see Grant back. His presence and strength of character seem to add another dimension to our performances. It is understandable why some voices vented their frustration quite angrily at his “treatment”, injury or no injury.
But it is equally understandable why AK looked to make changes in the engine room. One could surmise that the Leads-Clayton partnership had been Boro’s axis for too long, and that AK decided to shake it up a bit for fear of eventual sterility. One could also, quite logically and reasonably, argue that Grant would not last forever, and at the wrong side of thirty, time was no longer on his side, making a reasonable case for easing De Roon, Forshaw and later De Sart into the team.
Yet it was hard, I think, for the dissenters to ignore the theory that when presented with a willing trier, like De Roon, and someone more his own man, AK would opt for the former. AK, it is quite clear, liked to get his own way, and that’s far more likely with an eager, battling newcomer than a mature pro.
The joys of theorising. Either way, we’ve got our old engine room back and everyone seems happy again. But Grant and Clayton certainly won’t last forever, and you must remember that we’re playing at a lower level again. On that note I can conclude that AK definitely had the right idea bringing new blood into the “shield” – it’s just, perhaps, that the execution of his plan, including the recruitment, was off. Let’s hope that Monk gets it right.
Traore deserves all the praise he’ll receive for his performance.
I would like to flag up Britt’s clever footwork for his first goal to losing his marker.
Plus the power he put into his header was inspiring. Yes he was on the 6 yard line and the cross was a peach but he was there in the right place at the right time.
Again for the second goal his selfish determination – a must have attribute for every successful striker – saw him in exactly the right spot to receive the ball. And he had to keep up with Traore’s pace to be so.
A resumption of the Leads/Clayts partnership presents GM with a conundrum. Who will GM pick and who will GM crop next time out?
Happy days and a glass of Rioja to celebrate
I’ll drink to that
I wrote a post earlier on – though I can’t find it here yet! – about the return of Leads and how pleasing it was. Ditto the Leads-Clayts partnership. Yet I didn’t blame AK one bit for trying to move on from it – all partnerships last only so long before becoming stale, and Leads was on the wrong side of 30, so it seemed logical to freshen things up a bit with De Roon and the burgeoning Forshaw. Unfortunately I’m not convinced every fan agreed with me.
Very good report, RR.
As usual, I agree with almost all of it.
Today’s game will forever be remembered as Traore’s match. The game in which he at last showed us what he is fully capable of. The major difference between the two teams. His making of the first goal was a truly extraordinary event. Beating a couple of men; falling over; bouncing back up again, and using all of his strength and determination to get to a ball for which he was third favourite; beating his men again; getting to the bye-line and delivering an inch-perfect cross on to Assombalonga’s head. The whole episode a testament to his skill and speed, but perhaps more importantly, to his motivation and determination.
And to complete one of the most memorable and heart-warming sequence of events we have seen in many a long day, the sight of every one of our outfield players sprinting over to congratulate not the goalscorer, but the winger who created it.
It was the culmination of a terrific individual first-half performance, and one which was all the more welcome, since every Boro fan, right up to kick-off, had reasonable grounds to fear that Traore’s head and heart might not be in the right place. Hence the significance of that team embrace, a fitting symbol and expression of the respect and regard for his talents that evidently exists amongst his peers, and from which Traore can take great comfort. It was a spontaneous gesture that said, ” We want you here, we need you here , this is your rightful place, the place where your talents will be appreciated and valued”.
It was a scene repeated to the letter after Boro’s second goal, and may turn out to be the most important back story to this Boro victory.
Leadbitter was also a vital component of the most positive aspects of the Boro’s display. What has been most lacking so far this season has been our control of midfield. Clayton has had too much to do. Has had to cover too many gaps. And our back four have been exposed by quick counter- attacks. Linked with this has been a kind of identity crisis within the team. Given all of the changes that have taken place both on and off the field, both the players and we as fans have struggled to define precisely just who and what we now are. What is our essential DNA, and what are the main elements of continuity and difference from what has gone before.
What we knew for certain was that for many years Leads embodied all that was best about the Boro. There were some apparently justifiable comments during our promotion year that Leads perhaps was now past his best. What we didn’t know was that he had played for most of the season with a serious injury that required close-season surgery. De Roon was bought to replace him, as was Howson. Yet here he was today providing the essential midfield presence we have been missing. Directing, controlling, linking, tackling, intercepting, always making himself available, spreading the play, the hub around which everything else revolved. Clayton was clearly pleased to have him back. But so apparently were the rest of the team.
In spite of what was an ultimately comfortable victory there were still some concerns. We largely controlled the game from the off, but in the first half only Traore offered any threat going forward. Assombalonga was largely in the pocket of Wheater, his best moment coming in the second half when he at last outmuscled the centre-back and sent a powerful left-foot angled drive arrowing to the far corner only for the keeper to produce a great save.
Nor was the mystery of why Bamford did not start satisfactorily answered. Baker and Downing were both poor. Neither produced an incisive pass in the first half and there was a period around the half-hour when delivering even the simplest ball seemed beyond them. Baker looked lightweight on today’s form, whilst Downing was moved over to the left wing for the beginning of the second half, where he proved no more effective.
As the second half ticked on the fear was that Boro were failing to put this game to bed. After his blistering first half Traore did not receive a decent pass until nearly 25 minutes into the second. He then proceeded to lay on the second goal after another great run. Game over, and just time to appreciate a promising debut and goal from Johnson.
Finally, and not mentioned by anyone else, Fry had another excellent game, commanding in the air, but also bringing the ball out and using it in fine style. He’d get my third star.
Thanks RR. I agree with most of your report. It wasn’t always easy. Bolton created a few good chances which took some great Randolph saves to keep out. But Boro imposed themselves well and for probably the first time this season kept hold of the ball well. Our passing was so much better today.
Inevitably, the story today was about the brilliant Traore and his mate, Assombalonga. But many others also played really well. I’ve already mentioned Randolph. Both full-backs and both centre-backs had very strong games, with Clayton supporting superbly. As you said, RR, Leadbitter was the glue that held it altogether. I thought he had a fantastic game, totally in control. I thought Baker played well, though his passing isn’t yet as crisp as I would like. Good cameos from Fletcher and Johnson maintained Boro’s attacking fluency towards the end. And I want to say a special word for Stewy. He wasn’t quite on song first half, but in the second half I thought we saw much of the creative, driven and controlled midfielder we thought we had bought. I was delighted for him, especially when he got a good reception from Boro’s magnificent travelling army.
Altogether, this was an impressive performance. Boro finally clicked, superbly prompted by Adama. I appreciate that this was ‘only’ Bolton. There will be sterner tests, starting at Villa on Tuesday. But you can only beat the opposition in front of you. Boro did the business.
I liked the way they celebrated as a team the spirit looks really good
When Magic Scored the third the player who had the biggest grin on the pitch was …
Patrick Bamford
Long may this playing for the team continue
A word for Andy R.
Wisely calling for Leads recall, and predicting the correct score.
Quite a double.
REALLY RIVETING ROUSING REPORT REDCAR RED
REGARDS
Managed to get a free feed from the net, half way through the first half. Commentary in English looked like sky sports and was in HD!!
Down side was about 25 % of the screen was coverd with an AD which I couldnt get rid of but useful to know for next time.
Thought RR report pretty much summed it up. Obvioulsy difficult to pick up on the nuances unless you actually there but hey, a great win and the side is starting to look like a team with a bit of the spirit that has been lacking for a few years. I did actually think they looked like they were enjoying themselves at one point but I put that down to too much optimism on my part.
Flash was good at times and maybe that is how he is – still not convinced he actually crossed both assists looked like wayard shots to me very powereful if they were crosses, but then full marks to britt who got himself in the way to provide the necessary.
Surprise for me was Magic man who indeed looked like he stepped up to the plate and as was mentioned in earlier blogs did the needful by scoring on his debut. He can play like crap now for at least a month before we start picking on him. Thumbs up to Johnson then.
Stewie didnt look out of place – maybe this is his level now and once the squad gels inot a solid team who knowa maybe we are in with a chance afterall.
Defence looked competent and the goalie great – so not much to moan about apart from the fact there is nothing to moan about.
Anyhow early days – we’ll see how GM shapes up against Villa at least it is safe to get the foam hands out again.
However in typical Boro fashion I would remind all that – a league smashing, 3 goals against Bolton do not make.
Great report as usually by RR. Thanks again.
I saw only the second half with a stream of the local betting site as I was visiting the local aviation museum with my wife. She requested to go there. Terrific.
So I missed the first goal. Is there a link to see the first goal in anywhere? Of course the highlight will be later on the mfc.co.uk.
Up the Boro!
Jarkko hopefully you can see the goals here but there may be a regional block, hopefully not!
http://www.skysports.com/watch/video/sports/football/11027677/bolton-0-3-middlesbrough
At least you saw the jet heeled Traore and the Boro in full flight flying high
Let’s hope we don’t get shot down by the Villans
RR,
As always a great report. I predicted a draw. I’m delighted to be so convincingly wrong.
Boro didn’t concede. We sound and looked like a team. Randolph is looking every inch a great keeper too.
I’m happy in the Norfolk fog this morning. A San Miguel at lunchtime I think.
UTB,
John
Thanks again RR for a great report. You are essential reading post-match.
I have only just got to see the goals this morning.
That looked like two intended deliveries from Traore to me, not the shots gone wrong that Allan suggested above. After reading how the first goal was made on Twitter I couldn’t wait until I got to see it. Absolutely brilliant, regardless of the opposition. Here is hoping that his contribution will continue to be so devastating.
It might be worth recalling now that Boro under Charlton didn’t hit top till October. So, really still too early to judge if we will make the pace or follow the pace over the season. Always feels more positive after a convincing win.
By the way, I noticed this morning that I had liked Mr Parker’s Dog’s unnecessarily snide opening post late yesterday… I was actually responding (liking) Werder’s comment rebuking him. Apologies to all.
It was interesting to hear GM in the post match interview saying that he and the coaches had been spending a lot of time working with Traore and it showed yesterday
Thanks RR, usual quality of report. If I get withdrawal symptoms missing pointless pop ups and ads I might pop in to the Gazette site and Navigate their report.
Having seen the goals several times, the crosses from Adama were not accidents.
The first was in to the correct area where you would expect a striker to be, you may get hit it right every time but that should be what you try to do. He had another cross that was slightly over hit, but it was from the bye line after going around the back of the Bolton defence and it was played in the right direction.
For the second you can actually see Adama look up then pass the ball across the six yard box. Pass is the operative word, it wasn’t hit and hope.
How often he replicates that is another matter.
Villa Park next for the Adomah Adama match. I notice Albert didn’t feature yesterday in Villa’s dispiriting draw at home to Brentford. Is he injured?
Ian
Ref. the second goal I AGREE with you totally. We now have a monster player on our hands worth every penny paid and more. Put Britt and Adama together and, not wanting to get carried away, but you have a Premiership busting striking sensational duo- Uraaahhhh!
What’s the odds Britt breaks scoring records this season?
Plato
Ref. your comment on player playment commissions –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WMRUHGnN29s&feature=youtube_gdata_player
UTB
Ian
Albert is not injured apparently he’s struggling to get a game under Steve Bruce and nearly left on the latest transfer window
OFB
I blame AK. It is also wet in Derby and that is AK’s fault as well, as for Hurricane Irma…………….
He also made me have a sore ear too!!
Mrs OFB gave me earache about having to watch such dross last season she’s never forgiven me !
Great report RR. I especially like the way it was carefully not one-sided and you included Bolton’s many efforts and goal chances. Especially after a 3-0 win, it is all too easy to be partisan but you very fairly gave credit to the Trotters – possibly too much.
As you say, but for some good saves by Randolph, it could have been a different game.
Nike
I think that Bolton will be trouble for whoever they play next week.
We still let teams have pot shots at our goal, three goalbound efforts saved by the keeper, who by the way is our best buy for some time.
We still want Traore to beat about six men then make a goal, the fact that he can do it does not excuse us.
Running on to a through ball in the middle of the park(the second goal I think) is by far the most useful way to go.
We were good, but when Bamford came on to the pitch we looked like getting 4 or 5 in the final twenty minutes.
Final point. A big thank you to all the fans who opposed the sale of Traore a lucky escape, and no thanks to the club.
This could be a watershed result. As I noted before the game, we were well overdue for an away win.
Others have noted that it was ‘only’ Bolton – but it’s true: it was only Bolton – so we mustn’t get carried away because they look likely to occupy the bottom quarter of the table. If we get a result at Villa then it might be time for optimism.
Nevertheless this was a good result and a good team performance which bodes well.
Nikeboro
Villa are struggling, they were given the run around by Brentford at home but held on for a score draw. Brentford had the same number of points as Bolton before the match and despite the draw sit second bottom.
As we keep saying, that is the nature of the Championship, it is dog eat dog. You can dominate a game and lose home or away.
Villa will be a tough game but a better measure of where we are at the moment than the win at Bolton.
Now I’m not one to court controversy BUT had Gestede played instead of Traore, the result may have been…..?
Btw. There’s never been a better time to play Villa than now IMHO.
“Unleash the Traore, I say!”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gb2zIR2rvRQ&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Just a couple of points:
A. When was the last time a Boro player scored twice in a 3 nil away victory and not make the top 3 of a lot of people’s MOTM. ?
B. I know Bolton (promoted last season) are bottom but let’s look at their opening fixtures on their return to the championship:
Lost away at Hull
Won home to Sheffield Wed
Lost home to Derby
Drew away Birmingham
Drew away Millwall
Lost home to Leeds
Not an easy start.
Come on BORO.
Ian and Plowmill
Having watched the goals again without ads and glitching I concur and respectfully withdraw my skepticism. Great crosses – finally training and luck are beginning to bear fruit.
The two of them looked a natural pairing and it is going to be hard holding on to them if they are instrumental in us smashing the league!!
Villa this week and lets hope some can fruit can be found.
Happy days ahead.
Firstly thanks to RR for capturing the game so eloquently and glad that he’s now got his first league win on the road!
I think perhaps there were a few important issues addressed by Monk yesterday – as I put forward in my pre-match piece (which some may have caught) Clayton was continually being exposed with the previous midfield setup and was on course for a pack of yellow cards this season if it had continued. I came to the obvious conclusion that: “It’s entirely possible that Monk may be tempted to re-introduce the familiar double-act of Clayton and Leadbitter once more in a bid to shore up the midfield” – though not sure if quoting yourself is something that should be encouraged, so I’ll make sure I limit them to when I predicted correctly!
Having Leadbitter alongside him, Clayton seemed much more at ease and less under pressure – I suspect we will see this as the preferred pairing now. Whilst he may have wanted to persevere with Howson to avoid knocking his confidence it was quite evident something needed to change. I also suggested Baker would get the advanced midfield role but he didn’t totally convince me yesterday and he still needs to improve his overall game.
I had worries over how Adama would react to the Lille episode but I think Monk mentioned before the game that he’s not been a problem whatsoever over it and most of the players accept that every player has a price and that he’s told him he can be as good as he wants to be – and on yesterday’s showing that could be very good indeed.
One funny moment in yesterday’s match that I mention was an often occurrence by Traore was his penchant for flattening opponents with a shoulder in their back and then professing his innocence to the ref by tapping his shoulder several times, inferring it was a good old fashioned shoulder charge – I actually laughed out loud yesterday when he did it again.
I was surprised to see Bamford on the bench again for the second game running and he must wonder what he’s done wrong – meanwhile Downing has been restored to a starting berth at his expense and I thought he was fairly quiet for most of the game. Though all the action seemed to come down our right side for a large chunk of the game – though I thought our fullbacks were fairly conservatively used for the first hour, which perhaps also made us more solid.
Whilst it was good to see Assombalonga get a couple of goals thanks to the superb work of Adama, there were times I thought he wandered too far away from the centre and sometimes there were no Boro players in the box when a cross could have been made – I think that is the danger with playing with Adama and Downing at the same time as they both like to receive the ball quite deep and it means Britt needs to stay more as a centre-forward.
I also noticed Assombalonga’s first touch was not great when his back is to goal, something that was mentioned by the Preston commentary team when they questioned his price tag. He may not be the fully-rounded centre-forward and we need to play to his strengths, which is getting into the box and finishing.
So an important step forward and back in a playoff place – Steve Bruce’s scalp probably now awaits us if we can produce another bold performance at Villa…
Werder,
Agree with all of that, and it fills out some of the reasons why I deliberately courted a bit of controversy by giving my third star to Fry (a judgment, exmil, that I wouldn’t want to go to the stake on).
A No 10 and a creative midfield playmaker remain (how many times have how many people said this) problem positions.
The irony is that Bamford is probably the best available player in the current squad to fill either position and he didn’t make the starting line-up.
The way Monk set up Stewie and Baker was experimental. For the first 15 minutes they rotated positions. Downing made a number of runs beyond their back four, but never received a pass. For the remainder of the half Downing played deeper with Baker playing behind the striker.
Given the solidity of our defence this should have created an ideal platform for our two creative midfielders to go about their business, albeit at the expense of a complete lack of attacking thrust down our left side. Unfortunately neither player was able to create anything approaching a chance.
The structural imbalance was redressed by playing Downing on the left wing after half-time, with Baker playing a little deeper. When Johnson came on he played on the left, and provided much more of an attacking threat. Stewie now had more freedom as he moved inside, and I agree with Clive that here he made his most positive contributions before being subbed. My only caveat to this is that it’s a lot easier to play the ball around when you’re two goals up than it is when you are struggling to get an edge in the game.
You could argue the Stewie did his best to accommodate to the manager’s many changing demands on him during the course of the game. And that Baker is a young talent still finding his feet, who may turn out to be the ideal solution to our creative deficits. And we don’t know what any backstory about Bamford there may be.
But at this point in time a midfield creator and a genuine No 10 still remain problem positions in spite of an emphatic win.
Len
Although I agree with you that Fry has been great this season and deserves his place on merit I thought he was outmuscled a few times yesterday with resultant shots on target which were superbly saved by our in form keeper
I appreciate that Fry is still learning his game but it will not have gone unnoticed by Fry’s Monk
Of course I’ve had the benefit of playback on tv to have a closer look but on another day Bolton could have had 3 goals !!
OFB
And another point No George yesterday which I suspected might happen
The Boro fans were absolutely magnificent yesterday. As Monk said it sounded like a home match.
Looking forward to hearing from somebody who was at the match. They really enjoyed the away success. UTB!
I see the match is being beamed back to Bor.o and also available on the net for overseas courtesy of AV TV.
Thats a must I think even though it will be a late night!!!
“A midfield creator and a genuine No 10 still remain problem positions in spite of an emphatic win.”
Yes, Len. Yes, yes, and yes again. This reminds me of what I wrote in a previous Talking Point – “as appealing as basking in the upward mobility of the cult of personality might be, it is our job to retain a level of objective judgement about what could be better. Without, of course, going overboard.”
I would amend it slightly, simply arguing that it’s so easy to get swept up on the crest of a positive wave and enjoy the good times while we can, but, as I once learned, living for the moment and not planning for the consequences can also reduce a club to living for a series of moments without the consistency and sound foundations we really need.
A 3-0 away win is a great result no matter how poor the opposition are perceived to be.
Adama was on fire yesterday, if he can maintain similar form throughout the season we’ll have a new ‘Magic Man’ on our hands, I bet Britt is drooling at the prospect.
The formation and personnel tweek worked well, as many others have said Grant looked right at home again.
Looking forward to Villa, a game not to be taken lightly but we’ve every chance of getting a positive result.
Same team for Villa as played yesterday please.
Nigel
The pity of it is that both in our last home game and away at Bolton, when Bamford came on, we went from frustrated to super confident in the opponents defensive area.
Not me, the boro commentators words, they said “we could get another two or three goals in these last ten minutes”
Thanks for another comprehensive report RR. Have seen the goals and highlights but did not see or hear the match yesterday as i was out.
Much better result than I envisaged, that being said if we want to be promotion contenders then we do need to go to places like Bolton and impose ourselves on teams and come away with the points. There will clearly be sterner tests to come starting at Villa on Tuesday.
Good to hear of AT’s performance, I have been one of his biggest critics. He needs, however, to produce this level of performance consistently and I hope that yesterday proves to be the turning point for him and the Boro.
I was pleased that GL was restored to the side as I believe that his drive and determination were missed last season. He can still do it at this level and in particular will inspire others in the team as well as give them a rollicking when needed – something that has also been lacking in the side.
So bring on the villa and look to build further on yesterday’s performance. 😎😀
plato – I’d be happy to see Bamford start, he seems to be a player in good form and mentally in a good place.
My comment really referenced the fact that I didn’t see significant changes to personnel or tactics as being necessary.
Assuming no new injuries or tired legs (Leadbitter hasn’t had 90mins for a while) the only selection questions for me are around Baker and Downing. Bamford certainly deserves a start, with Baker’s position now the most likely for him. Still plenty of options on the left.
Thanks to RR for his comprehensive match report, warts and all, including the Bolton efforts that Randolf was up for. He does appear to be one of the better buys at the moment and worth his fee.
I am a big fan of Bamford, so was disappointed at his exclusion, but Adama certainly proved his worth yesterday. Grant made all the difference within the midfield area, one zone that we really have not got to grips with even though we have brought in new players in that area. I thought that Grant would run out of steam in the hurly burly of this league, but did not appear to do so in this match. Whether he can do it on a match by match basis, I doubt, which was probably why we brought in Howson, like for like, only he has not to date fit the bill.
As Simon, Werder, Nigel and others have said, the attacking midfield is not functioning as it should be and appears to be light, with Baker and SD struggling in my opinion, as position that I believe Paddy could fill with ease….obviously Mr Monk does not see it that way at the moment. Still there are lots of matches to come and I am sure all the players will get a turn to claim a spot.
So it was only Bolton and they had their chances. So did we and we took ours and that is the difference. Villa will be a lot harder I am sure. It will be interesting and a talking point if Mr Monk changes the team too much. Can Grant play another full match after so little time? Will SD get another start and will Baker. Again I will be disappointed if Paddy does not get a start from the off.
Reference my earlier post about Assombalonga not being people’s top 3 ratings was not a criticism of various posters because on this site everyone is entitled to their assessment, which is very subjective.
The point I was making was how well the whole team played that someone who scored 2 of the 3 goals still didn’t get in people’s top 3.
Come on BORO.
Exmil
That is a good point, but it’s always a red letter day when three players are contesting the man of the match.
It was no Contest really, the performance Traore put in was beyond praise.
Firstly, I haven’t yet seen highlights of yesterday’s match, and have only heard the score about three hours ago, and am just catching up with the reports.As ever a good comprehensive portrayal from Redcar Red and loved the aliterative headline.
Now I see that Bob has also replied with his own alliteration – Really Riveting Rousing Report, Redcar Red, Regards.I wish I could compose my own alliterative comment, but will have to pass on that for now. Anyway well done to both of you.
Well it sounds as if I was way off beam with some of my previous comments regarding Traore. How have Boro’s coaches taught him to be more tactically aware and to have an end product when Barca, Villa, Karanka, et al couldn’t? Or has he always had that awareness but Boro haven’t had the players to read his mind? Those old enough to see Mannion play sometimes used to unfairly criticise him because he didn’t pass to so-and-so; in fact he often put a perfect pass to where he thought his colleagues should be. Maybe Traore was doing that last season but Boro didn’t have the players then bright enough to read his mind, or perhaps he was just greedy and liked to show off.Many players in the past have been accused of that. Who knows, but it does seem that he is improving his distribution and he as well as his coaches must be given credit for that.
Having read some of the comments from fans on the Gazette site, all of a sudden optimism has returned and I am pleased it has. I couldn’t see Boro winning yesterday and I have to apologise for that. I just thought it would be typical of Boro to struggle against a team who had yet to win a league game, but they were more likely to win their first away game for over a year against a higher ranked team. It happened frequently in our promotion year, but perhaps this Boro team will prove to be typically untypical.It has been said recently that Monk doesn’t know his best eleven, but does that matter these days with a squad system as long as we stick to the same formation and use players in their best positions?
It would appear from some reports that Leadbitter made the difference to our midfield,. I’m pleased that he is back in the team and as captain because he seems to have that authority that we’ve been lacking. But I wonder if in view of his age whether one can expect him to play twice a week nowadays.
Finally, having read the snide comments of Mr Parker’s dog, as dogs are dumb animals maybe it’s woofs have been misinterpreted, Of course it maybe that it’s Mr Parker who is dumb in a different sense, but as the late Ian Richardson as Francis Urquart used to say in “House of Cards”, you might say that but I can’t possibly comment.
Ken
Kind Kudos
Keyboard Kings Know Knockout Kinetics!
A riposte from Ken. Now then, surely that would be poetic justice. 😉
it was a really interesting match to watch because for the first time Boro looked really comfortable in what they were trying to do. I know that there have been discussions about ‘gelling’ vs ‘improving’ but i would suggest that this performance really showed that GM is a manager who can improve the players and the team and that’s something that we should all be very pleased about. Having said that, the performance was far from perfect and GM himself said that in the post match interview.
The defence was solid but were clearly a bit unnerved by the physical threat that Bolton posed. It may be that for certain games, Ayala or Shotton will get a game to prevent Fry from taking too much stick. He’s still a player for the future and I stick by my prediction of him being a future England certainty. In any case, Randolph looks to be another really good buy.
Clayton and Leadbitter locked up the middle but one feels tat Howson could rotate into that position depending on Grant’s fitness and yellow cards. Assombalonga and Traore were dynamite up front and I love how disappointed BA was not to have scored four goals.
That left the no 10 and left wing positions. Both Downing and Baker were solid but relatively uninspired. I was hugely impressed by Johnson who looks t be an excellent acquisition. The keeper should have saved the goal but its worth noting that it didn’t go under him. it was hit so hard that he didn’t get down to his left quickly enough. Equally, Bamford looks such a classy player that I’d like to see him get a shot at the starting no 10 position. I wonder if GM will stick with the front four who ended the game or give Baker and Downing another chance.
Anyway, I can confirm that Bet 365 worked although the quality wasn’t wonderful and it was better to cast it onto as big a screen as possible. I also noted that the general game info on the left was ahead of the images by quite a bit. I ended up by draping a tea towel over the rest of the image because it was annoying to see things announced on the screen that hadn’t yet happened on the live stream.
Anyway, back to iFollow and an early (4.45) start on Wednesday morning. Whats the betting on Traore. Will he inflict the ex-players’s curse on Villa or, alternatively, will it be like BA at Forest. I cant see GM leaving him out because he is so perfect for away games when the home team want to get at us.
UTB
Selwynoz
Fry?
It’s all a matter of opinions as to whether you are harbouring a future star or just a decent player?
Having gritted our teeth and put him in the team, and survived(and started winning) it would seem counter productive to leave him out after a win.
He is a lucky young man, seeming to have all the requisites for a (very) good career.
These young players who come along from time to time all seem to start very early, and as he is doing just fine, I think it would be a pity to spoil it.
When you can get on a run all sorts of other benefits come to you, such as a player like Fry.
Just one final point. The general thumping and banging and elbowing that he is receiving on a weekly basis in this league must be worth a lot more than playing in his own Cohort every week, in experience. .
Britt Brace Batters Bolton – Boro Brimming!
Brilliant
I do hope Adama plays on Tuesday. I would love to see him test his pace against John Terry’s creaking legs!
Just wondering does anyone know how many Scots although may not admit it come south each weekend to watch games,
I’m sure you have the so called big clubs have a following,
But Carlisle, The Toon, Blundeland, have some.
Did Boro last season have a share, maybe not, but if I lived up there and could jump on a train, to see good fixtures I would do it.
Like I said , any idea
I only manage to get down to a handful of matches in a season … Some seasons (like last season) i dont even manage one.
Well Berwick usually get gates of about 250.
I would doubt that and major following would come down to Boro
It would be just as easy for Scots to get on a train to Edinburgh or Glasgow to see a game in the Scottish Premier League
Werder
Do you have anything of mine in Spam. i posted this morning but it seems to have vanished.
Yes, it’s there and has now been de-spammed!
Is this the same spam that AV would prefer to interview than Glen Hoddle?
clearly something highly inflammatory. Not sure what but….what the he**.
Thanks
the players should rightly be praised for a professional performance but lets not forget the managers contribution especially his post match comments.
I watched on the Boro website and GM was asked to comment on individual performances on two occasions and both times he replied with praise for the team and squad as a unit.I have noticed this before in his comments and its like a breath of fresh air compared to the unusual statements of the previous manager.
If Boro are to succeed this season they will need to be united in their belief and astute man-management will play a huge part.
On to Villa, no need to change unless its Paddy for Baker or Downing.
UTB
Selwynoz
I think Monk will become a very good manager and will prove to be one of Steve Gibson’s best pieces of business.
I am not going to get carried away yet. He went back to the tried and tested 4231 that many of the squad are used to, it tightened the team up and we controlled possession. It was ‘only’ Bolton but the job was done. Randolph made a couple of saves, that is what he is paid to do.
Some have been advocating the move to 4231 for several weeks, The line up, tactics, formation and performance against Preston were a salutary lesson and did not smack of a manager improving the team.
For some reason managers get these bizarre ideas and try them with varying degrees of non success.
It does beg the question why he didn’t use the system earlier because we have not really looked settled in these early games.
In to September, in to the top six, lets hope for more success at Villa.
Conte had the ‘bizarre’ idea to try a back 3 with Chelsea last season – and look what happened! Some work, most don’t.
One of the advantages of being abroad regarding Boro news is that one can read in full Northern Echo articles instead of the truncated headlines on Teesside which precede the request to subscribe. In that regard, Garry Monk was praising Traore BEFORE the Bolton match along the lines he could be whatever he wanted to be. On reflection that was an endorsement of Traore’s potential and must have given him a great boost of confidence. So well done Traore, but also full marks to the manager.
Having now seen highlights of the match it was evident from Traore’s colleagues how pleased they were for him. His first goal, I agree with AV’s assertion that it was like a Rugby League forward, but I would suggest his second goal was better and more akin to an All Blacks’ winger. I realise that match highlights don’t paint the whole story, but AV suggested that the final score line might have flattered Boro, but Garry Monk insisted it didn’t. I wonder what bloggers on this forum think?
I think Britt could have had another couple of goals which could have made it five for Boro but I also think that Bolton could have taken the lead had it nor been for Randolph early on and had a penalty (as could we for a pull back on Baker). Randolph had to pull off another couple of strong saves that were all on target and on another day against another keeper Bolton could have expected at least a couple.
We were overall by far the better side but we exposed ourselves too often and recklessly in the manner of some of the free kicks given away especially by Traore in a fit of pique. I’m not complaining, I realise that attacking entertaining football can lead to overcommitment and getting caught out at the back at times and I’d far rather watch Boro draw 4-4 than 0-0.
There are areas that still need tightening up and improving. Christie though good going forward can sometimes be suspect defensively, a shot went through his legs that Randolph parried away and fortunately Craig Noone’s reactions belied his lack of match fitness. On another day against a better side however it could have been very different.
Traore on Saturday was great on the ball but he did still tend to get too close to the Boro player in possession at times instead of creating space by dragging a defender wide by making a run or anticipating the next phase. A minor irritant considering his performance but also the measure of how much he can improve to become a truly great world class player if he has the desire and drive for it. I think Monk’s style of management suits him far better by encouraging rather than conditioning and filling his head with game plans that he either didn’t like or possibly couldn’t grasp. A big beaming, smiling Adama was far better to watch than a moody miserable frustrated figure coached to death from the side line.
It is noticeable that when Bamford appears things all too coincidentally step up a gear and start to tick. I suspect that like Fabio, Leadbitter and Fry Monk will give opportunities and when it becomes obvious he will move his pieces into place removing others to recharge and reflect. Paddy will almost inevitably inherit the No.10 role especially with Grant and Clayts behind. Its also worth noting that the same 4231 set up is likely to suit Forshaw, encouraging him to get back to playing his best football.
It has been a big summer turnaround in management and personnel. Getting to know abilities, personalities and deciding on formations takes time. What I hope to see now is a settled formation and starting eleven with changes for form, injuries and suspensions and of course to keep one or two on their toes. After Preston and then seeing Saturday’s line up I was (and to a degree still am) worried that too much tinkering was about to commence but hopefully GM will have seen the merits of what worked really well and why. Grant and Clayts are the best bar none midfield pairing in this division and Forshaw as mentioned is an able deputy knowing the role and his partners well. Howson will likely get an opportunity to also fill in staking a claim and performing far better once the roles and formation becomes established.
Braithwaite is yet to return and we honestly don’t know what his best role is just yet but certainly keeps the competitive pressure bubbling. Sometimes having a strong squad and too many riches in depth can be a destabilising factor but its important that GM sticks to a game plan. Saturday was a good starting point.
Conjecture. There is a consensus that the tried-and-tested, fits-like-an-old-glove 4-2-3-1 formation is the way ahead. However this seems wasteful of the wealth of attacking talent we now have and, as others have noted, it is difficult to see where Bamford, Gestede, Braithwaite et al fit in. I wonder whether GM is minded to try a less cautious setup at home, especially as it’s unlikely that Grant can play 90 minutes every game when it’s 2 games per week.
4-1-3-2 would basically dispense with one holding midfielder and replace him with another forward or a deeper-lying no. 10. Either setup would have the current back 4 (perhaps with Fry being rested at times, particularly for more muscular opponents) and the usual fixtures of Clayton in his holding role and Assombalonga in attack.
On the other hand, the established 4-2-3-1 can be deployed in a more adventurous way than we saw from Aitor. Although it proved to be a false dawn, I saw this at Yeovil years ago in AK’s early days.
Clayton and Leadbitter filled their usual berths but the difference was that they looked ahead much more and took chances to surge forward. The two of them took this in turns, acting as a pivot in much the same way that the FBs used to do in the old W-M formation, i.e. if one advanced then the other stayed put to cover.
Their surges from deep proved to be devastating. While the more forward-lying midfielders might be marked, Grant and Adam weren’t as they overloaded midfield. In these two we have the ideal candidates because both players have spent most of their careers in more advanced creative roles so, in pushing forward, they are stepping into their comfort zones.
Just a thought, like.
Nikeboro
4231 doesn’t have to be rigid or defensive, in fact it is only a variant of 442 or 433 when all is said and done. It is our own minds and thought processes that make a system attacking or defensive, tried and tested and tired. The fact we went back to basics and it worked is food for thought but it was ‘only’ Bolton.
I agree with your post. You can play a more attacking player alongside Clayton, that isn’t an issue. Those two can push on, the back four can move up the pitch, full backs can attack. Attitude is the most important thing. The front four must be attackers.
It was interesting that our goals came from a right footed player getting round the back of the defence providing balls in to the striker in the six yard box and a left footed player taking a pop at goal from the left of the box on his left foot. Football is a simple game.
You may have a wealth of attacking players but it is useless unless you keep the ball and pass to one of your own players. If you dont command midfield you are struggling. All any formation does is give you a fallback for when you haven’t the ball or a method when you are not playing as well as you like.
If you have a Mystic Mog approach eventually confusion sets in.
The games this season have shown that if you are not solid you can get in to trouble.
Ian makes a good point re the formation issue.
I’ve just read apiece in the Gazette on the impact Randolph has had on the team. It’s certainly true that a strong defence gives confidence and a good keeper gives confidence to the defenders. If the upward trajectory continues and Traore keeps creating and Britt keeps knocking them in, who knows SG’s wish may come true.
There’s no harm in dreaming!
Just watched the highlights again, mainly to see the chances Bolton had.
If you look carefully, Nadine did very well against young Fry. Three times he got to head or control the ball, the first time that led to the early Randolph save he certainly gave Fry a gentle push, the others, there seemed to be a little easing Fry out of the way, just a hand on the defender.
Very cleverly done, you need to look for it and be wearing a pair of Boro tinted glasses. Difficult to see for the ref in real time. The benefits of incessant replays.
Part of Fry’s education.
Yes, Fry was clearly pushed by the Bolton players. So to me a defender a foul on Fry and a freekick. And good to know that Rabdolph would have saved the striker.
But as said, the red do not see everything and it is a learning curve for Fry. Up the Boro!
Exactly what I meant Ian by him being outmuscled
OFB
Sorry, missed that comment.
Madine is a bit of a handful and likes to push his weight around both on and off the pitch. Fry will be looking back at the video with the Coaches and no doubt supported by some sound bites from the likes of Gibbo, Woody and Monk himself.
It was another experience for him with a different kind of Striker and apart from a few head to heads that went Madine’s way Dael won and intercepted most things and helped to keep a clean sheet. I could be wrong (it may have been Christie) but from one of the Bolton corners he reflex headed a close range Madine header out for another corner that looked destined for the net to me with Randolph struggling to get over.
RR
You’re right it was Fry with the reflex header
He’ll learn but we could have gone a goal down when he was outmuscled
It’s a contact sport and if referees blew a whistle for every push pull tug and bit of argy bargy we would have no game time
By the same token we should have had a penna for the shirt pulling on Baker but to.be fair it started outside the box so if the ref had seen it he may have just awarded a free kick
Talking about pennas Clayton was lucky to get away with a hand ball as both arms went into his body as he played the ball with his upper arm
So it’s swings and roundabouts and referees are human and we all make mistakes
Except you and I of course
OFB
Elsewhere, Frank de Boer leaves Palace after 77 days, even shorter than 85 days he had at Inter Milan.
I suppose it is a case of panicking early to avoid the rush.
They should have gone for GM when he was available – glad they didn’t! 😎
Roy Hodgson is rumoured but I wonder if they may take a view on Karanka?
Fat Sam?
Or
Fat Bob?
I think it will be a very distant view of Karanka given his PL record – actually my virtual money is on Karanka being the next Villa manager if Bruce continues to mirror last season, which I’m sure Adomah is looking forward to…
Ian
I watched the match and I think that they were mugged by an inferior team, missing four sitters.
They played quit well, and did not resort to punting the ball up field, creating their chances with clever moves.
I think they will regret dumping him.
Redcar Red
AK chose us instead of Palace but his time in the top flight is hardly an endorsement.
I heard Roy Hodgson mentioned at the week end but isn’t he busy playing Davros in Doctor Who?
Cruel!!!!
Exterminate!!!
A while back I suggested on here that if Boro don’t want to go down the iFollow route then they could arrange a Beamback for away games. Not a solution I accept for overseas fans but a great way to bring in extra income to the club and something that i felt would be very successful. I noticed this morning that MFC had indeed organised a Beamback for tomorrow nights Villa game for a tenner which is brilliant. I have also noticed that it is now sold out already!
Maybe its just me but when you have a huge screen and a 30,000 seater stadium why would you hold the event in one of the Lounges? Would it have mattered if 20 people turned up or 20,000? Surely as an experiment especially at such short notice limiting the attendees to just one lounge was a tad pessimistic. Now I understand all the Food, Safety and Stewarding aspects but considering there are no away fans I really struggle to understand why the Club wouldn’t plan for the best whilst preparing for the worst instead of the other way around.
A step in the right direction but for goodness sake like Adama Traore someone take the handbrake off!
Good points on Fry, by Bob, RR, Ian and others.
Being at the match I didn’t catch all the nudges, but thought he handled a difficult physical striker well.
I was coming from a position of some recent scepticism about Fry. A brilliant debut at Preston, was followed by encouraging performances, but then an error -strewn display in the Charlton debacle and a series of less than faultless displays on loan at Rotherham saw him unable to command a place even in the Championship’ s leakiest defence.
He’s done well this season but Saturday was the first time I’ve seen him live this term, so I was very struck by how much he has come on. Dominating in the air, using the ball well, and with enough confidence to bring the ball out and initiate an attack when he had the space to do so, he was a revelation to me. If that was less impressive than he has recently been, then he really is a prospect.
Talking to Pally after the Preston game and he said Fry is better than he was at the same age
I said
“that’s good because he reminds me of you when he brings the ball out and plays football”
Pally just laughed !
Len, I take the point that Dael Fry has come on quite a bit recently. I agree. In light of the fact he is still so very young (had his 20th birthday less than 2 weeks ago), and in light of the fact that he has still only played a handful of First Team games at any level (at Boro or Rotherham), his learning curve is still at its inception. If someone has played 150 games, you’d be very surprised not to know how good a player he is, or is likely to become. He would have climbed well up the curve by then. But Fry is just starting out. At 10 games he might be at a certain level, but if he has a brain and determination to improve, after 40 games he will be much better, and after 80, probably much better again.
I think Fry, at 6ft 3in rather taller than Ben Gibson, and possibly still growing as he he just left his teenage years, has every possibility of developing into a really top class centre back. He may be the Rolls Royce of his team’s centre back partnership. Still too early to be certain, but the signs are good so far. The learning curve is pointing defiantly upwards.
As for Traore, you may have heard the arguments. Very fast, granted, but people will say that he lacks the instinct to move into advantageous positions in order to make space for himself and to encourage his colleagues play the ball to him, and people will say that he doesn’t learn very quickly. Remember AK pointing out that he required Traore to change wings at half time so that the manager could tell him, from the sidelines, what he wanted Traore to do? That he couldn’t be trusted to be told something and left to get on with it, but that the information had to be reinforced at regular intervals throughout each 45 minutes.
I have been told that Traore is keen to learn. That he has had one-to-one sessions to “teach” him what is expected. But equally that, whereas some players instinctively “know” what to do even without thinking, he does not. (A pity that. I think I knew what to do, it’s just that I was never remotely good enough to do it!). A player might be expected to realise that if he moved five yards to the left or right, or drifted away from the team mate with the ball, a pass to him, or into the space in front of him would be easier to complete and would pierce the opponents’ defence. He would still need to do something positive with the ball – a cross into a dangerous area, a pass to a colleague in a better position to shoot for example – but there would at least be the opening that might create the opportunity for his team.
It took no football knowledge to realise that, with such extreme pace and a degree of trickiness in his feet, some idea of tactics and awareness of position of himself and team mates on the field, could transform Traore into something very special, It was clear that if he was as good on the ball as he was fast, Traore was the sort of player who would command a REALLY big fee when inevitably moving on to a Big Club. He would be too good for us. It was my view that you can’t teach raw speed. But surely the coaches could cram some idea of tactics, awareness and an ability to find space, into his brain. Isn’t that what coaches are paid to do – to coach players into improving themselves?
I am not so foolish as to think that a decent run out against Scunthorpe and an outstanding performance against bottom of the table Bolton suddenly means that Traore is the best thing since sliced bread. One outstanding performance does not a League-Smashing Season make. But it is a marker. A sign that he IS learning. A sign that he may be more than just fast, but that he can be a game-changer. A sign that there IS some end-product to be found in his work. I am not saying that he will be a world-beater, I guess, though, that there will be people in other clubs now wondering whether they have missed something, and wondering whether he would be worth a big-money bid in the future (January?).
I’d like to see Traore show signs of confidence that surely must come from the game he had at Bolton. I’d like that to be the launchpad for a stratospheric career trajectory. But of course he is unlikely to be able to do that every week, or he would hardly be at Middlesbrough (without decrying the club). In fact Traore is only 21 years old and, once again, he has played only a small number of games. So we might reasonably expect him to improve considerably from what he shows now. And if he does it on the pitch, players like Britt A, Bamford and (who knows, because I haven’t seen him play yet) Braithwaite might be licking their lips.
One swallow does not make a summer. One great game doesn’t mean promotion. But it DOES set the heart racing in expectation and when Traore gets the ball you can sense everyone will move to the edge of their seats. Other teams will be nervous, he will be double marked (leaving someone else free….) and Boro can move onto the front foot – a cricket expression there, Jarkko! If he can continue with games like that, it can only be good for Boro, either in terms of promotion or in terms of the fee that Traore will command in the transfer market. I’d like to see him perrorm like that in a Boro shirt for some time to come. I feel better about the season already.
Of course, we need to continue the momentum tomorrow at Villa, but that is the nature of The Championship – the constant slog of fixture after fixture. It is much better to be looking forward to the next game, than fearing the worst!
Great comment, Dormo.
Even I am yet to see Cricket on TV over here, I am a supporter of Ingleby Greenhow CC. I have seen them play live. Though mostly in the 1980’s.
Up the Boro!
Good appraisal Dormo.I don’t know however how the expression “best thing since sliced bread ” originated because I actually HATE sliced bread. Bread in my opinion has lost its taste. Not criticising you for using the expression, but just saying like.
The first effective bread-slicing machine was invented by Iowa-born Otto Frederick Rohwedder and put into service in 1928 by the Chillicothe (Missouri) Baking Company (the local paper ran a front page story on it). By the 1930s, pre-sliced bread was fully commercialized, and standardization was reinforced by other inventions that required uniform slices, such as toasters. The common phrase, “the best thing since sliced bread,” as a way of hyping a new product or invention may have come into use based on an advertising slogan for Wonder Bread, the first commercial manufacturer of pre-wrapped, pre-sliced bread. With such products rapidly penetrating the American home, automated bread-making was not only an invention benchmark, but also a key indicator of the mechanization of daily life from the 1930s onward
Personally I too prefer an uncut loaf and we normally buy brown whole meal bread
After living in France Holland and Spain we miss the bread that we used to buy each morning
A lot of supermarkets do have bread slicing machines so you really can have your cake and eat it.
As you can see I know more about food than I do about football
OFB
Listened to Tripe Supper – in my view the best thing the Gazette journalists do.
I would advise parental controls should be exercised over the last ten minutes.
Those of a nervous disposition or medical conditions should avoid this podcast at all costs.
I just feel that they sometimes go over the top like kids at Christmas, though I do prefer it when Tallentire isn’t on it. I get so irritated by his saying “you know” all the time; he even uses it in mid-sentence you know.
Been in the depths of Wales close to the Brecon Beacons for the last few days without a phone network or wifi so have just
heard the excellent result on Saturday and read the reports and comments on this blog.
I said a few days ago that I considered Traore one of the few top class players in the squad and so I am delighted that he showed something of what he is capable of in the match. Forever Dormo in his post above provides an excellent analysis of Traore’s assets and liabilities and concludes that with the right coaching he can become a truly great player. I agree 100% with that and let’s all hope he gets the right coaching this season and that we all get the opportunity to see the development of a massive talent.
Goodness, gracious me! We are now suspiciously near the 100. I will hoof the ball into the penalty area for some glory seeker to nod it in (or for someone else to score from the rebound).
Naw, not for me. I’ll soon be 80, so don’t want to test providence too far by scoring a century.
Nods it on more in hope than expectation..
Was it Fletcher who nipped in to score ahead of Ayala, having done no real work in the build-up?
Well done!
Arrived too late for the party,,,,:(
I’ve been a little busy to comment myself but some interesting thoughts on Dael Fry and the Boro team in general – particularly from Len and Dormo. I would only add that perhaps he’s probably under more scrutiny than most players will get because he’s been a surprise starter and people may wonder if he can sustain the level of his form. Though I’d agree every game under his belt will accelerate his development, especially playing alongside Ben, so I’d be inclined to stick with him. My only caveat is whether he’ll become mentally fatigued with playing two games per week given that he’ll face different challenges each game – though no major signs just yet and there’s just been a two-week break. Though I would expect Monk may rest him occasionally to give him a breather but the priority must be to keep him on a fast-track to being the second half of a formidable defensive pairing.
BTW Just purchased a live match pass from Aston Villa TV for tonight’s game (was able to use an English credit card also) – I got a bit worried yesterday evening as their system wasn’t working and kept giving an error. OK better get back to work!
Werder
Thanks for the info re the Villa match pass. I tried to purchase yesterday evening but received an error message which I reported to them but have not heard back from Villa. Tried earlier today and still not working so will cross fingers etc and hope it works when I try shortly! 😎
Still not working !!
What I did was to logout from the Villa site and then I logged in again using a different Browser (initially was using Firefox but then logged in using Chrome) – I also deleted the villa cookie in case it had got corrupted. Anyway it worked first time this morning when I clicked on the live TV link and clicked on buy a match pass. Hope you have better luck!
We were allocated 2700 for the Villa match, no longer available from MFC but around 300 available on the night. Good turnout for a Tuesday.
My intended visit was stymied when I had a slight technical problem with my beloved S Type. Big clunk from under the bonnet followed by smoke pouring out. Breakdown took it home and luckily we have a local expert in Derby as well as a main dealer. Phoned him up and he told me to leave it where it was and he would call on the way home from work.
It transpired the turbo had failed and there was damage to the valves – the black smoke was coming out of the oil filler!!!
As the car was 12 years old with 135,000 miles on the clock he recommended that the cost would be so great it was time to wave goodbye. He gave me a contact who bought it for spares.
Very sad, a great car, that leaves us wondering what to do. Still have the bosses car but sharing that rules out a visit to Villa.
Ian, it is Mark II for me. One day I am gone own one. My emloyer denied a switch to XE this year. Aargh!
Up the Boro!
Sorted – happy bunny!
CoB
I think the key moment with Adama was that beaming smile after he set up the second goal. He looks like a player who needs to be ‘loved’, who wants to play for the team, and who wants to do well for his teammates. Not Gaston, in other words.
You asked the question of whether he might be a little greedy Ken, but I suspect it’s just that he is limited in what he can do, and it mainly involves embarking on his trademark surges towards the byline. He is devastating when it works, and it looks like he is establishing a good partnership with Britt.
Maybe not burdening Adama with too many tactical instructions actually helps. He will be full of confidence, but expect him to get ‘special attention’ from Villa. Mind, Bolton struggled to foul him successfully, let alone stop him.
It was interesting that Shotton came straight onto the bench against Bolton, so is already ahead of Dani in the pecking order. It suggests that if the Villa forwards get the room Madine got at times, Shotton may be in the team soon. That would be a shame, Dael has not played that much regular league football and he will be learning all the time.
Having now watched the full 90, I can get even more benefit from RR’s match report – great stuff as usual.
Mark
As I posted, Madine was very clever at ‘getting’ space with helping hands. I am sure Dael will learn and improve.
On Adama, how do we know he hasn’t been given tactical advice? We are told Garry Monk is very thorough, I don’t for one second believe he sends him out with instructions not to track back or tackle and just to leave his full back and midfielder to run free at the right side of our defence.
What we are seeing is him looking up and putting in telling crosses rather than leathering the ball in to row Z.
As I have posted before, Barca sold him, Villa put him in to solitary. AK and Aggers gave him more opportunities, Monk is doing the same. The solution lies between Adama’s ears.
Let us wait and see.
Agreed, Ian. I was thinking of the times when AK insisted on Adama being on his side of the pitch so that he could continuously instruct him, but I suppose it’s also possible that Adama has simpler requirements placed on him these days.
It’s also possible that confidence has been an issue with him, that he has never felt really secure in the side. He responded in a rather restrained way to setting up the first goal, as if thinking ‘that’s not necessarily going to be enough’ but then was really delighted after the second run and goal, as if thinking ‘yes, we’ve won the game, and I’m definitely playing at Villa’.
It will be helping that Britt can get somewhere near him for speed, the second goal had a hint of offside, but the linesman would not have been in the same postcode as the two of them by that point. Maybe if jetpacks were standard issue for them…
Mark
Had a spare moment so replayed the cross, Adama actually played it at bworst square across the six yard box so as Britt was sliding in couldn’t have been offside especially as you rightly said the linesman was still near half way.
Mark
I don’t think Monk will impose any different instructions to those of AK or Aggers.
You cant operate like that in football, you cannot play ten v eleven and succeed.
People may like to think so because it is broad brush criticism of previous managers but in Adama’s case that goes back to Barca and Villa. AK knew of him from the youth system in Spain – he managed the national U16 team, and knew there was a talent in there.
Maddo talked about Adama at length last year, the coaches working on him moving rather than standing still, getting on his bike so he would be in space.
The key thing is that Adama realises his talent and the penny drops. A good sign was the fact he looked up and saw Britt running in to the box, slowed then went again and passed to Britt for the second.
Regards Robin Davison
>
Well I just found 9O minutes to write a match preview for tonight’s encounter of the pre-season favourites but I’m now into potential injury time if I don’t get back to work – so can Boro continue their winning ways away from home and pile more misery on Steve Bruce’s less than happy face…
https://diasboro.club/2017/09/12/villa-v-boro-match-preview/