| Middlesbrough | Queens Park Rangers | ||
| Baker Fletcher Assombalonga |
36′ 55′ 60′ |
Wheeler | 2′ |
| Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls |
64% 16 8 6 17 |
Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls |
36% 10 2 1 14 |
Slow starting Boro nearly shoot themselves in the foot
The answer to the question on every Boro fans lips before Kick Off was Marvin Johnstone. The lad from Oxford got his first start as Adama’s replacement in the line-up. Rangers lined up at the Kick Off with a rather unconventional lopsided approach where they heavily loaded the right hand side of the pitch in a tactic more akin to the egg shaped ball than football. Whatever the logic was it certainly caused confusion with Boro as we started the game almost comatose and paid the price almost immediately and losing our home clean sheet record in the process. Ian Holloway had barely taken his seat when he had to jump up as David Wheeler (also making his first start) slipped in behind a sleeping Fabio to poke home from close range just outside the 6 yard box from a scuffed Freeman attempt. The goal came even quicker than Adama’s sending off on Tuesday night a consequence of very poor uncharacteristic defending from the midfield right through to the CB’s and Fabio.
Frustration set in quickly as Boro laboured away passing the ball around, invariably hanging onto it for too long, conceding possession and giving QPR reason for hope on far too many occasions. Hollway set his team up to chase, close down and not let us get into any stride and so we found ourselves scrambling back chasing hooped shirts when they picked off predictable. This wasn’t going to script and the frustration in the Riverside was building as gamesmanship was pushed to the limit seemingly unnoticed by Referee Darren Bond until the crowd started to boo, whistle and jeer every time a Rangers player rolled on the turf or took an eternity with throw ins with Smithies constantly supposedly undecided what side of the box to take his goal kicks from.
It was niggly and very scrappy which of course was exactly Ian Holloway’s game plan. There were long periods of head tennis which is ideal when you are playing against a Championship side having just spent £40 million thereby keeping the ball off the ground where skills may have more of an influence. It was typical Championship grind, lots of huffing and puffing with little class on display apart from Magic Marvin who lifted Boro hopes with a few darting runs to cause some consternation for Ranger’s defence. Just ten minutes from the half time whistle it was from such a run that Marvin carved an opening in the middle of the pitch and drove at the defence with Assombalonga just in front of him receiving attention but Johnson somehow noted the run of baker on the opposite side of the box and cut a tightly angled pass perfectly into the path on Baker who slotted past Smithies despairingly diving at his feet restoring some respect and allowed us to go again after the break.
The second half kicked off with a few substitutions from both sides with Fletcher coming on for Clayton who had earned himself a yellow in the first half besides his partnership with Grant just wasn’t working for us today. We were too slow and ponderous in the middle instead of the two of them breaking up and closing down we were getting picked apart and passing ourselves back into trouble. Fletcher would obviously add some much needed pace and an outlet to ping balls up to. As a tactic it made sense but once again we started with our heads still in the changing rooms. Inexplicably Gibson and Randolph were guilty of a comedic piece of defending as Gibson was waiting for Randolph to sprint out and clear it and Randolph I think was expecting Ben to hoof it cross field. The momentary hesitation was enough to induce panic and when Randolph did eventually make contact with the ball on the edge of his 18 yard box he hit it straight off Mackie who couldn’t believe it when the ball ricocheted back in front of him with a clear goal in sight. 2-1 and once again we had gifted a really soft stupid goal worryingly from the two players on the Pitch we would normally have the most confidence in.
Having given ourselves another mountain to climb and Ranger’s reverting back to time wasting and delaying tactics at every opportunity the afternoon was not going to plan and once again the frustration levels were building just as fast as the sun was dipping behind the West Stand. The goal however seemed to galvanise Boro who then went for it and gone was the slow tempo build up that had been so evident in the first half to new levels of energy and pace which Johnson and now Fletcher offered. It was the latter of those two who latched his head onto a perfect left footed Christie cross to head home the equalizer for the second time this afternoon. 2-2 and the Riverside started to rock as belief started to grow that despite the opposition’s tactic’s class was beginning to show.
Fletcher was making a difference not just because of his goal but his chasing and running was starting to put QPR on the back foot and now started looking vulnerable. Boro had their tails up for the first time in the afternoon but Grant had managed to crock himself in a 50/50 challenge forcing Howson to come on in place of him. It was strange and perhaps fortuitous that without our best midfield pairing Howson and Baker showed a lot more intent and positivity and we started looking the more likely to get something more than just a point from the game. For me both of them had their best games to date in a Boro shirt.
On the hour mark Magic Johnson flew down the left flank cutting into the box and with the ball bobbling on the by-line managed to lob a perfect cross onto the head of Assombalonga who headed home from nigh on the same spot that Fletcher had scored not long before. The theatrics from Holloway and his charges took tantrums to a new level. At this stage Boro should have went on and scored two more in what is now becoming a trademark for this side in missing gilt edged chances. Britt was clean through but blasted high and wide when scoring or at least getting it on target would have been much easier. A ball worked across the Rangers box seen chaos ensue with Fletcher coming in at the far post only to see his effort from two yards out get deflected off a last gasp defender on the line via the upright and away to safety. Rangers were rocking and ironically now started complaining vociferously to the Referee for Boro now starting to run the clock down.
With Boro now taking the lead the Hoops did fight back trying to launch it via Robertsons long throw ins but Boro stood firm running the ball into the corners of the pitch in an effort to exhaust the six minutes of added time which had been as a consequence of Ranger’s earlier time wasting. Wszolek came close to nicking a point for the visitors but his effort crashed off the post with Boro hearts in mouths.
A less than convincing performance with only a twenty minute second half purple patch giving Boro the required points to send us hurtling up the table (made all the sweeter with Leeds losing at the Den) closing the gap to top to only three points. The end result was the one we all desperately wanted before Kick Off but we made very hard work of it. The game was a mixture of the Wolves clanger times two and the Preston performance. These stodgy unconvincing starts need to be cut out with energy levels wound up before taking the pitch. Man of the match should go to Johnson but a special mention also for Assombalonga for his selfless running along with Fletcher for adding a credible bit of spirit, Cyrus Christie again was Mr Consistent and delivered dangerous balls in for the Strikers to feed off.
Seven points from three games in a week with two of them away from home is a credible return but today was far from convincing for huge spells but the most annoying aspect was that not for the first time we put ourselves in that situation. If we can cut out shooting ourselves in the foot then we may smash this league after all.
Monk aims to jump through hoops
After two games on the road Boro entertain Queens Park Rangers who are currently positioned just one place below in the table on goal difference. Garry Monk claimed in his press conference on Thursday that the Championship is probably one of the most competitive leagues in football and any team can beat any other – though his plan is to make the Riverside a fortress, which should come in handy if we see a similar display to the one witnessed by Sheffield United’s fans back in August.
The two teams look evenly matched on paper, though the Hoops have not won on their travels this season with just one point picked up at Sheffield Wednesday. However, in their last match QPR set a season’s record best with 31 shots on goal against Millwall, though only two of them troubled the scoreboard. Boro have yet to concede a goal at the Riverside so the supporters will be expecting to see all three points banked. In fact Boro have an opportunity to close the gap on their rivals above them with three home games from the next four in the league.
| Middlesbrough | Queens Park Rangers | ||
| Garry Monk | Ian Holloway | ||
| P7 – W3 – D2 – L2 – F7 – A3 | P7 – W3 – D2 – L2 – F10 – A9 | ||
| Position Points Points per game Projected points |
9th 11 1.57 72 |
Position Points Points per game Projected points |
10th 11 1.57 72 |
| Aston Villa (A) Bolton (A) Preston (H) Forest (A) Burton (H) Sheff Utd (H) |
0:0 (0:0) D 3:0 (1:0) W 0:0 (0:0) D 1:2 (0:1) L 2:0 (1:0) W 1:0 (1:0) W |
Millwall (H) Ipswich (H) Cardiff (A) Hull (H) Norwich (A) Sheff Wed (A) |
2:2 (0:1) D 2:1 (1:0) W 1:2 (1:2) L 2:1 (0:1) W 0:2 (0:0) L 1:1 (1:0) D |
Garry Monk has some decisions to make on who to play on Saturday, Adama Traore is starting the first of his three match ban for his over-exuberant block of a clearance in the opening minutes at Villa, which left the officials and the FA appeals panel unmoved on deciding it deserved a straight red – unfortunately Golden Globe nominee Conor Hourihane was not similarly unmoved by the Boro forward as our man attempted the tricky manoeuvre at full tilt on a slippy pitch.
Only three Boro players have appeared on the pitch for the duration this season, Randolph, Gibson and Christie – though Fry seems to have cemented his place as first choice partner for Ben after Ayala missed out through injury. Fabio has been given the left-back slot ahead of Friend but hasn’t been totally convincing and it may be that both will alternate until one of them finds some consistency.
You’d expect to see Leadbitter and Clayton continue in central midfield given their last two commanding performances and Assombalonga is probably nailed on to get the main strikers role. All of which leaves the decision of who will be selected in the three supporting forward roles. Surely Bamford will get his chance after missing out on the last three games, it seems something of a mystery given his displays prior to being dropped.
Downing has started the last two games but hasn’t really looked convincing and doesn’t appear to have made any major contribution – he may be the highest paid player on the books but that’s not looking good value at the moment. It’s quite possible that Johnson will get a start as Boro need some pace on the pitch in Adama’s absence and perhaps Baker will continue in his advanced midfield role – but again it’s still a work in progress for him and others so nothing looks cast in stone.
The table below shows the stats on the squad this season, players shown in red are unavailable, with those in yellow doubtful – indeed Braithwaite is generally leaning more towards unavailable but you never know if he could be a surprise inclusion on the bench.
| Player | Mins | Starts | Sub-On | Subbed | Goals | Yellow | Red |
| GOALKEEPERS | |||||||
| Darren Randolph | 630 | 7 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Mejías | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Dimi Konstantopoulos | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| DEFENDERS | |||||||
| Cyrus Christie | 630 | 7 | – | – | – | 1 | – |
| Ben Gibson | 630 | 7 | – | – | 1 | 1 | – |
| Dael Fry | 540 | 6 | – | – | – | 1 | – |
| George Friend | 415 | 5 | – | 1 | – | 1 | – |
| Fábio | 270 | 3 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Daniel Ayala | 90 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Connor Roberts | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| Ryan Shotton | 0 | – | – | – | – | – | – |
| MIDFIELDERS | |||||||
| Adam Clayton | 617 | 7 | – | 1 | – | 4 | – |
| Jonny Howson | 459 | 5 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Lewis Baker | 305 | 3 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – |
| Adam Forshaw | 216 | 3 | 1 | 3 | – | 1 | – |
| Grant Leadbitter | 168 | 2 | 1 | 1 | – | – | – |
| FORWARDS | |||||||
| Britt Assombalonga | 611 | 7 | – | 2 | 4 | 1 | – |
| Rudy Gestede | 340 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 1 | – | – |
| Patrick Bamford | 311 | 3 | 3 | 2 | – | – | – |
| Stewart Downing | 144 | 2 | 1 | 2 | – | – | – |
| Adama Traoré | 143 | 2 | 2 | 1 | – | 1 | 1 |
| Ashley Fletcher | 104 | 1 | 5 | 1 | – | – | – |
| Martin Braithwaite | 90 | 1 | – | – | – | – | – |
| Marvin Johnson | 66 | – | 2 | – | 1 | – | – |
So will Boro be cock-a-hoop after claiming all three points to awaken our season or will we be left feeling our promotion chances are becoming nothing but a hoopless dream. As usual predictions on score, scorers and team selection – plus will the players be sporting blond hair with justice for Adama T-shirts in solidarity with the Boro’s derailed express train.
Randolph
Christie, Fry, Gibson & Friend
Leadbitter & Clayton
Fletcher, Bamford & Johnson
Assombalonga
Subs: Dimi, Fabio, Ayala, Shotton, Howson, Baker & Forshaw
Hope we can take all three points but given our similar records and exertions at Villa I just wonder if this has taken too much out of some of the players.
That being said I have included Bamford, Fletcher and Johnson who should all be fresh with the latter two having only played cameo roles on Tuesday. They should also provide pace and have the ability to score.
1-0 to the Boro (Bamford)
Crowd: 31,727
Have paid my £5 to QPR so I can watch my team play at home!
CoB
Glad you mentioned that you’d got a match pass from the QPR site as I had looked a few days ago and couldn’t see anything so had assumed they weren’t doing live streams and was going to make plans that didn’t involve the game. Just checked and here it is in plain sight – I thought I’d looked everywhere on their site but having looked closely it is on something called QPR+ – nice one KP that’s a pleasant bonus!
BTW I think that XI is not a bad shout either.
You are quite right about Downing. Hopefully the club will get rid of him in January.
Werder
It also took me a while to locate it a few weeks ago.
I tend to make investigations well in advance of the match as all the websites tend to be different and especially when they are not part of the EFL iFOLLOW standard package.
I believe that you like me have also had problems with some sites and being able to get to or purchase a match pass (Aston Villa) so it is worth making investigations well in advance.
I think it is useful if we mention such things as watching the match via a streamed facility as it is easy to miss or overlook items on busy websites and it may help other Diasboro colleagues.
Fulham are not part of the EFL package so it is another site where it will be necessary to register as a supporter on their site so as to be able to have access to their stream of the Boro game.
It’s very useful that you’ve taken the lead on providing info on the various match streams – it’s a bit annoying that MFC are still not providing a service as we’ll end up paying a lot more by purchasing single match passes – incidentally, do you know if any other Championship club other than Boro are offering no streaming service at all?
Werder
From my research so far on the various club websites, it seems to indicate that it is only the three PL demoted clubs (MFC, Hull and Sunderland) who have opted out of the streaming facility.
The majority of Championship clubs have gone with the EFL offering which includes the website maintenance etc.
There are a few, Villa, Wolves, QPR and Fulham who have their own TV/streaming facility.
I agree that MFC’s stance is going to cost us considerably more over the season. I was looking at the Fulham site yesterday and a match pass with them is £10!
Typical Boro! 😎
I have my train tickets tucked away – the benefits of a railcard! I looked at getting my seat in advance until I realised they wanted £2.50 for booking it! Unless there are 33000 there I will be ok to get it tomorrow.
I will settle for KP’s team.
The QPR game is our eighth match, so I think by now we should start to see the team working really well together and putting in more convincing performances – i.e. not a repeat of Preston. I would like significant periods where we:
• impose a threatening pattern of play
• retain possession in the opposing half, and apply pressure
• see openings crafted by clever interplay
To be clear, it’s GM’s job and livelihood and future career at stake in organising the team and he is perfectly entitled to do things his own way. If he feels we have a very strong defensive unit, so we can rely on them to absorb pressure if necessary and then we launch lightning-quick raids into the opponent’s half where our pace and power will force the chances and goals, that’s up to him and if that’s the plan and it works I certainly won’t complain.
But I have a feeling we will need the option of both approaches.
The next four games include a tricky trip to Fulham – a draw would be OK – and three winnable home games with Norwich and Brentford following QPR. We really should bank 10 points which would establish a good, consistent six-match run of results including the last two. (8 points should be the minimum for the next four I think).
I agree that 8 points should be the minimum requirement over the next four games with hopefully more. I’ve included in the pre-match stats a ‘points per game’ average, along with the projected points after 46 games based on that figure – it’s currently running at around 75% of what we need, well under the 2 points per game required for automatic promotion. The next four games take us up to the first quarter of the season so we need to make them count.
If we only manage 6 points in these next four games that points-per-game total will stay more or less the same and that is heading for a finish just outside the playoffs without a decent run. Incidentally, the next four games in October after the international break include 3 away games, with trips to Reading, Hull and Barnsley, with the home game against Cardiff. I wouldn’t want Boro looking at those fixtures needing to close the gap on the top six so we need to make sure that we take advantage of the games in September.
Three points, yer jokin aren.. sorry, having a bit of flashback, I can’t imagine why.
With one change enforced which allows GM to bring in Bamford, I’d be tempted to leave the rest of the team alone.
Having bought a ticket to my first game of the season against Fulham away, I’m less than pleased Traore won’t be available.
I’m using ‘should’ in the sense of ‘if things are now on track’, Chris. I’m not sure they are, but I think the potential is there…
Crossed wires here methinks, Mark.
My three points comment was a reference to Phil Stamp’s sample on our FA cup final song, and intended as a reference to the ininquities of the Villa red card appeals.
Rescind both or neither would have been my choice.
Boro should certainly take three points off QPR, and yes two of the other three games are ours to lose.
So obviously it’s the Fulham game I’m going to..
Great Post the standard of these are really quite remarkable
I come back to my regular stance when the likes of AV and co say the point could prove useful at the end of the season. Three points tomorrow are essential.
If we draw we are pottering along safely in mid table just outside the top six. A few more games and you are relying on a really good run to get in to the top six plus people slipping up.
My presence may be an issue. I apologise in advance.
Ian
Don’t worry I’m going as well and they have been ok whilst I’ve been a spectator so we should even each other up
I expect Bamford to start and possibly George to return to the team
Magic Johnson will also probably be in the team from the start and we still have pace up front
I expect Baker to play the 10 role and Downing drop to the bench
Looking forward to it seems a long time since I’ve seen them
OFB
I am putting up ‘hande hoch’ over the German female singers, Spartak.
Fellow Diasborans will be impressed to learn that long ago I did achieve a German ‘O’ Level, Grade 9, although sadly this was the lowest of three fail grades at the time. I sat at the back with a mate and tried to copy his work, but unfortunately he was often doing his homework for other subjects. It’s always eaten away at me that his selfishness probably cost me a Grade 8.
This wasn’t the worst, my Science teacher took me to one side and said “Wheeler, everyone has a blind spot in life. Yours is Chemistry”. He wasn’t wrong. Again, I sat at the back, but with a different mate for variety.
A little while ago we three back-rowers met up. In Monaco? New York? Biarritz?
No. In Scaling. That’s where your blind spots get you.
It was interesting to read what Garry Monk said yesterday about the failed appeal against Adama’s red card and three-match ban. He had declared that he hoped ‘justice would be done’ as it was an attempted block rather than a reckless challenge on Irish midfielder Connor Hourihane. The Boro boss said the following:
“Hugely disappointed. It was the wrong decision. I am not just judging it afterwards, I knew that at the time. I was disappointed for Adama then and I am now and we have to suffer being without a player for three games and it is a bitter pill to swallow. It is for us to get on with it and move on.”
“We obviously have the luxury of replays and referees have to make split [second] decisions, but at the time I was ten yards away and instantly I thought it wasn’t a red card.
“The way the player reacted, the speed of Adama, the conditions, and my first feeling was that it wasn’t a tackle, it was a block, so the player was never in danger. There was actually minimal contact and when I saw the replays that confirmed that.
“Knowing the referee and the linesman didn’t have the best angle, I felt they got caught up in the situation. I did think at the time it wasn’t a red card. It happened and we dealt with it, now we have to move on without him for three matches.”
Incidentally, it appears that the Carabao Cup game is included in the three games that Adama will miss – so that’s at least some consolation. So he’ll only actually be out for a week.
BTW I just caught Len’s philosophical post about ‘category error’ on the previous blog with regard to the discussion of whether it should have been a red card. Interesting stuff and thanks for your comment – anyway, it seems my view was in tune with Garry Monk at least, even if it was the minority one.
I agreed with you and Garry Werder!!
You weren’t completely alone!
Werder
Thinking more about the cost of watching matches by the streaming facility, it will still only equate to about half the price of an MFC season ticket for home games where as the stream provides home and away viewing.
It is, therefore, in my view good value for the money (dependant of course on the fare produced by the competitors) and certainly a lot cheaper than Mrs P’s monthly visits to the hairdresser/beautician! 😎
No I agree it’s a great addition to coverage of the Championship – without it we would have barely got to see much action at all as football doesn’t exist outside the PL for much of the media, even though the majority of fans of clubs not in the top tier still want to follow their team. But Boro’s decision not to offer a service as yet still means we don’t get the season pass discount that most other supporters enjoy.
Incidentally, from your previous post I can’t believe Fulham are charging ten quid for a match pass – are we paying for the view of the rich suburbs or do they think their fans have deep pockets? Hopefully Mrs P won’t retaliate with an extra visit to the hairdresser!
I keep the credit card statements close to my chest! 😎😉
Randolph
Christie Fry Gibson Fabio
Clayton Leadbitter
Bamford Baker Johnson
Assombalonga
Boro 2-0 QPR
My prediction is Boro 3 – 1 QPR although it would be wonderful to see a clean sheet again as a habit is formed.
The crowd should just creep over 30,000.
Come on Boro.
UTB,
John
Mrs Dormo is coming to the match today against QPR, in place of the lad who normally sits next to me. I hope that all will go well but, if not, we all know who will be to blame…..
On the other hand, if we have a good win and play well, there will have to be detailed negotiations about who should use my mate’s season ticket in future. For the good of the club, you will appreciate.
Now in Wroclaw but on an organised tour starting soon, but should be back in my hotel about 18.00 local time to get the results before dinner. Still sticking to my 1-0 win forecast (might actually get one right today). Assombalonga to score about 70 minute mark, crowd 27,772 nice and palandromic.
Team news: So Bamford misses out again with Johnson the only change who comes in to replace suspended Adama – Downing retains his place, probably to play on the right and Baker continues in his advanced midfield role.
Urgent help needed. I have paid the £5 for the match at QPR site this morning.
But where is the link to see the live stream at their web page??? The match is on, I have logged in but cannot find the stream for the match!
UTB!
Jarkko
You need to go to the Machday centre and the link is there.
Hopefully you found it Jarkko thanks to KP but just in case here is the link to the page with the stream.
https://www.qpr.co.uk/fixtures/first-team/2017/middlesbrough-v-qpr/
1-1 but far from convincing. Far to pedestrian. Rangers adopting similar tactics to Preston and we cannot break them down. Midfield is misfiring and both booked. I believe that means Clayton is banned. Needs a re-think at half time with regard to tactics/personnel.
CoB 😠
Yes the first half was disappointing – I thought Fabio has got the wrong side of Wheeler a few times, including the goal. The midfield does look under pressure and don’t have much time on the ball and have tried too many tippy-tappy passes and have been caught a few times. Downing has looked below average and has dropped deep instead of offering width with his passes being wayward – I was surprised to see him start ahead of Bamford and will be further surprised if he continues on the pitch for much longer. Johnson easily Boro’s best player in the first half but Baker has had a couple of decent shots, including the goal. Also Assombalonga is dropping deep again, which is leaving mainly Baker as the sole threat in their box. But Boro finished the last 15 minutes looking a bit better and more in control – hopefully we can kick on!
Just when you thought…..and then we shoot ourselves in the foot again!
It is all disjointed again, like Preston was and there is no flowing football/movement.
I don’t see us getting a point – and then we equalise so what do I know!
CoB 😎
All the negative comments, pleased I no longer live in boro, seems u lot just love a good moan. My boro have not for a long time gone 0-1 down , now 3-2 come on boro. What a massive difference our team is, look at last week, 10 men after 4 mins??
UTB!!
And then we take the lead
Now that is quality, serious doing it the hard way. Did I hear QPR hit the post when we were 3 – 2 up? Typical Boro, Medication for the fans after the game.
UTB,
John
PS I look forward to Redcar Red’s write up.
UTB,
John
Hope you managed to find the stream Jarkko albeit it was not easy watching.
Good result and three points but still struggling to beat teams who are unlikely to finish higher than mid table.
Some good results for us today and the table starts to bunch even further. We are now only three points off top and where might we have been but for the clanger at Wolves and missed opportunities at Forest!
Having thought we had found the right combination in Leadbitter and Clayton they both struggled today. Looks like Howson will get a game on Tuesday possibly with Forshaw.
What has Bamford done wrong? Expect to see him and possibly Braithwaite having a run at Villa.
CoB.
I was able to see the match from about 15 min played. Thanks for help – it was just very slow going to the right place.
Wondeful result. Though Fletcher should have made it 4-2 with an empty net and 3 yards away.
Or Assombalonga should have had scored two. We have to lethal. I think QPR was tireing in the second half.
A well earned win, me thinks.
Up the Boro!
Still in Turkey at the moment, so not seen any of the match ….good result and patiently waiting for RR report on the game
Like Werders definition of Downing……can’t understand how he still gets a game …..
Braveheart just what is your “beef” with Downing. Do you go to the games or just put your blinkered posts (in my view) onto the coat tails of other posters. You sound like a few of those at the Riverside, and away from home as well, who see Downing as a local lad who has made a good living from the game and are for whatever reason jealous.
The fact he is getting paid what the club offered him is not his fault, I really like my job as an aircraft technician, but if someone offered to double my wages I would be off.
Yes he hasn’t lived up to everyone’s expectations but give him a break. He can be/is a player who can pick that defence splitting pass, as he did today and previously, and the stick he gets is wholly unjustified in my humble opinion.
We all have, and are absolutely entitled to, our opinion, but please have that opinion on what you see with you own eyes and not a second hand view agreeing with someone else as it fits your personal agenda.
And Werdermouth, as I’m sure you will agree, what you see on the small screen doesn’t give you the full picture of what actually happens in a game. Although from my lofty perch at the back of the North Stand I could be wrong about all of your, and others view of a game.
No criticism of Fry and Gibson for the QPR goals but then maybe they are more “One of our own” than Downing who had the temerity to move on to better his career.
Long time lurker but first time poster who has gotten fed up of, in my opinion, and that is all it is, the castigating of an individual who has certainly not deserved the amount of criticism he has received from posters who haven’t even seen the game.
I thought Downing didn’t have a a very good first half and his passing was erratic and he dropped too deep to look for the ball – also against Villa he didn’t really get into the game either and was subbed at HT. He did look better in he second half today but my personal preference would have been for Bamford to play instead of him as I think he’d shown up until before he was dropped that he could be the kind of player Gaston used to be – it’s a bit puzzling. Downing actually played really well in the Carabao Cup when he came on but hasn’t delivered anything like that form in the league games. I thought Gibson was at fault for their second goal, he should have dealt with it himself. I’d agree you don’t get to see the bigger picture watching online, such as movement and runs that are made but you get a reasonable accurate view of the game.
Great to put the other side of observing what Downing brings to the team
I think the club sold Downing to earn some cash at the time. I don’t remember Downing to be very antive there.
Excellent comment, FAA. Keep them coming.
Up the Boro!
Welcome aboard……
Albert scores twice for Villa!!
I see Redknapp didn’t last long at Birmingham lol
Come on BORO.
Did they sack his dog as well? The one responsible for some transfer business. Maybe it was the dog who wanted Downing ….
Up the Boro!
Gifted QPR two goals but still came from behind twice and the went on to win the game, this team has got heart.
Come on BORO.
Exmil – I agree with your “heart” statement. And twice in a matter of days as well.
Werder – Johnson and Baker aside for the well worked and well taken goal, no one had a good first half!
I agree that PB should have started but not in a wide role. Prior to today I think Baker hasn’t shown a great deal but today showed he could be the man to fill that number 10 role. And that is where I would have started PB. It’s all about taking your opportunity when it comes along and today Baker did that.
Didn’t see the Villa game but it did “sound” on BBC Tees that Downing wasn’t contributing much in an attacking role, then again from the 4th minute for at least an hour neither was anyone else for that matter. Again didn’t see it but that is what it “sounded” like, and I’ll be the first to say that defending isn’t Downings forte but then again it never has been.
As I said to the lads(!) I go with, 5 goals in the game and we created all 5. On another day it would (should) have been a comfortable win with no real issues. But that just isn’t the Boro way.
What I do feel is that there is definite progress being made and that the team or squad are certainly starting to gel. If only we could get over the slow start we seem to begin most games with.
Not unhappy to see Redknapp get the tin tack at Birmingham. I’m sure Rosie will have a few quid in her account to keep them tied over until another gullible chairman falls for his wide boy patter.
Redcar Red has filed his match report on today’s hard fought victory and you can now read it by scrolling to the top of this page or click on the following link…
https://diasboro.club/2017/09/15/boro-v-qpr-championship/#MatchReport
Note: I’ve decided to slightly changed the format on Diasboro so that we now have a Match Page where Redcar Red’s match report will now appear above the Match Preview. This makes it slightly easier to manage and it also means that comments that people make during and immediately after the game will not be spread over two posts.
Liking this posting lark, very cathartic. Should have done it ages ago😀
Nice to hear from you we all like the posts on here it’s one big Boro football community
Good old Boro, if there is a hard way we’ll do it. With knobs on. But we won and conceded two but three points is three points.
Do Boro create their own confusion and chaos? Just thinking like.
UTB,
John
Great report as ever RR.
Yet again another slow start to the match by Boro. Today we got away with it but there will be times when we don’t. Why is this problem so persistent with this Club? Does anyone have any views on the root cause of the malaise?
For what it’s worth, my view is that I suspect it is because the manager and coaches, while encouraging the team to begin in a positive manner, also caution against going too hung-ho in the first twenty minutes or so to avoid the risk of conceding an early goal. The team then over-emphasises the cautious aspect of the directions and gives less weight to the requirement to be positive.
Whatever the reason, something needs to be done to address the problem. The team has the talent to dominate other teams in this division, particularly at home, and teams that are under the cosh are unable to pose a serious threat to our goal.
Maybe it’s time for a bit of psychological ra-ra in the dressing room just before the players take the field.
RR
Great report and a couple points I would add
In the first half a QPR defender clearly pushed the ball forward away from BA when we were attacking in the box
All in the west stand could see it except for the assistant referee who never in my opinion gave anything right all afternoon
When QPR were taking this long throws near the west stand into the Boro penalty area each one showed the QPR player had his left foot over the line and onto the pitch as he threw the ball. Clearly a foul throw but the assistant referee ignored it.
The referee was fussy about the free kicks taking an age to set them up but QPR simply ignored where they should have been taken from and moved the ball 5 yards forward at every opportunity
Suprised at Holloway and the most dishonest and unsporting team I have seen at the Riverside for some time.
The time wasting you have mentioned amd even the Boro got sick of the histrionics and when a QPR player was poleaxed in the middle of the park Boro just played round him for some minutes and wouldn’t kick the ball out for the trainer to come on. Even the ref at this point was sick of QPR tactics and didn’t stop the play until huffily QPR kicked the ball out
Retribution is so sweet when we win especially when for the third goal the ball clearly crossed the line and went out before being centred for our winner
I spoke to Fletcher after the game and congratulated him for his performance and that in my opinion it was his best to date in a Boro shirt.
He appreciated the comments and he seems a nice lad a lot taller than I expected close up but he was with his father and brother and they are huge !!
I expect Fletcher to fill out as he is still only young and an exciting prospect
Boro showed an interview on line with Johnson after the game and he seems an intelligent footballer with a great career ahead of him
It feels good to have won but Ben Fabio and Dael need to work at the defence and I did not expect to be writing that !
OFB
Oh and to cap it all after a satisfying victory I guessed the time of the golden goal and won a bottle of fizz!!
The only problem was when I predicted it I thought it would be a Boro goal.
Anyway I’ll drink to that !
On the train up chatting to QPR fans and their view was their three in midfield are quite good but they are leaky at the back.
Sat watching the match unfold I received a text saying we were supposed to be getting off to a flier but QPR had read the script.
The truth is worse, QPR were strolling but we were comatose. That continued for some time. About the first time we were progressive we scored.
My view on the first half was that we were not getting people around Britt, he was isolated.
We brought on Fletcher for the second 40 minutes, sadly there are 45 minutes to a half. From my perch in west stand upper in line with the penalty spot the second was a real kick in the crown jewels.
Some will blame Randolph but it takes two to tango. Gibson had the ball in front of him and should have passed to me in seat 95 row 32.
Some thoughts
Downing was not as bad as some may think, he laid on three chances I can remember.
I don’t think Baker is a number 10 yet, second half he looked a good progressive midfield player alongside Leadbetter then Howson. Good touches, getting in to the box.
Britt looked better second half with Fletcher keeping him company. I would like to see Bamford in the no 10 role – the striker dropping deep.
Johnson looks to be a bargain.
Howson and Baker looked progressive, was that because they were or were playing with someone close to Britt improved options? The same applies to everyone.
Fletcher was a mixed bag, a cross between Bambi and Britt. Another shrewd buy.
As the first half closed , we were on top and spent the 5 or 6 minutes of time added on passing along the back four. QPR had settled for half time and were going nowhere yet we didn’t press them.
Fabio had his usual game full of whole hearted endeavour but it all seems frantic. Fry and Gibson were not as assured as expected. Christie looks a good aquisition.
Come Tuesday, a chance to give a run out to the likes of Bamford, Forshaw and Friend, Clayton will get his rest, Grant picked up a knock.
If I have missed anything apologies, Redcar Red is reporter of choice.
One final thought, looking out of the concourse towards the ever developing Middlehaven it seemed ironic that you could see the Gazette offices so close when there is the Gazette two stand off.
The beauty of this game was to see Boro win when they played quite badly for long periods.
We saw four acquisitions, Baker, Johnson, Howson and Fletcher, have Their best games for the club and two others, Christie and Assombalonga, continue playing at a really high level. Randolph managed a Keystone Cops moment for their second goal, but Ben G was just as culpable, and Randolph did nothing else wrong and has been excellent so far.
We saw our manager make really intelligent substitutions. Bringing on Fletcher and pushing two up front fundamentally changed the pattern of the game. When were we last able to say that.
All in all, I’m really encouraged by the positives and prepared to overlook two poor goals given away. Monk is improving the players each week and we have an Under twenty three team that has won every game and scores goals for fun.
Even the most miserable of Boro supporters must be looking forward to the rest of this season. Am I looking at anyone?
Any suggestions for the team against Villa. I’d guess Bamford, Ayala, Shotton and Friend are locked in but the rest could be anybody.
UTB
I would think that a couple of the Young lads would be selected to step up to the mark like Lewis Wing,Marcus Tavernier amd of Martin Braithwaite is fit might get a bit of a run out
Don’t know what’s happening to Guediora he seems to have disappeared !
Dimi in goal and Forshaw to step up his match fitness
Maybe Guediora is helping Agnew in the garden.
BTW, do we plan to hire an Assistant Manager or will we go with people we have?
I think Agnew is waiting for a chance as a manager. Birmingham, anyone?
Up the Boro!
Don’t think it will be a championship club
OFB
As I posted, I was in the west stand upper, basically in line with penalty spot and it was a hand ball. The ref of course would see two players running away from him but his assistant should have seen it.
The collective thought was that we were looking down on the two arms stretched out and could see the QPR player handle it. Was it possible the official had a different view at ground level? He may have seen two arms and couldn’t see it was a handball or whose arm it was
I would like to see the highlights.
Just being reasonable like.
My online newspaper says a penalty wasn’t given for handball so shouldn’t we just move on…
Its nice to have a Whinge now and again though !
Ian
Totally agree with your comment
I still think the assistant bottled it he was very poor
The illegal throw ins incensed me basic stuff for a lino
No mention on highlights or match reports cameras and journos on the other side
Is that the dark side that the Boro think they come from ?
It hit the hand but I think the ref was correct. No hand ball with the current rules. As Werder said, Let’s move on.
But Fletcher and Britt should have scored twice. On another day we should have won by 4-1 me thinks. Up the Boro!
According to my sources, Jarkko, Tomas Mejias is in charge of the border perennial planting scheme, while Guedioura tackles trees, shrubs and bird feeders.
Apparently there is a particularly disruptive local flock of crows, so Guedioura’s been issued with a football and uses his unique shooting skills to scatter the formation as they approach.
Jota didn’t make the bench for Birmingham yesterday. Don’t know if he is injured or not. But he must be devasteted to lose the manager he signed for.
I think we got a better player in ‘magic’ Johnson even this caused some arguments among the Boro fans at the time. Well done Boro.
Up the Boro!
Jota is out with an injury.
GM may be realising what he has taken on with Boro. After digging ourselves into a hole after just three minutes at Villa, we took only two minutes to allow a QPR player the simple task of rolling the ball into the net without the inconvenience of having to resist a challenge from a defender, and we then repeated the same party piece to open the second half. Never, ever do things the easy way…
RR has already laid out in detail how our team pattern is still a work in progress, but how things picked up in the second half. Some of the attacking play we offered was devastating. Marvin Johnson showed that he can run with purpose and pace, and create big chances – basically matching what Adama did at Bolton, with two excellent assists.
Yesterday I suggested that GM sees lightning-fast attacks bringing goals through overwhelming pace and power, and with Britt, Marvin and Ashley Fletcher on the pitch that formula was too much for QPR. With Marvin firing on the left, and Adama to return steaming forward on the right, opposing defences would have nowhere to look for relief from that tactic.
The goal for Lewis Baker and assist for Cyrus completed good confidence-boosts for two of our other attacking threats. For me, Cyrus’s ability going forward and crossing (again highlighted by RR) does allow the option of starting PB wide right from where he can drift inside, and his class and finishing will probably be needed in the mix going forward, but GM’s attacking playbook worked yesterday.
Just caught up with the goals on Channel 5 on-demand. You don’t get a good impression of the match overall from that, so thanks again to RR for being all our eyes and translating it into words so well.
Two sloppy goals conceded, but we scored three. How many times over the last several seasons could we say something like that. Even though the concensus is that we were not at our best for long periods, we were able to make three goals and still might have scored more.
Feeling very positive. Three points off top and it’s still two weeks till October.
Excellent and balanced report as ever RR thank you.
Your views on the overall performance very much mirror my own.
Whilst I am at times frustrated by what I am seeing, I do recognise the positives. The fact that we were able to come back from being behind is something not often seen in a Boro team and there is clearly progress being made it’s just a case of cutting out the slow starts and shooting ourselves in the foot.
Next up Villa again and a chance to show them what we can do with eleven men and then onto Fulham.
CoB 😎
Good report again RR, that was pretty much the way I saw it, and for what it’s worth here’s my 1 2 3 stars from the game:
⭐️⭐️⭐️ Johnson
⭐️⭐️ Assombalonga
⭐️ Christie
On the subject of time wasting and gamesmanship, or cheating as it used to be called, I haven’t seen such blatant of the above since Fat Sams Bolton in the premiership.
And while I’m on my virtual soapbox, since when was having a foot or both feet in the field of play when taking a throw in not a foul throw? Virtually every one of QPRs throw ins were foul throws and not a single one was punished. Not being able to see a bright neon coloured boot on the field of play is just not good enough, especially when the offending team uses a long bomb of a throw in as one of their main methods of attack.
It’s not like we’ve not had our share of foul throws given against us (and rightly so) last season. If the officials can’t get this very basic part of the game right what hope for the more complex scenarios they have to decide on.
And Ian it looked like a handball by Baptise(?) from where I and my 7 mates were watching.
FAA
Whilst I agree that QPR had a lot to answer for with regard to time wasting I have to say that we were no angels at Villa on Tuesday night.
Unfortunately it appears the way of the world and we do play our own part in it I am sad to say. 😎
Agree with all of that
Thanks to RR for the match report, and to Werdermouth for setting it up with his match preview.
My mate, whose seat was yesterday occupied by Mrs Dormo, sent me a WhatsApp message after the game. It suggested that while he was away, he had not been able to watch the game (obviously) but also that he had not been able to listen to it on BBCTees. He said to me:
“A goal fest! Glad you witnessed a good game and we prevailed. Three points off the top after Leeds’ defeat.”
I suppose if you have only just seen the result, you might think it was a good game. So I replied:
“It was NOT a good game. Comedy defending by Boro (!!) gifting them two goals and many poor passes (missed or behind the intended target), interspersed with some good football and regularly opening up QPR’s defence. It was laughably bad in part and good in parts. The mix up between Gibson and our keeper for their 2nd goal was beyond a joke. Yet we created many chances and if a couple more had been taken we would have been comfortable at the end rather than biting our nails, for example when QPR hit the post near the end (which would have lost us 2 points). Johnson was given MoM by BBCTees and most of us thought that was fair. He runs at players and makes things happen. He will be better for us on the left wing than Downing. He can play a major role in our season. Fletcher also seemed good though how he hit the post from 2 yards will confound physicists for years to come. Christie was good, especially going forward. Britt A scored again. Clayton achieved his 5th yellow card already so must serve a ban and, of course, Traore lost his appeal against his red card so is on a 3 match ban. Leads looked injured when he went off so it might be “all change” in defensive midfield for the Villa cup game next week. Still, we have a squad and there will be changes midweek.”
In light of which my mate suggested it sounded like a scrappy win. I told him there had been lots of time wasting by QPR from early in the first half after they went into the lead on 2 minutes. But they didn’t like it when they got the same back when WE were ahead in the 2nd. I pointed out that we were behind twice yet came back to win. How many times did that happen under AK?
Good spirited fightback. Poor, slow starts to BOTH halves of the game. I agree we should be faster out of the blocks rather than conceding the initiative to our opponents in the early stages. But we can carve teams open in this league. I was impressed with Johnston, and I suspect the goals will be shared amongst the forwards this season.
From just outside the penalty area in the West Stand Upper, it seemed clear to me and those near me, that the ball had gone over the line BEFORE it was put into the middle for our 3rd goal but I have decided to accept the decision as many others will, no doubt, go against us in the months ahead.
It was a nervy experience, watching that match. But the important thing is that we came back from behind and secured three points. Put right the things which went wrong yesterday and I think we can look forward with optimism. My glass is half full.
Dormo, nice that she liked the match – not sure if she ever saw five goals in a match during AK’s reigning.
Boro have lost just one of their past eight games in all competitions. So I am tempted to agree the glass is half full.
Up the Boro!
Not seen highlights of the match yet, but although I predicted a 1-0 win, if I were watching the match would rather have won 3-2. People are saying we weren’t at our best, but what exactly is our best? At last Boro are scoring goals and showing they have the grit to come from behind. I remember many years ago our being 0-3 down home to Leicester but winning 4-3. That’s what football’s all about, excitement, getting adrenaline flowing, better than boring 1-0 wins. Am I the only one that likes to love the nervousness, the unpredictable, win, lose or draw, take one match at a time as long as the final League table shows what we all hope for, promotion?
It’s often said that the whole season isn’t a sprint, but a marathon,. In my opinion too many fans are wetting themselves in case we aren’t soon in a play-off position. Does it really matter though as long as the football keeps one on the edge of one’s seat, is exciting, and the end product is promotion? Or is that being too simplistic?
One surprise to me was the forecast of 30,000 plus gates. I forecast 27,772 and that was about 3,000 too many.
As an aside I was pleased to see that Hartlepool won again; have always had a soft spot for them and am hoping by the season’s end they will also get promoted.
Wonderful to see a 3 – 2 win with Boro coming from behind twice, now that is a surprise albeit a very pleasant one.
We have the pace and power but I do not understand why Bamford’s guile and subtlety isn’t being used as a foil and unsettling influence on the opposition. He has a footballing Brin and I can only think that GM will use him at some strategic point and he must be gasping to get on the pitch and show what he can do. Anyway I do find the non-use of his abilities strange.
Full marks to ‘Magic’, he’s grabbed his chance with both hands and shown what he can do for Boro.
A great report as always RR, well done, your report is my ‘Sports Gazette’ read now and wedding the report to the pre-game article is a great idea too Werder. Perhaps we should have a list of the blog predictions from before the game?
UTB,
John
Thats a good idea Jarsue, but it would be putting n extra burden on Werdermouth to compile them into a list. We all ramble o when putting k our predictions
Powmill,
A good point easy to suggest when you won’t be doing it!
UTB,
John
Any of us do that, collect the votes and post them here as a comment. Let Werder relax a bit. UTB,
FAA
It was nailed on from I was sat as well. Chatting to people around me the only thing we could up with from where we were was maybe it was the angle the linesman viewed it from. Without seeing extended highlights you cant tell but if my memory served me right Britt and Baptiste had their arms out.
Looking down we could see it struck Baptistes arm. Maybe at ground level the lino couldn’t see or was uncertain, maybe he didn’t see it hitting an arm.. The players were probably blocking the ref’s view.
I am not saying it wasn’t a penalty, more musing on why it wasn’t given.
As Werder reminded me, it doesn’t say it was a pen in the paper so we move on.
FAA , thanks for your comment. First of all , may I say that I am not jealous of Downing or any other football player . I have supported Boro since 1966 when I moved down here from the Scottish Borders . I held a season ticket from Bruce Rioch days to Bryan Robsons demise. Due to personal reasons I am unable to get to games but that does not stop me being very passionate about the club. I don’t write long comments on this wonderful site , I leave that to the experts. But I will make a comment as I see fit and hope that is ok Werder and others .As for Downing , I have my reasons but that will stay with me. For what it may be worth if I was at a game and Downing was playing I would not boo him. I don’t believe at all in that and have never ever booed any Boro player. I hope that clarify s the situation a little bit. Thanks
Great Post everyone has a voice on here amd it’s nice to get the differing views .
That’s why it’s a good blog it’s not sycophantic or gushing in praise for the Boro
Neither is it a hate filled foul mouthed diatribe that you can see on other posts away from Diasboro
We may have a Championship team but we have a Premier Blog
Oh and it’s free !!!!!
Braveheart you ,I or anyone else are entitled to their opinion and their reason for having those opinions. No offence meant just wondered is all. Having served 33 years in the Royal Navy, leaving in 2013, and a season ticket holder since 1998, with sizeable chunks of my time not even in the same hemisphere as Middlesbrough, I appreciate that not being at the ground makes you no less passionate than those that are.
Apologies for causing offence non intended, probably just my brusque ex matelot manner coming through.
I wonder does anyone have any thoughts on when was the last time Boro scored three goals in the same match on the level of the ones put in yesterday, which included all or most of:
• dynamic running to work positions
• precise killer balls into the box
• dynamic running into lethal positions to receive the ball
• chances dispatched clinically
?
Bolton was almost there, except that for the third Marvin’s shot was pretty speculative, and one the keeper should really have saved. Yesterday, the keeper wasn’t saving any of them.
Mark
And we wasted several.
The move between Downing to Britt to Downing only needed Fletcher to knock the lay off in to the net but for a good block by the defender.
At first, I thought Downing had fluffed the chance until I saw the highlights where he rolled it to Fletcher in a better position.
Just catching up. Great report as ever RR.
My thoughts: from West stand that was a blatant hand ball which lino should have seen, Gibbo at fault for second goal and what has PB done wrong?
Agree with all of that and they got what they deserved
QPR one of the most cheating sides I’ve ever seen and typical of their mealy mouthed manager
I thought Boro were crap, me like! I mean we shudda scored 6 – am I wrong?
What’s these muppets gettin paid every week? Enuf t buy a house in Grangetown (& they aint cheap yer know!)
I thought Downing was rubbish. Does he need a new zimmerframe, like.
Better be better next week or I’m turning me telly off- had enough I hav.
😉
*An wots this I read bout Gilly chatted up QPR supporters on the train. I thought he was a married man an all. Just goes to show you never can tell.
🙂
Spartak
They were lonely, the three I spoke to represented nearly 1% of the visiting crowd. When I looked over pre match there seemed to have been more on the team bus.
I remember the season Leicester were relegated, as my lad and I drove up we pulled in to the small service station after Osmotherley where the police used to wait to escort the convoy of away coaches. There was only one coach when we lleft but there was a full contingent of police cars, vans, motor bikes. We got to Boro and walked to the Riverside as the away fans duly arrived. The same coach pulled up in solitary isolation and disgorged its load of fans who were outnumbered by our boys in blue.
It is not as if they came from Sarff London and it was in the premiership. It was the most pitiful turnout from a top flight team I have seen.
Boro have lost just one of their past eight games in all competitions. I have a gut feeling the run can be a long one at least in the league. The target must be two points per game – we need a few extra wins to get there.
I think we will start to smash the league after about the Xmas time. Of course that is not typical Boro if we do that…
Up the Boro!
As it is a League Cup match next on Tuesday, I suppose the match in not available in the iFollow at avfc.co.uk.
Can anyone confirm if the match stream is available for us abroad? Up the Boro!
Jarkko
Try here: https://www.sofascore.com/aston-villa-middlesbrough/LsP.
I think this may also link to the bet365 website.
Hope this is of help. CoB 😎
Thanks, KP.
Of course the betting site have a lower quality than iFollow but they are decent backup option.
I will try which one has best quality. UTB!
RR
An alliteration in response to your excellent post
MAGIC MAKES MEALY MOUTHED MANAGER MAD
Gilly
Tha’s nowt but a softy. I’d av put me nose in the air and walked rite past em.
Tha’s bin livin down south too long!
🙂
Thanks for all the generous comments on this and other match reports. I personally don’t think that they are as good as the praise would suggest but all humbly received.
I noticed on a few London reports about the ball being out of play for Magic’s cross complete with still footage. My understanding on the rules is that the whole of the ball has to be out of play and not just 70% of it. From where I was sat in the North the ball looked more out than in and my first reaction was to look at the Lino who steadfastly kept his flag down. Had it been disallowed I would have thought that was close, borderline and frustrated.
The manner in which QPR approached the game and our ludicrous misfortune for their undeserved second overall made me think that it was “just” as “in play” and as “in justice”. I was reminded of the Leicester goal a few years back when Ayala gave the ball up as out and then the cross came in and they scored (Nugent?) as we stood and watched. Leicester went up that year, lets hope its an omen.
Welcome aboard FAA! The more the merrier. Its the differences of opinion that make the blog interesting and thought provoking. As Bob has said the good thing on here is that we can all disagree but thankfully in a non vitriolic and abusive manner, everyone’s opinions are welcome and the debate is what makes it. Look forward to reading more of your posts and the same goes to any other “silent readers”, get your opinions on here in print. As FAA has said its very cathartic and the added benefit is that it saves the NHS on Teesside a small fortune.
RR,
It was a little slice of karma for all the foul throws, thrashing about and acting. If it was out that is. But we don’t think it was so it can’t have been. Right that’s sorted.
UTB,
John
Just read Dominic Shaw’s description of Marvin Johnson’s equalising goal “he appeared to have nothing on”.When I advocated exciting football from the Boro I didn’t expect players to play in the nude, and that’s the naked truth.
Meant to say Johnson’s pass for the equalising goal.
Thought the most refreshing thing about yesterday’s game was the managers will to win. It seems a million miles away from the three holding midfielders adopted last year to the system in the second half yesterday where we had one holding player an offensive midfielder and two strikers.
Thought the manager was incredibly brave making these changes so early on.
My only question from the game would be does Garry monk know his best eleven yet? Think there is so much potential in this squad and if we get the right team/system we will be promoted. When you think that traore, braithwaite and bamford weren’t in that team (admittedly Bamford is by choice) but it highlights the strength in depth we now have.
Final note, I think assombalonga has the potential to be a top, top striker. Pace, power, good in the air and the ability to be in the right place at the right time.
It’s enjoyable watching at the moment, UTB
One more thing.
Regardless of whether you feel traores was a deserved sending off or not, do you not feel the FA has an axe to grind with the boro?
Firstly, traores appeal being rejected then villas appeal being successful. Then there was the three points deduction, when West Ham had a player playing illegally for them scoring goals for fun and they only hit them with a fine. Then there was the aliadiere red card appeal which the FA called ‘frivolous’ and stuck another game ban on for wasting there time. Has that ever happened since?
I’m not usually one for conspiracy theories but it does seem like the FA have it in for us. Maybe I’m just paranoid…..but then again.
Paul
“Just coz we’re all paranoid, it doesn’t mean that they’re not out to get us.” Us against the world is what keeps us going.
Like you, I’m hugely enjoying this season. When were Boro last a really significant attacking threat. One of our big assets is going to be the quality of the people we can bring in from the bench.
UTB
I don’t think that bet365 is showing the Boro game. It’s nor marked as available on their website. Could be that this only refers to Australia but we’ll have to see tomorrow.
Looks like it is not on the Finnish betting company’s lists either. I used the as we only have one company running a monopholy – all the profits go to sports and culture. This is OK by the EU.
Their steam quality has been better than bet365, for example.
Let’s hope the link provided by KP works nicely. Or I need to start saying that let’s concentrate on the league!
Up the Boro!
The BET365 quality wasn’t very good at all. i’m looking forward to some of the younger players having a go. I honestly am already very much in ‘lets concentrate on the league’ mood.
UTB
Correction it’s not concentrate on the league it’s …
SMASH THE LEAGUE
This last week could be a massive turning point for us.
Before the international break we had only scored four goals in five games, and Britt had only scored in one of those matches. At times we had been in danger of slipping eight points off the top team.
Now we have scored ten goals from eight which is much more encouraging, with some impressive firepower finally released. Britt has five and is among the top divisional scorers, Ashley Fletcher, Marvin Johnson and Lewis Baker have notched their first goals, and Adama and Marvin have thrillingly sprung to life creatively. We seem to have turned the corner after the desperate struggle for goals we had last season. There should be huge new confidence and belief in our attacking ability.
We have now won as many league games as we did all last season, and the away win hoodoo has been laid.
We have shown great character and resilience to take points when playing with ten men, and coming back twice from going a goal down.
We are also within one win of the top three, and so are in a good position to reel them in if our form continues to improve.
GM must now turn his mind to how we can impose our team pattern on opponents and control games better.
Quite a game by all accounts, I’ve only seen the Sky two minute highlights so far, but it appears the Boro defence decided to take a day off ! That said the teams attacking prowess is such that conceding two goals was barely an issue. We could have won 5-3.
Momentum certainly seems to be building nicely and we have plenty of quality players not in the team and that’s not just offensive players. How many of us would have imagined George not being able to get his game?
It all bodes well for what is a long hard slog of a season.
Sorry – we won five last year, didn’t we? It was four for a long time, then we beat Sunderland near the end.
Very enjoyable match. We looked really good going forward and I hope he sticks with the 4-2-3-1 for the forseeable future. You won’t get people complaining about one up front when we play like that. Tempo was much better 2nd half as well, streets ahead of the Preston game.
Marvin Johnson looks an absolute snip at the moment, and Fletcher had his best performance so far. Even Downing looks energised and actually fitter as well – he chased down one ball 2nd half which I don’t think he would have got anywhere near last season.
I think we would be a better team with a 100% Friend in there, so wouldn’t be surprised to see him back at some point.
We sit in the East, on the goal-line, and it looked out to me – but who cares!
I don’t know what Holloway and the QPR fuss is all about? We gave them two goals ,and the rest of the time they just hoped they’d win.
We are not a team yet, we are relying in individuals to win the game and that is what’s happening, the good thing is the players we bought to get goals look like can do the job.
When I say not a team I mean at times we are not fluid in the sense of passing at pace and trusting each other, and knowing each other’s strenghs etc,but there are some good signs going forward.
Was that off the line Fletcher tap in he should have scored over the line ,the defenders leg was way behind him?
GT,
I thought so too when I saw it on TV but the other half said ‘rubbish you’re just biased’. She’s not wrong mind.
UTB,
John
Borophil
I think we looked better second half because Asombalonga had someone closer to him in Fletcher.
In defence of the defence, our strength used to be
Dimi, AN Other, Ayala, Gibson, Friend
Only one played on Saturday so the defence is as much a work in progress as the rest of the side.
You can bet your bottom dollar that there wont be another mix up between Gibson and Randolph. Gibson should have launched it or knocked it back even though Randolph did seem slow off the mark.
So it is back to Villa tomorrow for our merry men.
I think Fletcher made a huge difference when he came on and looked a far better player than we have seen to date. His height caused a few issues along with his ability to run, perhaps not Traore like but still fast enough to force QPR defence to sit a little off him knowing that if he knocked it past them he was up and away.
On the Randolph/Gibson debate having seen it again expecting the keeper to run out twenty yards was a bit foolhardy on Ben’s part but that doesn’t excuse Randolph from not yelling at him to clear it as he could see Mackie closing. I suspect it was perhaps overconfidence in one another that caused it, a lesson learned hopefully.
Last season when we made errors we had no response, these last two games alone have shown that this side has “fighbackability” by the bucket load. Now all we have to do is cut out the silly “avoidables”. Overall I think we have something building momentum nicely, not firing on all cylinders yet but getting better. Dimi, Ayala and Friend were a part of our promotion defence and they can’t get in the side at the moment, Bamford was a record scorer for us and likewise can’t get a sniff and we haven’t even seen what Braithwaite can do yet.
I have to say that Johnson looks a snip, not perhaps in the Vardy class just yet as someone potentially suggested a few blogs back in support of his signing but certainly in no way out of his depth at this level and looking like he has more to come. If Adama gets back to the form he had just started before he was suspended and Marvin is on the other flank we may have to play with two up front just to cope with all the service!
When I posted about Vardy, I didn’t mean that Johnson was as good as him yet but mearly pointing out what could be unearthed at lower level and improved. Therefore give the lad chance to show what he can bring to the party and although not the finished article the signs are encouraging.
Come on BORO
Great report RR, suitably enhanced by Werders pre and post sumissions and then some good imputs.
Nice also to see some new people posting and BoroPhil continuing.
I think gt has a point with his “not a team yet”. Some good individual performances from the attacking players have won the day with the last two wins, however Villa was a team effort especially from Baker for me.
But apart from the mistake from Ben, not Randolphs fault in my opinion, the defence has been OK. Still think Fabio at times loses the man he should be marking and he gives away FK’s with his niggly fouls. George of two seasons ago would be an improvement, but may be that has gone?
The midfield is still the problem IMO. There is still far too much play lost in the middle of the park and QPR were far quicker to the ball than us, especially in the first half. Grant has done OK since coming back but struggles over 90 minutes. His replacement Howson has been a big disappointment and although he did play a little better on Saturday, lost his man more than a couple of times.
We still lack creativity there. SD although trying hard and yes as BP said, he chased down a ball in the corner, is not the force he was. I am still astounded that Paddy has not been given a go. His link up play is probably the best that we have available.
Pedro, As I said in my previous post, what has PB done wrong? I am baffled as to why he isn’t even coming on as a sub. Maybe, GM is still not sure of his best X1, unless Paddy has been naughty.
We can only guess at why Bamford hasn’t featured much, maybe the deal to land Baker was based on him playing when fit and not getting splinters. Maybe Paddy hasn’t got the pace of say Fletcher in training or Johnson or certainly Traore which is why they get in ahead of him but if thats the case then how does Downing get a start unless of course GM realises that during the hurly burly of Championship games you need some experience out on the pitch as the average age has reduced considerably this season to last.
I think he could play the number 10 role as he is quick on his feet and can get up to support Britt as well but if as I say there is a condition with Baker that maybe explains things. On paper Baker does have more recent first team experience albeit not in the UK.
At some point due to injuries or suspensions Paddy will get his chance and then its up to him to make it impossible to be left out. I personally think he has done very well the times I’ve seen him play this season but it looks like he needs to raise the bar even higher. Adama took his opportunity against Scunthorpe, presuming Bamford plays tomorrow night at Villa Park a hat trick would make Garry Monk’s life very difficult in the nicest possible way. Its a long season, Gestede is crocked as is Braithwaite and if Britt picks up a knock or sprain then we are getting thin on the ground.
For our overseas only bloggers Villa have their own TV coverage which I believe is outside of iFollow. You can be a villain and sign up (providing you appear to be outside of the UK). It cost £6 (apparently) for the Boro game last week (or so I’m told as I wouldn’t possibly know of course). https://www.avfc.co.uk/live
IFollow can’t broadcast the ‘Caribou Cup.’
Quote from Vila webside
Villa v Middlesbrough in the Carabao Cup is available for live audio ONLY on AVTV Live to both international and UK & Ireland supporters.
It takes place on Tuesday September 19, with a 7.45pm kick-off.
You can SUBSCRIBE NOW TO AVTV LIVE to various formats including – a season-long pass, a monthly subscription and on a match-by-match basis.
So radio only – shame.
RR
I have just had a look at the site and it appears they are only providing an audio stream which is what you can get free from MFC at present.
My understanding is that whilst some clubs have their own TV they still rely upon the EFL iFOLLOW service for the feed. Cup games are, however, not covered under iFOLLOW.
So it is a case of trying to find a stream from somewhere else or listen to the match for those of us unable to attend!
Just checked the Villa site, it appears that it is just audio only. As Selwyn said its possibly because its a Caribou Cup game rather than the EFL. The £6 stream last week was video (cough. allegedly).
Bamford would be perfect in the no.10 role, but so might Braithwaite as well. I’d prefer to see Bamford on the right to Downing, we know he can play that position well from the last time he was here.
Fair point Ian on Fletcher actually, we were more like 4-4-2 second half so perhaps discount my one up front comment!
The squad looks strong – Ayala is mentioned above, but unless he is injured he can’t even make the bench at the moment. Howson hasn’t made the expected impact but did well coming on, on Saturday and is a more than handy player to have sat on the bench!
Shotton, Forshaw, Fletcher, Howson, Bamford and Friend were our outfield subs on Saturday. Braithwaite and Adama both out injured. All of them would get into most Championship first XIs.
Added to that, our u23s have won five on the spin and have two hat-tricks already. Looking good.
Apparently Aitor has turned down Alaves this week after they sacked their Coach Luis Zubeldia on Sunday after they lost 3-0 at home to Villarreal. They currently have no goals and no points from four matches from the start of the season.
Aitor’s father sadly passed away last week so the timing of it probably wasn’t great but he did apparently turn them down in the Summer also. I would doubt that he would feel much like taking the reigns at Birmingham either but I would have thought that out of the two Alaves would have been a tastier proposition offering a better chance to improve on his CV. Wherever he goes, good luck to him unless of course it is Birmingham in which case not so much luck!
Aren’t Birmingham a ‘big’ club, RR? Bit like Blunderland I suppose. I reckon AK is keepin his powder dry until the call comes thru from the Stadium of Not so Light. Man in the main seat will be tottering if they lose a couple more matches -what is it, 1 point in the last 5 games. They need a dose of AK Power (other out of work managers arw available).
lol
UTB
I’ve always thought of them as a second tier club not unlike Boro in many respects. The present difference is that Boro have Premiership facilities and some brass (thanks to AK) whilst Birmingham could go down let alone get promoted. I think any Birmingham manager will at best achieve promotion before being sacked when they go straight back down. Crowd wise they are about the same as Boro although lately we have eclipsed them but thats just current form. Their record transfer fee was for Jota a few weeks ago, that alone differentiates significantly from Boro I think.
If AK was to take the job I think he could be making a rod for his own back, damned if he does and damned if he doesn’t. I think as the season progresses and the sackings mount up there will be much better clubs to choose from.
Borophil
4231/4411/442 are all variants of the same basic system. It is the attitude and getting someone close to support the main striker that counts.
They are almost the same. But it makes a big difference when you’ve got two centre forwards on the pitch. Two wingers AND an attacking midfielder.
Compare that to last season when at times we only had three offensive players on the pitch at anyone time.
Yes the emphasis now is on winning games rather than not losing them, but maybe we had adopted the wrong mentality before?
As regards the debate about whether the ball had crossed the touchline before being crossed and then put into the goal for our winner…….
Marc Bircham (ex pro with Millwall and QPR) tweeted a photo which I guess was from TV, showing the ball apparently over the line. He said (and I see that Jarkko responded by disagreeing): “And they wonder why we got a little frustrated on the side with their winner ??? Need Video Tech ASAP.”
I have no idea whether photos can be attached to blog pieces, so I will just explain that I sent him some replies.
1. One 1 hand that’s what I saw on Saturday. On other hand the ball’s in the SAME position in relation to the line you’d see for every corner
2.The bottom of the ball’s on the grass OVER the line but the curvature of the ball means its “equator” is in mid air and is NOT fully over
3. So I guess although we might all say “I’ve seen them given both ways”, if there’d been touchline technology it would have said not fully out.
Then I sent two final tweets with photos attached, of a cricket ball and a tape measure lying close to each other on a dinner table. One was looking at the ball from the front, and the other was taken from in line but above and looking along the tape/touchline, as a linesman might see it.
I said:
4.By way of example, in first photo you can see the brown of the table between the tape & the cricket ball (AND IN THE PHOTO IT DOES LOOK AS IF THE BALL IS OVER – JUST AS ON HIS TV PHOTO YOU COULD SEE GRASS UNDER THE BALL BEYOND THE TOUCHLINE)
5 In the second, the ball and tape have not been moved but the photo from a different angle shows the ball is NOT fully over the line (AND THAT PHOTO FROM ABOVE THE BALL SHOWS THE CIRCUMFERENCE OF THE BALL, AT ITS EQUATOR, CLEARLY OVERLAYING AND OBSCURING THE VIEW OF THE TAPE BELOW IT. YOU COULDN’T SEE THAT IN THE FIRST PHOTO.
It is all about the angle but the one from above is the definitive view, and is the one which is used when we see the goal line technology used between the posts.
i didn’t use a football firstly because at my advanced age I don’t own one, though son and heir had a spare cricket ball which WAS available and, secondly if I had laid a football on our Mousy Thompson oak dinner table, Mrs Dormo would have erupted like Krakatoa. Not worth the fall out!
Nice table those. I have visited the workshop where he is doing them.
And you are right, the whole ball must be outside – not only the center of the ball but 100 %. So from side it looks like the “whole” ball is outside. And there was a linesman doing just that (but I don’t remember where he was but it was not Adome …).
A goal it says in my morning paper as someone told. But we should have scored four on Saturday. Up the Boro!
Joining in on the line issue the whole of the ball has to be over the whole of the line is what I was lead to believe to be the rule. With line being normally 4 inches wide the ball is in even when it would appear to be well out.
I’d read in some of the London press reports that the Rangers fans at the game were incensed at the goal being given as they spotted that the ball was out of play. They must have incredible vision is all I can say if they could spot that from the opposite end of the Riverside.
Not the QPR fans. But the Owls fans could have seen the incident, though. UTB!
IF QPR want to talk about ball over the line and want photos then I want photos of QPR taking throw ins when their feet were over the line and on the pitch when taking them
Disgraceful performance from the assistant referee
How are we to teach kids that to take a throw in both feet must be on the floor and behind the line and throw the ball from behind the head with arms fully extended
Very poor at least we don’t have Barragan on the pitch this season hope he doesn’t return after his loan period expires
It is great that Johnson seems to be settling in. People seem surprised at him doing well having only come from Oxford United but there are many good players in the lower leagues, they just don’t get a chance to play at a higher level and with better players.
Let’s hope he keeps improving.
I would be intrigued to see this photo of the ball and the goal line. Any links to it?
Ian
http://www.getwestlondon.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/queens-park-rangers-fans-former-13634323
Personally I think too much technology is a bad thing and would also be costly to install. Of greater concern to my mind is the new offside law where often fractions of inches seem to determine the decisions. I think it’s almost impossible for an assistant linesman to make an accurate call on tight decisions, and I’m quite surprised how many times they get it right after viewing photo technology. Already we have now to take into consideration “actively affecting play” not only in football but Rugby League too.
Video referees to my mind have ruined Rugby League, but two innovations I would borrow from rugby are for the referee to indicate to a timekeeper in the stand to stop and restart the clock for injuries and time wasting (no more Fergie time), and the introduction of sin bins for minor offences instead of dismissals.
I would add to that the moving forward by 5 yards of any free kick when the defending team acts up over the free kick being given…becoming a penalty if that takes the kick within 18 yards of the goal line.
ken
The big argument against technology is slowing the game down.
In reality, when the ref gives a decision for a free kick or a penalty there is enough delay in play for the fourth official to look at a monitor and check for anything obvious.
It wont happen because football doesn’t want it though managers tend to change their views depending whether the decision went for or against them.
How can we forget-
“You cannot be serious, man!!!’
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t0hK1wyrrAU&feature=youtube_gdata_player
Spartak,
You should listen to McEnroe talking about that incident on Desert Island Discs on BBC iPlayer. He is very disarming and honest. One of those laugh out loud moments!
UTB,
John
It seems to me that Johnson is a very good player, no need to allow for his lack of experience at this level, he is simply good.
Two clubs signed him from the non league world, both were utterly certain that he belonged at a higher level, it is a shame that he had to Waite so long to be recognised for a what he is, a class player.
We have put over many crosses in the past two seasons, and got nothing from them, due to lack of accuracy.
He seems to cross to one of our players, a good habit to possess, and I do not think it is luck.
I am impressed by the team, we seem to have some physical presence now and the number of good players is rising.
Two things which pleased me, the speedy subs, and the order to at least four players to stay back when we were closing the game out, this was new to us.
I hope that Garry Monk will be taking tomorrow’s match seriously. I realise promotion is Boro’s priority, but the Football League Cup (to give its proper title) is something that we hold dear to our hearts having been the first club to win it under the sponsorship of Carling in 2004 and, correct me if I’m wrong, the only team to win it on Leap Year Day, 29th February since its inception in 1960/61 season.
Boro have a proud history in this competition, for as well as winning it in 2004, we were beaten finalists in 1997 and 1998, beaten semi finalists in 1976 and 1992, and beaten quarter finalists in 1974/75, 1999/2000, 2012/13 and 2015/16 seasons. Only eleven clubs have appeared in more semifinals than Boro, only ten clubs have appeared in more finals, and surprisingly only twelve clubs have won it more than once.It is also quite astonishing that 57 clubs (including Tranmere, Chester and Stockport, all now non-league clubs) have appeared in the semifinals.
This competition has proved to be a great leveller because most Premier League and several Championship clubs play weakened teams especially in the earlier rounds. I do believe that under these circumstances that Boro, given their strength in depth, have a good chance of reaching the Final. Who can forget the penalty shoot out against Liverpool three years ago or the penalty shoot out win against Manchester United the following year? OK some might say that it might jeopardise our promotion chances, but we got to the final in 1998 and still got promotion. Come on Garry and play the game, and come on Boro, let’s go for it?
Good post Ken.
UTB,
John
I couldn’t agree more Ken. You have to go out to try and win every match you play. Winning needs to be a habit and that includes in the cup.
I like the romance of the Cup but I’d personally rather have three points at Fulham. With the squad we now have GM can put out a side capable of getting a victory but if we lose I won’t be devastated. We have a long hard winter coming and we need to get as many provisions in as possible before the weather turns. I don’t want us wasting energy or reserves on a wild goose chase.
I’d hate to see a key player get injured in a game for a cup that we won’t win. Equally it’s a great chance to try some combinations under match conditions. I’m sure that we’ll see a substantially adjusted team.
UTB
Why won’t we win it? If it was the FA Cup I’d have to agree with you, but this Cup is different. Just look at how many unfashionable teams have had good Cup runs. The top Premier League teams have European ties to worry about, and I bet if one asked our players whether they’d like to play tonight all those eligible would say yes. Besides I think Garry Monk owes it to the fans to select as strong a side as possible because the risk of losing players through injury are just as great in a League match as a cup tie.With a strong team I would expect Boro to win, with a slightly weaker team we might be forced into extra time which we certainly don’t want.
Again I say let’s go for it!
When several teams were getting their comeuppance in the FA Cup for playing severely weakened sides I listened to a couple of ex pros talking about the situation.
Their view was that a good cup run boosts confidence, putting out a scratch side and losing affected the moral of the players in the whole squad. They don’t just write it off. They want to play in every match and every competition.
There will be players who need a rest, Grant has a knock for instance, then there are players who need game time such as Shotton, Friend and Bamford. You never know Ayala might be fit!!
Clayton and Traore are having a rest, the game will probably be too soon for Braithwaite and Gestede.
It will be a balance of different needs.
The unknown is what Bruce will do, they had a good result over the weekend, will it be same again or changes from Villa?
Let’s have a go in the cup. I know we are not Trophy Virgins but that is the reason to go for it.
I totally agree with Ian above. We need to rest certain players like Leads for a cnock, perhaps Fry for boosting confidence and maybe play Ayala – I think he was a decent defender on this level 😉.
Aston Villa have won each of their four matches against Middlesbrough in the League Cup so far. Let’s see if Mr Monk can do a “Karanka” and smash that hoodoo.
I will go for a 1-1 draw with Boro winning 4-2 on penalties. Up the Boro!
Ian, Shotton is cup tied but could play in tonight’s check a trade trophy match.
Come on BORO.
On Patrick Bamford, I’m guessing that having only started a mere 4 games in the entire previous two seasons and having appeared in all our first 5 games, averaging an hour each game, that his body monitor said he needed a rest. Nobody would want him picking up any serious long term injuries and setting him further back just as he’s being nursed along. A gentle upward curve culminating in a stronger second half as the season progresses might be the plan for him.
I’m sure GM is relishing the selection possibilities he currently has, when fit we have 13 players for the 6 positions in front of the defence. Many of those players are flexible across a multitude of attacking roles and of our 5 “strikers” only Britt has been a regular starter so there’s even more to come. It’s pretty much as advertised by SG in his “smash the league / new manager required” promo speech and will be the main reason GM applied for the job. Results will dictate the narrative; if we’re winning his changes are a positive reflection of his flexible tactical nouse, if we’re losing he’s a clueless Tinkerman who doesn’t know his best team. It’s heading in the right direction just now.
exmil
Of course, I missed that.
I’ve just put up a match preview for tonight’s Carabao Cup…
https://diasboro.club/2017/09/19/efl-cup-villa-vs-boro/