| Derby County | Middlesbrough | ||
| Nugent | 90’+2 (pen) | Besic Assombalonga |
20′ 70′ |
| Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls |
57% 16 7 12 13 |
Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls |
43% 14 4 6 11 |
Boro BB Guns in Ram Raid
Derby went into this game in a somewhat turbulent state. Things had been going wrong for the Rams and their slide down the league since those brief flurries of snow just a few weeks back are now dangerously becoming a traditional feature of their Championship season. Casino antics involving Goalkeeper Scott Carson and defender Craig Forsyth early on Sunday Morning after they had just gone for a Burton wasn’t the ideal start to Gary Rowett’s week in terms of preparation.
If ever there was a “must win” game for the Rams this was it. With a game in hand a defeat whilst not the end of their play-off hopes would certainly all but blow the candles out on their cake. The attacking duo of Andrea Weimann and Kasey Palmer were on the treatment table this week and rated doubtful for the clash. Captain Keogh had been dropped for the last four games after the Makems had given him the run-around. He played as part of a back three with their reserves this week but whether that would mean Rowett was ready to abandon shape and try something new was doubtful but wouldn’t be surprising such was their dilemma. My thoughts pre kick off was that the enormity of this game was such that everyone who was walking in Derby would be deemed “fit” and playable.
For Tony Pulis his only major absentee would be Paddy after his visit to JCUH last Saturday which presumably was cut short due to the inevitable lack of a parking space more than his concussion. “I don’t think Patrick will make it, I don’t think we’ll take that risk,” said TP whilst remarking that Downing and Gibson were also apparently “struggling” this week but most of us take Tony’s pre match tactical snippets with a pinch of salt now. Grant was available once again but with Adam Clayton’s MOM performance last Saturday against Bristol it would have been a surprise to see him usurp the ex-Terrier.
The last time Boro failed to score at Pride Park was way back in August 1991, music to Britt’s ears no doubt. Boro’s nemesis however Matej Vydra would be primed and ready to strike for the Rams as he had done so five times out of his last four starts against us. When the sides were announced Rowett had made four changes bringing in Keogh, Forsyth, Olsson and Johnson replacing Weimann, Pearce, Ledley and the ageing Baird. Clearly Gary Rowett didn’t fancy Adama having Chris Baird on toast instead it would have to be Keogh. For Boro the only change was as expected with Britt coming in for Paddy and our own Johnson taking Britt’s seat on the bench.
The teams lined up with Keogh, Davies and Forsyth as the three at the back for the Rams. Johnson kicked off after a petty restart from the Ref Lee Probert, early challenges saw Nugent and Britt clash then Clayts immediately picking up a yellow card after a challenge from Johnson which if anything should have gone the other way all in 60 seconds. The atmosphere was bouncing and those challenges were not for the faint hearted which would be interesting as the game progressed as Probert had now made a rod for his own back with the early card for Adam. Far worse Derby challenges followed which Probert decided to ignore with less than five minutes on the clock.
A diving header from Bradley Johnson had Boro hearts in mouths as the ball went wide, seconds later Adama was chopped down by an over the top leg breaker from Forsyth but Probert still seemed to have his home glasses on and allowed the challenge to be simply punished with a free kick. The game was buzzing from end to end interrupted only by Lee Probert’s whistle which seemed to be extremely biased in favour of the home side. A Besic run cutting in from wide needed Keogh to slide in and unbalance Mo whose shot went well wide.
A quarter of an hour had gone and the initial tempo was slowing in the dimming sunshine as Ayala was fouled by Nugent who picked up a yellow against his former teammate. A Downing corner just afterwards was disappointing to say the least which begged the question why Downing was taking it and not Adama? From the weak corner Vydra broke free necessitating George Friend to bring him down but surprisingly he didn’t receive a booking much to the anger of the home support. On twenty minutes Adama literally bounced back up on the right after being clattered into, upended yet still getting his cross into Mo Besic who calmly steadied himself timing his shot to perfection past the despairing Carson and into the roof of the net.
The home support volume noticeably dipped as the Travelling Army chorused “shall we sing a song for you” interspersed with “one Stevie Gibson” as the Rams tried to clear their heads. Lawrence lost Ayala but Shotton stepped into the breach blocking the shot defiantly to send it out for a throw in. A quick Derby follow up and an Ayala conceded corner forced Randolph to clear for Boro. Despite their best efforts Derby were looking a little deflated, confidence sapped with Boro looking solid and compact determined to build on what Mo Besic had earned.
Lee Probert was seemingly desperate to even things up so he decided to book Adama Traore for Olsson tackling him and then seconds later proceeded to award a Derby corner when everyone in the Stadium saw a blatant goal kick. The performance from the “Gentleman” in “control” was certainly raising eyebrows, so much so that I would doubt if he will officiate in the Championship again this season.
Whether the blatantly biased officiating was helping or it was just the change in weather with ominous dark clouds gathering but Derby certainly looked to be slowly getting back into the game in the last fifteen minutes of the first half. A few corners and dubious decisions were all going the way of the Rams but the incompetence personified Ref was then forced to book Huddlestone as Besic left him for dead breaking out of defence. Another Clayts challenge saw Rowett and the Derby players screaming for a second booking as frustration and desperations were building. Lee Probert was now reaping what he had sowed as his “control” was diminishing rapidly. A brave header from George Friend saw off danger from another Rams corner late in the half as Derby pushed for an equaliser.
In the dying seconds of the half Boro fans remembered Ugo who sadly passed away a year to the day in a nice touch singing his name. The whistle brought a halt to end a hectic, relentless passionate game spoiled only by a Referee who was either criminal or comical depending on your perspective. The first half Boro performance on the pitch was perhaps only bettered by the Travelling Army who although 3,000 in number out sung the 25,000 County fans either way it was probably our best away performance for some considerable time.
The half time team talk was probably one of the easiest TP would have given in his career, the only negative was official induced incredulity. Pulis would have issued warnings to Adama and especially Clayts not to give the eager whistle blower an opportunity to get his cards out again. Considering how both had received their bookings (or perhaps how Lee Probert had imaginatively perceived them) it would not have been a straightforward or logical conversation with the pair.
The weather like the scoreline was now casting a bit of a dampener over the East Midlands as the teams entered the pitch for the second half. A sliding challenge from Dani cleared early danger in the opening minute giving away a corner which was headed clear by Britt. Derby were trying to find a way back into the game but Boro looked resolute and confident in the opening five minutes of the half.
The best opportunity in the opening five minutes fell to Nugent who was fed in by Andre Wisdom hitting the side netting when crossing to Vydra would have made more sense. Traore then chased a loose ball that rattled the creaky Rams defence when he applied the afterburners. The spring rain had eased a little but it was still warm as Britt missed a chance but won a corner. At the second opportunity Traore fizzed another one in which went out for yet another Boro corner on the opposite side. Stewy then fired it in which Derby gratefully cleared for our fourth corner in almost as many seconds. This time the delivered ball came in perfect for George but he fluffed his lines and the Rams were lucky to escape.
The pace of the second half was nowhere near as hectic as the first but it was still fully committed as Traore broke free down the right finding Howson who blasted the ball off Scott Carson’s crossbar. In the next phase of play Besic should have settled the game with a brilliant opportunity but he couldn’t repeat the composure of his first half effort and missed the target completely. That chance made up Rowett’s mind that changes were needed. Wiemann came on for Olsson and surprisingly Vydra went off for Palmer as Rowett gambled with his half fit attackers.
TP had Grant warming up in response to the two Derby substitutions just as Kasey Palmer fired in a weak shot at Darren Randolph. Another Adama sprint saw a brilliant opportunity spurned as he fired his shot across the net instead of finding Britt as the game now entered a crazy chaotic few minutes. Boro however took full advantage of the chaos; Traore was fed by Howson, beating a few defenders with ease to square to Britt who made no mistake to put Boro two up with a cheeky dummy and a tap in.
Rowett responded by bringing Huddlestone off with Derby seemingly intent on footballing defensive suicide. The Travelling Army took great pleasure in reminding the home fans of their unfortunate unravelling with chants of “it’s happened again” all the while Traore was continually tearing them apart. You could almost smell the fear in the muggy midlands atmosphere every time Adama collected the ball and went on a run against the wooden Derby backline.
The game was looking more and more beyond the Rams as Grant finally came on with ten minutes to go but surprisingly for Mo Besic and not Clayts who we all thought (especially considering his early yellow) would be the one to make way. A Tom Lawrence shot was fired in and well saved by Randolph which went out for a corner which was quickly repeated again as Britt this time conceded the corner. As the ball was finally cleared Britt found the lively Howson at the opposite end who spurned his chance which was the signal for Downing to casually exit the field of play for Fabio. Speaking of exiting, the home fans had been doing the same for some time as empty spaces were appearing all over the stadium which now had very little pride in evidence.
Upon his arrival Fabio was all energy again, running and chasing, just what the Derby defence didn’t want, keeping the pressure up. Howson likewise was busting a gut chasing and harrying, closing down. A rare scrappy corner gifted by Ayala gave the Rams some hope with a couple of minutes left but the Boro defence stood firm yet again. A Derby corner in the last minute saw a challenge with Ayala having an arm lock around someone’s head (Nugent?) and Lee Probert awarded a penalty. Nugent stepped up and took the corner pulling one back and for the first time Boro’s lead now looked nervy. Traore seemed to be carrying a niggle for which Johnson was warming up as Derby thankfully ran out of time, Lee Probert finally blowing up as Derby and Nugent held firm by Ben Gibson’s late determination not to concede.
2-1 it finished in what was undeniably Boro’s best away performance of the Championship this year. There wasn’t a poor or weak performance in a Red shirt. Every one of them committed and contributed to a season defining victory which was hard fought and well deserved. Once again Clayts was my MOM especially considering his early card which required him to be combative but keep his head. Besic was brilliant, Britt scrapped and got his goal, Adama was at his unplayable best, Shotton was solid along with Friend, Gibson and Ayala at the back. Downing and Howson genuinely deserving of mentions and Randolph simply did what he needed to do when called upon.
So three crucial points gained over Derby, Sheffield and Milwall, two points gained over Preston and Bristol in what was a great weekend of results. Apart from Boro only Brentford managed to collect all three points today amongst the play offs chasing pack. Two games left and two points should secure a play-off spot and three will definitely clinch it. Sheffield United and Bristol can only equal Boro’s points tally but we have a far superior GD to both. If they win their games Preston could get one more point more than us if we fail to record a solitary draw in our two remaining games but again GD is heavily in our favour. Only four other teams that can catch us for two places, next Saturday at the Riverside should be electric!
Boro and Derby feel the unseasonal
heat as they sweat on a play-off place
As much of the country basked in the rather unseasonal April heat, those involved in the race for the Championship play-offs have been left to sweat on their prospects of securing one the last two remaining places in the top six. Whilst it may have been one of the hottest days on record for 70 years, Boro head to Derby in what is expected to be their most hotly contested match since way back last Saturday when Tony Pulis’s team played the previous must-win game against Bristol City. However, the temperature at Pride Park will be measured against the result of the Friday evening encounter between Millwall and Fulham – victory for the Lions could leave Boro and The Rams fearing defeat tomorrow could see their promotion challenge start to melt away as the hopes of both sets of supporters would begin to evaporate into the despondent air that will no doubt hang over their respective clubs.
The stakes could not be higher this Saturday as Teesside’s temperamental thoroughbreds get ready to rein in another contender as the race with richest purse of all in football enters its final few furlongs. Boro will be hoping that they can somehow manage to get their noses in front and then have the staying power to edge across the finishing post ahead of their rivals – though few are probably anticipating a classic at Derby as this season has been heavy going for both teams. Still, supporters will be expecting to see the players chomping at the bit and keen to display their unbridled passion – especially with the real prospect of the loser falling off the pace and being unable to make up the ground to keep up with the play-off pack.
Last week saw Derby lose 3-1 at bottom club Burton in the local derby against their former manager Nigel Clough. Many Boro supporters laughed in disbelief at the ineptitude of their play-off rivals and became dismissive of The Rams promotion challenge – before casting their mind back a few weeks to when a 90th minute equaliser by Britt Assombalonga, who got the better of a one-on-one with an empty net, as he headed home from 50cm to spare our own blushes. Having said that, we shouldn’t forget that Gary Rowett’s team lost 4-1 at home to then bottom club Sunderland at Easter – so we can be forgiven for doubting their credentials. Derby have in fact only won three of their last 15 games and that doesn’t appear to make them the kind of form team to be feared. Although, for all their missed opportunities, they still have a top six place in their own hands and we should note that they also have a game in hand – albeit at home to a Cardiff side desperate to gain automatic promotion.
| Derby County | Middlesbrough | ||
| Gary Rowett | Tony Pulis | ||
| P42 – W18 – D14 – L10 – F61 – A43 | P43 – W20 – D9 – L14 – F61 – A42 | ||
| Position Points Points per game Projected points |
7th 68 1.6 74 |
Position Points Points per game Projected points |
5th 69 1.6 74 |
| Last 6 Games Burton (A) Wolves (A) Bolton (H) Preston (A) Sunderland (H) Nottm Forest (A) |
F-T (H-T) 1:3 (1:2) L 0:2 (0:1) L 3:0 (2:0) W 1:0 (0:0) W 1:4 (1:2) L 0:0 (0:0) D |
Last 6 Games Bristol City (H) Sheff Utd (A) Nottm Forest (H) Burton (A) Wolves (H) Brentford (A) |
F-T (H-T) 2:1 (1:1) W 1:2 (0:2) L 2:0 (2:0) W 1:1 (0:1) D 0:2 (1:2) L 1:1 (1:1) D |
In recent weeks, the runners and riders in the Championship high-stakes promotion chase have been jockeying for positions to make the play-offs and it’s hard to decide if being a front-runner or coming up on the rails will ultimately prove to be the best tactic. Although after last weekend’s results, Boro now appear to have the whip hand, though many are still to be convinced whether Tony Pulis has timed his run to perfection or is in fact flogging a dead horse. The latest betting now has Boro “top of the head” at 9/4 on, with Derby “double tap” at 15/8 on and Millwall still in with a shout at “ear ‘ole” 6/4 – then come Preston “half a stretch” back at 6/1, with the Bees and the Blades out at 9/1 and The Robins the outsiders at 14/1.
However, in the eyes of the hardened hard-luck doom-merchant traders on Teesside, there’s nothing they dislike more than seeing their ever-reliable team being deemed favourites for anything. It’s the equivalent of buying a bright red ticket to the Play-off final at Wembley in advance and deftly waving it in the face of the snorting Typical Boro Bull as it reaches full charging speed – the anticipated feeling of pain is surely only milliseconds away. This Teesside tradition of metaphorically running with the bulls is in some ways similar to the more famous event in Pamplona – but instead, the naive Boro fans intoxicated by the foam fumes of youth, hope to outrun their psychological beasts of burden with little more than a 1974 rolled-up match programme to defend themselves with. Although for the unlucky runners in the Spanish fiesta the pain is only physical but for those in the north-east who risk having their hopes mortally flattened the mental scars usually never heal.
At least Boro have a man at the helm who thrives on finding himself in high-pressure situations at this stage of the season and he will hopefully be able to impart his experience of such matters. It’s in times of anxiety that people look for leadership and the calm reassurance that those in charge have thought things through and will take a measured approach rather than over-react or potentially make matters worse. In fact, football supporters are once again indebted this weekend that there are indeed any fixtures at all and will be thanking the people around Donald Trump who continue to persuade him that it’s still not feasible to launch ‘nukes’ by using a hashtag on Twitter. It’s somewhat less reassuring to learn that the voice of reason in the Trump administration, who urged caution over targeted strikes in Syria, goes by the nickname ‘Mad Dog’ – you know that maybe your plans are perhaps a little crazy when someone who has been awarded such a moniker tries to reign them in.
Before you start wondering how former Boro defender Emanuel Pogatetz became part of Trump’s administration, I should clarify that we’re talking instead about US Secretary for Defence, General “Mad Dog” Mattis – who is not a man normally renowned for his conciliatory tone. He once told the regional Iraqi leaders “I come in peace. I didn’t bring artillery. But I’m pleading with you, with tears in my eyes: If you [expletive] with me, I’ll kill you all.” This predilection for violent solutions was also shared while addressing troops in San Diego: “It’s fun to shoot some people. I’ll be right up there with you. I like brawling”. However, there’s no truth in the rumour that David Davis may be planning to borrow some of General Mattis’s lines for the Brexit negotiations, including: “I’m going to plead with you, do not cross us. Because if you do, the survivors will write about what we do here for 10,000 years.” Still, he’s not all bad as Trump was surprised to hear that his Defence Secretary no longer supported waterboarding after he claimed “never found it to be useful” and could “do better with a couple of beers and a pack of cigarettes” – though it’s not quite clear if he was talking in context of enemy combatants or persuading FBI chief James Comey to drop his investigation.
Talking of cruel and unusual punishments, Derby supporters must be getting used to their usual torturous end to the season after yet another promising promotion season is in danger of having a painful ending. Derby are now in their tenth season in the Championship since they were relegated from the Premier League in 2008 with an embarrassing 11 points. Their first five years in the second tier didn’t see much in the way of them mounting any kind of challenge to return to the top but the last five years have been a case of ‘close but no cigar’ after the supporters hopes disappeared in a puff of smoke just when it mattered. Perhaps the The Rams should contemplating running onto the pitch to the sound of Johann Sebastian Bach’s Air on a G String, which was so famously borrowed by Hamlet cigars to represent the philosophical acceptance of it all going pear-shaped again.
In October 2013, Steve McClaren took over from Nigel Clough and by December Derby were already in the top four and remained there for the rest of the season as they ultimately finishing third before losing out in the play-off final to QPR. The next season saw them start well and they hit the automatic spots in October and stayed there until March when rumours of McClaren leaving for Newcastle saw the team’s form dip and they won just two from their last 14 games to drop out of the top six on the last day of the season. In came Paul Clement, who started slowly but by December his team were top, but after a bad spell he was sacked in February despite Derby being in fifth spot only five points behind leaders Hull – with chairman Mel Morris claiming he had a problem with Clement’s style of football. He was replaced by Nigel Pearson who finished in the play-offs but they lost this time in the first game against Hull. The following 2016-17 campaign got off to a bad start and by late September Derby were in the bottom three and Pearson was suspended after a row with Mel Morris over his apparent use of drones to spy on training.
Pearson left by mutual consent after no doubt explaining to his chairman in which dark recess the drone would be placed if he ever saw it again and was replaced by the surprise return of Steve McClaren – who had already been sacked by Newcastle after he joined them just three weeks after Derby had previously dismissed him over the “hurtful rumours” he was heading to the Magpies. Amazingly by December, McClaren had got the team back into the play-off places and an unbeaten run of 8 wins and 2 draws had looked to have once more got Derby fans hopes up to that killing level – however, another inevitable bad run of just one win from the next ten games saw the season finish in a disappointing 9th spot as McClaren was once again sacked amid rumours he was rubbish and even Sunderland didn’t want him. This season has been masterminded by former Birmingham boss Gary Rowett and having been safely ensconced in the top six since a 3-0 win over Boro at the Riverside in late November, Derby fans are now awaiting to see how he plans to blow their chances with some encouraging signs in recent weeks that seventh spot is not beyond him.
If Derby do decide to throw in the towel on another promotion campaign this weekend then it will be gratefully received by Tony Pulis’s team – especially after the Boro ball-boys had their own towels confiscated last weekend by an over-eager fourth official with some suggestions of him having a possible sideline in supplying miniature sun loungers for those on mini-breaks still not being ruled out. Though Tony Pulis has since clarified that he believes the ball-boys were possibly just being a little too possessive instead of sharing them with the Bristol City players and were probably more concerned at the prospect of inducing an unexpected psychedelic trip as the brightly coloured towels clashed with their mind-altering purple and green kit.
The Boro manager’s main concern will probably be over whether Patrick Bamford will be available for selection following his loss of consciousness in the first half against the Robins. The six day rule could offer hope that the player will be deemed fit to play on Saturday after he reportedly seemed fine after the game as he wandered around Riverside still with his kit on underneath his coat – though rumours that he was asking what time the second half started and if Mr Karanka had given his half-time team talk yet should perhaps be kept quiet. Whether Britt Assombalonga will also be tempted to have a crafty lung-full of oxygen in the hope of sharpening up his footballing brain is possibly open to speculation – though he needs to somehow clear his head and find a way to capture some semblance of the form that persuaded the chairman to part with £15m in the summer. Otherwise Boro’s play-off ambitions may involve wrapping up the seemingly “soft” Bamford in those extra fluffy towels, which have been set aside for opposition throw-ins.
Though doubts that perhaps Tony Pulis’s squad is not the packed with the best performing players of the season was again raised this week when football magazine Four Four Two announced their EFL Top 50 and only one place was reserved for someone from Boro. For those wondering what Four Four Two means, apparently it refers to a old formation used by managers in a time when they ridiculously believed having two strikers on the pitch at the same time might help them win games – hard to imagine now but it used to be fashionable.
Anyway, the only Boro player chosen was unsurprisingly Adama Traore but he came in at a less than high-profile number 29 on the list, which perhaps reflects that for the first half of the season he struggled to get into Garry Monk’s team and has probably only been an effective player for around a dozen games. Of course, it’s all subjective and based on opinion but it still suggest very few Boro players have caught the eye this season and for all the money spent, none of the big summer signings have really proved their worth. However, if Boro do manage to sneak into the play-offs and then somehow make it to Wembley, then none of the supporters would have expected anything other than seeing their team do it the hard way – everything going according to plan is just not the Teesside way!
So will Boro be at the races on Saturday as they gallop into an early lead before winning at a canter against Derby’s donkeys? Or will Tony Pulis be trotting out the usual excuses as his team are slow out of the stalls again as they are once again weighed down by their usual handicap? As usual, your predictions on score, scorers and team selection – plus will Daniel ‘goal anytime’ Ayala continue to be the scourge of the bookies?
⚽️⚽️
Eyes looking at a likely draw!
OFB
Excellent work again Werder.
I’m hopeful we can pick up an unlikely away win against a play off contender, which this season has been rarer than an apology from Jose Mourinho, but I’m thinking the more likely outcome is a 0-0 draw (OFB style) or a narrow 1-0 defeat that galvanises Derby and pushes them on to ultimately finish 7th on the last day of the season and be the bridesmaids once again. Sob.
Let’s see what Tony has up his magic sleeves.
Thanks Smoggyinexile, surely it’s time for another Boro away win – especially as Sunderland managed to knock four past them only a few week ago. Though I like the idea of ‘Tony and his magic sleeves’ – it could be a children’s book with a happy ending!
Thanks Werder for dreaming up a post which gets everyone hyped up for tomorrow!
If Carlsberg did football predictions Fulham would win 6 0 tonight and Boro would beat Derby 8 0
A typical Boro supporter would see Boro concede In 55 seconds. Have Ayala sent off after 15 minutes whilst wrestling a Derby player to the ground and giving a penalty away to make it 2 0 then Ben to score an og in 86 min whilst sustaining a hammy putting him out for the season!
Think it couldn’t happen!
We have seen it all before !
OFB
Thanks OFB, I’d drink to that but after waking up yesterday with a terrible sore throat and missing out on the last two days of 28 degree weather I’m only on non-alcoholic drinks. Having said that my voice was practically gone this morning so I’ve been testing cold non-alcoholic beers – to be honest it may be the cold but they almost make me feel a little drunk – perhaps it’s a bit like homeopathy? Anyway, feeling a little better and may be ready for the real stuff to watch the game tomorrow – though will probably have an early night to be match fit 🙂
Must be something going round I’ve been like that all week!
Went to the Doctors and said he had a lot of people in with the same complaint.
Apparently it’s called Boro playoffs fever 🤒
OFB
The story of Derby and Clement is an interesting one. This piece by Nick Miller, “Why did Derby abort the Paul Clement gamble after only seven months?” in which Clement’s sacking was described as astonishing, but not surprising, speaks volumes.
https://www.theguardian.com/football/blog/2016/feb/09/derby-county-paul-clement-gamble-sacked
Two One to somebody.
I see you’ve given this prediction lark a lot of thought 🙂
Werder
It’s how Chris writes his movie reviews so he can never be wrong !
For example
This movie will appeal to a lot of people but for some they won’t like it!
Chris
Please feel free to use this in your next review!
Only joking !!
OFB
Inspired by Britt, I’m valueing consistency over accuracy.
Well you certainly blazed that one over the stands ? OFB
Optimism hasn’t worked so I’m going for a draw with Rams 2 – 2 Boro with Downing and Ayala scoring. Thinking about it that is pretty optimistic, of Boro will do it the only way they know, the most excruciating and difficult way.
A great intro Werder, perhaps Mattis should do the team talk after all we’ve had a ‘mad-dog’ in Boro colours before.
UTB,
John
Thanks John, don’t give up on the optimism yet! I blame the builders and the problems with your old boiler…
You should keep Johns old boiler out of it she reads all the blogs !
OFB
She’s a Geordie too. I’m on dangerous ground here!
UTB,
John
John
She’s in good company then because so am I
OFB
A home win or a draw is normally what I would expect from this fixture but Derby are seriously psychologically damaged below the waterline. Fans seem very despondent and confidence shot to pieces. Arguments about going to three at the back, recalling Keough, dropping Baird or Forsyths inability to pick out a pass permeates their message boards.
I must admit the thought of Adama up against Chris Baird is amusing. Any sign of a jittery Derby start will be in Boro’s favour. A draw is fine for Boro but with so much at stake I’m hoping TP’s wisdom and experience shines through and we take all three points.
Hopefully Derby will over-think the whole game and confuse themselves and then implode in a similar way they did against that other north-east team…
Rams 3 Sheepish 1
Boro relevant part was as ever excellent Werder. Might be a bit controversial but politics aren’t for me on a blog such as this. I fully understand freedom of choice and expression, it just doesn’t float my boat on this marvelous platform.
In no way shape or form am I a Trump fan btw
Thanks FAA, though sorry for the fleeting satirical political reference – to be honest I sometimes forget that Trump is actually a real person and not some cross between the Truman Show and Candid Camera where people get caught staring with their mouths open at what is being said – he’s actually probably beyond satire and has created his own unbelievable scripts where nobody seems to even blink when Porn stars enter the plot. I just thought it was amusing when I read someone nicknamed ‘Mad Dog’ was claimed to be the calming influence.
Derby riding the crest of a slump so what could go wrong? A hard fought and not very exciting Boro win for me and would be very happy if Fulham can beat Millwall tonight. I’ll watch that one with interest.
I’d be content with a 0-0, but surely Boro are due an away win?
Silky-smooth work, Werder. Your form is anything but lame. Anyone who declares differently must have blinkers on.
I was going to pun about any bloggers with overweight notices but have decided to rein it in for fear of being jocked off or becoming a non-runner.
The more I read the comments on the now many Diasboro headers, the more I think I’m a relative optimist. Yet not for tomorrow. My fear is that the Burton defeat, and Rowett’s comments thereafter, will sting the Derby players into now-or-never action.
If we can score first, or equalise quickly if they score first, i think we can profit from Derby nerves. My gut tells me that that won’t be the story of the match, however.
Derby 2-0 Boro
Thanks Andy, I see you’ve saddled me with plenty to live up to. Though what happened to your relative optimism? It didn’t even survive until the end of your post 🙂 Maybe the theory of relative optimism means even a pessimist sometimes appears optimistic compared to the most gloomy…
Horses for courses, I suppose. I just hope we can keep the whites at bay or we’ll all be feeling a little grey.
Now that Millwall have lost and been in been the top the top six for a couple of weeks, who are the dark horses?
I think we’re geldings and don’t have the ba*#$ to go up !
OFB
That would be a mare.
The two form teams in the Champ play tonight, Fulham desperately need the win to push for an automatic promo spot.
Here’s hoping they can pull off an away win.
Note, on the day Arsene’s departure from Arsenal is announced, I discover that three of his Invincible squad from 2003-04 played for Boro – Parlour, Aliadiere and Justin Hoyte.
None made a particularly amazing, even good, impression. I’m reminded of what a friend said about Aliadiere – it looks like there’s a great player hidden in there somewhere but he frustrates the hell out of you.
Here’s his fantastic goal at the Emirates. Sorry about lack of sound.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WksCHhBsr5s
Southgate got rid of Parlour because he made a joke
Southgate
You can call be Gareth,Boss or whatever you feel comfortable with
Parlour
Can we call you big nose ?
Parlour left a week later …..
OFB
Yes, I remember that story. A great one.
Another excellent read thank you Werder which could quiet easily grace the Sporting Life.
It was disappointing to learn from TP that Bamford is unlikely to be available and that clearly impacts our scoring ability unless we are again relying upon the defence to do the job.
So it will be Assombalonga in place of Bamford and likely that GL will be restored to the side with the rest of the usual suspects in place barring any late problems to SD or BG.
Given Derby’s recent form you would hope that we could take advantage but our away form of late does not fill me with confidence and the spectre of typical Boro is ever present. Particularly when they will know the outcome of the Millwall v Fulham game and exactly what they need to do to match or better Millwall’s result.
I am also conscious of the spectre of the old boy, David Nugent, could well bite us.
I dare say it will be a nervy affair and no doubt short on goals. I will be watching with fingers and everything else crossed but am not confident of success and will have to go with my Exmil challenge prediction.
Derby 1-0 Boro ☹️
Thanks KP, I’ve actually got a sneaky suspicion that Bamford will play as Tony Pulis didn’t categorically rule him out and only said that he probably wouldn’t even be on the coach journey to Derby. Sounds a bit like mind games as surely he would know by now if was able to play or not and could give a definitive answer.
SAw video of Bamford training with Gestede in gym and he was laughing and joking
It’s Pulis Mind games !
WAtching the Millwall Fulham game and to be honest the Boro have a long way to go to match the work rate and enthusiasm for the playoffs
Nice to see a Premiership ref as we’ve had some poor ones this season
OFB
Have also been watching “six of the best” goals against Derby on the MFC twitter feed. My favourite in the away fixtures there is Ziege’s free kick, no question, though Tuncay’s volley and Bamford’s narrow angled winner come close.
Si
Now here’s a controversial point !
I think Ziege took the best free kicks and corners of any Boro player I have watched since 1966
OFB
I was at the Derby match and the free kick was brilliant. So were the 20 or so practice kicks he took in the warm up. I was with my 2 lads who were pleased to be in the ” hooligans ” end with the red army!! Great afternoon.
Agree with Andy R. 2-0 for me. We seem incapable of putting on even a half-decent performance away from home, irrespective of the quality, or lack of it, of the opposition. The game is an important one, but so have been the last few away matches, yet the players keep failing to match either the significance of the occasion or the commitment of our away supporters. I’ll change my mind when I see evidence of a change in the team’s attitude.
Only plaudits for Werder, however. Consistently high quality material, every time.
Didn’t notice too much politics, by the way, but don’t mind it anyway. The Brexit debate on here was of a far higher quality than anything produced by politicians on either side (mendacious claims all round), and way above the daily dose of drivel served up by the press. I was a Remainer, but I found the case for Brexit produced by Redcar Red and others far more convincing than anything I saw from any other source.
There’s a fantastic level of experience and expertise on this blog, and I find it one of the most useful resources available anywhere on pretty well any subject you care to mention. It’s especially useful to hear a case that you may not necessarily tend to agree with put cogently, and on the basis of strong personal evidence. I have too much respect for people who post on here to do anything other than value their opinions, whether i tend to agree with them or not. What most of us seek on any subject is not confirmation, but illumination, and that’s what i get consistently on this blog.
Many thanks Len, Boro’s away form has certainly been nothing to write home about and most people wouldn’t probably expect the team to suddenly find their form at this late stage – still stranger things have happened and it would be better late than never.
I’d also agree that some of the most interesting discussions used to happen when the subject drifted onto to other topics but whilst I find nothing wrong in general political discourse, problems tend to happen once party politics enter the fray and some people just take positions and quote other peoples positions instead of just discussing matters. Still I believe there are quite a few bloggers who would rather politics didn’t enter the blog as they prefer to stick to footballing matters.
Im just Red all the way through !
Great result for the Boro tonight with Fulham winning 3 0
Len
Illumination and hopefully plenty of entertainment?
OFB
This has been quoted as a “must win “ for Derby as was the recent away game against Sheffield United and we know what happened. So I am fearful of a similar result especially as our recent away record is poor and Assombalonga seems bereft of confidence.
As always I hope I am wrong and have fingers crossed that Millwall do not win tonight
There seems to be generous odds on Brentford sneaking into the top 6. I think they are the dark horses as they are on a good run and they do not play any of the current top 6 unlike most of the current top 6 teams.
Anyone else see Brentford as a real threat ?
No hopefully Brentford have peaked and will drift away
OFB
Nice to see you post
OFB
Brentford have a good run in and I suspect they will finish higher than their present position. The fact that we are four points to the good with only nine to play for stands us in good stead but not an insurmountable target. A win today for us would however put a few of those “stragglers” to the sword as games run out.
The Fulham/Cardiff tussle is intriguing as it perhaps would be better for us if Derby beat Cardiff on Tuesday night which is the complete opposite to just a few weeks ago. However if Derby were to win two on the trot that outs additional pressure on our Millwall game. The permutations and possible outcomes are giving me headaches, the fixture computer certainly played a blinder this season.
Yes – they scare the ***** out of me and my spread sheet.
A little gem I’ve just discovered.
With all the talk about Wenger at the moment, spare a thought for his forgotten Boro legend of a predecessor, who played his part in laying the building blocks for the Wengerlution’s greatest successes.
“I got on fine with Bruce Rioch, I’ll forever be grateful for the five starts and eight first team outings he gave me in 1995-96. He loved young players and that was fantastic. Under the previous regime it wasn’t easy to get a look-in with George Graham, who was cautious by nature and worried about risking too many kids. Rioch was less fearful. If he felt you were good enough, he’d throw you in at the deep end and expect you to swim.
“This faith in youth provided us fringe players with a little more assurance in our new high-pressure surroundings, and it tended to bring the best out of me.
“Although difficult to read as a person, there was a warmer side to Bruce Rioch too. In one-on-one meetings he’d always make a point of asking about your family, and to see if everything was OK at home with your other half.
“It was never just about the football. He wanted to know us as people. Building a family spirit within the dressing room was important to him, and on his say-so it became tradition for players to bring in cakes for everybody else on their birthday; something they’d done at Bolton. George Graham would never have considered this – so it wasn’t supported as enthusiastically as it might have been by the old guard – but the intention was nice enough. He wanted to bring us together.”
— Adrian Clarke
Full article here:
https://thesetpieces.com/features/bruce-rioch-one-wenger/
I notice that Jeremiah Aliadiere is saying he should never have left Arsenal.
Couldn’t agree more with him!
The only legacy he left at the club was a good old Teesside grudge against Javier Mascherano. I like to whip it out and give it a stroke on a regular basis.
(Ooh Matron)
The usual Werder..
I’m joining the “neigh”Sayers as ever.
Derby will be fired up after recent results and then there’s Vydra and Nugent. Say no more.
Thanks Steely, no off the hoof predictions as you’ve said it straight from the horse’s mouth – though we still owe them after they beat us 3-0 at the Riverside when Boro had a mare…
Watching a bit of the Millwall Fulham match. Not a bad game of football but there are loads of empty seat. It is a London derby with promotion an issue.
There is more than three points at stake tomorrow, I am going with my Rams colleague who kindly got me a ticket, Derby win and I pay, Boro win and he pays. Draw and we split the cost.
It depends, as often is the case, on which Boro turn up.
A draw looks favourite.
I go for a lucky 0-1 win for our beloved Boro. All the matches I have seen live in, the mighty Boro has won. Unfortunately I have seen only one away match this season.
And the goal scorer is Assombalonga of cource. At least I hope so. Up the Boro!
It’s disturbing that we still speak about the team ” form” being poor when getting turned over by teams in turmoil.
It is not a loss of form when no one can even pass the ball, no one has a shot throughout the match, someone commits a foul so pointless that it beggars belief, and gets sent off, early in the match.
Non of these things are a loss of form.
If we cannot have the will and the determination to dispose of the rubbish, then there are problems that need sorting out.
Shrugging the shoulders and saying ” typical Boro” it to give them a free pass.
Which, unfortunately they take full advantage of, frequently.
Plato
I don’t think it is our shrugs that are the problem, that lies within the club and we can do nothing about it.
Nor is it about form, at times we just play badly, there is no form, that is a norm that any team adheres to, In our case form is too often Typical Boro. We can do chuff all about it.
Tomorrow looks a real opportunity with Fulham winning 2 -0 at Millwall.
Ian
My point was that playing badly cannot be organised so that it occurs only against the most lowly teams, and generally away from home, that takes some organising. And of course all at the same time, all from the same hymn sheet.
I shall not read out the charge sheet (life’s too short).
Fulham beating Millwall 0-2mafter an hour, looking good.
Millwall 0-3 Fulham
Carpe Diem
CoB 😎
The usual great warm up article Weder, we are truly spoilt on this blog with Redcar Reds reports, Simons articles, OFB,S interviews and Ken “statto” Smith with the history. Thanks to all.
Just wish our beloved Boro could live up to the high standards.
Well, the play offs are in our own hands now with Millwall losing and a victory tomorrow seeing us 3 points clear with The Lions to play. What could possibly go wrong?
Let’s hope that Derby continue to implode and we can capitalise to make next Saturday even more crucial. I have my ticket booked in the hope that we secure a play off place, even though, I am not sure we deserve it.
Won’t complain though although still feel that we are not ready for promotion this year.
So, I am going for a 2 1 victory for Boro.
Thanks for the mention I am lookkg at Wembley hotels tonight for the final
Mind I have had some large gin and tonics tonight (hic)
OFB
Ian
There are so many teams in London, Millwall Fulham isn’t considered a derby, certainly not by the opposing fans in the office.
The Fulham fans look upwards to Chelsea as rivals, while Millwall look downwards to Charlton.
Millwall have a smallish fan base and the Fulham lot probably can’t get a taxi to take them south of the river.
Strangely, there’s a very intense rivalry between Palace and Brighton.
Anyway, a good result for Fulham and for us, tonight.
Ian Gill, is that your real name or non de plume, my name is Geoff Harland and I will look for you and your good lady on board, safe travel.
Come on BORO.
On the previous In2views blog, Ken recently posed a few possible questions for Doug Weatherall and OFB has recently had a reply from Doug and here are his answers:
Ken asked: Did Doug see the famous Mannion match as a reporter or a spectator? This was the 4-0 win against Blackpool on 22nd November 1947 in which Wilf admitted that he wanted to impress his fiancée and future wife Bernadette. It is rumoured that Wilf ran almost the length of the field with the ball on his head but maybe an exaggeration, although he probably did run a few yards repeatedly heading the ball without it touching the ground. It’s also rumoured that both teams formed a guard of honour at the end of the match, or was it that they merely ushered him forward to take the crowd’s applause before they left the pitch?
Doug said: I didn’t see that Mannion match. In November 1947 I was still a Ryhope Grammar 15-year-old, playing in a Sunderland district youth league for Silksworth IOGT.
Ken asked: Does Doug think that the reason why Len Shackleton only won 5 England caps and Raich Carter only 7 was because they were not team players, or rather that Mannion was a better partner for Tom Finney?
Doug said: The main reason Raich Carter didn’t have more caps was World War II and the fact he was older than Wilf. Raich was born 21 December 1913; Wilf 16 May 1918. Both were servicemen in the war. Raich, like Wilf, was certainly a team player. Shack didn’t have more caps because, in my opinion, England manager Walter Winterbottom unwisely didn’t select him enough. I stress we’re discussing terrific players.
Ken asked: Does Doug think that Duncan Edwards would have won as many England caps as Bobby Charlton had he not lost his life in Munich?
Doug said: Without a doubt. You name it; Duncan Edwards could do it.
Ken asked: Was John Charles the most complete footballer of his time?
Doug said: Yes, John Charles probably was as complete a player as you could imagine. He could shine as a defender, schemer or striker.
Thanks OFB for posing my questions to Doug Weatherall, although I should have realised that regarding my first question re the Mannion match, that Doug was far too young to be a reporter and unlikely as a 13 year old self confessed Sunderland fan to visit Ayresome Park that day despite Sunderland playing away at Burnley.
Apologies to Doug, and I do tend to agree with him that Len Shackleton was underused by Walter Winterbottom. In fact following England’s shock 1950 World Cup defeat to the USA in Belo Horizonte I was so incensed that as a mere 12 year old I wrote to the Chief Sports Writer of the Daily Mirror Peter Wilson dubbed ‘the man they can’t gag’ suggesting that in future Winterbottom should look at the Hot Bed of Soccer before selecting his next team and advocated an inside forward trio of Wilf Mannion, Jackie Milburn and Len Shackleton. I guess he might have thought that ‘the schoolboy they can’t gag’ was being a little impertinent or biased because his answer published in his column merely said “Interesting suggestion”.
Thanks Ken
I’ve passed your comments on to Doug
OFB
Two points
Len Shackleton went short of caps because he was fearless and outspoken( and very funny)
When you consider that the entire football universe was controlled by the FA council which was composed of a few football chairman who operated on Buggins turn principals(with no appeals, not ever)
Then you will know that it was not wise to say, among many other things, that the average director of a football club’s knowledge of the game could be recorded on the back of a penny stamp, with plenty of room for the Bible.
No, he did not get many caps.
If you win most of your matches, then being a selector is essentialy an ego trip.
If you are an Arsenal director then your clear duty is to get any Arsenal player into the England team. And it was no different far any other selecter.
A silly example.
George Hardwick, outstanding member and captain of the most successful team in history, entertaining, scored lots of goals, were feted where ever they went.
He got injured, and recovered, no recall, not ever.
Once you have been captain of England, you will never be selected to play under another captain. True
Camsel certainly was unlucky, he had some completely off the wall stats, ( shall we say fifteen goals in eight matches) yet some selector must have proposed that he be dropped for the next match, and he was.
Plato
One other point I’d like to make is that in fairness to Walter Winterbottom his hands were somewhat tied by the selectors. As in Test Cricket, in those days the selectors picked the squad, and as the selectors were made up of club chairmen, there was a perceived bias towards their own players. However, it was not unknown for a club chairman to vote against one of his own players if his club had an important match pending. In fact Wilf Mannion alluded to that fact in his autobiography when Boro’s chairman refused to sanction his availability on at least one occasion.
Exmil
I would have picked a better one that! It really is me. If you get tired walking around someone there is a chance that is me!
As for Bamford, the fact he was training in the gym with Gestede could suggest he was away from the squad and physical contact.
It will all depend what the medics say, was it concussion? Caution must be the priority.
Another fine prologue to what most supporters of both teams see as a ‘mustn’t lose’ game. When one reviews the recent history of Derby County one might think that their supporters have the same pangs of torment as ours. ‘Typical Boro! ‘could so easily be substituted for ‘typical Rams!’. Derby County, as the name implies, carries the hopes of all the County of Derbyshire on its shoulders (unlike Notts County as Forest have been the more successful club in the County of Nottinghamshire), but similar in some ways to Middlesbrough, which although not named Teesside or Cleveland County, nevertheless carry the same burden of hope for our region as Derby does for its own region.
Millwall’s defeat last night has some of us possibly anticipating that Boro are now favourites for a playoff position, but some of us might think differently. Boro might think the need to win today is not as important as it seemed yesterday and Derby might even share the same thoughts, so OFB’s persistent 0-0 predictions has some merit, and then looking ahead to next week, we’re likely to face another ‘mustn’t lose’ match though Millwall might feel they have nothing to lose now and go all guns blazing for the win.
I mentioned recently that on trying the Gazette’s Promotion Predicter that I had Boro drawing each of their last three matches but still finishing 6th level on points with Millwall but with a superior goal difference. Of course that scenario is now impossible as Millwall would need two points from their final match. However in this crazy season Boro could still finish in the top six with three draws. I could do with some excitement at my time of life, so might even enjoy the ‘edge of the seat’ drama’ that scenario would bring. Wouldn’t that be typical of Boro though to do it the hard way!
Ken
I would venture to suggest that doing it the hard way is in the Boro DNA and that is what they seem to have done for the majority of the time over the last 50+ years I have been supporting them.
Good to see that Fulham did the business last night and were by all accounts pretty impressive – it’s probably better for Boro that the Cottagers do indeed finish second as nobody would fancy playing them in the play-offs. It’s hard to say with Cardiff as they’ve just won one of their last four games after winning 8 in a row – though they drew at Sheff Utd, before losing 1-0 both at home to Wolves and away to Villa. Perhaps the best case scenario is we win at Derby today and then they beat Cardiff midweek – as long as we then beat Millwall then it shouldn’t matter as we’ll probably be OK with 75 points.
Anyway, plenty of ‘ifs’ in all that and I think we probably should look to beat Derby even though a draw would appear OK after yesterday’s result. Though if The Rams do win their game in hand in midweek then Boro will be fighting for sixth spot with everyone else and Millwall then becomes ‘must win’ and all the nerve shredding that comes with it.
Fulham’s dismantling of Millwall was a triumph of skill over thuggery. A heartening game and a win for football. Wolves and Fulham are the Championship’s two outstanding teams, and they have the footballing attributes to do rather well in the Premier League, as have Bournemouth and Watford in recent seasons.
For me Boro, Derby and Villa are much of a muchness, “bigger” clubs burned by their recent experiences of Premier League football, staffed by players comfortable enough in the Championship, but lacking hunger, and fearful of what promotion might hold for their personal futures. Of course, they want promotion, but do they want it enough?
Cardiff have the hunger to go up, but not the skills to survive at a higher level. Same with Millwall. Brentford and Bristol City have both tried to play decent football throughout the season, and deserve to prosper, but probably lack the resources to survive in the Premier.
Wolves and Fulham to go up, and, I suspect to do rather well. Whoever joins them will start as favourites to come straight back down.
I’d like to see us get promotion, and then survive, the Wolves/ Fulham/ B’mouth/ Watford way sometime in the very near future. We have the resources to do this, but at the moment I see little prospect of it happening.
Fully agree with all that Len but for me the unique advantage that Boro have should we manage to go up is TP. Love him or loathe him I can think of no other Manager I would want in charge of a struggling bottom six Premiership Club. Throw in the fact he would have the Summer to construct a squad that he fancies based on proven, tried and tested experience and I think our survivability ratings would be considerably higher than they would be under either a Karanka or a Monk. Mr Pulis might not be to everyone’s taste but Premiership survival is of paramount importance to those in charge of any clubs purse strings. I don’t think Brighton or Huddersfield were anything special but both their Manager’s attitude is what has made the difference for me this season especially contrasted with our defeatist non conceding attitude before we even kicked a ball last season.
The Millwall/Fulham result last night throws Boro (and others) a big boost going into today’s game. Three points dropped with only six remaining for the “unbeatable” Lions with Boro yet to come at the Riverside plus a three goal swing in Boro’s favour on GD. We have thrown this season away on many occasions and here we are just anticipating another “Typical Boro” moment.
A win this afternoon is not beyond the realms of possibility and although our away record hasn’t been great, we are playing a side seriously wobbling. A huge opportunity for Britt to step up but my fear is that he will need six gold plated chances to notch one, hope he proves me wrong and bags a hat trick.
RR
Great Post
I agree that Pulis is the manager that I want at this moment in time
He’s a devious sod and it wouldn’t surprise me if Bamford started today at Derby 🐎
OFB
Jokanovic was my number one choice to replace AK/Agnew.
I hope he wasn’t appointed because he wasn’t available.
We can but dream RR.
The fact that Arsene Wenger has announced his intention to retire at the end of the season has raised questions of whether it was actually a board decision. Perhaps he was hoping to be elevated to a position of Director of Football, who knows? But he not only raised Arsenal from the ‘boring’ title they were given under George Graham to the Barca style they tried to adopt, but brought continental innovations of fitness and diet not only to football but to other sports also, and for that alone he ought to be praised. I was pleased to see the plaudits and respect given by fellow managers on Football Focus especially from bitter rivals such as Jose Mourinho, and well deserved. Maybe he outlived his time as a manager for over 20 years, but I feel the disrespect from some of the Arsenal fans is a disgrace to someone who revolutionised the more healthy style of living that most sportspeople nowadays adopt. Also the success Arsenal FC have had during his tenure should be recognised.
My advice to Arsenal fans would be ‘be careful what you wish for’.
Ken, in your previous post you reflected that Derby carried the weight of expectation of the whole of Derbyshire, I think that my cousins in Chesterfield may very strongly disagree with you there I’m afraid.
As usual, no prediction, just go there and do a job as we expect you to do.
Just watched the Eagles take out Carlton and currently watching the Dockers dismantling the Bulldogs. All you people “Up Over” might be struggling with that one, but I’m sure my antipodean colleagues will be fully up to speed.
Peasepudinperth
Possibly, but Chesterfield are now more or less confined to non league status.
Werder, another belter. How you continue to up the ante is beyond me, so thanks for that.
Well, not long to go to see whether certain players have it them to play themselves well and truly into the top six. The defence needs to be tight from the off and not half a sleep. That definitely includes “Shocking”
I expect us to win or fail around the mid-field, hopefully ours having their best games of the season. Britt also has to work harder and stop huffing and puffing. Adama to take all the dead ball kicks….his are by far better than anybody else’s
Now it is just fingers crossed and hope the right Boro turn up..
Pedro, I came up with “Shocking” hoping that everyone on here would appreciate that I was using the Boro pronunciation of the word which is “Shocken”. Shocken/Shotten sounded every bit as close to each other as his performances have been every time I’ve watched him play, the Birmingham board must have all gone to the pub to celebrate once we’d signed both him and his contract.
As expected the team picked itself, but a major worry has to be the weakness of the bench, particularly with an intense period of games coming.
Midnight approaching and getting ready for the game. I’ll stick with my Exmill draw although, obviously, would love to see us sneak a win. The big risk is conceding early when Derby will be fired up by the pressure and the crowd. if we hold then through the initial phase, anything can happen.
I have a feeling that Britt will score but that could just be wishful thinking.
UTB
Selwyn, Britt to score, have you been on the turps again?
Double Turps please!
Puts hands up in surrender, my round I believe!
Mines a large glass of red of course !
Derby County TV is beyond useless – half an hour and still can’t connect to their website after the live feed froze one minute before the game! Very very annoyed!
Well only saw the last ten minutes of the first half so can’t really comment on how the game has gone – commentators said the ref has been a bit card happy and Derby have played OK but Besic took his goal well apparently. Hopefully there will be some replays at HT.
Mine froze after ten minutes and came back just after we scored. I had to relaunch the website and it was very slow to respond. Traore’s booking was never a yellow card. i just hope that he holds it together. Similarly with Clayton.
UTB
Werder I lost mine fortunately just after Besic scored and had to switch to radio tees which is ahead of the rams TV action.
Had to come out completely then resign in….then lost my VPN. Not a very good site at all.
Besic having a good game, Shocking being more like Shotton, Adama and Clayton walking on a tightrope with a card happy Referee. Britt getting no service though just long punts.
Not sure if we can keep up the intensity of the first half for another 45
Selwyn, subs are there to make sure that your yellows don’t turn to reds, let’s hope that if TP can see one brewing he makes the changes necessary.
Finger nails biting even at two up…c’m Boro
Braveheart, 1-0 I like because you know that you have to keep your eye on the ball, literally, but if they pull one back then you’re still up for it to get one more. 2-0 and teams sometimes, though not always, take their foot off the gas because of the cushion. If they get one back, then their tails are up and when you need to put your foot back on the gas, there’s usually nothing left in the tank. Keep pushing.
Braveheart, what did I tell you, if your bum wasn’t squeaky before I bet it is now!
Phew ! Fab Result !
That’s such a big win. Really good second half. We got have scored a couple more.
PPinP
Clearly those turps had something going for them 🙂
UTB
Selwyn, I reckon Britt was on the turps to have scored, if you’re ever down this way I owe you a beer for your forecast or, if I’m up your way I’ll call in to do the same at your local.
It would be a pleasure
Feels strange that I thought we were hanging on at 2-0 up in injury time as you are always expecting Boro to make it difficult – they duly did but thankfully no further scares.
Other results seem to be going our way including unbelievably Bristol currently 5-5 against Hull!
Great result and so glad to be proved so wrong! Shame to have conceded in the last few minutes but rather then than with 20 mins left when it could have been really difficult. Battle performances across the team with AT MOTM for me.
CoB
Well played Boro, Clayton was immense even with a yellow, but certainly in the second half we should have had at least one possibly two more.
The Referee spoilt the game in the first half but at least calmed down in the second. I have to say though if it had been a wrestling match Derby would have won hands down. It was push, shove and pull and the Ref did not hardly anything to punish them. Great result.
I meant goals not cards
An excellent two one result to somebody.
Am very pleased it was our lot.
Well done! I’ve always said that you take this prediction lark seriously…
That’s three correct in a row..
⚽️⚽️
Sunderland relegated.
Come on BORO.
Now, now Exmil, we’ve been there and as much as it brought a smile to my coupon, I can’t gloat. After all, if we fail in our push upwards, there’s six guaranteed points lost for next season.
Great result, play-offs almost in the bag……
Well, it’s all gone our way today.
Do we have that “momentum” that a play off winner needs?
I haven’t heard it mentioned but Derby County have now become the first club to concede a century of goals at home to the Boro in league matches, but I guess that is irrelevant in the scheme of things.
Besic’s shear class and f-lamb-uoyant Adama give sheepish Rams a battering in top six race.
Will our fans flock to Wembley?
Time wool tell.
#UTB
Baaa humbug !
We fleeced them today !
Wool I never a win !
We’re going to Wembley Ewe better believe it !
Get in there.
Happy to be wrong about the result but maybe, just maybe, Mr Pulis is a bit of a cunning old fox. Anyway well done Boro, well done travelling fans. Did Boro do it the hard way or was the penalty just a nod towards panic in the fans ranks?
Boro won so I’m going to enjoy it it amidst the builder’s debris. And why not?
I await your erudite report Redcar Red.
UTB,
John
Well the Boro did a demolition job on Derby today hopefully building a promotion push!
If we go up I’ll get plastered!
OFB
And a good goal by Brick Assambalonga!
I also had problems with Ramstv which went down on 9 mins and it took me until the 25th min to get it up and running again by which time I had missed Besic’s goal which fortunately they showed during the half time replays!
That apart the feed was good, nearly as good as Boro’s performance.
It’s possible you could compare Rams TV with some Boro performances as it didn’t show up for the first half hour – though at least they had both commentary, replays and half-time and post-match analysis. Possibly the future for live feeds but they will probably need to improve their bandwidth and technical platform.
I saw the whole match except a 5 min break in the first half. I had difficulties to find the link, though.
Great result. I think we only need a draw from the Millwall match now.
Up the Boro!
You’d better get your goat, Bob…
BTW The Derby penalty seemed very soft and i would have been livid if the score had only been 1-0. Overall, the ref was poor and a bit random with his cards.
The goals & a few very brief highlights (misses!) courtesy of Sky – comes into focus just before Mo Besic’s goal:
http://www.skysports.com/football/derby-vs-mboro/report/375140
Pity AT couldn’t cap a very promising run with a goal to add to his two “assists”!
RIP the Mackems. I actually feel sorry for their fans but, no doubt, I’ll get over it in time.
Sat in the car back from the match with two Rams. From where I sat the penalty looked soft, they didn’t think it was a penalty.
On their phone the summariser said we were cut above them all over the pitch, solid 8’s throughout the team.
They were all at sea when we attacked and we should have stuck a couple more away.
I can go away and enjoy myself but still all to play for.
We were cruising !
One thing I found out a few days ago is that TP has been using the services of Darren Campbell the former World Sprint Champion who now works as a specialist coach.
He has been brought in to work with ………
Traore ! Yes Traore !
It’s not how to run fast but how to run slow and conserve energy and when to use blasts of pace to create opportunities
It just shows how our manager is working with our team to get great performances on a consistent basis
OFB
Looking at the Sky highlights, Britt was very cool taking his goal.
I agree Nigel, no rushing the shot.
UTB,
John
Nigel
This is just a thought, but, when he received the ball in the six yard box(keeper stranded on his goal line) and took a touch, I worried, then he decided that he would dummy the keeper, at this point i cannot describe my feelings, so on to a change of angle for the easy shot into the net, it went in, what seemed a lifetime after we should have been two goals to the good.
I merely ask is it a good policy for your striker to even think before burying it in the net.
Here is Redcar Red’s match report on today’s crucial win at Pride Park as Boro start to look a decent bet for the play-offs…
https://diasboro.club/2018/04/20/championship-derby-vs-boro/#MatchReport
Great report, RR, on what sounds like a really excellent performance. Many thanks
It is tough for the Mackems, I wish them all the success they would wish us.
A comment on the ref today, Derby fans thought he wasn’t a homer. Two bits stood out, Adama broke free and the full back just kicked him, not a challenge or tackle, he just kicked him. Ref waved play on.
In the second half there was an obvious foul by a Boro player, the ref put his whistle to his mouth then played advantage because Boro kept the ball! ,
Ian
I’ve been looking on a few Derby forums and as you say they are less than complimentary about the Ref putting it mildly. I still think he was biased against us but taking into consideration that the Derby fans felt he was poor adds up to a really garbage performance. The best Refs are the ones that you don’t notice.
It was a great game with a lot at stake spoilt by very poor officiating. Shocking decision making throughout strewn with errors not helped by a sense of spotlight grabbing. Best I can think of is that he is probably the Jason Steele of Refereeing, rank bad but tries to compensate for it with “Hollywood” moments.
Yes, the ref was weird with his desisions from 20 s onwards. He was just slightly better second half. UTB!
Rugby League also has its fair share of poor referees. Last Friday the match between Wigan and Cas was refereed by Robert Hicks, surely just about the worst referee in any sport. Not only is he incapable of making the correct decisions, but also when cajoled by aggressive Wigan players allowed them to almost referee the match themselves. Now I don’t want to upset Martin Bellamy (Boro’s Wigan Warriors fan), but certain Wigan players do seem to get away with tactical foul play for which opposing teams would be penalised. Cas were dreadful last Friday and Wigan were the better team so no complaints from me on that score, but 40 odd years ago Rugby League was noted for firm but fair referees who stood no nonsense from players. Any dispute of a decision or backchat in those days would usually be penalised with a penalty ten yards further up the pitch.
RR
Great report on the game as usual you certainly brought out the atmosphere
It was Nugent who was fouled and Ayala needs to be more careful
OFB
Great result and the best away game I’ve seen for a long time. Who would have thought we were capable of this after the Burton game three weeks ago.
Hopefully we are the team with momentum going into the play offs.
Atmosphere in the away end was the best this season. Never stopped singing. Should be a full house against Millwall next weekend
I did see the match via Rams TV but it was a pleasure to read the report from RR, too.
What a week. Two wins and most of the other results going our way, too. This is the Champioship, mind.
The next match versus Millwall should be terrific. I think we should go for a win and try to keep the fifth spot. But most propably TP will be more cautious as.a draw is the minimum.
Anyway, the Riverside should be full and the atmosphere excellent for the second last home game. I think we have a home match in the play-offs, too.
Let’s enjoy the season. Up the Boro!
I reciprocate the thanks to RR for his excellent review of the match. I was unable to listen to the Radio Tees commentary until the moment that Assombalonga scored the second goal for health reasons which I won’t go into. Therefore RR’s report was a welcome boon.
I agree with Jarkko that I’d prefer us to finish 5th as I now feel that Fulham will miss out on automatic promotion, not because of their own efforts, but because of Cardiff’s doggedness. I also side with Len that Fulham are the second best team in the Championship and would prefer not to meet them in the two-legged Semifinal. I feel we would have a better chance against Villa but must make more of our scoring opportunities in the first leg Away goals do not count double in the playoffs so I think Boro would need at least a two goal cushion to take into the second leg.
Next Saturday should be the OK Corral at the Riverside and the club should be able to run the electrics off the atmosphere.
From the small amount of highlights I’ve seen the opposition do kick lumps out of Trore but he doesn’t crash to the ground with a bout of dramatics he just seems, for the majority of the time, to keep going. If Mr Pulis really is able to harness that young man’s skills he truly will be a lethal weapon.
What pity Howson’s shot hit the woodwork, fine margins again.
Thank you for the report Redcar Red, a good read as always. Regroup and onwards.
UTB,
John
Great report RR thank you. As you say, undeniably the best away performance of the season and had we had a few more of those both home and away from the start of the season than we would be challenging for automatic promotion.
We need to clinch the play off spot next week against Millwall as leaving it to a last day shoot is fraught with disaster and I don’t think my nerves could stand it!
A great team performance from all involved and another one on Saturday evening should be good enough to tame the lions.
CoB
Is it only me, but do we seem to play now decently for 90 minutes? Leeds match was the first, then there was a long while before we have started to play well for more than one half or 60 min.
At least the last two matches can be considered well played for 90 min. Perhaps TP is doing something correctly now.
Still in cloud nine. Up the Boro!
Quite a revealing interview with Rudy Gestede – even if the writer (&, I presume, his sub) can’t spell “publicly” & think the plural of “cameo” is “cameo’s”! *cringe*
https://tbrfootball.com/a-message-to-you-rudy/
Before I forget, the usual plaudits to Werder & RR for the intro & the match report. *chapeau*
A great report again RR, thank you. Managed to pick up second half as I was driving around in the Hull/Leeds area on family business. Started to disappear towards the end but heard the cries of experrassion from Maddo as we failed to finish the Rams off.
Maddo was full of praise for the whole team and we just need to carry on in the same vein against Millwall.
I am still amazed that we are in 5th but will take it although I am not sure this old heart of mine will take the play offs again!
I have my ticket (and defibrillator!) for Saturday even though it will be a late night drive south and hope that we can tame the lions and that the only roar will be the Riverside Crowd as we give them a good old mauling and grab the same by the scruff of the mane. I would prefer us not having to claw our way back from conceding an early goal!
I am sure TP will have the players geared up for the fight in the ring and set up for Daniel to do his stuff!
By my calculation, a win will secure a play off place regardless although we will know better after Derby have played.
It’s in our own hands- Come on Boro!
PS – even though not100% sure we deserve it, not going to complain and will take whatever happens – it’s the hope that kills you!!
I’m always intrigued by Dominic Shaw’s revelations in the Gazette of what we learnt. One of the things we learnt from his article yesterday was that Boro had scored twice in each of their last four matches. Funny that; I must have missed our second goal against Sheffield United ten days ago.
Can’t get the staff these days!
Unless he has wiped the match from his memory (which would be no bad thing, having had the dubious pleasure of being there!)
Great to think that we are playing well, do not think that the play offs are nailed on, I believe that we will play well against Millwall but nothing is for sure in this league.
There are a few wild cards in there yet, so we shall see.
We now really depend on Traore, the number of people who are being complementary to him is remarkable, from all across the football world.
His assists are growing at a remarkable rate, and would have been better had our players been more organised and aware of his great talent from his arrival at the club.
The strange thing is, the fans knew immediately that he was a rare talent, not just a dribbler.
I think that he would get lots of penalties if he went into the box more, because he never dives, never whinges, and always gets up and carries on if he can, so even tight reffs will have no hesitation if he is fouled in any way in the box.
I’m still worried about Brentford . . . .
Mmmm, they have the form- we need 2 points (I think) to be safe unless there is a big swing in goal difference – needs to be wrappped up with a win on Saturday.
But this is Boro we are talking about………..
Oh Allan!
It depends a lot on the result on Saturday. If we get mugged off by Millwall then Brentford could barn-storm their way into the play offs and crash the party.
If we manage to maul Millwall’s lions then I’d be more inclined to see Brentford bully their way past Millwall and claim the 6th slot.
Either way, it’s shaping up to be a cracker for the end of season. If Cardiff (probably the least talented of the top 6 but certainly very consistent) manage to hold onto 2nd place then Fulham, Villa and two from Boro, Millwall, Derby, Brentford would see some cracking matches.
Good on you, Plato, in spotting the true potential of Traore much earlier than anyone else. You’re right too in emphasising the fact that he doesn’t dive or whinge, and that this is an important quality of his game that hasn’t been given enough emphasis.
In fact it was this aspect of his game that led to both of our goals on Saturday.
In the build up to Besic’s goal, Traore was badly fouled and hacked down, but he bounced straight back up, continued with his run, and crossed for Besic to score.
For our second, he went for a 50-50 ball, and both he and the Derby full back went to ground. Whilst the Derby man was still dusting himself down, Traore was up, running unmarked into space to receive the pass from the resulting loose ball,and putting the ball on a plate for Britt.
Both goals were a tribute to Traore’s courage, resilience and awareness (universally presumed to be lacking up to a couple of weeks ago), as much as to his pace and dribbling skills.
The scales fell from my eyes-much later than yours- at Bolton, as I’ve mentioned on here before. He was head and shoulders above everyone else on the pitch that day. And his feat in picking himself up after being hacked down no fewer than three times on the same run, before laying on Britt’s first goal, is one of those rare footballing incidents of which life-long memories are made.
I was so excited and enthused that I went down to see the Villa game three days later – a horrible drive on a foul night- purely to see Traore do it all again. That hope was extinguished within a couple of minutes, and I spent the next eighty-eight praying for the final whistle and a goalless draw.
Suspended for the next few games, giving away a late penalty, and then demoted to being a bit-part player by Monk, it became clear that Traore was regarded as lacking in consistency, and something of a loose cannon. It was a verdict that the Gazette boys were unanimously endorsing. They cast him as an in-and out player, someone who couldn’t be relied upon.
The problem with that analysis was that it was weighing in the balance a quite superb individual match-winning performance and a couple of regrettable incidents,and finding them of equal significance. I never bought that, any more than Plato did.
For that reason I don’t really buy the universal view that it has been Pulis, who has transformed the player. Pulis deserves credit for picking him. That has been his main achievement, and it is a conspicuous one because it is something that the previous manager failed to do. Credit too to Pulis for recognising Traore’s talent and giving him the freedom and encouragement to play. That has certainly been helpful. But the idea of Pulis as transformative influence only has the traction if you believe that the player wasn’t really up to it before the new manager arrived.
I don’t believe that, nor, i suspect does Plato. For my money Traore post -Pulis hasn’t yet quite achieved a performance to equal the one he produced at Bolton. All credit to Plato for recognising the importance of that talent earlier than anyone else.
I think that Pulis has been instrumental in taking the pressure off Traore. He repeatedly says that he has to be left to play his game and so he does….and gets plenty of praise for it. For me the interesting think over the last few months is how the team has slowly worked out how to take advantage of the space that the tight marking of Traore creates. Howson and Besic are getting forward and doing a lot better.
Millwall are supposed to be ‘robust’ to say the least. Do we adjust to play them or just play our own game. I’ll be curious to see if Leadbitter and Clayton start.
UTB
Enjoyed the report as always, RR. Thank you kindly.
I also agree with the tone of Len’s post. Traore’s modus operandi since he first took to the pitch for us, against Spurs, hasn’t really changed since he joined – he’s always been fast, strong and brave. He’s just become better at his craft.
The other thing(s) about Traore?
Under AK, he was understandably deemed not ready, in the same way United’s Class Of ’92 were told “not yet” when they were really keen to prove themselves in 1994-95.
The departure of Adomah unfortunately meant that we were forced into playing Stuani on the right or throwing Adama in at the deep end – and AK’s highly risk-averse nature was anathema to trusting Adama to dictate the attack.
Now, in fairness, few – especially me – believed Adama *was* ready, but that belief comes about when you’re trained to judge players on end product and end product alone. The player is not praised for trying to do the right thing, he’s slated for not providing the right final ball or finish that “could have made all the difference”.
An alternative view, and a good one, is that if a player has the pace, strength, bravery and footwork to worry the opposition, as Adama already did, then defences will be so frightened or pre-occupied with keeping him quiet that they will leave space for the rest of our team to exploit. Just because an attacking player doesn’t explicitly create a chance or score a goal doesn’t mean he can’t be vital.
The difference now, although with Braithwaite gone, Gestede injured and M. Johnson looking out of his depth, it’s probably been forced upon us again, is that Adama is not only worrying defences with his many attributes – he’s now being trusted to dictate the attack. And with the goals of Britt, the footwork and goals of Bamford, the vision of Downing and the likes of Howson & Besic frequently striding forward, we are definitely not short of forward-thinking options. Or at least we shouldn’t be.
Simon
Great post.
What always surprised me was the managers reaction to Traore creating chaos in the entire defence by essentialy trashing it.
To generalise it amounted to ” undisciplined, and we did not score from his passes, so there, I now know why Real let him go, he is dropped”
And he was late for the bus, which shows what a bad footballer he is, so there again, ya boo and sucks to you.
A manager who really did not need to get sacked, I’ve even forgotten who was selected in his place.
Makes you think.
The frustration with Traore was never about a lack of talent – quite the opposite – it was about using his undeniable gifts effectively and consistently.
Traore himself should take the main plaudits but Pulis, at minimum, has given Traore the confidence to play somewhere near his current best week after week.
To my mind, Traore’s progress from fringe-flair-player to focal-frontman is Pulis’ best achievement at Boro so far.
Andy R
Pulis deserves every credit for, in effect declaring him (Traore) a permanent member of the starting eleven. One cannot emphasise too much the effect this has had on the whole team, in addition to the player himself.
Regardless of who deserves the congratulations, the players have had to stop their lack of support for his adventures in causing havoc in the defence with bodies sprawling everywhere. This is good.
He is taking very effective corners which are leading to goals, he has just been tasked with this duty, it was Downing’s province before.
He must now take over the free kicks on the edge of the box, because, frankly we have no clue about such things.
We have seen how he can work the ball from the front of the box when it is full of bodies, another thing to be encouraged.
It bears repeating, the rave reports he is getting from a wide circle of people, some of it is quite remarkable to read them.
After the Derby match one national after giving the match, plus Derby and Boro a seriously good review, then complemented at least six players by name.
He ended with one sentence, but what a sentence.
” as for the man of the match it could only be Traore, a quite wonderful display by a player who will undoubtedly play at the very top level of the game, he was unplayable by anyone in this league or any other league”
In the European Football Leagues things are hotting up in Italy’s Serie A, because Juventus having had a six point lead over Napoli less than a fortnight ago, have almost been caught by them following yesterday’s matches. Juventus could only draw at relegation threatened Crotone midweek and then lost 0-1 at home to Napoli yesterday to have their lead reduced to only one point. With Juventus having a difficult match at Inter Milan next weekend and Napoli a slightly easier fixture in Florence, what looked like another almost certain Juventus title looks like having an exciting climax with only 4 weeks remaining.
Spain’s La Liga also had a round of midweek and weekend fixtures, but Barcelona almost have the title won with an eleven point lead over Atletico Madrid and a game in hand whilst as usual Bayern Munich have had the title sown up for several weeks in Germany and this week welcome my Eintracht Frankfurt who have completely imploded losing three of their last four matches. Incidentally, although my ancestors are from Frankfurt and I love sausages, I hate frankfurters which I first encountered at Wembley Stadium. Werder Bremen seem fairly safe now after a dreadful start to the season, so my attention now centres on the university city of Friebug (one of my favourite cities in Die Schwartzfeld) who face a relegation battle fixture next weekend at home to Cologne (the city of the Cathedral with one of the highest steeples in Europe). I have visited both of these cities a couple of times.
As I reported last week FC Porto look favourites for the Portuguese title with only the slight possibility that they could slip up in Madeira against Maritimo next week, but with Benfica still having to play their local rivals Sporting Lisbon away, I’d be surprised if FC Porto don’t win the title. All of the major European League titles apart from Serie A now seem to have been decided, so it’s now just a question of relegation issues to be decided along with of course Boro’s attempt to reach the playoffs and progress further thereafter.
Adama can be a world beater in one game and yet be almost an anonymous irrelevance in the next. Since his call up for the Spanish U 21’s he has fallen well short of his previous standards up until yesterday. As fantastic as he is beating four or five players he can equally exasperate by standing still instead of making a run dragging defenders wide to create an opening for a team mate. Worse still he often actually runs towards the player in possession instead of creating the passing opportunity.
The above isn’t Adama bashing its the reason he is at the Riverside and not the Nou Camp. He does posses raw talent but his footballing knowledge (note not skill which is unquestionable) was/is his weak point. There was little in the way of finished product, as exciting as his runs could be he invariably ran out of pitch, literally, hence “Forest Gump” references.
Since TP has arrived Adama is playing with greater belief (note not confidence, but belief). He still needs to be switched across the pitch to be near the touchline to the dug outs, there is a reason for that, namely he needs to be coached in terms of his positioning and availability to get more involved which is what I mean about “knowledge”. His end product has improved immeasurably, his assists are now commonplace whereas Bolton aside they were a rarity if at all. Away to Arsenal he was a sensation but nowt in terms of returns from his brilliance. His goals are now expected whereas pre Pulis they were not even remotely on the horizon. Corners? where did they suddenly come from? Certainly not in evidence pre Pulis.
TP can’t inject him with a “skill” needle, like his speed you either have it or you don’t but he has coached his knowledge and understanding and overall awareness. Raw skill on its own wasn’t enough, football is a three dimensional game and possessing juggling skills, energy, enthusiasm and trickery doth not a footballer make which is why we see those blokes outside Stadiums or shopping centres performing “keepie uppies” with a hat full of loose change. AK tried to coach Adama from the sidelines in the same way as TP does but when things went wrong I saw frustration and annoyance from the bench now replaced with an almost grandfatherly type disappointment allied with words of enthusiastic encouragement to get going again and don’t give up.
Many have tried with Adama, firstly Barca, then various coaches at both Villa and Boro and mostly failed to get him to where he is now consistently. He isn’t the finished product, perhaps incredibly I believe there is better and much more from him to come. You can’t polish a you know what but TP has definitely polished and honed Adama and improved the lad making him a better all round and more complete footballer.
Now it may just be coincidence but there are other examples of improvement in the side, Ben had gone backwards, Ayala is now undroppable, George has recovered his pre injury Championship form, Shotton has the odd poor game but is far better than early appearances indicated, Paddy arguably be default has rolled back the clock to when he was the Championships top player. It could all be a coincidence but I don’t think so and the body language between Adama and TP contrasted with Adama and AK is unrecognisable. AK was the critical Parent, TP is the loving supportive but disciplined Grandad, maybe thats all it took for Adama but that man management shouldn’t be underestimated.
The important thing, regardless, is that Adama has improved immeasurably and we all benefit from that, not least of the lad himself and deservedly so.
Right again RR
Absolutely agree with that almost end of term report.
Many managers and coaches have tried and failed to get Adama to perform well and consistently. Last season and the first half of this the frustration was he was producing little end product with virtually no assists to his name.
With TP as manager Adama has rapidly improved, one of the things TP has done is employ an athletics coach to help Adama with his running ,which sounds funny at first thought since he runs like the wind. But, there in lies part of the problem apparently, so he has been coached to slow down a little. For me the benefit of that was seen for the first goal on Saturday when he hit the by-line, looked up and dinked a great ball into space in the penalty area for Besic to pick up and score from.
I think Pulis should be given credit for Adama’s significant improvement in form, keeping it simple and getting help with controlling his speed seems to me to have worked a treat.
I also believe that having Besic in the team has had a huge impact on Boro’s offensive capabilities which has given Adama more opportunity to shine.
RR,
Good post. I think that the reason Traore doesn’t use his pace to make runs, and sometimes even walks towards the ball is that he likes the ball delivered to his feet. He’s most explosive from a standing start. The great Stan Matthews was exactly the same. He wouldn’t ever run after a ball, in spite of his great pace. Again his strength lay in being explosive over those first few yards. He demanded that the ball was passed to his feet. And being the great man that he was, that’s exactly what he got. And in his pomp he never scored any goals. He reacted as though such sordid materialistic matters were far beneath him. Like the Queen’s attitude to carrying money. Stan was footballing royalty.
I’d never actually thought about that, Len. But in essence it’s a profound analogy.
Scott Wilson’s piece in the Echo probably explains it far better than I and straight from Tony Pulis himself!
http://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough/16176185.Middlesbrough_boss_Pulis_reveals_key_to_unlocking_Traore_s_potential/
Derby play their rearranged game against the Bluebirds tomorrow night at Pride Park then face Villa away on Saturday before we KO at 5.30 against Millwall.
On Saturday at 3.00 Brentford are away to Barnsley which appears easy on paper but Barnsley are fighting for survival and recently conquered the Blades. Aitor’s Forest host the Robins who are rocking but not in tune and the Blades are home to Preston.
If Derby lose both games this week, Barnsley beat Brentford, Forest take points off Bristol and Sheffield beat or draw with Preston then we could have cemented a Play Off spot without kicking a ball. Having said that I think a Derby win tomorrow would help Fulham to second spot which would I think be preferable for our Play Off hopes.
I concur.
According to my chart Bristol and sheffield cannot catch us unless they score a lot of goals
RR, thank you again for the Saturday match report, informative as ever and it is always nice to see an alternative view when one has watched the match. We had a few hiccups online but I did not miss the goals as played.
Your post on Adama is excellent and although TP may not be my favourite Manager choice you have to give credit where credit is due.
There are some players who are finally, even if it has been a long time coming, almost back to their best consistent level and at the right time.
Adama has been a revelation under TP and credit to him. More improvement and importantly consistency is required but that is always a problem with the type of player Adama is. Even Hazard can be inconsistent at times. It is about reducing those periods.
Adam Clayton has been the stand out for me since getting back in the side and made a difference in the middle. Besic undoubtably has the skill at this level but can drift and fade, though not on Saturday. If these two and Adama can continue to perform, with the defence tightening up just a little more, then we may have a chance going forward.
Saturday will be the litmus test.
Ah, Traore?
So people are saying that he is at last starting to look like a good player.
He has always been the fastest player on whatever field he happened to be playing on.
Even when his team mates thought it was ok to give him the ball with his back to the touchline and four men on him, and a mile from the opposition penalty area, he still beat the four men and moved the team up field.
This was crazy dribbling, he did not run out of grass, he generally shoved the ball into the box, this was a wasted ball( his team mates were too proud to enter the said box and ( maybe). score.
He has made more assists for this team than could be counted, no one there to put them in the net.
It is independent observers who are stating that he is a special talent who will play at the highest level, many of them.
Our manager has stated that his place is on the wing, he is of course wrong, as one national observer said he will inevitably take his place in the middle.
I hope that we are prepared for the storm that will come at the end of the season
What will we demand? Ten million and will you be our friend.
Watch this space?
Why is nothing ever simple?
If we were playing anyone but, Millwall, Fulham, or Wolves, Friday night would be a slam dunk.
But unfortunately, Millwall are a desperate team, seeing the playoffs drifting over the horizon, so watch out, be at your best, keep in mind that if we have to accept a draw it will probably be enough.
Plato, wish we were playing Friday night and on the TV also.i
The result would be a foregone conclusion. Unfortunately we are playing on Saturday evening and a result will be difficult. We will need to be at our very best from the off.
Stanley Matthews was dubbed ‘the wizard of the dribble’ and that might well be a good description for Adama Traore.
Another insight?
To judge an attacking midfield player or winger as poor solely on whether or not his final ball reaches the desired team mate is quite misleading.
One of the reasons we netted three away against Brighton, I think, is that there were always more players in the box as an alternative if the cross didn’t come off.
An insightful writer (not me) once said that even though we’d had 60% of possession at Leeds the year before, it counted for nothing because disallowed goal aside we failed to get a shot on target. He added that none of Adam Reach’s nine crosses were converted not so much because they were inaccurate but because we had no more than one up front.
This is still apparent under Pulis, alas. I think even in the 3-0 win over Leeds I longed for more players to get in the box and support Bamford when we attacked.
Simon
That is so true.
When one thinks of our season in the Prem, our ratio of shots per match gave us no chance of staying up, we won’t even discuss the number of attackers in the area per minute of the game.
It may not have disturbed the bean counters, so low was it.
The number of games in which we have wasted Traore by the simple act of not bothering to attack the goal line as he crossed the ball, thank goodness that has stopped, but it needed to.
Looking forward to Saturday evening and hoping for good news
Thank you for the League reports from our European Correspondent…..interesting and appreciated Ken.
StirCrazy…..that was a nice article about Rudy. I will cut him a little slack in the future. Not too much though.
Continued.
The MFC site just shared our 4-0 win over WBA at the Riverside in 2004-05. Notable was how Nemeth was able to support Jimmy in the box – at least! – and vice versa.
I think of that, and then I think of the 0-0 against Bournemouth which summed up the pluses and minuses of the AK reign in a nutshell. The argument that draws are to be expected in top of the table clashes anyway and we had our chances to win is certainly valid. But so too is the argument that we ran out of ideas following the opening burst out of the blocks and that Lee Tomlin was the only player freed from the shackles. And that it would have been nice to see our lone front man get more support.
As Len implied at the time – though I refused to pay too much attention to it then, as I was happy we were consistently competing for promotion at all after five years in the wilderness – there were times when one holding midfielder seemed to be more than enough.
Simon you are sooooo correct. The team needs to get balls into the box with pace and also to get players in sufficient numbers in said boxso that the law of average applies.
That is my gripe with TP. One up front with little support and relying on set pieces or the magic from Adama and a pinpoint cross to the lone striker. Difficult at times against decent defenders.
If we don’t get promoted I expect Traore to leave, I also expect us to sell him for £20 million. I think we paid £9 million for him and Pulis has made him twice the player he was.
Nigel
Forget who made him.
And please forget twenty million. That is dangerous talk .
There will be an ugly rush for him, and we of course do not wish to sell him.so we should copy Southampton? Who never indulge in loose talk, and never haggle.
Big club wish to buy( it will only be a very big club, we would never sell him to a struggler) and Southampton say nothing, big club get desperate, say to target club, can we negotiate? Target club say, no, the price is fifty million, big club say we feel sick, owners of player say, then go away, you cannot afford him.
At which big club say, o.k that’s fine we will pay the price.
The only snag with the above, is, I think he is worth more than that.
Sometimes we need to remind ourselves about the value of the clean sheet.
15 for Darren Randolph this season. That’s not too bad at all. (In fact, all things considered, it’s very good.) Not on par with Dimi’s 22 from two seasons ago, but not too far away.
Wolves will tell you how important it is – with 23, John Ruddy has already surpassed Dimi’s 2015-16 total. Ditto Bournemouth – for all their attacking prowess, it was their back two of Cook and Elphick who were also singled out for praise when promoted.
Because of them Eddie Howe was able to adapt to contain the threat of top Championship teams who tried to tease Bournemouth into attacking and leaving gaps… like us.
We didn’t so much leave gaps it was as much or perhaps more because we were unwilling to go over the half way picket line for fear being singled out as a scab by the bench.
RR
Great comments about Adamah following on from Plato’s initial assessment and a blast from the past remembrance from our elder statesmen
OFB
ie “Don’t take the initiative unless you know you’re going to score”.
And if we missed, whoever missed that chance would be told, “But for you, we’d have won”.
I read that the Twe12th man fans group are urging for the Riverside to be a sea of Red on Saturday evening and in particular the North Stand!
As most of us on here recall the North Stand was (and theoretically still is) the Home end where all the passionate support transferred to from the Holgate when the Riverside first opened. Some time later the Red Faction splintered away into the SE corner and in doing so became a target for overzealous Stewarding, even being warned to keep the noise down and stop creating a racket when the Stadium reflected the morgue like Football on display. “Don’t yer dare come here, bangin drums, singing, chanting and supporting the Boro making all that noise!”
Now I couldn’t figure out why fans would desert the heartbeat of the Club, the North Stand? Surely if you were passionate and vociferous about the Boro that’s where you would want to be? I discovered at early bird renewal time that pricing seems to be a major reason for the demise of the North Stand into what is now a sad sea of red plastic and why the South Stand is attracting more “defectors” from the North.
There are discounted prices in the Stadium for the Family Zone, under 18’s and over 65’s, there are also discounts for 18 to 21 year old students albeit at nearly double the under 18’s season card prices as Students, Apprentices and those just starting work don’t even qualify for the full minimum wage and are basically pretty skint so fair enough. When my now 18 year old wanted to renew his Season Card for the same seat in the North Stand for next season just a few weeks back I was astounded that there are no 18 to 21 year old Season cards available in the North Stand! Yep thats right the end which we kick towards in the second half effectively banishes young men who support the Boro to elsewhere in the ground like the corners for example.
He (or more accurately “I”) could either pay the full price (more than double the 18 to 21 year old cost) or go sit in the Corners with the Mums and Dads or get a seat in the South Stand (except there are no early bird renewal seats available). So much for loyal, early birding, commitment! Now as it happens I did manage to find a single solitary seat in the South Stand thanks to the diligence and great help from the ticket office staff. My point however once again is what on earth resides between the ears of the Marketing department being paid a salary at MFC?
To make the stupidity and incredulity even worse the South Stand Season card allocation is full because only half the South Stand can be reserved for Home fans (away support for some big games as we know encroaches well into the South stand plus the segregation area). All that makes sense and for safety reasons alone is understandable.
You bring a youngster to matches, go in the North Stand to loudly sing your heart out cheering on the Boro until he is of an age to go on his own with his mates as he has done for the last two or three years sitting at the back of the North stand with his mates (sat well away from his old man) and then just as he is a full blown fanatic he has to move to the South Stand or win “Who wants to be a millionaire”. Consequently the North Stand is getting older with support literally dying and as the next generation comes along they are effectively told to “do one” (polite version) by MFC and shift!
The intention some years back for moving the away fans into the former Red Faction SE Corner area was to create a cauldron of noise at both ends behind the goals of passionate home support to give an advantage to Boro. Now if the average age of the Holgate was circa 23 years old (debatable I know but I figured it ranged from about sixteen years old to mid/late twenties on average) then fast forward twenty three years and that makes them circa mid forties at the youngest. Likely married with family and responsibilities and with that diminishing excitability and passion levels replaced instead by more reasoned philosophical “Typical Boro” cynicism. With fresh blooded teens and twenty somethings mixed in around them that youthful Boro passion and exuberance can be relived for many for an hour and a half every two weeks or so. Sadly not the case, middle aged old farts like myself are now surrounded by a sea of red plastic seats, a legacy if you like to mates and times of old like Tombstones of days and nights like Steau long gone by.
The North Stand Surfer is now a relic of days of yore (there aren’t enough hands to pass the banner overhead) and I wonder if those suited in the West Stand upper have a remote clue as to why the North Stand is now depleted and with it the voices and songs getting quieter and quieter each Season as Boro attack what was once the hotbed of support in the second half of games?
I sincerely and genuinely hope that the Twe12th Man group get their wish and see the North Stand packed out for the visit of Millwall for that one game at least but someone, somewhere and not for the first time in MFC needs a flippin rude awakening (again that is being extremely polite).
RR
Can I suggest you send this to MFC and ask for a response?
OFB
I made my feelings very clear and well known in the Ticket Office at the time believe me. Like as not a letter would only land on the desk of the numpty who instigated it. I would prefer to phone and discuss it but I’d likely need a second mortgage at the call rates the Club currently fleece their customers with (again like as not the same individuals ingenuity).
RR
Sent you some direct tel no’s …
OFB
That’s a fair point you make – the club do need to do something. But that’s what happpens when you have marketing bods involved who probably don’t fully understand the football supporter life cycle.
Anyway, I will be in the North stand on Saturday to help the Boro on their way!
Come on Boro!
I sympathise with you here RR but has this always been a problem since the advent of all-seater stadia and the vast increase in the purchase of season tickets? I don’t know when season tickets became the norm for supporters (might even be related to the advent of all-seater stadia), but years ago one would just turn up at Ayresome Park with one’s mates at a pre-arranged time dependent on the anticipated size of the crowd. Sometimes, especially against Sunderland, Newcastle, Liverpool or Manchester United we would arrive an hour before the kickoff with the added attraction of a Brass Band performance, other times about 5 minutes before kickoff. I suppose it’s a change of habits nowadays meeting in a pub beforehand.
The idea of a sea of red is a good idea as long as it’s a Boro Red, but imagine if it was a sea of different reds, for example carmine, carnation, cerise, cherry, claret, cochineal, coral, crimson, fuschia, garnet, henna, magenta, maroon, mulberry. pink, plum, pomegranate, puce, raspberry, rose, ruby, salmon, scarlet, strawberry, vermillion or wine! Ugh, it might turn one’s stomach.
You’re not called red ken by any chance?
Yorkshire top of County Championship. Let’s hope it lasts.
OFB
I think you’re confusing me with a former Lord Mayor of London with a surname sounding like a Scottish Championship Club. Actually though the restaurant waiters in the Algarve might call me that as my usual attire there is a red jacket, or is it scarlet? Mind I did have a conversation there with a young lad suitably attired in an authentic Boro Ramsden football shirt in February.
An earlier comment pointed out that if Boro don’t make the Premier League then we should sell Adama for 20 million ! Why ? Surely if we want to make a real attempt to get back up next season then we have to keep our best players and Adama is the first name you would put on the team sheet.
braveheart1967, you’ve mis-read my post, nowhere did I write we should sell him.
Saints v Boro u23 on you tube if your interested .
Yes, a brilliant report, RR, thank you. Sadly, I wasn’t at the game, so your writing has helped bring it to life. And I agree with your views on Adama, too.
I can’t wait for Saturday. It will no doubt be nervy, and Millwall will provide a tough test, but we should be backed by a bumper crowd. We’ve now played well for over 90 plus minutes in both our last two games. Let’s hope TP can maintain this momentum and get us playing to our full potential again on Saturday.
One win takes us to the playoffs. From then on, with the wind behind us, and Adama causing havoc, anything can happen! Come on Boro – we can do this!
Four wins and we’re in the Premiership
OFB
We might even do it with four draws. Huddersfield did it with only three last season.
I don’t think Adama will leave while Mr Pulis is the boss, he’s getting the best out him and there seems to be a real respect there. I’m optimistic he’ll stay and the major changes will be elsewhere in the team.
Come the Millwall match a few others need to realise their full potential.
UTB,
John
I agree with Clive. There are real grounds for optimism after Derby, and the first solid evidence that we’ve had all season that we can put together a solid 90 minute performance away from home. The major obstacle to promotion that we face is the possibility that we may have to encounter Fulham in the play-offs. For that reason we should be keeping our fingers, and everything else crossed that they catch Cardiff and attain automatic promotion. In that event i can envisage a Boro-Brentford Wembley final, which we would have to be favourites to win.
It’s the most optimistic that I’ve felt all season. Come on Fulham!
Another football ban…..
https://www.google.co.uk/amp/s/amp.belfasttelegraph.co.uk/sport/snooker/football-top-ban-is-crazy-blasts-allen-36837497.html
Yes, Len. I too am smiling about Boro again.
Also, that we know that the play-offs and the play-offs alone are as good as it is going to get may work in our favour. Some, but not all, of those who reel from the pain of coming so close yet so far to automatic promotion (like: Sunderland in 1998, ourselves in 2015, Brighton in 2016) may find it especially hard to accept that all their efforts to finish in the top two have amounted to a lottery.
This year? One could argue, though I may be wrong, that we’re happy to be in the play-offs at all considering how low we felt under Monk. Happier, still, that Bamford and possibly Britt have found their form again, Adama has found himself full stop and our midfield is charging forward more.
We seem more driven by a “nothing to lose, everything to win” mentality, regardless of how solid our foundations are, whereas too often in the past going for all we have to win has been swamped by fear of all we have to lose.
It’s a Boro thing that goes back years.
Best play-off final in my memory? Or one of them?
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ix0KjrSSs_I
The last ever second tier play-off final at the old Wembley. Featuring Boro favourites like Higgy, Mogga, Clapham and Venus.
Simon
There have been a few for me.
1993 Swindon 4 Leicester 3 (Swindon led 3-0, Leicester fought back to 3-3, Swindon won with a penalty 5 minutes from time)
1995 Bolton 4 Reading 3 (Bolton 0-2 down, equalised to 2-2 five minutes from time, then led 4-2 scoring two minutes from the end of extra timeReading equalised immediately but couldn’t equalise)
However 1998 was surely the most exciting.
Charlton 1 Sunderland 0
Charlton 1 Sunderland 1
Charlton 1 Sunderland 2
Charlton 2 Sunderland 2
Charlton 2 Sunderland 3
Charlton 3 Sunderland 3 (4 minutes from time)
Extra Time
Charlton 3 Sunderland 4
Charlton 4 Sunderland 4
Penalties Charlton 7 Sunderland 6 (13 successive goals till Michael Gray missed the 14th)
I really felt sorry for Sunderland that day. Nottm Forest had won the league with 94 points, Boro automatically promoted with 91, and Sunderland had finished third on 90. That was the highest points total for a club not to be promoted into the top tier, and the second highest was Brighton’s 89 two years ago,
The most heartbreaking at the Millennium Stadium for me was the 2nd Division Playoff Final of 2005 when Hartlepool United twice led Sheffield Wednesday until Chris Westwood gave away a penalty in the 81st minute, was sent off, and Pools lost 2-4 after extra time.
Charlton 4 – 4 Sunderland after extra time and then a penalty shoot out will take some beating.
Yep, that’s one of my favourites too. The other is Bolton 4-3 Reading AET… Reading blew the chance to go 3-0 up from a spot kick, and Bolton fought back.
Having a great cruise, going to meet up with Ian Gill for a few beers tonight while in St Kitts.
Come on BORO.
Well its precipitating on Teesside and bleeding freezing having enjoyed our Summer last week. Spare a thought for us shivering with our Gas Fires on. Begrudgingly and through envious gritted teeth I hope the pair of you enjoy it!
Now that s the real Exmil challenge !
Err I was going to go to the bar but I think I got the last beers 🍺
Cheer
OFB
Exmil (and Ian)
Hope you’ve got something to celebrate on your return. Happy cruising!
Just a thought, if we make the play offs/final will Mo Besic be available for those games?
I seem to remember a few seasons ago when Thomas Kallas was on loan from Chelsea, that his loan period came to an end after the last league game.
Anyone know the terms of the Besic loan?
Simon
Good post at 2.35pm
Could be that the biggest strengths that Boro will (hopefully) take into the play-offs have their source in the problems and weaknesses of the Gary Monk regime.
The large squad Monk accumulated at the beginning of the season; his constant rotating of the team; his under-appreciation of Bamford and Traore; his complete neglect of Clayton and Shotton – all of these things, plus the important addition of a previously underplayed Besic, have led to a situation in which it feels like we will be breezing into the next few games with a comparatively fresh squad, rather than one that is dragging its heels into the end of an exhausting season.
I think that’s probably at the root of our renewed energy as supporters. It’s a reflection of the new-found energy of the team. A feeling that we now, finally, have a team that is getting into its stride. That the season, rather than drawing to its tired conclusion, is, at long last, finally beginning.
Maybe, just maybe, Mr Pulis has galvanised the team and we are hitting our peak at the right time. Going into the play offs (hopefully) on a winning run is a big advantage.
And Derby are losing! Come on Boro.
Here’s a really good documentary currently showing on CH 5
A warning for you though Len. Make sure you’re relaxed and sitting down when you watch it….
https://www.my5.tv/the-feud-ferguson-vs-wenger/season-1/the-feud-ferguson-vs-wenger
Derby just made it more interesting.
Thats snow joke!
I think its a good result as it keeps the pressure on all the sides around us including ourselves.
Cardiff looked emotionally wrecked tonight, Villa still have something to play for and Fulham might yet avoid the play offs and clinch 2nd. I’d rather face Villa and Cardiff than Fulham or Millwall in a winner takes all game.
Does that mean you may not fancy our chances on Saturday RR? Only kidding
Good point Pedro, its not so much about Saturday its what hopefully is to come. I think some clubs are more prone to mental frailty but I don’t see Jokanovic or Harris being susceptible to that after the run they have been on.
Of course if we beat Millwall it could be argued tnat they have cracked but in a one off game at Wembley they are the two sides I’d prefer not to face on the day. I tbink Vills are beatable and Derby have a soft underbelly as do Cardiff ased on last night but Fulham are simply very good and Millwall rely on mental and physical attutude more than ability.
Indeed!
Starting to get nervous already, Boro never make it easy for us supporters!
RR – which is why Saturday is going to be a tough game and by no means a gimme, Let’s hope that TP has been getting the players ready, tactically and mentally so that they come out all guns blazing into battle to attack the Lions. Not like the first half at Sheffield when we were pussy cats!
Well well well. Derby win the Battle of the Snowflakes. No doubt Warnock is somewhere right now blowing a gasket and lamenting those conspiring against him after that one. It might end up galvanising Cardiff into not letting things slip, but as RR said, if they are looking mentally shot then they could be play off fodder for someone. To be fair to them, they have been punching well above their collective weights for the whole season, it is natural that the cracks will eventually begin to show.
I’m still crossing everything that Fulham manage to get over the line and into second. They are far and away the best team (better than Wolves I would argue) and would be a nightmare proposition in the play offs as they would no doubt relentlessly attack us. Any game involving us vs. Cardiff or Villa would no doubt be a tight affair and might even end up being settled on penalties. Millwall would be a tough proposition given their physicality and if we did have to play them in the play offs I would rather it be at Wembley than having to go into the Lions Den again in a two-legger.
First things first though we need to secure our place. There are some cracking fixtures at the weekend which could end up definitively settling some of the places. Villa need two wins and slip ups to make the top two, and could have completely nailed on a 4th place finish this weekend if they beat Derby and Fulham beat Sunderland (goal difference vs. Fulham would be the only way they could overhaul them under that scenario), and we could conceivably kick off knowing that a win would guarantee a 5th place finish.
In that scenario (Fulham win, Villa win, we win) then it will be Boro vs. Villa for a place at Wembley and Fulham or Cardiff vs Brentford (for Allan) in the other game. Cardiff have a tricky game this weekend away at Hull, who although not challenging anyone in the table have a quite potent attack and could just as easily score 4 goals as they could concede 4. That game could go either way and with Fulham almost certain to bag 3 points on Friday and take 2nd spot back it will be squeaky bum time down on the Humber.
Meanwhile, Allan’s darkhorses Brentford are away at Barnsley who need nothing less than a win to avoid relegation. Burton vs Bolton could condemn both Barnsley and Burton anyway if that turns into an away win, so if news filters through of that one it could have an interesting impact on the Brentford game.
Of course, a win for Derby vs Villa and Millwall vs. Boro will see Derby leapfrog us into 5th and us slide into 6th and needing to get an equal or better result than both Brentford and Millwall on the final day. Those final day fixtures for the pessimists amongst you:
Ipswich vs. Boro [typical Boro bogey ground plus no-manager bounce]
Brentford vs. Deckchairs/Hull [home win for the doomsday mongers]
Millwall vs. John Terry’s Gurning Coupon [Villa playing kids having already secured 4th]
If you have weak knees or a weak heart you might want to join our two Caribbean correspondents on the ocean waves and maintain a radio silence until mid May.
The proverbial game of two halves last night. I thought Cardiff were totally dominant and in control in the first half and indeed until the Derby equalizer and then they fell apart. The defending was of the keystone cops variety. They may have just cracked, mentally. For sure Warnock has a job to do keeping them in second spot.
Derby winning puts pressure on us, which may be no bad thing. The aim on Saturday is straight forward, go for the win, no messing about.
What I do know, having seen Cardiff and Derby play, the play offs are looking a little less daunting.
Here is another interesting midweek read for you today with the latest In2views piece by OFB – this week is the the sport’s journalist Lauri Cox, who some of you may also know is the niece of the the legendary commentator Ali Brownlee…
https://diasboro.club/2018/04/25/in2views-lauri-cox/
I think it’s advantageous for both Boro and Millwall to be playing knowing full well the results of the afternoon matches. If Brentford fail to win at Barnsley and Preston fail to win at Sheffield United, then I reckon both of them are out of the equation. But if both of them win Boro would need a point from either of the last two games to eliminate Preston.
But a cautionary note, if Derby gain a point at Villa and beat Barnsley, even a draw for Boro against Millwall whilst eliminating the Lions might mean a defeat at Ipswich could mean Boro missing out as Brentford could finish on 74 points and Derby on 75 with Boro on 73.The problem is that, discounting already promoted Wolves, only Fulham have shown any consistency recently. After losing at home to Boro did many of us expect Derby to beat Cardiff?
For what it’s worth I expect Boro to draw with Millwall and Ipswich, Derby to lose at Villa but beat Barnsley, and Brentford to win both of their last two matches. That would have all three on 74 points, Brentford missing out on goal difference, but both Boro and Derby qualifying although goal difference would determine in which order. Obviously two draws would still have Boro +20 and Derby anything although if on +20 ahead of Boro on goals scored.
One almost needs a slide rule or a degree in Mathematics to sort out the final placings. Some might think that a draw with Millwall a good result but it would mean a squeaky bum match at Ipswich. The only positive outcome would be to beat Millwall so in my opinion that would mean not conceding the first goal. Have Boro turned the corner? Most of us think so, but think on, this is the Boro we’re discussing.
I have to admit that I am concerned that the nightmare scenario I predicted a few weeks ago involving “typical Boro” may come true.
That was that we would win against Bristol and Derby but then lose at home to Millwall leaving us needing to get a result on the final Sunday at Ipswich.
I was also concerned that by then Villa would have settled for third place and play their kids at Millwall for their last game resulting in 3 points for Millwall.
Given our history of never doing things the easy way then i fear it could happen. I hope not as I don’t think my nerves could stand it.
What we need on Saturday is an early goal and to play with the same control and intent that we did at Derby and all will be well or will it………..
So what is going here !
https://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/middlesbrough-fc-launch-legal-action-14576489
Notice that the fans are saying we should clutch at a price of twenty five million for Traore.
Frightening, the argument is based on the supposition that he is a crazy dribbler who got lucky, therefore he could suffer a slump in form, or he has been over valued.
I think that he is seriously under valued, being the sole reason that we have seen the revival of Bamford as a goal scorer, the upturn in goals scored by the team, and our own appearance in the top six.
We have a long way to go in utilising his talents, we show not the slightest interest in getting him in the box with the ball at his feet, we show not the slightest interest in putting the ball inside the full back, which would be the ultimate nightmare, because, for sure there would be only one winner in the race to the ball,
He is showing on a regular basis that he is deadly at putting a man through on goal with the box full of defenders.
And, of course lets not forget he is the king of speed.
Add in the mix that he does not dive, but gets up and carries on without whinging.
Has anyone counted the number of managers who have stated openly that they have two men on him and still cannot handle him.
I reckon it’s four and growing.
The message is, do not sell him for peanuts, he is the difference, personified.