Karanka to select ‘Best XI’ for FA Cup cake walk?

by werdermouth, posted in Uncategorized

Boro have been handed a great chance of making the last 16 of the FA Cup with a home tie against a side languishing fifth bottom of League Two – though Accrington Stanley appeared to have saved their best results for the Cup with victories against League two promotion hopefuls Luton and at League One play-off contenders Bradford.

So Accrington Stanley, who are they? For most of my childhood they were simply a quiz question posed in the playground – what is the name of the only English league club to go out of business? They later rose to prominence in the much recently quoted advert for milk from the late 1980’s – where a young Scouse boy was told by Ian Rush that if he didn’t drink up his milk he’d only be good enough to play for Accrington Stanley – to which is friend replied ‘Who are they?’ Though whether on the back of this advert the club became the destination of choice for lactose intolerant footballers we shall probably never know unless it becomes the belated subject of a PhD thesis.

On paper it looks like ours to lose, though Boro will still need to approach the game with the right attitude and that’s our main danger. However, it goes without saying that with Tuesday’s crunch game at home to West Brom, we not only expect Aitor Karanka to utilise the full depth of his squad, we would be shocked if he didn’t rest nearly all his key players.

Having said that, any Boro XI that lines up should have enough to see off the League Two strugglers – in fact it’s a chance for some of our fringe players to remind the boss that they are ready to play. I’d expect Bamford and Gestede to get their first starts and probably a chance for Fischer to get some game time too. It’s also a game you’d want Leadbitter playing to keep everyone on their toes – though who plays with him is tricky, perhaps one for Clayton, though perhaps 60 minutes max to keep his midfield fresh for Tuesday. Also choosing a back four is not straight forward but I fancy Gibson will be rested, and since Chambers has a stress fracture in his foot, it will be an opportunity for Ayala to reclaim his starting berth [though not until after the cup as he’s still suspended for one more game] .

It will also give Boro supporters a chance to see someone other than Negredo play up front and perhaps without three defensive midfielders who surely will not be required to contain the threat the opposition pose – or at least you would hope so.

Of course the backdrop to the game will be played with the memory of the manager’s comments made following the West Ham game still fresh in many minds after he reiterated his point in Friday’s press conference – though he seems to have qualified them by pointing the finger more at the new supporters, those glory hunting fair weather types who have forgotten how Boro got to the promised land – he reminded us “We won promotion because the people believed in the style”

Though he appears to have exaggerating his point by claiming 18,000 impatient newbies have recently arrived to take their seats but the facts show average attendance is only up 6,000 on last season – so it’s possible the pending re-education programme will need to be scaled down somewhat.

Though should we pander to this view that a significant chunk of the crowd were seemingly able to usurp Karanka’s authority by ordering the team to play long balls towards the opposition goal in the foolish belief it would lead to a goal? The ‘awful atmosphere’ that the Boro manager said was created by these uneducated ‘non-believers’ chanting ‘attack, attack attack’ apparently left the players unable to concentrate on their measured sideways passing and instead drove them helplessly to launch the ball towards the 6′ 5” Gestede who had just been thrown on by the boss. Well not on his watch – and rightly so!

Those who may have been expecting the boss to back down and say sorry will naturally be disappointed “I don’t need to apologise to anybody because I have to apologise when I make mistakes and I don’t think I made a mistake to ask for respect for the players”. With this ‘lack of respect’ exemplified by his recollection of the stadium rapidly emptying with 5-10 minutes yet to play – though his perception of time appears to have been distorted.

So after saying all that, the Boro manager then claimed to be puzzled that some supporters thought he was criticising the crowd “I can’t understand because it wasn’t a criticism. If someone had taken it as a criticism that’s their problem”. He then continued by praising the supporters in general, such as the Red Faction and the traveling support – maybe he was teasing those present in the press conference by placing a huge metaphorical piece of cake in and out of his mouth and pretending to munch. Did he still have that piece of cake or did he eat it? wondered the audience.

So rather than backtrack completely he’s decided to walk a semantic tightrope between those who believe in his methods and those who don’t and have become frustrated with the lack of goals. Perhaps he looked at himself in the mirror on Monday morning, quite possibly with slight tinnitus following a debriefing phone call from the chairman, then reflected (as mirrors so often do) while practising mouthing the words ‘sorry’ and realised some things are just best not said.

But we move on, the smouldering core of Karanka has not melted on this occasion and there are games to be won – besides, the main issues of the moment are being framed by the January transfer window. Crowd favourite Gaston Ramirez has handed in his notice and the pursuit of replacements and additions is reaching it’s climax (or anti-climax depending on your view).

As for the game ahead – Surely Boro can’t lose this one? A draw and replay would be unhelpful to say the least and a loss would make only those planning a mid-February warm weather post-window bonding excursion to Spain happy – Mmm I think I may have inadvertently stumbled upon a potential premiership survival cunning plan…

So it’s unlikely to be a cake walk but will it be Boro into the fifth round hat or Boro into their sun hats in February? So as usual make your predictions, and I’ll be particularly impressed if anyone gets close to the starting XI, but don’t get too carried away with scoreline as my post-match graphic will struggle after four scorers.

88 thoughts on “Karanka to select ‘Best XI’ for FA Cup cake walk?”

  1. I’ll repeat my post from the last blog – isn’t Ayala still suspended?

    My team for tomorrow would be:

    Guzan

    Fabio
    Bernardo
    Gibson
    Friend

    Leadbitter
    de Roon

    Fischer
    Stuani
    Bamford

    Gestede

    And I think he will make more changes than for the R3 game, simply because we have a game on Tuesday. I’d expect near enough everyone who was on the bench last week to start. Downing might play ahead of Stuani for that reason but I’d rather keep Stuani in after scoring last week.

    Suddenly our defensive options look a bit limited with Ayala, Barragan and Chambers out. I suppose Fry might even have a chance of playing

  2. Damn!! I tried warning Werder about Ayala so he could change the article before it was noticed.

    I liked Jonnos line up with Traore, Bamford and Downing as the three behind Gestede.

    You would think there were goals in that line up against a league two team.

    🔴 All references must be deleted for a perfect cover-up – Werdermouth

    1. Think I’d rather save him for Tuesday knowing the curse of “Typical Boro”. They go down to 10 men and Adama’s out for the rest of the Season after a classic waist high agricultural League II challenge by a 43 year old stopper.

  5. Ayala is suspended until the 31/01/2017 according to the FA site. I don’t know if that means he is available on the 31st or immediately afterwards either way he won’t be playing tomorrow.

    My guess is
    Guzan
    Fabio, Fry, Espinosa, Husband
    Leadbitter, Forshaw
    Bamford Downing, Fischer
    Gestede

    Of course he may go with three at the back and perhaps rest Fabio for Tuesday much the same reason why I suggested Husband getting a game to rest Friend.

    I will be sat quietly freezing my bits off hoping to see the rare spectacle of a lesser spotted ball in the net. I do however reserve the right that during my plebeian silence when Bamford breaks clean through with the Accrington keeper sprawled on his backside to scream “Pass, Pass, Pass”. I do hope that will be appreciated by those sensitive souls and especially those assembled on the benches.

    Although it will no doubt be cold tomorrow I have no doubt that it will not be as cold as that Tuesday night against Birmingham which has now passed into the anals of Boro history. 😉

  6. I think Accrington will score so it will be a matter of whether Boro can muster the attacking nous to score more than one. I would hope they can but I am going for a 1-1 draw and an unwanted replay.

    1. Good that means what I read meant that he is available on the 31st (clear as mud) then so perhaps we will see Espinosa and Fry tomorrow and Gibson rested.

  8. If Accrington score we are doomed, we never come back from a goal down. More so now as the crowd will have to be very careful what they chant.

    “Slow tempo build up, we just want slow tempo build up” to the tune of small town in Europe.

    Or here’s one I’m sure you all remember, from Stealers Wheel:

    “Passing to the left of us,
    Passing to the right,
    Here I am stuck in the middle with you”

    Just have to make sure that no smart derrièred individual gets carried away and continues singing:

    “Trying to make some sense of it all,
    But I can see that it makes no sense at all”

  9. I’m going for 1 – 1 with A Accrington Stanley equalising in the 88th minute after a fifteen minute long ball bombardment as we fall ever deeper.

    There will be something in the air tomorrow with a few simmering supporters probably shouting ‘defend, defend, defend’.

    UTB,

    John

  13. Karanka! What a cracker – it’s the way he tells em! Lol

    Aitor came up with a Post Truth, look a squirrel the size of a 30 000 crowd at the Riverside.

    ‘I know it’s right because it worked before!’ I reckon he’s been on the phone talking to that other well known footballing management genius, Roy ‘we thought it would be the same as last time’ Keane. They make em real bright in Cork & looks like we’ve recruited one of the Basque countries brightest.

    Now come on hands up who thought Aitor was a misunderstood genius with his inscrutable substitutions – come on now, we promise not to laugh. And who was it that said Aitor’s a professional & in him we trust. Perfectly honest now gents, I’d rather trust the Mad March Hare to get the time right & make me a perfect cuppa.

    Now of course I’m right out of Aitor’s gang and according to AK I’m an unbelieving disgrace. You watch mind, if the Boro by some miracle, with Aitor in charge, make 17th position by the end of the season, there’ll be people on here lauding him as the messiah. Well, just to get my comment in first ‘He’s not the messiah, he’s just a very naughty boy!’ Lol

    You couldnt make it up & Aitor couldnt apologise if you roasted his nuts over a very hot fire, squirrel’s nuts that is, the size of blocks of flats in Berwick Hills.

  14. I have read that Grealish is valued at £20m by Villa but I did have to go and change my underwear at that suggestion. Mind you we made a valuation rod for our own back when we valued Gestede at £6M so who knows what a petulant underperforming brat is worth in today’s market. It all seems very surreal and hopefully I will wake up shortly and find its February and the last few weeks have just been a bad dream.

    1. Transfer condition #1 for wee Jack.
      Plentiful supply of nitrous oxide to be on tap prior to & post game.

      These young milleniums are very demandin thee knows 🙂

  15. I’m concurring with Redcar on tomorrow’s line up, there’s certainly no reason to play three defensive midfield players.
    Up and at them!

    AK’s version/explanation of his (non) criticism of the crowd made me smile, I wonder if he’s done the same course as President Trumps (I can barely bring myself to type that) PR officer who put forward ‘alternative facts’.

    Now we all know of course that there are facts and alternative facts, a ‘fact’ Spartak and I have been aware of for some considerable time. Although I’m sure Trumpton (ex USA) is in ‘fac’t an alternative reality.

    We need to win tomorrow, anything else would be too damaging to the teams confidence.

    Anyway I’m a happy bunny having just obtained two tickets for me and junior for the Spurs game. Not sure I can keep calling him junior for much longer as he’s taller, wider and apparently significantly wiser than me now!

    jokinyer son!

    1. A while ago, a young man was heard to express surprise at the wisdom his father had apparently accumulated, at break-neck speed, in recent years.

      I think it went something like this: “When I was 15 years old it was obvious my father knew very little about the world and modern life. Now I am 21, I am amazed at how much he has learned in the last half a dozen years!”

    1. I shan’t tell thee where he sticks it – enough to make yer eyes water whilst shouting ‘fake news!’

      I blame the Gazette journos me like – they’ve been whippin up fake news on the Boro for decades. It’s especially prevalent during quiet summer time periods and has much to do with exaggerating stupendous incoming players of world footballing class. They even had SG quoted one year as saying the Boro were going to sign a huge name – came to nowt as usual like.

      Happy days

    1. No one has suggested providing lessons in the Spanish lingo, yet – that’s the problem.

      Anyone think that by chance one or two of the young lads in the Academy couldnt score a goal or two given 15 run outs in a row? Then again, with PasPass Karanka in charge maybees even Ian Wright of old would simply pack his bags and buggar off back home.

      Meanwhile, how’s the transfer business coming on me dears? Doorman at the Riverside busy keepin great prospects from flooding AK’s office maybees? Knock knock! Who’s there? Messie! Yeah, right! More like yer Messing me about!

      Onwards with the Boro.

      Olè

  18. I can remember one summer back in the late 70’s when the Gazette reported that Boro were trying to sign Mario Kempes who had just starred for Argentina at the world cup.

    Fake news or Charlie Amer trying to whip up season ticket sales……….

  19. How are the kids doing?

    The PL2 competition (U23’s) has two leagues of twelve with promotion and relegation, we are 11th in the second division, or 23rd out of 24th
    The U18 competition is split in to North and South divisions, we are seventh in the north division.

    I only keep an eye on results the same as many but the halcyon days were the crop which had Downing, Morrison, McMahon, Catermole, Bates etc.

    I seem to recall we had a barren spell, after Gate was manager there were calls for more kids but the academy results mirrored those of the first team.

    I think we have been getting better over a number of years.

    That is about as much as I know, how many are ready to step up is a question others who get to see them can answer.

  20. Another great Headliner Werder……thanks.

    Again no prediction from me, probably no internet streams either.

    Grealish, we must be joking, or is that just some way of finally getting rid our Jordon? We really are struggling now and AK´s promise of a better squad is looking a little hollow. He should just learn to keep his mouth shut, like last week and his empty stadium comment.

    And Jese…..he does not want to be here, so we should not want him either. Big problem is Gaston, cannot afford to let him go without a better replacement and that is an impossibility in this window.

  21. Pedro

    The problem with Gaston is that we haven’t seen enough of him on the pitch, when he is playing he is liable to get a booking and focus on the trouble rather than the football.

    Getting a better player will be tricky.

    1. You know there has to be a clause with Blackburn for additional payments if Rhodes makes so many appearances some in Prem etc he can’t even make the bench at times

      Just sayin like

  23. AK in some fans eyes, still has a question mark over his management, why? I don’t know.

    If anything, he does seem to improve a player’s consistency, he’s made Clayton a better all-round player, he made Adomah better, he got the best out of Bamford, Ayala, Gibson, Friend and De Roon is getting better by the game, so I think there is more to support him rather than question him!

    COB

    1. 17th in the present Premier League table. Lowest goals scored. A dedication to defensive style football to the detriment of attacking play.
      Task based management style to almost extreme levels. Add to that petulant and oft biased to favoritism. Add to that the inability to control emotional outbursts in public. Substitutions that a 6 year old could better.
      Great as a defensive coach – would do well in the US NFL – maybe he could move there, soon!

  24. I would argue about ak making players better. Adomah had his highest scoring season for us the season before ak joined. Clayton scored 6 or 7 goals for Huddersfield the season before we signed him.

    The argument is that he makes them more rounded players. I think he focuses on their defensive duties but this is definitely to the detriment of their offensive capabilities.

    You only need to look at AK’s reaction to the Swansea result and he said it was our worst performance of the season despite winning 3-0. That was because we had players out of position pushing forward with reckless abandon. We scored 3 goals but it wasn’t under AK’s control which he didn’t like.

    Am not going to write anything negative about the transfer window as it’s all speculative at the moment. But gaston, even though he’s a bit of an enigma is still our most creative player and if he isn’t firing we need to sign some players pretty quick and I don’t mean jack grealish.

  25. Just to counterbalance what I wrote. He has certainly got the best out of the defensive players. Ayala has been different class under ak and so has George friend. I would be fairly confident they’d have developed like this under another manager and mogga deserves a lot of credit but so to ak as he has made them top drawer players.

    My question marks are all about the front end of the team and have been for three years.

  26. paul

    ‘You only need to look at AK’s reaction to the Swansea result and he said it was our worst performance of the season despite winning 3-0. That was because we had players out of position pushing forward with reckless abandon. We scored 3 goals but it wasn’t under AK’s control which he didn’t like.’

    I understand where you are coming from but where did AK say that was why?

    As I have said many times, add his crimes to the charge sheet but don’t add what we as fans assume. Do you know for certain what he was talking about?

    It is dangerous to use comments without the context.

    Adomah may have scored more pre Karanka but we were near the bottom of the table. Off you go Albert, the coach will wait for you, have you got directions to league one grounds?

    Oddly I agree with some of what you say, same goes for Spartak.

    1. Nothing odd Ian. That is one of the strengths of this place and of the previous place that we as a man ( or woman ) appreciate so much, that we all have our own opinions and ideas and some of them correspond with what others have to say, and some of them don’t.

  27. Oddly? I just think you’re coming to your senses!! Join me and spartak on the dark side of the force!!

    I agree my comments about Swansea were speculative however it’s our biggest win of the season. We scored more goals than we had in any other match and ak said it was the worst performance of the season. Why? The only conclusion in my opinion, and I appreciate it’s not based on fact, is that we were too open, players did not stick to their specific roles. For me Watford at home was far worse a turgid, boring uncreative performance. Workmanlike but no spark or creativity. Why was that not our worst game? Because ak has his own views on what is a good performance and it’s very different to the majority of fans.

  28. On the last thread I expressed my anguish at the thought of Grealish joining. Several bloggers, wiser than I no doubt, said they thought he would be a good addition.

    I’m still not convinced. Firstly, his attitude is really poor. We know he’s been a bit of a bad boy, in fact, he’s a plonker. Secondly, like Gestede before him, he’s playing in a relegated side that’s currently mid-table in the Championship. Hardly setting the world alight, then, is he? I’m not at all convinced that he will be better than what we already have. And finally, the EG reports that Villa want £20 million for him and that they would want Rhodes plus cash!! Now call me cynical, but yer jokin arn yer? Grealish is just not fit to clean Rhodes’ boots.

    1. You wouldn’t need to inhale nitrous oxide to laugh out loud at the £20m figure quoted – Grealish is no more than a promising player that broke into the first team but has failed to fulfil his potential as many in his position often do.

      It’s one thing to impress with a handful of cameo peformances but unless you work hard and become a consistent player, who can have a significant effect on games, then any buyers are still only getting potential. Even the usual quote for a Villa player of £5-6m is a risk for someone who appears not fully focused on his career.

      Boro sold Adam Johnson who was tearing up the Championship at the time for £7m a few years back – Grealish is not currently doing that and has only managed 4 goals in the last two seasons – so where does £20m come from exactly? Hopefully not Boro’s pockets!

      1. Werder

        I cannot believe figures of 20m for Grealish!?

        It’s obviously just to maximise Villa own budget to satisfy FFP

        I suppose what they would settle for is a straight swap but even at that I would baulk!

        I’d rather stay as we are bit perhaps our coaches could make something out of the lad

        He has his critics within the AV fams it was interesting that most fans on a snap poll of the local rag voted overwhelmingly for him to stay.

        Our recruitment has taken a Knck this period and not as good as we thought we were I’ll be please when it’s Wednesday

        Interesting result tonight Derby and Leicester to replay in the cup please don’t do that to us Boro is rather lose tomorrow!?!

  29. Paul

    I will not adjust facts to suit my own views, as an engineer in previous employment I will rely on what is fact or a fair summise. It is why I don’t spout views on what must have happened at Rockcliffe as if I was stood there watching training.

    I just don’t know so I wont pronounce.

    I do know that AK comes form a school of playing such as Jose, Silva at Hull, Pochettino at Spurs, Clement at Swansea to make links in to how they all play.

    But guessing that x,y.z has taken place at MFC is totally different.

  30. OFB

    Reports quoted that if Gaston was sold Boro would move for Grealish as a replacement – in what way would he be a replacement as I can’t see him even being a regular starter this season.

    Which brings us on to the potential sale of Gaston to Leicester – They are only one point above us with an inferior goal difference – The Foxes looked less than impressive tonight, defensively suspect, and impossible to imagine they were Champions last season. Now with a FA Cup replay and at least two Champions League games to distract them we should be wary of handing them one of our best players to help their cause.

    It’s by no means certain we are going to bag one of our main targets, which incidentally if it’s Bojan or Jese, are not necessarily going to be an improvement anyway. I think I’d personally stick with Gaston unless there’s been some kind of unknown bust-up to make it untenable – though it does seem odd if he wants to force through a move to a club also in a relegation scrap – maybe it’s just about money?

  31. This is not a ra ra up the Boro eyes of red ,it’s all I see comment,but I’ll say this to all the fans who complain we don’t score enough goals,I can’t remember a team of ours over the last two seasons that have missed the number of clear cut chances, and I mean , can’t miss . Now I don’t know why or the answer but we have had big opportunities that don’t reflect the big picture,

  32. The Grealish link is that Villa want to swap him for Rhodes. I hoped Rhodes had been given a chance but he has slipped down the pecking order and isnt going to feature so getting Grealish in exchange is a like a shot to nothing.

    The latest story is that it may be a straight swap, lets wait and see.

    More on the Jese front, something I hadn’t picked up is that he actually comes from Las Palmas! It looks highly unlikely he is coming in our direction.

  33. Grealish’s name appears to be popping up all over the place now…..may be just paper talk but I cac see the deal from Brucies point. Get rid of a plonker as Clive rightly called him, and in return you get Jordan scores bags full of goals Rhodes, and because Boro are desperate a few mil aswll.

    You just could not make it up could you? Lets hope it is just a fairy tale

  34. The situation with Johnson was different to Grealish. Johnson was coming to the end of his deal and could have signed a pre contract and walked away in the summer for nothing.

    I floated the gut feeling we could sell him to a club who wanted to secure his services there and then, AV went through the above scenario so when he was sold for £7m in January it was a good piece of work by the club., £7m is a lot more than diddly-squat.

    No way is Grealish worth £20m but if the rumour is true and a club wants to give you someone in part exchange for one of your players who isn’t going to feature it makes a bit more sense.

    The club havent snatched their hands off so there must be some doubt. It could just be a story.

    Unlike the stories in the press I certainly wouldn’t see him as a replacement for Gaston but as an addition even if he is a plonker. Troy Deaney was a plonker when he was young.

    As for Adam Johnson………….

  35. I’ve no idea what team AK will put out, except it would be nice think Dimi will get an outing.
    I’ve no idea what formation AK will set up the team to play, I just hope itr is one that will perform with goal scoring intent.
    My predictions are always well off the mark, but I will go for us edging it 1-0 following an edgy no self-belief kind of performance against the plucky underdogs who will go away from Teesside with all the plaudits despite defeat.

  36. Well it all depends whether Grealish is seen as a starter or just another squad player – Boro already have an offer around £8m from Sheff Wed for Rhodes but want to hold out for £11m.

    If they decide to do a swap deal with Villa based on Grealish being valued higher than they would ever likely to receive any time soon then Boro are essentially lowering their valuation of Rhodes.

    It would be better to take £8-9m from Wednesday if Grealish was just another project and spend it on someone who can make a difference this season – whether it’s at left-wing, left-back or any other position.

    For me it’s false logic unless we actively want Grealish – given that he’s only just appeared on the radar makes me think he’ll end up as a Karanka bench warmer as he’ll be behind quite a few players in the queue for a starting position (e.g. Stuani, Fischer, Downing)

  38. The Birmingham Mail have reported that Jack Grealish’s father has posted on Facebook that he will not be joining Boro. The message was short but clear: It’s a NO NO. Boro. Upthevilla – yes that does sound like a no to me.

  39. Well we seem to be light on people putting forward predictions today – I’m thinking there are going to be goals today as both teams go for it in an open game. So I’ll go 3-2 to Boro with Bamford and Gestede getting off the mark and penalty for Grant as we come back from an early Accrington goal.

    Team: Guzan, Fabio, Bernado, Fry, Friend, Leadbitter, Clayton, Bamford, Downing, Fischer, Gestede.

    1. Werder

      I’ve stopped doing predictions look what has just happened to Liverpool twice!!

      Hopefully with the team he has put out it will be good enough to win today .

      I keep posting the articles on twitter to try and get more people to join us is it working ?

      1. Well I wasn’t too far away with the team, Just Dimi and Gibson wrong. Maybe it’s quiet on the blog because it’s the cup and few are getting excited about home to Accrington – I know the national media aren’t overly bothered and there are no internet feeds for those overseas to watch.

        Visitors have been steady for the last few weeks – neither up nor down – but usually peak after a game and I think the results of late have perhaps given the comments a more negative feel, which usually doesn’t encourage the normal balance of posters to put up their views.

        The team need a couple of wins to bring us a bit of optimism on here – it’s probably more about avoiding the gloom and doom or even sticking your head out to say things are going well – plus it doesn’t help when the manager is stirring up imaginary problems.

  40. Grealish doesn’t have the best character references so presumably wouldn’t fit with our ethos – although we thought Ramirez fitted until he decided he didn’t care enough about the club which saved his career to help us stay up.

    Jese would be here looking round Rockliffe etc if he was at all interested, there is no point bringing in someone who is not up for the relentless challenge of Premiership football, or who wants the comforts of home to help recover from losing his way at PSG.

    We will end up desperate to buy Bojan, and Stoke can then think of a very, very big number while the clock is ticking towards the end of the window. At least he knows the Prem and has shown he can perform well in it, and would bring some quality on the ball even if not fully match fit at first. I’ve no idea how he ranks compared with Ramirez as an effective game-changer.

    We can only hope the club have some other fiendishly cunning deals that are being effectively pursued away from the glare of media attention.

    2-0 Boro today.

  41. Got my wish and Dimi gets his start. About time too this season. On top of that he had the right right back playing and a team that looks set up to score goals today.
    COB.
    Probably he will revert to type on Tuesday…But one game at a time and I am now more confident of Boro getting a few goals today.
    I am sorry. Accrington, but I am predicting 5-0 to the Boro.

  42. Good team to play a lower league side. After reading the interview with Bamford,, I’d love to see him do well.

    3-0 to boro with Gestede, Bamford and Downing.

    UTB

  43. Does that look like a more well balanced team for the Boro or am I looking at it askew.
    20000 folk should get a better game of attacking footie this afternoon. Enjoy while it lasts!

    4-1 to the Boro. Biff Bam gets a hatrick.

  44. No streams today……so surviving on the bbc and other sources. It appears as normal up to now, majority of the possession, more shots, but them having the better clear chances. Sounds like if one of ours had had the same chances we would have been shouting xxxxxxxx or your own words.

    Lets hope for a better second half. We do not want a defeat nor do we want a replay. Up your game Boro.

  45. Been out so the news that Grealish may not be coming has only just got to me. Not crying.

    0-0 half time. Work to do. Traore on after 65 minutes and running riot.

    Don’t want a replay.

  47. First win in 6 attempts – Aitor will be pleased with the clean sheet.

    Just perhaps Stewie was out of position for his goal. Tactical naivety! Should get the AK cold shoulder for Tuesday’s game – lol

    UTB

  48. Should’ve left my foam ha da in the box and stuck with my original 1-0 prediction…
    We are through. I suppose RR won’t be especially pleased about that! I am happy though.

    1. Can’t become a Paul Wilkinson/John Hendrie sensation overnight. The lesser quality players will have to work that bit harder, that bit longer.

      😉

  53. Injury to Friend a concern as was the niggle for Gibbo.

    With Baggies coming up it looks like we may be struggling at the back with a back four of Barragan, Chambers, Gibson and Friend potentially in the treatment room.

    To those who moaned about bringing in defenders last August, if we hadn’t replaced the players who left we wouldn’t be able to put out a defence on Tuesday.

    Anyway, the window is closing soon and we still cant score. Rhodes may leave but he missed a sackful of chances last season.

    If Gaston goes we need someone to replace him but that will be too late for Tuesday. Somehow AK has to cobble together a team to get a result against the Baggies.

    A really good turnout for the game, over 24,040 there with 664 from Accrington. Hopefully a good payday for them along with the prize money so far.

    1. Showing my ignorance here, Ian. Who exactly are you referring to as ‘defenders left’ & replacements brought inthis past season?

      Nsue has gone by the will of AK, but he’s only just out the exit door.

      Husband was out on loan with the blessing of AK & is still with the Boro?

      Off the top of my head I can’t think of significant Boro defender leaving.

      Enlighten me, please!

  55. We need, hard though it is, to try and forget about Rhodes.

    Dwelling on the man who wasn’t there at the expense of the several who are and can still be very helpful indeed is simply not right.

    1. Simon

      My understanding is that Rhodes has always been there and has maintained his fitness eg. no major injury. Therefore, he has been available to play & other than some he has not to my knowledge requested a transfer.

      Therefore, your first premise is wrong.

      Putting him out of our minds I believe is a necessary requirement whilst AK is in charge. AK has no place for him either now or in future IMHO. It’s no different to the situ Rhodes finds himself with the Scotland team under GS2 – simply doesn’t fit the manager’s considered requirements. A bit like Biff Bam at Burnley & Norwich before that. The style of play and the team structure not being a match to his strengths.
      This is not to say that either player is poor in football striker terms. It just means they require a manager & team that will play to their strengths.

      The Rhodes situation is complicated by the package he’s on at the Boro & of which any team outside the EPL will have difficulty matching. If it were me I’d explore to possibility of a loan to perhaps Celtic/ Rangers or a suitably attractive other team & Boro carry a proportion of his wages. It’s a cryin shame in my opinion to see a quality player unable to realise his footballing gifts.

      Frreeee Jordan Rhodes (to be sang to the tune of Free Nelson Mandela).

  57. And who makes the decision that he isn’t there?

    The same man who makes the decision as to who goes out on the pitch.

    The same man who has tried to sell the matchwinner from today.

    If anyone can convince me that gestede is a better striker than Jordan Rhodes im happy to not comment. But the fact is in every department gestede is and never has been as good as Jordan Rhodes.

    I appreciate that in an ideal world we should always look forward and not dwell on what could have been and every fan would be positive as that may yield better results but the fact is Rhodes is still a boro player. He’s far better than the player we’ve just spent six million quid on.

    Today just proved the point particularly with Downing that we have numerous players who have been sidelined by a man who is oblivious as to how to maximise their ability and potential.

  58. You make a good case Spartak. And I should add that I feel sorry for him for many of the reasons you state.

    It is only the extremity of the arguments in favour of the man who isn’t there that bother me. Such support, as I pointed out previously, was not there when Rhodes actually was playing.

  60. I think the clamour for Rhodes has got stronger for a number of reasons. Firstly, he has been prolific throughout his career and we are crying out for a goal scorer. Secondly, everyone said Rhodes couldn’t play as a lone striker but ak came out with the gem that bamford couldn’t play as a lone striker either so low and behold we’re now trying to play with two strikers which in theory should suit Rhodes. Thirdly, gestede was villas fourth choice striker and has a career average of a goal every seven games compared to Rhodes one in every two. (And he’s played less games than Rhodes and he’s older!) which is just baffling.

    Simon, I agree with your points about Rhodes when we were playing a system with negredo as a lone striker. I don’t think that system does suit Rhodes. I also don’t think Rhodes is the answer to all our problems…. however if we’re playing with two up which as a system I prefer I think Rhodes should be one of the two.

  61. Spartak

    If you cant identify who has left other than Nsue, who left recently, I recommend some more research on your part. Over to you, good luck, it requires more than shouting.

    🙂

  62. But is it really a goalscorer per se that we need, or simply goals?

    With that in mind, I think the supply line is more important. Hence creative midfielders > forwards for me, and why I was relieved to see the return to 4-2-3-1 today.

  63. I agree we’re lacking on the creativity side although if we had gaston, stewie and traore all starting, which we could have, I think we’d be doing a lot better than we are.

    With regards to Rhodes, for me it still comes back to is here better than other players who are in or near the first team? From what I’ve seen and his record at other clubs I would say most certainly yes.

  64. I see that Wigan have turned down offers of £4 million for Yanic. If he gives Man U defenders the runaround today, you can add another k or two to that figure.

    If he does leave in the transfer window, cue a Boro press statement, dutifully reproduced by the Gazette, telling us what a smart bit of business we have done in including a sell-on clause which has netted us another couple of hundred of thousand.

    It will be hailed as yet another triumph for the scientific way in which we buy and sell players.

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