Author: Redcar Red

A warm, muggy but overcast summer evening in August ensured the evening had a shirt sleeved relaxed atmosphere as the crowd made their way into the Riverside anticipating a much changed Boro side and they were not disappointed. Only two starters remained from the robbery at Nottingham, Fry and Forshaw with Roberts and Tavernier making their first team bows with Dimi, Grant, Ayala, Fabio, Traore, Fletcher and Baker making up the eleven. Scunthorpe on the other hand had made only two changes from their side that beat Oxford on Saturday. 

The big shuffling of the pack could bite Monk’s men on the backside if the “bedding in” process became protracted as the green shirted Irons had nothing to lose. Whatever the outcome the game would be decided on the night with no opportunity for a replay. Interestingly there were some cautionary “reinforcements” on the bench in the form of Assombalonga, Gestede, Friend, Gibson and none other than Downing! 

The game started with Boro looking sloppy which is becoming a trademark this season with the Iron having most of the early possession. Boro’s first attempt of note was a bit of a half-hearted build up involving Baker at the end of it before the Ref blew for an infringement in Scunthorpe’s favour. Early impression was that Traore, Fletcher, Tavernier and Baker were relative strangers. Traore darted through the Scunthorpe defence, got to the by-line playing in an enticing ball into the 6 yard box but nobody in Red had anticipated and made a run to meet it. 

The game saw Boro playing the ball around and invariably back to Dimi in a sort of keep it safe not going to bust a gut sort of way. Fabio made a run but like Traore minutes before there was nobody there and then the Iron got down our right and in behind Roberts and put a ball in to the edge of our 18 yard box and the attempt flew over. If ever a warning was needed that was it and so we promptly went down the right hand side with Traore flying and putting a cross over into the far side of the box for Fabio to ghost in unmarked and score with a header. It was almost an apologetic “if we have to I suppose we may as well” sort of goal. Just as he had finished celebrating he linked up well again with Tavernier but when he received the ball back again a hefty challenge left him prostrate on the floor and looking a bit tender. 

Tavernier himself looked very comfortable and seemed confident in all he was involved in whilst Traore started to have the opposite flank in disarray in fear of his speed and directness. Boro were keeping possession now and including Dimi in that as they passed the ball around looking to entice the Iron out and use the pace of our front line to get in behind them. The atmosphere was a little like a working men’s club when the warm up act is on, everyone talking amongst themselves pausing only for the good bits as Boro started to take a stranglehold on the game. 

The inevitable second came when Traore played in Grant who slotted it across to Baker in who lost his marker in the D and fired it into the bottom corner leaving Matt Gilks no chance whatsoever to make it 2-0. Almost immediately and in desperation Scunthorpe went on the offensive and forced Ayala to deflect the ball back to Dimi who collected and then seconds later another Scunthorpe attempt fizzed over the bar. The brief response subsided and normal service was resumed with Grant strutting his stuff in his rightful position in the middle of the park. 

A brilliant ball out from Grant set Tavernier off and running aided by Baker only to see his effort smothered by Gilks. Baker was running everywhere, Tavernier composed, Fabio dangerous, Traore tearing them apart but Grant was pulling all the strings to the point where Monk surely has to be thinking about starting him. Just before the half time whistle Boro were passing confidently and Tavernier had another couple of chances. No fear of the settling in period after all after the relatively sloppy opening minutes as all the players now looked the part and indeed gelled far better than the first eleven have at times even allowing for the opposition. 

No changes as the teams came out for the second half in front of about 12,500 Boro fans and 250 or so from North Lincolnshire. Scunthorpe had switched to a 442 in the second half, smothered the midfield more and Boro were content to sit deeper in their own half but Fletcher got on the end of an Ayala break out, Dani winning his tackle that broke to Fletcher who played it out to Tavernier who pinged it into the box with Ayala continuing his run competing with Fletcher who managed to win his race with Ayala to make it 3-0. 

Fabio was looking a little stiff presumably from a lack of match practice not helped by the challenge he received in the first half. Downing and Friend were warming up in preparation just in case with Downing likely getting the nod presumably due to George having a busy last 24 hours having become a dad again. Meanwhile Dael had given away a corner as Roberts was berating Traore for not getting back. Surprisingly though it was Tavernier who was taken off for Downing to enter the fray in his place. 

The game entered a quiet phase as the three goal advantage had sapped the enthusiasm out of Scunthorpe and even Boro looked a little less aggressive. The best of the remaining entertainment was a little cameo between Roberts and Traore who was being berated by the Swansea defender for not tracking back. Adama had gone quiet with little involvement for a while then suddenly erupted on a great run, playing in Fletcher. Then Stewy had a curling cross come shot in the next phase of play. Traore then took the ball from his own 18 yard box and stormed up the pitch to the edge of the opposition 18 yard box as he sprung back to life. 

Apart from the first ten minutes of the first half it had been a solid and controlled Boro performance but Grant was looking a bit stiff. A Downing/Fabio combi seen the ball go over to the opposite flank to Traore but the ball eventually went over the bar. Grants number went up to be replaced by Lewis Wing to make his debut and Fletcher went off for Gestede with ten minutes to go. Wing went close and claims for a penalty went up. Seconds later he was involved again with Baker in putting a cross in for Gestede which led to a corner. Downing took it which led to him complaining that everyone ran to the near post as it went out for a goal kick. 

In terms of MOM Grant ran the show up until he went off, Fry and Ayala looked very solid and tight, Fabio was a constant threat, Traore menaced and Baker pulled strings. Roberts grew into the game and grew in confidence, Forshaw was tidy and Dimi had little to do, Tavernier looked the part so picking someone wasn’t easy but for me Grant’s efforts just edged it from Baker and Fry, probably helped by having nostalgia on his side. Garry Monk now has a few more players seriously staking a claim for his starting eleven. Those currently in possession of the shirt sitting looking on from the West Stand know they have a fight on their hands. 

 

Today could have seen a few reunions for Muzzy, Bamford, Ayala and Assombalonga. Muzzy was on the bench but Ayala would miss out altogether as he didn’t make the squad despite rumours that he was close to fitness. Traore started but it wasn’t our flying Forrest instead it was the Forest wing back. Predictably Britt was treated to some “bants” from the home fans as the game started as a fairly open contest as both sides seemed intent on gaining the three points in front of the two thousand travelling Boro army. 

Opportunities presented themselves in the opening stages but nothing concrete. Bamford broke free but had the ball nicked from him as it looked like we might gain an early advantage, seconds later George pushed the ball past Dorikwa who clattered George and deservedly went into Referee Graham Scott’s note book. The resultant free kick was whipped in by Clayts but ended in a goal kick which saw a clearance straight out, Forest broke and a slide rule ball through the Boro defence saw McKay clean through and slide the ball into the net after a quarter of an hour opening his account after his £500k arrival from Raith Rovers.  

Just after the restart Traore (the Nottingham one) found himself joining Dorikwa in the Ref’s book. A goal down but with two of the Forest team already on yellows it was certainly anything but dull. Twenty five yards out Howson unleashed one of those trademark shots that Boro fans have been desperate to see. Forest then flew down our left hand side and a shot flew across that was another warning to those in white shirts with the unusual blue shorts and socks. Garry Monk will have been concerned at how inept our start was once again, fortunately their passages of play did not result in attempts on target yet we still found ourselves a goal down.  

Assombalonga clattered into a challenge that he was lucky to avoid a sending off for rather than just a Yellow. As it happens he escaped both but Ben was ushered over by the Ref in an attempt to diffuse things. Britt was eager, perhaps a little too eager on his return to the Trent and was lacking composure. 

Forest were in the ascendancy and Boro needed to get a grip pf things because the Tricky Trees were pushing the game and we needed to clear our heads and started dropping deep with 5 across the back at times. Assombalonga was still trying hard but he wasn’t being effective much to the joy of the home support. A brief bit of Boro possession led to the ball being passed around and inevitably Forshaw passing back, nothing was clicking for Boro and the Midfield again looked an alien unit. 

Friend gave away a corner which McKay took as the Forest players lined up on the edge of the box but in a strange, presumably overly complicated training ground move the set piece fizzled out going backwards. The pressure continued to build as Christie had to make two tackles to end another threat. Boro had started slowly yet again, Bamford was trying but with limited options with Britt full of adrenaline but little to show for it. On thirty five Assombalonga had left Mills floored as he held off the Forest defender, the home fans were screaming for blood but the Ref gave it Boro’s way. Boro were messy, scrappy and without any of their recent swagger in evidence.  

Paddy then made a run across Britt leaving space for the return ball but Britt decided to take it himself much to Paddy’s annoyance. Forest’s David Vaughan made way limping off, forcing Osborn to drop into midfield as Brereton came on and almost instantaneously forced Fry into making a brilliant sliding block tackle from Murphy. Brereton again ploughed forward forcing Clayts to take one for the team after the big unit stormed past Friend giving away a free kick right on the edge of the Boro box. 

The resultant dangerous whipped in free kick was flicked over for a corner by Assombalonga as Boro looked desperate for the half time whistle. Brereton again started to drive forward this time with Howson getting a challenge in to save blushes. Assombalonga was everywhere and chasing everything (more headless chicken than effective) but it just wasn’t happening for him. Then Howson set him up via a delightful lob for a one on one opportunity just 8 yards out, he repeated his feat of Tuesday night and from the right hand side of the box he missed the target putting it wide which was met with a rousing chorus of jeers. 

A right footed first time Bamford effort was turned around the post by Smith for an injury time corner from which Gestede clattered the Forest keeper Smith which was typical of the feisty nature of the half. Bamford pounced on a poor Traore ball from which Howson had a half chance which Jordan Smith got down to and that effectively ended the first half and an underwhelming 45 minutes from Boro. 

Monk had his work cut out at half time trying to reorganise and inspire his charges to come out in the second half and get a grip of the game. So much for the pre-match optimism as we so far had failed to live up to expectations. Something had to change and it looked like it might as Adama (as opposed to the Nottingham Traore) left the half time warm up and headed back down the tunnel early. It looked like Monk had decided to freshen things up and inject a bit of pace to counter the pressure Christie and Friend had faced throughout the first half. As we came out for the second half Forshaw was missing and Adama readied for the 4th Official as we lined up 442. 

A minute or so into the half Howson played in Gestede who in turn played in “our” Traore who burst through and his shot was turned off away for a corner. Adama had only been on for a few seconds but already lifted bums off their seats. Adama was facing his namesake Armand Traore on the same flank who had caused us problems in the first half and now had something to occupy him and push him back. Adama then won a free kick as Bouchalakis felled him but Clayts set piece came to nothing except Bamford getting crocked with Friend then ceremoniously upending Brereton. George was lucky to escape a booking probably as a result of the previous Bamford clattering likewise seeing no action. 

We were looking better but by no means turned the tide. Assombalonga then had another great opportunity with Gestede flicking it over the top for only him to collide with the keeper then almost immediately he had another half volley and sliced it. He should have had a hat trick but instead was on course for picking up the donkey tag recently vacated by Gestede. Surely by the law of averages Britt must bury the next one we all thought. 

Traore then tricked his way through a Forest of red shirts only to waste his hard work as those in white were screaming at him to feed Gestede. Bamford was hobbling on his right ankle with Baker warming up. Traore skipped past a few players played a one two with Gestede only for his effort to go wide. The inevitable Substitution then happened and Paddy forlornly went off with Baker on. The Forest Traore was abruptly halted by Dael Fry who received a yellow for his troubles. Fortunately the resultant Free Kick ended up in a goal kick for Boro.  

Mancienne was then introduced for McKay surprisingly instead of the anticipated Armand Traore as Warburton went with three CB’s. Almost immediately Murphy set up Brereton and Boro breathed a sigh of relief. The game was looking edgy and could go either way as Adama was giving Forest cause for concern. A blocked Friend cross went out for a throw which was then whipped in for Armand Traore to put it out for a Baker taken corner which ended with a scuffed Gestede attempt that broke for Adama who put a far cross in but without any Boro shirts to take advantage. The game was ebbing and flowing as Boro had attempt after attempt but still trailed. 

Britt’s next “attempt” saw him take out the Forest keeper with chants for him to be sent off, fortunately when the card came it was only yellow. Armand Traore then went off for Forest for Lichaj to come on as Sub with Clayts exiting for Fletcher as Monk went for it. The next passage of play saw Ben seemingly innocuously collide with Brereton in the box for a penalty to Forest which Murphy dispatched low into the right hand corner of the net leaving Randolph no chance despite guessing the right way on 79 minutes. 

Boro made hard work of this all afternoon, Forest despite making Boro look ordinary had only had two attempts on target with two goals. Britt had had three clear chances just to himself and the banjo and the cow’s derriere came to mind. Just as heads and hearts dipped a Baker ball hooked back into the box after an over hit corner gave Ben the chance to right his wrong with a prodded effort to make it 2-1. Moments later Gestede then went close with a header to the far side of the far post on 85. 

Forest responded by going up the other end and from a Gibson conceded corner Adama gave away the ball to Bouchalakis who played in Murphy who fortunately put it wide. As the game flew down the other end a flick on from Gestede from a Christie long throw saw Fletcher score only for it to be disallowed for off side. The frenzy continued as the ball then went out for a Boro corner which led to another Boro throw in which ended up via Mancienne into Smiths arms. Baker then broke with his shirt being tugged passing to Fletcher who presented it to Britt instead of shooting himself and you guessed, it still remained 2-1. 

Five minutes went up on the board as Forest started to wind the clock down killing the game. A poor pass from Baker to Assombalonga saw Forest break and nearly put the game to bed. Then it turned to the other end and in a last ditch effort Smith dived down from a Fletcher shot after Gestede had nodded it down to set up the former Hammer. A scramble ensued in the Forest box as Boro pinged balls towards the goal. Assombalonga was then brought down but stumbled onwards only to see the ball go out for a Forest throw in and that was to be the end of a disappointing wasteful afternoon as “what a waste of money” was directed from the home end to our misfiring £15m Striker who had fluffed his lines all afternoon. Traore had at least showed something to be positive about in a second half that should have delivered much more but for poor finishing. Lessons to be learnt for a few undoubtedly but that midfield still looks a work in progress, six points off top and suddenly smashing the league doesn’t look so likely. 

A warm summers evening on Teesside greeted Burton Albion to their first ever Riverside experience. Even the constabulary turned out in greater numbers than on Saturday to greet them adorned in the same colour as the Burton shirts. The three Police Transit vans at the rear of the South stand however could have been the mode of transport for the travelling Brewers army as there were more rioters on Saturday than travelling fans tonight. I think the official figure was around 230 or thereabouts. We needn’t have worried about an atmosphere though as the South and North stands combined to keep it going all night.

The line-up was unchanged from Saturday, still no Braithwaite or Ayala despite “fake news” from a local paper to the contrary about the former’s fitness. That wasn’t the only thing that was unchanged from Saturday, like Sheffield United the Brewers came at us from the off and for the first 5 to 10 minutes we were pretty much camped in our own half with the Midfield yet again looking irrelevant. Fortunately Monk saw the same game and changed his Diamond before the quarter hour mark before things got worse. Up until the formation change to what looked like a straight three in the middle we looked lost. Things didn’t that get much better but it seemed to steady the ship. Christie was very quiet and seemed to be under instruction to keep back although to be fair everything Burton threw at us came down our left side so inevitably that was the side were we eventually regained possession and broke from.

Burton had signalled intent from the off and Palmer came close before he blasted it high wide and over in a let off but early warning to Boro. They played with a big unit up top in Lucas Akins who was chasing onto long balls with Gibson comfortably dealing with them although sometimes via a throw in or a corner. It was from a corner that Randolph miss punched in his only nervous moment from which the ball seemed to take an eternity to clear before Clayton eventually got it up field. For the rest of the game Randolph looked comfortable, coming out for balls and catching them cleanly and with confidence reassuring his defenders in front of him in marked contrast to the early stages of last season.

As we approached the quarter hour Boro settled and started to play some neat stuff but again some unnecessary and nonsense passes put us back in trouble on occasions. Then Clayts was booked for a tackle that was even later than Saturdays Police reinforcements. This wasn’t going entirely to plan and it has to be said that Burton looked the more up for it. Clayton was committed to sweeping everything up but now had to be careful after his yellow. Howson seemed a bit better connected with his team mates but Forshaw would go from a brilliant piece of footwork to misplaced or just plain poor passes. This was almost déjà vu from the last game on Saturday but worse. Christie wasn’t getting down the flanks and delivering balls into the box at all. We were trying to play it though the middle but it wasn’t really coming off despite some clever and deft touches from Bamford who is carving out a role for himself in the team as the No.10 we have all been looking for.

Then as on Saturday a breakthrough when Assombalonga latched onto a ball played through by Gestede on the left hand side of the Burton box, cuts into a really tight angle and instead of passing it into the middle his left foot unleashed an unstoppable shot past his marker and between the Keeper Bywater and the near post, 1-0 Boro and you could see the Brewers droop. Again as on Saturday we revelled in the one goal cushion coming at almost the same time on 23 minutes (instead of 20) and then started to play some good football creating serious opportunities including one which saw a Bamford header flash wide from the middle of the box. During our purple patch Gestede also had a header in on target from a Christie cross who seemed to have sprung to life after the goal but Burton also came too close for comfort to an equaliser with a fierce cross come shot that fizzed wide of Randolph’s goal at the other end.

Assombalonga was everywhere and chasing everything, holding the ball up, twisting and turning defenders and linking up play, this was more like it but it didn’t last. Yet again we seemed to suffer from over confidence (or maybe a lack of belief) and Burton started creeping back in with some good build up play themselves. While Clough’s men could look pleasing on the eye they never really looked like getting the better of Gibson and Fry who again were solid and dependable at the back. I’m sure Garry Monk now sees Fry as a serious member of his side and not just a third or fourth choice back up CB. The injury to Ayala could not have come at a better time for young Dael as once again he put in a sterling and confident performance with well-timed challenges and good awareness around him. He also seems to have earned the trust and respect from Randolph who regularly played the ball out to him.

The half time whistle went and we went in one up but it should have been two and if we are going to break this league let alone smash it we need to make these spells of pressure and classy football count. The second half started with no changes from either bench but again like Saturday we just didn’t start as well as our opponents and again the middle of the park looked disconnected, scrappy and disjointed. George then had an Ayala moment as he short changed Randolph with a ridiculous back pass (remember a similar one at home early last season?) which had the ROI Keeper sprinting off his line to clear taking a clattering from man mountain Akins for his troubles. He was clearly winded and Dimi was sent out to warm up as a precaution and the applause and cheers were almost as loud as when Assombalonga had scored. The almost calamitous error seemed to be a wake-up call to our Friend George as he then played the rest of the half with renewed vigour and determination going on those old familiar mazy George runs and turning the Burton RB inside out and pinging crosses in. It was good to see him back to his best and maybe the back pass was the slap in the face he needed to give himself.

Boro then started to put another show together with Bamford again playing delightful balls and linking the play up between midfield and attack. The lad looks an even better player than his first time here and is starting to look a snip at the rumoured £5m or £6m we paid for him. Gestede also looked more effective by having other players to link up with presumably and losing the Donkey tag in the process, maybe not quite a thoroughbred but certainly a far more useful pack horse. Back to Bamford and he played a real peach of a ball through to Assombalonga and I’m talking the real Ferrero Rocher of balls here. Britt was clean through, twelve yards out with only Bywater in goal to beat and that’s where his shot almost ended up, by the water behind the back of the North Stand in the Tees. It was easier to score than miss. In fact I would go as far as to say that even Dong Gook Lee would have buried it, Britt will never have a better chance for the rest of his career. It should have been two up and the game out of sight much to the relief and incredulous looks on the faces of those in Yellow shirts.

Five minutes later Assombalonga collected the ball outside of the Burton box, he tried to muscle his way through three or four defenders who wouldn’t yield but he wouldn’t give up, he managed to get a half shot away which was blocked but it spun to Gestede unmarked from ten yards out who shot cleanly but straight at Bywater whom it bounced off but Assombalonga was still charging through only this time to despatch it into the middle of the net to make it 2-0. Not long after we thought Friend would nick the third as he ran through the Burton defence, turning the RB yet again, cutting inside beating three men only to see his efforts come to a crunching end as it took twenty men to stop him (OK it was probably only three who simultaneously body checked him), our Tails were up!

Boro were once again in the ascendancy and started to play clever football with neat pass and go movements. A ball played into the box to the newly arrived Baker (on as sub for Forshaw) saw him unselfishly leave the ball for Bamford who shot and scored but in his eager determination had strayed offside, a real shame as Paddy deserved his goal. Boro weren’t quite showboating but offering tantalising glimpses of what this side could really do once they all click. You got a feeling that this was a set of players really enjoying their football and whilst the belief seems to ebb and flow when it flows it really flows with clever dummies and back heels much to the despair of Burton who feared an avalanche I suspect but it just didn’t come. We reverted to safe balls played out from the back and building up slowly, trying to coax and tease the Burton Defence out but sometimes so slowly it was easily read or intercepted. Watching Boro at the moment is a bit like the Foxtrot, slow, slow, quick, quick, slow. The quick bits are tantalising but the slow bits at times were like a throwback to last season. Patience and time will be the key elements.

With about thirteen minutes plus stoppage time to go Burton found themselves down to 10 men after Baker was scythed down by Akpan who hadn’t been on the pitch long himself. For ourselves Traore had just been sent on for Bamford who was taken off to a standing ovation, how things must feel so much better for the lad after his Burnley sojourn. Adama’s arrival of course raised expectations; this was now his chance against tired and weary defenders in a lower league. Well Adama does what Adama does, some amazing headless runs and then standing and watching without anticipating and making movement into space. At one point Clayts had the ball and he literally walked over to him and stood about two feet away instead of making an opening. Despite that every time he got the ball he had everyone off their seats and did actually play a few decent balls and one in particular was a Malteser (not quite as flash as Ferroro Rocher you understand) for both Fletcher (who had come on for Gestede) and Assombalonga to chase. Fletcher arrived on it first with only the keeper to beat, lined up his shot but placed it perfectly into the outstretched arms of Bywater. Tellingly though Adama had taken the ball out of defence after a spell of pressure and burst up the pitch. I’m not sure what Monk would have made of him other than the lad has blistering pace, gets the fans going, some great but eclectic technique but what do I do with him and where to play him?

Overall you do get the feeling that one day these opportunities are all going to start going in and when that happens we will see six or seven in a game. It feels like there have been more attempts on and off target in these opening three games than I witnessed all last season. It finished 2-0 but could and should have been 4 or 5 nil, it is nice however to have a moan about us only winning 2-0, Typical Boro!

Just twelve short but very eventful months ago Boro were about to start their Premiership return against a team in red and white stripes albeit they played in a less familiar sky blue number to avoid a clash. This evening at the Riverside would see Boro host another red and white striped team but who those same twelve months ago were plying their trade in League one.

Last night Baker arrived on a loan deal from Chelsea to answer the need for a midfielder that can not only create but crucially can take set pieces. The like of his ilk was a glaring gap in the Boro set up against Wolves; hopefully he can settle in quickly but was unlikely to start today. Speaking of starting today only three players who had started against Stoke would be starting against the Blades, Gibson, Clayton and Friend. That is testimony to the massive overhaul that has gone on with the Boro squad and realistically that level of change will take time to settle and bed in let alone the backroom and management changes and it was proved to be.

Sheffield United on the other hand were settled and had largely kept intact their management team and squad. As others had done before them from League One they were hoping to emulate that feel good factor to drive them up the League let alone the A19. They dismissed Brentford 1-0 last week and sat joint top with 3 points. Today was never going to be easy and as the Championship team everyone wants to beat the perceived Middlesbrough Millionaires would be a very desirable scalp from a South Yorkshire perspective.

The Boro line-up was pretty much as expected based upon this week’s departures and the injury to Braithwaite. There was also a big question mark against Ayala regarding fitness (as oppose to any punishment for his aberration at Molineux) after he also hobbled off in training and was subsequently was deemed by Monk to be carrying a niggle. The one surprise perhaps was Gestede starting up front with Assombalonga and Bamford just behind them at the head of the Midfield diamond with Downing nowhere to be seen.

An early afternoon downpour ensured that the pristine Riverside pitch would be slick and quick, hopefully this would suit Boro who had upped their pace and skillsets over the summer more than the Blades who had a more functional aspect to their game plan. As predicted by Forever Dormo the Groundstaff however were indeed copiously watering the pitch presumably because of the sand based substrate was draining too quickly.

The game itself started with the Blades getting at Boro from the off and in no mood to play the underdogs or parking their team coach in front of Jamal Blackman’s goal. Boro looked a little hesitant and unsure of who was supposed to be picking up who and as a result everything seemed a bit chaotic between the half way line and Boro’s 18 yard box. The weak link you would have thought would have been Dael Fry but truth be told he was assured and confident throughout and a sliding interruption from the youngster (rather than a tackle) in the box saved our blushes from an early deficit as the Blades cut through with ease.

After around ten minutes we started to clear our heads as United settled down and the pressure eased a little. The turning point came when Dael headed a half way line clearance up field to Bamford who controlled it bringing it down and played a left footed lob over the top of the Sheffield defence where Basham headed it straight upwards instead of clear as he struggled to get behind the ball. The resultant straight up and down trajectory was the perfect gift for Gestede who outjumped said defender and looped his header over Blackman and into the gaping net from 12 yards out. The pressure hanging over the Riverside up until that point exploded sending barometers spinning off collective Teesside walls.

Boro now had belief and the “Perple” shirted lot from S. Yorks looked despondent and dejected as Boro started to strut their stuff with a series of attempts and clever build up play. Gestede nearly doubled his tally when another header hit the upright past a despairing Blackman. Elsewhere Clayts was having personal duels with Carruthers, the two of them continually clattering into one another with Clayts having the upper hand.

Up until the goal I have to say Monk’s diamond formation did not look as though it was working. Apart from Bamford having a good game up top Forshaw and Howson looked too far apart and isolated from their team mates allowing the midfield five from Sheffield to dominate causing Clayton to clear up and challenge or everything on his own. Maybe in time it may improve along with understanding but based on today’s showing Redcar Red’s jury is well and truly out and unimpressed with diamonds.

The second half saw a resurgent Blades come out fighting again with their wounds obviously well licked by a Wilder half time team talk. Boro however would assuredly wrestle control with their millions of talent on display; surely it was a foregone conclusion? As the half wore on it was looking increasingly desperate for Boro as a series of ridiculous and careless passes gave up what little possession we did have again and again. Baker came on and looked good in parts but equally looked a liability as his footballing brain in terms of keeping it tight, frustrating and recycling the ball when under pressure was seemingly compromised by a few flash harry showboats that nearly cost us on two occasions.

In the end Grant was thrown on to anchor things and cut out the nonsense passing and get back to basics. Grant snapped into tackles and didn’t let the Blades compose themselves but despite Fletcher being brought on a few minutes previously to provide an outlet we just couldn’t get the balls played through to make the difference despite his running. The error for me was in bringing Baker on first instead of Grant; Bamford was cream crackered and was stiffening up so anything that went up to Fletcher meant he was in isolation as Bamfords tireless selfless running had emptied his tank with 15 to go.

All in all the second half was a lesson that despite the quantity on display the quality was in short supply as formation and team mates looked alien to many in red shirts. The pressure was building and Boro looked more desperate by the minute as the clock ticked down and in the dying seconds the inevitable happened and United equalised. A strange flag for a presumed offside or infringement from the Lino meant the deserved equaliser was ruled out much to Boro’s relief. Minutes later the whistle went and 3 points belong to the Boro. Last week an aberration cost us at least a well-earned point, this week we were fortunate and got away with it. Things even themselves out as they say but if I were a Sheffield fan I would be feeling very aggrieved and bitter this evening.

There is a lot of work to be done with this Boro side and the formation is one of them. The diamond shape worked for Bamford but that aside it looked a car crash in slow motion, a more straightforward 4312 to me would look more comfortable with what was on show today.

Of course it wasn’t all bad and there were some positives, Bamford as mentioned looked class, Gestede had his best game, Christie was a serious threat down the right side and my MOM, Clayts had a never say die attitude and Randolph in goal looked composed and confident apart from one very early sheepish clearance but pulled off a brilliant save in the second half to keep Boro in it against the run of play. I think we will get better, indeed we must do, there were some sublime bits in the first half but there were far too many poor features to rest on a 3 pointed laurel.

The real negatives came after the game. The ruled out goal was the catalyst for the Stella (other tins are available) fuelled morons from both sides to kick off with abuse and threats as Stewards had a struggle to keep the odd lunatic from clambering over the netting. The atmosphere turned ugly very quickly and come the end more fans were watching the “entertainment” in the SE corner than the game itself.

Worse followed outside, for some bizarre reason the United fans instead of being kept back for 10 minutes were released and there were scenes in the Car Park that were more reminiscent from the 70’s as enraged Sheffield fans decided to rain plastic bottles and coins down on those leaving the game from the East Stand family section. There were undoubtedly a few Boro morons engaging in taunts with the snarling Sheffield masses spitting and throwing gravel at departing families with Stewards totally out of their depth and half a dozen coppers trying to bravely keep order aided by a chicken wire fence. Those Officers who bravely faced up to the Sheffield contingent intent on violence have my utmost respect as their intervention prevented what would have been a scene making the McGregor vs Mayweather fight a Sunday school picnic.

I started this piece comparing it with this time last year and will finish on the same note. Last year the Police behaviour at the Stoke game was an embarrassing, ridiculous, costly overkill complete with their helicopter flying overhead all afternoon. This year despite there being only a few thousand difference in the crowd (27K in attendance today) there was zero Police presence to speak of (OK a handful). Why the massive difference? Are those in authority and making decisions on safety and crowd control really that incredibly stupid? It appears they are and based upon what I witnessed after the game those who made those decisions should be in possession of their P45’s come Monday morning for gross incompetence and negligence.

No doubt we will have full heavy handed Policing for the 400 Burton fans on Tuesday evening.

Great anxiety and anticipation in equal measure in the Molineux sunshine for the much awaited smashing Boro inaugural line up which saw the team pretty much as predicted. Fletcher getting the nod over Bamford was perhaps the only debating point. No Traore on the bench yet Gestede warranted a seat, my guess as a last ten minute “Plan B” if things were going wrong. That logic flew in the face of Leeds fans who may question if Monk ever had a Plan B? Anyway over 2,000 of the Boro faithful turned up to see the new look side adorned in their white and blue away strip.

The game started lively enough but without great stress for either side. De Roon gave away a free kick central to the Boro goal but fortunately nothing came of it. As both sides soft shoe shuffled around the Molineux pitch sizing their opponents up neither really laying a glove on their opponent. That said Wolves had the lions share with Neves and Coady running the middle of the park and playing balls stretching us down the flanks. Wolves started looking the stronger growing in confidence and It took until 15 minutes when we had our first serious foray which ended up going out for a Boro corner.

Assombalonga broke five minutes later and the resultant foul could have ended up with a yellow card for the Wolves offender. The resultant Clayton free kick was almost deflected in for an own goal. Up the other end Neves then spared Boro blushes by fluffing his lines seconds later. Friend was being given a tough time by Enobakhare and a few crosses flew in from his flank. Perhaps the lack of a covering/defending wide player in the old AK format meant more exposure than previous. Assombalonga meanwhile battled and scrapped and was attracting a few fouls for his troubles and Miranda was finally booked for his troubles on 25 minutes.

On the half hour mark Wolves tried the opposite flank and went at Christie whose slip saw Wolves getting an attempt blocked out by Gibson with Randolph collecting. Just a minute or so later Ayala dropped a ridiculous clanger with a reckless soft pass to Gibson which left Bonatini with the easiest opportunity he will ever receive in his career. Up until that point Boro had been fairly strong defensively but it is impossible to legislate against the type of aberration Ayala committed. In fairness Wolves had been applying most of the pressure with us looking disjointed in midfield but Boro had looked fairly composed and comfortable at the back.

Boro started to clear their heads with Braithwaite busy along with Clayton and Friend trying to push up but the Wolves wing back was up for picking up any loose balls trying to get in behind Friend. Braithwaite came close with an even easier opportunity than last week against Augsburg missing a golden chance from the middle of the goalmouth when a Christie ball went begging as Boro pushed for the equaliser.

The whistle went on 45 with the score line probably a fair reflection but frustrating that it was unnecessarily gift wrapped from Ayala. De Roon had started the half busy but faded as the game progressed with Coady taking control, needless to say the Dutchman’s passing and distribution wasn’t exactly enthralling. Howson was nondescript almost anonymous compared with Clayton who was involved in just about everything for Boro. Being involved in everything didn’t always mean that it was beneficial. I have no idea why he has been selected as our set piece expert because he has shown nothing at all in his time at Boro to suggest otherwise, his attempts were somewhere between poor and embarrassing. At this level for a professional football club that is unacceptable.

Monk looked to have shuffled his midfield pack a little at the start of the second half but it didn’t make any difference with only Clayton impressing. Nothing changed up top with the same three of which Assombalonga was busy, Braithwaite frustrating and Fletcher very quiet so it wasn’t a surprise to see Bamford come on for Fletcher after being given ten minutes presumably to sort it out. Clayts then clattered into a challenge preventing Wolves breaking and picked up his first yellow of the season for his troubles. De Roon shortly afterwards blocked a ball to concede a corner which Clayton (who else) cleared from the near post as Wolves kept pushing and we still didn’t look like gelling collectively.

A clumsy challenge from Christie led to a free kick floated into the Boro box dealt with by Assombalonga with Bamford helping to clear. Seconds later Clayton played Braithwaite through in turn playing in Assombalonga to win a corner which only meant Clayton messing up the set piece with a wasted ball to the near post.

In a very unKaranka like decision Monk brought Forshaw on for De Roon on 60 minutes and almost immediately Assombalonga broke free as he tried to get past Ruddy with the suspicion of a hand ball from the Wolves Keeper just outside the box.

The arrival of Bamford coincided with Boro buzzing around a lot more, pushing forwards to get the equaliser and came close on a few occasions. Despite the pressure no breakthrough was imminent with Ruddy having a relatively quiet time. With ten minutes to go Plan B was about to be executed after all with Gestede coming on for the forlorn looking Howson. Let’s hope Jonny gets up to speed quickly and finds his bearings because we desperately need some spark from the middle. So Gestede, Braithwaite, Bamford and Assombalonga all up front in a desperate last throw of the dice.

A throw in near the Wolves box meant all four of our Strikers piling into the danger area for an anticipated long throw from Cyrus but it was bizarrely thrown out. Not as bad as a Barragan throw in admittedly but disappointing nonetheless. The lad then almost made amends with a driving run and shot from 20 yards out with five minutes left of normal time. Despite Gestede’s arrival there were no long balls being humped up to him thereby not really benefitting from his main threat.

As added time was announced Ayala gave away a free kick near the by-line on the edge of the 18 yard box which ended up being mishit and spectacularly sliced up to the half way line much to Dani’s relief. A flurry of desperate Boro attempts into the box ensued in the last few minutes during which Forshaw took a yellow for the team and then the whistle sounded and that was it 1-0 to the Wolves.

A mixed performance from Boro, you could see individual bits of something but there were one or two below par performances not helped by a glaring lack of creativity or spark in the middle. We need to find someone to pick up the Gaston gauntlet before the end of August, preferably someone that can take free kicks and corners.

I said beforehand that a defeat will not be the end of the world and that I fancied Wolves to be a real contender this season so we lick our wounds and move on. Not surprisingly we didn’t look fully joined up or connected yet, sloppy if anything but Assombalonga looked like he will be a handful and Clayts was MOM by a mile (just a shame that he or Monk misguidedly thinks that he can take

corners and free kicks). On the basis of last week and today, Bamford has to start, he was the stand out bright spark this afternoon.

A difficult away game between two sides that will be pushing for promotion separated only by a single careless mistake which cost us a point. Perhaps what was interesting was our two “prestige” midfield signings didn’t look any better than those longer serving at the club. There will be some more incomings and outgoings but as it stands Boro looked very much a work in progress which being fair is exactly what we felt would be the case.

Looking on the bright side at least we have that “unbeaten” monkey off our back! Early days yet and Monk has had his first real look at his charges in real life action. Whilst we didn’t do ourselves justice it has to be remembered that Randolph had very little to deal with and we will get better.

Champions League tantalisation via the excitement of a Premiership ménage à trois with Arsenal and Man City ensured high stakes for Liverpool but Chambers aside Boro really couldn’t give a stuff. Any away terrace talk was focused on AK’s Sky interview and bookie inspired speculation on the next Boro manager.  So the scene was set for an anxious afternoon in the Kop whilst listening to other scores coming in and a deckchair mind-set for those who “honoured” their purchased away ticket making the trip across the M62.

Who would start and what formation had been a declining topic since the Man City robbery which effectively finished our survival hopes. The only item of discussion would be if Aggers decided to use the game as an opportunity to give game time to loyal squad players or go all Karankesque and put up a closed sign on the Middlesbrough goalmouth. As it was it was a bit of a mixture, when the line-up was announced there were a few raised eyebrows at the omissions of Negredo and de Roon, still no sign of Valdes and Gaston but surprisingly Traore wasn’t even on the bench.

In the ninth minute news started to filter through that both City and Arsenal had taken the lead in their respective games. The pressure upped a little bit on the Kop who were also unaccustomed to see their side attacking them in the first half. Boro as predicted had started off with a defence not much further forward than the Kop itself with our midfield only a row or two in front. The nearest early attacking “activity” that Boro offered were a few isolated Gestede pogo style headers that went straight up off his head to nowhere and no one.

A high upfield ball saw Bamford take it down and turn brilliantly only for Milner to “accidentally” get his legs fortuitously entangled with Paddy’s, leading to a Boro free kick 25 yards out which Downing struck only for the wall to do its job. Seconds earlier Gibson had done well to block Wijnaldum in the Boro box.  Defensively Boro were looking very Karanka inspired with a backs to the wall resolute display. Then on 21 minutes Gestede glanced a header through to Forshaw who chipped it over the head of Lovren for Paddy to leave him in his wake but he was hauled back by the big Croat for a nailed on Penalty. As we have learnt this season Officials are seemingly under an unspoken direction to only give advantages and Penalties to the top six and incredibly neither Martin Atkinson or his assistant could see what everyone else could plainly see.

Boro were still under pressure but were now getting themselves a little more into the game with Gestede deflecting a header wide of the far post a minute or so later after the Penalty appeal. So Boro should have had a Penalty and Liverpool down to ten men but elsewhere Arsenal had gone down to ten men but were still 1-0 up and City had made it 2-0 against the Hornets.

The atmosphere inside Anfield was getting decidedly edgy made worse by the news that Arsenal had actually manged to get a second against Everton despite being a man light. As things stood a draw meant that Liverpool wouldn’t be in the Champions League and everyone knew it!  Whistles and jeers greeted Guzan every time he delayed releasing the ball with an inevitable kick that would go straight out of play. Taunts of “Championship you’re having a laugh” was replied with “Champions League you’re having a laugh” by the Boro faithful as news filtered through that City had now gone three up at Watford.

Boro had weathered the storm and were starting to create a little more in midfield and Bamford continued to cause problems in and around the Liverpool box just as Watford had now conceded a fourth to City. Friend danced clumsily into the Liverpool box causing a desperate nervous clearance leading to Boro’s first corner which wasn’t exactly something to talk about as the opportunity was wasted. In the sole minute of added time Firmino put Wijnaldum through in a slick one two (as oppose to Boro’s one, three touches, pause, ponder and pick out a predictable easily read two) and blasted past a suspect Guzan at his near post. Hugely frustrating for Boro who looked to be holding on but huge relief for Liverpool who were now back into the Champions League.

The second half started, the atmosphere still tense with half time analysis concluding what Boro fans already knew, unfashionable sides don’t get Premiership decisions. Then on 50 minutes a 30 yard Coutinho free kick cleared the poorly assembled Boro defensive wall and sailed past Guzan. Can you imagine the outrage and despair had Boro actually gone 1-0 up and Liverpool down to 10 men in the first half? Not that it mattered much to Boro but I’m sure Arsenal will struggle to see the irony in it with game effectively over.

The second goal initiated the pressure relief valve and suddenly the Kop found their voices. Boro’s defensive rearguard had been holed below the waterline and so the need to keep nine men back became irrelevant. Another poor Boro corner kick led to a Liverpool breakaway attack (that means charging forwards with supporting players instead of sideways and backwards) and Lallana putting the game beyond reach with Liverpool’s third. Almost immediately after a speculative Friend long ball saw Gestede flick on to Forshaw who was clean through but Mignolet got a touch. Yet another garbage Boro corner which this time sailed over the box led to another Liverpool breakaway which this time saw Guzan get his fingertips to it.

Thirty minutes to go and City had now gone five up and if Boro weren’t careful a similar scoreline would be replicated at Anfield. A characteristic series of possession sideways and backwards midfield passing saw us play ourselves into trouble, consequently Firmino just had the ball nicked from his toes by Grant on the Penalty spot as Liverpool were now enjoying 70% possession and Boro  devoid of ideas. A once defiant start had now become a sorry site with passes going awry and communication between our midfield and defence looking shaky with Guzan seemingly even more detached from his back four exaggerated with shouts of “shoot” every time a Liverpool player was in possession.

On 72 minutes a characteristic pointless double Boro substitution seen Fabio (who had had another questionable game) come off with Ayala taking his place and Gestede off for the Beast. Chambers moved into Fabio’s position on the right with Ayala slotting alongside Ben and almost immediately scored with a 40 yard cross come lob from the Arsenal loanee which rattled the Liverpool crossbar. With ten to go the pace had dipped and it was all a mere formality then Negredo who had looked understandably forlorn since entering swivelled and dinked a ball through for Forshaw who kept up his shooting accuracy and put his half chance wide.

With seconds remaining Forshaw managed to get another effort on target but like our season his attempt was scuffed with no impetus behind it and so it was to be the final disappointing Premiership effort from Boro. In terms of performances there were some very poor uninspiring ones today from Boro indeed some almost anonymous ones notably Downing and Clayton but on a positive (the only one) Bamford looked comfortable at this level and was easily MOM.

And so Boro now unspectacularly depart this League twelve points adrift of that coveted seventeenth place where the Bottom fourteen sides are effectively decorative collateral damage, pimped just to satisfy the lust of the few where cheating, gamesmanship and unwritten officiating seems to be the norm, roll on the Championship!

Well today represented our final Riverside game in the Premiership. Tough as it is for some of us the stark reality is that we may never see Premiership football in the Stadium again! Bouncing back is not guaranteed and it could be decades (if ever) before we grace the World’s greediest league again. So making the most of it should have been the order of the day but it was tough to motivate oneself to get up, leave all the DIY jobs and get along to the Riverslide sorry “Riverside”. Regardless of current League positions this fixture was never going to be at the top of anyone’s “must see” list.

Who would be playing? Well let’s be honest none of us were all that bothered, the days of getting excited or angry about team selections or tactics are well behind us now until August comes around. The team when announced brought an air of disappointment when Dimi was still left on the bench. The fans felt that a token gesture towards our favourite Greek would have been the correct thing especially after the series of nutmegs at the Bridge. Those nutmegs clearly were not easily forgotten for many.

Traore was the only change with Paddy coming in for him and making a strong case albeit belatedly as to why he should be starting. The Weather was warmish but for mid May not particularly bright and was pretty dull and overcast most of the afternoon. You are entitled to ask why I mention the weather in such detail but that was the most exciting talking point up until the Saints second goal. Oh and by the way there was a first half goal for them as well when Long crossed from the right to find Rodriguez who too easily found the back of the North Stand net.

At half time the players trudged off to a chorus of boo’s which in all honesty they didn’t deserve because they weren’t that good! Dreadful to watch with the entire side looking disconnected, lacking ambition, overly cautious and couldn’t find a Red shirt if they tried. It didn’t help that Southampton were equally as bad. Tactically the best thing I can say is that it didn’t look like we had any, it was probably the poorest offering all season, well actually probably not because there was Hull and Bournemouth and Palace and Stoke and anyway you get the picture.

At half time something desperately needed to change but Aggers sent the same lot out in the same set up and things went from bad to worse when the second Saints goal went in. A crescendo of boo’s and abuse started raining down at whom though it was difficult to tell. The vibe was that it was generally aimed at the set up in the management structure with a healthy dose for those players both present and absent who had underwhelmed. Then to rub nutmeg (sorry salt) into the already open wounds Guzan came off his line and clattered into Shane Long sending him sprawling and the Ref pointed to the spot. 2-0 down and now a penalty, ironic but very barbed and pointed shouts of “Off, Off, Off” came from the Boro fans in an effort for Brad to be given a Red card. When a Yellow was produced there were more ironic boos. Things were now turning toxic rather than just plain nasty. Shane Long stepped up to the spot but with all the accuracy of a Guedioura/Clayton/Forshaw effort so you can imagine where it ended up!

When the ball was retrieved from the South stand upper, cheers of “Eio, Eio, Eio” bounced around the Riverside in more self-deprecating urine taking at the dross being served up in front of them. The atmosphere however dipped even further when the old “Ohhh Aitor Karanka” song was given an airing then followed up by more boos. Were the fans split or were the same fans ironically singing Aitor’s name then booing? Who knows but the situation was to turn even uglier when Downing was hooked for the forgotten Fischer. As he trudged off he was roundly and loudly booed by a large contingent mainly in the South stand, I believe the gesture was reciprocated!

So as mentioned on came Fischer along with Grant who replaced the slow, slow, slow, slow, slow Forshaw who took four touches in deftly passing sideways and any “momentum” (and I could perhaps be sued for using that word) we may have had died in the midfield mire of mediocrity, plenty of grit and passing but no creativity. So 2-0 down and Aggers brings Grant on, not the most exciting substitution I have experienced especially as we were chasing the game. OK probably “chasing” is the wrong word again but “generally walking around and following in the vague direction of the game” is a little too long winded. As it happens Grant wore his heart on his sleeve as usual and ran that heart out and injected a little bit of fight as oppose to sideways flicks to nowhere. Now don’t get too excited I’m not talking quick one two’s because that would require movement and believe me there wasn’t anything in Red (Bamford apart) that showed any great intent despite earlier promises of trying to give the fans a send off.

Later on we won a corner and Fischer put a decent ball in to which Bamford connected with his head and scored! “He’s scored a goal, He’s scored a goal, Patrick Bamford, He’s scored a goal” was chorused with at least a bit of good hearted banter to ease the ugly atmosphere. The fans then rallied with a few “One Stevie Gibson “ and a Stamford Bridge style crescendo of bouncing positive support but it all felt a bit like after the Lord Mayor’s show after a very poor showing at the end of a very poor season.

In the dying moments there was a MMP announcement for fans not to run onto the pitch which was met with rolled eyes, jeers and laughter followed at the end with his volume bursting music to try and drown out any chants or abuse at the final whistle. It has been quite a while since he felt it his role to decide what the paying public should think but right on cue on went “Our House” at volume levels intended to create his own version of white noise. There wasn’t a great need as most Boro fans simply decided to walk out and head for the exits showing the same apathy as that which they had just sat through for 90 minutes.

I stayed for the lap of dishonour and those of us who bothered to hang back applauded the Players but of course it was sadly punctuated with boo’s directed at a couple of the players from the North Stand.  Leo was quick to remonstrate and gesture to the fans that right now we need unity not recriminations and of course he is absolutely right but that unity needs to start far higher up than the North Stand terraces right now.

When the Premiership fixtures came out last summer this was one of the first ones Boro fans went searching for and upon finding it we realised it was part of a very tough end to the season. All the big boys loaded into the final few weeks predetermined our fate. If we didn’t pick up points and wins during the season building a buffer zone these final few weeks would be punishing.

As foreseeable and predictable as it was somehow it wasn’t clear to AK and others at the club. Grinding our way to draws just about kept us out of the bottom three for the first half of the Season but as warned those fixtures were the bread and butter required for our sustenance. The list of those “lost” games is now too many and too repetitively boring to repeat but the consequence of attacking apathy had now left us with a mountain to climb at the home of the Premiership Champions in waiting. With Boro scoring 26 goals all season to Chelsea’s 72 the likelihood of any upset was remote to say the least with even bookies giving out generous odds of over 20/1 for an away win.

As if to mirror our season a Boro Team Bus Crash en route to Stamford Bridge was the prelude to the warm up. The Boro line up was probably what most of us would have selected meaning no Gaston. Chelsea kicked off with tempo and Guzan pulled off a brilliant save in the second minute to palm away a close range Alonso shot onto the crossbar thanks to Traore leaving his man. Five minutes later Alonso again lost Traore and put a harmless cross in this time. The opening minutes looked nervy but Boro seemingly settled down winning a corner and then Traore putting a deft chip in to Negredo that was cleared. That was as good as our evening got, Fabio nicked the ball from Costa 25 yards out but in typical premiership fashion a foul was awarded against Boro for this time Costa’s artistic impression. Luiz’s resulting free kick fortunately sailed well over.

Minutes later Fabio again picked up the ball and brought it out of defence but his resultant pass to Traore ended up with Adama hanging on to it for far too long and losing possession gifting Chelsea another opportunity. On twenty minutes George Friend managed to just edge Costa off the ball a shin-guard’s length from the goal line much to Diego’s displeasure and more histrionics. Two minutes later Fabio won possession yet again and tried to work the ball out but instead of running to provide an option, Adama simply stood in his way looking lost again and the ball likewise lost was then played to the other side of the box only for a Fabregas cross to come in and 1-0 to Chelsea as Costa slotted home past a despairing Fabio.

On Thirty three minutes Chelsea were dancing around in front of the Middlesbrough back nine about thirty yards out with none of de Roon, Clayton or Forshaw putting a challenge in and another identical cross to the Chelsea left saw another attempt from Alonso as they had been doing all night only this time with a goal blasted through the spread-eagled Guzan from close range 2-0. Friend and Downing had been keeping things quiet on their flank but Fabio had to do all the work himself on the right outgunned, out manned and out manoeuvred. Traore had reverted to wandering, looking lost, disconnected with what was happening around him, dazzled by the fairground lights again, brilliant footballing feet but an echo chamber upstairs.

Clayton and Forshaw were now simply being ignored by Chelsea and de Roon’s attempts to get forward inevitably thwarted by blue shirts led to another offensive movement and the pressure back on the Boro rearguard. Boro tried to mount a little pressure but in truthfulness it was too slow and predictable with no threat and inevitably petered out. The half ended with Chelsea toying with the back nine again and only Ref Craig Pawson’s whistle saved Boro blushes from an inevitable third goal as they sat off the Blue shirts just outside our 18 yard box.

There wasn’t much Agnew could do at half time, Barragan and Espinosa were hardly going to change the game nor was Guedioura or Leadbitter at this level. Gestede and Bamford were the only two options that may offer something different but that would require getting hold of the ball and retaining it let alone mount an attack. The second half kicked off and Chelsea grazed the crossbar within seconds. Boro won a free kick on forty seven minutes but managed to get themselves offside from a stationary ball.

On fifty five minutes Grant came on for Forshaw presumably in the hope that a Boro midfielder would maybe read the game and get a tackle in. Bamford also came on at the same time for the lad on the left dazzled by the fairground lights. A brief forty-five second cameo of Boro in the Chelsea half ensued and then normal service resumed with Chelsea toying with the packed Boro defence. So packed that nobody had a clue what on earth they were supposed to be doing and so it was that in a box packed with Red shirts Matic chested the ball down and 3-0.

Trademark static passing continued from Boro as no runs were made and no pace injected with balls easily read and cut out. Then on sixty eight minutes Grant unleashed an 40 yard shot that had Courtois getting down quickly to smother Boro’s only attempt. A minute later Costa went through with his studs on Guzan’s chest with Costa once again claiming he had been shot with a howitzer from the back of the stand, rolling theatrically in faux agony.

The next twenty minutes saw a lot of Chelsea possession with a little bit more Boro intent as Chelsea’s thoughts seemingly turned to West Brom and Friday night. With eight minutes to go Gestede came on for Negredo and that pretty much summed up Boro’s intent for the season. With two minutes of the ninety remaining Bamford received a yellow for taking down Alonso near the by-line which was a darn sight closer than Traore got to him all night.

And so Boro’s Premiership visit came to an inglorious end with barely a ball kicked in anger, well goal-wards at least. We came, we saw, we didn’t fancy it and never really gave it a go. Questions should be asked but they won’t, at least Ben Gibson gave an honest assessment of things after the whistle much to his credit. MOM were the traveling Boro fans who sang their hearts out for the lads.

Hull clinging to a draw yesterday PM with a last gasp penalty save seemed a tipping point perhaps. Although it was only a single solitary point with games running out fast Boro would now appear to require snookers to have any chance of overhauling a seven point gap at this stage of the season. Meanwhile our NE Neighbours had confirmed for certain what they had known for months that next season their football would be in the Championship.

Apart from the Barcodes (HMRC investigation aside) football fate has been very cruel for the North East this season, very cruel indeed. Darlington’s long climb back has been barred because of what now looks like an ill-advised or poorly planned move back into the town preventing them from taking part in the play-offs. Pools look to be finally about to drop through the League trapdoor after decades of dancing around it apart from a singular short lived purple patch in the mid noughties when they lost the League 1 play-off final to Boro’s possible Premiership play off replacements Sheffield Wednesday. York continued their slide with a second successive relegation which serves as a warning that once you lose your grip on a slope the slide downwards can gather momentum very quickly. Gloomy backdrop or what!

At this time of the season some strange results do occur as nerves, injuries and desperation start to take hold. While from a North east perspective relatively speaking City’s situation was far from desperate Pep Guardiola has had a massively disappointing season by Sultan Standards. Failure to achieve Champions League status is unthinkable and likely sackable so the pressure was on both sides come 2.00pm.

The team announcements indicated that City would go with three at the back and two up front. Agnew reverted to a typical Karanka set up with a playing away from home at home set up. The first 90 seconds looked ominous as City bizarrely dressed in black showed their intent and tore into us from the off and an Aguero cross flew across the Boro six yard box with Guzan and the Boro back line terrified to touch it as the merest flick could have sent it into the net. Fortunately there were no other Black shirts close enough in the Boro box and the ball continued its trajectory across the pitch out of harms way.

Stuani wide right again had a few of us bemoaning the lack of pace and credible tracking back. The lad done his best but it was clear throughout that he never has been and never will be a wide player; his selection was more likely down to trust and predictability rather than ability in the role. Aggers had clearly decided that only those upon whom he could depend would be starting. As the first half progressed City as expected had the bulk of possession, passed and moved very quickly causing us all sorts of problems. It was anxious watching but as fifteen then twenty minutes passed Boro were growing in stature and the Karankaesque composure and defensive solidity caused great frustration for City and their Manager. This was the opportunity to put some breathing space between themselves and their neighbours but Boro hadn’t read the script.

Not only were Boro defending stoically we were also breaking out, creating chances and causing consternation in the City box. As much as Stuani and Fabio had to fend off assaults on their flank George looked to be back to his former self and along with Stewy were making progress and sending balls into the box. Negredo was battling and scrapping but again isolated as Stuani struggled to perform attack and defensive duties. De Roon however looked like he was up for repeating his Sunderland heroics and had a few forward looking forays one of which resulted in a 25 yard rocket that went wide but showed that City were in a game and made a statement. Meanwhile as the half progressed Clayts and Forshaw let de Bruyne and co. know they were in a game, snapping at expensive yellow socked heels. Fernadinho should have seen a straight Red for a forearm smash across Claytons face as he danced past three black shirts but Ref Friend seemed to think it was an accidental forearm smash. Unbelievable!

At the back Chambers and Gibson were in top form, the whole Boro team were unrecognisable from the one that meandered through against Sunderland midweek. As the half was entering its final phase I found myself hoping for the whistle to blow soon and get in 0-0 at half time then George made an interception on the edge of the Boro box, passed it up to de Roon who then set Stewy free with George now galloping down the flank who got involved again in deflecting the ball to Negredo who turned and put the ball past Caballero, 1-0 up and the Boro dream was alive and deservedly so. The Riverside roof nearly lifted off and the travelling City fans who had been extremely quiet suddenly became mute.

The second half started with no changes made from either Manager but Guardiola soon changed things after only five minutes bringing on Sane and Sterling for Clichy and the ineffective Garcia. This livened City up a little and gave our defence a little more to think about. The pressure was building and if there is one criticism of SA today it was that he left his decision to bring Traore on about ten minutes too late. As the pressure mounted we needed an outlet that would take some pressure off and give City some cause for concern.

Pretty much camped in our own half it was clear that something was going to break and it was courtesy of a piece of cheating gamesmanship from City (made worse by the fact that Aguero shouldn’t even be on the pitch after cheating on Thursday night). Sane went down in the box as de Roon was backing off him, a blatant cheating instinct seems to be how City have been drilled these days and the man with the whistle incredibly blew for a penalty. Just about the entire Boro side went apoplectic at the gross miscarriage of justice. The other aforementioned cheat Aguero then converted said Penalty but not after a booking for Fabio and a lot of pushing and shoving. Robbed, conned, cheated or a victim of an Official who was too afraid of upsetting the glamour side and any consequential media storm? I had made my mind up.

With the sense of injustice came an increase in Boro voices who started the afternoon quietly and raised the noise to way beyond levels MMP could only dream about. Traore then came on and immediately started to cause City some problems as he ran and chased at them being brought down for his troubles for what like as not would have been a Red had it been at the other end of the pitch but as it was a yellow was produced once again letting cheating win out. Stewy’s resultant free kick was cleared away by Caballero only for Negredo to pick up the loose ball, hang onto it, swivel, twist and turn with three black shirts in attendance, back heel it and somehow Chambers managed to poke home. It was scrappy, chaotic and bodies were all over the place so a clear view was difficult but the net bulged and Boro were now 2-1 up, thirteen minutes from time against a side that had made cheating an art form.

The Riverside noise had now had become a cauldron of hate and boos, whistles and jeers were directed at Sane every time he touched or came near the ball. The pressure was back on us but we had stood firm so far but it wasn’t to be and a quickly taken free kick caught tired minds and legs out as Jesus rose and headed City’s morally undeserved equaliser to finish the game 2-2.

Today seen a fair few plastic seats appearing again which for a home Premiership tie on a Bank Holiday weekend would have been unthinkable just a few weeks back. Reality is now hitting home as the fair-weather fans have started deserting which was a shame as they missed an honourable and thoroughly decent Boro performance, all the guile of a Karanka like defensive masterclass but with two goals against Champions League regulars. The late Traore Substitution aside Agnew and the bench got this about as well as any of us could have expected and indeed should have got more were it not for poor officiating and blatant cheating.

Negredo ran his heart and soul out (as they all did in fairness) and had to be replaced by Gestede on 82 minutes due to sheer exhaustion. At one point when we were under the cosh he was in the LB position winning a tackle, fending off challenges and pinged a cross field inch perfect ball to Fabio who then charged forward into the City half out of defence. Using Stuani to dummy City defenders Fabio continued his run and crossed for who else but Negredo to be on the end of it, that summed him up today.

Everyone was MOM especially the fans but for me one person just slightly nudged ahead and for the second time in a week it has to be Alvaro. The atmosphere was by far the best in 2017. Our fate still looks sealed but despite or perhaps because of the cheating it seemed a moral victory. I stayed until every last Boro player (Clayts) left the field of play to applaud them off the pitch. They had given their all and absolutely nobody could have asked or expected anything more from any of them.

I’ll admit, I wasn’t looking forward to tonight’s game and it took a huge effort to motivate myself to get there. The display of respect to Ugo and the thought that young Bradley would have loved to have been there rather than in a hospital ward convinced me that I should drag myself along.

With a heavy heart and a cynical viewpoint when I saw the Team selection my mood was darkening faster than the sun setting over Billingham in the distance. A cold night wasn’t about to get much warmer as Boro started the game as though they were still on the South Coast. Straight from the whistle Sunderland pushed high up the pitch whilst we were pretty passing it hurriedly like a hot potato and the inevitable surely had to happen. It nearly did but fortunately Gibson’s uncharacteristic dithering was eventually cleared and we survived the scare.

Anichebe was trying to hustle and bustle Chambers and was getting the better of the Arsenal loanee but in fairness he fought and battled back and by the exclamations and howls of derision on the Makem bench not always within the rule book. From what I saw it was a good six and two threes and I suspect the Lino and Mike Dean thought the same which probably benefitted Chambers more than it did Anichebe.

About eight minutes in and our fortunes looked bleak as Sunderland continued to apply pressure, any hope of Aggers first Victory looked to have gone down with the Sun now disappeared well behind the East Stand. Then a long through ball (or a carefully weighted pass depending upon your mindset) from Clayts set de Roon free and his long legs seen him burst clear into the huge gap behind O’Shea and Denayer to just beat the onrushing Pickford with a toe poke into the net. Nine minutes gone and against the run of play we were undeservedly one up. Who cares we’ll take it because let’s face it how many goals have we seen this season?

That goal seemed to deflate Sunderland and their 3,000 followers as Boro relaxed, became more measured and controlled and passed the ball better with a few probing passes and Sunderland suddenly looked very jittery and exposed with a second goal surely imminent. Stewy started running the show with darting runs infield from the left cutting past the Black Cats excuse for a defence with relative ease. For some reason we had the game well within our grasp and they were well and truly rocking like a heavyweight who had just dragged himself off the canvas for the third time in the last few rounds. One sucker punch had them reeling but instead of landing an uppercut, we danced around, passing it intricately in small squares and backwards towards Guzan who would welly it upfield and then nothing of any note would result.

Stuani wide right was largely anonymous leaving Chambers to deal with Anichebe whilst Negredo fought, tackled, headed, scrapped, chased down and bust a gut getting forward. Forshaw was buzzing but his deft flicks were causing as many problems in losing possession as they were productive. Clayts was clattering into tackles as was Friend and both picked up yellows for their “eagerness”. Gibson had settled down alongside Ayala who himself endured a nervy opening few minutes but just as things were looking better Ayala went down with what looked like an ankle injury.

After the thirty minute mark Sunderland came back into it as they realised to put it mildly we were garbage, not as rank as them perhaps but tactically clueless. Passing paralysis once again became the norm in the Riverside as we reverted to being on the back foot. The half time whistle went just after a 44th minute Ugo tribute from the fans but thankfully we went in unconvincingly 1-0 up.

The second half commenced, clearly Moyes had instructed his charges to get at us which they duly did, pushing even further up the pitch forcing errors in our own half and it was our turn now to rock. Ayala went down again and being honest after his first half treatment he didn’t look 100% and eventually had to succumb to being subbed as he sat looking fed up on the turf. Ominously though Ben was also laid out as Fabio came on to replace our adopted Spaniard with Chambers moving central. Ben picked himself up with the help of the Physio and rallied himself to continue which was just as well because moments later Clayton went down on a couple of occasions and looked like he needed to go off.

The second half continued to be totally one sided with the fans in the North stand feeling very left out of proceedings as Sunderland piled on the pressure and we just passed ourselves into trouble in front of the Red Faction who had managed to disgrace the club before KO with a Flare being set off in the upper tier to which Stewards responded almost as quickly as one of Karanka’s substitutions.

Fast forward thirty more minutes of camping in our own 18 yard box with Negredo continuing to fight and battle for everything and anything that rarely came upfield aided only by a bit of support from de Roon. We weren’t just poor; it was simply abysmal to watch and not made any better by watching a Sunderland side that were so wasteful if we played till dawn they still wouldn’t have scored which was the only thing that saved our blushes.

We desperately needed an outlet, Negredo was doing a great job but Stewy was almost playing as a second left back and Stuani was almost superfluous out wide right only occasionally picking up odd balls and linking up with Fabio but then seemingly unable to move into free areas and stood waiting and watching Traore like. Surely Aggers, Woody and Jordan saw the same thing. Get someone on with a bit of pace and stick him up top with Negredo to ease the pressure on the wall of one way white shirts camped in the Boro half. Traore and Bamford continued to warm up, finally far too late the board eventually went up with us wondering who Agnew would remove, Stuani most likely due to his ineffectiveness or maybe a midfielder especially as Clayts had been struggling.

There was a stunned silence as people around me rubbed their eyes and double checked, it was Negredo, the one player offering any relief and battled more for the cause than anyone. I don’t think I have ever heard so many disbelieving blasphemous words all around me expressed simultaneously. What made matters worse was it was Gestede who was coming on. So here we have a skilful intelligent player who can tackle, hold the ball up, rough up defenders giving his all to be replaced by the most one dimensional footballer ever to put on a Boro shirt since Maximillian Haas. Boos rang out towards the idiots masquerading as Coaches on the Boro bench as Negredo with disbelief in his face trudged towards the dug outs. I don’t think I have ever witnessed a more dislocated Substitution evidencing a complete inability to remotely grasp what was happening on a football pitch in my life and I saw most of Trashcans games.

I won’t even bother to pass comment on what ensued afterwards as headers were won and predictably nothing happened as there was nobody anywhere remotely near Gestede but more worrying anything that wasn’t eight or nine feet in the air was shinned, stumbled or tripped over. Don’t think Sunderland had it all their own way in the second half, George did put a cross come shot in that sailed well wide of Pickfords post and Stewy did have a shot about two minutes into injury time that went wide.

As a game it was a great advert for Cricket only nowhere near as exciting and exhilarating. Three points finally for the new Coaching team and if ever there was a reason for SG to decide that Aggers maybe isn’t the man for the job tonight was it. Plain awful, just plain goddamn awful, a dreadful game that will scar rather than linger on the memory. Anyone who thought it couldn’t be more painful after AK left (me especially) were proved wrong tonight. We won but it was dire and clueless suffering with zero redeeming features, absolutely none whatsoever. My MOM was Negredo for his selflessness and battling but de Roon probably also deserves it for scrapping and never say die running plus his well taken goal, our solitary opportunity!

Any more of this and my next Season’s Season Card will be going on ebay with no reserve and free delivery, how can a win feel so bad?