Author: Redcar Red

Norwich City		Middlesbrough
Pukki	58′
Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	62% 16 06 00 13	Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	38% 08 02 04 11

Pukki strike finishes sick Boro

After the desert that is International boredom when many of us probably found out the scores accidentally rather than avidly (and/or expensively) watching, normal service was resumed for Boro with a trip to Carrow Road. Daniel Farke’s glittery appointment excitement down in East Anglia now seems a long time ago but not as long as that heart breaking day at Wembley for Boro fans so this one still has a bit of meaning from that fateful evening when Paddy was nobbled right up to despondently walking away from the arch.

Had it not been for fellow countryman and ex Augsburg midfielder Moritz Leitner’s late equaliser in the Tractor Derby there was a good chance that Mr Farke may not have been sat in the Home dug out at all this afternoon. Down in 17th place before with a solitary victory and two draws their only source of points the visit of unbeaten Boro did not fill the Canary fans with much reason to sing. The departure of James Maddison seems to have had a major impact on the club way beyond what could reasonably be expected.

Jordan Rhodes is now spearheading their hopes of a turnaround both for the sake of Delia’s boys and his own career which has nosedived after his Boro sojourn. Things were so desperate that the locals had been pushing for Nelson Oliviera to be played up front alongside Rhodes and to heal the supposed rift between the Portuguese Striker and his Manager. With a porous Midfield this season it was difficult for anyone to bet on anything other than a convincing away win with the Yellow shirts colour coordinated with their yellow bellied defending. News that Grant Hanley was out for six weeks further raised concerns that they would be lucky to get anything out of today’s encounter.

Elsewhere in their side midfielder Mario Vrancic was doubtful as was defender Ivo Pinto with Kenny McLean and Finnish danger man Teemu Pukki hadn’t been training in the last 48 hours probably due to his International exertions rather than a niggle or knock. TP on the other hand only had Rudy injured long term but other than that was spoilt by a relative array of riches in comparison to Daniel Farke.

The Norwich team news saw Zimmerman come in for Hanley with Rhodes dropped to the bench in favour of Stiepermann coming into the midfield. Vrancic was deemed fit enough to make the bench, Pukki was up front with Onel Hernandez and Emi Buendia the main support for the lone striker. TP went with same again which wasn’t a surprise and had a bench of Dimi, McQueen, Batth, McNair, Saville, Braithwaite and Hugill. That Boro bench would arguably walk into most starting elevens this afternoon.

Boro lined up in their Dark Blue away kit as Red must have seemingly clashed with the Carnaries Yellow on a colour spectrum somewhere. George Friend saw most of the early few minutes as we condensed the Norwich team back into their own half. A throw in from Shotton was launched with a low trajectory and caused the Norwich defence to clear the ball out for a Corner to Boro. Pukki had a chance from the ensuing corner, breaking, but the danger was attended to by Shotton and the cross come shot went harmlessly out for a goal kick. Best chance in the opening few minutes came to Flint with a poor shot as Boro comfortably dominated proceedings in the opening ten minutes but lacked finesse in the Norwich goalmouth.

Norwich steadied things a little but their desire to play out slowly from the back was vexing some of the home fans as Assombalonga just missed an opportunity that was set up via a ball fired in from Shotton. A bit of Norwich pressure then had Boro having to stand firm for a few minutes and livened up the somewhat despondent up until that point home fans which was ended by Clayts coming off worse in a 50/50 challenge and the game brought to a halt for treatment to the Boro hard man.

Accompanied by a chorus of boos Clayts was able to re-enter the fray after a few sprays and rubbing of the affected area just as Norwich captain and play off survivor Tettey launched a speculative half volley at Randolph. The game was becoming scrappy and it probably suited Norwich better than Boro as we had now lost the early momentum with twenty five minutes gone. A few balls into the Boro box eventually came to nothing as Norwich were gaining confidence but Boro’s backline stood firm. Our “problem” at this stage of the game was that Britt was very isolated and struggled to get any support from midfield.

As Fry performed another Beckanbauer run beating several Norwich players in the process he eventually ran it too far losing possession and was fortunate for Flint to step in and spare his blushes. As solid as we looked at the back we didn’t look to be able to convert our defensive strength into any serious attacking moves. Perhaps recognising this, Braithwaite was sent to warm up by TP. In response to this Britt controlled the ball in the Norwich half, staying onside and setting up Howson whose shot went out for a corner which Tim Krul cleared in a less than convincing manner.

A coming together involving Zimmerman and Assombalonga incensed the home support and Daniel Farke who was screaming for a card for the Boro striker who was performing defensive duties. As Canary confidence was growing Tettey had another effort which went well over the bar. If Boro weren’t careful it was looking like our failure to put serious pressure on the patched up Yellow shirted backline could come back to haunt us. As solid as we were defensively we were not creative or inventive enough in the opposition half despite a throw in collected by Besic who turned inside but his shot was woeful as he had plenty of power but zero precision.

With five minutes to half time Clayton cleaned out Leitner picking up the game’s first yellow card and his third of the season. Norwich looked vulnerable at the back but as the half drew to a conclusion and added time it was Norwich who were starting to enjoy more efforts on goal albeit mostly high and wide. Boro were happy to absorb the best that Norwich had to throw at them but it was looking like unless we earned a set piece opportunity it was unlikely we would be troubling ex Toon keeper Krul anytime soon. The whistle went for half time in what started very positively for Boro but had ended in a somewhat underwhelming fashion despite drawing away from home and keeping a clean sheet we could and should have put Krul under more pressure.

The Second half commenced with no changes from either Manager. Pukki starting proceedings as the ball was passed back Karanka style to their Keeper Krul. There didn’t appear to be any positional changes from the managers so it was pretty much as you were surprisingly. My guess is that Farke thought a home draw against Boro was a sensible outcome and TP was waiting for a set piece to nick it. A quick clear out from Randolph to Britt saw a hand ball by Zimmerman but Britt was adjudged to have fouled the stand in defender and the chance ended abruptly by the whistle of Ref Andy Davies.

Howson was needed to clear his lines conceding a throw in as Norwich had started looking the livelier. Boro were remaining solid or perhaps static was a better description with the five at the back being impenetrable the Canaries were running around but getting nowhere. TP made a strange substitution with Saville on for Besic in an effort presumably to add some midfield support for the frustrated and forlorn looking Britt. The Midfield wasn’t at its best generally but perhaps Pulis thought he could improve his side’s attempts on goal ratio more with Saville rather than Besic who after his International exertions hadn’t particularly influenced the game. In terms of influence there were not many Boro players that had influenced the game or at least certainly not in a positive manner.

Tettey who had been lively had another effort as he was looking the only Norwich player likely to break the deadlock. Assombalonga then went down in the Norwich box for a weak penalty claim from which Norwich quickly went down the other end, passed the ball around and as warned by Jarkko on here Pukki prodded the ball into the net. The inevitability of it had been building and the lack of a switch at half time just invited it. Bringing on Saville for Besic didn’t alter anything when something more creative was required.

The goal forced another much needed Boro change and Braithwaite entered the fray at the expense of Dael Fry as TP switched to a back four. An immediate free kick from Downing didn’t get over the wall and was cleared as the home fans had now found their voices sensing blood. A goal behind after failing to apply any pressure had now forced Boro to abandon their solid defensive plan as things heated up and Clayts clattered again by Stiepermann who belatedly collected a yellow card after escaping one for an earlier challenge. Ryan Shotton uncharacteristically slipped and allowed Hernandez in as attention levels were dipping and Boro now focussed on trying to get back in the game.

The contest now opened up with Downing, Saville, Howson and Brathwaite all trying to create something with Norwich looking dangerous and their confidence levels growing. It was frustrating to find ourselves chasing the game when we had looked so resolute for the bulk of the match but failed to capitalise by not offering any attacking threat. Clayton was now struggling from his many challenges and Shotton had to come to our rescue blocking another Norwich attempt. Hugill was being readied and introduced for Clayton who was clearly struggling as TP went with what looked like a front three. The new set up was unsure amongst the Boro Players as to who was supposed to be playing where and it showed for the next few minutes?

Norwich where clearly seeking to take advantage of this Boro confusion and continued attacking as we reshaped ourselves in what looked like a 433 of sorts. A free kick from Downing just over the half way line was poorly delivered and the ball ended up back with Randolph. A shot from Hernandez driving into the 18 yard box was fortunately weakly hit at Randolph. Hugill then was teed up by Downing who couldn’t make his header count. Buendia then went off for Vrancic as Farke made a double change to hold in to what his side had earned with a quarter of an hour remaining, the second switch saw Stiepermann off and Tom Trybull on.

Assombalonga broke after being set up by a Hugill flick on and was subsequently fouled by Klose who was then sent off for a second yellow. The Lineman intervened presumably for an offside decision and the second booking revoked by the Ref and Norwich back to eleven players. With ten minutes remaining Boro were now applying belated pressure and a throw in saw Shotton launch a trade mark throw at Flint and Ayala which was knocked out for a Corner to Boro. Downing then floated the ball in to Ayala who knocked it back to Hugill but the ball was too high and it came to nothing.

Time was desperately running out as Jordan Rhodes was readied by Farke to offer a fresh outlet for the tiring Teemu Pukki. The offside flag came to the rescue again for Norwich as Downing sent another ball into the Canaries box. Leitner then indulged in some theatrics running the clock down claiming that Assombalonga had hit him in the face with five minutes remaining. Boro were scrappy and looking disjointed, running out of ideas almost as fast as time. Our build up play continually looked laboured and unconvincing; Norwich meanwhile battled and scrapped to hold on to what they had earned. We now had all the right players on the pitch but it just wasn’t clicking and nearly suffered more when sub Trybull nearly put the game to the sword on the 90th minute.

The time wasting techniques from the home side was reflected in the 6 minutes of added time much to the anger of Farke. A weak Ayala effort was ineffective summing up our afternoon as we were now running out of time. To compound things the Spaniard nearly set up Rhodes after a poor pass which was read thankfully by Downing but the ensuing chaos then saw Ayala give away a free kick on the edge of the “D”. Vrancic’s effort hit the Boro wall and with Braithwaite quickly reacting he fed Assombalonga who was brought down and a ridiculously quickly taken free kick came to nothing as Flint was trying to get up field. A Hugill hand ball was the end of Boro’s attempts for the day which overall were very poor all afternoon as we went down to our first defeat of the season.

A solid defensive display with no attacking threat gave way to a poorly conceded goal and then a series of substitutions and shuffles in a desperate attempt to rescue something in a very dysfunctional second half display from Boro. Overall it was unrecognisable from the Boro prior to the International break and the “Invincibles” certainly looked distinctly average today.

The annoying factor was that we done it to ourselves in failing to pressure one of the weakest defences in the Championship. Playing like that away to Leeds made sense but today was an opportunity totally and utterly spurned through a lack of endeavour. More creativity in the first half could have given this fixture an entirely different complexion from a Boro perspective and hopefully lessons will be learned from that, uninspiring summed it up. In terms of a MOM the only Player I could give it to was Clayton who crunched into tackles and literally gave his all for the cause before being forced off.

The result saw us slip to fourth place now and a very disappointing performance in front of the travelling army. The experience on the bench looked very impressive at three o’clock but when we went behind the lack of raw energy from the likes of Wing and Tavernier that we witnessed at the Den was sorely miss. The positive is that we can quickly put things right midweek.

Leeds United		Middlesbrough
Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	62% 11 3 6 11	Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	38% 9 3 5 16

Leeds wrestle a draw from Boro

The clash of the Titans this one, well relatively speaking at least for the opening month of the Championship between the beautifully Bielsa honed sock taggers and the industrially hewn long throw merchants from up North!

Past history was entirely irrelevant for this fixture with both sides setting the early pace this season and to the victor the spoils. Boro haven’t a particularly good record at Elland Road either through not playing well, being clogged or being stitched up by Officials. Whatever the multitude of previous grievances tonight’s game with TP in charge had a confident assured feeling about Boro. Braithwaite aside TP was expected to go with his usual starting eleven with the vacancy created by the departing Dane likely going to one of Besic, Wing or Hugill. The only injury concern was still Rudy Gestede with wholesale changes in place for both Managers from Tuesday’s nights Carabao Cup games.

Bielsa’s Leeds marched on together straight out of the Cup on Tuesday with a side mainly composed of Boro hand me downs. Tonight Bielsa would be without Cooper, Dallas and Forshaw who are all on the treatment table but able to recall what has been his preferred options that saw them top on GD from Boro. With an inauspicious window now finally closed at 17.00 hours both managers could focus on Football once again instead of admin in chasing what for Boro has been largely lost causes.

The Team news had a few surprises in store, Cooper was declared fit and playing for Leeds in place of Jansson with Hernandez seemingly dropped for ex Boro loanee Harrison. The biggest surprise was the sight of Braithwaite on the bench for Boro giving mixed messages but with the European window open until after the game who knew what would pan out. Newly arrived Saint McQueen made the bench as news was filtering through that Marvin Johnson had departed Boro for the Blades and not Hull as seemed to be the case this morning. Of other notable interest was that another ex-Boro boy Paddy Bamford was on the bench for the dirties.

The atmosphere did not let the TV cameras down as the teams entered the pitch and the two Managers took up their places in their respective Technical areas. TP on tenterhooks at the edge of his area and Bielsa sat on an upturned plastic bucket looking more like Oor Wullie than an Argentinian soccer genius. The Championships top attackers against the Championships meanest defence meant that we were in for an interesting contest. The game started with high intensity and incredibly continued in that vein for the entire evening. No quarter expected and no quarter given with no sinew unstretched and no drop of sweat in reserve on the part of either side.

Boro were first to create when Britt was bundled over by Berardi to allow Besic an opportunity to float a free kick across the Leeds goalmouth aiming for the big duo Flint and Ayala but Peacock-Farrell got a glove to it and it was then cleared for a corner by Douglas. The resulting corner was wasted by Boro as Ref Tim Robinson blew for an infringement by a Boro player. The first chance for Leeds came as a result of a hoofed ball for Harrison to run onto who played in Klich who fluffed his lines crossing into an empty box.

Another chance went the way of Leeds when Berardi edged Britt off the ball setting up Saiz whose shot went well over as he was closed down by Clayton. A great piece of skill by Assombalonga saw him dummy the ball, turn and spin around past Berardi who dragged him down inside the box but Robinson bottled the decision and waved play on when it looked a stonewall penalty. That moment set the Refereeing tone for the night. After denying that it would be extremely difficult to penalise other miscreants for the remainder of the night and believe me there were plenty of miscreants from then on in both boxes. Set pieces at times resembled WWE rather than a football match as players were grappled, throttled, head locked, body slammed and upended all seemingly unenforceable by the Ref and his Assistants.

Back to the game itself and Berardi was next to try his luck with a hit and hope 30 yarder which was escorted by Randolph well past his post without showing any major concern. Harrison was keen to impress and went for a 55/45 ball with Friend who caught his ex-colleague late and was lucky to escape with a stern talking to. Boro then threatened with a long ball from ex Leeds man Howson for Britt to chase but Britt is no Adama and Peacock-Farrell came out quickly to lash it clear. Jonny Howson found himself inside the Leeds half, turned Ayling and drove forwards determinedly and unleashed a swerving shout that had Peacock-Farrell diving to his left to tip it around the upright. The resulting corner caused consternation in the box with plenty of grappling, wrestling and general gamesmanship which resulted in Ayling almost heading into his own net but for the heroics of Peacock-Farrell again.

Boro were enjoying a rare spell of offensive dominance with Besic creating and Shotton getting down the flanks but it was a bit laboured, lacking any real magic and the absence of pace was a glaring issue. We almost paid the price on the half hour mark as a Leeds corner was headed down by Ayling but cleared off the line by Clayton who seemed to be everywhere, reading and anticipating, chasing and closing. A minute later Dael Fry did a Beckenbauer impersonation, breaking from defence and powering forwards down the pitch, leaving three Leeds defenders in his wake until he was scythed down by Saiz who earned himself a Yellow for his troubles. It was great to see the confidence oozing from the youngster especially in what was an intense hostile atmosphere at what looked like a pretty full Elland Road.

Alioski then sent Shotton flying out near the wing in front of the Linesman and distinctly wasn’t impressed with Ryan’s aerial ability in evading serious injury. Nobody was holding back and every tackle and challenge fully committed. A characteristic fast flowing slick Bielsa move involving Roofe, Saiz and Harrsion ended with an over hit cross that was driven back in by Douglas and as Roofe claimed a penalty for a rare innocent looking collision in the box Harrison headed tamely to Randolph. That just about concluded the first forty five minutes as the Ref blew for half time.

Full blooded and energetic but little real quality on display, obdurate defiance was the order of the evening. Boro had a game plan and it was working, defensively in holding the line it was a masterclass.

Unsurprisingly TP did not feel the need for any changes at the interval as the same eleven on both sides recommenced battle. The second half started pretty much as the first had ended. Plenty of Leeds possession and even when Downing misjudged a bounce allowing Roofe a chance he blazed it well over from distance. Try as they might and with all the possession stats on their side Leeds simply couldn’t lay a glove on Randolph’s goal. There were raw challenges flying about and a few feigned injuries and a look of indignance from Phillips as Mo let him know he was in a game and as red mist started to descend Douglas slid in on Clayton and picked up a Yellow card.

Another free kick from Besic was launched in with the usual grappling, shirt tugging, hugging and almost amorous intent at times from those in White shirts but Ayala headed wide. Saiz was breaking a few minutes later and Clayts was going to make sure he didn’t make progress with a run terminating challenge earning himself unwanted attention from Tim Robinson who seemed happy to whistle and wave cards outside the box but seemingly saw nothing of the sort when more serious offences occurred inside both the six and the eighteen yard boxes.

Cooper was next to receive a card as he eventually was booked under the totting up procedure which by now had run well into double figures. Berardi was then to see yellow for a stupid challenge on Britt near the halfway line, literally going through the back of him, clearing him out. An Ayala header was blocked by Peacock- Farrell performing a star jump at the far post to keep out last week’s game winner from celebrating again. Shortly afterwards Dani managed to up the mounting card count by taking out Klich simultaneously preventing a quick break.

Ten minutes remaining, controversy galore but neither side could break down the other. Leeds had all of the ball but it was Boro who looked the more likely to score. Bielsa then made his move and brought Jansson on for Berardi who had injured himself trying a cynical mid-air kick at Ayala and looked to have wrecked some knee ligaments in the process of landing awkwardly on his hip. Bamford then entered the fray to a mixed chorus of jeers and boos from the away section drowned out by hopeful appreciation from the home fans.

The substitution nearly paid off as a through ball played over the top saw Paddy spin and take off in pursuit like we have witnessed a few times ourselves in the past but Flint sensing the impending threat stuck out an arm and stopped his graceful sprint in its tracks collecting a yellow and conceding a dangerous free kick. With Seconds remaining ex-Wolves free kick specialist Barry Douglas lined up his angles while Randolph lined up his wall and the moment we had all feared came to nothing as Randolph calmly anticipated the angle of the shot as it went over the wall, collecting with aplomb near the far corner. That was the last action in a tense battle which saw Boro maintain yet another clean sheet, a very credible away point and in the process showing the Championship that this Leeds side are not invincible after all.

A draw was a fair result but Boro did have a few strong penalty shouts with both Britt and Flint being subjected to WWE tactics rather than football. MOM was Clayton for his commitment to the cause which shone like a beacon. Dael Fry made a couple of Beckenbauer runs in the game to his credit, Shotton was involved all game and Besic did start to influence things far more in the second half but Clayts was the one that was everywhere and putting in the sort of gritty display that will have him first on TP’s team sheet after the International break.

Middlesbrough		Rochdale
Johnson Hugill	37′ 53′	Delaney	83′
Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	47% 13 5 5 11	Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	52% 20 10 3 11

Boro avoid Rochdale upset

Tonight’s tie was the first time both clubs have met in a competitive fixture despite having a pre-season “Friendly Relationship” of late. If it was questionable what sort of side Dale’s Keith Hill would put out tonight it was considered fairly straightforward that TP would once again turn to his bench and to youth. The big dilemma for Boro’s Manager however was commercial constraints and who he would risk as a fair few of them had been linked during the day with various loans before Friday’s looming deadline. Chapman has once again been linked to Mogga’s Rovers, Fletcher and Johnson has been linked with the Blades and Leadbitter linked with the Lions along with Fletcher and Johnson again as part of a Saville deal. The injured Gestede had also been linked to AK’s Forest this week but a return from injury was unlikely for this evening.

Would TP curtail his use of those who had been “linked” in an effort to reduce the Boro wage bill or would he give them an opportunity to put themselves in the shop window and in doing so further Boro’s progress in the Carabao Cup? Additionally it was a possible opportunity to give Ayala another 45 minutes of fitness programming along with Hugill to help regain his match sharpness. Rochdale are the holders of two unenviable records of 36 consecutive seasons in the Football League’s bottom division from 1974 to 2010 and also the lowest average League position of all the clubs which have existed continuously in the Football League. With respect to tonight’s opposition there are many in the wider Boro conurbation in particular near neighbours Darlington and Hartlepool who would be grateful for such “stability”. Needless to say Rochdale do not have many “glory” supporters numbered amongst their ranks and in common with Boro the erstwhile “League Cup” is the Clubs highest achievement in the Footballing spotlight having graced the final in 1962 when they lost to Norwich in the final.

TP made ten changes from Friday night and went with with a selection of new arrivals, fitness returnees, fringe players and under 23’s. Lonergan returned in goal after a minor injury and Ayala anchored a back three alongside Mahmutovic and Woods. Despite allegedly being in talks with Sheffield United Marvin Johnson started along with Besic and Hugill supported by Fletcher captained by Grant.

McNair on the right earned an early corner after being put through by Besic. Early formation indications looked like Johnson was playing Left Wing Back on the opposite flank to McNair. Besic once again was alert and lobbed a ball through for Fletcher who was offside as both Boro and Besic looked lively early on. Mahmutovic playing on the right of a back three was cleaning up early Rochdale pressure comfortably.

First real chance came to Fletcher from a Hugill and Tav worked opportunity that he couldn’t convert and came to nothing. A Rochdale Free Kick to the back post saw an acrobatic overhead kick which was pulled back by the Ref for offside. A rare slip by Leadbitter allowed Rochdale to nip in and test Lonergan as the Visitors started to build in confidence. That lazy passage of play fired Boro up who responded with a left footed shot that deflected out for a corner which Grant took and Mahmutovic met well but it went out for a goal kick. The opening 15 minutes were a bit low key after a quick start gave us false hope.

Rochdale were attacking intermittently and Boro seemed a bit hesitant in dealing with things and the game as a spectacle was reminiscent of those pre-season friendlies used for getting fit that these sides normally contest. Besic who was our main creator put a ball in between the Rochdale Centre Back and Wing Back for Johnson to miss the target. The game was very scrappy and messy, the only excuse for Boro was that the Players were all familiar with one another as individuals but not as a combined unit and things clearly lacked a degree of understanding and intuitive movement. A swift one-two between Tav and Hugill created momentary excitement but offside was the only result as ultimately the move was over complicated and overplayed. Enes Mahmutovic drove forward from defence and played in Fletcher who fired in a near post shot which was tipped round for a corner which was in itself eventually headed clear.

The next stirring moment to wake up the ten thousand onlookers was when Paddy McNair drove past a few defenders to let loose a shot at the Rochdale goal. In the 37th minute a Johnson ball from the left flew across the Rochdale box which Tav put back in to Hugill who hit the post with Marvin Johnson following up and fired it home at an angle for the opener on the night and for the season for Johnson. Rochdale then responded with an effort of their own a few minutes later as they broke on the break, cutting through the Boro defence but fortunately for us missed the chance as the ball flew across the face of Lonergan’s goal.

Up the other end Mo Besic played a well weighted pass through to Fletcher who curled his shot past the far post just minutes before the half time whistle brought proceedings to a close in what was a poor game for the hardy souls watching. McNair and Johnson had both been lively and Besic was instrumental in a lot of our play. Tav was running around a lot, some might say buzzing but I’m not sure TP would have described it in such generous terms as he seemed to be the focus of TP’s “Adama like” attention on many occasions.

TP made two changes for the second half with Ayala and Besic having done enough in terms of fitness and no doubt with one eye on Friday night at Elland Road. Spence and Brahimi came on in place of them with Brahimi making his debut. The second half started off with a half-hearted Penalty claim for Dale as Boro resumed in the same low key mode as Rochdale tried to get something early on and put Boro under some pressure. Andrew then tried his luck with a shot at Lonergan who had to tip it over the bar. The resulting corner created a bit of mayhem in the rearranged Boro defence giving the visitors some belief and Boro fans nervous anxiety.

Boro seemingly cleared their heads and as if to confirm their renewed authority a Hugill goal to open his Boro account was very welcome. Marvin Johnson put in one of those inviting crosses for the Teesside Striker to rise and power home giving Norman in Goal for Dale no chance. Billal Brahimi was starting to settle into the game and was asking questions of the Rochdale defence winning a free kick (which unfortunately was wasted) just before Hugill was taken off by TP to preserve him also for Friday night with Chapman taking his place. Meanwhile Keith Hill brought on Dooley for Inman.

Fletcher then went up front to become the focus of Boro attacks. Rochdale with nothing to lose were still in the game forcing a save out of Lonergan and missing an even better chance just a minute after Hugill went off. Rochdale were now going for it and Boro had some serious resolute defending to do. In a breakout a Brahimi ball played in from the right saw a McNair effort blocked by Cannon then Chapman hit the upright from the rebound much to the relief of the two hundred and fifty or so travelling fans who knew that a third goal would have been game over and for Boro a chance to breathe easy.

A flicked on cross in the Boro box had Lonergan once again coming to save Boro blushes bravely diving at the feet of Andrew just after the Rochdale Captain Henderson had gone off for Gillam. With a little under fifteen minutes remaining Gillam was then clearly held in the box as valid claims for a Rochdale penalty were waved away.

Boro were becoming hopeful (or desperate) that Rochdale would start to tire but their endeavour was still there on full display finding a second wind in the last seven or eight minutes, launching attacks that were scrappily repelled with blocks and challenges. Then an effort from an initial set piece that was palmed out by Lonergen came straight back and was side footed in by Delaney at the back post to make it two one.

Rochdale were now sensing blood and two blocked shots in quick succession after McNair lost possession led to a daft free kick given away rashly by Chapman. It presented Dooley the chance to float the ball into the Boro box and now bereft of Ayala and Hugill’s aerial prowess we witnessed a mad scramble in the Boro goal area cleared off the line by Mahmutovic. Boro were literally hanging on and there were still two or three minutes left.

After looking comfortable at one stage in the first half things were now looking very ragged with Boro literally clinging on to their slender one goal lead. Another save by Lonergan this time from Camps saw Mahmutovic again clearing his lines as the fourth Official held up the board with five minutes. Another Dale ball to the back post saw a header come in and Lonergan once again saving our evening. Things were getting increasingly desperate and Ashley Fletcher was now back clearing his lines as a make-shift centre-back.

Again a low Rochdale cross to the back post needed Lonergan intervening to claim the ball. In the last seconds of the game Wood made a rare hash of a clearance gifting Delaney who sliced his shot over when scoring would have been easier. The final whistle then pierced the Riverside bringing respite and relief and to save a late upset and penalties. In balance Rochdale have had a few good Cup displays of late and they certainly will feel unlucky tonight as Lonergan was the undisputable Boro MOM.

So some fitness levels are further improved, Lonergan looks match sharp and a few of the youngsters got another opportunity to impress but it was far from enjoyable and best described as functional but on the positive we are into Thursday night’s draw for the next round of the Cup.

Middlesbrough		West Brom
Ayala	90′ +1
Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	38% 18 4 10 12	Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	52% 13 2 4 11

Dan dare deflates Baggies

Tonight’s televised clash saw TP come up against his former employers for the first time since departing the Hawthorns. There was plenty of media interest for a change and a lot of hype about how Darren Moore has changed the Footballing philosophy since Pulis and then Pardew departed West Bromwich. Presumably that means no more “Pulis style” of football, the style that kept clubs in the Premiership as long as he remained with them. I understand the feelings of long suffering Football Fans and that hearts do inevitably rule minds which is why eventually even “successful” Managers try the patience of those who are emotionally invested in their clubs and endurance rather than enjoyment tips the emotions.

West Brom like Bristol last weekend have been a bogey team of late for Boro. We hadn’t beaten them in our last eight games, since 2006 in fact and some of those defeats were comprehensive. The last one living long in the memory being on the receiving end of a Di Matteo inspired 5-0 thrashing against a castrated Gareth Southgate Championship side. To put things into context Caleb Folan made his debut for Boro in that game for Hardlyeverthere who went off injured.

WBA arrived tonight as the Championship’s top scorers with thirteen goals in the Goals For column due largely to an unprofessional second half implosion from our erstwhile boss’s QPR which severely skewed the figures and perhaps would lead to an over inflation of Baggie confidence. Of perhaps greater significance was that only Norwich, Rotherham, Stoke and of course QPR had conceded more goals than the Baggies as they enjoyed their more expansive, open and entertaining brand of Darren Moore football.

Boro had the lowest Goals Against stat in the Championship prior to tonight with only those two opening day Millwall goals blighting our copybook. Could the visitors breach the Championships tightest backline or could Boro take advantage of the Throstles seemingly soft underbelly? Robson Kanu was a doubt for Moore whilst TP had no fresh injury concerns and indeed it was even mooted that both Ayala and Hugill could be in contention for Boro along with the returning Besic. Prior to Kick Off most had presumed that neither side would be changed or tweaked and those that had routed QPR and had broken Bristol last weekend would remain in-situ.

When the teams were announced Ayala surprisingly was starting at the expense of Lewis Wing with TP reverting to three at the back again and with Shotton and Friend acting as wide men come five at the back. Kanu was fit enough for the bench for West Brom with both Besic and Hugill there for Boro. The return of Ayala was very tough on Wing but we now know that Lewis can perform and hold his own at this level although seeing Besic sat alongside him will have reinforced how difficult it will be for a start going forward.

The Baggies started well, keeping the ball and moving it around, slick and accurate and with more precision than we are used to seeing in the Championship. You could tell that most of these Players had been playing Premiership football not so long ago and oozed confidence and belief. An early attack saw George Friend drop into the three at the back instead of keeping wide with Downing screaming at him to close down the Leicester loanee Harvey Barnes to prevent a cross into the danger zone. In fairness to George there were three versus two but nobody picked up Barnes. Apart from that hiccup Boro started to settle down afterwards with Dael Fry in particular looking very assured, cleaning up and heading balls away with authority. Braithwaite had Boro’s opening attempt but his shot was well below recent standards and didn’t trouble Johnstone in the Baggies net for his first Riverside return since the Villa Play Off.

Livermore was guilty of a few strong challenges but Ref John Brooks seemed reluctant to get his cards out so early in the game. Boro were holding their own as West Brom continued to dominate possession then after ten minutes or so Boro finally found a few opening to relieve pressure and to let West Brom know this wasn’t QPR they were facing and had a game on their hands. Once the Baggies visibly wobbled Boro’s confidence surged with a series of chances and opportunities that had the visitors defending doggedly and literally hanging on. Boro could quite easily have put two or three chances away but always seemed to take a touch too much or a block came in to clear last minute.

Jonny Howson set up Friend who put a cross in which Howson himself met with a header which deflected off battling Britt Assombalonga. The only real threat to Darren Randolph in the first half came from a sliced Flint clearance that hit off the underside of the crossbar but fortunately was cleared. Other than that Boro were content to let West Brom pass the ball around and pick them off. Defensively we just didn’t look like conceding despite Aden’s horrific moment.

From the North Stand a George Friend cross on the by-line seemed to be clearly handled by Adarabioyo inside the box. TV replays may prove differently but it looked a nailed on penalty not that we were biased of course but any 50/50 decisions did seem to be going against us and when we were awarded a free kick a round of ironic jeers broke out. Flint had been manhandled by Bartley from a corner but nothing was given. Britt was being bustled and pulled with nothing given but as soon as Britt gave as good back the whistle seemingly went immediately. The injustice wasn’t exactly palpable but it was annoying.

Another Howson effort failed to break the deadlock then a Downing shot from range had Johnstone tested to the full. Downing and Howson were excellent and were the drive behind Boro with Shotton and Friend providing width. Clayts was constantly hustling and breaking things up, really grafting.

The early misplaced belief that West Brom had carried over from QPR now seemed like a bad hangover as the first half whistle went much to Darren Moore’s relief.

Apart from the Flint moment which he recovered from, alongside Fry and Ayala (who had looked a little rusty) we were comfortable and solid. Chris Brunt was the only threat that the Throstles could muster but his long range efforts were more of a threat to the incoming KLM Amsterdam flight than to Darren Randolph. Unsurprisingly TP made no changes to an excellent Boro side at half time that had performed as asked and shown that we can compete with the best in the League. Boro had restricted them to Karanka style possession passing with no real threat despite Rodriguez and Gayle running and chasing, jockeying in front of the Boro defence but they couldn’t find the door let alone the key to it.

As the second half started battling Britt worked an opportunity on the Baggies right and managed to get the better of his marker by twisting and turning him, getting a cross in over and beyond Johnstone but Gibbs again just done enough to get under Shotton this time as he headed over after bursting a lung to get up and support. Shortly after with Boro again having the visitors pegged back they broke out and Boro hearts sank as Gayle ran free closing in on Randolph’s goal supported by Rodriguez. This was the moment we all dreaded, the moment we feared when we would pay the price for all the profligacy in front of goal in the first half and then was it a bird? Was it a Plane? No it was SuperClayts who had secreted a jet pack presumably under his shirt and blasted half the length of the pitch to get in a challenge he had no right to get even close to ensuring in the process Gayle fluffed his lines and with it West Brom’s only real opportunity of the evening.

With no goals it wasn’t a game for the neutrals although I’m sure, Leeds, Villa and Bolton fans were happy how it was panning out as fatigue started settling in. West Brom had found a little bit of a purple patch to match Johnstone’s Goalkeeping outfit as Barnes broke on the edge of the box requiring a half fit Ayala to shove him off the ball taking a yellow for his troubles. We withstood the free kick as we had all evening as the ball went out for a goal kick albeit suspiciously to me off a Red shirt.

The game was now very tired looking as the energy levels and intensity took its toll. Frustrations mounted and a challenge by Gayle in the middle of the park was judged to have been too hard although to be fair I saw it just as a strong but legal one. The complaining and mouthing to the Ref saw Gayle booked although I later understood it to be Rodriguez presumably for taking the dissension too far. The booking certainly angered Rodriguez as not long after he hit a 35 yard volley which had Randolph scrambling across his net to palm away. As glamourous as it looked the Irish Keeper saw it coming and positioned himself perfectly though hurriedly.

Howson was running himself into the ground and nearly set up Braithwaite who likewise was still testing and teasing. That was the moment that made Moore’s mind up as he brought on Dawson and Morrison for Adarabioyo and Barnes. I was surprised to see Barnes go off as he was the one that looked most likely to get past the Boro defence especially with Ayala already on a yellow.

Besic and Hugill had been warming up on a few occasions to appreciative applause for Besic to which he responded and for Hugill as a Tee, Tee, Teessider! TP was now readying changes of his own realising there were some tired limbs out there. Mo came on for Stewy who went off to a deserved standing ovation and “he’s one of our own” echoing round the Riverside. Besic almost immediately made a poor pass and nearly ruined his second coming but again our defence was imperious. The second half was more balanced than the first but again despite dominating possession West Brom were seemingly going nowhere whilst Jonny Howson was going everywhere.

Britt was next to be relieved of his duties and looked less than pleased, disappointed not to have grabbed a goal and now wouldn’t be but again he received a standing ovation and the Assombalonga song softened the impact as Jordan Hugill made his bow to Tee, Tee, Teessider once again. Both sides were starting to flag as it entered the last ten minutes looking to have accepted that a draw perhaps wasn’t a bad result after all. Desperately Chris Brunt once again hit one that was picked up by amateur ham radar trackers as Livermore had just ran out of ideas seconds earlier in the Boro box.

Paddy McNair then came on for Braithwaite who had ran himself into the ground all night. The plan seemed to be to just offer some height and a threat of sorts in supporting Hugill who was roughing them up and making sure wantaway Craig Dawson and his fellow defenders were kept occupied. Four minutes added time went up on the fourth Officials board as the game was drawing to a close. Besic gave away a dangerous free kick in front of the box and picked up a yellow as enthusiasm got the better of him and the minutes ticked down.

The Sky Camerman in front of the North Stand had packed his bags up, dismantled his camera and scarpered to get an early start down the A19. Then just as everyone else was thinking that a draw was probably a fair result a cleverly won free kick by Hugill provided a “Putopian” moment from Dani Ayala when he met Besic’s long, arched, floated in free kick to chest down (suspiciously assisted by a fortuitous right arm perhaps) to lash the ball into the far corner. One nil to the Boro with three minutes of added time left. EIO EIO EIO EIO EIO EIO EIO, repeat as many times as necessary!

An intense game finally broken by last season’s goal machine on his return and boy did he enjoy it. There were no poor performances in Red so picking the MOM was really difficult, Downing was instrumental all game, George had a great match as did Fry, Clayts was superb, Britt played probably his best game from a team perspective and Braithwaite was entertaining and unlucky not to get a brace but for his determined never say die spirit and running it has to be Howson for me although I feel that Clayts also put on a great show. Top of the league once more, at least until five o’clock Saturday afternoon depending on what the dirties manage at Norwich.

Bristol City		Middlesbrough
		Braithwaite Assombalonga	13′ (pen) 32′
Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	67% 18 4 4 9	Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	33% 13 3 4 11

Boro Pair Better Bristol

This half of Bristol shared similar eighties historical drama to Boro having gone bankrupt in 1982 and fortunate to have a new BCFC (1982) Ltd pick up players contracts keeping the club alive. Fortunately things for both clubs are a bit healthier now financially with both clubs having sold the family silver in the summer. TP had a short stint as Manager at Bristol City (having started his playing career at Rovers) which didn’t end well with the Home fans questioning his loyalty and vocally encouraging his departure to Pompey after only six months in charge in January 2000.

The backdrop to this afternoon’s game was both Managers bemoaning their lack of options. Lee Johnson had several defenders in the treatment room for most of the week meaning that Baker, Wright, Hegeler and Moore were likely to miss this one along with Keeper Fielding and 6ft 3” ex Scunthorpe winger Hakeeb Adelakun. I made the point of Hakeeb’s height as we have a bit of a habit coveting players at Ashton Gate of late and it certainly would have been interesting to see if they had uncovered another gem which potentially ticked a few TP boxes.

At yesterday’s press conference Tony Pulis was bemoaning how thin his squad was and how they will fall away if he doesn’t get reinforcements in which was highlighted by giving seven debuts on Tuesday evening against Notts County. The only regular first team starter involved then was Dael Fry who as luck would have it went off injured with an ankle knock but was apparently among the walking wounded and able to take part if required. Dani Ayala also played a part in that match so it was expected that one or either would get the nod with the unlucky one on the bench.

As bogey teams go the Robins certainly fell into that category pre kick off with Boro having had only one win in the last seven games against the Bristolians. City had also had three straight wins against Boro at the Gate so this was going to be a challenge even with Aden Flint having switched sides in the summer. The positives were that City were currently on a poor run of form, having not won in six games and that TP had won three out of his four games as a Manager against them.

As the sides came out it was a bit of a strange mental picture as here was Boro except that it was Bristol City wearing the Red Boro Shirts with the famous (on Teesside anyway) white band with the real Boro in their Dark Navy away strip.

Team news saw Ayala on the bench in place of new injury victim Chapman and it was a case of as you were from the last Championship game with a preferred settled eleven now seemingly established in TP’s mind. Main difference was in how we lined up with a switch to a more traditional four at the back presumably with an emphasis on keeping things tight away at a ground where we don’t usually get much joy from. Downing was wide right with Braithwaite occupying the left side and Britt up front. Clayton was in front of the back four with Wing and Howson just in front of him.

Bristol started the opening few minutes trying to compose and dictate things with Paterson getting the home fans out of their seats on five minutes. Boro’s first foray was a trademark Shotton throw in shortly afterwards which didn’t trouble the Robins Keeper Maenpaa. City were next to threaten with a speculative Brownhill shot which was little threat to Randolph.

A mix up in the City defence on thirteen minutes when a ball delivered in from Randolph from wide right in his own half was flicked on by Assombalonga on the edge of the box which first deceived and was then misjudged by Hunt, consequently affording Braithwaite the opportunity to carefully side-foot a shot from ten yards out past Maenpaa to put Boro one up for a dream start.

The feat was nearly repeated a few minutes later when another hopeful punt up field from Randolph was again miscued by a City defender, allowing Britt this time a chance but it was charged down. The pressure was building and Flint was up next to nearly head home on his return to his former club after showing no emotion when Braithwaite had scored minutes earlier. Clearly Shotton’s and now Friend’s long throws were causing anxiety in the Bristol box, which was made even worse by Randolph’s long punts.

The next main talking point was Ryan Shotton laid out after colliding and possibly clashing heads and then crashing into the turf on landing. Fortunately he managed to clear his head and continue, though for a moment it looked a lot worse than perhaps it was. No doubt he will have a few aches and pains when he wakes up on Sunday morning.

City then mounted a few concerted assaults in an effort to draw level, with Paterson finding Wiemann but the ex-Derby man fired well over. A fierce Hunt ball in was pushed away by Randolph, much to Boro’s relief as Bristol pressure was building. The visitors were now looking nervy with bodies being laid on the line to repel the assaults. Then a rash challenge by Dael Fry on Watkins led to a yellow card and a dangerous free kick being awarded, but when taken the free kick thankfully flew into the stand. Hunt then put in a cross for Watkins which was headed over and with it ending a period of sustained pressure for the Robins.

Boro responded in the best way possible with a break down the right after another Boro long throw attempt was cleared, and with Flint still in the Bristol box, Downing pinged in a perfect cross over Flint to which Assombalonga seemed to manhandle his marker to head home and make it two nil, which broke the hearts of the home fans who had been genuinely sensing a way back into the game.

The difference between the two sides was simply in the quality of the finishing and perhaps aided by Bristol being overly concerned about that man Flint.

City once again started to pressure Randolph’s goal with Howson having to clear a Webster cross. Another chance for Wiemann after he was played in by Brownhill but he couldn’t make contact with it properly. It was the turn of Flint now to do some defending as he kept out Paterson and then just on forty-five minutes Wiemann was flagged offside as Boro went into the half time break two up serenaded by a cacophony of despondent boos from the Home fans at another fruitless City performance this season.

As much as Bristol were having plenty of possession and at times almost dominance, there was an air of confident belief about Boro. All the Bristol efforts had been blocked and cleared with their best chances being long range affairs. TP will have certainly been the happier of the two Managers.

There were no changes at the interval and understandably Bristol came out all fired up, determined to try and get one back quickly. Pisano had a sliced shot which was well wide after a scramble in the Boro box. Patterson forced Randolph into a save and then George Friend found his way in the Ref’s notebook for taking too long over a throw-in as he tried to stifle Bristol’s momentum in a frantic first five minutes of the second half.

A few minutes later, Downing with a shoot to kill mentality, hit a fierce shot from outside the box that just went over Maenpaa’s bar to remind the Robins that Boro hadn’t finished for the day just yet. Friend was involved again as this time he headed over from a corner. City responded with Paterson again firing over Randolph’s goal as they repeatedly fluffed their lines in the Boro half. A minute later, the Travelling Army momentarily thought the game was put to bed by our marauding Dane after being put through by Howson to beat the offside trap but unfortunately the side netting was the end result. A goal at that point in the game would have effectively finished this as a contest.

Despite a lot of possession Bristol were ineffective and Lee Johnson needed some fresh impetus in the form of Taylor who came on for Smith near the seventy minute mark. It seemed to have the opposite effect as once again Maenpaa was busy dealing with Flint connecting with a Downing free kick from which Assombalonga nearly pounced. Johnson then made a double substitution as O’Dowda and Da Silva came on for Hunt and Patterson with fifteen minutes remaining.

The changes seemed to add some spark as Fry had to clear from Wiemann and a Pisano header came off Randolph’s crossbar with Randolph then forced to pull off a great save from Wieman’s follow up. TP then removed Braithwaite for Tavernier in an effort to run the clock down and break up play. Bristol continued their onslaught and this time Brownhill’s free kick smashed off the underside of Randolph’s crossbar.

After looking calm and disciplined all game, things were now getting very anxious as Bristol twice hit the woodwork. TP then brought his second goal scorer off with Fletcher coming on for Britt. Five minutes added time came up on the fourth official’s board and TP this time withdrew Downing for Paddy McNair to shore things up and of course disrupt play. The whistle went and Boro remained top of the league thanks to some well taken opportunities but in the main some sterling defensive work. MOM is difficult as Britt and Braithwaite were both very good but then so was Downing, Wing and Clayton but I think Dael Fry just slightly edged it, no doubt helped by the thought of a fit Dani Ayala breathing down his neck.

A long day out but well worth the long drive back north, looking forward to seeing Leeds and Derby on the EFL highlights show and tucked somewhere in-between middling Championship sides will no doubt be those party spoiling table topping Northerners.

Middlesbrough		Birmingham City
Assombalonga	12′	▮ Gardner	83′
Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	52% 10 2 3 9	Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	48% 11 4 9 11

Britt gives ex-Boss the Blues

The “Return of the Monk” possibly didn’t have the same blockbuster ring as the “Return of the Jedi” in terms of posteriors on seats and Global awareness but nevertheless on Teesside there was an extra edge to this afternoons proceedings down at the Riverside. The Monkbot was back in town albeit showing at a Stadium near us for a couple of hours only. To some in Middlesbrough he was the scoundrel who wasted millions on mediocre to poor talent whilst to others he was unfortunate to not be given the full season to complete whatever it was he was conjuring and therein lay his problem.

One word sums up his Teesside tenure “confusion”. His Players on the pitch seemed confused, his team selections seemed at odds with one another at times and his penchant for changes which were simply coming too often just seemed to leave most of us confused and in the end losing confidence. There were doubts about whether or not he actually knew what he was doing or was just winging it, his subsequent relative success with saving the Blues from the drop would indicate that something lay deep within but far too deep to be revealed in any of his press conferences that was certain.

For Tony Pulis and Boro it was a frustrating end to the week when the window closed to put it mildly. Regardless of which side of the great Bamford divide fans sat there was mutual concern that the anticipated and arguably much needed four or five recruits did not materialise at all. The known targets seemed a few weeks short of negotiation time to have any chance of success with opposition Managers and Directors determined to have and to hold as the 5.00pm deadline came and went on Thursday. Perhaps fittingly those in charge of such things had gone from negotiators to masked Loan Arrangers to protect their identity/ies.

Ayala and Gestede were joined by new local lad Hugill on the treatment table as it was declared on Friday that our new Striker was in fact “Knacked” to use a Teesside colloquialism. Apart from that TP could muster a squad of 18 match day squad numbered players to select from or just about with maybe one sixteen year old spare plus an ancient goalkeeping relic. The good news was that Howson was fit and Tuesday night’s concern was only a kick on the knee rather than a sprain or strain. Of course we learned from last season that what TP says in these “pressers” can often be taken as mind games and or with a generous spoonful of salt.

The Gods it appeared pre kick off at least were all in our favour as TP had never lost against GM and in fact Boro were unbeaten in our last eight games against Birmingham. As the Coaches from St. Andrews parked up the travelling bluenoses were looking forward to perhaps seeing the Gardner brothers (Gary and Craig) make an appearance together along with the physically formidable Omar Bogle on loan from Cardiff to provide former Boro striker Lukas Jutkiewicz with competition.

TP went with the same again although with the limitations on his squad he doesn’t have many options to permit tinkering and so it was 3F’s at the back again with Shotton and Downing on the flanks and Howson, Clayton and Wing central and Braithwaite just behind Assombalonga. The Red Faction unfurled a new “Reservoir Dogs” banner with “Let’s go to work” underneath as the sides took to the pitch. There were a few low key boos directed at the Birmingham manager but most Boro fans like myself were kind of “Meh” towards him and not really bothered either way.

The early exchanges saw Cheikh N’Doye and Aden Flint strike up a relationship that was to last the entire afternoon. Boro had the better of then opening exchanges with Shotton looking lively in his more penetrative role on the right. Former Boro target Jota was looking lively in the opening minutes as the visitors passed the ball around posing problems but not really asking questions of the Boro defence. Neither keeper had much to do with most of the action being played outside of the 18 yard box areas until Howson played a beautiful forty five yard cross field lob to Britt just inside the Blues box who brought it down, jinked to his right and despatched an equally beautiful arced ball into the far side of Trueman’s goal putting Boro one goal up.

The goal settled Boro and stung Birmingham whose supporters had been quite vociferous up until that point. Britt nearly doubled his tally just a few minutes later but this time firing across Trueman’s goal. The signs were there that today could be a repeat of Tuesday night’s score line. This seemed to be a wakeup call as Friend had to be alert to deny Jota with a block. Adams was next to try his luck but Randolph was alert to the danger. It was clear that Birmingham still had belief and were not going to be rolled over as easily as Sheffield United had been just a few days previously.

Braithwaite was lively up front linking well with Downing and Britt and was starting to receive special treatment for his troubles with a few strong challenges coming his direction. On the half hour mark the Danish International was scythed down from behind by N’Doye who picked up a yellow card for his troubles. Downing lined up to take the free kick with the big lads all circling on the far side of the box but Stewy rolled back the years with a clever free kick that caught everyone unaware hitting the nearside upright. So close but the Blues (resplendent in Yellow) survived and regrouped to take the game to Boro again with another former Boro target Maghoma and Jota both causing problems and providing ammunition for Che Adams and inevitably ex Boro lad Jutkiewicz.

Downing again had another effort that was skyed this time as he was set up by Friend but his effort fell on his right foot much to Monk’s men’s relief. Just before the half time whistle another long ball was cleverly flicked on by Braithwaite to Britt who shot but it was now his turn to hit the post and the half finished 1-0.

Understandably there were no changes for Boro at half time as the same eleven re-entered the pitch which had now cooled a little as the Summer Sun had its West Stand shadow now covering the pitch. Birmingham seemed to enjoy the cooler climatic conditions more than Boro as they applied pressure searching for an equaliser and Randolph had to be reactive to palm away a Jutkiewicz header. Boro responded and soon had another effort which somehow stayed out of the Birmingham net when Shotton launched a throw in which was fumbled by Trueman as the trajectory confused him leaving Britt and Harlee dean contesting the ball which somehow hit the underside of the crossbar only to rebound back out with Trueman flapping at it and somehow the chance had gone with the North Stand uniformly lowering their hands from their heads in slow motion disbelief.

Garry Monk’s charges were enjoying possession and were probing and testing Boro resolve but not really looking like they were going to get past the 3F’s who were heading and clearing everything that was launched at them. On the hour mark Howson picked up on a loose ball and placed an accurate shot which beat Trueman but Morrison was on the line to head clear. Lewis Wing then played in Britt with a tempting ball across the six yard box but despite an outstretched foot his toe was just a few inches short to poke it home.

Birmingham were very much still in the game and Boro were now sitting too deep. As the game entered the last half hour we struggled to get the ball out of our own half as Gardner cracked in a long range effort forcing Randolph to dive to spare our blushes. Monk then threw on new arrival Bogle as Birmingham laid siege to the Boro 18 yard box. Solomon-Otobar and Mahoney were added to try and get something from the game for the visitors. This period was very similar to Tuesday evening except that we didn’t have the comfort of a three goal cushion.

We were camped just outside of our own box and any clearances were mostly hopeful hoofs that Britt and Braithwaite were struggling to chase after with three games in intense heat starting to sap their energy levels. In response TP freshened things up with Tavernier coming on for the equally exhausted Wing and then a few minutes later Fletcher came on for Britt and on 88 minutes McNair came on for the depleted Braithwaite whose race was run.

In between the Fletcher and McNair substitutions a frustrated Gardner picked up a straight Red for a ludicrous challenge on MOM Howson as Boro were starting to see the game out. Boro held on in a nervy final few minutes as the fourth official held up an additional four minutes. Consecutive victories in a week are not to be sniffed at but the manner of both victories had an element of hanging on desperately rather than comfortably. Three goals on Tuesday made it an insurmountable task for Tuesday’s visitors but the solitary goal today made for less comfortable viewing in the second half despite Boro having by far the better opportunities.

The lack of a Traore type outlet was noticeable as clearances were coming straight back at us for large parts of the second half. Looking at the bench TP didn’t have many options and played the hand that was dealt to him. Like on Tuesday night there were no bad performances and in fact Shotton and Howson in particular are playing their best Boro football, likewise a few others like Downing and Braithwaite are worthy of mentions. The back three are looking more solid as the games progress and Randolph never looked seriously troubled. Clayts was magnificent in shielding and protecting and we witnessed another good game from Lewis Wing who didn’t look out of place. All that said let’s be under no illusions that as good as it is to be top of the league it’s not viable to stay there unless our recruitment team unlearn the habit of a lifetime and get some credible loans in and quickly.

Millwall		Middlesbrough
O’Brien Gregory	12′ 37′	Braithwaite Friend	87′ 90’+7
Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	44% 9 2 6 13	Possession Shots On target Corners Fouls	56% 11 2 6 6

Young Guns silence Lions roar

From the euphoria of an unexpected Play Off place to the disappointment of the summary Villa exodus we entered the summer months licking our wounds. With an experienced Coach on board we started looking forward to August when our quest would recommence and with hopefully a few reinforcements on board. Those Villa fans that had goaded us in our misery were getting their just rewards as their club went into freefall and everything in our Boro world was looking rosy again as optimism on Teesside was high.

Fast forward to this week which had seen bickering between fans over Bamford’s departure and our finest seemingly now fair game for being picked off by Premiership vultures. The linked replacements had been failing to stir the hearts and minds of many, not that any had actually arrived apart from veteran Keeper Andy Lonergen to compete with Dimi for the Voltarol. Apart from Flint and McNair the lack of new faces to fill identified gaps from last season hadn’t materialised and with the window slowly closing confidence was openly seeping away on Teesside.

The news on Friday hadn’t improved the mood with Ben being subject to a series of offers from Turf Moor which eventually saw a deal agreed at £15M and new recruit McNair managing to pick up yet another injury without even kicking a ball for his new club. Erstwhile gaffer Gary Monk had come in for Ashley Fletcher yesterday in an attempt to lure him to Brum potentially leaving the squad looking lighter still. With the deal for the young striker still in the discussion phase he took up a place on the bench along with the rest of the U23 squad.

TP’s match squad consisted of those who will form the core, those who didn’t want to be here, those who mightn’t be here for much longer and those who many didn’t want to be here at all along and then the youngsters including 16 year old Wood. The team pretty much picked itself with the “old guard” of Leadbitter, Friend, Downing and Clayts in place, with last season’s arrivals Randolph, Britt, Howson and Shotton complimented by Braithwaite and Fry partnering newbie Flint.

Any king of result here today would be seen as a great result under the circumstances with most hope probably placed on the creaking old guard. Looking for any reason to be cheerful Middlesbrough had faced Millwall only twice previously on the opening day. They were in the 1987-88 and 1991-92 seasons and we won promotion at the end of both of those campaigns!

Millwall got Boro’s 2018/19 season underway and an early long range attempt by Braithwaite offered some misplaced hope. The Lions built up a bit of possession with Clayts clearing and then Flint getting beat and indignant claims for a penalty from the home fans. A ball swung across the box had Shotton stretching, getting his head to the ball to concede a corner as Steve Morrison was about to strike. Another panic in the Boro defence from the resultant Williams corner fortunately saw Randolph collecting the ball from Savage to momentarily calm things in what was a lively start. That telepathic understanding between Gibson and Ayala was clearly missing and the entire back line looked very uncomfortable and then O’Brien was set up from a cut back in the box by Lee Gregory and hit an unstoppable shot past Randolph on twelve minutes to deservedly give the Lions the lead.

On a quarter of an hour Boro were looking very much second best with little evidence on show that we were going to get anything from open play. A telegraphed Shotton throw in to Flint was collected by Archer as Boro attempted a poor set piece from which Gregory broke putting Fry under pressure and winning a corner. The corner from Williams saw Jake Cooper rise above the floundering Aden Flint and the header went over much to the Travelling Army’s relief. Another tussle with Fry resulted in Millwall’s third corner and again Williams swung the ball in this time fortunately cleared by Clayton as pressure was mounting.

If there was ever any doubt that this was a patched up disconnected bunch of motley Players then the opening twenty minutes provided all the evidence that what happened in pre-season was now continuing well into the start of the actual season. All the summer planning and Austrian high tempo fitness training looked to be well short of what was required and in truth we looked far worse than those toothless two legged affairs against Villa. Boro desperately needed to get a break but a run by Britt was badly timed and flagged offside. Clayts was busy plugging defensive gaps while Grant, Howson, Downing and Assombalonga were largely anonymous.

A fourth Millwall corner saw Cooper again beat Flint who looked all at sixes and sevens. As the game progressed Meredith unexpectedly and stupidly swung an arm out at Britt and was lucky to stay on the pitch. Meanwhile Shotton had restarted the game with a throw in but had little options presented or available to him as Boro just didn’t look joined up. Frustrations and niggles were building and the game descending into a scrappy affair with Clayts picking up a yellow. Tactically Boro were looking lost and wishing for the half time whistle. The scrappy battling nature of the game suited Millwall perfectly as we couldn’t get anything moving or offer any serious threat on the Archer’s goal. Everything we tried to put together was laboured and fell apart, another Millwall break saw Clayton risk a sending off with a calculated foul which had the home fans baying for a Red and being honest Clayton was very fortunate to stay on the pitch.

Downing and Braithwaite were getting no service, Grant and Howson were ineffective in the middle and Britt cut a forlorn figure. The lack of pace and creativity was blindingly obvious as the craft and graft of Millwall was simply overpowering Boro. Boro’s first corner went over the heads of everyone including Flint and was easily collected by the Millwall defenders and the minimal threat that should have been was easily defused. As ridiculous a back header that I have ever witnessed by Aden Flint left Randolph exposed and a Jason Steele style star jump from the Irish keeper allowed Lee Gregory to take advantage of Flint’s generosity courtesy of the ball going through Randolph’s legs.

This was about as bad a defensive performance as we have seen from Boro since the confusion witnessed in the early stages of Valdes’ introduction in the Premiership. Sadly the afternoon was panning out pretty much as many expected based upon the ineptness of pre-season games and questionable transfer activity. Just before the half time whistle Howson hit a ball that was in keeping with his accuracy levels since joining last summer going well wide summing up Boro’s first half in one single moment. Millwall’s Hutchinson had gone off the pitch to receive treatment and a he re-entered the fray with a bandaged head and fresh shirt Boro tried to break through but Britt was once again caught offside with the ball was played far too late leaving him well advanced of the Lions rear-guard.

The half time whistle sounded to temporarily put us out of our misery with Millwall just picking us off as we managed to get ourselves into trouble and offered absolutely nothing in terms of creativity or quality on display. For me at this stage I would have thrown on Chapman, Wing and Tavernier because we had nothing to lose and what was on display was simply worse thanwoeful. TP sent his charges out early from the dressing room without any changes in fact nearly five minutes before the Lions entered the arena which worryingly indicated to me that there wasn’t much in terms of a tactical team talk or the air like the home sides shirts had turned blue.

Boro got us underway in the second half presumably with just an old fashioned TP rollicking to give it all they had for the first ten minutes and let’s see what happens. An over hit George Friend ball to Downing was the initial offering as Millwall once again applied pressure and added to their corner count. Without Traore there was zero outlet, threat or pressure relief, without Bamford there was no ability to collect a ball and play football in the opposition half and without Ayala and Gibson our defence was nothing short of a shambles. That’s not a reflection on Fry but on the synergy of the unit.

A golden opportunity for Morrison was missed followed by another quick chance for Gregory as Millwall sensed Boro were rocking and a third goal would kill the game off completely. Substitutions were desperately needed if only to give the young lads some experience because the eleven on the pitch were certainly not going to affect anything as it stood. Grant soon made way for Lewis Wing who hopefully would grasp the opportunity and add some creative influence for Britt. Meanwhile Tavernier was also readied as Braithwaite nearly set up Britt whose effort came off a defender in Boro’s first meaningful assault. Savile inevitably then broke and Wing registered his first involvement by picking up a Yellow in a Clayton style one for the team to cut out the threat.

A Gregory volley was cleared by Fry as Boro seemed intent on making Millwall look like Brazil as O’Brien was next to have a pop at Randolph’s goal. Tavernier came on surprisingly for Clayton who had battled and scrapped all afternoon, perhaps his Yellow card earned in the first half was playing on TP’s mind with his scant resources. Boro then switched things around, Braithwaite going more central supporting Britt and then Tavernier and Downing operating on the flanks. That left Wing and Howson in an attempt to add some outlet and abandon the safety first defensive midfield mindset.

Tavernier was quickly fouled and the resultant free kick floated in by Braithwaite was knocked down to Britt six yards out but he couldn’t make it count. Then a ball in from Shotton aimed at Flint and Wing was fumbled by Jordan Archer as Boro showed a rare bit of attacking intent. Howson was becoming more involved in the game and started to feed the wide players with Tavernier on the left creating a much needed outlet. A break in play allowed for an intake of water under the scorching Mediterranean type sun as Millwall started to run the clock down with around twenty minutes remaining.

Flint hit a wayward ball that went straight out of play with Lewis Wing screaming for it to be played to his feet. Fletcher was brought on for Downing as TP gambled his last throw of the dice. Personally I would have went for Chapman but I’m guessing TP was emphasising his Plan A “knock it up to the big lad” as Braithwaite seemingly took up yet another position on the pitch replacing Stewy. A Braithwaite corner was cleared but Wing recovered it and cleverly split the Millwall back line and as the ball came to Fletcher he fluffed his lines putting off Flint in the process. A minute later and another Flint attempt had Archer called into action as we gathered some momentum finally.

Tom Elliot came on for Lee Gregory with ten minutes remaining; presumably his height was considered an advantage in matching up the arrival of Fletcher. Britt chased a ball that was just too weighty and Archer came off his line and collected comfortably. Another opportunity for Morrison was spurned as he past Friend but was blocked by Fry conceding the corner. Tavernier was causing problems for them and won another free kick allowing an opportunity for Neil Harris to bring on new signing Skalak for the exhausted O’Brien. Braithwaite’s ball in was then cleared for a corner which Braithwaite also took but the whistle went almost immediately for a foul in the box giving Millwall the respite they wanted as they slowed things down once more.

As the game was dying in the final minutes Tavernier collected the ball after some head tennis in the Lions box poking it through to Braithwaite who despatched the ball two yards out to pull one back for Boro. Harris then brought on another defender to try and shore things up as Flint went up front with Shotton Fry and Friend forming a back three. Five minutes added time came up as Friend hit a long diagonal ball up to Fletcher which went out for a corner, Boro desperately applied pressure with Wing, Flint, Braithwaite, Assombalonga and Fletcher all desperate to nick a late equaliser. Britt was grappled and dragged back as he tried to break and then Elliot nearly had a chance immediately up the other end as the game ended in a frantic five minutes.

A tackle on Britt this time saw a last minute Boro free kick followed up immediately by another free kick with Millwall desperately trying to clear their lines. A last ditch death knell Shotton throw in ended up with Lewis Wing firing in a low speculative shot which scuffed and skidded off the hard surface in the congested Millwall box ending up with George Friend poaching in the centre of the six yard box getting on the end of it to poke home stealing the most unlikely of points. Kevin Friend immediately blew the final whistle to send the Travelling Army barmy, simultaneously with his officials heading for cover from the wrath of the snarling Dockers.

Incredibly and unbelievably Boro rescued this game against all the odds thanks to the determination and fearlessness of youthful energy. Tavernier and Wing showed their mettle and if they can do that at the Den then they can do it anywhere in this division. A rollercoaster of an afternoon which was despondency personified, rescued by the introduction of the U23’s. MOM has to be Tavernier who changed the game when he came on along with Wing. Once the shackles of the sedentary midfield was gone Howson was far more influential and Braithwaite who had got himself involved all afternoon was for me close runner up to Tav in the MOM stakes.

Phew, welcome back to the Championship in a game that highlighted so much that is currently wrong with Boro and yet against the odds offered so much unplanned hope for the future.

Monk went same again in an effort to keep the momentum from Bolton flowing and like Saturday the West of the country seeing some wild weather conditions. Boro started well and took the initiative with former Boro target Sam Johnstone saving a Ben Gibson header. Just as we looked to be settling into the game nicely Adama flew into a ridiculous sliding challenge wiping out Conor Hourihane on 3 minutes. From high hopes and expectations to despondency and despair all in 180 seconds as Ref James Linnington reached for his red card. Watching it again the decision seemed harsh but despite his stellar performance on Saturday Adama is susceptible to rash challenges and tonight that major flaw came back to haunt him and Boro. 

Two corners in quick succession then followed from Villa as Boro tried to clear their heads and reorganise their ranks. If Villa needed a boost it was now handed to them on a plate. Eighty seven minutes to go against 10 man Boro. If ever Villa were to have an opportunity to record a win then this was the night for them surely. 

Ten men Boro dropped deep in an enforced tight rearguard action, leaving Assombalonga playing a forlorn Negredo type role in isolation. Randolph was forced into serious action and pulled off a few great saves including a dubious penalty appeal as Lansbury went down feigning a trip as Randolph scrambled at the ball spinning on the wet grass in the six yard box. 

In a break out Christie delivered a pin point cross to Assombalonga on 38 minutes then Villa went down the opposite end, Snodgrass putting the ball into the far post as he danced into the Boro box for Bjarnasan only for the Icelander to put it wide under the close attention of Randolph. As the half was panning out Villa were desperate for an opener that their man advantage should have delivered but Boro stood firm and still looked like they could nick something on the break. Grant and Clayts were in the thick of it, tackling and breaking up attacks. The Birmingham air was heavy with desperation made all the more evident as an oversized “Ball Boy” ran onto the field of play to throw the ball to Randolph as Boro ran the clock down. 

In the last minute of the first half Fabio gave away a free kick 25 yards out which Snodgrass delivered over the wall and spun dangerously off the turf in front of Randolph who needed a second grasp to ensure safety. Villa continued to lay siege to the Boro goal as the White and Blue shirted defenders valiantly repelled the Villains. Finally the Referee blew his whistle to end the half to a chorus of boos from the home fans and sighs of relief from the travelling Teesside away support. 

The second half commenced with Substitutions for both sides with Hogan and Adomah on for Villa as Bruce decided to go for it while Monk added a bit of pace and an outlet by putting Johnson on for Downing. Boro started the half in the ascendancy with a close effort that went out for a corner that Baker fired in across the 6 yard box to rattle the Villa defence. Another silly free lick given away by Fabio in an almost identical position to the one at the end of the first half saw the resultant fee kick go over the Boro box and out to safety. Boro were dug deep and fighting as an effective unit as Adomah was looking lively and putting Christie under pressure as the ex Boro wide man let Cyrus know he was in for a hectic second half. 

Villa’s desperation and frustrations grew trying to breach the stubborn Boro defence with Snodgrass resorting to shameful theatrics on the edge of the Boro box, diving to the ground under Fabio’s attention. Thankfully the Ref was a little more circumspect than he was in the first half ignoring the claims that Fabio had fouled him.  Elmohamady burst free and his ball went across the Boro box causing an increase in Boro heart rates but from defence Marvin Johnston broke free for Boro with Britt charging up field to keep up with him and Lansbury scythed the ex Oxford man down from behind to see the second red card of the evening and with 25 minutes to go it was 10 v 10. The psychology of the game was about to unfold, who would remain calm and who would blink? 

Steve Bruce decided to go for it by sending on Kodjia in an effort to go for all three points. Garry Monk still had two subs to use to try and give impetus to the tired Boro legs and held his nerve. Just after Kodjias arrival Britt burst through the middle and shot on the edge of the 18 yard box to see Sam Johnstone palm away his effort and with it probably Boro’s best attempt of the evening. 

Grant then went off as Howson came on to hopefully give a bit of energy into the midfield. Another great Randolph save was then followed up by Scott Hogan inexplicably blocking a Hourihane follow up attempt as nerve levels were building. Christie then collected a yellow for a challenge and the resultant free kick ended up with a header over Randolph’s crossbar thankfully. Just afterwards Britt’s number went up as he was literally running on empty, attacking and defending as Fletcher came on to replace him. Kodjia then then almost immediately threw himself to the ground only to earn himself a yellow for diving rather than the penalty he wanted. Up the other end the fresh legs of Ashley Fletcher caused consternation in the Villa defence and then once the danger averted Villa came straight back at Boro. 

Five minutes to go and the home side were throwing everything they had at Boro and still they held firm with Fletcher back heading away a corner. Backs to the wall, we saw the clock tick down and the fourth Official held up four long minutes on the board. In the final minute a Snodgrass corner fell to Hourihane whose left footed volley skewed 5 yards wide to the relief of Diasboro. The final whistle went as Randolph dawdled over the following goal kick and the anticipated boos rang out from the Holte end as Boro kept another clean sheet in a Band of Brothers Boro performance. 

The Sweat and rain soaked white shirts went over to the travelling fans enabling a show of mutual appreciation with Albert repeating his Bristol at the Riverside act of acknowledging his former fanbase. A Man of the Match is impossible to award to an individual and it has to be awarded to the team as a whole for their battling, scrapping, resilient defiance for almost the entirety of the match. Like Britt at Forest a few weeks back, Adama at Villa couldn’t control his anxiety and desire and the game should have been over as a contest but this Boro side showed real determination and fought their corner to hold out for a well-deserved draw. It was only a point in the end but the result was a great bonding session which long term will bring benefits over the remainder of the season.

Prior to this afternoon’s game I was reading an article on one of Bolton’s greatest, the legendary Nat Lofthouse who used to  get up at half past three in the morning to catch a tram to work an eight hour shift underground then after clocking off he would make his way to Burnden Park to play ninety minutes of football. A far cry from todays pampered, petulant professionals complaining about fifteen days of sunshine which was in very short supply as torrential downpours drenched supporters on their way to the Macron Stadium. 

Boro started positively with intent but Bolton settled and started to get a bit of domination in the game with Randolph being forced to pull off what is now becoming his customary one handed save from Madine on eight minutes. The warning signs were there that if we didn’t step things up we could be in for a difficult afternoon. 

Traore then broke free on thirteen minutes and was manhandled to the ground, bounced up almost weeble like and took the two Bolton defenders on again, skinned them, then the third, sprinted down the line leaving them all for dead and put in a perfect right footed cross to Assombalonga jumping seven yards out and headed home with aplomb to give us a 1-0 lead. I’m sure I wasn’t the only one who had the Chumbawamba lyrics enter my head “I get knocked down but I get up again” on seeing Adama’s determination. 

Five minutes later and Traore was at it again on the edge of the Bolton box and jinked past two defenders, got another cross in that was cleared only to fall to Baker who blasted it over.  Boro started to look like they were a class above, passing fluidly and playing keep ball despite the bouncing rain. Key for me was that the experience of Grant, Clayts and Downing were bossing the middle of the park. 

In a rare Bolton foray a deflected shot led to a corner which brought a brilliant reflex header from Fry to save Boro blushes from Madine to go out for another corner which saw the resulting decision in Boro’s favour for an infringement on Randolph. The ball was skipping off the surface as players were sliding into challenges and some were having trouble keeping their feet including the ball boy who unceremoniously ended up on his posterior as he went to kick a ball back into play. 

Anthony Robinson was probably facing his worst nightmare as Traore seemed to have the ball glued to his feet, able to run past the Bolton defence at will. Just after a scuffed shot from Adama went wide he predictably and recklessly gave away a silly free kick which seemed at this stage to be the only way that Bolton would find a way back in. When the ball was cleared upfield Baker found himself near the corner flag, nutmegged Darby who then threw an arm across his throat up-ending the Chelsea youngster but neither the Lino nor the Ref deemed it a foul. 

Clayts “chested” down a shot in his own box with a suspicion of handball albeit “unintentionally intentional”. Downing then fed Traroe who crossed to the far side of the box but the ball then broke to Grant who fired a Thunderbastard that was deflected out for a corner. Just as the Sun started to break through the leaden Lancashire skies, the last minute of the first half saw another clumsy Traore tackle that looked initially like a high kick but replays confirmed it to be more of a coming together of knees with Morais whose theatrics saw a yellow card for Adama. Boro were by far the classier and more composed team but Bolton were still a threat and with the second half looming the solitary goal felt too slender for comfort. 

Overall a satisfactory first half performance from Boro and in particular from Adama Traore who singlehandedly peaked Andrex sales in the Greater Bolton region but had the Clayton decision gone against us the half time team talk could have had a very different theme. As it was we looked on course to record a first away win since Sunderland. 

At the start of the second half Stephen Darby was removed for West Ham loanee Reece Burke presumably in an effort to try and shackle Traore. Almost immediately on the restart Bolton nearly levelled it as Madine knocked the ball back to Pratley who shot wide fortunately. Phil Parkinson had clearly fired up his charges as they came out far livelier. 

Leadbitter was back to his best tidying everything up with well-timed and judged tackles. A Boro corner was cleared out by Wheater straight down the pitch to Clayton in his own half who cheekily played a 40 yard through ball straight back down the middle for Assombalonga to chase. Moments later Assombalonga ran through on goal in a tussle with Wheats who did just enough to increase the angle allowing Ben Alnwick to palm Britt’s shot wide conceding a corner. An hour had gone and Boro looked far more likely to come away with all three points but Bolton were still in it noticeably via a much improved 2nd half Robinson performance and Gary Madine. Randolph was forced to palm away a shot from Morais as Bolton upped their intensity and a reminder that this game wasn’t won just yet. 

On sixty three minutes Assombalonga put a cross in as Baker was pulled back chasing into the box for what should have been a definite penalty. That was Boro’s main effort in the second half to date and the away end giving a rendition of your’re going down with the Makems as news filtered through of them losing at home. Things were not entirely going to plan, Traore was quiet and after another careless free kick given away from the Spaniard it took an alert Britt Assombalonga to chase down Noone who sprinted to the edge of the box in a training ground routine to cut out the danger.  

Marvin Johnson joined the fray in place of Baker. Johnson went wide left as Downing went central in place of Baker and almost immediately played a ball out to Traore to work his magic seeing his twists and turns lead to a corner from which Ben got clattered from Alnwick. Seconds later Traore intercepted a ball on the half way line, broke away from three stunned white shirts and then left poor Wheater in his wake as he ran to the by-line, crossed to Assombalonga who slotted home from twelve inches out. 

Downings final contribution was a twenty yard shot that went over the bar as Bamford came on for Boro and Le Fondre for Bolton. Just after Bolton threw their last roll of the dice Marvin Johnson broke free with Fabio overlapping but instead of feeding the Brazilian out wide Marvellous Marvin went through himself and shot from the edge of the 18 yard box, his left foot effort squirming under Alnwick at his near post, 3-0 and the Macron started to empty. 

In a triumphal switch Traore was subbed for Fletcher on 81 minutes to rapturous applause from both the travelling army and some fair minded sporting home fans as the ex West ham man returned to the ground where he used to support the Wanderers as a lad.  

With three minutes of the ninety remaining on the clock Madine had a fierce shot brilliantly saved by Randolph to keep the all-important confidence boosting clean sheet.  That was all Bolton had in their locker as Boro fans “Ole’d” a serious of passes which almost resulted in a third for Britt. As soon as the 4th Official had put up the board to indicate three more additional minutes Assombalonga again went one on one with Alnwick who deflected his shot onto the far post.  

Three nil it ended and for the first time this season Boro looked to be too good for their opponents in every department. The line-up had a few of us asking questions before KO and whether Monk was looking like a tinkerman in the making but in fairness it worked and a three nil scoreline has to be congratulated. For me there were three stand out differences from previous games. Traore was unplayable and destroyed Bolton whilst Assombalonga had his shooting boots on but for me accepting Adama was the heroic MOM it was Grant Leadbitter that anchored and held the middle together that made the biggest overall contribution.  

It’s nice to win but has to be noted that Bolton are bottom for a reason and that this time last season some early away day euphoria at Sunderland was a false dawn. I’m sure that this Boro side in this league has much better to come and at the time of writing sitting 6th in a play-off spot is better than where we were this morning.

 

 

 

 

On a warm Riverside afternoon hopes were high that we may see Boro step up another gear to match the performance of the second eleven on Tuesday night. The glaring squad omissions of Forshaw and Traore provided debate and opinion in the concourses before KO. Forshaw it seemed had paid the price for slow sideways and rearwards passing while Traore’s absence was a shock considering he had just put in his best performance and looked like he might be finally making some progress with his game. The overwhelming conclusion and rumour which won the day was that the Lille offer had tipped his mind-set and a winter in Northern France was preferable to Northern England, the rolling stone may have played his last game. 

The team selection when announced provided some raised eyebrows, George and Fabio in the same side and no Bamford meant the creativity had to be Baker’s responsibility. We lined up with George as a left sided centre Back with Gibbo central and Dael on the right. Our start to the game unsurprisingly wasn’t great yet again. Preston showed spirit, fight and fire in their bellies and proceeded to show the same desire all afternoon much to the tactical torpor of Monks men. The three at the back just wasn’t working as Preston dissected our defence with ease. The three man rear-guard was hurriedly rearranged in a 442 line up which meant we had an unbalanced midfield of Clayton, Howson, Baker and Fabio with only Fabio capable of offering width and a bit of pace. It didn’t look right, it didn’t feel right and the players looked uncomfortable with all their previous garnered synergy learned to date lost and back to square one. 

We had chances; Fabio hit the side netting after Christie had sent him through into the box. Assombalonga went on a charging, storming run through the middle which fizzled out with Maxwell diving at Britts feet before he could get any kind of effort away.  Gestede met a cross with a glanced header that went well wide but in reality Preston were very unfortunate to see Randolph get down to an effort and see the ball career up off the upright to deny them what would have been a deserved opener. Speaking of Randolph he was getting irate at the shoddy workmanship in front of him as Preston continued playing at home away from home by pushing up the field and closing Boro down preventing us getting any cohesion or a grip on the game.  

When we just needed to dig in and scrap Championship style we were subjected to fancy flicks, turns, dummies and back heels that just weren’t coming off. We looked tired and jaded but with nine changes on Tuesday and Dael one of the better performers on the day that excuse was about as lame as Garry Monk’s tactical masterclass. As a game of football the first half was heavy going to watch with little to excite and the away fans definitely felt more upbeat come the half time whistle. 

Surprisingly there were no changes at half time despite players in unfamiliar positions and a distinct lack of service to the front two. Baker wide right wasn’t making headway, Christie behind him was pushing up but in doing so allowing Preston to get in behind him and cause problems. George on the left had struggled badly in the three man defensive unit early on and even when restored to a conventional Left Back in a back four fared little better. Monk then decided enough was enough and to alter the balance of the team he put Fabio Left Back and brought Friend off for Bamford to add some impetus further up the pitch. Paddy provide an option when trying to play the ball out as we switched formation yet again this time to a 433 but Boro still looked very confused and at odds with one another and by this time Preston had confidence on their side. We had Randolph to thank once again as he got low down to turn a Maguire effort wide and just immediately after the ex-Hammer yet again managed to somehow keep out a point blank header. Despite Bamford’s arrival Preston were determined to keep the pressure up and Boro were looking edgy and disconcerted. Gone was the flamboyant passing attacking fluidity that we had seen fifteen or twenty minute glimpses of in some games. 

In Traore’s absence Christie went on a surging run down the right cutting into the edge of the 18 yard box beating 4 or 5 white shirts en route but instead of feeding Assombalonga he just kept on running into a sea of defenders like Adama in slow motion. Assombalonga himself had a break on the left flank but with fellow Red shirts arriving late he attempted a lob come cross come shot that sailed over to the far side of the pitch. The Gestede/Assombalonga/Bamford thing wasn’t working. Gestede was more reminiscent of the player from last season when the ball bounced off his head rather than a deliberate and delicately placed header. Britt was getting possession but backing into players, holding the ball up but nothing was coming off as he was invariably crowded out.  

Realising that his tactics were continuing to splutter Monk turned to Downing to try and liven things up. Stewy took to the pitch accompanied by a few moronic boos that were deliberately and successfully drowned out by the Boro faithful cheering and clapping with a chorus of “he’s one of our own”. The tide turned slightly on his arrival as Downing was taking on defenders, driving forward and getting balls whipped in and providing Christie with an option. I’m not going to claim Downing was MOM material but he did have an effect on the game including getting an important block and challenge in on the edge of his own 18 yard box probably to the frustration of those who still hanker and haven’t moved on from Negredo, Valdes and Ramirez. Not liking a player for whatever reason be they for factual or just emotive opinions I get but to boo and try and put off someone who has come on to try and turn the game leaves me ashamed at thankfully a decreasing minority in the crowd. He had arguably our best and from memory our only attempt on target as a low ball into Maxwell’s left hand side was tipped around the post late on. 

It wasn’t a great day for Garry Monk or for Boro. The tactics were a shambles from the off with George still charging up field gung ho totally forgetting he was a CB and not a wing back leaving exploited gaps. Baker was busy trying Cryuff turns and clever stuff which never came off, losing possession and in general there were far too many misread balls into the next phase of play which in fairness is to be expected from players still getting used to their new team mates. We knew August was in all likelihood going to be a gelling month and not to expect to hit the ground running but tactically today frustratingly was an error by a Manager learning his trade who got things badly wrong. In doing so he created unnecessary confusion in his ranks by worrying too much about the opposition instead of building on what he had created so far.  

Two weeks now to regroup, sort out who is staying and who is finally going and coming in and get back to what they were doing well. Today’s tinkering was unhelpful and disruptive; in all honesty Tuesdays team probably would have given a better account of themselves. Lessons learned I hope and September when it comes should be the dawning of a new Riverside era.