Blog Posts

Championship 2019-20: Weeks 16-17

Sun 24 Nov – 12:00: Boro v Hull City
Wed 27 Nov – 19:45: Boro v Barnsley
Sat 30 Nov – 15:00: Leeds v Boro

Jonathan Woodgate may well be tempted to put his head in his hands as we enter a crucial last week of November that desperately needs to see an end to an uninspiring sequence of nine games without victory. It’s been recurring nightmare run of results that would possibly even make one notorious anhidrosis suffering member of the royal family wake up in a cold sweat. Although, whilst the non-perspiring prince was ridiculed as the Duke of Porkies for claims his medical condition was induced by an adrenaline overdose when serving in the Falklands, few visitors to the Riverside have experienced anything remotely described as an adrenaline rush in recent months. Indeed, the last time Boro actually won a game was back in mid September when supporters on the terraces basked in 20-degree plus temperatures as they were made to sweat by those other more honest Royals of Reading as their team hung on to their 1-0 lead thanks to some late heroics by Randolph.

Despite a distinct lack of home comforts this season, there has been no shortage of home truths being vented by disgruntled Boro followers after they have witnessed just five goals in eight Riverside games. Woodgate’s initial attempts to switch to a more expansive game have left Boro as the lowest scorers in the Championship and have so far failed to inspire confidence that the club is building that much promised exciting future that was mentioned in the summer. As many choose to raise their doubts about their new head coach on social media, it seems he’s not minded to read their unsupportive offerings. Speaking after the relative goal-fest at QPR, which ended the run of four games without scoring, the Boro head coach declared that the ‘real fans’ (as he calls them) are behind him and his players: “We were getting beat and they were shouting my name. It’s fantastic. It’s brilliant.” – though still no credible evidence to suggest his name was followed by the word ‘out’.

Nevertheless, Woodgate is convinced that it’s just a small mainly anonymous minority who aren’t behind him and the team: “The players are not getting booed, I’m not getting booed. Okay, social media has the odd thing, but you get on with that.” Indeed, he even suspects that those “odd” comments that take aim on Twitter may not even be from Boro fans: “How do you know who they are on social media? They could be Newcastle fans, Sunderland fans, Hartlepool fans, we don’t know who they are, do we? Keyboard warriors?” He may be right as no doubt there must be plenty of Mackems out there getting quite irate at the growing prospect of having to face Boro in League One next season – especially after all the trouble the Wearsiders have taken in avoiding the fixture in recent years.

Labelling those who simply post aggressive ramblings directed personally at the Boro head coach as keyboard warriors possibly elevates them to something more noble. Though surprisingly the actually phrase ‘keyboard warrior’ was first coined in 2014 by the People’s Daily in China to describe the social media response aimed against bystanders who failed to intervene to help a woman who was beaten to death at a McDonald’s restaurant in the Shandong Province.

For those who only normally read the sport’s section of the People’s Daily it was a cautionary tale of blind faith that left Wu Shuoyan as the unfortunate victim of a brutal attack by members of a religious cult called the Church of Almighty God for declining to hand over her mobile phone number so she could be further contacted by the group. Followers were told that as long as they gave donations, the ‘Almighty God’ would keep their illness at bay but Wu’s public refusal saw her denounced as an “evil spirit” by the group, who they later insisted was trying to suck away their life energy and could only be stopped by being killed.

Incidentally, the cult, also known as Eastern Lightening, has according to the Beijing government several million followers who believe that Jesus has been resurrected as a Chinese woman. That woman was discovered to be Yang Xiangbin, who as luck would have it happened to be the wife of the sect’s founder Zhao Weishan – unfortunately the couple had to flee to the United States in 2000 after denouncing the Chinese state as the “evil red dragon” before sadly failing to see their millennialist prophecy of the destruction of the world come to pass – though it’s hard to imagine what people said to cheer them up when it didn’t happen.

They have subsequently claimed in exile that the McDonald’s incident was carried out by a splinter group that comprised mainly of an unemployed textile worker Zhang Lidong and his extended family, who argued that it was they that had the true ‘Two Witnesses’ among them after usurping the claims of another couple from Inner Mongolia. It then got a bit Pythonesque when they claimed that Zhao’s sect are fake ‘Almighty God’, while they were the real ‘Almighty God’, which could possibly be another one for factcheckUK to clear up. However, it’s possible that Zhang and his daughter Zhang Fan already know if they are the real ‘Almighty God’ as they were tried and executed for their crime.

Anyway, after that all too brief delve into the somewhat murky origins of keyboard warriors, I suspect it has possibly raised more questions than it answered. Indeed, what about the cult of North-East Lightening and why has it failed to strike more than once at the Riverside this season. Plus are Woody and Keano really the true two witnesses who can shed light on the matter? if so, what have they seen that we haven’t and should they even be considered reliable witnesses? OK, any form of divine intervention is probably a long shot for the Boro faithful at this moment but no doubt many men on Teesside will at least sympathise with the delicate problem of having a wife who many believe to be all powerful – even if she’s prone to expecting miracles instead of producing them.

Right now the issue of belief for supporters is one that has been stretched by Boro’s failure to win games and is surely not something that can continue indefinitely. With two home games in the space of four days, it would perhaps reach breaking point if the run without three points continued into December – especially given that one of the upcoming games is against the bottom club. Granted, Boro put in a much better display at Loftus Road but it still didn’t conclude in victory and QPR were their usual poor selves defensively. Nevertheless, at least Britt took his goals well and that is at least a welcome sign given many were struggling to think where Boro’s next goal was coming from. Woodgate’s team have only been averaging around two-thirds of a goal per game, so to score two was actually three game’s worth in one afternoon.

Whether the return to scoring ways will attract the supporters back to the Riverside for Sunday lunchtime’s TV games is difficult to say. Demand to watch the Boro on Teesside has started to wane in recent weeks and that may be a factor in how long Steve Gibson is prepared to allow Woodgate to find his feet – albeit without a gun in his hand. The Boro chairman must have looked on in envy at Kosovo during the international break as there were 300,000 applications for tickets for their game against England with seats for only 13,500 available. One Kosovo supporter was so desperate for a ticket he even offered a kidney in exchange on Facebook. Whether anyone on Teesside would be prepared to offer their kidney for a seat at the Riverside this weekend is unlikely – especially as both will probably be needed to work overtime as sorrows are regularly anticipated being drowned in post-match therapy.

Incidentally, a recent survey found that the average drinker will spend £38,000 on pints of beer in their lifetime, which doesn’t sound like much of a budget for anyone who followers a football team. A quick back-of-the-beer-mat calculation may expose that figure as a little lightweight as the survey also quoted the price of the average pint at £3.61 – which if you consider average life expectancy is just over 80, then it should give you a good 60 years of drinking. So by my reckoning that equates to just under three-and-a-half pints per week, which surely goes to prove why the glass of a Boro supporter on a daily basis is generally only half full – or is that half empty?

Anyway, as far as football is concerned, it’s been a long time since anyone raised a glass in celebration on Teesside. This Sunday sees Hull City arrive at the Riverside as Woodgate seeks victory in front of the cameras. The Tigers took the textbook step of appointing a 39-year old as head coach this summer with the former Northern Ireland midfielder Grant McCann. Incidentally, he made his professional league debut in 2001 for West Ham in a 2-1 defeat at the Riverside. Although, unlike Woodgate, Hull is not McCann’s first managerial post as he started out as a number one at Peterborough in the summer of 2016, before being dismissed at the end of February 2018 after a run of seven games (not even nine) without a win. His next post was at Doncaster, where he took them into the play-offs last season but lost out against Charlton and was then appointed as the Tiger’s head coach.

Hull had a slow start to their campaign with just one win in the opening six fixtures but their last ten games have seen steady form with 17 points gained from a possible 30. Indeed, the recent form of McCann’s team saw them beat Forest, Derby and Fulham before losing narrowly 1-0 against leaders West Brom last time out. It suggests that Boro will need to play well to get anything from Sunday’s game and it’s perhaps not a fixture that Woodgate’s team will easily get three points from.

Much will depend on the team’s performance this weekend and defeat would undo any minor momentum gained in that comeback against the Hoops. At least the return of George Friend and Darren Randolph gave the Boro head coach a stronger looking defence but it still resulted in avoidable goals being conceded. Friend’s return allowed McNair to move back into midfield where he has been the main driving force and hopefully he’ll not be needed in a back three for some time. There seems to still be a problem of balance in the team as clean sheets come at the expense of not scoring and a more potent attack has usually resulted in goals being conceded – the three occasions this term when Boro have scored more than once in a game have been the 3-3 at Luton, the 2-2 at Bristol and the 2-2 at QPR. Somehow Boro need to find a way of scoring against opposition who don’t play so open or at least stopping those teams from scoring too.

Whatever the outcome on Sunday, the following game against Barnsley is surely a must win. If Boro can’t beat a team that have only picked up just two points on their travels this season then the game is surely up. OK, the cliche often quoted is that there are no easy games in the Championship but it would be hard to see how Woodgate can turn things around if he can’t pick up three points on Wednesday. The Tykes have just appointed the 42-year old Austrian Gerhard Struber as manager, who last season finished third in the Austrian top tier with Wolfsberger. He’s reportedly built his reputation on developing players and is known for his tactical approach to the game – perhaps Steve Gibson should make a mental note. At least playing Barnsley next week before he’s had much chance to work with his players may be for the best – though the worry is that it’s yet another team in the relegation pack that have made a managerial appointment with a view to escaping the drop zone.

Those two home games are then followed by a trip to Elland Road for the non-derby, where automatic promotion hopefuls Leeds have lost only once this season. Marcelo Bielsa team have built their challenge on a solid defence and have yet to enter double figured for goals conceded. It’s game between the Championship’s meanest defence and the team with worst attack in Boro – so it’s hard to see Woodgate getting much joy when he returns to his old club. Of course, there will be some talk of Patrick Bamford but the latest transfer rumours have seen the name of Dani Ayala possibly being the subject of bid by the West Yorkshire club in January. Boro’s Spanish stopper (as the local press would say) is out of contract in the summer but has been offered a new contract on reduced terms. As we know money talks louder than sentiment in football and at 28 he probably still has one decent contract left in his career, which may well be away from Teesside if his agent does some touting around.

In truth, the economics at Boro mean that key players will leave and that’s probably more likely if the club are struggling against relegation to League One. As ever it won’t be the players we want to get rid of that will attract offers in January and Paddy McNair will have already caught the eye of those club seeking to bolster their promotion squads. Indeed, the consequence of our current bad run is that the club may find it difficult to refuse any decent offers in January, while simultaneously becoming a less attractive option for targets who can add quality to the team.

Boro are literally in a no-win situation where it appears the only solution is to start winning games and begin climbing the table – Even Jonathan Woodgate is clear that now is the time to start winning and has said so: “We have to start winning games and there is no getting away from that.” He also thanked the fans for their patience but in truth what real choice is there but to sit and wait patiently given there’s little indication from anyone at the club that they are contemplating a change. It’s bit like one of those delayed train announcements by the driver that ends shortly before arriving at the destination with “sorry for any inconvenience caused” – in that sense supporters are simply like passengers trapped on a slow-moving train with no option to change and can only post their displeasure on social media. Only it seems Boro’s season was derailed before it left the station and now we’re quickly running out of track.

Pos. 10th (24pts)	SATURDAY 9 NOVEMBER 2019			Pos. 22nd (13pts)
QPR		2-2	Boro
Wells (25) Howson (44 o.g.)	61% 14(7) 8 20	POSSESSION SHOTS (on target) CORNERS FOULS	39% 9(4) 6 9	Assombalonga (23,69)

Britt makes a point

What was left of Woodgate’s Red and White Army marched down to Loftus Road to take on the R’s and of course former Boro hit man Hugill although there is a certain amount of poetic licence in the use of the term “hit man” because “grass stained” didn’t have quite the same ring to it. With no less than nine first team players allegedly out for this one the excuses were as good as dusted off and polished before a ball had even been kicked (and over the QPR crossbar most likely).

It looked like our third choice Keeper albeit signed as second choice and back up to injured but Internationally selected Randolph would have to deputise for the current back up Aynsley Pears. Once such a thought would have struck fear, anguish and torment into the hearts of Boro fans but it had a certain depressively amusing feel to it under the current backdrop.

QPR had fitness concerns of their own with CB Toni Lester and Yoann Barbet both doubtful. A win could, pending other results, send the R’s into the Play Off spots whereas a win for Boro might see them leap frog Luton and jump out of the bottom three by a solitary point, if Luton were to win or draw it would mean that Boro remain with one foot in the trapdoor over the International break.

The two o’clock team news was full of surprises, Randolph was back along with Friend and Fletcher all miraculously deemed fit enough to start although there had to have been a huge question mark over Friend’s fitness levels over 90 minutes. Pears was also seemingly fit enough to deputise on the bench with a “finger” injury (doesn’t say much for Mejias) and youngster Tyrone O’Neil was also sat alongside. It looked like a back three with Ayala, Fry and Friend with Johnson and Howson as Wing Backs and McNair back in midfield. No Saville of course through suspension but Clayts was still on the bench with a dynamic looking midfield trio of Tav, Paddy and Wing.

On paper this was probably the strongest side Boro could put out so it would be interesting to see how they shape up against a side that has failed to keep a clean sheet in their last 21 games. Surely even Assombalonga and Fletcher could manage one between them? Ref David Coote got the game started a few minutes behind schedule after the last post for Remembrance Day tomorrow with Boro kicking off towards the Home end. Boro enjoyed impressive possession in the opening minutes and after a foul on Johnson the free kick ball delivered by the very same Johnson arrived at Ayala who stooped to conquer but frustratingly was ruled offside after thinking he had put Boro ahead.

A minute later McNair collected a loose ball in midfield feeding Assombalonga who was stopped in his tracks by Wallace as he closed in on goal. QPR were living on their nerves and living up to never keeping a clean sheet reputation in full technicolour. Eight minutes in and Boro were looking comfortable and also unusually confident with McNair now taking a turn to fire in a blocked shot. Eze came closest to scoring for the “R’s” hitting Randolph’s side netting on nine minutes. A double Boro corner in quick succession were then eventually cleared for a Boro throw in as we continued the onslaught. Tavernier lost possession allowing QPR to get back at Boro but we closed them down quickly forcing Rangers to carelessly lose possession once again.

A very bright Boro start indeed we needed to get something from this quickly otherwise all the energy could subside and we could be caught cold. Just before the quarter hour mark Manning ominously hit the side netting again for Rangers. Boro then went close via a Tavernier header after a great series of interplay between Fletcher, Assombalonga and McNair. Marvin Johnson got in a block on Amos after Manning again broke to prevent Boro being embarrassed. The resulting near post corner saw Fry take the ball clear but Wells brought him down and in doing so easing the pressure on Randolph’s goal.

Then the moment that Boro fans had been desperate for. On twenty-three minutes a bustling break down the right from Howson saw Britt finally break his drought with a glancing diving header to put Boro deservedly one up. Manning immediately had Boro panicking after the restart driving QPR forward once again and unattended Nahki Wells pulled the teams level from a Chair pass in the packed Boro box with Red shirts feebly protesting he was offside. One each all within 90 seconds. It has to be said that despite Boro being good value they were looking very susceptible on counter attacks especially via Manning.

A collision between Fletcher and Wells provided a bit of breathing space as Wells seemed to come off worse. Wells was starting to influence the game for Rangers along with Manning as Boro’s early pressure had now started to wane somewhat. You felt that after that euphoric Britt goal being pegged back so quickly that Boro had lost their mojo. Eze then put a ball into the Boro six-yard box as Wells got a header in for Randolph to get a glove to it to put it out for a corner. Rangers were now looking by far the more likely to take the lead with Boro desperately needing to hold on to avoid a demoralising second Rangers goal.

An in-swinging Rangers cross required Johnson to put the ball out for a corner to the home side and fortunately for Boro after a short corner routine Eze was adjudged to have been offside as he received the ball back again. Randolph took his time in taking the free kick to set Boro up on the front foot in the Rangers half. As the game see sawed it was Manning again fizzing another ball into Boro’s danger zone with Wells getting something on it, Randolph having to be alert on the greasy surface to keep the scores level with just three minutes of first half normal time remaining.

A late QPR corner was delivered in from the right with Randolph initially getting to Grant Hall’s header but it came off Howson to sickeningly go into the net. To me it looked like a ball that the experienced Keeper should have just caught instead of pushing it onto the hapless Howson but that’s what happens when you are down in the dead zone.

Just what we were fearing had materialised as Rangers were now ahead just before the interval. Boro at this stage were looking nothing like the side that had started so lively having had a goal disallowed and then taking the lead only to be pegged back and then falling behind.

Wells found foolishly himself in David Coote’s book after lashing out at Johnson for no obvious or clear reason. The deep dying seconds of the half saw Ayala cut out another threat for a QPR corner but the whistle went to end proceedings. Boro had started really well but fell behind as a result of some very poor marking. Both Wells and Hall had had too much room and space albeit in Hall’s case there was some clever off the ball blocking off to give him a clear heading opportunity.

What had started with grounds for optimism in the opening twenty minutes for the Travelling Army had ended with “Typical Boro” disappointment. Woodgate and Keane now had to re-energise their charges during the half time break to see if they could come out and repeat their energetic opening tempo of the first half. An equaliser for Boro would hit Rangers confidence but a third for Rangers would kill the game off as a contest.

Boro started the second period lively as we had hoped with first Tav testing and then Friend earning a throw in from which Johnson returned it to him winning an early Corner. McNair sent it in, Lumley punched clear and McNair adjudged offside when he received the return ball from Johnson who had collected Lumley’s punched clearance. Dael Fry had to be on his toes to intercept the first real Rangers threat of the half as a timely reminder that the R’s speed could be dangerous.

A Friend delivered free kick reached Fletcher who was brought down by Cameron as he tried to get around the defender, he was pegged back. As Boro were trying to get the ball for the set piece Wallace earned a booking for kicking the ball away. Rangers had been keeping a high line and despite the poor Johnson free kick Tavernier won the ball back from Eze’s miss control earning another Boro free kick in a good area. Lewis Wing lined up his sights but fired in a trade mark rocket free kick just flying over Lumley’s crossbar. Boro tenaciously regained possession again as they kept up their onslaught, pushing forward Luton style applying pressure up on the Rangers backline.

The game was starting to get a little loose and scrappy as Boro desperately pushed and chased and Rangers equally desperate in trying to compose themselves. Approaching sixty minutes and a Randolph goal kick saw Boro once again try and unlock the rickety Rangers backline, keeping possession and passing the ball around patiently but Rangers won it back and Eze and Chair between them earned a pressure relieving corner for the home side. From the resulting corner Manning cut in from the right forcing Randolph into palming it away for another corner. Howson headed it clear to Tav who in turn set up Britt who was brought down as Manning received a talking to for the challenge.

Warburton then made a double tactical substitution with Chair going off for Hugill and Amos departing for Scowen. Finally, the delayed resultant deep free kick from McNair eventually saw a weak shot at Lumley which didn’t really threaten. Wing then delivered a ball in to Britt who got his shot away to the far corner but the scores still remained 2-1 to the home side. Howson was then brought off for Dijksteel as Woodgate made a switch to try and get something from the game and possibly to deal with the additional bulk of Hugill.

Overhit balls were regularly going into both boxes now with neither side capable of getting on the end of them, in truth both defences were looking porous. QPR won a harmless throw in in their own half and somehow the up until then impressive Manning attempted a ludicrous 40-yard back pass and incredibly just as Boro looked like they would get no luck Britt pounced on it to confidently dink the ball over the advancing Lumley. This was more like the Britt Boro had paid £15m for, unrecognisable from that sheepish smirking penalty misser. Twenty minutes remained for Boro to take the upper hand and with their tails up they were looking good value for a third but that risk was still there from Rangers and another break saw Hugill evade Ayala in the pouring rain to win a corner. The resultant corner came in and yet another free header required Randolph to rescue Boro, phew!

Clayts was brought on for Tavernier on 87 minutes (who had enjoyed a decent game) presumably to get in amongst it in the middle of the pitch to break things up. Dijksteel then went in on Hugill who as usual went down but still managed to get a shot in on Randolph. Immediately after it was Randolph to the rescue again with our man marking once more looking atrocious with Clayton alone in trying to close down two men as Eze laid siege. This game still looked like it had goals in it and could go either way despite only eight minutes remaining. Rangers were clearly adept attackers but their defending was absolutely woeful and blindingly obvious as to why they fail to keep clean sheets.

Britt was then dragged back and David Coote somehow deemed it just a free kick but not a second yellow for Hall and with it a sending off. Next up it was Hugill who this time had to be alert defending in his own area, heading clear for a Boro corner from which McNair whipped into the far corner of the six-yard box only for Lumley to tip out. Johnson quickly delivered the resulting corner which was cleared yet again for another Boro corner which was eventually delivered into a melee’ with Rangers hanging on, just managing to keep Boro from taking another lead.

In response Wells broke from Dijksteel and as the cross came in it was cleared up field to Fletcher who was routinely taken out by Hall with only three minutes remaining. The free kick was fed out wide, delivered in and Assombalonga just had the ball robbed off his toe as Rangers broke with Hugill losing Dijksteel to almost nick it for the R’s.

The game now swung down the other end and again Fletcher was dragged back, this time by Cameron to earn a late yellow. The delivered ball was again headed clear only for a Boro cross to come in from Friend to go out for a throw in. Johnson then cut in and despite having his shirt tugged managed to get the ball into the danger zone. Lumley collected the loose ball and cleared out for Rangers to launch an attack which fortunately came to nothing going out for a goal kick.

Eze broke and in doing so evading a Clayts attempt to pull him down, then as he continued his charge forward Fry barged him 25 yards out collecting a yellow with two minutes remaining. Manning sent it the free kick which was deflected by the Boro wall out towards the corner flag where Britt back defending cleared it off a hooped shirt for a Boro goal kick. Randolph was booked for dawdling in his restricted effort to retrieve it. Five minutes of stoppage time had expired and a final free kick to Boro signalled the end of the day’s action.

There were some terrible defending moments from Boro but overall this game was a marked improvement for Boro and if Woodgate is to somehow cling on this has to be a defining moment in the season. That said our two goals were as a result of equally poor defending so perhaps in reality not indicative of change in fortune but at least Britt scored a brace which might boost his hitherto shot confidence. MOM was the same Britt with Randolph and Johnson also running him close. Not getting beat and an away point was perhaps some comfort for those brave enough to glance at the League table.

 

Pos. 15th (21pts)	SATURDAY 2 NOVEMBER 2019			Pos. 22nd (12pts)
Derby County		2-0	Boro
Lawrence (22, 84)	60% 23(10) 6 10	POSSESSION SHOTS (on target) CORNERS FOULS	40% 10(1) 2 13	▮ Saville (32)

Boro Rammed down deeper

Both clubs have faced a somewhat underwhelming start to the season and whilst MFC have downplayed their expectations Derby were fancied as Play Off prospects. Their high-profile arrival in the New Year was probably thought to be the icing on the cake to spearhead their anticipated run in. Disappointment abounds in both Stadiums but even the very mention of the word Stadium added fuel to the relegation dog fight this afternoon.

Derby’s off field problems with three of their Players are well documented of late including the controversial decision to part company with Richard Keogh this week. Boro meanwhile have made the press for telling several players that their contracts will not be renewed at current rates, to be fair I’m not sure if the contracts of a few of them would be renewed in any case. Nevertheless, in Halloween week it added considerable doubt over team spirit in both dressing rooms.

George Friend had resumed training this week but wouldn’t be ready for a while yet, Pears was expected to continue in goal and Gestede was as ever still injured. Derby had George Evans due back from a two-month layoff and newly confirmed Captain Curtis Davis was expected to be the man in the mask after a facial injury which I understand had nothing to do with his driving. Before kick off there were a few demoralising stats for Boro. Only Barnsley were on a longer winless run of thirteen games in the Championship than Boro’s seven games and that only Wigan’s seven blanks meant that they had failed to score in more Championship games this season than Boro’s six.

Fair to say that expectations were pretty low from the travelling perspective but things were not that rosy with the home fans either so the atmosphere could become quite interesting. The Boro team news had Ashley Fletcher missing because of an “injury” (there were groundless rumours that he had scored a goal in training on Thursday and went into cardiac arrest), anyway Browne came in to take his place. Paddy McNair remained as part of the back three with the experience of Marvin Johnson back in for Coulson who dropped to the bench.

The grey foreboding clouds provided a suitable atmospheric back drop after all Hallows eve especially considering the plight of both clubs as the players took to the Pride Park pitch. The bench highlighted just how Boro were down to the bare bones, Mejias, Walker, Liddle, Wood, Dijksteel and Clayton joined Coulson. Cocu brought in Striker Jack Marriott starting today for the first time since September and LB Scott Malone in an effort to resurrect their season.

After a struggling Bugler’s rendition of the last post Ref Darren Bond got proceedings underway with the rain welcoming November into the football calendar. Wigan losing earlier in the afternoon to Swansea gave us some hope we could climb out of the drop zone. Boro got things underway with Britt conceding possession in the opening seconds. He made up for it a minute later when Britt was through on the Rams goal alert to a poor back pass but his effort hit Clarke, one of two despairing white shirts and it went out for a corner.

The early minutes indicated that Derby’s defence was all over the place and chaotic as Marcus Browne nearly stole the ball and then it was frantically down the opposite end as Derby won a corner off Ayala. It was Ayala who got his head to clear the danger from the corner which saw Britt try and find Browne just missing his intended target. End to end stuff but the home side had given reason to get the home fans on edge which suited Boro in those opening five minutes. On ten minutes Lewis Wing fired a ball into Britt, backing into his defender he turned but his shot was wide. Assombalonga seemed much more alert and eager than of late in the opening stages. Maybe it was because of a kick up his backside or perhaps it was the more tenacious style of Browne over Fletcher creating more anxiety in the Derby defence.

McNair went into Ref Bond’s book after being nutmegged for pulling back Lawrence near the corner flag. The ball was consequently sent to the far post which Howson cleared for a throw in. A left footed Shinnie effort deflected off Wing for a Derby corner with the rain now easing off and Derby ominously getting back into the game.

Browne then strangely deposited himself on the pitch requiring treatment for a mystery ailment. As the game restarted Marriott and Martin worked to create an opportunity which should have been a warning. A series of slick one touch Derby inter passing play then carved the Boro back line open allowing Lawrence from the edge of the box to hit it low putting the Rams one up with twenty-two minutes gone. The sun was now shining literally on Derby and Boro were now faced with having to actually score a goal, something which so far this season had been alien. With wobbles still on display Pears had to be alert three minutes later to smother a Rams attack.

Browne was in the wars again as he went down after a hefty challenge. The Ref waved play on but a free kick to Boro in the next phase provided Wing with an effort which went over Roos’s crossbar. Curtis Davies then met a header forcing Pears to tip over the bar at the other end. From the goal kick clearance Browne was brought down again and again Ref Bond decided it wasn’t worthy of a card. Howson worked space and put in a near post ball into Tav but Roos reacted quickest as a rare Boro chance went begging.

A series of Derby shots and Boro blocks eventually saw Howson break and try a ridiculous back heel to the up until now anonymous George Saville forcing him to commit and clatter into Bielik in what looked like a 50/50 for a straight red card with thirty-one minutes gone. Bielik looked like he would struggle to continue but it was Boro who made a change with Dijksteel coming on for Browne as Woodgate reshuffled his pack, personally I would have hooked Tav as Browne had looked by far the livelier. Derby broke after the restart and then Boro counter attacked but Britt dithered and the opportunity gone. Derby broke down the other end as the pace of the game ramped up again.

The momentum now was obviously with Derby with Britt being more isolated than normal. Boro had switched to a back four with McNair and Howson now pushed further upfield. A free kick to Boro in almost the same place as previous was taken charge by McNair who cleared the wall but over the bar to mimic Wing’s previous effort. Boro now looked like they had finally cleared their heads and exerted some pressure on Derby but had to be careful that they didn’t over commit.

There was five minutes added time announced but it was Derby who nearly added to their lead when Fry was beaten to a header by Bogle who earlier in the week had just added to the Derby driving conviction count by picking up speeding points. A minute later it was Bogle again who drove in towards the Boro goal forcing Pears into action which ended the first half action.

Boro as has been their story all season had their chances but fluffed their lines with Britt hitting a defender and then taking too long to shoot and but for astray passing, we could have had a few more opportunities. Elsewhere Reading were winning, Huddersfield were drawing but at least Luton were losing at home to Forest. The “live” League table however didn’t make for great reading as a gap of two points was now opening up.

Derby got the second half underway with no changes from either Manager. The early exchanges saw Derby now pushed further up and looking for an early second goal to kill this game off with Bogle looking lively finding Martin whose effort went wide as Boro’s defence looked at each other in frustration. Boro would have to be strong and solid and compose themselves if they were to survive this pressure. Bielik broke and the Boro defence looked all at sea backing off, our left side looked lost as Tav and Johnson were not joined up in their thinking. Bielik still looked to be struggling but Boro couldn’t make the weakness count in their favour. Holmes then broke down our left but the final ball evaded Martin. Bielik then finally succumbed and hobbled off for Evans to take his place.

Derby’s Malone was off the pitch receiving treatment with the travelling army urging Boro to make the temporary even numbers count as a Dijksteel cross fizzed in which went out for a corner. Johnson delivered the corner in to Ayala but he sliced his shot wide. Derby then pushed up again and as our defence backed off Marriott came very close to adding that killer second goal as Malone had re-entered the fray. An off the ball incident between Wing and Martin ended with Wing going down off the ball holding his face, obviously aggrieved at something.

As the off-field temperature dropped with the sun there were a few niggling encounters going on out on the pitch as Lewis Wing in particular was cutting a very frustrated figure with thirty minutes remaining. Our left flank was looking susceptible as thoughts were turning to wondering if it was perhaps worth risking Coulson. It was Cocu however who made the next change withdrawing Martin for Waghorn to presumably stop some of the niggles Martin was becoming involved in and shore things up.

Twenty minutes remaining and Derby had Boro effectively penned back in their own half needing something clever to get that crucial equaliser and it nearly came via McNair after Johnson had crossed, Howson cut it back to the Northern Irishman but the Ref had saw an infringement in the build up. Ayala cleared a Derby corner but the Rams came straight back at Boro and the pressure was back on again as Boro looked to be understandably tiring.

A silly free kick conceded by Ayala on Waghorn thirty yards out saw Derby deliver a ball in by Lawrence and Pears punch for Holmes to put it out for a Boro goal kick. Walker and Coulson were being readied to inject some much-needed pace and an outlet for Boro with ten minutes remaining. Wing and Johnson made way for the pair with Walker looking to support Assombalonga. It was risky but there was nothing to lose now as Boro needed to try and get something from this game to keep in touch with the bottom feeders. It was however Bogle again who looked the most likely to create as he skinned Coulson with Waghorn nearly benefitting from his efforts.

Minutes later Bogle again tore down the flank, tee’d up Lawrence who calmly put the game beyond reach hitting the Ram’s second into the far corner with six minutes remaining. The wind went out of the Boro sails when that net bulged. It was made all the worse by the fact that this was a very poor Derby side who with all eleven players, we might have reasonably expected something from this game. A great double save from Aynsley Pears saved us from a humiliating third Derby goal as two minutes added time had just been held up. The Home fans chorused “you’re being sacked in the morning” and something else unprintable on here about Steve Gibson after enquiring about his awareness of the score line.

In isolation today wasn’t great but in the context of the entire season to date at some point bad luck, missed opportunities, (a solitary Boro effort on target), officiating decisions and lying tables have to be discounted. MOM was nigh on impossible but Dijksteel done OK when he came on and deserves some credit for that but overall there wasn’t anyone in a red shirt that made a difference.

A run of eight games without a win now and no doubt there will be fresh clamouring’s for a change in the dug out but the accountability for this mess is much higher up the organisation chart. I think there does need to be a change in the dugout but I thought that back in June so nothing new there then. An experienced Adkins or Pearson might just be able to grab what is left of this squad by the scruff of its neck and drag them to safety but the real bottleneck within MFC will like as much remain in situ. As the saying goes if you buy cheap you buy twice, albeit at hugely inflated fees in the case of Boro no doubt!

Championship 2019-20: Weeks 13-14

Sat 2 Nov – 15:00: Derby v Boro Sat 9 Nov – 15:00: QPR v Boro

Since taking those first few tentative steps as head coach at Boro, Jonathan Woodgate has been walking the tightrope between the aspiration of wanting to play more expansive football and needing to get results. Indeed, many believed his head was in the clouds if he thought that he could achieve such a feat as it was always going to struggle to find the right balance with his limited experienced and limited resources. The initial excitement on Teesside in watching such daring act of pride has quickly turned to fear that both he and his boyhood club are at risk of heading for a fall. The sight of an increasing number of empty red seats at the Riverside indicates that many quite literally can no longer bear to watch.

This noble yet somewhat naive desire to please the crowd and put on a show has ultimately ended up pleasing nobody and with each wobble the expectation is the Boro chairman must somehow do something soon to rescue the situation. However, the young Boro boss refuses to look down and is determined to get to the other side as he believes it’s impossible to turn back from what is the long-term project of changing the club’s playing style. Woodgate remains convinced that he’s heading in the right direction as he declared: “I believe in myself, I believe in my players, I believe in the club.” If such inner belief wasn’t enough to deter the negative thoughts of the Boro faithful, he insists that Steve Gibson remains “positive” and “supportive”, before adding: “I’m positive that we can turn it around. I’m positive. We are all positive.”

Although, when he said “we are all positive” it may possibly exclude a large section of the supporters who have chosen to indicate on social media that they may have opted themselves out of the general enthusiasm that exists within the club – let alone are feeling optimistic about their team’s immediate prospects. Not that Woodgate is keeping an eye on the Twittersphere as he’s not that keen on reading such forthright views: “I don’t concern myself with the opinions of people on social media.” Who can blame him but he at least accepted some supporters may be less than content with Boro’s showing so far when admitting: “People are going to be negative at times, I know that but there are a lot of positive people out there too, although they don’t seem to go on social media.” Stating that he much prefers the in-house feedback instead: “The opinion of the chairman matters. The opinions of my coaches staff, the players, the people inside the club matter.”

Nevertheless, maybe Woodgate has stumbled upon the inherent nature of social media in that it’s essentially provides a platform for people to sound off and release their angst. As to whether all the silent but happy Boro supporters are just inwardly smiling with positivity or have simply had their smart phones confiscated by their carers is at this point unknown. While many would agree that there are a lot of positive people out there, there’s an increasing chance that vast majority of them are probably not at this juncture busy online buying tickets to the Riverside. Although, it may be an accurate perception as a recent study by the University of Minnesota found that negative posts on Facebook outnumbered positive ones by a ratio of 2:1 – plus they discovered negative posts normally received more likes too. In contrast, a study published by Forbes magazine discovered that consumers were much more likely to share positive experiences (49%) rather than negative ones (30%) – of course it’s possible those percentages would vary if the Teesside grudge filter was removed.

Still, talking of those who have long forgotten about performing at the dizzying heights of even the footballing pyramid, it’s possible that Steve Gibson would experience an episode of benign paroxysmal positional vertigo if he were to suddenly look up towards where he’d been hoping to see his club standing instead of languishing at 22nd place of the second tier. After two years of aiming for the top, the Boro chairman must be wondering what went wrong after spending a small fortune trying to turn around the club after relegation from the Premier League. Incidentally, vertigo is described as feeling like you are turning around when you are standing still and can often lead to a sudden fall – which would seem to fit in quite well with the symptoms the club are currently experiencing.

Conversely, I suspect few on Teesside probably feel giddy when they peer down at the Championship table to spot their team in the relegation zone and apparently suffering from Acrophobia – a condition that is defined as an extreme or irrational fear of heights, especially when one is not particularly high up. Although, it seems the truth of where Boro lie in the table is possibly an illusion according to Woodgate’s recent response to questions about his team sitting in the bottom three: “The players agree with me that the table doesn’t tell the true story of the league and our performances. We have deserved more from the games that we have got. They know that.” So it appears even the table has now jumped on the post-truth bandwagon.

Whilst no wins in the last seven games and back-to-back goalless draws isn’t much evidence that Boro should be sitting a lot prettier in the Championship than they are. Woodgate had declared before the Fulham game that the club are not really in a relegation scrap: “I wouldn’t say it’s a dogfight at the minute because, if we get a few wins, we’ll soon climb up the table.” By that logic no club would ever be technically fighting relegation if they were always just a few wins from moving up the league. Though if it did indeed come to such a battle then he believes: “We don’t want it to turn into a dogfight, but if it does, I’ve got the players to dog it out.” Although, I’m not too familiar with the phrase “dog it out”, a quick Google informed me that the expression derives from 1920s underworld slang and means ‘to back down in a cowardly fashion’, with online dictionaries offering the definitions for just “dog it” as: ‘fail to put in the necessary effort’, ‘Do less than is required’ or ‘move slowly’ – none of which inspires much confidence that this is what is needed. Perhaps others can provide any colloquial Teesside meaning to put my mind at rest.

That game against Fulham was Boro’s third consecutive game without scoring and our strikers looked more than a little semi-detached from the vantage point of the terraces against the Cottagers ten men. Confidence in front of goal has visibly drained away and so seemingly has belief both on the pitch and in the stands. Still, one man who still believes in his players is Woodgate, who hasn’t given up on them: “You have to keep believing in your players. You go through sticky situations and it’s an important you have a manager who sticks by you through thick and thin” – which is just as well given that it looks like we’re going to be stuck with our goal-shy strikers for at least another three months at least.

Just how long the Boro chairman will stick with Woodgate is possibly another matter, as despite all the positive noises of this being a long-term project and still having belief, there can obviously comes a point at which even Steve Gibson will need to make a decision. Then again the appointment of someone who was onboard with the whole downsizing project may mean the Boro head coach will be safe in his post until after the January window has closed and any ‘necessary’ sales have been approved.

Much could depend on what happens before the next international break as Boro face two tricky away games at two of former boss, Steve McClaren, former teams in first Derby and then QPR. The Rams are no longer the media darlings of Frank Lampard’s Derby County and appear to have lost some of their shine with the Dutchman Philip Cocu in charge. Having edged Tony Pulis out of the play-offs last season by a point, Derby have also failed to look the part this season and have won just four games. Although it should be noted that three of those four victories have been achieved in their last three home games – which were against the limited opposition of Wigan, Luton and Birmingham with their other win in the opener at fellow strugglers Huddersfield. In theory, it gives Woodgate his best chance of picking up three points but to do so it would mean someone in a red shirt (and no doubt blue shorts) will have to score – unless of course we can be gifted an own-goal. Few are expecting a classic and I suspect the best action may well be in the directors box if Steve Gibson enquires about the new owners of the Pride Park stadium with Mel Morris.

The last game before another two-weeks of chin rubbing and head scratching will be at Loftus Road, where Boro will face Mark Warburton’s Hoops, who are currently sitting just a point outside the play-offs. Amazingly, despite being the third highest scorers in the Championship with 24, QPR have a negative goal difference as they are conceding on average almost two goals per game – in fact only bottom club Barnsley have a worse defensive record with just one more against. Indeed, they have let in 11 goals in their last five home games, which surely must give Woodgate some hope of his strikers at least hitting the back of the net. OK, they also score goals too and even Teessider Jordan Hugill has stopped falling over to register seven times in his latest loan spell. Surely it’s time for Boro to start converting chances and give at least the travelling support something to cheer – if not, there’s a real danger of Boro being cast adrift from the teams in lower mid-table as they become unmistakably caught in a relegation struggle.

As Boro followers search for inspiration, I’ll end with the words of the French high-wire artist, Phillipe Petit, who famously illegally walked a wire between the World Trade Centre twin towers in New York back in 1974, which was portrayed in the 2008 documentary, Man on Wire and later made into the 2015 movie, The Wire. To most sane individuals, the thought of walking a quarter of a mile above the ground between two towers, where one mistake would mean certain death seems unbelievable. Incredibly, such was his self-confidence in his ability, Petit actually made eight passes between the towers, including dancing, kneeling and even laying down on the wire. He said the best advice he was given was by his mentor, who told him: “Most wire walkers, they die when they arrive. They think they have arrived. But they have not. They have three steps left. Most walkers die in the final three steps. They think they have arrived. They get arrogant and die.” Whether Jonathan Woodgate thinks he has finally arrived is not clear but most Boro supporters are hoping that his final three points rather than three steps were not back in mid September with that 1-0 win over Reading!

Pos. 22nd (12 pts)	SATURDAY 26 OCTOBER 2019			Pos. 5th (23 pts)
Boro		0-0	Fulham
	56% 14(1) 5 16	POSSESSION SHOTS (on target) CORNERS FOULS	44% 7(1) 2 9	▮ Rodák (17)

Cottagers Blank Boro

After the trouncing of Southampton by Leicester last night there were a few of us fearing a similar repetition this afternoon at a moody and wet Riverside with the visit of Fulham and one-time Boro target (yet another if only!) Aleksander Mitrovic who scores every time he sneezes. The total contrast between their main Striker and our own couldn’t be more extreme not helped by Boro being bottom of the Championship Form Table.

Fulham have had the odd blip this season so it wasn’t beyond the realms of possibility that a Saturday afternoon on a cold and wet Teesside may not be to the liking of the boys from the capital. If they turned up fired up then youngster Aynsley Pears could be in for a baptism of fire. Another Boro youngster Coulson was in contention for a start after a few months lay off having had a run out in the second half on Wednesday night. Friend and Gestede were still out injured along with Randolph. Fulham’s only injury concern was if Bournemouth loanee Harry Arter would be available after missing midweek.

Having the joint lowest Championship home goals tally (5) this season it was unlikely we would witness a goal fest from Boro today and keeping things tight at the back would likely be the game plan. Scott Parkers side had lost just once in their last six games picking up eleven points (equal to Boro’s tally for the entire season) whilst Woodgate’s Boro had lost four and earned two draws and just two points over the same period.

Boro team news saw Shotton and Johnson missing and what initially looked like a back four with Coulson coming in at LB. It meant that the one area of the side that had started to look settled was now shuffled putting a young inexperienced Keeper under greater pressure.

Presumably Shotton’s absence was forced but the dropping of Johnson meant that only Howson, Fry and Ayala remained from what appears to be our best defensive five plus keeper. The hope was that McNair would drop back and maintain the back five, if so it made the dropping of Johnson from that five all the more bizarre.

Facing two consecutive away trips after today this was our nearest home game to 11th November so a minute’s silence was observed (apart from a few mindless morons) in a sparsely populated Riverside before Fulham got proceedings underway. McNair thankfully did take up a spot in the defence whilst both teams were resplendent in their normal first choice strips with no garish third strips or combinations in sight.

Fulham started the livelier unsurprisingly but in the fourth minute Fletcher broke away down the right but his end effort went disappointingly wide. A ball rescued by and then crossed in from Howson after a mix up between Tav and Britt was almost met by Saville but he was adjudged to have been offside. Moments later Britt was left writhing after a collision as Boro launched another assault. An enterprising start in fairness from Boro considering the pre-game fears.

A disputed corner kick was awarded to Fulham in the eighth minute which was cleared by Howson feeding Tav scampering clear, finding Fletcher but his shot missed the target completely. Aynsley Pears then dropped a ball into his box whilst back peddling on ten minutes to raise a few heart rates but recovered in what was the first serious question asked of him. A move between Mitrovic and Reid ended with Reid shaping up but Ayala was solid in blocking the threat with a quarter of an hour now gone.

A minute later Fulham had another effort with Cavaleiro skinning Coulson but it went out for a goal kick as Fulham now started to exert some real pressure in the game. On seventeen minutes a peach of a ball from Wing from one side of the pitch to the other over half the length of the pitch saw Howson give chase with Fulham Keeper Rodak advancing outside his box to handle and earn a straight red card from Ref Peter Banks. The Fulham Keeper protested his innocence which was comedy gold considering how far he was outside of his box. Marcus Bettinelli was then brought on to replace the errant Keeper and Onomah was sacrificed in his place. Boro now had a free kick from the sending off and crucially facing ten men. Incredibly the resultant Boro free kick was entirely wasted as the luke warm Keeper wasn’t even tested in a poorly executed effort.

A Coulson cross to Britt went beyond him but the ball came back to Coulson who found Fletcher but the flag went up as Boro were looking to make their extra man count. The game was approaching thirty minutes and those pre kick-off jitters eased by the sending off. Howson won a throw in off Joe Bryan and the ball was then whipped in by the same Howson and was turned away for a Boro corner. Boro kept the pressure on Fulham and this time it was Coulson who tried his chance from long range albeit wayward.

Mitrovc took advantage after a miss control from Ayala, finding Fulham Captain Cairney but his shot went over. Coulson then broke and found Fletcher but he couldn’t connect. Pears had to be alert after we were exposed down the flank and a fierce Reed shot almost reached Mitrovic. We were passing the ball around but Fulham were sitting deep frustrating Boro until Wing played in Britt who missed a great headed opportunity putting the ball across the front of goal from the back post. From underdogs at the start Boro were now in the ascendency pressing Fulham, leading to a corner with Wing firing in a shot which nearly broke for Saville but went out for a corner. Ayala met the corner but his header went wide. The chances for Boro were growing but wayward, so far Bettinelli hadn’t been tested at all since arriving onto the pitch. Plenty of endeavour from Boro but looking short of composure and speed.

Tavernier was yellow carded for a rash challenge on Cairney showing frustration I suspect as the youngster like many in Red had struggled to make any real impression on the game despite the man advantage. Mitrovic fed Bryan whose shot was smothered by Pears but the fear was that in the build-up the big Serbian was just inviting a challenge inside the Boro box to go down.

As the half drew to a close Tavernier required treatment as the game took a breather, Browne warmed up with both technical areas taking the opportunity to issue instructions. Things were not looking good for Tav as his treatment took a couple of minutes and he made no effort to get up onto his feet. As Tav hobbled off Caveleiro immediately cut in after the restart and his effort went wide as Boro were caught cold with both sides now playing with ten men. Four minutes came up on the fourth officials board.

The half ended ten v ten and Coulson adding to the yellow card count but at least Boro had the option to restart the second half with a full compliment of eleven but it was unlikely if Tavernier would make it judging by his hobbling and strapping on his ankle. Presumably Woodgate and Keane decided to wait and consider the change rather than immediately kneejerk with a like for like change and they may tactically use the break to their advantage.

Any thoughts of Tactical astuteness from our management duo were unfounded as Boro started the second half with eleven but to the surprise of most of us Tavernier convinced both the Physio and Woodgate that he was fit enough to continue. Considering he hadn’t been an influencer before his knock I was surprised that he was risked any further. On fifty minutes he did manage to get a ball into the box which evaded everyone in a Red shirt. Bryan then attacked down our right getting past Howson firing in a shot come cross across Pears’ goal with Cavaleiro closing in but he just couldn’t time his arrival. There was a real danger that our total inability to create attempts on target could come back and bite us.

Fletcher and Britt both challenged for a Howson cross and in doing so put each other off but fortunately for the pair of them the Lino’s flag went up for offside sparing their blushes. The longer the game was going on without Boro threatening Bettinelli the more likely it was looking that we would fall to a sucker punch. News filtered through that Huddersfield were beating Barnsley and we were now in the relegation zone as the home fans were becoming frustrated at the lack of penetration and the slow motion two touch predictable football. A slip from Wing allowed Decordova-Reid to let fly from distance but was well covered by Pears. The growing pressure from the stands was clearly being felt out on the pitch as sixty minutes ticked by with Boro now looking as though they had run out of belief, passing the ball sideways and backwards retreating into a shell.

A challenge from Denis Odoi after Wing played in Fletcher led to a Boro corner. McNair’s delivery evaded everyone including the Red shirts in Bettinelli’s box. Saville then came off for Marcus Browne as it appeared the increasing disdain from the home fans had percolated through to the Boro Coaching team. Twenty minutes remaining and Boro needed to seriously up the tempo, our Strikers needed to prove their worth now more than ever. Bryan broke free and crossed to Mitrovic who should have scored but thankfully he finished his header like Ayala had previously by sending it over when we expected him to kill us off. Fulham were now looking the more likely to get something out of this game and as another Fulham attack ended in a goal kick, the tiring Coulson who had been subject to a few recent torrid moments was replaced by Marvin Johnson.

A bizarre backheeled ball from Britt to Howson just illustrated how out of sync, he currently is with his team mates. Frustrating didn’t come close to describing how we were slowly losing the momentum and with it the upper hand as Fulham now sensed that we offered very little threat and at times it even looked as though they had the extra man. McNair led a determined bloody-minded fixed bayonet charge out of defence and as he ran through the Fulham team Reid scythed him down collecting a card in a much-needed piece of Boro positivity. Twenty-five yards out and Lewis Wing beat the wall with the free kick, his effort going low hitting the upright.

Johnson fed Britt who in turn won a throw in off Mawson as Boro looked a little more assertive since Marvin’s arrival but the next phase of play saw Britt adjudged to have fouled Bettinelli who milked the challenge taking full opportunity to run down the clock. Another Boro attack ended as Cavaleiro robbed Britt after he dithered, you could now almost smell and taste the home crowd’s frustration. Ten minutes of normal time remained and Boro desperately needed a goal to get themselves out of the relegation spot. Tension in the stands were palpably straining under the pressure. A Fulham assault involving Mitrovic was ended with a well-timed Marvin Johnson challenge. Knockaert was then brought on for Decordova-Reid as Scott Parker sensed his side could take all three points from this game.

A Boro corner was delivered in by Johnson which saw Mitrovic head clear as Knockaert raced away only for Howson to win the sprint and set Boro back on the attack from which a deflected shot went out for another Boro corner. With just over five minutes to go Cavaleiro then went off for Le Marchand as Parker played his last throw of the dice. McNair uncharacteristically lost possession on the half way line and tugged back Mitrovic to rescue the situation picking up a yellow for his error. Boro now looked to be out of ideas with the Cottagers exerting their way back into the game with Mitrovic firing a shot in at Pears as they poured forward. Two minutes remaining and a Howson cross was met by Browne but although he connected his header glanced well wide of the Fulham goal.

Mawson then nearly found Knockaert but Fry broke away winning a free kick for Boro in the process. It was taken quickly and when the cross came in it was easy pickings for Bettinelli. A nervy Ayala slip then nearly let Fulham escape with all three points. A few innocuous looking Boro build ups in added time were eventually cleared by Mawson and then a break saw Mitrovic protesting that he was fouled as Pears collected the ball. Meanwhile the big Serbian rolled around attempting to run down the clock further.

A last second Johnson cross was met by McNair but his effort was straight at Bettinelli recording our only effort on target (I may stand corrected on that but I couldn’t recall another). The final whistle went to a chorus of boos. Despite playing against ten men for seventy-three minutes Boro never looked like troubling Bettinelli and ended the day in the relegation zone. This game had all the feeling of the end of something or at the very least the beginning of the end. There were huge gaps around the Riverside despite the claimed 19,000 with many fans no longer on board realising the spin sold to them during the summer had little substance and as time has progressed even less credibility.

MOM was as usual McNair but I doubt anybody in a Red shirt would find much solace in that. The worry now is that we looked out of ideas and apart from basic crosses we didn’t look like scoring at all. Our Strikers looked as bad as they have been all season, maybe even worse. Our build up play was as it has been all season slow, pedestrian, easily read and picked off. No penetration, no creativity, no pace and no flair.

When you see an opposing Keeper sent off and your team still can’t raise their game it all becomes a very dispirited exercise. As I said earlier this month this side has all the hallmarks of a Maddren team and headed in the same direction. Lots of endeavour but dysfunctional with little sign of credible tactical awareness and understanding. Listening to the post-match Woodgate interview it didn’t instil any confidence. They are all sounding prickly, exactly the same game after game and unfortunately not in an inspiring articulate way. SG can leave it for as long as he wants to and no doubt will but this entire set up is a busted flush, it’s not a work in progress it’s now worse than Strachan and much worse than Mogga’s demise.

Pos. 22nd (10pts)	WEDNESDAY 23 OCTOBER 2019			Pos. 21st (11pts)
Huddersfield		0-0	Boro
	57% 10(2) 4 12	POSSESSION SHOTS (on target) CORNERS FOULS	43% 13(2) 3 14

Stalemate under Sky

Boro made the relatively short trip down and across the M62 in what is almost a derby for Boro these days after Leeds and Barnsley distance wise apart from the fact that neither set of fans have any level of particular animosity towards the other. This season both sets of fans have had to settle for a series of underwhelming performances but a Terrier supporting ex-work colleague of mine informed me that there is now renewed optimism since Danny Cowley arrived in Kirklees or a “degree of confident assuredness” as he described it.

Boro had the usual suspects injured plus a worrying rumour about Darren Randolph which would be a massive blow for Boro, just as well than that we have two goalkeeping coaches in our management set up so hopefully there was nothing to fear but fear itself. That concern aside, prior to tonight’s Kick Off the Terriers were top of October’s Championship form table and Boro rooted at the bottom.

In reality the very recent form of both sides would indicate that the home side should have enjoyed a comfortable win. Huddersfield had seen two draws and two victories in their last four games picking up eight points versus Boro’s, three defeats and draw and with it a solitary point. Defeat tonight however would see Boro in their worst league position for a very long time and for many of us of a certain vintage we associate that with very painful memories.

Ironically the Team news saw that Huddersfield had to award a debut to 19 year old Keeper Ryan Schofield in place of regular Keeper Kamil Grabara who had become unexpectedly ill. Boro as we suspected had to award a debut in between the sticks themselves to Aynsley Pears. Of perhaps more interest to some Boro fans was that Britt had finally been dropped to the bench with Ashley Fletcher given his chance to lead the attack. It looked very much that Woodgate was sticking to the same structure that functioned credibly against West Brom with three at the back and once again Howson and Johnson operating as the wing backs. Of further note was that Coulson returned to the bench in place of Bola.

Boro entered the field with their traditional red and white shirts and red socks but with those bizarre blue shorts just looked wrong on so many levels. If things are that tight perhaps, we can have a go fund me page for some red shorts. Psychology plays a big part in many things and that kit just looks wrong and perhaps is indicative of the messed up thinking inside the club at the moment.

Boro kicked off with a hoof to nowhere and put themselves under immediate pressure in the first three seconds leading to an opening minute corner. Fortunately, an offside flag in the next phase allowed Boro to calm down. Pears was busy in the opening minutes clearing balls upfield as Boro struggled to deal with the intensity of Huddersfield’s early pressure. A free kick for a foul on Tav in the sixth minute saw Paddy McNair deliver a in superbly curling ball around the Huddersfield defence for Ayala to miss a golden opportunity. An excellent set piece delivery but poorly met by Ayala.

Two minutes later a Boro attack involving Tav went out for a corner as Boro looked to be clearing their heads. On ten minutes a Shotton fluffed clearance came straight back in for Grant to head just over Pears’ crossbar. Marvin Johnson then forced a corner off a defender on 12 minutes which looked like it was cleared directly off the line as the Terriers Keeper Schofield completely misread the trajectory from MacNair’s delivery. As play went on Shotton went down after an awkward landing approaching the quarter hour mark and seemed to be in great discomfort. As he gingerly resumed his duties Fry dithered instead of clearing his lines and collected a yellow for his being caught in two minds.

The resultant free kick cleared the Boro wall but straight into Pears’ arms but his poor clearance put Boro immediately back on the defence conceding a corner for the inexperience. A twentieth minute break from Huddersfield youngster Lewis O’Brien was headed clear by Shotton then came back in via Diakhaby back to O’Brien but his effort sailed over the crossbar. A brilliant cross field switch to Johnson was cut back across the Terriers box to McNair whose effort just went wide. On twenty-eight minutes Pears was forced into his first real dilemma when he had to come for a looping cross to catch cleanly. A wicked O’Brien shot from twenty yards out then had Pears scrambling to collect the quick strike but he was equal to it as the tempo had noticeably started to increase.

Dani Ayala battled his way past three Terriers to set up an attack and after a throw-in and a desperate Huddersfield clearance the ball came central to Fletcher to force a shot, which went just past the upright on thirty-seven minutes. A minute later and as Wing miscued a challenge in midfield Paddy McNair had to break up an attack and take a Yellow card for his troubles. An over enthusiastic striker’s challenge from Fletcher gave away a free kick 20 yards out with three minutes of the half remaining. A Daikhaby curled free kick cleared the wall as Pears just about got a glove close to his upright but the ball went inches wide. A well worked opening then came to nothing as Boro over passed and over played things and McNair’s effort went over the crossbar Assombalonga style. The whistle went with Boro clearing their lines again to end 0-0.

Boro had looked laboured and leggy in possession. Too often Red shirts were on top of each other instead of looking for space, angles and openings. A sure sign of a lack of confidence and belief. Huddersfield weren’t exactly much better but they at least had a crispness and fluidity to their movement. The best that can be said about Boro’s first half is that it was functional but they needed to release the ball quicker and move forward with more pace and movement if they were to get anything from this game. Two touches in defence nearly cost us, two touches in midfield invited interceptions and two touches in attack broke down before they gained momentum.

Both sides came out as you were as the Terriers kicked off by passing it back to Schofield in goal. The opening minutes from Boro simply saw a lack of control and more nervy miss-hit passes and less than convincing build up play. Huddersfield’s wide men had swapped flanks but other than that it was very much more of the same. A 49th minute Johnson free kick was drilled in low and hard as Schofield somehow got down to it but it squirmed out to Fetcher four yards out with the keeper at his mercy and he somehow managed to hit it over when all it needed was a gentle toe poke. An incredible miss but so very typical of our Jaffa Strikers all season. That one would have been put in by my previously suggested tea lady using her hostess trolley.

Tavernier was full of running but when in an offensive position he just ran into trouble whilst Fletcher would never have an easier opportunity to score in his entire career. Cowley meanwhile brought Chalobah off for Juninho Bacuna on 55 minutes in an effort to tip the balance in his sides favour. Shotton came out of defence and battled through three or four opponents to find Saville who picked out Tavernier who swivelled and shot but it was well wide of the target on 62 minutes from the edge of the ‘D’. Diakhaby was then brought off for Frazier Campbell for Huddersfield while Fletcher went off for Assombalonga.

As sixty-five minutes ticked over it really was poor fayre by both sides as there was no mistaking that this was a clash between the bottom feeders. A great cross from Johnson found Assombalonga at the far post but his knock back was headed out by O’Brien. The corner was well delivered but dropped at Schofield’s feet with nobody in a red shirt alert to it which just emphasised the lack of class in both teams in defending and attack.

A fierce cross fired in by Johnson was cleared but delivered back in from the opposite side by McNair but Britt got under his header as it looped harmlessly to Schofield. Britt was then hauled down by Schindler for Johnson to repeat his earlier free kick but he passed it to Tavernier who made a mess of things and a Huddersfield breakout fortunately went over the bar in an attempt more akin to the different posts regularly used at this ground. Johnson then went off for Coulson who made a lively start.

Britt found himself clean through after a perfectly weighted Saville ball played him in on a one on one with the keeper but Britt had his shirt pulled off his back by Brown in full view of the Referee and the chance was gone. What the referee was seeing throughout this game versus what was actually going on was a mystery. He whistled and carded for minor events then seemingly ignored nailed on infringements. How a Strikers shirt can be hauled off his back to the point where his entire number has virtually disappeared yet not be deemed a foul beggared belief.

Huddersfield then had another mini Keeper crisis as Schofield went down seemingly injured with ten minutes of the ninety remaining with third choice Keeper Coleman warming up. Coulson was body checked but the Ref waved away Boro protests for a booking and it was Saville who entered the book for offering his informed opinion. Howson under pressure then gave away a free kick out on our right which was headed clear by Ayala and then again by Shotton for Coulson to break but he was brought down by O’Brien who in turn was taken out by Tavernier as the game opened up with “anxiety” clearly showing on both sides.

A last-minute corner of the regulation ninety for Boro was won by Tav as six added minutes were announced. McNair’s delivery was good again but Kachunga stood firm blocking off Britt. Clayton then came on for Saville for what reason I’m not sure as Saville had a decent game and looked to be injury free. Ayala was then wrestled to the ground by Campbell courtesy of an introductory forearm around the neck but the ref saw nothing and likewise just a second later McNair was cleaned out with both offences on the edge of the Huddersfield box. A last-minute booking for Bacuna on a breaking Howson ended proceedings with the whistle blown as soon as the free kick was taken.

Man of the match could only be Dani Ayala, as bad as that miss was he at least got on the end of it and was immense in his steadfast defensive duties all evening, leading by example. There was little to get excited about tonight for either set of fans with Boro perhaps slightly more relieved to have avoided the ignominy of being in a relegation spot. Looking for positives the structure of the Boro defence in keeping a clean sheet was believable plus of course the return of Coulson who looked lively and alert when he came on.

Pos. 21st (10 pts)	SATURDAY 19 OCTOBER 2019			Pos. 1st (25 pts)
Boro		0-1	West Brom
	33% 17(7) 6 10	POSSESSION SHOTS (on target) CORNERS FOULS	67% 19(4) 7 14	Robson-Kanu (82)

Kanu bags late winner

The International break couldn’t have come quickly enough at Boro. With performances somewhat less than expected, a prickly Woodgate interview on Sky and now sitting just outside the drop zone that International pause button will have been greatly appreciated. A chance to draw breath, lick wounds and reassess the somewhat less than intended start to the season.

Coulson was back playing for the U23’s last night and whilst this game has come to quickly it must be a huge relief to have someone with a vague semblance of a Left-Back close to returning. With George Friend also still out, the fear was that Boro would have to go again with Shotton square pegged in there. After the ignominy of recent performances and the complete inability to both cut out and defend crosses there was hope that we would see a back three to steady the ship.

The brilliant form of McNair whilst on International duty caught the eye of many along with Saville’s seemingly Jekyll and Hyde character when it comes to playing for Boro and playing for Northern Ireland. Both would have given cause for some optimism for Woodgate along with Darren Randolph as usual being praised for some excellent saves with the Republic. The challenge would be in effectively integrating George Saville in whatever position best utilises the ability that lies deep within that Michael O’Neil seemingly has no problem unlocking.

West Brom meanwhile were riding high under Slaven Bilic atop of the Championship before Kick Off this afternoon. The Baggies also benefited from the break with the news that Ahmed Hegazi was match fit along with Grady Diangana who had been struggling with an Achilles problem. They would be without Matt Philips, Kieran Gibbs and Kenneth Zohore sidelined by a calf injury.

It was a wet and miserable Friday night with rain lashing Teesside so the pitch this afternoon presumably would be wet with plenty of zip to encourage fast pacy football although whether that would suit the skill sets and set up of Boro would remain to be seen. It appeared on paper at least to be of more benefit to the West Brom squad than Boro’s. Hopefully the technical under turf layering of sand and whatever else is used on the Riverside greenery would have drained away the most of the heavy precipitation.

Under the grey autumnal Teesside sky, the announced Boro line up seemed to intimate three at the back with Howson and Johnson operating as wing-backs. Clayts was on the bench to make way for Saville with Wing and McNair alongside. Tav was included operating in and around Britt who for me was fortunate to still be involved. The big fear pre kick off was that we would be operating a back four with Shotton at Left Back and Howson on the Right.

The Baggies kicked off and almost immediately Livermore wiped out Saville in what looked a straight red card for a knee-high challenge but incredibly he escaped any punishment from Ref Oliver Langford. Wing’s resultant free kick was cleared but the follow up saw Britt get in an early effort but with no power behind it and Sam Johnstone in the West Brom goal collected easily. Overall a bright start from Boro in the opening five minutes and thankfully we had set up with a back three after all.

On nine minutes Shotton managed to block out a Krovinovic shot after Howson was skinned but was denied by Boro’s Landlord with Randolph looking uncharacteristically beaten. The Baggies now started to dominate and had two attempts in quick succession with Boro’s defending playing themselves into trouble of their own making. Charlie Austin was proving to be a nuisance with Boro looking very nervy. A quarter of an hour passed and Boro still had a clean sheet against the League leaders as Britt felt the effects of a hefty challenge from Semi Ajayi.

Boro’s first corner came off a Johnson run, Wing’s corner was poor but as a scramble ensued out on the left McNair collected the ball and let fly needing Johnstone to tip it clear for a corner. The short Boro corner was cleared but came back to McNair who won another corner. Austin headed this one clear with Wing failing to beat the first man and as the ball came back into the danger area Bartley foiled Britt to put it out for yet another Boro corner. An ensuing Boro penalty appeal was waved away from another scrambled West Brom clearance eventually going out for a throw in as Boro were enjoying their best spell of the game.

Lively Diangana broke from a free kick but Howson was alert and managed to somehow win a goal kick for his troubles. A Howson cross was badly cleared which ended with an alert Lewis Wing pouncing after another less than impressive West Brom defensive display but his resulting shot would have cleared Eston Nab. Charlie Austin then caused some consternation for a challenge on McNair with Langford reaching for his yellow card which seemed strange after the earlier one from Livermore on Saville went unpunished.

Thirty minutes in and West Brom’s defence looked every bit as vulnerable as Boro’s when put under pressure. Boro however now looked more settled, that flurry of corners boosting confidence and raising hope with the Home fans and the mood and feelings seemingly reciprocated. A Baggie chance was spurned when Diangana beat Shotton but his final ball seemed to spin and squirm with Livermore trying to rescue the failed attack. Despite the form book Boro were impressively giving as good as they got as the away fans applauded the loss of one of their own with his sad demise with England in Sofia at the start of the week with the home fans joining in.

West Brom’s first corner came after a Marvin Johnson block. Delivered to the far post it was a lesson to Boro in how to beat the first man with the pace and trajectory finding the back peddling Diangana but fortunately for Boro not really threatening. A whack to the face left Tavernier writhing requiring treatment whilst allowing a time out for Woodgate and Keane to get some instructions to Boro with Bilic doing the same to his charges, bizarrely adorned in yellow and green stripes. My pet hate for Clubs changing strip when there is no clash illustrated to maximum effect. A Diangana cross was headed clear by Fry but the ball was returned with vengeance via a left footed Pereira shot dealt with comfortably by Randolph.

A shot by Marvin Johnson was blocked and simultaneously followed up by Britt whose saved effort then came out to Saville but his headed effort went out for a corner off the crossbar which was then comfortably collected by Sam Johnstone while Oliver Langston blew for the end of the first half. As the half had drawn to a close Boro had grown and matched their opponents and it was impossible to tell who was top and who was at the wrong end.

Many Boro fans turned up fearing a thrashing but the changes to the back although initially seeming tentative settled down with Johnson and Howson proving useful outlets as well as holding their own getting back doing the dirty work. The midfield competed well against Pereira and Sawyers (who had been largely quiet first half). Tav was a nuisance popping up causing the West Brom defence to readjust and check where he was and in doing so giving Britt some space. But for a few stray and careless passes Boro could have been ahead. So far then a better showing than of late but there was still forty-five minutes to play.

Unsurprisingly Boro were unchanged for the second half as were the visitors with both Managers clearly thinking they had enough to get something out of this tight encounter. An early Boro free kick for a foul on Howson was floated in as Ayala and Fry went up for it only for Ajayi to head it out. A Tavernier pull back on Diangana resulted in a yellow card for a “professional” foul as the game swayed to the opposite end. After clearing a Baggie attack Howson burst away finding Tav but Bartley was on hand to send the ball back in the opposite direction ending in a spectacular overhead kick from the victors as the tempo picked up in an end to end encounter. An Assombalonga chance from McNair then fell to Johnson whose hasty shot hit the side netting.

As the Teesside skies turned black with the rain now pouring down Jake Livermore looked to have sent the visitors ahead after Diangana set him up skipping past Fry but Shotton once again came to Boro’s rescue. The lively Grady Diangana put a ball across to Charlie Austin but thanks to orchestrated Boro defending the flag went up for an offside.

West Brom were now seriously looking to get a stranglehold on the game as the rain kept pouring down. Tav won a challenge to launch an attack and after a series of midfield exchanges the ball came to Howson who took his chance and stung Sam Johnstone’s palms in the process. Seconds later and it was Tav again whose ball cut across to Saville drawing a great save by Johnstone to put it out for a Boro corner as the game (and with it the tempo) was halted for a dubious head injury. Thirty minutes to go and the game could go either way but the fear was that if it went to the visitors it may burst this newly inflated Boro bubble.

Bilic brought Robson-Kanu on for the clearly unhappy Charlie Austin and Edwards come on for Kravinovic. McNair had to be alert as he covered for Ayala and was cleaned out for his trouble whilst clearing the danger resulting in a yellow card shown to Ferguson. Edwards found himself clean through but incredibly Marvin Johnson somehow got a leg around to somehow hook it clear with Ayala dealing with the follow up. A slip up by Tav allowed Diangana to once again attack down the wing his cross finding Robson-Kanu who missed the target but it was a wake-up call to Boro. They desperately needed to re-focus and concentrate as West Brom were now pushing up and going for the kill.

Boro were now on the back foot with Ayala conceding a corner as all Boro clearances were simply coming straight back at us. The Pereira corner was half cleared as another follow up pressurising corner was awarded to West Brom which thankfully was over hit. Woodgate took then took Tavernier off for Ashley Fetcher to come on to try and offer a fresh outlet, stretch the West Brom defence and to hold the ball up.

A careless short free kick from Sam Johnstone nearly let Britt then Saville in in what would have been a huge embarrassment. Immediately however they tore up the other end of the pitch winning a corner which Pereira launched finding Bartley who swung his foot in an agricultural manner and missed. It was building! The next Baggie corner was delivered in and after an initial Saville block Fry hoofed it clear and in a swift counter attacking movement Fletcher burst forward supported by McNair and Saville bursting a gut with Britt along for good measure. Fletcher passed to McNair who played in his fellow countryman and as Saville’s shot was tipped away by Sam Johnstone into the path of Fletcher who unbelievably missed the gaping target. That was a huge let off for the visitors and a woeful disheartening miss from Fletcher.

Fifteen minutes remained and as Marvin Johnson went to collect the ball for a throw in there was a melee’ in the dug outs and of course Leo had somehow become embroiled as the Ref issued some cards to those in tracksuits. A Boro break out then saw Britt blocked by Livermore who this time received a belated yellow card. As the tempo built a long-range Sawyers effort was well covered by Randolph and the eightieth minute ticked over. A minute later and Diangana ran down the left, got the ball into the box, Randolph saved the first effort only for Robson-Kanu to stab it home. Tough justice but it was coming as the Baggies had upped their intensity since those substitutions and when we needed it most Fletcher simply choked at the vital moment.

Tempers boiled over with frustration mounting over the visitors time wasting tactics as Marcus Browne was readied to replace George Saville with three minutes of normal time remaining. A Boro free kick on the half way line was played out wide, down the wing and eventually the cross came in but Ayala couldn’t connect as he seemingly misjudged the flight of the ball. Five minutes added time came up as Bilic then brought Heghazi on for Livermore in an effort to secure the three points and hang on to what they had earned. Heghazi’s first touch however was on Marcus Browne giving away a free kick central to the West Brom goal. Lacking composure, Lewis Wing blasted the free kick to nestle somewhere in the upper tier. With seconds of added time remaining Diangana raced to the by-line, kept possession only for McNair to indulge Robson Kanu in conceding a frustrated free kick.

Overall a much-improved performance from Boro but as fatigue set in the options that Bilic had at his disposal plus Diangana was the difference. Calmness from Robson-Kanu and wasteful finishing from Fletcher would be the difference. Had Livermore been booked in the opening seconds or even sent off it could have been very different. “If only” however does tend to be the reserve of those struggling to find their way out of a dark place.

The defeat was probably as expected but the manner of it in fairness wasn’t. In theory the performance was improved but the psychology of yet another defeat looked to be having an effect as the Boro players trooped off the Riverside pitch. Missed chances had proved costly for Boro as where the results filtering in from elsewhere. It wasn’t a great performance by any means but considering where they had come from of late and the opposition the set up worked but ultimately quality told in the end. There wasn’t a lot to split them apart but MOM for me was probably jointly between Marvin Johnson and Paddy McNair. Hard to be overly critical after this afternoon efforts but it’s the season to date and league position that will be the judge and jury.

To get out of this mess today’s team set up needs to be the one that we stick with. We won’t be playing the top side every week but we will pick up more points in this league than we lose once continuity and synergy kicks in if we stick with it. Maybe it’s not pacy and exciting but its light years from Pulisball, it’s a step forward but most importantly a step in the right direction despite the result.

There is a big decision however for Woodgate and Keane to make and that is having all those attempts on target but no goals mean that something has to give before they do. Finding a best fit defensive and midfield solution for the squad will not be enough if we have a poor mid-week at Huddersfield with non-scoring attackers. Maybe we don’t have recognised Striking alternatives but maybe it’s now time to find a new John Hickton. Whatever they do the constant searching and formation tinkering has to stop if SG is to avoid Wexit by the end of October.

Championship 2019-20: Weeks 11-12

Sat 19 Oct – 15:00: Boro v West Brom Wed 23 Oct – 19:45: Huddersfield v Boro Sat 26 Oct – 15:00: Boro v Fulham

In a game where it’s often claimed the proverbial fine margins ultimately decide the outcome, a football coach is often judged on their tactical acumen and ability to strategically out-think their opposite number. It was Sir Alex Ferguson who once said that “Football is like chess, lose your concentration and you’re dead” – though unless the chess club in Govan was a lot rougher than the ones many others attended on Teesside then he was most likely speaking metaphorically. However, the quote from former German striker Lukas Podolski was perhaps more profound when he said “Football is like chess, only without the dice.” It’s possibly the kind of surreal logic that would make Eric Cantona proud but the great UEFA audience-baffling philosopher instead preferred the more topical analogy when he said that arguing with racists “was like playing chess with a pigeon.” Either way, in recent weeks Boro have been guilty of both losing their concentration and then trying to roll the dice only to discover they didn’t have any – OK some may be tempted to insert their own line about our strikers and any possible predilection for shooting craps but it would be perhaps unfair on Podolski to contradict his words of wisdom.

Whether or not Jonathan Woodgate employs the strategic nature of chess into his footballing philosophy is unclear but his opening gambit this season was to forgo the primarily defensive solidity of his mentor and predecessor, Grandmaster Anotoly Pulis, in the hope it would lead to a more attacking game. Sadly, this opening sacrifice has left the team looking decidedly out-manoeuvred in their positional play with some of the pieces becoming overloaded as they were forced to prioritise tasks in order to mitigate territorial losses. These weaknesses across the board have been far too easily exploited by the opposition and have left the new head coach looking like he’s in danger of reaching the endgame far far sooner than he had anticipated.

After just two wins in his first eleven games and some rather tormenting weeks in charge at Boro, under-pressure head coach Woodgate is looking rather less bright-eyed and bushy-tailed than some of the opponents he’s been seen going head-to-head with. Though the new head coach may possibly take heart from the advice of the French-Polish chess grandmaster, Savielly Tartakower, who famously said “Nobody ever won a chess game by resigning.” Although, given the bad start to the season the thoughts of the Latvian-American grandmaster, Edmar Mednis, may be more appropriate: “After a bad opening, there is hope for the middle game. After a bad middle game, there is hope for the endgame. But once you are in the endgame, the moment of truth has arrived.” While that moment of truth normally arrives quite rapidly in football, I’m sure many of the long-suffering faithful on Teesside will have frowned upon the overuse of the word ‘hope’ in that quote.

Incidentally, some of Boro’s former managers could well have been exposed by other chess grandmasters – England’s world champion contender, Nigel Short, sounds like he may have been a little suspicious of Tony Pulis when he said: “If your opponent offers you a draw, try to work out why he thinks he’s worse off.” While the German grandmaster, Emanuel Lasker, who was world champion for 27 years in the early twentieth century would have probably inspired serial career progressionist, Steve McClaren, when he advocated: “When you see a good move, look for a better one.” Although, as yet, there is no record of any grandmaster offering the words of wisdom that check “is what it is” mate.

Anyway, enough of this cold logic, it’s unlikely that even the world-renowned deductive ability of Coleen Rooney could work out how Boro can score goals and keep clean sheets. In fact many of the pessimistic Riverside faithful are already anticipating that the usual winter slump is just around the corner – it’s the only thing that keeps them going during the dark nights. OK, all the leaves may not yet be brown but the skies are most definitely grey on Teesside after witnessing that our slumbering defence has apparently decided to go into hibernation early to avoid the chilly atmosphere of the Riverside. It seems the Boro head coach has had a wake-up call and is now ready to go back to basics to address the unseasonal torpor on the pitch. These repeated mistakes have meant Boro have failed to squirrel away enough points to see them through what looks like being a long hard winter – especially as the upcoming fixtures now look a lot tougher after what was supposed to be a rather mild start on paper.

Indeed, after the dismal display against Birmingham, an angry Woodgate demanded: “The players need to roll their sleeves up and look at themselves in the mirror.” OK, that’s possibly not a great look given that most of the squad predominantly wear short-sleeved Boro shirts and in terms of style it’s probably more Aussie Rules rather than Association. Still, that would at least give many players an opportunity to once more check out their expensively inked arms – though perhaps instead it should be the art of defending that they need to spend time studying and reacquainting themselves with.

Nevertheless, the Boro head coach added: “I’ll be the first to look at myself in the mirror and dress myself down.” An act of self-admonishment that is not immediately obvious how it is undertaken – though I’ll leave that for readers to imagine the mechanics of such a process. However, it presumably involves repeating what he told the players after that disappointing performance as the boss sternly tells himself that he was “Not happy, not happy at full-time, not happy at all.” Anyway, it seems in the wake of that unhappy defeat, the players will be seeing quite a lot of themselves as the mood of introspection is set to continue as Woodgate struggles to instil belief that they can win games: “When they cross that line they have to look at themselves and do it themselves.” Maybe the ball boys will be issued with vanity mirrors in case anyone suffers a lapse during games and need a quick stare of self-reflection – though it should be limited to one per player to avoid blatant displays of narcissism.

Few would have expected by mid-October that any promotion aspirations would have been for all intents and purposes dead. The current mood on the terraces is one of resignation rather than rebellion as the season heads towards being one of survival. Despite the tipping point becoming ever closer, it’s unlikely we’ll see our very own Riverside extinction rebellion as few protesting supporters (crusty or otherwise) have reportedly been glued to their seats in recent games. Indeed even in the current climate and despite all the hot air being expelled, the only emergency will likely be the rush for the exits if home performances continue to fail to meet targets.

As to whether the coaching team have been able to make significant adjustments during the international break remains to be seen. Boro return to action at the Riverside on Saturday against league leaders West Brom, which ideally is not the game Woodgate would have chosen to try and get back to winning ways. Slaven Bilić took over as manager in the summer and he appears to have got the Baggies on track for a return to the Premier League. While they’ve scored 11 goals in their last three games at the Hawthorns, perhaps the only glimmer of hope for Boro is that the Baggies have not bagged as many away from home with only one win in their last four on the road. Admittedly, those three games that failed to see victory were at Leeds, Fulham and Derby so a trip to Teesside may be seen as a chance to bolster their position at the summit.

Woodgate’s men have only managed a mere five goals in their six home games this season and it’s hard to see where the goals are going to come from. Boro have their main striker in Assombalonga looking below his best and with Fletcher also struggling to impose himself, he appears to have been given a free pass by his gaffer. OK, I could mention Rudy Gestede but he once again managed to get himself injured without even kicking a ball in mild annoyance, let alone anger. One man who appears to be capable of scoring is Paddy McNair, who scored a brace for Northern Ireland in a friendly against the Czech Republic during the break. Good news for Boro fans but with his international manager Michael O’Neill claiming he’s a Premier League player, it’s possible he’ll be subject to better offers than a Championship relegation battle in the coming January window.

Any points gathered at the weekend would be a bonus and with a trip to a rejuvenated Huddersfield on Wednesday, it won’t get any easier. The Terriers were relegated from the Premier League last season and seemed set to continue in the dog house as they sat bottom of the Championship with just a single point until springing back to life in their last three games with two wins and draw. The West Yorkshire club appointed Danny Cowley along with his brother Nicky from Lincoln City in September and it looks like they’ve now started to turn things around. At 40, Danny Cowley is only a year older than Woodgate but after a career as a non-league player he’s now got ten years experience as a manager. He took charge at Lincoln in 2016 and got them promoted to the Football League in his first season, which also saw The Imps become the first non-league club to reach the quarter-finals of the FA Cup. Their managerial stock rose even higher after winning the EFL Trophy in 2018 and then after getting promotion to League One as champions it was inevitable that a bigger club would come calling.

If those first two games weren’t testing enough for Boro, then another newly relegated club in Fulham are next up at the Riverside on the following Saturday. The Cottagers currently sit just outside the top six, a point behind Bristol City in sixth and just three behind leaders West Brom. Scott Parker’s team are unbeaten in their last six games and after three successive 1-1 draws have knocked in 8 goals in their last three outings – including a 4-1 hammering of Reading on their last trip away. Parker was initially appointed caretaker back in February after Claudio Raneiri was sacked but was given the role permanently in the summer and is another young manager starting his career. The game will also see Cyrus Christie return to the Riverside and he’ll no doubt be keen to get at the Boro full-backs – as I’m sure others will be instructed to do. Unlike Woodgate, Parker has kept his wife happy by managing to get his brother-in-law in the team after signing Harry Arter on loan from Bournemouth.

So we will soon discover if Woodgate has managed to persuade his players that they need to at least do the basics and put in a shift if the team are to escape the lower reaches of the Championship. As to whether he or Robbie can tempt any of the forwards to start hitting the back of the net is possibly a longer term project. The coaching team’s mental agility is as yet unproven and while some may compare football to chess, the obvious difference is that the pieces on the pitch don’t always execute their moves as planned. Imagine how Gary Kasparov would have reacted if his queen had fallen over just as it was about to deliver checkmate or his castle had suddenly wandered up the board and let the opposition’s knight to ride unchallenged through his defence. Football is a game played in real time and the players don’t get 20 minutes to ponder over an opposition move – even if they sometimes give the impression that they are doing just that. Therefore, the chess analogy may have its limitations but perhaps the next few weeks will indicate whether the new head coach is the grandmaster of his own destiny or just simply a pawn in Steve Gibson’s enforced financial downsizing.

Pos. 12th (16pts)	FRIDAY 4 OCTOBER 2019			Pos. 20th (10pts)
Birmingham City		2-1	Boro
Villalba (33) Bailey (89)	52% 26(8) 11 18	POSSESSION SHOTS (on target) CORNERS FOULS	48% 5(3) 3 11	Ayala (87)

Boy Blues Batter Boro

A hectic three games in seven days drew to an International break closure tonight as Boro headed down to St. Andrews in search of some desperately needed points. After the walloping at home by Wednesday Boro stoically steadied things by claiming a draw at the Riverside against Preston on Tuesday night and here we were on Friday hoping to keep a gap between 20th and 22nd. Pep Clotet’s Birmingham had their own troubles having lost their last three games on the trot sitting in 14th, three points ahead of Boro.

Some doubts were cast over Assombalonga’s overall contribution of late with feint boos even being heard on Tuesday evening as the teams were read out and after another inauspicious performance it was pondered if tonight would be when Woodgate finally accepts that for whatever reason Britt just isn’t doing it. After draughting in Tavernier and Browne on Tuesday the two youngsters grabbed the opportunity adding much needed pace and directness but despite that it still didn’t light Britt’s touch paper.

Envious was perhaps too strong a word but the sight of Lukas Jutkiewicz lining up for the Blues would have had many of the travelling army thinking in terms of value for money. Injuries were pretty much same as you were for Boro with perhaps the back in training Rudy Gestede being slightly nearer to being fit enough to pick up his next injury.

When the teams were announced Gestede had made the bench as Woodgate went same again including Britt Assombalonga. Jutkiewicz started for Boro against his former club as did Randolph and Shotton. Birmingham got things underway with a back pass to their Centre Backs. A well worked ball over the top of the Boro defence saw a deflected cross fall on the penalty spot to Villalba whose shot was incredibly saved one handed by Randolph at point blank on two minutes. An early warning of Birmingham’s methodology for the evening.

The high pressing quick tempo stuff was all from the home side in the opening five minutes. A neat Boro free kick on the half way line set Tav free who cut into the Birmingham box beating his man but took it too far after doing the hard bit and was dispossessed. Birmingham were snapping into tackles whereas Boro looked slow to react all over. A sliced clearance from Fry in the box prevented a repeat attempt from the Blues in the centre of the Boro box on Randolph’s goal.

Another Birmingham cross came in unopposed in the 9th minute and with it another warning to Woodgate that his charges were third rate so far and urgently needed to get a grip on this game as Birmingham were fast and fluid leaving their dazed opponents in their wake. On eleven minutes Roberts got over Shotton at the far post and headed down into the middle of the 6 yard box where Fry this time sliced the ball towards the crossbar requiring Randolph to leap and tip it over for a corner to Birmingham.

In response a rare Boro foray saw Britt try to loop the ball over his head and his opponents but fell on his backside and Boro’s first and only threat was ended as quickly as it had begun. Tav had to then chase back covering for Dijksteel to pick up his marker on 14 minutes and desperately outstretched a boot to play the ball back towards Randolph in his own 6 yard box The visitors just couldn’t string a pass together and were chasing blue shirts everywhere.

In the opening twenty minutes only Tavernier and Randolph were coming out of it with any credit. A looping cross from a throw in by full back Colin required Randolph to tip it over as it was ridiculously squirming into the net. The resulting corner had Randolph again tested, getting a fist to it to clear. Birmingham obviously felt that Boro’s defence were susceptible to crosses and targeted that. Sunjic upended Shotton in the 23rd minute allowing Boro to get their big lads up from the back but the free kick was woeful in its execution and it needed Tav to again chase back to spare blushes.

A tug on McNair’s shirt on the edge of the Blues box led to a free kick delivered in by Tav forcing Camp to punch it out for a corner as Boro recorded their first attempt on 26 minutes. Half an hour ticked by and the only positive was that somehow Boro had kept a clean sheet despite being bossed all over the pitch, defending desperately with last ditch clearances to match. A rare series of Boro movements in the Birmingham half saw Tav and Browne along with McNair and Shotton starting to exert a little pressure and positive intent. It still looked more fortuitous than orchestrated however and the inevitable breakthrough came in the 32nd minute.

Birmingham simply teased Boro, dragging them apart in midfield and then a ball out to Colin unmarked again wide left saw him advance with Shotton arriving twenty minutes too late to cut out the cross for Villalba (who had sprayed out the original pass to Colin) arriving to bury his shot low down past the helpless Randolph. It was no more than they deserved. Boro’s back four had looked stretched and exposed all evening allowing crosses to be delivered with ease and the inevitable happened, the only surprise being why it had taken so long.

Howson, Clayton and McNair were overwhelmed with the relentless energy shown by Birmingham, Britt had been an onlooker with no service and nothing to work with, Tav was running himself ragged but in isolation whilst Browne was simply looking agitated. A long throw to the far post had Randolph tipping over his cross bar again as Boro just couldn’t get out of their own 18 yard box let along half of the pitch. A minute later and the long throw routine was repeated. This time fortunately it was cleared but as was the story of the night only momentarily as they came straight back at Boro past the ineffective Shotton at LB, this time Randolph uncharacteristically dropped the cross and was fortunate for it not to be over the line.

A minute later Colin evaded Shotton yet again to cross and a scramble ensued in the Boro box leading to a corner which was cleared away but then came back in via a wicked deflected shot from Sunjic going out for another corner as the pressure kept building. This time it went out for a throw near the corner flag which in turn went out for yet another Birmingham corner which Pederson got his head to and Boro were saved yet again this time via the crossbar and Howson’s unwilling shoulder on the goal line. There had been three minutes of added time to the half but very few had noticed as Boro were well and truly on the ropes and hanging on for their lives. It was like watching Mike Tyson steal Chocolate Brownies from Girl Guides only at least the Girl Guides might have blown raspberries back to show defiance.

The whistle went which ended the relentless pressure on what has to go down as a very weak, disorganised and dysfunctional Boro. This was as bad as it gets from a fan’s perspective. Throughout that first half Boro had looked like total strangers. The back four not for the first time this season were a car crash with the flank being undefended on the left and utter panic in the middle. There was no composure and whatever the game plan may have been it needed to be recycled in the Gents Lavatory at half time to have some practical use for it. As bad as Shotton had been he isn’t a LB and Browne wasn’t tracking back and helping him. Dijksteel wasn’t faring much better on the other side.

The lack of reorganisation or shuffling of the pack from the Boro tactical area was as alarming as the “X” rated performance had been out on the pitch. That first half had all the hall marks of a side headed for League One not helped by a Coaching set up that had no answers. This was more three blind mice than Southgate’s Rabbits in headlights territory made all the worse because this was against a Birmingham side that had lost their last tree consecutive games with fans calling for Pep Clotet’s head before Kick Off.

Howson looked lost as to what his role was in the middle, Clayton wasn’t getting challenges in to break up play and even McNair looked overwhelmed and yet incredibly Boro came out for the second half unchanged. Boro kicked off and passing the ball backwards almost immediately looked to be struggling to retain possession and get anything going as Birmingham swarmed around them, smothering any outlets. Tav had swapped flanks with Browne but I’m not sure how that was supposed to stem the tide when tactically the Boro side was set up all wrong and Birmingham just simply continued to dominate.

A Boro throw in was messed up on our right with Dijksteel and McNair trying to hustle their way into somehow conceding a goal kick for Birmingham in an act that had clueless stamped all over it. Five minutes of the half had now gone and Boro were playing statues when passing the ball around, nobody running into space, nobody anticipating anything with huge empty gaps and not a red shirt to be seen anywhere. Meanwhile Villalba had another effort at will which went just wide with Boro yet to record a second attempt.

Awful, tactics, awful selection, awful management and awful coaching. Spiritless, lifeless, directionless with no sense of belief whatsoever. A booking for McNair for a late challenge just summed up the ineptness of everything and anything in Red. Under pressure Shotton passed into his box allowing Jutkiewicz to collect and shoot for a resulting corner. On 56 minutes Fletcher and Wing came on for Clayton and Browne. Apart from Randolph and Tav, Woodgate could have taken off anyone but as Assombalonga was a spectator it would have made sense for me to swap him for the more agile and lively Fletcher and bring Johnson on for Browne.

It looked like we switched from 433 to 442 but so bad were the opening 56 minutes it was difficult to ascertain if indeed there was any formation. Boro did however seem a little livelier since the changes and actually occupied some areas of St. Andrews in the Blues half. On 62 minutes we reverted to a Shotton throw which after a scramble went out for a corner. Unfortunately, Tav’s corner was too high and hard which was cleared away to Dijksteel on the half way line who tried to play the ball instead of hitting it back to Randolph and was summarily and predictably dispossessed by the physicality of Jutkiewicz.

Tavernier was still looking lively and at least trying to get his side back into the game as for the first time Boro actually looked like they cared, just a shame that it had taken 65 minutes. Boro were resorting to a few long balls as well as utilising the mobility of Tavernier and Fletcher. A run from Wing to meet a short pass from McNair saw his cross send Camp scrambling and just about tipping the cross clear. Clotet readied Gardner to replace 16 year old Bellingham to steady the Birmingham ship on 74 minutes as Boro had now shown some late lamented interest in attacking.

On 75 minutes Villalba went off for ex Boro target from way back Jacques Maghoma. Almost immediately Dijksteel was again caught in possession by taking too much thinking time and consequently conceded a rash free kick for which had he not already been yellow carded probably would have picked one up and could consider himself very lucky. With ten minutes remaining Boro’s tactical masterplan was to ready Gestede as Boro’s upright had just rescued Boro again. Gestede came on for Dijksteel bizarrely as Britt somehow retained his disconnected place on the pitch. Howson went to RB while the rest of the side went all over the place. Clotet then brought the Juke off for 19 year old Bailey. After the restart Sunjic went close yet again with a long-range daisy cutter and somehow the score remained binary.

Incredibly a high ball launched from a free kick on the half way line saw Fry and Gestede contest a ball in the Blues box which Fry poked to Assombalonga who cut it back across the face of goal on the by-line and Ayala stooped to force it home, 1-1. There was no time for celebrations as from the kick off Birmingham almost immediately broke up the other end and after a series of crosses and poor clearances Boro failed to clear their lines for the umpteenth time for the unmarked Bailey to head home to make it 2-1 with two minutes remaining. Five minutes added time came up as Lewis Wing overhit a sorry looking free kick across the Birmingham box.

In the 93rd minute a Shotton throw was headed back out and the immediate repeat throw in was scrappily cleared by Birmingham as they clung to their late winner. The late hope offered by Ayala’s goal was far too little far too late and even then, it was against the run of play. The fact was that once we were back under pressure we couldn’t defend and that was the story of the night. The MOM was Randolph for his incredible saves in the first half but even he looked nervy towards the end with Tavernier the only other player in red with any merit. Wing and Fletcher made a difference adding energy when they came on and caused Birmingham some problems. Gestede at least made a nuisance of himself by simply lurking, taking the attentions of a defender when Boro resorted to hoof ball at the end.

The nature of the defeat not for the first time this season is cause for concern, we never looked like surviving let alone winning. It was even worse than the Wednesday defeat despite the score line being more respectable. Defensively the side were as poor as any Boro side I have witnessed for a very long time, the midfield just didn’t perform, didn’t win any battles and offered no protection to the back line. The attack consisted of Tavernier and that was it until the late substitutions.

Something has to change and quickly, this isn’t transition this is pandemonium turning to Bedlam. Its clear that our coaching set up is incapable of organising a defence and without foundations to build upon we will see a lot more of the same unfortunately. Loads of enthusiasm doesn’t cover up a glaring lack of nous made all the worse that it was predicted by far too many way back in the summer of spin except it’s probably now become even more obvious what the future holds.

Pos. 19th (10 pts)	TUESDAY 2 OCTOBER 2019			Pos. 5th (18 pts)
Boro		1-1	Preston
Fisher (42 o.g.)	43% 14(3) 2 16	POSSESSION SHOTS (on target) CORNERS FOULS	57% 9(1) 3 17	Harrop (40)

Deadlock at the Riverside

With Boro sitting in a precarious position in nineteenth the last thing they needed was a side sitting in fifth and averaging two goals a game coming to the Riverside tonight. Boro having already played most of their fixtures thus far against bottom dwellers it was inevitable that some stern tests would start coming up thick and fast and how they respond tonight could be an indicator of future prospects.

Rudy Gestede was reported to be back in training but was considered unlikely to be fit enough for this encounter but could eventually sneak a space on Woodgate’s sparsely populated bench. Whether that was a positive or negative is open to much debate but he certainly couldn’t do worse than the present non scoring Striking incumbents. Coulson and Friend were still missing and unlikely to be back for a few weeks more at best.

The corresponding fixture last season saw a controversial home defeat and if we lost again tonight it would be the first time that we suffered successive home defeats against Preston since September 1928. If the visitors did record a victory it would be the first time since April 1972 that they won successive league games against Boro, all very unwelcome stats for Boro’s rookie Manager.

A defeat now would put an entirely different perspective on the new transitioning project and indeed may even call time on the project entirely with fans already becoming agitated after Saturday’s humbling capitulation against a former Boro Boss.

Injury wise Alex Neil had pretty much a full squad to select from including former Boro striker David Nugent who despite his advancing years would be one of the first names on the Boro team sheet today had he still been at the Riverside. When announced Woodgate made four changes from Saturday with Howson, Tavernier, Browne and Ayala coming in with Bola, Wing, Fletcher and surprisingly Johnson out.

Ref Darren England got proceedings underway at a sparse looking Riverside under moody drizzly floodlights with Preston adorned in Yellow kicking off. Assombalonga backheeled an early ball to Tavernier to get things moving for Boro showing promising early intent. A minute later McNair linked up with Howson but the Northern Irishman’s shot went well wide of Rudd’s goal.

A huge psychological positive was that Boro managed to get through the first five minutes without a soft corner and an own goal so things were possibly looking up. Preston were enjoying some possession in the opening minutes resulting in Ayala having to block a shot. It appeared that Boro had Shotton at LB with Clayts in front of the defence, Tav on the right and Browne on the left. It was Browne who had the first serious attempt from the middle of the box but Rudd got down to it. A few seconds later Tav played a brilliant ball into Britt around the penalty spot but he failed to get his shot away quickly enough with Browne waiting agonisingly for a pass. A big improvement from Saturday. Boro were now getting the upper hand with confidence levels growing seemingly seeing Tav and Browne causing problems gave hope.

It was hearts in the mouth time when Ayala made a challenge on Barkhuizen around 20 minutes which the Ref waved away thankfully. Shottoninho drove forward from defence to the edge of the Preston 18 yard box playing it across to Tav whose effort went a few yards wide but Boro were certainly more effervescent than at the weekend. Not great but an improvement as Dijksteel had a chance which fell to McNair who got his shot off which came back off the post hitting Britt who didn’t know an awful lot about it and it remained 0-0. Bad news was that when the action settled Marcus Browne was sat on the turf looking desolate but hobbled back onto his feet after some Physio attention.

Preston’s first corner came when Fry deflected a ball out after a swift counter attack from the Lilywhites. With ten minutes to go to half time the game became a little scrappy with the Ref seemingly being very lenient in favour of Preston much to the annoyance of the home fans. A weak penalty claim for an aggressive challenge on Tavernier was waved away as was a second penalty claim. An Ayala conceded corner was swung in for Alan Browne to head, Clayts cleared it away for another corner which was eventually cleared out to Tavernier. Josh Harrop replied when he chased down the left flank with Dijksteel for company but fortunately he ran out of Riverside turf before Dijksteel was tempted to commit himself.

With 5 minutes to go it was Harrop again who this time met a scuffed shot off the upright to tap in past Randolph to put the visitors ahead just before the break. Just as Boro heads were bowed Tav burst forward down the right wing to control a long ball out of defence, cut it back to feed in McNair who drove into the box and fizzed an awkward low ball across the Preston six yard box and in the confusion it deflected into the net for what looked like an own goal from Fisher under pressure from Britt. Two minutes additional time went up as soon as the game restarted.

Daniel Johnson up-ended Tavernier which drew some boos from the home fans but the Ref declined to make any decision and restarted with a drop ball just as the half ended. It was a bit nervy and edgy at times with a few penalty appeals. By no means a classic but probably Boro were the happier side having stabilised things after Saturday and also coming from behind so quickly. Not great but most would have taken going in at half time level especially after going behind. Overall very much a typical wet and miserable Tuesday night at the Riverside.

Boro started the second half with no changes for either side earning a quick free kick from which Browne went down in the box but nothing given. Tavernier was played in by a cavalier McNair, Tav nutmegged a Preston defender and got a shot away which wasn’t ever threatening but the build up and link up looked increasingly heartening. Shotton then had a shot from twenty-five yards out but it went well over. Browne went down again under a strong challenge but Darren England was having none of it, Britt then clattered Fisher as things were now getting heated in the technical areas

McNair set off on a run and was brought down as he hared forward but the decision was given against him bizarrely for another free kick to the visitors. Preston scorer Harrop went off for David Nugent entering to a gentle applause from both sets of fans on 55 minutes. Now Tavernier was played in by Howson who one-two’ed with Browne but his shot was tipped over for a corner to Boro which was eventually cleared up field. Sixty minutes gone and the second half was looking more promising for Boro with Browne, Tav and McNair all looking lively and full of energy.

Clayton played a ball to Britt who laid it ff to the dynamic McNair again but it was cleared. Fry then had to block a Daniel Johnson effort after beating Clayton as the game swung to the opposite end. A Daniel Johnson free kick was lofted into the box which despite a yellow shirt going to ground the Ref allowed the game to carry on. Browne collected it, turned Pearson and was taken down as he looked to have left his marker and earned the first yellow of the evening. Tav and McNair linked up well for Paddy to get a shot away resulting in another corner to Boro which Tav delivered into the middle of the Preston box but was cleared after a melee’ with Ayala going down and then Dijksteel collected the loose ball and played it back up to Tavernier, as his effort was cleared the whistle went in Preston’s favour for some unclear reason.

Daniel Johnson should have put Preston in front again after Barkhuizen played the ball across to him but fortunately he lacked composure. Dijksteel fed Browne who coolly rounded Fisher and looked like he used a hand to retrieve things but calls were once again ignored by the Referee. Howson then tried to find Britt but the ball was cut out, Tav then fired in a shot but it rebounded off a defender as Boro now looked to be trying to get that all important second goal. Britt was adjudged to have fouled Fisher as Preston were looking relieved to take the opportunity to take the sting out of the game. Fifteen minutes were remaining, Dijksteel linked with McNair but as Daniel Johnson took him out the Ref just ignored the blatantly obvious with the Red Faction opining about the gentleman in the middle’s fitness for purpose.

Browne won a free kick again from the attentions of Fisher and immediately after the restart he tried a cheeky long range shot which never looked likely to go in but good to see someone in a red shirt with a bit of intent. Marvin Johnson was being readied for Boro to replace the lively and effective Marcus Browne and with Ashley Fletcher also coming on for Britt. Gallagher then came on for Johnson with Barkhuizen also going off for Potts for the Lilywhites with only ten minutes remaining.

A Preston free kick after an Ayala indiscretion ten yards out from the Boro box looked like déjà vu for a moment. It was Gallagher and Ayala coming together last season that sent Boro into a downward spiral. Interestingly Howson gave his skipper a mini lecture over the incident which perhaps illustrates who would be the most suitable to wear the armband in Friend’s prolonged absence. Another Preston free kick was awarded after Clayts took one for the team after another Ayala faux pas which saw Gallagher send it towards the back post cleared out by Fry to Rafferty who hit it well wide fortunately.

One minute of the ninety remaining and a rare decision going Boro’s way was played to McNair whose effort came to nothing as four minutes additional time were held up. Marvin Johnson tried to get past Fisher who blocked him off receiving a much belated yellow card for his trouble.

A last gasp long throw from Shotton saw calls for a Boro penalty on McNair ignored only for Preston to break and a tracking back Ashley Fletcher earning a yellow for his frustrated tackle on the West Stand touchline. It was delivered in by Gallagher and after a nervy scramble the final whistle went with honours even. Not a great spectacle but it at least drew a line under the weekend. Tav had a good game and looked lively as did Browne but McNair was the man for me that made Boro tick, was the main catalyst who got things going throughout the evening earning the MOM. By no means a great game but avoiding defeat was crucial for Boro as they now travel to out of form Birmingham on Friday night.