Carabao Cup Round 2 - Tuesday 27 August - 7:15pm - Riverside
After an impressive thrashing of Leeds United at Elland Road in the first round, Boro were finally rewarded with a home tie in the draw of the Carabao Cup northern section against Stoke City. Despite becoming temporary northerners, it's still going to be a three-hour trip to the Riverside for those heading up from the Potteries - with no doubt quite a few 'working from home' in order to make it for the novel 7:15pm early kick-off.
Indeed, we could perhaps benefit from the geographical identity crisis of our West Midlands opponents who may struggle to adjust to their honorary northern status. Though not as much confusion as for those living in Birmingham where followers of the Blues enter the Southern draw as close local rivals Wolves join our friends in the north. Nevertheless, further evidence that a plughole somewhere in Birmingham may indeed be the centre of the universe - where thankfully half-drunk cans of the sponsors energy drink can be safely emptied into another dimension without fear of upsetting either your constitution or the laws of physics.
So no satnav required for the Boro supporters this time after a rare home tie following six-successive away draws in the competition. I'm not including the two-legged semi-final last season as it's impossible not to be given one game at home - though there were still a few who stared in disbelief at not being drawn away in both legs.
However, the players may need to harness their inner Garmin after spurning many glorious chances in their last two Championship games that saw the three points fail to reach their destination. Boro racked up 50 shots on goal in the games against Derby and Portsmouth but sadly have only a solitary point to show for their sketchy marksmanship - with little of note to exhibit in the shooting gallery.
Certainly a missed opportunity but those getting overly perturbed over the profligacy in front of goal may want to reflect life under Strachan or even the Karanka formative months where a shot on goal during games was often an unique event. As to which you'd prefer is possibly a Venn diagram where only one or two die-hards inhabiting both overlapping circles.
A conundrum that Michael Carrick will need to solve - though I would only add that it's probably easier for a coach to convert shots into goals than manufacture shots out of little in the way of creativity. Players should hopefully get sharper as the weeks pass and maybe it's too early to reach judgement on this lack of clinicality (if such a word exists on Teesside).
Anyway, it's rather remiss of me to get this far into the preview without mentioning the actual name of the competition instead of pandering to the sponsors name - in case we forget, this is the League Cup with over 60 years of history - including that famous day on 29 February in 2004 and those heroic failures/robberies in 1997 and 1998.
Created in 1960, it was the brainchild of Alan Hardaker, who proposed the new competition as a means to compensate clubs for loss of fixtures as part of a league restructuring plan that would see five divisions of 20 teams. In a vote, the club chairmen rejected the plan but opted to keep the new League Cup - though several clubs declined to take part in the early years.
The final was originally played over two legs (home and away) but rather ironically given its intended purpose was to compensate clubs for loss of games, the first final between Rotherham and Villa was postponed to the beginning of the following season due to fixture congestion. Incidentally, Rotherham won the first leg 2-0 but Villa triumphed 3-2 after a 109th minute winner. Seven years later the standing of the League Cup saw the final switched to a one-off game at Wembley. It remained a popular competition with plenty of lower league teams defying the odds and was awarded a qualifying spot for European football.
Sadly for the purists and the lactose intolerant, the League Cup became victim to the world of sponsorship as its naming rights were sold. In 1981 it became known as 'The Milk Cup' after one can only presume a FA brainstorming meeting had somehow got badly out of hand following a 'long lunch' involving different liquid refreshment - worse still they even allowed the iconic three-handled trophy to be usurped by the sponsor's own trinket engraved with 'The Milk Cup' in a large rather extravagant font in case you forgot what the trophy was.
The next sponsor was Littlewoods of retail and football pools fame and they decided to award their own trophy too, which was for some unknown reason the former cup for the inter-departmental football competition at Furness Shipyard. It was an odd looking trophy that was described by one broadsheet as "a handle-less monstrosity that defied the very definition of a cup".
After that the sponsors opted not to risk awarding their own trophy but the name of the cup changed to Rumbelows, Coca Cola, Worthington (often called the 'Worthless Cup' after clubs started fielding weakened teams), Carling, Capital One and finally Carabao. A list of sponsors that has all the hallmarks of a drinking game would definitely leave a bad taste in mouth should anyone wish to work their way through them.
As for the game itself tomorrow evening, it's hard to say if Michael Carrick will make many changes as he's already down to a skeleton squad with little cover in defence or midfield. We may see Sol Brynn again in goal but Matt Clarke appears indispensable in central defence with no obvious fit partner other than Luke Ayling - plus Dijksteel and Engel as fullbacks. Barlaser in midfield seems likely with another fit body alongside - though there are seemingly plenty of attacking options with possibly starts for Hamilton, Conway, Coburn and Gilbert with Burgzorg, Azaz, Jones, Latte Lath all available. I very much doubt any player carrying an injury will be risked before the international break allows for further recovery.
As for the opposition, Stoke have had a less than impressive start to the season under their 40-year old manager Steven Schumacher - who was appointed last season after achieving promotion to the Championship with Plymouth. Their opener saw them edge past Coventry by a single goal in a game with few chances but they've subsequently lost their previous two games 3-0 at Watford and a home defeat against West Brom in what was reportedly another tight game.
The Potters came through the first round of the Carabao Cup 2-0 at Carlisle thanks to two second-half goals with a team where Schumacher had made 8 changes from their First XI - including a couple of 17-year olds and debut for their reserve keeper. I can't imagine we'll see quite so many changes for the trip to the Riverside but it sounds like they'll be another side looking to keep it tight. Hopefully their manager will be picking his team with one eye on Saturday as he heads to Plymouth to face his old club, which you might have heard is managed now by Wayne Rooney as is occasionally mentioned in the press.
OK, is it time to dream of cup glory or maybe just avoid the nightmare of picking up any more injuries and safely negotiating another round. Though probably all we really want at this stage is another entertaining game of football and seeing if the players are settling in to the season - it's what Alan Hardaker would have wanted...
Thanks Werdermouth for an interesting and informative opener, how important will this tie be on both managers agenda remains to be seen. We will have a day and “half an hour” more recovery time than Cardiff for the more important fixture on Saturday.
Come on BORO.
PS: It’s a pity that the reported signing of the Brazilian left back within “hours” on Saturday didn’t materialize as he could have been eligible for a run out 🤔.
Come on BORO.
Thanks Werder for the history of this Iconic or should I say Laconic Cup?
As a season ticket holder I applied over the phone for tickets to the game. Was told three different pricing options for my own seat.
In the end went down and was told they couldn’t activate my season card and had to print them off.
Handed the money over for the ticket only to be told (as I had argued over the phone) that it was included in the price of the season ticket for this round.
Couldn’t make it up could you?
I just hope that when we are in the next round and home against Newcastle United that they have their act together !
As an old timer I remember Alan Hardaker and thought he did a lot for football expecially for lower league and poorer clubs like Boro.
Do I think we’ll win tomorrow?
Oh Yes
BORO3
OFB
Thank for the latest Headliner Werder.
It was interesting to read of its history and development from the original 20 team division proposal which eventually morphed into the Premier League. And of course, Middlesbrough’s only Silverware.
Well it was certainly not “Typical Boro” that turned up in the last round against Leeds. But, which team will turn up tomorrow night?
I assume Carrick will juggle his squad somewhat to give minutes to those that need them and protect those that may need a rest.
Unfortunately due to our CB situation, he has little room for manoeuvre there. I would have been tempted to leave Ayling at RB and have had Dijksteel at CB last Saturday. He is stuck with playing Clarke every game and heaven help us if he got struck down. I will not say any more on that today.
I would expect he may start with most of the following. Brynn, Conway, Hamilton, Barlaser, Gilbert possibly on the left and Coburn. The defence more or less the same, unless he gives McCormack a chance.
A win would be nice, to give the fringe players more game time in the next round.
Thanks Werder, good to see you back at the helm with your normal fluency and wit. It can't be easy to be satirical about a cup competition that has such an absurdist history but you managed it with your usual flair.
Speaking of flair, I hope to see the Boro team that defeated Leeds (Boro 2) out tomorrow. I don't think they will have anything like the same trouble as Boro 1 in finding their way through a packed defence. That particular version of our team has now gone over 6 hours (4 1/2 of them at home) without scoring from open play. It's beginning to look more like a systemic fault than a run of bad luck.
Another informative and humorous starter - thanks Werder.
Does anyone know if the game is available to watch anywhere? Sky maybe?
As far as I know it’s not being streamed by Sky as it’s a 7:15 kick off perhaps another stream on Ifollow perhaps 🤔
OFB
The game is on Sky Sports + 7:15 kickoff.
Come on BORO.
As far as I know it’s not being streamed by Sky as it’s a 7:15 kick off perhaps another stream on Ifollow perhaps 🤔
OFB
So far as I know, it is being shown on Sky Sports+. My understanding is that Sky has committed to showing every League Cup tie this season live.
snap. I was struggling to compose my reply to Bob and Martin when you got in there first Exmil !The game is on Sky Sports + 7:15 kickoff.
Come on BORO.
And I can see the match on TV via ViaPlay here in the North Europe. Up the Boro!
Thanks guys. We’re away in Devon for a few days for a family funeral but hopefully I’ll be able to watch it on my iPad.
Having struggled to figure this out over the last couple of weeks, here's what I think the situation is. Apologies if I've got it wrong.
Another very fine starter, werder. Thank you.
I’m not particularly bothered about winning tonight - though I always want Boro to win, of course. I’d be happy if we put in a good performance that allows some of Boro 2 to show what they’re capable of. And we desperately need to get through this one without any more injuries to defenders.
@peter-surtees I’ve had a play around with the tv here and I’ve managed to sign in to Now Tv which is how I get Sky at home. It’s showing that the game is on later so hopefully I’ll be good to go. 🤞🏻
@peter-surtees. Yes you are correct in everything you say.
I will be watching via VPN and Sky Sports+ on my iPad as I too only have Sky+ so cannot access the new app via tv; Sky+ users have effectively been disadvantaged as we no longer have access to games via the red button.
All a cunning plan via Sky to try and get subscribers to upgrade and eventually switch to receiving content via the internet as opposed to satellite dish, which will no doubt disappear in the next three/four years.
Saturday’s game is also available via Sky Sports+ and via Riverside Live for overseas supporters or those in the UK with a VPN. 😉😎
Thanks Werder for another one of your enjoyable and informative reads.
I am not so concerned about the number of shots/shots on target, it’s about hitting the back of the net and as Len points out we’re struggling to do so from open play; it’s also about keeping them out and not shooting your self in the foot, which we are currently very good at and would probably top the stats league for that particular statistic if there was one!
Hopefully we can put on a good show tonight and deliver an injury free win but I would not be overly disappointed if we don’t progress any further; Saturday is much more important in my view. 😎
Thanks for another great opening for this thread Werder. The history of this competition certainly has been a bit of a dog's dinner - perhaps a good future sponsor could be "WINALOT". It really does highlight the incompetence and lack of rationality behind how the game has been organised in this country. The failure to stick to Hardaker's scheme for all divisions to have 20 teams has meant this competition was always going to be a Cinderella competition. All the same, it does still offer a lot of non-premier league teams a good opportunity to progress to the later rounds and to come up against one of the elite teams. I hope we do win tonight's game and to go on and get as far as we can. There is nothing like winning in whichever competition you are in and a good cup run will often generate good confidence in a team playing in the league.
I haven't watched the highlights of the Portsmouth game, but it appears we absolutely dominated, only to be undone by costly errors and poor finishing. I am not worried at this stage of the season. Those errors can be worked on and I am sure the likelihood of similar blunders happening going forward will be greatly reduced. [ I would have like to have said "eliminated", but you can never eliminate mistakes. they happen, even to the best players in the world. ]
Finishing is as much a confidence thing as anything else. Like Clive said. If we continue to dominate games and to create so many goal scoring attempts, sooner or later things will click and we will begin to score freely. We hit three past Leeds, so why not another three tonight? Here's hoping.
CoB
A quick thanks to everyone for their comments on the preview - as ever much appreciated!
As I mentioned last week, I'll unfortunately miss the first half as don't get back home from my son's handball training until around 8:15pm (UK time). On that basis, I'm hoping for a repeat of the second half we saw at Leeds - though I'd settle for Boro already being out of sight by HT.
@original-fat-bob Hi Bob. Just to let you know that there were a couple of issues with your COTS entry. I've replied to you in that thread to explain what the problems were and to see what you would like me to do.
Cheers, PN
Club confirm Neto deal completed:
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/27/neto-borges-signs-for-boro/
😎
CJ sort of got it right. Young Harley makes his first team debut at 16!
Mrs OFB when I said Hunt was playing and was only 16.
”is he allowed to play with the adults ?”
OFB
Detailed comments by the CJ on the line-up:
That's nine changes from Carrick then and a really strong core of academy players. Brynn, McCormick, McCabe, Finch and Coburn are all from the academy, while Hunt is a 16-year-old summer signing meant initially for the academy, but being given an opportunity this evening due to injuries. At 16, it speaks volumes of how much he's impressed since his arrival from Swindon.
Coburn and Gilbert are both starting despite talk that they might yet leave the club in the remaining days of the transfer window. Glover, too, is on the bench - though his proposed move to Blackpool is now off after they signed a young keeper on loan from Everton today.
In what's largely a young Boro side, Ayling is the veteran who captain's the side, while 27-year-olds, Matt Clarke and Dan Barlaser, are the next most senior starters. We'd expect Finch to play from the right, Hamilton from the left and then Gilbert in behind Coburn.
Glancing at the bench, James Wilson is in. Presumably just rested with the league in mind, there's no place on the bench for either Hackney or Latte Lath. Conway is there. After not having a pre-season at Bristol City, it's a fair assumption he was deemed not quite ready to start, but we'd expect to see him at some point this evening.
No wonder the club wanted a 7:15 kick-off - it would finish way after some of the Boro’s players bedtime otherwise 😏
The Potters one up after 14 minutes. 🙁
More of the same then as far as goal scoring is concerned. Some big chances there, not put away - will they cost us the game?