CJ's assessment of the first half:
Boro behind at the break but there's largely more positives to take from that. The better side in that first half. Three really good chances, with two good saves by Johansson. Gilbert has looked really impressive.
His comments after 33 minutes:
Boro have actually played well in this one despite being behind. Understandably a bit edgy at the back at times and have been caught a couple of times on the transition. But in general, they've looked bright going forward. They've just lost a little spark in the last five minutes or so, with the game getting a little scrappy. But Boro are the side trying to get it down and play, with Stoke more looking for those turnovers and counters.
I agree with the Teesside Live's First half verdict.
Boro behind at the break but there's largely more positives to take from that. The better side in that first half. Three really good chances, with two good saves by Johansson. Gilbert has looked really impressive.
Hope we finally score from open play. Up the Boro!
A very inexperienced side, but playing some lovely football at times. Gilbert really the pick.
Plenty of shots but no real chances. There goal was similar to Portsmouth’s first. McCormick lost his man, Clarke dragged across and bingo.
We really do need to start making thses shots count and turn into goals.
Engel on for McCormick & Dijksteel for Ayling at the start of the second half. McCormick took a bit of a knock early in the first half... CJ:
Dijksteel for Ayling in a worrying one. Ayling at one point did just look a bit uncomfortable feeling his right foot after creating that Finch chance.
🙁
Stoke doing a Boro vs Leeds, grabbing a second in the 57th minute. 🙁
... and a thirdStoke doing a Boro vs Leeds, grabbing a second in the 57th minute. 🙁
Stoke doing a Boro vs Leeds, grabbing a second in the 57th minute. 🙁
Make that 3-0 after 60 minutes...
Stoke doing a Boro vs Leeds, grabbing a second in the 57th minute. 🙁
Make that 3-0 after 60 minutes...
CJ:
Stoke have another. Clarke beaten a little too easily down the left, which again sees Boro dragged over defensively. Koumas from the byline cuts back for Mmaee who fires home well from close range.
Stoke have another. Harsh scoreline on Boro when you consider the first half, but Stoke ruthless with their three chances in the game. Boro offer Bocat so much space on the right and from a deep position he goes diagonal right across Boro's penalty area where Koumas runs in off Engel's shoulder and slides in to touch the ball home.
The Potters now running riot: 4-0 in the 65th minute, just after Jones & Conway replace Hamilton & Finch.
Well couldn't find an unofficial stream and definitely not paying for one now with Boro 4-0 down -sounds like it's been a good game to miss. Worrying to hear we've picked up a couple of injuries too!
It's officially a rout: 5-0 in the 69th minute, the second for a player who rejoices in the name of Million Manhoef!
Oh dear it's got worse - Boro leading 13-11 in terms of shots and have restricted Stoke to just 5 shots on target...
CJ on the two Manhoef goals:
Boro shambolic at the back this second half. All three goals come from this left side too. This time, one ball through the midfield then quickly spread wide to Manhoef who cuts inside of Engel and fires beyond Brynn. So easy.
Wow. This is a remarkable Boro collapse. It's around Engel again. Manfoef only on the pitch seven minutes, he has two goals. Faced Engel up in the box, given enough space to get a shot off and beats Brynn. Boro keeper will probably feel he should stop that one at his near post, but shot shouldn't ever come.
I'll bet Borges is already regretting having signed that three-year contract...
versus WBA in 2009Hmmmm. When was the last time we conceded 5 goals at home?
Sounds like Borges will be a shoe-in for left-back for the rest of the season
Hard to see any positives from tonight's game and a couple of injuries to boot - the fact that a weakened Stoke team are cruising and have even opted to play with ten men probably says it all. If there was any doubt that the Carabao Cup has got any meaningful credibility left among managers then Carrick opting to field his weakest team possible is surely a sign that nobody is bothered any more. At least it finished early but hopefully not too many brought their kids to the early kick-off in what sounded like a pointless exercise - perhaps a refund is in order for anyone who turned up hoping to see a serious game of football.
[...] At least it finished early but hopefully not too many brought their kids to the early kick-off in what sounded like a pointless exercise - perhaps a refund is in order for anyone who turned up hoping to see a serious game of football.
CJ before kick-off:
Have been to early Carabao Cup round games where the club doesn't even bother opening all stands, but with tonight's kick-off change and pricing, it looks like there could be a decent enough crowd tonight - obviously nothing in comparison to a league game.
Hopefully it has encouraged a lot of younger supporters/families to come and, if it's one of their first times coming to a game, hopefully they get a fabulous night, an entertaining game and a Boro win to help catch the bug.
That went well...
Well. We were lucky it was only 5 in the end.
I could only watch the 2nd half, so no idea how we looked in first half. But we were far too easily dissected at the back and showed no inkling of being able to do the same at the other end.
I know it will be a very different line up on Saturday, but clearly a lot of lessons to be learned by the whole squad before then.
Well what to say about that shambles!
A much changed team but it’s a squad game and a lot of them did not show that they can hack it at this level, added to which some of the senior players had nights to forget (Clarke and Engel - again).
I will be interested to see how MC reacts/responds but more importantly how the team responds on Saturday where anything but three points will be seen as failure in my eyes.
Shakes his head and wanders off to bed for a fitful nights sleep no doubt! 😎
... Shakes his head and wanders off to bed for a fitful nights sleep no doubt! 😎
let's hope that was the only nightmare any of us will have tonight
Certainly no positives from tonight. Utter shambles. Blame stops at Carrick and co.
Tonight proved that the “ second 11” are woefully short of the standard required.
I am fed up saying that if a team can’t defend it’s going nowhere.
Look at all the successful teams - they can all defend and don’t concede many goals.
Philip of Huddersfield 👎☹️👎
Not a side picked with progression in the cup in mind. Looks like MC had protecting his first 11 uppermost in his thoughts tonight. I doubt he expected 0-5 though.
Was it 0-5
oh !
we walked at 0-3 !
no excuses
no enjoyment
no nothing
night
OFB
I’ve rather felt that the EG has had it in for Engel for some time. True, he was partially to blame for Pompey’s first goal, but I don’t think he’s been as bad overall as he’s been made out to be. Tonight was a different story - 3 of Stoke’s goals were directly down to him; he allowed their forwards far too much space in the box and failed to close them down properly. I imagine the poor lad’s confidence will be shot to pieces after tonight - thankfully, we now have Borges - but we’ll need Lukas again before too long, no doubt, when injuries and suspensions bite. Carrick has a major rehabilitation job on his hands with the Dane, it seems to me.
My other thought about tonight, makeshift defence notwithstanding, is that we again seem likely to concede too many goals this season. Let’s get through the Cardiff game - I’d settle for a point at this stage - and then do serious, intensive defensive training during the international break. Something needs to change.
That was highly embarrassing, and Boro 2 played more or less just like Boro 1.
Philip is correct, if you have not got the defensive set right, you will win nothing.
We play pretty intricate football that is nice to watch, but there it stops. Forget the line up, it is the system, the way we play. Pass, pass, pass, pass, pass and pass again, then shoot off target, or lose the ball and concede.
OK, there will be excuses made for tonight’s debacle. However, Stoke were clinical, Boro were clueless. Probably only Gilbert looked anything like. Hamilton was disappointing given his opportunity. Many looked out of their depth against a second string Stoke with lots of youngsters too.
We have a Coach, who was supposably world class, well when he was fit. It is a pity he cannot teach that. MC needs to think hard about Saturday. Anything other than a win against Cardiff will really set the alarm bells ringing.
We have spent a fair bit of money. Have we bought right people, and importantly, for the right positions. I am sure some won’t agree with all the above, however if we are serios about a top six spot, then we had better get some points on board.
@pedro. I agree with what you are saying and like others have said a good team is built from the back.
We can play well defensively, Leeds was an example where we were disciplined and well organised, didn’t have the bulk of possession and won three nil. That’s the lesson we need to learn from and quickly. 😎
I suppose one bit of good news from yesterday was that Ayling was withdrawn at HT not because of injury 😓