@exmil Good luck with it all. Let’s hope the lads can bring you some cheer in the way of goals.
@exmil All the best for next Friday and hoping for the best possible outcome.
Thinking
Best sending off, Morrison on Ronaldo
Worst Alliedier just a little push, ending up four games
Best wishes exmil for a successful op and a speedy recovery
A few years back I was given a date for an urgent skin cancer operation. I asked the specialist if I could put it back until the end of the crown green bowls season.
Let's just say that you wouldn't have confused her reaction with a ray of sunshine.
Best wishes from the sun of Barcelona, ExMill. Hope all goes well with you. And Boro tomorrow - not as important as your health, mate
Up the Boro!
All the best Exmil with your big week and hope you'll be match fit for Bristol City!
@original-fat-bob It would be useful! At the very least it might produce a level playing field 😉
@exmil Everything appears to becoming along rather quickly or maybe just on time.
Either way, it is good that operation date is here. Best wishes from me and I am sure all on DiasBoro.
So, what do we expect tomorrow?
Carrick to stick with his possession style of play, very few changes and few goals into the opposition net with possibly a close win or worse - a draw.
Should we expect more?
Of course, after the undistinguished start to the season I’d like to think that Carrick and his team have learnt how to beat average teams- they’ve met plenty so far, and he is experienced enough as a coach and a very good player to improve results. Football is, after all, a results business.
The season really does start now with future games becoming more difficult starting with my banker for a top 6 finish next Tuesday away to WBA.
As always with Boro and probably with the vast majority of Clubs there an element of fingers crossed for the right result.
Philip of Huddersfield ☹️😁
Very best wishes for a successful op and a quick recovery made even better by a good result.
UTB
Exmil, I'll be thinking of you and rooting for you. Stay positive and get well, I've got my quarterly review next month so to some extent we're comrades in arms and as much as we all can we've got your back.
ATB and UTB,
John
Looking at the body language of players arriving at the Riverside I would guess that McGree starts and Jones doesn't...
Boro team news is in! Three changes
Dijksteel, Doak and McGree are in for Clarke, Jones and Conway. No Clarke or Conway in the squad at all as they miss out through injury.
Well the body language was correct as McGree does indeed start and Jones is on the bench as Doak starts - also Dijksteel starts with Ayling partnering Edmundson as Clarke not in the squad - neither is Conway as Azaz perhaps reverts to the number ten role behind Latte Lath
Bit of a worry if Clarke is now injured and Conway too - typical as two return with McGree now fit and RvdB on the bench that we lose two!
@werdermouth It appears to be one step forward and two back, with regards to Boro injuries.
Wht is it about the squad we have and the medical team around them.
Have both Conway and Clarke been injured in training like Gilbert. Have both the previos been carrying knocks. Clarke finish the last game, Conway did not.
You have to start wondering was is actually going on at Rockcliffe?
CJ after 26 minutes:
Boro so far
Starting to play some nice stuff in this one. Stoke ever so slightly going backwards in the last five or so as Boro turn their tempo up. The positive thing is that they're moving it around a lot faster though, so the openings are still coming. Doak a threat, Azaz is bright, McGree offering far more balance.
And a couple of minutes later:
Morris half-chance
Lovely ball from the USA international out to Doak. He cuts in and tees Morris as he continues his run. His first-time attempted ping ends up over the bar. Everything for Boro coming through Doak so far. Really exciting full debut so far.
And Doak duly bags his maiden Boro goal in the 34th minute! 🙂 CJ:
Boro lead! Brilliant work from Latte Lath to win a FK battling for the ball out wide. Takes it quick to McGree, who cuts in and bends one far bottom corner with his right foot. Johansson palms it into Doak's path who has a tap in.
At last a goal from open play; Riley McGree has shot pushed away by the keeper and Ben Doak follows in to side foot into the net.
Playing some good and quick football. Now for another. 😎
At half-time, the Potters lead the yellow card race by 4-2 (Edmundson & HH). CJ on the Edmundson yellow:
Johansson down receiving treatment after he and Edmundson clashed as the Boro defender attacked a delivery from out wide. Edmundson ended up being booked for it, which seems a little harsh for an honest attempt at the ball, which might have even came because of a Stoke push.
Best 45 at The Riverside so far this season. Great to see.
McGree like he’s never been away and Doak all over them.
The tempo is so much better.
Much better performance from Boro with more intensity in their passing and quicker movement off the ball too - McGree definitely makes a difference to this side and Doak has looked far more dangerous than Jones has this season. All in all Boro looking a better balanced side and look capable of scoring another goal - though it has helped that Stoke haven't come to the Riverside to sit back and defend - maybe they'll change their tactics in the second half and keep it tighter but a second goal should seal the three points.
A far better performance by Boro and as has been said, a more balanced side.
It took the Boro 20 minutes to really get going though and arguably, Stoke should probably have been a goal up. Boro lost the ball attacking and Stoke broke in numbers ending a shot that Dieng did very well to save.
From then on is was mainly Boro. Downside only four shots on target. Ido not think Doak will get the same freedom. We need another goal to calm my nerves.
At half-time, the Potters lead the yellow card race by 4-2 (Edmundson & HH).
Now 6-4, with Doak's & Azaz's names also going into the ref's book.
Van den Berg & Jones on for Dijksteel & Doak in the 70th minute.
HH makes it 2-0 in the 73rd minute. That should settle nerves a bit! 🙂 CJ:
Boro have their comfort! Latte Lath again working hard to win possession back and Hackney takes charge and goes on a driving run. He eventually works his way across the edge of the box before smashing one wonderfully into the top corner. Brilliant finish.
According to the Beeb, McGree had a hand in the goal.
Come on OFB, just one more. Don't be greedy John.
UTB,
John