Fortress Riverside? In your dreams, Boro are undone by their home form, at home we are poor. But it is the Boro so what do we expect?
UTB,
John
@pedro - I apologise for my wilful and frankly ridiculously optimistic score prediction. I posted it on the walk into The Riverside. No alcohol, not even a Bovril, had passed my lips
It is a BIG mistake to have faith that Boro could beat any team, even ones in the bottom two of the league. "Disappointed" doesn't quite cut it.
I've have know real issue with the set up, but in games like these , with say twenty minutes left, why not go 4-3-3 , same back four, but go, Hackney,Gilbert, McGree , then Doak, Lathe, Burzhog.
I will say this and I've seen enough of the teams, they treat us completely different to other opposition, even the top teams are on the front foot most games, but against us they are somewhat cautious.
We haven't had the best of luck , this season, some of it our own fault, but the standard of refereing is atrocious.
Maybe if we can hang in there , get the likes of Morris back , and a deal or two this month, get on a good run, you never know.
COB
I think we need to be unlucky to finish below sixth. The table does not lie, we are currently the 5th best team in the division. And we have been through a bad batch. I cannot see us playing any worse and I think we would rather improve in the second part of the season.
We have an excellent manager and a good squad. We could sell Latte Lath but we could as well not sell him. We could even improve during the January window.
Why to be so negative - we have never been as high as now in January for many years. We can always improve. No need to think we will give up.
Up the Boro!
@gt exactly, GT. Well said. Up the Boro!
I think we need to be unlucky to finish below sixth. The table does not lie, we are currently the 5th best team in the division. And we have been through a bad batch. I cannot see us playing any worse and I think we would rather improve in the second part of the season.
We have an excellent manager and a good squad. We could sell Latte Lath but we could as well not sell him. We could even improve during the January window.
Why to be so negative - we have never been as high as now in January for many years. We can always improve. No need to think we will give up.
Up the Boro!
Jarkko I think Boro been 5th best team in div is open for debate, it appears there are the top 4 and then the rest. As has been said many many times we are poor at home, our right and left backs are not very good and we are too one dimensional.
I don't believe we will go up even if we get into the play offs in all probability 3 of the current top 4 will go up. We have no leaders on the pitch and lack that little extra that promotion teams need, that never say die resilience if you like.
No wonder that the crowds are pretty flat at home when the team appears to be clueless and toothless.......
At the end of the day it is what it is........
PS Pretty soon they will be asking me to renew my season tickets and i will again ask why do I do it
The following was posted by Dana Malt who is on radio tees
"we’re unbeaten in six’, ‘we’re fifth’… we’re also going to be spending another year in the championship. teams like this don’t get far in the play-offs - they just compete, get beat and reset for next season"
Find it hard to disagree
@paulinboro I referred to the league table. It clearly says we are 5th. Up the Boro!
No doubt all of us will be disappointed if Boro don’t make the playoffs.
Playoffs are a lottery as quite often the team finishing third are “ miles ahead in points won “ than the other playoff teams, but don’t get promoted.
Perhaps , knowing that they are in the playoffs well before the season ends , they subconsciously ease up. We would all prefer to reach the playoffs on a good run of form.
So, I’ll be happy for Boro to chug along playing well and winning and accepting yesterday’s type of performance where points are dropped in the hope of making the playoffs. And hopefully on a decent run towards the end of the season.
But in football there’s no certainty in what will happen from game to game due to form and injuries. For the next few weeks we have another uncertainty of whether Boro will lose players in the transfer window and the uncertainty of attracting suitable replacements. Doak looked a good bet of staying for the season. Now there are rumours that Liverpool will sell him for the right price. His departure would be a major blow. As would Latte Lath. It is accepted that there is a price which Boro would accept. That’s the business we’re in. Clearly a lot depends on the player.
What’s the advantage to Latte Lath of staying? In the short term, get into the playoffs and have the chance of getting promoted and next year playing in the Premiership . And the advantages of going? Big increase in salary and guaranteed of playing now in the Premiership and more likely next year compared to Boro’s chances of being in the Premiership. From a player’s point of view it’s a no brainer as Rogers demonstrated last year.
Obviously this is all things which might happen or might not !!
So, where’s this getting me ?? Keep following the team- hope they play well and pick up enough points for the playoffs but recognise that there will be bumps along the way. Really that’s the wishes of the vast majority of supporters up and down the country.
Philip of Huddersfield where the locals have the same wishes as me.
👍😁
We went to the game and I’m still disappointed about the performance and result. Its easy to moan about the team but quite frankly as others have mentioned we lack leaders on the pitch.
There have been lots of negativity about Barlaser and his poor dead ball play including corners which don’t create any goal scoring opportunities. It’s unfortunate that Morris has been injured for so long as he has been a big miss in midfield.
i thought our defence played ok except for a poor clearance from Fry which created their goal and their only real shot all game.
i don’t know why McGree doesn’t get a game or even a run out from the bench, if Carrick doesn’t rate him then perhaps it would be best to move him on and sell him and replace with someone else.
The officials were extremely poor yesterday and on two occasions the ref blocked Hackney during a run and didn’t take any action when the ball ran free to an opponent. Normally on such an occasion the ref would blow the whistle and gove a dropped ball with the advantage given to the team who were in possession. On two occasions the referee overruled his assistant and gave goal kicks rather than the corners which had been flagged by his assitant. Some tackles by Cardiff required censure and bookings, yet the referee took no action for these fouls and ignored claims by the Boro players.
Trying to watch as a neutral when watching officials,is difficult when your team is involved but I would say that in effect the referee was not in control for a large part of the game.
Hackney is not a leader and in my opinion never will be. Not all leaders shout and snarl as our erstwhile injured captain Howson who leads by example. We do need someone to step up to the mark and pull this team together to prevent sloppy goals being scored against us.
I’m still of the opinion that the management team require an experienced older head to assist the current coaches and not just give jobs for the boys.
OFB
The negatives:
- The ref was atrocious and really needs a trip to Specsavers.
- Once again we threw away points against poor opposition and missed the chance to consolidate our playoff position on a day when other results went for us.
- Once again we gave an avoidable goal away with sloppy defending.
- We created very few chances. Their keeper had hardly anything to do.
- Boro players seemed reluctant to shoot all game, despite having 75% of possession. I know Cardiff had 10 men (and often 11) clogging up the penalty area, but if you can’t get round the defenders, then surely you have to try something else.
- Surely we must have someone better than Barlaser to take corners and free-kicks? His delivery was woeful all game. On the one occasion when he or Hackney had the chance to shoot from a free-kick in a favourable position, he unfathomably passed it to no-one straight out for a goal-kick! Where was the captain’s leadership at this moment?
- The inability to finish off poor sides is seriously dischuffing (technical term to avoid swearing) and frustrating the crowd. Carrick hints in the EG today that he was disappointed at a lack of support from the crowd. What does he expect? We all know that our home form is crap and that we’re more than likely to struggle once we concede. We’re all desperate to put a consistent run of wins together, but right now we can’t see it happening. And yesterday, once again, Boro failed to give us anything to shout about after we’d scored.
The positives: (Really struggling here)
- Ben Doak, Isaiah Jones, Dijksteel and Van den Berg
- We’re still in 5th. Heaven knows how?
Yours, in deep frustration,
I M Sikasaparot.
@gt - For me, Morris has been out biggest "miss" in terms of injured players. And the feeling that our players heal much more slowly than others.
@clive-hurren Correction: Siansaparot
Sika = pig, but it must be in genetive = sian
So siansaparot = pigtails (more than one).
Up the Boro!
@clive-hurren - If we all repeat, really often and loudly, that the match officials were poor, then it will at least divert attention from the performance of our players. When teams win they rarely criticise the ref!
Doak played well in the first half. When, in the second, he switched to the left hand side to acommodate Jones on the right wing, it seemed to me fairly clear that it wasn't working. If I'd been captain (or the coach) after about 10 minutes I'd have told Doak to switch back. It was a good thing to try but it's OK to accept mistakes and therefore to move to put things right.
Doak massively favours his right foot so, for me, he'd be staying back for 30 minutes after each training session, using his LEFT foot only. He's young enough to improve his "weaker" foot to make it at least OK. Then he will have an option.
Having been booked not long before, Doak pushed one of the Cardiff players over, both hands in the back. He might easily have been sent off. Not a good idea!
Despite which, Doak's ball in to the near post from the right wing (which made an excellent goal for Latte Lath to score) was the end of a very nice move and was really good play.
At that stage we were no doubt all very happy and anticipating the dam breaking down and goals to pour in through the breach. Perhaps the players did, too? How wrong we were.
@jarkko - Next: 50 things to make from Reindeer antlers followed by how to survive in Minus 40 degrees!
How to survive in - 40 degrees: keep yourself warm.
At the moment we only have -31 degrees in the North Finland. I think -35 has been common up in the North this winter when the sky is clear. - 13 degrees been the lowest at our house, though. We do have real winter jackets and boots to survive.
But just 5 to 10 cm of snow right now. The winter tyres are compulsory over here.
Up the Boro!
Yes, you Finns are amazing. And like much of Europe, you just keep the country running whatever the weather or the temperature. Here, in contrast, everything stops. When there’s a bit of snow about schools close, transport is disrupted, power supplies are cut, people don’t get to work. It’s time we learned a few winter lessons from our European friends.
@clive-hurren Going forward, I suspect snow will be the least of our worries. Flooding and summer droughts are likely to cause far more issues, I think.
@martin-bellamy The extreames will be more common, too. So snow storms and then the following week +10 or 15 degrees.
The global warming is higher here in tye North than average increase elsewhere,. Even it is on average warmer now, we do get several snow storms every winter. And occationally warmer periods.
And yes, we are used to snow, so that is no reason to be late from work. I do not think our schools have ever been closed for the weather, only for Covid -19. Even the old ladies know how to drive on the snow in here - you learn it automatically. And the MS winter tyres help as everyone has them on our cars.
Up the Boro!
I am enjoying the to and fro between those who are critical of the team and the optimistic types who look on the positives.
I find that I agree with each and every post which I suppose makes me rather susceptible to persuasion!
The key ingredient in our current debate is "expectation". Most teams (19 below us) in our division would be delighted to be in our position.
However we know that we should be higher than we are (at least 4 points dropped in the last 6 games for a starter).
I will accept the current frustration because we can go forward with reasonable hope; a good squad, a decent manager and an average injury list (for once).
I had us down at that start of the season for fifth. I think that is still on. After that the play-offs are a lottery.
UTB Chris
@clive-hurren The population in the UK are now generally softer than at any era previously.
More and more want to work from home, or do as they wish. Sickness is at an all time high. It seems like everyone is stressed out. And the train drivers now only want to work four days a week. Luckily for them, it may get better. The future will bring “driverless trains” and then they can also join the WFH millions. 🤣🤣
@pedro That’s quite an opinion you’re expressing there. And that’s all it is - an opinion.
Let’s take train drivers - their employers deliberately reduce employee numbers and then expect drivers to take overtime to cover weekends, etc. Drivers quite properly insist that they be paid for that overtime in the same way that their train managers are, but train operators refuse and wonder why the drivers are threatening strike action. Meanwhile, our newspapers claim that all train drivers are overpaid and are holding the country to ransom.
As for your claim that this is the softest generation ever, can you supply some empirical evidence? House prices have driven them to the overpriced rental market, employers don’t have any loyalty towards them and manufacturing industry barely exists compared to our early adulthood. They’ve been told that working hard in education is the way to a good standard of life but it’s not proven to be true has it?
Sorry to rant, but you’ve touched a nerve I’m afraid.
@martin-bellamy Martin, it was all a bit of "tongue in cheek" in reply to Clive's get the country working better in more difficult conditions.
I always try to keep away from politics, I have my views, as you do, which I respect even if they differ.
The train drivers "joke" which may have been seen as unfair for you, was around the future of driverless vehicles. Maybe vehicles, maybe cars, maybe trains. And we do have drones.
I will remember in future, to try and not to step on your toes, and if I have this time,......apologies, I did not mean to.
@pedro No worries. I love this Forum, not least for the polite and respectful way we all talk to each other. As far as I’m concerned we’re still (virtual) friends with a common aim - seeing our club be successful! UTB.
It is reported that Matt Crooks is having a medical at Hull City prior to a permanent move.
Come on BORO.
Now this is different touching on the current state of affairs. May I offer a few views on the state of the nation. I believe standards and attitudes to working are at an all time low.
Output in Europe naturally declined cos of Covid. It’s now improving but the improvement in the UK is less than Europe. Our output is lower than most European countries and less than pre covid.
We have something like 29 million people working but around 8 million aged 16 and above are not even looking for a job happy to live on benefits. Many of the children of these people will copy their parents and not work. So the problem will worsen.
We have a benefits system which is too generous. Eg people getting around £1400 per month plus free housing , council tax etc and saying it’s not worth working and have no intention of working.
Working from home output is lower than those who “ go to the office”. Some openly skive. More difficult to manage these people.
We lack good managers “ all over the place”.
The political system ( all parties) is incapable of achieving change and improvements we all know are needed.
I could go on much more but realise I’m impinging on the purpose of this site and so will now shut up. I’m just glad I’m not starting out on a career and can do what I want etc and virtually ignore what Governments etc decide.
There you are - I feel better for that!! - but will feel much better when Boro get back to winning starting with Blackburn and having a good cup run.
Philip of Huddersfield 👍😁
There is a great need to be extremely careful quoting unsubstantiated numbers to support any opinion, but especially so for political opinions. Publishing/posting figures like those is exactly the modus operandi of extreme politicians on from both ends of the spectrum.
So, for example, it is quite something to accuse over 8 million unemployed people that they are all happy to be out of work and living on benefits. That there may be some is one thing, but to accuse all is at best lazy, but at worst a little insidious.
The maximum payment on Universal Credit for a single person household is less than £394 per month. For couples in the same household the maximum monthly payment is less that £618. That is a far cry from the £1400 you have quoted.
For sure, there are additional payments people may be eligible for, such as carers allowance, disabled children's allowance, child allowance ( up to 2 children ) etc.
But so much as the state giveth with one hand, it takes away with the other. So for example, you lose £4.35 for every £250 or part thereof of savings over £6000. You also lose from you Univeral Credit if you are in receipt of any other benefit, such as Carers Allowance, Job Seeekers Allowance, Maternity Allowance, State Pension, Incapacity Benefit and several other benefits.
The whole benefits system is far more complex than can be summarised in a soundbite or in a single figure and it is dangerous to try to do so. The more false or incomplete information is repeated, the more people will begin to believe it.
I for one would rather live in a state that has an imperfect benefits system, where some people might cheat the system (steps can always be taken to minimise this and to prosecute the cheats) than to live in a state that didn't provide for its vulnerable.
There but for the grace of God go I.
Post Script:
I work mainly from home myself and I am actually more productive than when I am in the office. There are far fewer distractions when at home.
@pedro @martin-bellamy @PhilipOfHuddersfield - I will feel much better about life generally if Boro could get the train back on the rails. Whoever is driving, the team is not currently reaching its destination. The team may currently be 5th in the table and therefore within the Play-Off group, but won't stay there if the current form continues. Wins are needed at the top end of the table.
Am I being harsh?
The last 5 games have seen 1 win (literally a last minute goal at relegation threatened Hull City) and 4 draws (Boro 1-1 Cardiff; Boro 0-0 Burnley, Boro 3-3 Sheff W; Plymouth 3-3 Boro). The current league positions of those clubs are 2nd (the outlier - Burnley) and 22nd, 23rd, 10th and 24th respectively for the other four teams. In fact Hull, Cardiff and Plymouth occupy the bottom three (relegation) places.
It's not as if Boro has found itself playing top team after top team in recent weeks. So you might say if Boro cannot beat THOSE teams, how does anyone expect promotion?
I'd hate to see the season derailed but someone at the club seems to be missing the point(s) here if promotion is intended. I really don't want the season to go down the Tube.
@forever-dormo Great, back to football and our different views on Boro, good and bad.
I am alongside you Dormo, in that if you cannot (generally) beat the teams below you, then you do not deserve the play offs and the remote chance that Boro could come good in those three games.
Mr Carrick, to give a veiled complaint, as to the support at the Riverside against Cardiff, is off the mark. Boro have been woeful at times, just like last season, and stand ninth in the "home performance league" this season. Six wins out of 14, 20 goals for and 15 against.
Yes we are fifth, but could drop to sixth if Blackburn win their game in hand. Then below us would be a clutch of five teams all within easy reach of Boro. We don't need draws, we need wins and at home to cheer up the fans.
I think that Carrick needs to give us something to shout about. He needs to get the underperforming key players, HH, Azaz and a couple of more, playing at a quicker pace than recently and not hoping it will all just get better.
Sunderland, would you have believed it back in July, are now 9 points in front of us with a better GD.
@exmil Interesting one that exmil, given that his main reason for leaving, was a two year deal at a guaranteed one million dollars a season.
I am not sure how much Real Salt Lake paid for him, but I assume he would want at least the same deal, unless he is desperate to come home.
He has played 33 games since he joined last February, but only scored 3 goals and 4 assists.