Can't disagree, also at start of season it looked like ELL couldn't hit a cows rear with a banjo and I did think that last season was a flash in the pan. I am more worried about losing Azaz but money talks especially when you haven't got enough.
It interesting how many Ipswich fans on the interweb are saying that they are not enjoying the PL extravaganza, getting your rear handed to you every week must be a downer after the previous two seasons where they couldn't stop winning.
A very tough game expected tonight. Can Boro keep a clean sheet?
They didn’t in any of their recent games whilst scoring lots of goals. So, I can’t be optimistic.
The second question is, can they continue their scoring exploits against a team which has only conceded 6 goals all season, with only 2 conceded at home and none in the last 5 games. That looks a tough ask.
So overall, I’m not feeling optimistic but hoping for a score draw- 1-1 would be very acceptable.
Philip of Huddersfield 👍
Lots of positivity suggesting we can get at least a point or three! I am becoming more uneasy as the clock ticks down! CoB. 😎
Team News...
Dieng returns in goal and Barlaser keeping out Howson again with Dijksteel continuing at right-back along with Fry in central defence. Conway also gets the nod up front following his brace at the weekend.
Well. Here's hoping the optimistic mood in here will not be in vain. Getting ready to hold my breath.... cob
Don't know why but I've got a feeling of calm confidence...
"Anf", of all people, gives Boro the lead in the 13th minute, assisted by Barlaser! 🙂
"Anf", of all people, gives Boro the lead in the 13th minute, assisted by Barlaser! 🙂
CJ:
First chance for either side and Boro lead. A lovely defence-splitting pass from Barlaser and it's Dijksteel who finds himself the unlikely man through from it. He runs through and produces a lovely chip over Trafford to finish.
His subsequent comment:
That Dijksteel goal
Only his third career goal and his first league goal in over five years when he scored for Charlton against Scunthorpe. Dijksteel's great season continues.
Bugger! Burnley back on terms in the 37th minute courtesy of Connor Roberts. The Beeb queries whether it was wind-assisted - CJ on the weather conditions earlier in the match:
Not sure how well it comes across on the TV cameras for those of you not here at Turf Moor but the conditions are awful. The wind is really picking up and that's creating an awful heavy swirling wind.
And on the Burnley goal:
Dieng caught out. Too far off his line and beaten too easily by Roberts effort over his head. Frustrating, given Boro appeared to have weathered the storm after their goal.
Dieng at fault for the goal. Too far off his line. Hackney not very effective tonight inwould replace him with Howson.
Dijksteel very good tonight and took his goal well
OFB
A surprising skillful first half by both sets of players given the terrible conditions and another well-taken goal by Dijksteel after a superb pass from Barlaser. That seemed to force Burnley up a gear and laid siege to the Boro goal. Boro defended well but Dieng was caught probably too far off his line as he was chipped for the equaliser. Boro need to take advantage of the wind in the second half but a good contest.
Good start and an excellent goal from Dijksteel who is proving to be a good outlet on the right. From then on it has been all Burnley although Doak nearly scored an outstanding goal. Despite the pressure it was looking that Boro would get to half time in the lead.
Until Dieng was caught off his line and gifted Burnley a goal. A clanger however you look at it. Would Schwartzer , who is a commentator ,have conceded a goal like that? Never.
Boro are expected to be subject to continuous pressure in the second half but given a bit of possession are capable of being dangerous on the break.
So fingers crossed they can hold out.👍
Philip of Huddersfield
Though Burnley have had most of the ball I fancied my 0-3 was on after our opening goal and a near miss from Doak. But the Burnley lobbed equaliser put paid to that. I thought Dieng was at fault. Here's why.
I had the pleasure of watching Peter Shilton making his pre-kick-off preparations for many seasons at Forest. He would mark out on the pitch all of his positions, so that he could never be lobbed, could always be aware of where his posts were, always knew where he was in relation to his goal. Could never be taken by surprise. Just had to look down.
A lesson for Dieng there
I thought we looked reasonably comfortable and dangerous on the break. Still all to play for.
Still fancy us with the wind behind us.
And feed Ben
Perhaps more of a game for Latte Lathe to hound the defenders off the ball rush them into mistakes looking at that first half - plus wouldn't be surprised to see McGree on for Burgzorg around the hour mark.
Burnley are certainly a good side and play in a similar way to us. We appear to have been playing against the wind and should now have the chance to hit a few shots.
I'm not sure why but the Hackney Barlaser Azaz triangle doesn't seem to be working as well as usual. Maybe just the quality of the opposition. Also, and this is not by way of being an 'I told you so', I do wonder whether we need Latte Lath's speed to give us a target to relieve the pressure. It will depend how the second half plays out.
I'd take the draw.
UTB
The Beeb's assessment of the first half:
Classic Championship - it's had everything - two very good goals, wind, rain and two sides going at each other as though their lives depend on it.
Anfernee Dijksteel's calm dink over James Trafford gave Boro the lead but from that point onwards it's been almost incessant pressure from Burnley and Connor Roberts' swirling, swerving, looping effort sailed over Seny Dieng for the leveller.
But for all that possession and pressure, Ben Doak almost conjured up a second for the visitors with a wonderful run ending with a shot just past the post. Josh Brownhill has also flashed an effort wide for the hosts.
It's good, very good and the good news is we've still got 45 minutes to go.
Comment by Jeff, "a jealous Norwich fan", on Doak:
Ben Doak is some player! Every other Championship fan would be lying if they said they weren’t jealous their team didn’t sign him on loan.
Studio response:
Agreed Jeff, Liverpool and Scotland have got some player on their hands.
Just a small observation. I think Borges is having the best game I have seen from him so far this season, both offensively and defensively.
ELL on for Conway in the 71st minute.
ELL on for Conway in the 71st minute.
And McGree for Burgzorg in the 77th.
Comment by the Beeb:
Brilliant ball from the back sends Emmanuel Latte Lath away for Middlesbrough, but James Trafford's starting position is excellent and he makes the save just inside his area.
This has been excellent from the visitors in the second-half.
And the match finishes 1-1. One point better than nowt, I suppose, but a bit disappointing after that early lead.
We were the better side in the second half with two glorious chances and one good one for Latte Lath.
But a good draw away at Burnley. With luck we could have had three points but life goes on.
Up the Boro!
Thought we could have won that in the second half. I’ll take 1-1.
And the match finishes 1-1. One point better than nowt, I suppose, but a bit disappointing after that early lead.
Beeb assessment:
Top spot evades Burnley - for now.
The Clarets were made to work hard for this point, having to come from behind and watch Middlesbrough waste three very good second-half opportunities.
Anfernee Dijksteel's smart finish gave the Boro the lead before Connor Roberts' wind-assisted effort left Seny Dieng grasping at fresh air eight minutes before the break.
If anything the visitors looked the more likely in the second period, with George Edmundson heading wide from eight yards and both Tommy Conway and Delano Burgzorg firing straight at James Trafford. Trafford also denied Emmanuel Latte Lath when through one-on-one.
It's six unbeaten for Burnley and just one defeat in their past six games for Middlesbrough - both will surely be up there come May.
Good game in tricky conditions.
That was a good point against a good team.
A little disappointed with their goal, it has to be a mistake by Dieng.
Also two decent chances falling to Conway and Burgzorg, both making powder puff shots.
A excellent game though in awful conditions. Well done to both teams.
@lenmasterman I remember Peter Shilton doing that. A great keeper.
Jarrko is right. A good point tonight. Not many will get points at Burnley this season. UTB!
Before the game I would’ve been happy with a draw. Having watched the game I feel a bit unhappy because I feel Boro had good chances to win. They had three very good chances in the second half and failed to score. The chances were better than the chances Burnley had.
It would be easy to say one or two players didn’t play particularly well, but I think as a team, it was a battling performance played in awful conditions and there will be many tired legs on both sides .
However , I must mention Dijksteel who was outstanding and surely he has cemented his place in the team.
So, next stop Leeds and based on this performance the team have nothing to fear. They may be a bit fresher than Leeds as Boro have an extra recovery day.
Philip of Huddersfield 👍😂👍
Boro had three good chances in the second half and on another day one may have gone in but in the end a point at Burnley in those conditions should be regarded as well-earned one. It does at least show that with still 27 games left Boro can at least match the best sides in this division and certainly look like a top-four side now with Leeds and Sheff Utd.
Dale Fry already looking back to his best and Dijksteel had another good game too - with even Borges looking decent too. Indeed, it's looking like Boro have plenty of options and that could be decisive in the coming weeks.
Yes, I agree. It was a good point in a very hard-fought game. Defensively, we were excellent, the equaliser apart. Edmondson and Fry were terrific and Dijksteel outstanding.
It will no doubt be churlish to cavil after such a gritty and intense performance, and in such treacherous conditions, but I do think we gave Burnley too much encouragement to go forward and press, because we gave the ball away far too often, especially in the first half. It seemed in one phase that BFC were winning virtually every second ball. So we ended up having to defend for our lives. It was great to see us tighten up significantly second half, allowing us to get forward and create some good chances.
Full Beeb report & reaction from various quarters:
Dijksteel outstanding and fully deserved his m-o-m award. Was always in the game
Personally gutted that my forecast was foiled by a goalkeeping error and two glaring misses by Edmundson and Burgzorg.
Should have been 0-3
Azaz worked hard but didn't get on the ball often enough
Barlaser was the midfield pick, providing an excellent assist and laying on a sitter for Edmundson from a free kick.
I was disappointed in Hackney. He lacked his usual drive and gave away too many free-kicks, but he was always available for the out ball and he does carry it well.
Cloughie would have had a word about the young man's appearance. As skipper for the day he looked (to put it politely) unkempt and unprofessional in the tunnel and was rubbing his eyes as though he needed a good night's sleep. His bedraggled appearance as he led the team out was reflected in his overall performance.
A general disappointment was an overall failure to get the ball out to Doak often enoug,
So, off to Leeds with our confidence still intact