Cardiff v Boro
Saturday 31/8/24
KO 12:30
Cardiff City Stadium
After a season that showed such promise and was full of hope and expectations, it all came crashing down on Tuesday Evening against Stoke.
I haven’t commented much on the game, purely because the memory of it is still so sore and painful to recall.
It’s been a long, long, time since I walked out of a game early, but to be honest I was getting so wound up, it was getting dangerous for my health to stay any longer! So after the third goal went in, we walked, and were joined on our journey back to the car by many thousands of people as a roar went up for the fourth and then ultimately the fifth nail into Boro’s coffin for the Carabao Cup.
To be honest I’ve not looked to see who we would have been playing if we had won. So I’ve just checked it and Fleetwood Town are set to face Stoke City in Round Three of this season’s Carabao Cup. The tie will take place the week commencing the 16 September 2024 at the Bet365 Stadium, and will be the second time these two sides meet in this competition. They played each other in Round One back in the 2021/22 season, with the Potters winning 2-1 on the night, with former loanee Harry Souttar scoring the opener in Stoke.
So it would have been another home draw for Boro and a chance to progress in the cup against lowly opposition and come up later against the big teams.
Thinking about it, there were so many changes to the team on Tuesday it looks to me that it was a calculated ploy to lose the game and not go any further in the competition. it could be argued that last seasons games against Premiership opposition cost Boro the chance of reaching the play offs and it was decided by the Boro management and coaching staff to give the youngsters and bench warmers a run out to see what they were made of. This was part of a cunning plan to get dumped out of the Cup! That’s my excuse anyway.
It’s been well reported that when Ayling went off at half time subbed by Dijksteel and our young left back McCormick who had been injured in the first few minutes was replaced by Engel it was a turning point in the game. The next three goals conceded were directly attributed to poor play by Engel. An unfortunate set of circumstances to have been levied on the young lads’s head from which he may not recover.
There was a learning curve in this game for Boro. Had they taken their chances in the first half they could have easily been three or four-one to the good at the break. Much like their more senior counterparts in the last two league games, Boro were ultimately punished for not being clinical, with Stoke offering a lesson in being ruthless. Of the players to come into the side, only Gilbert really took it and his projected loan move to another club this transfer window now looks unlikely.
As I write this, the transfer window is still open and Fulham have thrown their hat into the ring for VDB which is considered to be an unlikely move.
Josh Coburn is now wanted by a few clubs who are chasing him and whilst I like Josh, a local lad from Richmond, I think his career would best be served by a move away from the Boro.
On the incoming transfer front Middlesbrough Have Entered The Race With A Host Of Championship Clubs For A Late Move For Leicester City Striker Tom Cannon. Boro are purported to have been pursuing the former Everton man last summer, before he ultimately chose the King Power as his next destination instead. Boro's offer is understood to be greater than what the Tigers and the Black Cats have offered for Cannon, and is close to what Luton have offered for him. Before joining Leicester, the then-Everton forward spent time on loan with Preston North End where, as per the Lancashire Pistons he was labelled ‘brilliant’ by Ryan Ledson.
Cannon has not had the best stint at the King Power Stadium but he has the quality to replace Coburn if he moves to Millwall.
Ok other possible incoming transfers include IPSWICH Town defender George Edmundson.
As it stands, Boro have just one fit and available recognised centre-half in Matt Clarke, heading into Saturday's game.
Made available by Ipswich Edmundson, 27, is being viewed as a potential candidate to fill the void due to our injuries in the centre half position.
Turning to our game on Saturday Rav van den Berg and Jonny Howson will be assessed before travelling to Cardiff City on Friday afternoon, with the pair pushing to be available. We are struggling for defensive options right now, with Dael Fry and Darragh Lenihan also out injured, while Tommy Smith and Alex Bangura are more longer-term. With Van den Berg missing the last two games, Luke Ayling was forced to play centre-back against Portsmouth, while 17-year-old Harley Hunt made his impressive debut in the midweek defeat to Stoke City. This boy did not look like a just turned 17 year old player and had composure and confidence definitely one to watch.
With the trip to Cardiff this weekend the last before a fortnight break for internationals, there was only ever a realistic prospect of Van den Berg, Howson and Riley McGree being available of the players missing of late. However, McGree will not make the trip now, with Carrick not wanting to risk him, and he's also not included in the Australia squad for the upcoming international matches either.
Updating on potential returns for the Cardiff trip, Carrick said: "Riley has been a little bit slower than we'd hoped so he won't be ready for this week. Jonny is pushing me like crazy but we'll have to make a decision there. Rav we'll have to see tomorrow, that's a bit touch and go."
Cardiff are currently dead bottom and are one of just six sides yet to pick up a win this term.
Now, speaking ahead of the weekend, former Leeds United and Nottingham Forest midfielder David Prutton gave his score prediction for the clash in Cardiff.
Prutton said: “There was obviously a bit of drama last time out against Pompey with a very late penalty but you get the feeling that it’s again it’s too early in the season to say there’s anything categorically wrong with these sides that haven’t quite started as well as we thought they would do.
“I just think some are taking a bit more time to get up to the speed of it and I think you can possibly file Cardiff under that as well.
So no team selections proposed by me. I don’t suppose MC knows who he’s going to pick on Saturday so we’re both thinking alike.
So that’s it then a very hastily written preview, for good or bad.
Oh !
You want a prediction as well??
Me??
Don’t be silly
It’s Boro3
OFB
OFB, I thought you'd be polishing some new runes but your prediction, a prediction not made in your robes with your staff in hand shows a real confidence. I want to believe but I have doubts... maybe the clouds will part this Saturday and reveal the truth to us doubters.
A lovely headliner OFB, thank you. Now to move the couch out again, no, hang on, I'm still behind it.
UTB,
John
Well done OFB at such short notice.
Maybe Mr Carrick read my post regarding a fill in CB. 🤣🤣
"For good or bad", Bob ?
I don't think so.
For really excellent I'd say.
An interesting first- hand view of Tuesday's game and a fine summary of the whirlwind of possibilities leading up to tomorrow's game, all rendered in your own inimitable style.
Thanks for a smashing opener
Thanks OFB for an enjoyable piece produced at short notice; like many contributors you put some of the so called professional journalists to shame.
It appears that the Cannon reports are wide of the mark and sounds like an agent trying to push a deal through; the EG are reporting that he is not on Boro’s radar; sounds highly unlikely he would be given that MC has said he is happy with his forward options for a number of weeks.
Having watched MC’s pre match press conference I suspect that JH may be at CB with RvDB not ready and I am not convinced about the paper talk of a CB being recruited, given his comments on gaps in the squad and injured players returning.
I hope your score prediction is correct but to achieve it we will have to play with more discipline and be more clinical when chances present themselves.
The season has not started as we all hoped for and let’s hope that Saturday can be the day we see a Boro team play like a front runner for promotion to the PL, which we all were hoping to see from the start. Cob 😎
Many thanks for another starter, OFB. On a related subject I asked a couple of weeks ago if I’ve been allocated the Cardiff game in January as my initials seem to be next to the game on the original list. I’m happy to do it but if it could be confirmed, I’ll add it to my calendar.
@OFB A great opener. And at such a short notice, too. I know you are retired - I still need to wait for 18 months or so to have that luxury of more spare time. Enjoy and thanks again, Bob
In the arlier blog, we talked about lack of leaders in the current team when Howson is injured. Ayling, Leninhan, Latte Lath etc. were mentioned. But I like add a new name - Neto Borges .
Carrick said yesterday: "He’s an impressive young man. He speaks a number of languages and is a really good character, great personality."
He was the captain in his previous club in the French top division. So he could be a leader in the near future, too. I hope he bring some stability to our defence. He should be better at defending that Ryan was, for example.
Just saying, like. Up the Boro!
Well done OFB for producing a fine opener at such short notice - Tuesday was painful to watch and I only saw the 4-minute hightlights!
Hopefully, Tuesday's day off for the players will mean they arrive at Cardiff in top condition to pick up the three points - barring the long list who injured of course - plus they may even be a few exits and arrivals by then if the press rumours have any substance.
Find it hard to believe Boro are in for another Striker and another Centre-Back - doesn't seem worth getting in another CB unless at least 2 of Lenihan, Fry, RvdB and even Howson are stuggling to be fit in the next month. As for another forward - well we've currently got 9 or 10 to fill 4 places so gods knows where another will get the pitch time - unless of course it's insurance against a late Lathe Lath swoop.
Anyway, another early kick-off so hopefully the players are awake from the off - three points and that's 7 from 4 games and just shy of the magic 2 points per game - that should make the international break easier!
@werdermouth I think the Boro squad are already on the way to Cardiff at the moment. They are flying in "mid afternoon" according to Carrick.
So they should be well prepaired. And Latte Lath has travelled, too if we believe the local media.
It is tougher for the fans travelling in the early hours of tomorrow, though. Up the Boro!
So Josh Coburn has gone to Millwall as confirmed by the Boro.
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/2024/august/30/josh-coburn-joins-millwall-on-loan/
Luckily it is just a a season long loan. Hopefully he can get a lot of playing time there. Up the Boro!
Martin, there wasn’t a great deal to go on in terms of where to allocate the previews so they ended up just being carved up fairly evenly, taking into account the few requests we had.
Clearly it hasn’t quite gone to plan already.
OFB, many thanks for stepping in at short notice with a great opener.
It sounds as if Liverpool winger Ben Doak is set to join on loan.
I presume that’s to cover Coburn, with Burzog now a back-up striker as well as winger.
Not sure if it also hints at Micah Hamilton perhaps taking longer to settle than hoped.
many thanks Werder !
I must confess when I read your post I thought you were sticking your hand up to do it and I sent you a message of thanks.
i read your post again and to my horror you said you had a project to finish off and couldn’t do it !
I then had to hastily recall my thanks to you and start writing !??
I enjoyed writing to a deadline !
OFB
This is disappointing, if true, that ELL has not travelled to Cardiff and will not play tomorrow.
Emmanuel Latte Lath is staying at Middlesbrough despite late interest from Ipswich.
Sources have told Sky Sports News that the striker did not travel with the squad to Cardiff for Saturday’s game.
He will not be in the matchday squad at the Cardiff City stadium, live on Sky Sports+ at 12.30pm tomorrow. 😎
BBC reporting the same, whilst the Gazette earlier stated there would be no significant outgoings.
ELL’s departure, should it come to pass, would be a major disappointment and disruption, enough for me to downgrade my expectations for the season I think.
Fingers crossed it doesn’t happen.
@andy-r. Andy it doesn’t look like he is leaving but will not be available for tomorrow’s game. Not sure if he is injured or is not in the right frame of mind following the interest from Ipswich.
I agree if he goes then my expectations for the season will be severely dented. 😎
@andy-r. I cannot understand the Doak signing, predominantly a winger, I believe.
There will be alot of players, not playing, unless the injury curse continues.
Whilst I know I am repeating myself, going by Carrick's comments and Werder's prognosis, we have to assume Lenahin being out for some weeks yet, if not months.
Fry, well, I just would rely on him coming back any time soon and keeping injury free
The Internet is coughing up conflicting stories. A new CB, NO new CB. Latte Lath has not travelled. Yes he has. Mind either way means nothing.
Let's get to 11 o'clock and then see what 12 30 tomorrow brings. Hopefully some joy.
@k-p-in-spain. Either way it is disappointing. If Boro are sticking their heals in, then we could have one unhappy number 9.
If it is really true, then if he really wants to go, so be it. As long as the price is right. 20 million at today's values. Although I could not see Ipswich wanting to pay that kind of sum.
Latre Lath has not travelled and will not play tomorrow. Confirmed
Latest post from BBC Sport:
Latte Lath trying to force Ipswich move published at 17:24 British Summer Time
Nizaar Kinsella
BBC Sport football news reporter
IMAGE SOURCE, GETTY IMAGESA bit more information on Middlesbrough striker Emmanuel Latte Lath, who did not travel for the upcoming fixture away at Cardiff amid transfer interest from Ipswich.
The feeling on Teesside is that the Ivorian, 25, is trying to force a move through to the newly-promoted Premier League side after an initial bid was rejected.
However, the Tractor Boys remain interested in Chelsea striker Armando Broja which is currently believed to be the priority deal.
Latte Lath risks facing internal disciplinary action should he remain at the Riverside after the transfer deadline tonight. 😎
What a farce.
Coburn, a young lad, one of our own and a striker who has never let us down, publicly humiliated and trailed over the past two weeks as a player who would be leaving, in spite of our needing three serviceable strikers.
It has surely been apparent to anyone with an ounce of football knowledge that, in spite of the acquisition of Conway, Josh is only one injury to one of our other strikers or a late bid for Latte Lath away from being back as an essential part of the squad.
Last season Scott posited that we had four frontline strikers, Latte Lath, Coburn, Greenwood and Forss.
It was the kind of fantasy thinking that left us without a single serviceable striker for a significant part of last season.
Recently he said that this season we could dispense with Josh because we now have five frontline strikers: Conway, Latte Lath, Burgzorg, Forss and Hamilton.
And now within, not months, days or hours, but minutes of Josh leaving, Latte Lath appears to be digging his heels in, Ramirez style.
We may now be effectively down to one proven striker.
I was minded to write last week that we have someone in charge of future planning who seemed incapable of seeing a few months ahead.
A generous assessment as it has turned out.
The folly of the decision to move Josh on has been revealed within a single day.
Still Millwall will be as pleased with this bit of business as they were with the Watmore deal. Or should it be steal.
many thanks Werder !
I must confess when I read your post I thought you were sticking your hand up to do it and I sent you a message of thanks.
i read your post again and to my horror you said you had a project to finish off and couldn’t do it !
I then had to hastily recall my thanks to you and start writing !??
I enjoyed writing to a deadline !
OFB
🤣 Luckily you did as I've only just sat down to eat dinner after a very long day
Sounds like there's a deal to be struck with Latte Lath - especially if he is keen to leave for a shot in the PL - likewise RvdB may end up leaving if Fulham make an acceptable offer. Why else would Boro be actively pursuing another striker in Cannon and another central defender. As for Josh going out on loan again without being given much of an opportunity to get on the pitch this season probably means Carrick doesn't fancy him or would prefer a different type of striker. It feels like there's a few twists and turns to come before the evening has ended.
btw Jarkko - I just edited a post and got the same duplicate post problem as you did earlier - very odd I guess I'll have to look into it during the international break
I started a post while I was logged on at work at lunch time, then got distracted and ended up leaving work behind without funishing what I had started. So hereI am now battling with the tiny keys on my phone.
I did say congratulations Bob on another fine piece to open with. Not any evidence of that being at all a last minute rush-job. Well done.
I'd also started to bemoan sending Coburn out on loan, especially to a Championship rival. Someone had talked about it being unfair on him and his future career if any move was not a permanent one. I agree.
Then. Here I am now catching up on the latest postings and reading about ELL. Get top dollar for him if he wants out. He could become a liability if forced to stay against his wishes as no doubt created for him by his agent. Make sure there are plenty of appearance clauses, international cap bonuses and a whopping great sell on clause. I will be more upset if RvdB goes.
It is disgraceful that the authorities don't schedule the end of the transfer window to coincide with the start of the season. Boro will not be the only club whose pre season planning (regardless of what any of us might think about that) stands to be badly disrupted because of transfer shenanigans taking place right through to tonight.
The latest info is that Boro have stood strong in keeping Lathe. Clearly every player has his price and if Ipswich had offered the required amount then he would have gone leaving Boro in an awful position. So, well done in rebuking Ipswich.
What now? Latte stance will have caused problems internally and with fans, but if he performs in the coming weeks then fans will soon forget today’s happenings.
I am pleased he’s travelled to Cardiff- better travelling than not. I don’t expect him to start the game but won’t be surprised if Carrick brought him on - it will give him the opportunity to show his commitment to Boro.
Tomorrow’s result ? - I’ll take not losing. A draw ok but a win would be super.
Fingers crossed
Philip of Huddersfield
And now, according to the Gazette, the Edmundson loan is apparently back on!
@werdermouth. Just for information, I lost my original post on the Cardiff game after I hit the “Add Reply” button and have had difficulty logging in all day. Earlier today I was being advised the website was not available.
I thought it might be my end but now am not so sure. Had problems again this evening (a few minutes ago) when trying to access the site.
Hopefully Boro will have more luck tomorrow after today’s shenanigans! 😉😎
Before people castigate Latte Lath, who says it was his decision to stay behind in Boro, before travelling to Cardiff. It is now reported that Ipswich have returned to Broja, which fell apart when he failed the medical, now they are looking for a reduced fee because Broja who , will be out until October. My thoughts are that MFC wanted more than Ipswich were willing to pay, as they were willing to pay £30m for Broja, so when that fell through they thought they could get Lath on the cheap. Maybe the MFC hierarchy made the decision to keep Lath back in case Ipswich met their asking price, then when Ipswich went back for a cheaper purchase of Broja, the game was up and sent him to Cardiff, unless someone has positive proof that it was Lath or his agent responsible for Lath not travelling with the team, I suggest it is not helpful to speculate.
Come on BORO.
And now, according to the Gazette, the Edmundson loan is apparently back on!
Loan deal now confirmed, as it that of the "dark horse", Ben Doak from Liverpool.