@mw-in-darwin I think Hackney had one of his worst matches for Boro - especially the first half. But we all see the game so differently and can debate for MoM for hours. For me it was difficult to say, but I would say McGree was my MoM.
PS. I tried to say it is very nice (!) to have a proper squad of players available. We will get through the season much better than last season. Of course we do not know when Conway, Ayling or Leninhan will be exactly back.
The rest should be back any time soon, except Brynn, Banguran and Smith who are long term.
Up the Boro!
Does anyone else find it ironic that with our third choice keeper we manage to keep two clean sheets on the bounce.
Additionally, many have commented that the team is unbalanced on the left and that DB on the left keeps coming inside onto his right foot. Last night he sprinted down the left wing played a good ball into the box with his left foot for AG to score.
Who would credit it! 😎
There’s a lot of talk of Arsenal’s set piece goals at the moment, particularly their corner routines. To me, it seems obvious that there’s room for innovation here - corners are a regular aspect of play and give an opportunity to do something different to increase goal scoring opportunities, yet few teams seem to do anything other than have the corner taker raise one or both of their arms to indicate their chosen target area.
Throw-ins are another chance to come up with some sort of strategy but, too often, I see Djiksteel or Borges looking hopefully around for team mates, who take on the guise of reluctant school kids trying to avoid a questioning teacher’s eye in class.
I wonder who is in charge of set pieces at Rockcliffe Park - anyone got any inside knowledge?
@martin-bellamy. I would suggest no one given the few goals we score from corners and the amount of times we lose the ball when taking throw ins. 😉😎
Len raised the point about keeping Gilbert rather than sending him on loan. I agree with that. In fact, if we were now to lose either Hackney or Barlaser to injury, that would leave us perilously short in midfield. I could see Dijksteel (Mr Versatile) filling in there, but I could also see Gilbert playing in the more advanced role of the two holding players if necessary.
As I am not in Twitter or X anymore - I cannot stand Mr Trump and his brother Elon Musk - I would like to share a link to an article on the Echo telling us about our captain at Hull away end.
Please have a look on the video embedded into the article.
Well done, Jonny Howson. Up the Boro!
@k-p-in-spain That’s my conclusion too. It just seems such a basic area to work on.
@martin-bellamy. What frustrates me Martin is that it is not a recent problem and why can the so called professionals not identify it as a problem when supporters can. As a certain individual says, unbelievable. 😎
Does anyone else find it ironic that with our third choice keeper we manage to keep two clean sheets on the bounce.
Additionally, many have commented that the team is unbalanced on the left and that DB on the left keeps coming inside onto his right foot. Last night he sprinted down the left wing played a good ball into the box with his left foot for AG to score.
Who would credit it! 😎
Ironic? Perhaps if we analyse that a little...
Glover is no where near as comfortable playing football as either of Dieng or Brynn. The team know this and so play football with him far less. He is also far more likely to play a long ball out than a short one. I would also note he looks for a fast ball thrown out to a free player as well.
I think we might agree Glover doesn't command his area as well as Brynn, who is the most confident of them all in the air.
What can we deduce from this? Perhaps it is risky playing with a keeper that is a little suspect in the air, but even more risky playing football with your keeper. Perhaps the lesson that needs to be learnt is that tippy tappy across the back line and with your keeper invites more danger than clearing your lines the traditional way.
Of the three, Bryan would be my first pick, then perhaps Glover before Dieng. Although I appreciate there is a bigger debate to have about that.
@powmillnaemore. I agree. Having seen all three this season I would have Brynn as first choice as he is tall, deals well with crosses and catches more than he punches, he also distributes the ball well.
Dieng is perhaps a better shot stopper but can be prone to a few errors and is less comfortable in the air/commanding his box.
Glover just does not exude confidence. He flaps at crosses and punches, often weakly, more than he catches. His distribution is poor in comparison to the other two. 😎
@k-p-in-spain but also, regardless of who is between the sticks, we are at greater risk of conceding a goal when we play tippy tappy with the keeper. So why do it?
@powmillnaemore It’s a tactic to draw opposition forwards towards our defence creating spaces for our midfielders. It also seems to be a very popular way of playing out with modern coaches.
@martin-bellamy. I understand the thinking behind the tactic. But my point is that the tactic invites more risk than not using that tactic with this set of players. So, why do it?
@powmillnaemore I suppose we’d have to analyse whether the tactic has brought us goals as well as causing us to leak them. The jury’s out.
@martin-bellamy Agreed. Have to say that I'm glad its not me that has to make decision about it. I have to say though. I am always anxious when I see us playing like that across our back third and I am not sure I'll ever get used to it for my team. As to KP's observation about two clean sheetsxwith Glover in goal. Does the lack of tippy tappy have anything to do with that?
Before this thread draws to a close may I thank you all for your extremely kind and supportive comments, and as always your contribution to a great discussion of the game.
A final word on some of the minor themes. It was good to see Carrick's facial blemish looking much improved, Hackney looking much fresher and that winning goal giving such a fillip to the entire squad.
Carrick's comments today give me the impression that an internal battle has been won, that he has all the evidence he needs to insist on Gilbert's staying and that he may even have something up his sleeve on the transfer front akin to the Ben Doak signing.
I haven't the slightest direct evidence of this but the fact that Amad Diallo is the single most effective Man U player this season following his time in the Championship under Tony Mowbray at Sunderland must surely suggest to someone at Old Trafford that this might be a model worth repeating. And where better to place any rising star than with Michael Carrick's team. And with Carrick knowing exactly who he might want to recruit that kind of move would be perfect.
All speculation. Some logic to it I hope. But there's certainly something afoot about the way Carrick has suddenly spoken about this window as something to look forward to rather than something that he fears might be happening to him.
@powmillnaemore . Glover doesn’t huff it out from goal kicks in the traditional way but does sometimes after a bit of tippy tap play with the CBs and FBs.
It’s all about trying to keep possession and if it goes wrong it’s usually down to bad decision making.
I would rather play out from the back than kick straight to the opposition or in the case of throw ins/corners give it back to them as soon as frequently happens.
At the end of the day it’s MC’s way so we will have to live with it. 😎
@lenmasterman Sorry if I’ve posted the Cardiff starter too early. I’ve got some things on tomorrow and didn’t want to delay it until late on Friday evening.
Not at all,Martin. It's great to get the Cardiff thread going so we have time to discuss it properly.@lenmasterman Sorry if I’ve posted the Cardiff starter too early. I’ve got some things on tomorrow and didn’t want to delay it until late on Friday evening.
It's good too to see so much stimulating material going up to cover this tight press of games.
Thanks for your consideration, but it's something I welcomed