Leeds v Boro
Carabao Cup
Wednesday 14/8/24 k.o. 8pm
Live on T.V. Sky Sports
A happy new season to all you Diasborians, as we now make our first entry of 2024-2025 into a cup game. Will this be our first and only Carabao game, or will we make it all the way to Wembley? No replays, but extra time and penalty shoot outs make it all to play for.
A competition, which in a previous incarnation of the Trophy, the Boro have won. Of course saying that, it’s the only thing we’ve ever won in our history, but who’s counting ?
Although the season has just started, we have already seen one Championship manager casualty, as Ryan Lowe has been sacked by Preston North End after losing just one game! It’s a ridiculous situation really and owners and chairmen of clubs simply cannot understand that football is played by two teams and winning is not a foregone conclusion.
Turning to Boro and reflections on Saturdays game. It was the old cliche of “a game of two halves”. A Boro side in the first half seeing a hatful of chances created, spurned and some last ditch saves at our end to prevent a comical goal being scored by the Swans. Despite a hot humid afternoon the Boro seemed well short of fitness.
Whilst it’s still early days, Carrick was loth to use substitutes as he wanted his first team squad to get some real game time into their bodies.
The new guys fitted in quite nicely with Aidan Morris looking and playing like a young Howson. Apart from a suicidal back pass which was superbly saved by Seny Dieng young Morris wasn’t unnerved by the mistake and went on to have a superb game after receiving a verbal bollocking from Ayling. Morris actually made 39 passes with an 89% completion according to his stats.
I thought Ayling gave a superb Captains performance during the game and I was impressed with his man management skills. A good replacement for Howson over the season as a leader.
I’m afraid Azaz still disappoints me, as he had at least two clear cut chances to score and either shot at the keeper or didn’t strike the ball hard enough. I may be too hard on him, but as a professional footballer he should be more aggressive and impose himself on the game more.
Latte Lath was full of running and energy and whilst he missed his penalty during a pre-season game, he certainly put away his chance with confidence on Saturday to score a good goal.
Hackney and McGree made a good impact in the first half of the game and showed the fans what we have been missing when unfortunately injuries hit last season. It certainly impacted on Boro finishing in the top six and this season I shall be disappointed if we don’t finish in the top two!
I anticipate changes for the Leeds game team line up, with a rotated group to keep the squad fresh with the distraction of the cup from the league. which of course has to be our priority.
Dijksteel to come into the team and play at right back, despite the thought of Ayling playing at his old stomping ground. The squad has to be carefully managed to prevent burn out during these high temperatures.
I like young Gilbert who finished last season very strong and has the pace and trickery to create chances. Hopefully he will get a run out for this game and impress enough to get his chance in the League this season.
Burgzorg made a cameo appearance on Saturday and he was disappointed when Jones opted to shoot at goal when a pass to Burgzorg who was unmarked in the centre would have been a better option.
Hopefully on Wednesday we will also have Lenihan back in the team to continue his recovery and add more minutes to the games he has played in pre-season.
I also think Boro will rest Jones and Lath and play Micah Hamilton and Burgzorc.
Carrick said at his recent press conference……
“We’re absolutely delighted to get Micah in. We’ll certainly be patient with him because he’s still young and this is his first move.
"He’s been at Man City since he was six, so it’s a big change for him and we understand that.
"We’ll give him as much help as he needs to settle in. But we’re very excited in terms of what he can be, both soon and also over the course of the season and beyond.
"We’re really delighted to get him. He’s a terrific lad with a really nice family. He’s down to earth and obviously talented. We’ll look after him and get the best out of him."
Carrick must now decide whether Hamilton will feature at Leeds United on Wednesday in the Carabao Cup first round tie and I do expect him to start.
When asked the question Carrick said: “We’ll have to see. He’s literally only trained the once with us. He went away with City this summer to the USA and I know what their tours are like. There’s a lot of travelling and it’s difficult to train as much.
"We’ll manage him carefully to get him up to speed and we’ll make a call on Leeds closer to the time.”
Turning to our opponents on Wednesday Leeds United, they will be aiming as a priority to gain promotion to the Premier League this season after narrowly missing out in their first year back in the Championship.
The Whites came third in the table before losing the play-off final 1-0 to Southampton at Wembley Stadium.
Daniel Farke will be hoping that the squad he has built so far will be good enough for a top two spot in 2025.
The relatively new owners of Leeds, 49ers Enterprises, who took over the club over 12 months ago have tasked the German with guiding the Yorkshire outfit back to the top flight.
The Whites will face stiff competition in the battle for a top two spot, putting pressure on Farke to deliver this year or else risk losing his job.
He has claimed that the process of turning things around at Elland Road will take some time due to the mess the previous ownership left behind.
Over the course of this summer, there’s been plenty of quite justified talk to see if the 49ers have got what it takes to run this club in a successful manner. There was great disappointment at the end of last season and a big fright on Saturday when they nearly lost the game.
Obviously Leeds fans are quite tough to please on the ownership front, and haven’t been blessed when it comes to great owners this century.
Having said that, they inherited a basketcase of a club after relegation, and really just weren’t fit for purpose in terms of just being in the Premier League.
Leeds have lost a number of big names this summer, including Gray, Summerville and Glen Kamara. However, the club have moved to bring in some fresh faces to help improve Farke’s squad.
Joe Rodon has been signed on a permanent basis following his successful loan spell with the Whites last year.
Despite losing some big names, especially Summerville, many people are still likely to tip Leeds for promotion this year.
The competition, while still strong, won’t quite be at the same level as the previous campaign. Farke’s side came so close last year, and still have a squad filled with quality players, so should have enough to get over the line in 2025.
If they can’t earn a place back in the Premier League, then it’s hard to imagine Farke sticking around much longer.
Having had a hand in 24 goals and assists in 51 games last season, Rutter has become a targeted man. Not just on the pitch, but off it too after Brighton had a bid of £30 million for the French attacker.
Of those 24 involvements, 16 were assists and on Saturday he laid on Gnonto’s effort. But on the whole, it was a largely frustrating afternoon for Rutter and hopefully the Boro now know how to stop him.
A lack of efficiency in front of goal contributed to the lack of success on Saturday for Leeds. They scored three goals but it could have been double figures. The Whites hit the bar three times in the first 10 minutes and missed numerous other chances, before Brenden Aaronson’s late golden chance.
The USA star had just equalised to draw Leeds level with a brilliant touch and finish on 95 minutes, after Portsmouth’s 92nd-minute penalty. Put through on goal, he somehow missed the target to win 4-3 but hah hah they didn’t !
So let’s be avin yer !
Scores, Predictions please !
me?
Me?
ME???
Well of course John I’m going for….
BORO 3
OFB
Thanks Bob for a well written and very enjoyable piece composed at short notice after Saturday's game. It sets us up nicely for Wednesday evening.
i tend to agree about Azaz. The good opportunity he missed in the first half was all about trying to get the ball back on to his favoured right foot.
I suspect he may have been told at half-time to trust his left foot more, because he did so with another glorious opportunity but it was a feeble effort.
I'm not too concerned about the result at Leeds. It's an opportunity for us to see some of those who didn't play on Saturday, and a chance for them to make an impression.
I hope a few of them do
@OFB Thank you for a splendid opener. Well written and enjoyable to read.
I am wondering if there will be any streams available. The match will be shown in Finland by Viaplay. I haven't subscribed to the service yet as it it so costly as it includes Formula One, movies, etc. that I do not have time to watch. It is a real pity one has to order everything or nothing. No option to order just sport or just football.
It would be interesting to see if we will see Fry on the bench or Leninhan starting. And as OFB said, if we will see Dijksteel. And who will be in goal, too.
For the first time, I do not see the cup match so important as I usually do. This year we must try to finish in the top two - I share OFB's opinion in there. Up the Boro!
i agree that we shouldn’t allow the carabao cup to get in the way of the league but it could be a useful opportunity to try out some different combinations.
Glover or Brynn in goal? Will we see Dijksteel, Lenihan and Fry or even a back three? Will McCormack be given a chance to show what he can do? Who will play in midfield; maybe Barlaser and Morris and how fit is Howson? I don’t think that Hamilton will start but he, Gilbert, Coburn and Burgzorg should get some minutes and maybe even Finch or McCabe.
Should be interesting.
UTB
Many thanks OFB for an excellent and thorough preview for tonight's Carabao Cup 'Derby' - I'd agree that both sides will probably field a much-changed team compared to the weekend as promotion is no doubt the priority for Leeds and Boro.
Having said that, making wholesale changes in the early rounds of the League Cup has become the norm for most clubs regardless of their aspirations. It has become a useful vehicle for getting new signings integrated into the team and it worked well last season as with saw how Morgan Rogers gained confidence playing in the cup and then suddenly looked a different player.
So on that basis, getting through the early rounds is a nice bonus and let's not forget it proved to be the main excitement last season as Boro beat Chelsea at the Riverside - though I've forgotten what happened in the 2nd leg 🤔
Anyway, i hope to find an unofficial stream for tonight but I'll miss the first 15 minutes as will be coming back from my son's handball training.
Prediction: 2-2 and penalties!
btw on Ryan Lowe leaving Preston - he actually wasn't sacked but asked to leave after discussions with his family...
Club director Peter Ridsdale said it was Lowe who prompted those talks after chatting with his family over the weekend.
"He told me he wanted a break, a change. We've accepted that and shaken hands and we agreed on what basis he goes. The fact is he's gone, we didn't initiate it and we have to decide whatever next."
@OFB. Thank you OFB for an informative and enjoyable read.
Whilst it would be nice to beat Leeds and progress, it can't be at the risk of injuries or detriment to our league performances which have to be the club's and supporters' priority.
It will be useful to get further match fitness into some of the players and I suspect we will see a few changes on both sides; we were so close to getting a result at Elland Road last season in the league and were robbed of a draw at home, so let's hope that luck goes in our favour this time subject to my earlier caveats regarding injuries and league performances.
I have confirmed with MFC that they do not have the rights to video stream Carabao Cup games, so tonight's game and should we progress will not be live streamed via Riverside Live. 😎
BTW
ITS PLAYED ON WEDNESDAY NOT TUESDAY !!!
- Wednesday 14 August – Leeds United v Middlesbrough (Sky Sports Football)
- All other ties available to watch live on Sky Sports+
talkSPORT
- Wednesday 14 August – Leeds United v Middlesbrough (talkSPORT)
BBC Radio 5 Live
- Wednesday 14 August - Leeds United v Middlesbrough (BBC 5 Live)
OFB
OFB,
A great headliner and although it would be nice to beat Leeds as others have said it's the bread and butter matches in the Championship that count and part of any cup game is the fear of injuries casting a shadow. Part and parcel of the game I know, but please stay injury free Boro whatever happens tonight.
OFB, the 'eyes in the sky' seem to have disappeared for the time being with tree being a favourite number number now. OFB, one thing I did mean to ask you about was Boro's disallowed goal on Saturday, it seemed to be the keeper was behind the line anyway so did the ref give him the benefit of the doubt or was there a foul that he and I missed? Never mind we won so that works for me!
All the best everyone,
UTB,
John
Did I mention I never know what day it is these days 🤣
That saved me from a long evening looking for a stream 😓
@werdermouth. Count me in too! Tonight’s game in my post should have read Wednesday nights game!
I put it down to old age, what’s your excuse? 😉😎
Re the disallowed goal !
without Goalminder or Hawkeye goal line technology which isn’t used in the championship it’s hard to say but those behind the goal were sure the keeper had dropped it over the line.
The ref hadn’t kept up with play and the assistant refereee wasn’t consulted so the decision was fudged.
OFB
I'm over 60 now...
With regards to the Caraboa Cup match on Wednesday v Leeds and squad selection, it is worth noting each team is allowed to name 9 substitutes on the bench, can use 5 during the game in 3 windows but any changes at halftime do not count towards the 3 windows, although they count towards using 5 of the substitutes. No extra time straight to penalties.
Come on BORO.
Thank you for your time and effort OFB, producing another excellent Headliner article.
I would like to see Boro progress, just for the minutes that can be afforded to the bench and fringe players.
However, unfortunately I think MC may have to go with VDB and Clarke again. Lenihan cannot be really fit, especially to start. Dijksteel at CB, really? And Fry, just where is he?
I guess we will have a change in goal, possibly McCormack at LB. Barlaser starting in midfield with Morris ot Hackney. The latter needs more minutes, as I thought he was disappointing overall on Saturday.
Latte Lath, may have to start if we really are trying to win. Will Hamilton be gambled from the start? Then there are Burgzorg and Gilbert to vomit in possibly.
Decisions, decisions.
vomit in?
@john-richardson
Re the disallowed goal !
Without Goalminder or Hawkeye goal line technology which isn’t used in the championship it’s hard to say but those behind the goal were sure the keeper had dropped it over the line.
The ref hadn’t kept up with play and the assistant referee wasn’t consulted so the decision was fudged.
OFB
I thought the ref had given a goal originally, but my neighbour said he’d blown for a foul on the keeper by Clarke, which is what the highlights commentary also said. I must say, seeing it again on the highlights, that Clarke barely touched him. Very soft indeed!
Thank you, OFB, for a splendid and very interesting opener, produced at very short notice. Well done!
My heart says we’ll win tomorrow - on penalties, probably. My head, however, thinks we’ll lose, perhaps by the odd goal.
Just seen on U Tube the fantastic welcome to Tony Mowbray at the Riverside on Saturday and his typical humble comments. Most young supporters tend to choose a forward as their favourite player but I chose Tony.
His commitment as a player and leadership were tremendous. I’m struggling to think of say half a dozen Boro captains in the last 50 years as good as him. I always maintained that he was the one who made Pallister into a good player.
It was a shame that he came to Boro as manager at the wrong time and had to make difficult decisions which ultimately cost him his job.
Hope he can make a full recovery from his illness.
Philip of Huddersfield
I expect lots of changes by both teams tonight making it more difficult to forecast the result.
I will be pleased with a win by penalties but forecast Leeds 2 Boro 1.
Fingers crossed that I’m wrong.
👍😁
Philip of Huddersfield
Another consideration to team selection tonight, apart from risk of injuries, fatigue etc, is that Derby played their cup match last night and will have 24 more hours recovery than Boro (thanks Sky) with some of their better players only getting 20/30 minutes.
Come on BORO.
From CJ:
Michael Carrick makes seven changes from the side that beat Swansea, with Matt Clarke, Lukas Engel, Aidan Morris and Isaiah Jones the survivors. Coming into the team with an opportunity to impress are Sol Brynn, Anfernee Dijksteel, Jonny Howson (who we expect will play at centre-back), Dan Barlaser, Alex Gilbert, Delano Burrgzorg and Josh Coburn.
Subs are: Glover, Hunt, McCormick, Ayling, Cartwright, HH, Azaz, Hamilton & ELL.
Can't seem to copy & paste the actual team sheet from the Gazette site. 🙁
There you go - Copy image then just paste it into your post - works easily on my laptop but other devices may be more complicated
Glad to see Gilbert getting a start and another chance for Morris to build on his good performance at the weekend - Boro look quite muscular up front with Coburn and Burgzorg - will be interesting to see how the team perform.
@werdermouth. My concern is Howson at CB. It didn’t end well at Stamford Bridge if I have remembered it correctly. 😎
There you go - Copy image then just paste it into your post - works easily on my laptop but other devices may be more complicated
Cheers, Werder. 🙂 That's what I tried to do. I copied the image (or thought I had), but when I clicked on "paste" in the reply box on here, the image did not come up. That's why I said I couldn't seem to complete the process.
Leeds have made 8 changes from Saturday with the front 4 all changed and some youngsters in midfield...
Leeds B team are thankfully not Chelsea's A Team 😉
Probably the copy didn't work if there was nothing to paste - I did manage to work out how to do it on my iphone too as I'm not really a non-keyboard user.