@martin-bellamy. Yes me too. Copied his way of playing holding his shirt cuffs and that raised arm pointing to the sky when he scored. Great memories. 😎
I did the cuff holding thing too, then, in the summer, turned my cricket shirt collar up, à la Geoffrey Boycott. Alas, I didn’t quite have the skill set to maintain the illusion.
Dennis Law was unfortunately just before my time and I've only one recollection of actually remembering seeing him play a game - it was for Manchester City and if I recall correctly he scored a back-heel goal against Manchester United that actually relegated his former club - I remember that he was so upset after scoring he had to be subbed.
Seven changes in the starting line-up:
@stircrazy. Good to see ELL playing and that both Ayling and Morris are back on the bench. CoB 😎
@stircrazy. Good to see ELL playing and that both Ayling and Morris are back on the bench. CoB 😎
Not to mention Ben Doak starting. 😉
No Dijksteel in the squad! Does that mean RvDB will be at RB? 🤔😎
@k-p-in-spain Imagine the furore if it means he’s being lined up for sale.
@martin-bellamy. EG now reporting that he took a knock in training as did Riley McGree.😎
Possible explanation from CJ for the absence of Dijksteel & McGree from today's squad:
Those seven changes then are: Van den Berg, Fry, Borges, Hackney, Doak, Azaz and Latte Lath in for Dijksteel, Clarke, Engel, McCabe, Hamilton, Gilbert and McGree.
No Dijksteel or McGree in the squad at all today - and we're told it's because both picked up knocks in training during the week.
The positive news though, is that Dieng, Morris and Ayling are all back on the bench. Included, as Carrick said they would be, are Doak and Latte Lath.
As far as how they'll line-up with no natural right-back [is concerned], it's most likely to be Rav going to right-back, as he did a few times last season. Alternatively, it could be a back three with Doak and Borges as wing-backs. But would expect the usual formation and Rav on the right.
@stircrazy That would mean turning to Plan B.
Something we all thought Carrick did not have. 🤣
And just as I was thinking, Dijksteel is doing well. How many games now has he played without being injured. Oh well, let’s hope it is only a one game knock and not the recast of the season.
The medical emergency has turned into quite a lengthy delay so must be pretty serious - probably looking at a 35-45 minute delay by the time the teams come out again now so it will be hard to get themselves mentally ready again
The medical emergency has turned into quite a lengthy delay so must be pretty serious - probably looking at a 35-45 minute delay by the time the teams come out again now so it will be hard to get themselves mentally ready again
Kick-off now at 15.35.
@exmil - The information in my post (about Atlanta's "bid" for Latte Lath) came from OFB in his post of 16th January at 9.19pm on the Transfer Thread. OFB said the information came from Tom Bogert on GiveMeSport. I'm afraid I don't know Tom or that site!
@k-p-in-spain - I know that accidents happen but an awful lot of Boro's players seem to "take a knock in training". Maybe they should be wearing neoprene (or its current equivalent) ankle guards as well as shinguards and knee protection. You could sort of imagine a player not currently in the starting XI lining up the man currently in his position for a little "Hello - it's me!" calling card. Oooooh. If he should unfortunately receive a knock, I'd be next in line to play....
HOOORAY! Latte Lath in a breakaway goal. Pompey 0-1 Boro with a Burgzorg assist (30 minutes).
HOOORAY! Latte Lath in a breakaway goal. Pompey 0-1 Boro with a Burgzorg assist (30 minutes).
Wouldn't you just know it?!! 😀 👍
CJ:
Slightly against the run of play that, albeit Boro have had a couple of promising counters without end product. Burgzorg leads this one with an excellent drive down the wing after beating his man. Slips in behind for Latte Lath, who rounds the keeper and finishes.
A well taken goal from a breakaway sees us go in 0-1 at half time but I am not comfortable as we have looked poor defending corners and free kicks.
Glover is giving me nightmares and has nearly cost us a couple of goals from his poor passing out from the back.
Little impact from Azaz and Doak so far. Can we manage the rest of the game and show grit and determination to come away with all three points and not give points away when leading as we have been won’t to do. CoB shows that you have got the mettle to do it. 😎
After the delay in starting the game, there seemed to be a similar delay before Boro got their passing together in the final third - there was one decent move on the right where Doak got his cross in but not much else that was threatening a goal. In the end it was a really good move from out of defence that saw a Burgzorg flick and trick before a well weighted pass that Latte Lath finished well. Could've had second not long after when another slick move saw Hackney slice bis shot - though it was still better than his earlier effort from a corner that hit the scoreboard!
Signs Boro could score a few if they showed composure but also signs that they could concede if they're not careful defensively - with Glover's kicking being the most likely cause of our problems.
Brilliant taken goal by LL, after good work by HH and Burgzorg.
However some very sloppy passing out of defence once more by both defenders and Glover and living on the line somewhat.
Barlaer and once more Azaz not really in the game. The later has regressed from has purple spell. He needs to step up a level or two.
Bu**er! (As AV used to say at this juncture). 1-1 early in the second half, and a couple of attacks soon after the equaliser that could have made Boro fans VERY miserable....
Engel & Morris on for Borges & Barlaser in the 69th minute.
Engel & Morris on for Borges & Barlaser in the 69th minute.
Alex Gilbert replaces Burgzorg in the 80th minute.
Pompey takes the lead in the 82nd minute. 🙁 Ritchie again.
Double bugger, as AV would've said, just when Blackburn had done us a favour by losing at Oxford.
Double bu**er"! Is this Boro side REALLY a promotion candidate? In the last few weeks there has been a noteable failure to beat teams who were, at the time, in the bottom three. But to LOSE to one...?
@forever-dormo. In a word no! 🤬😎
Is anyone really surprised that Boro should lose here after being 1-0 up? "
"In the 2nd half upfront Boro were impotent and they were undone at the back" - Commentator at the whistle. And "Poor in the 2nd half...Boro second best there. They were out-fought and that is not acceptable" per Maddo. Not at all good, and to add to the misery, Boro slides out of the Play-Off positions.
Disappointingly more points dropped against a team Boro should beat if they want to finish in top six - basically Portsmouth wanted it more than Boro and showed much more energy as Carrick's players failed to pass the ball to the standard needed - plus too many nothing passes in their own half that allowed Pompey to close them down and make mistakes or rushed passes that lost possession. Not good enough today!