To get anything out of tonight's game we have to ensure that we stop believing our own publicity and ensure that we do the dirty work of getting our tackles and blocks in and ensuring that we match the physical challenge that the Blues will throw at us, particularly in the first 20 minutes, but also throughout the game. Play our football when we can but not at the expense of shirking tackles and being bossed physically. For me that is the key to tonight's game.
@simonfallaha - A great set of recent posts here, fellow Diaborians! Simon - carry on looking back if you want to, because the resulting posts almost always contain some gems that we might have forgotten or somehow never took on board.
Martin - I shouldn't worry. I think there is a time, somewhere, when all of us are overtaken by the Despair Squid. Hopefully Holly will find a solution to get us out of the pickle in which we find ourselves. Or, if not Holly, one of the players or Kim Hellberg.
Early team news as reported by CJ:
Boro are expected to have Leo Castledine and George Edmundson back in the matchday squad tonight, with both back in training last week. Alfie Jones, Alex Bangura and Sammy Silvera are still ruled out, but otherwise Hellberg has a strong squad to pick from.
Team News...
Fry starts but so does Ayling and Malanda so must be a back 3 - Also Strelec starts with Conway and Whittaker drops to bench
I'm thinking a potential 3-4-1-2 there with Brittain and Targett as wing-backs, the extra centre-back giving Malanda licence to move forward (circa Ayala and Kalas for us in 2015-16, and a young Sol Campbell for England in 1998) and Riley behind the front two of Strelec and Conway. There is recognition there, clearly, that Strelec needs his confidence back and that playing with a "buddy" up front is a way to bring it.
Team News...
Fry starts but so does Ayling and Malanda so must be a back 3 - Also Strelec starts with Conway and Whittaker drops to bench
Edmundson, but no Leo! CJ's expecting a back three.
Five out and out defenders indicates a more defensive format . I don’t think the 3 central defenders have ever played together.
Hopefully Hackney turns it on and Strelec shows us what he can do and most importantly the midfielders in particular close down the opposition very quickly
It’s really win or bust tonight.
In view of recent results I’m not confident.
Philip of Huddersfield 🤔🤔🤔
The U21s have just lost at home to the same opposition by 1-4. Let's hope that's not an omen...
... a 1-4 scoreline would do us just dandy 😊The U21s have just lost at home to the same opposition by 1-4. Let's hope that's not an omen...
Well, I am back in the UK p- just managed to beat getting stuck in a Middle East airport - and I have to say our performances whilst I have been away have not been great. THat said, not losing (apart to Coventry) was a bonus. Got to take comfort in any form!
I just hope that winning ways can return with my return- we really do need 3 points tonight as the pack are closing in. Not sure what the formation will be - the BBC were showing a 4 1 4 1 with Fry in the second 4! I think 3 or 5 at the back makes more sense.
Anyway I will try to catch up on the posts and intros that I have missed - I know that they will be the usual excellent standard.
UTB
Boro draws first blood against the run of play: Matt Targett in the 13th minute, assisted by Morris.
First 10 minutes Birmingham all over Boro playing fast football. Malanga touched the ball 4 times and gave it away resulting in Brynn having to make a good save . He looks out of position . Then Boro score !!
philip
Well well well, I will take that for starters! COME ON BORO!
Boro draws first blood against the run of play: Matt Targett in the 13th minute, assisted by Morris.
BBC text commentary:
Matt Targett has scored three goals for Middlesbrough since joining on loan from Newcastle in August. He'd never scored three goals in a single season before.
Well I did say Boro needed a Targett man in the box 😉
Matt Targett on a hat trick.... who would ever have thought it
Even better! I must come back more often!!
Matt Targett on a hat trick.... who would ever have thought it
26th minute, assisted by HH - Beeb text:
He's done it again!
Matt Targett at the double!
A real mess from a Birmingham perspective this. A real mess. A throw down the line on the right bounces off a couple of heads before falling to Hayden Hackney 18 yards out and he passes to the on-rushing Targett to finish with class once more.
Matt Targett on a hat trick.... who would ever have thought it
26th minute, assisted by HH - Beeb text:
He's done it again!
Matt Targett at the double!
A real mess from a Birmingham perspective this. A real mess. A throw down the line on the right bounces off a couple of heads before falling to Hayden Hackney 18 yards out and he passes to the on-rushing Targett to finish with class once more.
Ironic comment by CJ before the match:
Big night for Matt Targett
He'll be going up against former Boro man Patrick Roberts, who will no doubt want to get on the ball and want to run at him/cut inside and look for those bending efforts with his left foot.
Targett not been at his best in the last couple, so needs to be back on it this evening.
🙂
Birmingham booed off at half time. Come on Boro.
After a quite abysmal first 10 minutes, we somehow are winning 2-0. As others have said Malanda constantly gave the ball away and looked like he had caught Luke Ayling disease from the last two games. Credit Matt Targett for being in the right place twice and also Aiden Morris for the pass for the first goal. Can we score another and not concede and win two halves of a game for the first time under KH. Also one of the worst goalkeeping displays I have seen at this level from Beadle. I think he might be replaced at half time.
Well that was an unexpected first half from Boro - different shape and different tactics with Boro playing less from the back and looking to get behind Birmingham - who have looked very dodgy playing it out from the back with a keeper who has looked in shock since his early collision.
Still Matt Targett has proved to be Boro's ace today with two great finishes - though the first was probably a tad offside on observation but makes up for that dubious penalty he conceded against Coventry.
Also Ayling has looked a different player today and back to his best but he appears to have passed on the jinx to Malanda who had a terrible first 20 minutes but has recovered after adjusting to playing on the left of a three.
Another goal and it's all over!
Birmingham started really brightly and Boro not in it. Then a goal by Targett followed shortly by another and the game changes dramatically. Targett ‘s goals were a lesson for any forward as he passed the ball with the inside of his foot into the net.
Suddenly Boro looked more confident and attacked more whilst Birmingham “ lost it “. - some awful passing and noticeably the home supporters go quiet.
Boro need a controlled second half - I just hope they don’t play too much out from the back. I’m happier with Fry who , if in doubt, clears the ball and the danger goes.
I expect Birmingham will come out to play as they did in the first 10 minutes moving the ball quickly forward.
So, it’s fingers crossed for the second half.
Philip of Huddersfield 👍🤔👍🤔
@philip-of-huddersfield indeed they did and a good goal to make it edgy for us now....
Bugger! The Blues pull one back three minutes after the restart. 🙁
I doubt Birmingham can play as bad as that in the next 45
Oh dear!! It’s 1-2 as Birmingham score a quick goal.
Boro need to keep hold of the ball particularly in Birmingham’s half. Boro are now the team giving the ball away.
Lots of running and closing down can win this game - definitely no tippy tappy football
Philip🤔🤔🤔
Malanda needs to be hooked - CJ:
Brynn save
Malanda again, with a poor ball out. He's been shocking tonight! Birmingham come forward and find Ducksch just outside the area this time. His low drive is heading bottom corner, but Brynn turns it around the post.
Then Boro restores the two-goal advantage: STRELEC in the 60th minute, assisted by Ayling - after Malanda had missed one!