Well Derby playing a low block and trying to catch Boro on the counter and pressing when we try to play out - they also look dangerous from set pieces too. Boro haven't created too many chances as there's no space but I though Hansen and Bangura's pace has worried them but Burgzorg and Conway not offering a goal threat but Whittaker has looked sharp.
Looking a hard game to win and Boro need an early goal if they're to get back - perhaps need more pace down the right side to help Brittain - or possibly Nypan could use his quick feet to move the ball around the Derby defence or McGree can use his experience to find the pockets of limited space.
Derby look as though they could win this without too much trouble. They are much more dangerous on the break and from set pieces than we are trying to pass our way through the middle of a tight defence. Good shot from Britten which hit the bar, but little threat from us apart from that.
Another Derby goal will settle it
Thanks for the great Headliner OFB.
We have only arrived today, turned on the TV, just in time to see the players coming out.
Looked to see the team news and see the injury curse strike again with Ayling. Oh that we had bought another CB that would be available now.
Could you somebody answer this please. Why is it that every other team we have played appears to have a tall, powerful and mobile forward. Can win balls in the air, useful at corners, can hold the ball up. We’re as we have Conway and Strelec.
And now another injury to arguably our best forward in the first half, Hansen.
McGree & Strelec on for Browne & Hansen in the 53rd minute. CJ:
McGree alongside Hackney in midfield. Strelec up top, with Borgzorg into the wide forward role [sic].
Why are we continuing to play Carrickball, pass, pass, pass, lose it. Absolutely nothing.
75% possession and only one shot on target out of 15. One does not have to be a genius to see what is wrong.
McGree & Strelec on for Browne & Hansen in the 53rd minute. CJ:
McGree alongside Hackney in midfield. Strelec up top, with Borgzorg into the wide forward role [sic].
CJ six minutes later:
Positive start to the second half fading after the stoppage and changes. Boro haven't created anything in the last five.
Nypan & Sène on for Burgzorg & Conway in the 71st minute.
Targett on target from a rare long corner!
Targett on target to put Boro level in the 75th minute, assisted by HH!
Whittaker makes it 2-1 in the 84th minute. Assistance again from HH. Boro provisionally back in the second automatic promotion spot!
Whittaker makes it 2-1 in the 84th minute. Assistance again from HH. Boro provisionally back in the second automatic promotion spot!
CJ:
Boro lead! From another corner. This time taken short. Hackney slides Whittaker inside on that left foot. It's a clever curled delivery from Whittaker. Goes right through. GK can't react in case there's a touch. There isn't. It's bottom corner. It's 2-1!
Young Archie Baptiste gets his first taste of Championship football: on for Whittaker in the 89th minute. Six minutes of injury time being played. 
That was an important win and Boro never gave up probing for a goal - phew!
btw Well done to Bangura for a very good game after 22 months out!
Back up to second...
An "easy" win. Was always confident 🤣🤣🤣.
Whittaker scored again. Bangura was excellent.
Back to second. Up the Boro.
We’ll all settle for a win following recent results .
Good to see the new coach get a win on his first match.
Bonus was Bangura playing after such a long layoff - can’t remember a player being out so long. It might give hope to Lenihan.
My main pleasure is to the fans.
well done to everyone
Its now onwards and upwards.
Philip of Huddersfield 👍🤗👍
Jones, Targett and Hackney were fantastic and hard to pick a MOTM but, even if he wasn't MOTM, I have to also mention Bangura who was bloody marvelous considering what he has been through.
Oh yes, and a debut for a 19yo centre half.
That was a real Teesside welcome for KH.
UTB
Player ratings in the Hartlepool Mail:
HH seems to have been MotM.
Match report from the Echo:
Praise for Bangura, Targett & Hansen.
Whittaker curled in the winner. It was his fifth goal in nine games - and undoubtedly his most important in a Boro shirt. Ust saying like. Up the Boro!
Fair play to the lads, they stuck to their task and ran out worthy winners. Derby sat deep to cling on to their advantage and didn't attempt to break or even get up the pitch and play for throw -ins after the interval. So our win was well-deserved, and we looked a different team with the introduction of McGree and Strelec for Burgzorg and Conway.
In the end a resilient win for a patched-up team.
Bangura a real bonus. A left wing back who wants to get forward with pace, and lasting the full 90 minutes. I'd forgotten that such a thing existed for the Boro.
Along with McGree it is like having two new mid-season signings
I thought Brittain had his best game for us, and I made him my M-o-M
I’ve only seen very brief highlights on Sky on my phone but a win’s a win and secures our second spot.
Good to see Whitaker scoring again. How did Conway look today? - any sign of any goal scoring confidence returning?
[...] How did Conway look today? - any sign of any goal scoring confidence returning?
From the Gazette's player ratings:
Tommy Conway - 5
Couldn’t get into the game at all. He didn’t get the service he needs and there appeared to be less instruction to get involved in the back to goal stuff he did a lot under Rob Edwards, which meant little involvement overall.
I missed the game again today on Dad duty supporting my daughters’ fledgling netball career (a tough afternoon but she did great).
Delighted to see we got the win, though it sounds like it was hard fought in the end.
Any insights on the playing style under the new manager?
PS I’m very disappointed that I didn’t make the team today, let alone score. Will just have to keep plugging away in training and hope to catch the manager’s eye. He’s new, it will take him a while to understand what I have to offer.
@lenmasterman I would agree there Len about Brittain. Like Selwynoz, I thought Jones also did well, but he only got a five in the HM’s markings.
However, I think the best mark and MOtM was probably a 9 for the team spirit and the tenacity to get back into the game and then go on to win it.
However, I just hope that Hellberg can “tweak” the playing style somewhat. The possession based passing football is not doing us any favours or it it helping Conway or Sterlec. Trying to pass the final ball to make a scoring chance through the eye of a needle is very difficult and can be seen by the continuous shots on target.
Today we had nearly 3/4 of the possession, with 21 shots, but only 4 on target. Before we scored, it was 15/1.
Mr Hellberg needs to deal with that serious issue as quickly as possible. But a great three points, and a good game to watch.
It is good to see the 5 yellow ban has now passed without any Boro players becoming victim to it.
Come on BORO.
@exmil I thought it was nineteen games played and if a player collects five yellow cards, it is a one match ban. So I believe that Friday night against Hull is a game not to get booked.
Conway and Hackney have four yellow cards and Jones three plus a red, so not sure about that total. Was the red for two bookings in the same game?
The next highest are three yellow.
It's interesting with the 5 yellow cards cut-off as many sites quote 'before' game 19 but the actual FA website downloaded PDF of the rules (Essential Information for Players 2025-26) clearly states on page 5 it's 'up to and including' game 19. So yes one more game to negotiate.
https://www.thefa.com/football-rules-governance/discipline/player-essentials
Hackney's definitely on 3 yellow cards according to EFL.com - although it's not a particularly easy site to navigate as you have to then select 'Yellow Cards' instead of 'Goals' and then choose 'Player' (a bit to the right) instead of 'Teams' and then you'll find Hackney on page 5 of the listings (highest number of cards descending) on 3 Yellows.
Alternatively, you can go to the Betfair website and then type in 'Middlesbrough' in the search box (just above the listings) - then you will see all Boro players and their cards with Hackney also on 3.
I did recall the commentator on the Coventry game mentioning his first yellow was his 4th of the season so it seems the rule has been applied if he only has 3. While I haven't seen the two yellow card rule on the EFL website, I've seen the following quoted on several sites discussing the issue...
If you receive two yellows and thus a red card, these do not count towards your yellow card tally but instead as one red card.
On the 2 yellow cards in a game issue - this is what I posted about the same time last year during a discussion on how many yellow cards Hackney had. Incidentally, Exmil had posted "he will now have to avoid another yellow (1 match ban) up to and including the 19th match" - So I think Exmil agrees with you on game 19 😉
If you click on that EFL.com link I gave last year then Jones is stated as being on 3 yellow cards with Hackney and Conway on 4 as you mentioned.