Boro v Doncaster Rovers
Carabao EFL Cup, first round
Tuesday 12 August, 19.30.
On paper, this is a tie Boro should win. Having said that, this is a classic banana skin, and we’ve had too many of those in the last few years. I hope Rob Edwards takes this game seriously. A good cup run builds morale and confidence and gets the fans onside, and we may get the chance of meeting one of the big boys later on. It’s also the opportunity to give game time to some of the fringe and younger players.
Who knows what side Edwards will pick, though it’s not as if he’s spoiled for choice, with injuries and lack of squad depth. Without VdB to call on the defence virtually picks itself. I reckon he won’t call on any of the 6 injured first-teamers, however close to a return they may be. Kante received a marvellous reception from The Riverside crowd on Saturday and his every touch of the ball was cheered to the rafters. Perhaps he deserves a longer run out this time? I really hope the boss doesn’t pick Hamilton , though he might like to look at Gilbert to see what he has to offer. Edwards may decide to give a couple of youngsters a run out - Mc Cabe? McCormick? Woolston? Finch? - but he’ll be very conscious that Boro could come a cropper against a tough side, so my guess is he’ll stick largely to Saturday’s eleven and keep the young lads on the bench until Boro establish a secure winning position. He’ll want to build on Saturday’s positive performance and win.
I had a look at Boro’s record in the EFL/ Carabao Cup in the last 12 years. There have been some obvious highs and some desperate lows, especially where we have surprisingly (and often) lost to lower league opposition, and very often at home.
Highs included a third round loss in 2014 at Liverpool 15-16 on penalties and a quarter final home defeat 0-2 by Everton the following year. And who can forget the exhilarating ride to the semi-finals in 2023 leading to a 1-0 first leg win against Chelsea, before Carrick’s tactical cock-up in the second leg saw us lose (narrowly) 6-1.
Other than those highlights, our record has been dismal. How did we manage to lose a home quarter-final 0-1 to very lowly Burton Albion in 2019, when a semi final place beckoned? I can still see Aidan Flint put his last minute shot (which would have been the equaliser) over the bar literally from underneath it! We’ve also gone out very disappointingly in recent seasons in the first round to Accrington (1-2), to Crewe (4-6 on penalties) and to Barnsley (0-1), all of which were at home, and we also lost another first round match away to Blackpool (0-3). We also suffered a second round home defeat to Barnsley (0-2). Last season, it looked as though Boro might repeat some of 2023’s heroics after a magnificent 3-0 win at Leeds in the first round, only to go crashing out 0-5 at home to Stoke. All so very typical Boro!
So the Doncaster game gives us a chance to improve on that chequered record and to make amends for some of those awful performances.
That said, a word of caution. ⚠️ ⚠️ ⚠️ This Doncaster side are no mugs. They finished last season as League 2 champions, accruing 84 points, and winning 24 and drawing 12 of their 46 games. In the previous season they finished 5th, but lost to Crewe in the playoffs. This season, they already seem to be adapting well to the higher level, having won both their first two games, at home to Exeter and away to Mansfield.
They’re managed by the experienced Grant McCann. He had two separate spells at Peterborough, and curiously is now in his second spell at Doncaster. In between, he was 3 seasons at Hull City. He’s been manager at Donny in this, his second term, since May 2023, and in his 116 games in charge has a healthy record of 1.71 points per match. He’s a canny operator, who will no doubt have a cunning plan to stop Boro. If they score first, we might struggle to get back into it, given how little we created against Swansea.
We’ll need to beware of winger, Luke Molyneux, who had 12 assists and scored 16 goals last season. And then there’s Billy Sharp! Amazingly, the evergreen, much-travelled striker is still playing for Rovers at the age of 39. He made 43 appearances last season, scoring 9 goals. He has 283 career goals from 750+ appearances, including most famously for Sheffield United. This is his third spell at Rovers. Ignore him at your peril, Boro!
I can’t see Edwards, Viveash and Watling being anything less than fully determined and professional, and I doubt very much they’ll allow any complacency. For that reason, I’ll go for a 2-0 win to Boro. Let’s do the business this time, lads!
What are your thoughts?
A brilliantly researched resume of our recent League Cup history, Clive. It was especially useful for someone like me who remembers and treasures our occasional triumphs, but had almost completely forgotten our disappointments. It was good to be reminded of the former and salutary to reflect upon the latter. Many thanks for such a well crafted piece.
Thank you Clive, you have set the stage perfectly for what could very easily the classic 'Boro Banana Skin'. How will Boroa adapt to facing Doncaster? I'm with you in thinking Me Edwards will put out a strong team to play against a team and, if you like manager, that are on a bit of a roll and I suspect that many Doncaster fans will be expecting them to win. It will not be easy at all.
One other aspect is that we do not need any injuries to come out of the game. A win please Boro so that we can move on swiftly. I anticipate one of Len's binary scores!
It's been interesting reading all the posts, I stood back while the hospital fettled an infection called Cellulitis that attacked my head, neck and chest. I was warned about it and have to carry two boxes of Antibiotics but they were deemed not powerful enough so the team put me on some different pills that were a cross between a horse tablet and and a suppository. They're working and only five to go now! Asked to describe what it felt like I said a cross between shingles, flu and a dose of toothache for good measure. Otherwise known as painful. In the middle of that was our 55th Wedding Anniversary, the boss reckons I'll do anything to keep my wallet in my pocket...
Anyway it's a new season so being a Boro supporter means I/we are used to the pain. All the best everyone. Oh, that was some test series against India, could with another like it.
UTB,
John
Best wishes John. Keep taking those pills and make sure that you don't fall off that wallet
Very tough game . Doncaster are on a role finishing last season as the stand out team and winning their first 2 games this season .
Winning, like losing, becomes a habit and they will come to win.
i will settle for any kind of win
Philip of Huddersfield 👍🤔
ps I don’t suppose the game is on sky.
is Saturday’s game on sky + ?
@philip-of-huddersfield The match on Boro Live is not available in Finland. But it is not available on ViaPlay either. They are showing the Bromley - Ipswich Town match only.
Strange that it is not available anywhere up here. Up the Boro!
Many thanks, Clive, for an excellent scene setter.
In my view, we have a tough run of league fixtures coming up and a thinnish squad, so I would rotate and risk the slip up to avoid risking the injuries. If the fringe players don't get a game now, they may never.
Remaining in the same formation, it would be something like:
-------------Glover---------------
--------Jones Fry Borges--------
Brittain McCabe Kante Silvera
-------Hamilton Gilbert---------
--------------Forss--------------
Still no place for Barlaser for me.
I think that side is capable of another narrow win.
Thanks again.
Sorry to hear you’ve been unwell again, John. I’m sorry you’re saddled with the horse tablets and I hope they've kicked in. Get well soon.
@clive-hurren Thanks Clive, I finish them tomorrow evening and they've cleared the rash, my left eye has improved massively, as in I can see properly. A nasty deep skin infection apparently which can apparently lead to Sepsis. No wonder they were so concerned, I never realised how serious it was, ignorance is bliss!
UTB,
John
Watched four Championship games over the weekend, as usual a little scrappy at times, usual first game intensity,
But I have to say Bristol City were outstanding, it wasn't like Sheff U, were poor, they just couldn't get anywhere near them, quick slick, shooting from anywhere , very impressive.
Ipswich were a little disjointed thought Chuba wouldn't go there ( he did I guess ) Wrexham were good and poor at times
Overall early days , the loan market is gonna be busy.
Excellent starter, thank you Clive, to our 25/26 League cup campaign.
Fingers crossed the team can match the skill you have shown and can come away with a win and no injuries.
Given the thin squad and the pressure of league games I think there will be a need to rotate a few players and get others up to speed.
The match is not available via Riverside Live in Spain but I will be able to see it on Sky Sports+, with an early kick off at 7:30 BST. CoB 😎
Van den Berg seems to have made up his mind that he wants to leave and is not being considered for selection. No mention that he is injured. Most unsatisfactory when it appears the player is not right to play.
All credit to Hackney who continues to play. Of the 2, Hackney will be the bigger miss. Doesn’t seem to be many clubs after V d Berg particularly Premiership clubs .and so he might end up staying. Boro aren’t particularly short of centre backs so I’d be happy for him to leave to give the club a bit Lge spending money
philip of Huddersfield 🤔
Great stuff Clive - especially for giving us the low down on Donnie - I hadn’t realised they were probably one of the sides to avoid at the draw!
I still fancy Edwards will be making plenty of changes but in truth our squad is fairly thin to take liberties with a decent League One side.
Will Edwards play a back four to rest a defender or two? Maybe McCabe and Kante could start or will he do 45 minutes each for Morris and Hackney to guide them through.
Boro’s attacking options are perhaps not looking prolific but Whittaker and Conway will need to save their legs for Millwall I fancy.
Another 1-0 would do it for me - Edwards is going to need another Carabao game to get his new signings up to speed so we need the win 🤞
sounds a nasty one glad the meds have got it under control and you’re on the road to recovery!
Van den Berg seems to have made up his mind that he wants to leave and is not being considered for selection. No mention that he is injured. Most unsatisfactory when it appears the player is not right to play.
All credit to Hackney who continues to play. Of the 2, Hackney will be the bigger miss. Doesn’t seem to be many clubs after V d Berg particularly Premiership clubs .and so he might end up staying. Boro aren’t particularly short of centre backs so I’d be happy for him to leave to give the club a bit Lge spending money
philip of Huddersfield 🤔
if you look at the recent videos of the squad you will see VDB as a loner and not wishing to ineract with his team mates. Don’t know what’s happened to him or is it just the Money talking ! Best get rid if he’s a disrespectful and disruptive influence !
OFB
Clive
Many thanks for your post which really made me think what do I think from this season???
After a bit of thought I think I want everything! I want to win tomorrow, I want to get into more rounds with bigger clubs and ultimately I want promotion. I don’t want to see BBC local news putting the local premier clubs on first before Boro I want us to be up there with them. Is that too much to ask? Or am I being a dreamer or a fantasist?
Weve been their and I want more!
Many thanks again it’s appreciated as always !
John
all the best buddy get well soon!
OFB
Bob
I’m with you on that wish list!
You may say I’m a dreamer, but I’m not the only one. (John Lennon, Imagine, but with a slightly different context! )
All the best John. Sepsis is scary and so I am glad that the meds have helped treat your infection.
We are very fortunate to live in an age of modern medicine.
I have been lucky (so far) with my health albeit the doctors surgery tell me I have a long term chronic condition which involves seemingly constant check-ups. I grumble but I suppose they are right.
I am not sure if you are UK based. My family is. Both my wife and my daughter have had major treatments by the NHS in the last decade. They have been life-saving and transformative.
I believe we are very fortunate to have the NHS in this country.
Good Luck to you and all reading this who are receiving treatment.
Chris
Thanks for the intro Clive. As you pointed out our record in the League Cup recently is poor, particularly at home. All of our games 2 seasons ago were all away until the home semi. We haven't scored a goal at home in a knockout game since 2019 against Crewe (2-2) lost on pens and haven't won a home tie since 2018 v Palace, Lewis Wing worldy, and then lost at home to Burton, a game that seems to have completely passed me by. They have a some players with local connections, Luke Molyneux , who you mentioned, and Jamie Sterry played for Hartlepool and striker Joe Ironside is the son of former Boro keeper Ian Ironside, although he hasn't been involved so far this season.
Just seen that tonight's game in on live here in Oz on BeIn sports connect. Not sure what that means for other parts of the world.
@chris-from-barlby I'm in west Norfolk but born in the Boro, park Road North to be precise!
Thanks for your good wishes and you are right the NHS have been brilliant and I have nothing but praise and respect for the. My major cancer operation and subsequent Radio Therapy was at the Norfolk and Norwich Hospital but now my Consultant comes with some of his team to the Queen Elizabeth in Kings Lynne. Brilliant crew and ever helpful and supportive plus they are always a phone call or text away.
All the best and UTB,
John
Interweb say RVB in Koln with 13M euro deal agreed
Just seen that tonight's game in on live here in Oz on BeIn sports connect. Not sure what that means for other parts of the world.
Yes. Kick-off at 4.30am here in Sydney. I might not quite make that but it's on-demand which is better than Riverside Live.
UTB
Great scene aetter @clive-hurren . Very informative, but concisely written and to the point: this fixture is not likely to be a walk in the park.
I think the most important thing for RE and for the team is to get another win under their belts. There is nothing like a bit of positive momentum to get everyone, club and fans, feeling confident and for our new manager that is important.
At the same time, RE does need to give game time to as many of the squad as possible, although without disrupting the team. So I dont expect wholesale changes, but to see the likes of McCabe, Gilbert and Kante given a good run out from kick off. Bring on the more experienced players only if the game is getting away from us.i might start with Forss as well, but definitely not Glover. If Finn Azaz is available, it might also be a good opportunity to give him a chance to stretch his legs for half a game.
It will be interesting to see what RE will do. I have a feeling it could be an entertaining, competitive game. With a bit of self belief after Saturday's opener, I think I am going to predict a 2-1 home victory, to buck our Carabao trend.
🚨 | BREAKING: FC Köln and Middlesbrough have agreed a deal worth €13m including add-ons for Rav van den Berg.Interweb say RVB in Koln with 13M euro deal agreed
[Dom Shaw]
not a bad return on a £250k purchase, even though we will have to pay some of the profit back to PEC Zwolle. I have seen a other figure quoted as €7m plus address. Still, it is extremely good business and hopefully will enable us to get some more quality into our squad.🚨 | BREAKING: FC Köln and Middlesbrough have agreed a deal worth €13m including add-ons for Rav van den Berg.Interweb say RVB in Koln with 13M euro deal agreed
[Dom Shaw]
Glad that’s finally been sorted - that’s just over £11m - depending how achievable the add-ons are. Decent business for a player who had one good season and nobody has worried about missing him either!
@original-fat-bob I hope this might mean that Hach´kney stays.
The Northern Echo understands the agreed deal is worth €13m including add-ons. I hope all of this is spent on a GOOD goal-scoring striker. Plus some extra if anything can be found behind the sofa at Gibson's home.
Up the boro!