Silvera on for Whittaker in the 83rd minute.
Coventry drawing 0-0 at home to the Robins at half-time, so Boro currently just three points behind.
Coventry's lead back to five points after it beat Bristol City by 1-0.
Boro seemed to take their foot off the gas after going 3-0 up and then got a bit sloppy to allow QPR a sniff of a revival - though we saw again the game-management subs as the shape switched to a more defensive setup but despite a few scares, blocks and miscued shots the hoops couldn't add to their penalty.
btw Boro had just 4 shots in the second half compared to 14 in the first but once again it was was another brilliant first-half display that won the points - which now leaves Kim Hellberg's team 7 points clear of third and on 2 points per game. Looking good and confidence looks high!
Boring Boro. The fourth win in a row. And scoring about three goals a game. And just 2.0 points a game at the half season point. Up the Boro!
2nd at Christmas whats not to love
I’ve been out all day at a pre-Xmas family meal near Doncaster. WiFi was non existent in the pub so I’ve just seen the result and read the posts on here.
I’m so pleased for our two strikers - goals are just what Strelec and Conway needed and let’s hope they continue in the same vein.
Full marks to mystic Jarkko and his pre-match predictions - what a day!
Hartlepool Mail player ratings:
And the Gazette's:
The former awards Whittaker a 9, while the latter reserves that for HH. I've given up on the Echo, as I can't seem to make Werder's trick to dodge the firewall work!
Another good result, 4 on the bounce for the team and our new coach. Listening to his prematch interviews he speaks very logically and gives the impression that he clearly knows what he’s talking about. A tactician.
Some good results for Boro today with a healthy gap in the League table to the third placed team.
So everything is rosy. Let’s hope it continues.
Meanwhile we enjoy the weekend before looking forward to the next game.
philip of Huddersfield
👍🤗👋
@martin-bellamy I did NOT predict that Tommy Conway would score. So not that well guessed.
Up the Boro!
@stircrazy Here are the rating from the Echo:
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-2-2):
8 Brynn: Made a good second-half save from Kone and claimed an assist with a sensational long pass to Whittaker
7 Brittain: Won a penalty when he was fouled by Saito, but also conceded one when he brought down Smyth
7 Ayling: Justified his recall after recovering from illness with an authoritative display at the heart of the back four
7 Jones: Another dominant defensive display from a player who has quietly been one of Boro’s stars of the season
7 Targett: Moved back across to left-back and delivered an effective display, both defensively and in attack
8 Hackney: Brilliant again at the heart of midfield – produced a magnificent through ball for Strelec’s opener
7 Browne: Dislodged Gilbert from the central-midfield area and helped Boro gain a dominant hold on the game
9 WHITTAKER: Just keeps getting better and better – capped another fine display by scoring for the sixth game in a row
7 McGree: Has made a big impact since returning to the team – adds silk and steel to Boro’s midfield mix
8 Conway: His joy at finally ending a 16-game goalless run was clear to see – nerveless from the spot
8 Strelec: Is hitting his stride now – opened the scoring with a slick finish and was a threat throughout
Up the Boro!
@stircrazy Here are the rating from the Echo:
MIDDLESBROUGH (4-2-2-2):
8 Brynn: Made a good second-half save from Kone and claimed an assist with a sensational long pass to Whittaker
7 Brittain: Won a penalty when he was fouled by Saito, but also conceded one when he brought down Smyth
7 Ayling: Justified his recall after recovering from illness with an authoritative display at the heart of the back four
7 Jones: Another dominant defensive display from a player who has quietly been one of Boro’s stars of the season
7 Targett: Moved back across to left-back and delivered an effective display, both defensively and in attack
8 Hackney: Brilliant again at the heart of midfield – produced a magnificent through ball for Strelec’s opener
7 Browne: Dislodged Gilbert from the central-midfield area and helped Boro gain a dominant hold on the game
9 WHITTAKER: Just keeps getting better and better – capped another fine display by scoring for the sixth game in a row
7 McGree: Has made a big impact since returning to the team – adds silk and steel to Boro’s midfield mix
8 Conway: His joy at finally ending a 16-game goalless run was clear to see – nerveless from the spot
8 Strelec: Is hitting his stride now – opened the scoring with a slick finish and was a threat throughout
Up the Boro!
Cheers, Jarkko. So, the Echo agrees with the Mail.
That was an enjoyable way to spend an afternoon. There were too many good things in the game to count. But, in summary: HH is a Rolls-Royce performer at this level. Whittaker is such a reliable scorer of good goals who now has 6 goals in 6 consecutive games. What has happened to him? Sol Brynn had such a wonderful assist for Whittaker's goal and I think we all knew Whittaker was going to come inside and shoot to score, well before he did so.
Conway had the sort of goal that screamed he would NEVER score. The ball the went between his legs seemed to confirm it. Thankfully he put a penalty away. Would he have taken it if the score had been 0-0?
Strelec took his goal like the real class player he is. It was laid on for him by a beautiful HH through ball. Conway had chances including a one-on-one (or did he have two of those?).Targett switching the play to the far side was excellent.
It was just so good. Even conceding the penalty goal didn't REALLY matter. I'd take a 3-1 win any day. And if we keep winning we cannot be caught.
This season is looking VERY much as though it is going to be interesting!
Another set of good results with Millwall, Ipswich and Southampton all faltering. They still feel like our key challengers.
It’s worth pointing out that QPR came into the game as one of the form teams in the division and it was only to be expected that they would react after that first half massacre. They showed intermittent flashes of how dangerous they can be and for me this underlined how well we played.
i do feel sorry for Brynn who can’t buy a clean sheet even though it’s hard to remember any recent goal being his fault.
One other point that struck me was the quality of our substitutes both used and unused along with a few more first team level players very close to being available. It might have taken a while but the efforts of the recruitment team and the training staff has finally produced the best squad that we have had for quite a few years.
it raises an interesting question for the transfer window and the 25 man EFL squad. Who gets loaned out/moved on? Maybe worth a separate topic as January 1 approaches?
UTB
The first half performance was just magnificent. QPR were hanging on with their finger nails as wave after wave of terrific Boro attacks pounded their defence. They had no answer, as our movement and pace pulled them apart time and again. Our passing was superb, and reminded me, dare I say, of Manchester City a couple of seasons ago! Had we been a touch more clinical with our chances we could have been 4 or 5 up at the break.
I can’t think I’ve ever seen a more fluent, fluid and entertaining Boro side than Hellberg’s current iteration! Every player - at least in today’s starting XI - is comfortable on the ball and readily finds space or is able to make space by moving smartly and being in good positions to receive the ball from a colleague. Every one of them today, including the subs, fought for every ball. The determination to win it back is steely: watching Conway and even Whittaker, for instance, tearing back to help out the defence is brilliant. I am blown away, quite simply.
If we continue to play with this level of pace, intensity and skill I can’t see many sides in this division being able to cope with us.
Comprehensive report on the match by the Beeb, which has HH as MotM in front of 24,055 spectators:
Having just watched the highlights I continue to be impressed by the Kim Hellberg Boro. The action at times is much quicker than it was under any of our previous coaches. Hopefully the medical and training staff are able to keep them all fit as it must take a lot out of them. On a sadder note just seen that Gary Rowell, who played 27 games for us scoring 10 goals in the 1985-6 relegation season, has passed away at age 68 from leukaemia.
I wonder why there were not more than 24 000 people present to watch the game? We have a new manager, had scored seven goals in the last two away matches, and are second in the table. It was lower than in some recent home matches.Comprehensive report on the match by the Beeb, which has HH as MotM in front of 24,055 spectators:
Was it because people were Shopping for Christmas presents? At least the weather was not terrible.
Up the Boro!
Like Hull (currently 6th) before, QPR were the form team when they came to the Riverside. The R's played with two banks of players sitting very low and defending. Earlier this season - and especially during CarrickBall - we were really struggling ŵith opposition sitting deep in their own half.
We played really well yesterday if we think how low the R's really defended. We were able to play quicly through their defence time after time. So I was really impressed with the performance in the first half and 20 min into the second half, too.
As Clive said, we are playing as well as ever and it is very enjoyable to watch. Let's enjoy this. It is exactly 2 points per match and we are close to the half way point of the season. The table does not lie and we are playing better than ever this season now.
Happy day. Up the Boro!
@selwynoz Yes, I also feel for Sol Brynn, it is not as though the recent goals against us have been really good executed ones. I could not believe the tackle/foul Brittain made for their penalty.
As to the January window, my current concerns are with any injuries going forward, especially given how we play and the three games in eight days periods that come along.
Defensively, is McLaughlin a good enough second goalkeeper. At the moment we lack height in the CB’s. Hopefully Malander is the answer, because Fry is not.
In midfield, if Gilbert can continue his resurgence, McGree keeps fit and we can keep hold of Hackney, then we should be more than OK there.
Upfront, I am not convinced as yet by the summer signings. Sene and Hansen have a lot to do to be adequate replacements if the current pick were injured. Burgzorg is a frustrating player and it showed again yesterday when he should of passed in a very good position.
As Clive said, if we had a clinical finisher then we could be even better. However finding one of those would be difficult.
I wonder why there were not more than 24 000 people present to watch the game? We have a new manager, had scored seven goals in the last two away matches, and are second in the table. It was lower than in some recent home matches.Comprehensive report on the match by the Beeb, which has HH as MotM in front of 24,055 spectators:
Was it because people were Shopping for Christmas presents? At least the weather was not terrible.
Up the Boro!
It's close to Christmas and going to the match is expensive, but I was expecting a few more. Boxing day is sold out though
Here's a song for our head coach. For he is... our Swedish man...
For we ourselves have said it
As it's greatly to his credit
That he is our Swedish man
(That he is our Swedish man)
His team have sunk the Rangers
The Addicks and the Tigers
And, of course, the Derby men
(Yes, of course, the Derby men)
And in spite of all temptations
To-o coach in other nations
He remains our Swedish man.
He rema-ains ou-our Swe-e-e-e-e-e-e-e-edish man.
(The tune is, if you haven't recognised it, from Gilbert & Sullivan's HMS Pinafore. Onwards and upwards!)
@simonfallaha had that tune straight away Si. Great little ditty.
A well deserved win and probably one of our best first half performances in many a season; certainly under KH and at long last showing the team can find ways to break down the low block.
The second half had a familiar pattern where we were not as dominant and conceded from a penalty; it is clearly still work in progress and it was good to hear KH acknowledge that it is something they need to improve on and will do so as the season progresses.
Does anyone have the latest on Seny Dieng and why he has not appeared on the bench as I thought he had completed his recovery? 😎
@powmillnaemore It was playing in my head last night... what can I say other than, I couldn't help it!
A small insight regarding our forwards.
I learned a lot when studying the transition of Andrew Cole from Newcastle goalscorer to Man U footballer, and it does seem that what's true of him is true of many a forward, if not all forwards - they're confidence players. And when the confidence goes, they run the risk of being either woeful or invisible on the pitch.
According to Cole (in his book "Fast Forward"), Brian Kidd congratulated him on scoring forty-one goals in 1993-94, but then told him that this wouldn't be enough at Man U. That didn't mean, though, that Cole would need to score forty-two, but that playing for Man U was about being so much more than being a goalscorer alone.
It's bold to do that, to tell a proven goalscorer that forty-one goals in a season isn't enough, but Kidd clearly had the sense not to diminish the value of that achievement - notably congratulating Cole for it before telling him that he needed to aim higher in different ways. He brought man management into play as well as tactical thinking. Which was brilliant.
All our forward thinking players, be it Sène, Strelec, Whittaker, Conway, Burgzorg or anyone else - they come across as confidence players who are needed to contribute to team play as well. This doesn't mean that someone can't still be the focal point of our goalscoring at any moment in time. Cole was for a while at Man U, and Whittaker is just that for us at the moment. But sooner or later a dip in form or goalscoring will occur, and someone else will have to take centre stage. I'm thankful, at the moment, that we have so many talented options who also appear hungry to make their mark.
And how good is it to see Strelec amongst the goals again too?
@simonfallaha I agree with that Si. It is one of the great things about the Boro is that there are options on options in the squad so we are not reliant on a single one trick pony.
A great topic, Powmill. So much so, I feel inspired to continue talking about it.
I came across a report on one of the games that made me properly fall in love with Boro - Boro 2, Liverpool 1, 1995. Significant in that was actually the first league win we achieved with Juninho in the team - the 1-1 draw at Leeds was the second in a run of four matches where we drew two, lost two and scored only once, the one goal being Jan Fjortoft's famous goal against Leeds.
Incidentally, we were praised for our fluent football in this report, with Barmby singled out for his "industry" and Juninho for his "touch" along with their potential as a partnership. As we know, though, the consensus opinion seems to have gone against the idea of Barmby and Juninho playing together - with each of them "clicking" better with Higgy.
That does make sense - Higgy's creative role felt more understated, allowing either Barmby or Juni to be the focal point of our attack, rather than having two primarily creative forces vying to be the centre of affairs. It does seem to keep the "focal point" happier too - it appears that Tomlin was less prominent when he was no longer the creative fulcrum of the 2014-15 side, ditto Gaston Ramirez in 2016-17 when his honeymoon period was over and Adama Traore was also in the team.
The catch is, who do you have to fall back on when the fulcrum is nullified? We found that out the hard way at Wembley in 1997. It even applies to forwards too. When opposition sides cut off the supply to Bamford in early 2015, we looked a lot weaker.
Which means that, even if a Barmby and a Juni don't seem to sync, having them both on the pitch gives you another option if they can be man managed accordingly. I still fondly recall that win at Everton where we frankly weren't at the races for the majority of the game, yet Barmby and Juni made the most of the chances that came their way to help us to maximum points. And they were both terrific goals.
Such a parallel can be found in other sports too. I remember Ireland losing Geordan Murphy to injury prior to the Rugby World Cup in 2003, leaving the team with only (the admittedly legendary) Brian O'Driscoll as a key creative force. Meaning that it was predicted that everything would suddenly have to go through him.
It makes me ponder that, as brilliantly as we are doing, having Finn Azaz on board as well might have been very useful indeed. Although we could then be creatively overloaded. Football's a funny old game.
As good as KH is, I think even he might have struggled to fit Azaz into this team. Certainly he had the best assist/ goals scored combination in the division at one stage. (Was it only last season? It seems an age ago!) But there were many games where he tended to disappear. I think we’re very well stocked with creative players now without him.
@clive-hurren I agree about Azaz. I recall singling him out, but also Whittaker, in a Plymouth headliner I wrote a couple of seasons ago and was delighted when we got Azaz into the squad. But, like you say, he was prone to anonymity too often, lacking that commitment to the team performance and I was not sorry when Soton took him off our hands.