There's a one second delay on the feed versus the commentary on Boro Live so they are telling you what has happened before you see it so have to watch without sound to avoid it spoiling the viewing.
@werdermouth. I agree. I ensured that I logged on early to see the farewell to JH but what a let down. 😎
Ok first half need to be more effective in the box not enough support for lone striker
OFB
Jonny H's presence acknowledged by CJ on the Gazette site:
A fantastic welcome for Jonny Howson ahead of kick-off. 'Na na na na, hey hey hey, Jonny Howson' rings around the Riverside.
CJ's verdict on the first half:
No goal to show for it and signs of life from Sheff Utd towards the end of the half, but largely another really positive 45 from Boro. Applying the pressure throughout, dominating the game, some good football played and a lot of nearly moments that just haven't quite come off.
Have to just stay in command, keep playing as they are, hold their nerve and keep believing that final ball/touch will come.
Prior to that (42 minutes):
Huge let-off for Boro
Boro play their way into danger, ala Michael Carrick football.
Brynn lays it square for Hackney in the middle but he then underhits his pass back to Fry. Intercepted on the edge of Boro's box and it's played in to Campbell on the penalty spot. Just as he's about to pull the trigger, Hackney is in with the recovery tackle/block.
Targett on for Sammy S & Nypan for Hansen at the start of the second half.
Boro top of the table, ahead of WBA on GD, as things stand (Baggies beating Stoke by 0-1).
Boro in the lead: Conway in the 64th minute, assisted by Targett. Top of the league position cemented - for now...
CJ:
Lovely ball in behind from a wide area from Targett, Conway holds his run well to beat the offside trap and then holds his nerve with a delicate left-footed finish.
Yes, a very well worked move and lovely first-time pass by Targett and great finish from Conway - been impressed by Targett since he came on - he looks strong and fit.
Sène on for Conway in the 69th minute.
They hold out for 1-0! I'm in dreamland!
Get in !!!!
Well that was a 100% performance to keep our 100% record - Boro now look a decent well-organised solid hardworking team with plenty of quality all over the pitch. We go into the break top of the league - couldn't be better - to be fair I did predict before the season started we'd go into the international break with 12 points - ok it may have been the second international but that's just a minor detail...
Top of the League! Conway is King.
BTW, is Sene from Sene(gal)? Still learning his name ...
Up the Boro!
@werdermouth I said we will have 15 points after 10 games. Still possible, honestly!
Up the Boro!
🤣
@werdermouth That minor detail wouldn't worry a politician, it's how you present it.
Well done Boro, very well done.
UTB,
John
I think I predicted 18 points after 10 games - my, how you all laughed!
Our broadband went down on Thursday* so I had to connect the tv to my phone to watch on Sky - well worth the effort.
What’s worrying me now is the responsibility of doing the opener for the PNE game - I really don’t want to be the one who drops points. I’ll start manifesting a win immediately.
*we were due to go to our Static van in Shropshire tomorrow, ahead of two weeks in a cottage in Devon, then another week at the van on the way back - EE assured me the problem was not in our house and that they’d get an Openreach engineer out before end of play on Tuesday. Yesterday that changed to Wednesday and then I got an email at 8pm last night telling me I had to make an appointment for someone to come out here. I rang them this morning and the first appointment available is 8am -1pm on Wednesday, so we’ve delayed our trip. We’ve got wifi connected lights, heating, etc throughout the house so it’s a right pain.
Pinch me time again
What impressed me was the fact we played as a team and defended long may it continue
At last, a coaching team who play to our strengths - the difference between this and last season is stark! Players are motivated, determined and hard working. Very happy - enjoy the weekend Diasborians!
@martin-bellamy - Sorry to hear of your EE travails. How you must hanker for the old fashioned on-off switches rather than broadband/Wi-fi controls!
Dom Shaw's match report for the Echo with further acknowledgement of Jonny H's service to the team:
And the Hartlepool Mail's player ratings - Aidan Morris given a 9:
Echo report on the possible signing of David Strelec from Slovan Bratislava:
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25428799.middlesbrough-closing-david-strelec-signing/
That was great entertainment and the result (1-0) means Boro sits proudly on top of The Championship for at least the next fortnight.
A couple of great blocks by Nylan who I'm sure will prove to be a crowd favourite. Our new signing from Lausanne looked very rapid and with tricky feet, and I think he'll also do well here. A pity that Burgzorg was so profligate when put through on goal THREE times in about 10 minutes after being brought on as a late substitute. I could have done without the drama of Hackney's poor pass being intercepted and requiring a last minute block from Hackney himself to resue the situation by preventing the equaliser but, in summary, we saw a really good goal from Conway who'd been played through by Targett (who did well when he came on a half-time), and Boro could have scored more before winning 1-0.
It would be hard to nominate a Man of the Match. So many played well. HH, Morris, Ayling, Brittain, Whittaker (I know!!). This is not a performance I would have recognised 6 months ago. And the manager seems to be saying the right things rather than trying his best to say nothing at all.
I have already lost the "first 10 games" challenge. I predicted 10 points from the first 10 games but we already have 12 points from four. I could not be happier to be wrong!
I hope the inner warmth that comes from being TOP OF THE LEAGUE nourishes those amongst us who have had their health issues in recent months. It feels good!
Not that I am counting chickens...
[...] in summary, we saw a really good goal from Conway who'd been played through by Targett (who did well when he came on a half-time), and Boro could have scored more before winning 1-0.
Could Targett be the player to provide the support that was needed for Conway finally to click instead of feeding off scraps?
Is this real ?!! 👍😁
The best team won with Boro in control in the first half and Sheffield playing better in the second half but created very little.
Boro look more of a solid team particularly in defence and are showing much more energy than previous seasons. They strike me as a team which can improve and the substitute bench is looking a lot better.
Conway showed that if the ball is played over the defence then he is pretty deadly.
The standout players were Hackney and Morris who deservedly won man of the match. These two players ran the midfield and are probably the best two in the League.
Sorry to end on a bad note - but Burgzorg, he dries me mad and probably his team mates. He had 3 good chances and insists on taking an extra touch and failed 3 times. But yet again with the 3 chances he should have passed to a team mate on 2 occasions who would have had a tap in.
Philip of Huddersfield 👍😁👍
A well deserved win and three points as a result of putting together a group of players who are battling for one another and defending and attacking as a unit.
We are beginning to look like a proper footballing team who are both solid and skilled; Target’s addition looks to be very astute and puts another square peg in a square hole, as clearly SS is not a wing back and certainly not playing on the left.
Still early days but with the recent addition of Sène and possibility of Strelec also being recruited then I am beginning to dream. 😎
Like most on here Burgzorg frustrates the life of me, I would go as far as to say I wouldn’t be unhappy if he never even makes the bench again. I did notice as the players and management team were doing their walk round by the east stand Adi Viveash had his arm around Burgzorg shoulder and was having a long talk with him, maybe say “have a word with your agent about finding you a club by 7 on Monday night 🤔.
Come on BORO.
@exmil lol, have a word with your agent Burgzorg haha.
So true though, yes to be selfish once but three times in five minutes is just a piff take, he needs some strong words in his ear.
We got away with it but the reality is he could have cost us the 3pts