@stircrazy. Is that another injury with Sene. I cannot believe that Hamilton can be ahead of him.
For a neutral commentary Boro are on Talksport 2.
- •https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25734541.kim-hellberg-middlesbroughs-january-transfer-window /" target="_blank" rel="noopener">What Kim Hellberg won't do at Middlesbrough in his first transfer window as boss
- •https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25734328.kim-hellberg-middlesbrough-duo-adilson-malanda-lukas-engel /" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Adilson Malanda Middlesbrough situation explained & Hellberg's Lukas Engel admission
@stircrazy. Is that another injury with Sene. I cannot believe that Hamilton can be ahead of him.
Pedro, no idea. CJ's only comment is as per my post.
3-2 to Birmingham, and listening to the FLCCFC commentary during the game, they're suffering the same agonies as we are and are very much in the doldrums, sadly they had a hefty cushion to absorb their blip which will hopefully continue.
I've never been really impressed with Frankie Lampard in management terms, and IMHO I reckon that we could have a confidence and performance slide of some measure, fingers crossed.
As for width and pace, looks as though we missed a trick with the Brummie signing on loan of Lewis Koumas from Liverpool, he's a Ben Doak with longer hair. Any chance we can get a refund from Aldi for Napisan and clean up on a better, pacier replacement, or have we misplaced the receipt?
Mini One is the base model ....@martin-bellamy they were great days with the Skelton Carnival. There was a mini one this year Martin
I think we will win today. We do make chances. Up the Boro!
A familiar story in the first half with Boro getting into some good positions without creating clear chances and of course another defensive injury that looks a long-term one. On the plus side Malanda looking a classy player and Silvera has performed well down the right. However, falling over still seems to be the forte of our forwards and they really need to be stronger. Southampton have looked dangerous on the break and could've scored a couple with better finishing.
It's a game Boro could win but as yet no sign where that goal is coming from...
An even game with S'ton having the clearest-cut chances. Don't understand why we are giving Azaz the freedom of the park. Close him down, put in a couple of robust tackles and he'll disappear. Give him space and he'll kill you. Surely to heaven we know that.
Malanda, cool and playing with authority, looks the part.
Conway, Burgzorg and Silvera simply don't. We will be a long time waiting if we are depending on any of those forwards to get us a goal.
I'll stay with my 1-0 forecast, but 0-1 looks more likely on the basis of what I have seen so far
10 shots by Boro in first half but none on target - I think I may have spotted the problem...
@lenmasterman. Spot on Len with all of that.
The reason we are allowing Azaz the freedom of the park is because we don’t do anything different. We have one playing style, I haven’t seen anything different and the way things are going we will end up with the same outcome, another defeat. 🙁😎
Werder, I commented on the bunch of pansies that we have up front that have rollers on the bottom of their boots instead of studs, Whitaker is the prime suspect as he simply will not battle for a ball.
An absolute gem of a comment from Neil Maddison on commentary, when he stated that a Southampton defender went down after "taking one in the bottom", he very quickly stated that "he'd actually taken a knee to his bottom", you couldn't script it.
About time! Only the second time we take a short corner. CoB 😎
What just happened there - Whittaker just put the ball between the sticks and everyone appears to be celebrating 🤔
2-0 Silvera! What do we know Len!😉😎
Wow 3-0 - are we Wolves in disguise 😉
I go off for a while and I come back to 3 0 - what on earth has happened! Must have been a good half time talk.
What just happened there - Whittaker just put the ball between the sticks and everyone appears to be celebrating 🤔
sure we aren’t dreaming??
The Beeb quoting Mark Drury:
The dam has well and truly burst. Boro are romping home in this second half. Get the party hats out!
And Rob Law for 5 Live:
Three goals in 15 minutes, Morgan Whittaker's second of the afternoon. His 10th of the season. Middlesbrough are flying.
For the record:
Whittaker in the 54th (assisted by Targett) & 56th minutes & Sammy S in the 61st, assisted by Ayling.
CJ on Malanda in the 48th minute
Another huge block by Malanda
What a debut he's enjoying so far! He gets up and celebrates that like a goal. Boro caught somewhat open at the back again as Southampton work it well. Touch of fortune though as a blocked shot falls for Armstrong who appears to have the goal at his mercy. Malanda in with a huge last-ditch block.
Then Browne, who replaced Bangura in the 6th minute (another defender injured!), adds a fourth in the 76th minute! CJ:
What a second half this has been. Hackney cuts inside from wide and sees a low shot saved by Bazunu. But Browne reacts first to the rebound and fires in Boro's fourth.
All that & Coventry beaten by Birmingham at lunchtime! 
I am sure that score says four 😲
Hello, hello
BORO are back!
That’s just what the players needed. It should build confidence and hopefully we can push on now. Malandra looks like some player on his debut.
Well that's more like it - first half 10 shots none on target - second half 12 shots 5 on target and 4 goals! It seemed the the first goal lifted the burden off the shoulders of the players and suddenly they believed again. Back up to second and suddenly it's relief all round and the dream of playing in the Premier League is back on - though one thing for certain is whatever happens Malanda will be playing in the PL next season as he looked that good and has absolutely everything - what a signing!
Here we go, damp squib time. Whilst we take the rays of sunshine that comes with tonking a supposedly promotion contender by four goals, can we please reflect on why we've squandered the chance to bury lesser teams over the past weeks to be not sat at the top of the tree right now. Please don't tell me that the introduction of Malander was the instigation for our splurge, firstly because it wasn't, and secondly why pile pressure on the poor lad to up his game even further and attempt to do more. Dare I mention Tommy Conway?
Right, I’m not watching another Boro game this season.
That’s about the fifth time this season I haven’t been able to watch and we’ve won!
We all need to do our bit and this is mine.
@peasepudinperth. I agree that we should all be delighted with the win and the score but should not get carried away.
All the wins under KH, apart from the home game against Derby, have been against teams who have tried to out football us and failed; KH and the team still need to show that they can prise out results against teams who defend deeply and in numbers. Additionally they need to show that they can adjust their game plan to counter opposition strengths rather than just hope that our own strengths will prevail.
There were some excellent defensive displays today across the backline added to impressive midfield displays from HH, AB and AM.
I agree with Werder that it won't be long before the PL coming calling for Malander, who looked as if he had been playing in the Championship for years and is the total package of intelligence, strength and skill; just a shame that it appears that we can't get DF back to his fitness and performance levels of a few seasons ago, as they would make a formidable pairing.
Despite their performances today, the likes of DB, SS, MW, AG and TC are too inconsistent and I don't think any of them would make the step up to the PL were it to happen; we need a nucleus of players who could at least hold their own at that level and whilst we have some defenders and midfielders who could cope, we are lacking up front at that level.
Perhaps during January we should look to acquire AB and be talking to MT about his future plans, in addition to strengthening up front. We may also need at least one LB and CH.
Well a break from the grind of the league next weekend and the chance to rest some players and get others fit for some tough and perhaps season defining games to come. CoB 😎
I must be from Barcelona,KP - I know nothing.2-0 Silvera! What do we know Len!😉😎
I'll take just a tiny crumb of comfort from the fact that after failing to score over the past 7 hours, i don't know anyone who would have put money on Boro putting 4 between the sticks in last 45 minutes.
Malanda was brilliant in every aspect of the defensive game reading the game, blocking, positional play, with pace to spare, and a superb passer of the ball. One of the most assured debuts we have seen in many years.
Silvera, after looking out of his depth produced his best form since his display at Leicester two years ago. A lovely touch and finish for his goal.
Worth mentioning two fabulous passes from Targett and Ayling for our opening goals, and also great to see the confidence flowing back through the whole team after our second goal. Conway like Sivera looked a completely different player once we had taken the lead.
It's a very long time since I have seen team transform themselves from being utterly toothless and incompetent in front of goal into one in which everyone wanted to get into the act and add to the goal tally.
Well done lads. Fulham next, and I have gone in a trice from fearing this fixture to really looking forward to it. Bring it on.
I was able to see the match only until the first Boro goal on the 54th minute. Then I needed to go.
Did I miss something in the second half?
Up the Boro!
Gazette player ratings - Malanda gets a 9:
Gazette player ratings - Malanda gets a 9:
And the Hartlepool Mail - another 9 for Malanda:
Sounds as though Boro may have unearthed a hidden gem. 🙂
Whilst I agree with the need not to get too carried away, I think we should at least allow ourselves to enjoy this win.
I also think we might need to accept that Azaz was one of the best players on the pitch for quite a long time, particularly in the first half. I actually regretted his leaving but understood that he was too inconsistent and didn’t seem to have settled at the Boro.
Onwards and upwards - personally I’d rather we could have another league game coming up whilst confidence is high, but at least we’ll be able to rest and rotate some of the squad.
Finally, how good did Alan Browne look today?