A scrappy second half where Boro were second best and never looked like scoring and indeed were lucky to finish the game with 11 men after Hackney escaped red for a reckless violent challenge. 3 defensive injuries on top to make it a bad day all round - at least none of the chasing pack gained on Boro but 5 dropped points from 2 winnable games have left Hellberg with some thinking to do as the opposition have decided that not giving Boro time on the ball is the way to play.
Well that is a disappointing end to Christmas week. Having been hoping for six points we only manage one and the bogey teams of BC and BR remain bogey teams under KH.
What I watched today was the best and worst that we saw under MC, some good football at times but a failure to convert and some rank bad defending; a game in the end which we could well have lost. Rovers looked far more organised and solid in defence as opposed to our ragged and at times chaotic defending.
We also seem to only play well in spells and not for a whole game which was also a feature under KH’s predecessors.
KH changed personnel during the game but I saw nothing else being changed, much like MC, to try and impact proceedings and that for me is a cause for concern.
KH like RE before him made an initial positive impact but now seems to be struggling and is not being helped by players just not doing what is expected of them; far to many today made limited contributions and big performances are needed all round on Monday as we did not see the expected bounce back after the BC defeat. 😎
No Doubt about it. That was a very poor performance today. Hackney should have had a red card.
Serious wake up call for the manager and the team. I'll put it down to suffering from a Christmas hangover, well I have to think of something lol
Take the point and move on…if you can’t win don’t lose. We lack any sort of width if our full backs are pinned back as we were today. Rovers have only lost 1 in 10 so not a disaster against an in form and hard to beat opposition. We need a fox in the box and winger in the January sales. I am sure Hellberg can see our limitations and is trying to negate this by going through the middle but this is relatively easy to defend against. We need to stretch opposition defences but this won’t really happen until we have a change in system/personnel. UTB
Yes, I agree 100%. It was disappointing not to win in front of a big crowd but as you say Blackburn are no pushover. We didn’t lose ground to the chasers and Hellberg will have learned more from today than from previous games. McGree is a big miss.
From the sounds of it, normal Boro service has resumed and let us hope that the transfer window is used effectively to bring in players that suit KH style or that the typical Boro post Christmas drop in form doesn’t happen.
We desperately require a forward that can actually score.
Still, on a positive note, we didn’t lose (I think in the past we might have done) - I kept looking at the BBC as the clock ticked down, dreading what I would see.
And come what may we will be in an automatic place at the end of the year!
A win is needed on Monday and a repeat of the result at their place would be helpful although I don’t think it will be an easy game.
It was a frustrating match today but there was still a lot I liked.
Under Hellberg, our build-up play is lightyears ahead of where it was only a few weeks ago.
I think Gilbert’s technical qualities really help with picking the ball up from deep and finding a forward pass and that gets us on the front foot.
Hackney should have been sent off but that moment aside I thought he was excellent - the fulcrum of the side driving the team up the pitch.
The narrow formation also gives the fullbacks licence to push forward and Brittain in particular looks a much improved threat.
However, time and again we failed to put it together in the final third. Hamilton, perhaps understandably, was poor. Nypan not much better when he replaced him. The absence of McGree was so palpable.
It’s the two forwards though that we need much more from. Both were really poor today. Conway tried again but the quality and the confidence wasn’t there and hasn’t been for quite a while now. Strelec has shown flashes here and there but was a spare part today.
I mentioned Akpom and Archer in a previous post. That is exactly the sort of combination we need to go to the next level. One who can play with his back to goal and link the attack to the midfield, and one who has quick feet and shoots, accurately and venomously, on sight.
I don’t worry too much about the defence - it is obvious that will be more open with an extra striker in the team and no holding midfielder, plus our defence has been makeshift for quite a while. Hopefully the returning Fry and arriving Malanda can make the difference there.
@malcolm I am not sure if Craig Johns was at the game or whether he was working from home.
How could he give Jones a 6 after only 15 minutes and Gilbert a 5. For me apart from Hackney, especially in the first half, he was our second best player, and it showed after he was subbed. Another mistake from Hellberg in starting Hamilton, (although I was reasonably OK with giving him a chance) and then replacing him with the ineffective Nypan.
Unfortunately Nypan is not ready for the rigours of the Championship, and it looks as though Strelec, Sene and Hansen are not also, otherwise why were neither of the latter two not introduced.
We need another forward, as difficult as it is to find them, because what we have are not good enough if we really want to maintain second place.
The recruitment team did well with the defensive recruitment in the summer, but, my oh my, the forwards are starting to look like failures.
Lets see what Hellberg can do to change this obvious failing in the final third.
A question for those that know the regulations. Could Malander in theory, make his debut against Derby?
I must say I’m puzzled as to why Hansen has not yet started nor come on as a sub under KH, after that positive cameo he had against Derby. I thought our play today was crying out for somebody with a bit of trickery who might break down a resolute and disciplined Blackburn defence.
I’m no expert but my understanding is that Malanda is registered to play with us from 1st January. However, I wonder if we have a place in the 25 man squad for him. If not, I guess that would stop him playing for the time being?
That was not a great game to watch. I accept in the first half Boro attacked more but there were lots of misplaced passes, passes that were under-hit or over-hit, poor decisions or indecision. BBC Tees told us that it looked as though there would be goals in the second half but my scepticism was proved more accurate than the commentators. Blackburn looked more likely to score in the second 45 and, as others have said, HH was VERY fortunate not to have received a red card that I guess would have seen him missing three games. We may have seen the last of Micah Hamilton.
A sell-out. It was a pity we couldn't give those "irregular" attenders something to make them keen to return.
The team remains embedded in second place and will still be there in January whatever happens on 29th December against Hull City. Will we have a team of players fit enough to play?
As I was watching the game this morning, on delay, my major thought as the game went on just don't get beaten. It all started to look a bit disjointed as the second half wore on, as Callum Britten said in his post game interview it became a bit of a basketball game. As many have said HH was very lucky to not get a red card. Interestingly when Dael Fry came on he took the captain's arm band. It looks like if Whittaker doesn't score neither do the rest of them. It is now 220 minutes of playing time since we scored and no goals from open play in any second half under KH. As to Hansen's non appearance, probably having been forced to make three subs in the first 45 and then losing Targett, it was probably not possible to get him on. With Malanda I think he can play on January 1 as I think that the 25 man squad list does not have to be confirmed until end of January and there is some flexibility as at the start of the season, although that may be incorrect. I can't find any info on line about it.
Just to clarify:
- The squad list submitted after the summer window (Sept 2025) is binding until the January 2026 transfer window opens.
- During January, clubs can adjust their 25-man list to bring in new players and remove others, provided they still meet the homegrown minimum and all new loan players are added.
My reading of this is Malanda can play from the first of January as long as his name is included in the 25, the squad of 25 has to be ratified by 1 Feb.
Come on BORO.
@martin-bellamy Martin, my New Year's resolution will be to "unlurk" myself, let's see if I can get past January as with all my other feeble attempts at NY resolutions!
As far as I understand, for Malanda to play in January Boro must remove a player from their 25-man list - this could be done in anticipation of a loan or sale or perhaps with Lenihan not likely to be fit for most of remaining season.
I agree about Gilbert - I thought he did well in the first half, including that exquisite pivot turn that set up an attack. I think Hellberg wanted a more defensive midfielder when he brought Browne on but unfortunately given he three defensive injuries that was the only sub left and Boro perhaps needed fresh legs further up the pitch instead.
Good post Andy and I agree that our forwards were struggling yesterday - both Conway and Strelec seemed to fall over too easily with Whittaker also losing possession too easily. Hamilton looked up for it when the game first started but failed to get into the pace of the game - I think Blackburn's tactics of closing down quickly and pressing high knocked Boro's rhythm and passes were rushed.
Interesting you mention the narrow formation with the width coming from the full-backs as Louise Taylor berates that 4-2-2-2 formation in her match report in the Guardian as a reason for the lacklustre display - arguing Boro were too one-dimensional.
Hellberg seemed to blame poor execution of his tactics and it does raise the point of what kind of players he feels Boro might need in the window if he wants the fullbacks to provide pace and width? As for getting in another striker, well that would mean Strelec, Sene and Conway are not what the team needs.
Though hard to see how any of those are moved on to make space but it was also noticeable how Whittaker lacked pace when attempting to run onto balls in the channels - we saw how Bristol City last week were able to use their pace down the channels to break but this is something Boro appear to lack. As you say, an Archer-type player (or even Latte Lath replacement) would add a new dimension to Boro in these games.
Unfortunately, in-form strikers with pace don't come cheap in January - let alone on loan!
Disappointing, but as others have said at least Boro didn't lose, sadly on a day with a big crowd there were a few flashes to show us that 'Typical Boro' are still alive and well and that coupled with some bizarre selections and injuries put the lid on it. It happens but the game was a bit of a depiction of how things can 'go' in the Championship.
Hackney? Well he played well enough in the first half but that was a flash of petulance that could easily have jeopardised the team for three games. In the Premiership he would have been gone, I hope the manager and coaches gave him a few sharp words.
That's a bit more pressure on the Hull game and they'll be fired up too. Please leave typical Boro in the tool shed and score a couple of goals while getting three points.
All the best everyone and look after yourself OFB.
UTB,
John
thanks for the picture. I did not see it on TV yesterday. Heard a song of Chris Rea, though.Steel Riverside today
A disappointing match but luckily the next one is coming soon. Up the Boro!
Here’s Louise Taylor’s match review in the Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/football/2025/dec/26/middlesbrough-blackburn-championship-match-report?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other
@werdermouth I think Hellberg has gone with this 4-2-2-2 setup because he thinks it’s best for what he’s got. I reckon he’s right.
The conversations for January are do we bring in different types of players so that we can set up in a different way, or do you bring in better players for the current system?
Either will be difficult to achieve in January and may take a few windows. Hopefully next summer’s transfer activity will be boosted by Premier League funding to accelerate the process.
Either way, I’m much happier watching a Boro side trying to do the right things and we shouldn’t overlook the fact that we also got a clean sheet yesterday.
After HH lashed out yesterday, I did wonder if he’s becoming increasingly frustrated by our inability to score. There’s much talk of offers coming in for him in January - I’m starting to think he might decide his future is elsewhere. Where that would leave us is anyone’s guess.
I'm not sure if Hackney would want to leave as long as Boro are looking good for an automatic promotion place - he'd probably think playing for Boro in the PL would be a chance to start most top-flight games rather than risk being a fringe player at a team like Everton for example.
You would think if Boro looks a decent bet to go up, then HH might stay on for least a season. He'd expect a pay rise and Boro could perhaps afford that, knowing PL money would be coming into the coffers. And if he does well in the PL HH would either still be in a Boro team that stays up OR he'd find his performances noted by the "big clubs" so his way forward would have more options. All of them lucrative.
Well according to the media, Malander can play (in theory) from January 1, as long as he is registered and another player is deregistered.
However, MFC are still anppare awaiting International Clearance to allow this to happen. Now given that he has only been in the UK for a month and it is the Festive Season and I assume most public services will be on holidays , then maybe it will not be against Derby.
Given that Hellberg is expecting the two full backs to apply the crosses under his “blueprint” as Louise Taylor called it, then as good Matt Targett has been this season to date, he has not been overly productive compared to Calum Brittain and that leaves us too reliant on him or we end up going through the middle where we generally hit two walls of bricks.
Hellbergs system, as he has told us, requires lots of energy, fluidity and a high press. Even given the exceptional start under KH, as MW pointed out we have NOT scored any open play second half goals in his six games. That is a serious issue, besides not scoring many goals anyway, and it is not helped by the team generally running out of steam and as we have now seen over a number of games, and the quality of forward subs has just not been good enough.
Strelec,for whom we paid decent money and who arrived with (ultimately) reasonable high expectations, has been a disappointment. So have Sene, Hansen and Nypan. Add to them, Burgzorg, Hamilton and Silvera, and Mr Scott and his Team, look to have not delivered what we had hoped they would in that area of the team, given our previous difficulties in generally scoring under Carrick and Edwards.
I am sure if we can pick up sufficient points to keep us in second place, then Mr Gibson will make some money available to bring in reinforcements. Without selling somebody for serious or even decent money then maybe they will be only loan players, unless he gambles that if we do not achieve promotion, then he still will have Hackney to sell, even at a reduced fee.
Unfortunately we have too many (unreliable with injuries) players in Lenihan, Fry, Edmundson and sadly, probably McGree. We will possibly need another goalkeeper.
I would not like to be Kieran Scott this next coming month. Along with Hellberg, possibly some really big and important decisions to be made, to keep the train on the tracks and going full steam ahead into 2026.
Interesting that Tommy Conway is described as one of three nailed on players, but that Burgzorg has only performed in flashes.
I’m no real fan of DB but how TC remains nailed on is a mystery to me, except that I guess we have no replacement at the moment. I know he tries hard and runs about a lot but he just doesn’t look like doing his job right now, given that his job is to score goals.
I don’t have a solution to our goal famine other than to try someone else for a while.
Just to clarify:
- The squad list submitted after the summer window (Sept 2025) is binding until the January 2026 transfer window opens.
- During January, clubs can adjust their 25-man list to bring in new players and remove others, provided they still meet the homegrown minimum and all new loan players are added.
My reading of this is Malanda can play from the first of January as long as his name is included in the 25, the squad of 25 has to be ratified by 1 Feb.
Come on BORO.
The first bullet point indicates that the summer 25 man squad ends on the first of January and the next 25 man squad has to be declared at the end of January, there there is no 25 man squad during January, just like during August for the summer 25 man squad. Therefore Malanda can play on 1 January it would be up to Hellberg to decide if he is ready.
Come on BORO.
@exmil As long as MFC have his International Clearance papers completed, which they apparently do not have yet.