Sontje Hansen starts for Curacao against Steve McLaren's Jamaica. If they avoid defeat they are going to the World Cup
Riley McGree played 78 minutes in a 3-0 loss to Colombia, Alfie Jones played the full 90 for Canada in a 2-0 win against Venezuela and Sontje Hansen played 81 minutes as Curacao drew 0-0 with Jamaica and qualified for the World Cup. Curacao a country with an almost identical population to Middlesbrough. Steve McLvia aren's Jamaica have a chance to qualify via the playoffs.
Riley McGree played 78 minutes in a 3-0 loss to Colombia, Alfie Jones played the full 90 for Canada in a 2-0 win against Venezuela and Sontje Hansen played 81 minutes as Curacao drew 0-0 with Jamaica and qualified for the World Cup. Curacao a country with an almost identical population to Middlesbrough. Steve McLaren's Jamaica have a chance to qualify via the playoffs.
McGree came off as Australia went 1-0 behind from a penalty. Things fell apart after that.
All three (that's excluding Hansen) could be back on Teesside late on Wednesday. Morris probably had the hardest game of the three because he's fighting for a place in the WC squad whereas the other two have every chance of making it. Let's just hope that there were no injuries. Nothing reported yet.
My guess is that McGree and even Morris won't start to make sure that they are ready for Coventry. Jones will depend on how many of the other centre-backs are fit.
UTB
Riley McGree has opened up on his Middlesbrough injury woe and explained in great detail about the issues that have plagued him for the last couple of years.
https://www.thenorthernecho.co.uk/sport/25632147.riley-mcgree-middlesbrough-injuries-hopes-future/
I hope he will be OK this season. He is one of the best players we have currently. Up the Boro!
We must be close to appointing Hellberg now, as the BBC have reported it seems very likely. They don’t usually comment until deals are signed and sealed.
@jarkko - Riley McGree has been one of our most talented and potentially useful players for a few seasons now. Unfortunately he is injured so frequently (seemingly especially after going to play for Australia) that, for most of each season, I'd be a better player. He is usually unable to put on his football boots or to train. Let's hope that changes from now. If so, he could play a vital role with promotion an unexpected possibility, as he offers rare creativity to the team.
Apart from the two you mentioned, Stoke also interviewed him last season but he decided to stay In Sweden, the fact that Swansea were chasing him again this time is an indication that they see something in him.I still can’t get to grips with the proposed selection of a young manager with no experience of English football. In fact no experience of working outside his native country at all.
The fact that Swansea this season and apparently Sunderland last season were Looking at him must raise hopes that our recruitment team have carried out an exhaustive check on his performances as a manager and not relied solely on statistics.
He may have interviewed well but have they checked with other players what he is like to work for? Has he worked with top quality players? Can he get them on side.? Carrick had a relatively easy ride with the players due to his reputation in the game. Edward’s had the bullcrap to convince everyone he was the best.
Jury still out for me, I’d have rather had OGS but I’ll give the new guy every bit of my support.
Hopefully he can get the forwards scoring goals
UP THE BORO
OFB
To ally your doubts about the pending appointment, MW in Darwin (09:50 post) makes an excellent point about Sunderland supporters on the appointment of Regis Le Bris and look where they are now 🤔. You make the point about how Carrick had an easy ride with the players (maybe too easy) and we all know how that ended.
As you all know I am a very optimistic supporter of Boro, so I am quite excited for this appointment to go through with his number two joining him along with Viveash I think they could make a formidable team. I won’t expect miracles overnight, only time will tell, whether this season or next.
Come on BORO.
We must be close to appointing Hellberg now, as the BBC have reported it seems very likely. They don’t usually comment until deals are signed and sealed.
The Beeb saying that the appointment is subject to Hellberg's obtaining a work permit:
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/ce3kd3xdgego
I wonder what the criteria are for a football manager. Can Gibbo categorically demonstrate that no native Brit was suitable for the role? I'm not condemning his choice, just wondering how high a bar the Home Office sets in the current climate.
Watched Scotland v Denmark,
The Danes played Carrick ball, superior technically lots of keepy spent more time in the Scottish half.
Result ,
Heard Hellberg prefers possession ball,
Should there be a concern , more teams getting away from it , hope it's not typical Boro.
I think as long as he doesn't arrive in a small boat he should be ok...