After Boro made it four wins on the spin against playoff chasing QPR at the weekend, the next challenge is another promotion hopeful in Bristol City away on Saturday, kick-off 3pm.
What a treat we are being served up from Kim Hellberg’s Boro since his arrival in late November. Four games, four wins, eleven scored and just four conceded. It’s about more than the results though, isn’t it? Under KH, Boro have found themselves again, playing incisive, possession-based, progressive football at pace, carving all-comers open at will in the first 45 and then controlling the game to its conclusion with a rarely seen ruthlessness. It’s brilliant. Welcome to Hellberg.
The Swede’s appointment was met with justifiable scepticism in some quarters. Who is this guy? He’s very young, has no connection with the club and no experience of Championship football. With Boro sitting in second place in the league at the time – as they remain today – it was certainly a risk not to appoint a more known quantity.
All fair points. Yet if we follow that route, as we have done several times before in this league, we will never happen upon the next big thing in management. Is Hellberg the next big thing? Clearly it’s far too early to say – it’s too early to say if he’ll even be a success at Boro – but the signs are promising. Very promising.
Even at this early stage, some congratulations are in order for the recruitment team. Scouring the globe for an under-the-radar overachiever for the next manager is precisely where they can add the most value to the football club. Right now it looks as though they have delivered just that.
Despite an equally fast start under Rob Edwards, we might now consider that appointment to have been a mistake. Not because he left so soon after – at least not JUST for that reason - but because it becomes clearer by the day that he was a bad fit for the squad.
Edwards’ footballing philosophy was at odds with the players he inherited. After a few years of recruitment activity particularly under Michael Carrick, Boro had assembled a collection of largely young, technical footballers. Not especially big or quick in the main, the squad leaned towards a passing side most comfortable playing neat, short-range football.
Edwards, however, had a contain-and-counter tactical preference requiring physical presence, direct runners and experienced defensive heads. Though he made a good start with results, it was noticeable that Boro were struggling with their attacking play. Creating chances was a slog, as was getting bodies into the box. We quickly became reliant on a sturdy defence but the trend was down. Edwards left when his stock was at it’s highest, and I suspect our league position under him would have been shortlived too.
Hellberg has changed all that. He has returned this group of players to the football they were assembled to play. He has quickly recognised that we don’t have wide players who want to isolate a fullback and go past them, instead we have combination players that want to craft one-twos and more often come inside. He has quickly recognised that none of the forward options are target men who can operate as the lone focal point, switching to two strikers who play off one another. He has quickly recognised that we needed more options in the opposition box, ditched the back three and gone for something much more threatening. More or less every one of those technical players – Hackney, Gilbert, Strelec, especially Whittaker – suddenly look like something approaching twice the player they were just a few weeks ago. Of course, we have also benefitted hugely from the very welcome return of arguably the most gifted of the lot: Riley McGree.
Yet we haven’t lost all solidity. Perhaps one thing we can thank Edwards for (as well as the points) is the signings of Jones, Brittain and Browne – Championship hardened, experienced pros that he no doubt felt were a must for his team setup but have now, alongside the breakout success of Sol Brynn, become the dependable bedrocks in a completely different team. Throw in loanee Matt Targett too. These are the sort of supplementary signings that should have been made more frequently in the past to complement and guide the higher-upside “project” purchases. Perhaps lessons have been learned from that “no-stone-left-unturned” review after all.
It was a pessimistic summer, folks, but with a handful of promising signings since then, a much better than expected start and now a new manager who seems perfectly in tune with his resources, it seems impossible to be anything but optimistic. It’s on.
Still, one game at a time though, eh? And next up its Bristol City at Ashton Gate.
Having lost out in last season’s playoff semi-finals, The Robins dispensed with manager Liam Manning and installed 48-year-old Austrian, Gerhard Struber.
Struber’s seven year managerial career has taken in a curious mix of locations thus far: in no particular order Salzburg, New York, Cologne and Barnsley. It reads like something off Del Boy’s van.
Now at his seventh club in as many years, he’s perhaps best known for his particular brand of direct (by which I mean long ball), physically intense, pressing football.
After a strong start which included an impressive 4-1 revenge over their playoff adversaries Sheff Utd (though that doesn’t look as impressive in hindsight), Bristol City have struggled for form of late, slipping to a disappointing eleventh in the table with slim defeats to Wrexham, Millwall and Coventry and only a win against Portsmouth in their last five.
Whilst Boro sit joint top in the last six form table, Bristol City are down in 14th having picked up just seven points. The home results are nothing to shout about either with just four wins from eleven played – Boro have five away wins from the same number of fixtures for contrast. All that being said, they remain just four points shy of the playoff spots with everything to play for.
The goals appear to have been shared around with Emil Riis, Anis Mehmeti and Scott Twine all bagging six so far. Only Whittaker, with eight, has more to his name in this fixture.
I’m trying to put my finger on what I think about Bristol City and the best word I can come up with is “safe”. Having finished sixth last season, there might have been a chance to push on but instead they do not appear to have done any major transfer deals in or out over the summer, have appointed a very pragmatic manager in Struber and have somewhat drifted into midtable. I imagine it’s all a little deflating for The Robins fans though the chance to get back into the playoffs is still there for them.
What can we expect from this game? Well, Struber’s sides do tend to be physical and competitive so I expect a combative test for Boro’s defence and midfield. However, if Boro can apply the same sort of sharp passing and movement that we’ve seen over the past few games then I don’t think they’ll be able to contain us. Another fast start for Boro and I think we might see similar patterns to those witnessed at Hull and Charlton and again at home to QPR – first half goals and second half control. I certainly hope so. Bristol City getting the first goal would certainly play into their style very nicely and is something for which we need to be a little wary.
Is there a Championship fixture in the calendar that worries you at the moment though? Me neither. And with former Robin Tommy Conway (whom BC fans were not best pleased to lose to us in the previous summer) finally breaking his goalless streak at the weekend but still awaiting his first from open play, I’m tempted to say there’s an inevitability at play and for once it’s not a Boro old boy coming back to haunt us!
More of the same please, Boro.
That’s a fantastic starter, Andy, full of optimism and an educated view of where we are at the moment. Another win on Saturday would be a sure sign that we’re the real deal - a goal from TC would be icing on the cake.
Brilliant, Andy. An excellent summary of where we are and where we might end up.
Of course, I especially enjoyed Del Boy's van
Excellent Andy just excellent! A brilliant summing up of where the team, the club and the supporters are plus lovely summation of the hopes and desires of everyone.
Bristol City on Saturday? A tough nut to crack and I'll be thrilled with a point and overjoyed with a win the only question is will my nerves hold out? Just play that lovely flowing and positive football Boro, I'll leave the prophesy to OFB.
Talking of OFB, the very best wishes for your New Year's Eve appointment at the Freeman in Newcastle.
All the best everyone.
UTB, John
Thanks for that superb opener Andy. It is a great and realistic assessment of what Kim Hellberg has brought to Boro. As for the question you pose, 'Is there a Championship fixture in the calendar that worries you at the moment though?' , it is strange to think just how the answer to that is a spontaneous 'No'. When, in all of our collective memories of following Boro would that ever have been the answer, let alone one that didn't require thinking about?
Sooner or later the bubble has to burst. I mean we are going to drop points and lose games some time during the rest of the season. It is inevitable. But for now, what is there not to be enjoying and hopefully it will carry on, at least into the New Year. KH himself has acknowledged that there is a lot of scope for improvement in our second half performances and that we have to give our players time to fully adapt to Hellball. I also notice that some Hammarby fans are posting that we need to be patient and that if we think our recent first half performances have been great, Hammarby's second half performances under him were often better than the first. It is almost inconceivable to think that the best is still to come. Is the Boro becoming unplayable? Or, will our rival coaches find a way to get the measure of the way KH is currently playing us like a Stradivarius?
Just for now though, the wind is in our sails and I can honestly see us picking up three points at Bristol City on Saturday and another three points home to Blackburn in a sell-out on Boxing Day. We did win 6 on the spin under Carrick in the autumn of 2023. We also achieved the same under Karanka and earlier still under Bryan Robson, so it is not a wholly unrealistic prospect. With the Sky Blues being away at Southampton on Saturday and then at home to Ipswich on 29th, it is not beyond the realm of possibility that Boro start the New Year the way we would all like to see them carrying on, at the top of the table. That said, it would require us winning 7 successive league fixtures, which is a feat we have not achieved since season 1973/74 under Jack Charlton. In that season our all-time record of 9 successive victories was set.
It is so exciting again, to be a Boro fan.
Excellent, as ever Andy. You could scarcely get a a more incisive and accurate analysis of where we are now, and of how we got here. And your account of Bristol's situation is crisp and to the point. All beautifully written, well organised and immensely readable. A great opener, for which many thanks.
I have never agreed more with a Match Preview or the responses posted so far. Andy R's analysis, it seems to me, is spot on. The Preview hits the correct note. And, agreeing with Peter Surtees, the comment about Del Boy's van was a cracker.
I realise that Bristol City poses a big threat. I realise that the 100% run must come to and end at some time. I realise that Boro could very easily be unlucky in a game, for example with a sending off and/or a penalty against Boro putting the team into a very difficult position. I just hope it doesn't happen in this match or, if Father Christmas is reading this Blog, not for some time into the New Year.
One could imagine Southampton upsetting Coventry's applecart. However the key thing is not to be too concerned about other teams' performances but instead for Boro to attend to business. If we keep winning, everything else will be fine. Imagine having such optimistic thoughts two months ago!
A manager is by far the most important signing a club could make, so I agree with Andy R, massive credit must go to the recruitment team for unearthing such an apparent diamond. How often do recruitment teams get singled out for praise? I am sure Brian Clough was a more important signing for Derby County and then for Nottingham Forest than any of the players he signed (even Peter Shilton, Trevor Francis or the Harltepool player he took with him from club to club, John McGovern). I am not going to say more at this stage - to avoid looking a chump and/or to avoid putting a jinx on things. But I am looking forward to an away game at Ashton Gate. When in the past could I have said that?
I’m fortunate in being able to watch many games this season via Sky on Now TV, although Saturday games aren’t available.
Is there a reliable safe site to stream Sat games? I’ve got a VPN - is there any way to watch via MFC’s BoroLive?
Thanks Andy for the intro. So an away game against one of our bogey teams. They have done the double over us in the past two seasons and we have only two wins in the past 13 games anywhere. Last win at Ashton Gate was in 2020. However, despite our poor record, like others have said I feel some positivity. When Karanka came in there were a number of occasions when he won games at places we hadn't won for ages. I feel KH may do the same. Comparing RE to KH's first four games, under RE the accumulated score was 7-1, whereas under KH it is 11-4, so an improvement in the goals for and 2 of the 4 against were penalties. Under RE game 5 was the 2-2 draw at Preston, I can see a similar result on Saturday.
Andy
Your previews get
better and
Better
Well done
it’s appreciated
OFB
It’s interesting that Warnock, Wilder, Carrick all had rows and fell out with our recruitment team.
All fell by the wayside and in the end couldn’t deliver with the squad if players available.
So to have KH who is a product himself of the recruitment process he embraces the concept and buys into what he wants so he can deliver the tactics to suit the team
Hopefully a successful formula!
OFB
As everyone has said, Andy, I can’t praise you enough for your starter. I particularly loved your excellent in-depth analysis of both teams’ playing styles. It sounds as if it will be a complete contrast in approach from City to ourselves. As someone above said, if the fluent and dynamic Boro of the last three games turn up, then we should have a very good chance of winning. I wouldn’t be unhappy with a point, though.
@original-fat-bob - If your prediction of Bristol City 0-4 Boro turns out to be correct, I think everyone in The Championship will sit up and take notice.
If it isn't too much to ask Santa, I'd be very pleased if the wins for Boro continue well into the New Year, and for your medical procedure to work out well so you can enjoy Boro's success and eventual rise to football glory. Hopefully, when all is sorted, you will be able to skip to the Riverside to enjoy the fun very shortly.
Another defender injured at Newcastle United. Their medical team will closely assess Livramento's knee injury in the coming days.
No decision has been made on Matt Targett by Newcastle as things stand but there is a January recall clause.
And asked whether a return for Targett is a possibility, manager Howe said: "Yeah, we'll make that decision closer to the date when we have to.
"But certainly at the moment I don't have many more rabbits to pull out of the hat. We're in dangerous territory so let's see."
So it looks like Boro need to see both full back positions in January. We do not have cover for Brittain if Ayling is playing at centre-back position now when well in his 30's. And we haven't too many central defender - eventhough Malanda is already training at Rockcliffe.
For left back, we currently have Targett (on-loan from NUFC), Bangura and Lukas Engel, soon back from his loan to FC Cincinnati. Engel is able to play from January 1st onwards, if needed.
Up the Boro!
Bloody hell! Now that is optimistic. Just make sure you carry that positivity to the Freeman!
ATB,
UTB,
John
A brilliantly incisive and informative article Andy. Thank you it was a thoroughly enjoyable read.
I agree particularly with your analysis that things under RE had stalled and he didn’t seem to have worked out how to get the best out of the offensive talent available to him; what a difference a few weeks/games under KH have made and long may it continue.
As to Saturday, there is a little voice in my mind telling me that KH’s 100% win record has to go at some stage and given our appalling record at Ashton Gate is it to be this weekend.
If, however, we play as we did at Hull and against QPR and don’t have a “bad day at the office” day then we should prevail, especially if we score first; a draw would be acceptable but we really should be looking to take all three points against a mid table team who are not showing any signs of being more than that. CoB 😎
🚨 | Newcastle United will consider recalling Matt Targett from his loan at Middlesbrough in January amidst their defensive injury crisis.
[Dom Shaw]
You would hope that, with Malanda due to lace up his boots for his first action immediately after New Year, and with Dael Fry (hopefully) back soon, Ayling can be released from subbing duties at at centre-half. That should release some of the pressure. But obviously I'd prefer Targett to remain at Boro for the second half of the season.
@forever-dormo. Couldn’t agree more. A natural left footer playing in the correct position has made a big difference this season. He is a solid defender, can cross expertly and is good with free kicks and corners.
I would hope he is on our “consider to buy” list. 😎
Re left back and the potential loss back to Newcastle of Matt Targett in January. We do have Lukas Engel just back from Cincinatti, where he is reported to have had a good season as a dependable (almost) ever-present, including filling in effectively as a makeshift centre back during their own defensive injury crisis. Perhaps he has benefitted from the loan and perhaps Kim Hellberg can work with him to find the player we thought we were buying a couple of years ago.
@powmillnaemore Boro are yet to receive an official approach from Real Salt Lake for Lukas Engel after the defender was selected by the club in the 2025 MLS Re-Entry draft.
What that essentially means is that Real Salt Lake have been granted the right to try and sign the defender, but they still need to come to an agreement with Boro.
So more options to consider. But I am not too worried.
Also, I think centre half is the best position for Ayling now. Up the Boro!
@martin-bellamy In the past, I used to purchase single matches through a VPN and also when only available in some countries use your VPN.
I also got away with paying with my UK debit card.
Werder or KP may have a better idea of what is currently possible. Then of course, there could be somebody who could post an internet site.
Another brilliant and well written Headliner Andy.
Unfortunately, it is hard to believe what has happened over the last few weeks, and I worry that the bubble may burst. Not over a defeat here or there, or the odd draw, but over injuries or loss of form to those players that have seemingly come from nowhere and are like new signings, that are not allowed yet.
Whittaker, McGree, Bangura, Gilbert, can they really maintain their fitness or form. And of course there is Sol Brynn. Who could replace him in reality at this moment.
I guess one has just to enjoy the moment.
@pedro Thanks Pedro. I’m such a rule driven person that I’ve avoided trying to game the system - I got a VPN to allow us all to watch the Lionesses final in France on our big family holiday. We finally managed to get an app on the huge tv screen about 15 minutes before kick off. When it went to extra time the French tv company switched it to another channel - cue much panicking but we managed to find the coverage just in time.
@jarkko I would agree with your last line. I don’t think Ayling has the “legs” now to play regularly as a RB. Brittain has been tremendous once he settled in, the same with Targett.
The lost of either or even would pose a very difficult situation for the Boro if it happened. Hopefully there is a suitable plan B in place, unlike last January with Latte Lath and Ben Doak.
@martin-bellamy. Sorry I can’t help.
If you are in the UK then the only options are Boro Live via a VPN (not illegal to use) or if a pirated stream is posted on line, neither of which I believe you may be comfortable with. 😎
We are one of very few teams in the EFL who have not lost when scoring first. Saw a graphic the other day but now can't find it. In all of our draws we have come from behind to draw, except Stoke 0-0. We have only comeback from a goal down to win once in KH's first game against Derby.
@k-p-in-spain I’ve got a BoroLive account but with a uk address. Do you think I’d need to set up a new account with my “overseas” address?
@martin-bellamy I have just looked at the MFC website, and it is saying there are no matches currently available for streaming. I am not sure how that can be correct as the Bristol game is just an ordinary game, I believe.
The website does show annual passes and also when available, single passes at £10 for overseas viewers.
In theory then through a VPN if it is made available.