@k-p-in-spain. I agree with that KP, and there have been some positive post game posts and interesting thoughts.
I also thought that we played too much like Carrickball yesterday and were nowhere near as fluid as the previous four games.
One of the issues one could say with the current Hellberg system, is the he expects a high press and fast forward movement.
We lost that after McGree was injured and as been said (OK, possibly in hindsight) Browne would have been the better sub, with Gilbert further forward, he has an eye for a pass and a shot.
Also as KP and other have said, possession counts for nothing and neither do shots if they don't end up in the back of the net.
Using Andy's previous xG post, as we know we had 28/3 shots against Bristol's 13/8. Their xG was 0.87 and ours was 1.93. So should have won 2-1 instead of getting beat?
There appears to be a little more interest in Nypan after yesterday, with the media saying he may be recalled by City due to lack of playing time.
Unfortunately I believe the step up into the Championship has been a little too difficult for him, despite the initial hopes when we signed him. Possibly a recall would make it easier for Boro in relation to meeting their 25 January registration quota.
@peter-surtees Great post, Peter.
I second to that.@peter-surtees Great post, Peter.
I am more in the camp with Andy and Clive. We created enough chances at Bristol. Had we scored even one in the first half, we would have got a point or three in the end. So 90 % of the performance was good. Their first goal was a fluke. And they had very few corners and scored with one of them.
I am not worried at all and interested in seeing the response on Boxing day. Up the Boro!
I don’t know if your post regarding armchair supporters was directed at me, but I didn’t criticise KH, but actually during the game suggested that Browne would have been a better substitution.
This blog is actually for armchair managers or Boro supporters who watch live games and comment without fear or favour, knowing that their comments are acknowledged. Some supporters are unable to attend games due to geographical location or personal reasons.
This blog is recognised as being one that doesn’t play the man and gives fair and reasonable criticism of the Boro team without giving plaudits where none are deserved.
OFB
Yes, Bob, see my earlier post.
...What’s the forum’s thoughts on Aidan Morris? ...
I have wondered about that too Martin. I had him down the pecking order behind Gilbert and Brown (Gilbert and Brown - that sounds like some exclusive homes and interiors suppliers!). However, if Riley McGree is going tobe absent for another spell, perhaps Gilbert is pushed forward and then Brown and Morris are the options to put alongside HH, depending on the nature of the opposition and the time in the match. What will be iteresting to see is if Hellberg gets an additional dimension out of Morris.
My it doesn’t take much for some Boro “fans” to start to turn...
I can't say that I've noticed that - although I only read in here and the comments on the match report on the BBC Sport site. I do detect a lot of interest in how the team is going to react after the first loss under Hellberg. I'd like to think that Blackburn Rovers are now a little bit worried they will be on the receiving end of a Boro Backlash!
Re Nypan. He has not shown us that he can contribute very much to the team - at least that is not to date. We can't wait for him to develop as a decent Championship player as it is now that we need decent alterntives that can slip into the team seamlessly and make a positive contribution. Points not won now cannot be won back later in the season. So I for one would not be disappointed if Citeh do recall him as this will free space in the squad to be filled with better experience and/or quality.
Finally managed to fix my laptop yesterday evening after it was taking nearly 20 minutes to awake from hibernation (must be the time of year) during the last several days and then running painfully slow - turned out to be an updated app that was set to run at startup causing a conflict.
Anyway, disappointing result at the weekend that had initially looked like being another comfortable win but if you don't take your chances and the opposition score - albeit through a soft goal that Brynn would stop 19 times out of 20. I though Bristol City played a very good game plan and defended resolutely and broke down the channels with pace - something for Hellberg to work on.
Not too worried about the defeat if Boro bounce back on Boxing Day at home but it was a missed opportunity to stretch the gap to third and gain on Coventry - still this is the Championship and defeats can happen if you're slightly off it or your opponent has a good plan.
Still I'm more and more impressed with Gilbert and he's beginning to look like a player who could certainly make it to the top - his composure on the ball is superb and has quick feet to match with a good passing range. Hackney may get all the plaudits but considering how little football Gilbert has had, his performance levels are even more impressive. Worth noting that he's 24 next week, which maybe we should compare that Nypan only turned 19 last Friday - so he's got plenty of time to improve and be more consistent.
Sounds like McGree's injury may not be a long-term one so fingers crossed!
Since it's Christmas, spare a thought for Rob Edwards - Opta have just calculated Wolves chance of avoiding relegation at 0.87% - some are claiming that is generous...
😜😜😜😜😜
@original-fat-bob No OFB my comment was not aimed at you or anyone in particular, I get annoyed when people suddenly go from enthusiastic to negative because of one match. It is worth noting, apart from Bristol City being a so called bogey team, they are also a very good team fighting for a playoff spot, in fact they are 4 points from being third, so it’s not as though we lost away to a bottom half team. I myself would not presume to know better than KH and his staff, who see every player in training, also with the January window coming up, maybe it was Nypan’s opportunity to prove his worth (which he failed) if City are considering a recall whether Boro would try to fight it.
So apologies if anyone took it personally (why ?).
Come on BORO.
I’ve spared a thought for Edwards, and here it is:
#*%! OFF, AND NEVER DARKEN OUR DOORS AGAIN.
Will that do?
@werdermouth I have always liked the look of Gilbert, even when we first signed him, he appeared to have that something in his passing.
What is more remarkable is that over the previous two and a bit seasons, he has not had a lot of playing time, but for me generally showed flashes of ability during his limited opportunities.
So, what did KH see in him to throw him straight in for a first team start? His passing range is there to be seen, and always finds pockets of space to make himself available for a pass.
Although it is only one game, his passing stat was 99 / 83%, against HH 72 / 85%.
Let’s hope he can push on and be a valuable first player.
And now there is one Boro supporter less.
Chris Rea has died aged 74 today. Much bigger defeat than the one at Bristol yesterday. RIP.
https://www.bbc.com/news/live/c0q5g3v02qjt
Up the Boro.
@jarkko Very Sad, great singer/songwriter. RIP
@jarkko Ditto Malcolm.
Very sad news indeed. I am lucky to have seen him live in his heyday, but never came across him personally.
RIP Chris.
@exmil It’s all very well saying sorry, but you’ve rather spoilt it by adding “(why?)”.
I think we were all disappointed by Saturday’s loss but to describe any of us as “fans” in inverted commas is not usual manners on this forum. I know where you’re coming from re negativity but would suggest you’ve gone a bit too far with your own negativity this time. Anyway, it’s Xmas - good tidings to one and all.
I'm beginning to suspect Rob Edwards is not on your Christmas card list...
MIDDLESBROUGH goalkeeper Sol Brynn has been rewarded for his fine start to the season with a new long-term contract to 2030.
The deal underlines Boro's faith in the Teessider, who went out and impressed on a string of loan moves before being handed the opportunity he craved at the Riverside a year or so ago.
His first spell with the Boro gloves ended prematurely after he suffered a dislocated shoulder on Boxing Day last year.
But Boro always intended to give Brynn the opportunity to nail down the place as first choice goalkeeper when he returned from injury, and he's done that this season. Brynn has played every minute in the Championship this season.
He will have been disappointed with the first goal he conceded in Saturday's defeat at Bristol City, but the keeper has enjoyed an impressive start to the campaign and even has an assist to his name after his stunning pass set Morgan Whittaker away for his goal in last week's win over QPR.
Brynn has been at the club since the age of nine and has made 29 senior appearances so far.
Yes sad news and the loss of a Middlesbrough icon who remained humble and down to earth and was the antithesis of a celebrity - just as I type this sentence Driving Home for Christmas is just being played on Radio Bremen - which kind of indicates how well he was regarded from Teesside and beyond!
btw Reading his obituary earlier, one amusing fact was that he took his driving test in one of his family's ice cream vans - now that is something already that gives you legend status...
@werdermouth Yesterday, we drove 550 km to the North East from the greater Helsinki area for a week in a cottage during the Xmas time. On the radio, they played Driving Home for Christmas and my wife turned up the volyme. It is also her favourite as a Boro fan. We did not of couse predict Chris would be gone the following day.
BTW, as you said, he took his driving test in one of his family's ice cream vans. But I also read from the Teesside Live, that the inspector broke his leg during the test as he slipped from his seat. Chris passed the test, but needed to take the chap to hospital with his van. I hope there was something cold at hand to help the inspector's pain!
Chris death made to the main TV news here in Finland today. RIP, a great singer and slide guitar player. And a Boro and motor racing fan. He even was a mechanic one season in formula one.
Up the Boro!
That's got to be the greatest driving test ever!
Sad news about a Middlesbrough legend, Chris Rea on the various news tributes they all played extracts of “Driving home for Christmas” but my favourite was “The Road to Hell” another was “Steel River” which was about the river Tees, as a child I often visited Rea’s ice cream parlour.
Come on BORO.
@exmil I loved Stainsby Girls by Chris.
@malcolm I was a St George's Boy - across the Avenue of Trees and beyond from Stainsby - but I remember the girls and the song.