Team News...
A few surprises with Gilbert starting along with Bangura remaining as LB with Targett still covering at CB. In midfield it's Hackney and McGree with Conway and Strelec up top. Certainly a different look to this team
Basically, three changes with Gilbert, McGree & Strelec in for Browne, Hansen & Burgzorg. Oh, & Edmundson back on the bench & no Morris. CJ:
Alan Browne one of the three players taken out of the XI, and he isn't on the bench at all, which is another concern for Boro. He's replaced by Alex Gilbert, who's making his first Championship start since the final day of the 23/24 season. It was on this ground last season that he of course scored that dramatic late winner.
The other two changes see Riley McGree and David Strelec replace Sontje Hansen and Delano Burgzorg - both of whom are on the bench.
Will be interesting to see if it's Gilbert or McGree in midfield, with the other then playing the wide forward role.
Hellberg has spoken about making surprises and given opportunities and Gilbert certainly gets a big one this evening.
In defence, it's the same back four as last weekend.
Weather report from the borders of East & North Yorkshire:
Ive just got back in from walking Ralf and the rain is starting. On our way back from Malton earlier we caught a glimpse of the huge super moon but there’s no chance of seeing it now.
When will our new manager ever see us play on a dry pitch?
Unfortunately, Boro playing their unlucky green third kit - previous two outings have both been defeats (Pompey, Watford) - I guess red must clashes with Hull's black and orange home kit 🤔
@werdermouth Morris and Browne not in the squad? I assume Hackney is being asked to play a more defensive role.
VERY attacking team. If it works it could be 🔥
if Hackney's not playing a more defensive role then who is?
With a rope or two we might pull the points through.
Oh dear, the lack of midfield defensive cover leaves us wide open to being overrun in the middle of the park. We need to play with a solid defence away from home and quieten the crowd. I fear that our formation is more designed to encourage them to roar their team on.
And Hackney's best qualities will be stifled if he has to become the the last line of midfield defence
I think this is a mistaken strategy and I fear the worst.
Kick-off delayed by 15 minutes owing to the Boro team's late arrival (held up by heavy traffic & the weather).
Apologies for the late reply to your excellent Headliner Clive.
Just turned on the TV and don’t even know the lineup. It’s going to be a hard game I would guess against what appears to be a good Hull side, especially after last weeks win at Stoke.
I would take a point now if offered.
Just seen the 15 minute delay. Not ideal for the Boro.
I'm a Gilbert fan but it's a very tough ask for the lad. Has he kicked a ball in anger for us this season? He won't be match fit and that isn't what we need in what will be a hectic atmosphere.
Still, I hope he does well. But to play him tonight is hardly fair on the lad himself.
Unfortunately it seems our midfield has caught up with our defensive injury crisis - no Browne, Morris and of course Kante - with Hackney needing to avoid a yellow card to be able to play on Tuesday at Charlton.
Could be 3-3 given Hull have the second worst defensive record but second-highest scorers...
Hopefully Gilbert will be inspired by Bangura, who did amazingly well after nearly two years out.
From the Beeb's live commentary on the match:
New Middlesbrough head coach Kim Hellberg says victory in his opening game in charge against Derby County has provided "energy and time" to everyone around the club. After trailing for more than 70 minutes, Boro scored two late goals to turn the match around to give Hellberg the perfect start. "For me, it was important to get that first win - it gives you energy, it gives you time, it gives you a lot of things," he told BBC Radio Tees.
Hellberg has been undertaking a crash course in the Championship, by taking in as many matches as possible and watched Hull's win at Stoke last Saturday on television in the build-up to his own game at The Riverside. The Swede also has been studying Boro's play over a number of years to try to build up a picture of what style suits his new squad and how to create a structure that will bring the best out of them.
"I tried to look at the players that have scored goals in the last four or five years, how they have scored the goals," he said. "Drawing a map of where they have scored from, how many touches they have used, trying to get a picture of what they were good at. It's about keeping an open mind, but trying to give yourself as much advantage as possible by seeing the games they've played. That's the balance you need to have."
@lenmasterman defensive midfielder, then a yellow a certainty and a one match suspension.
I think I read about Hellberg wanting to play attacking football, but this looks a bit of a stretch and a gamble. However, choices are restricted again down to injuries.
I thought the Medical were supposed to be looking to improve this issue.
CJ:
Boro line-up:
It's a 4-3-1-2, with Whittaker central behind the strikers.
Gilbert playing at 6, with Hackney and McGree as 8s.
Basketball game. Boro strike first.
Strelec gets his maiden Boro goal in the ninth minute!
Strelec gets his maiden Boro goal in the ninth minute!
CJ:
Boro play out from the back well. Bangura slips inside to Hackney, who drives, then sends McGree down the left with a lovely ball in behind. McGree's cross is challenged for by Whittaker and falls kindly for Strelec who finishes from close range.
CJ:
Boro line-up:
It's a 4-3-1-2, with Whittaker central behind the strikers.
Gilbert playing at 6, with Hackney and McGree as 8s.
After three minutes:
Maybe not...
As the game settles more, it appears more like last week's 4-2-2-2, McGree just naturally floating more inside.
his second, having made a similar strike on his debut remember?Strelec gets his maiden Boro goal in the ninth minute!
Maddo quoted in the Beeb text commentary:
Hull have played really well so far, they have had plenty of the ball and dictated play so far, but it was a really good, well taken goal for Strelec.
I am really liking the look of David Strelec and Tommy Conway up top together, we haven't seen that before, but it is working well.
Maddo quoted in the Beeb text commentary:
Hull have played really well so far, they have had plenty of the ball and dictated play so far, but it was a really good, well taken goal for Strelec.
I am really liking the look of David Strelec and Tommy Conway up top together, we haven't seen that before, but it is working well.
The Beeb in the 21st minute:
Another lovely move from Boro, patient this time, shifting it right for Callum Brittain, who whips a cross towards the edge of the area where the onrushing Riley McGree manages to control on his chest before lashing in a first-time shot on the bounce which is always rising over Ivor Pandur's crossbar. Would have been some goal if he'd kept that down.
And former Tigers player, Peter Swan, shortly afterwards:
Hull need to be careful because some of these quick breaks from Boro so far are quite concerning. You can see that they're a very good team.
Alex Gilbert makes it 2-0 in the 32nd minute, assisted by Whittaker! 🙂 You were saying, Werder? 😉
Alex Gilbert makes it 2-0 in the 32nd minute, assisted by Whittaker! 🙂 You were saying, Werder? 😉
Whittaker himself makes it 3-0 three minutes later, assisted by Gilbert - roles reversed! 🙂
Has my wife slipped something in the tea I have just finished...?
Beeb commentary (Gilbert goal):
It's happened again:
Alex Gilbert got the winner here on New Year's Day. He hasn't made a single first-team appearance this season, but Kim Hellberg saw enough in training in his first week to chuck him in the XI tonight, and how he has repaid him.
More slack defending from the hosts plays its part but Tommy Conway is able to drive in from the left of the box and lay the ball off to the lurking Gilbert 20 yards out to fizz a low shot in off the post.
And Whittaker's:
WOW.
Hull again cough up the ball in the centre circle, Alex Gilbert pressing Regan Slater into a slip, allowing Gilbert to drive forward and spread the ball to Morgan Whittaker on the right of the box. He opens his body up and uses the defender as a shield to bend the ball powerfully high inside the far post, with unsighted Ivor Pandur given no chance.
Boro have blown this game wide open in the space of three minutes.