@presidentjump I agree all Championship games can generally go either way, especially at the start of the season. On paper some should be easier than others. Yesterday against Portsmouth, should have been a minimum draw.
QPR actually, are top of the, last six games table. Boro seventh.
Well my bet would be that most of us are thinking the same thoughts after the last two poor performances. Was the excellent form over the first six games a sign of things to come over the rest of the season or was it just a blip fuelled by early season enthusiasm with the last couple of games more of a predictor of what we should expect. If the former we can all hope for a really exciting season. If the latter we would be back to same old inconsistent Boro. The Ipswich game will be an important indicator. Of course we all hope it’s the former but as we all know it’s the hope that kills you……….
@werdermouth - Not wishing to join in the bandwagon but, although the result and the performance against Portsmouth were a disappointment, there is no reason to panic just yet. The team remains second in the league table and everybody would have been delighted with that 2 months ago.
Yet on the other hand yesterday's game wasn't an isolated blip. The team now has two draws and a defeat in the last three games. Since the victory at home to WBA on 19th September, Boro has been not been ahead in any of the three games that followed. This is in a league where most people seem to believe that scoring the first goal is vital if a team is to do well as "goals change games" etc.
Supporters were pleased to see that Boro proved able to come back into games by scoring equalisers after falling behind against PNE on 13th September (equalising TWICE in that game) and against Southampton. It has been often repeated that Boro would have been unlikely to do that a year ago. In the last two games Boro proved unable to score against Stoke (who, luckily, also proved unable to put the ball in the net) and yesterday against Portsmouth (who suffered no such inability). So a couple of games without a Boro goal scored.
People have suggested in the past, and I have joined in the argument, that most "issues" with football teams have their roots in the midfield. Too many goals conceded? That will be the midfield losing possession and the opponents therefore gaining the ball in Boro territory and crafting chances to score, then! Not scoring enough goals? That will be the midfield not securing possession in dangerous territory and being able to put the ball through to attacking team mates in scoring positions, then!
I wasn't present at the Portsmouth game. It sounded on the BBC Tees commentary, and from comments made after the game, that neither Hackney nor Morris played to the usual high standards which have made many suggest that they are the best midfield duo in the Championship. I don't think they have been up to that high standard for at least the last two games. For Boro to win games, a dominant midfield is essential unless someone scores a "worldie" from deep or unless someone else in the team takes the game by the scruff of the neck and has the game of their life.
Twelve days to put things right before the next game at home against Ipswich Town on Friday 17th October. Not helped by the fact that the International Break will mean several of the players the coaching staff would like to work with will be out of reach, playing elswhere for different coaching teams who may have very different ideas and tactics. But hopefully the "time off" will allow Fry and Brittain in particular more time to recover FULL fitness and will allow the coaching staff to evaluate the recent games and identify the steps required to get Boro back to winning ways.
Not time to panic. But even very successful teams never stand still, rather they look to continue to improve. I suspect RE and his coaching team will have their ideas and we should give them time to put them into effect before getting worried. I mean - SECOND in the table. I am almost suffering from lack of oxygen from being at such an altitude!
Those last 6 QPR games came immediately after their 7-1 thrashing by Coventry so some comfort for Boro in that you're not always as good as your last game...
I agree the midfield is integral to both defence and attack - plus I guess we should technically include wing-backs in that part of the team too as they are generally important in the transition between each end of the pitch.
I wondered why neither Silvera or indeed Bangura - who has now been on the bench for the last 3 games - weren't brought on to add some pace down the flanks - plus I'd have liked to see Kante come on to add some drive from midfield too.
I suspect there will be some midfield changes for the Ipswich game on Friday as Morris is part of the USA squad that plays against Australia on the Wednesday (2:00am UK time) before that. It will be asking a lot for him to be able to fly back and then play 24 hours later!
@werdermouth - To be honest I'd struggle to recognise Bangura let alone have any recollection as to how he plays. It's been so long! And as for Riley McGree... I am assuming he is NOT picked to play any games Australia might have scheduled. He'd probably pick up a knock or a twinge if he did. Nothing serious, you realise, but enough to keep him out a few weeks. But then a "few weeks" tends to be flexible at Middlesbrough!
I see that Ipswich beat Norwich 3-1 in their derby match today. Always good to know they might be coming into form before they play Boro.
@werdermouth As I posted yesterday, HH and AM where missing for both the goal and for the earlier Chaplin “on a plate” miss. As also posted neither have been at their best for arguably the last three games.
We know it must be quite difficult to maintain 100%, the closing down and pressing required from Edwards for 95 minutes, especially when there are three games in 7/8 days. Possibly this has affected the recent performances?
I think Alan Browne will be a shoe in for Morris against Ipswich.
I was also surprised that Silvera was not considered as an option late in the game, when all else was failing. Although his crosses against Stoke were quite poor, he does have the ability to make them against a defender. Hopefully it something the Coaches are working on with him.
Bangura. Mmm. I would not have a clue as to what he could do. The coaching staff will have some idea from the training sessions and he is getting picked over McCormick.
@pedro yes it would seem the hammering that Coventry gave QPR certainly has stood them in good stead.
@pedro I think Bangura were our best option at left back. But that was long time ago. An ideal wing back, me thinks.
But he must be nearly OK now as he has played for the U21 recently and been on the bench, too. But he is long way behind Targett now. He has missed nearly two years of playing, though.
Up the Boro!