@malcolm - Isn't Dalyan the place with a nice beach with a gently sloping shore, and maybe turtles? It is a LONG time since I was in Turkey (40+ years) but I will never forget Ephesus.
@Werder - I hardly need to comment on your Match Preview because everyone else has done so already. A very enjoyable read. Still, when we get to Saturday at 5pm, I hope we will have 3 points. That is not something I imagine I would have written 6 weeks ago when even a draw at Southampton would have seemed VERY unlikely.
How things change for the better!
I send this from Canada. The Canada Fields Farm just outside Yafforth, that is.... Night falls so early now but I hope it will be sunshine and fireworks for Boro on the South coast tomorrow.
Southampton 1-2 Boro.
@presidentjump Unfortunately, as I have stated previously, the powers to be took a calculated gamble in letting Borges go and it is looking to have possibly back fired.
I appreciate that the have to balance the revenue and also they would have had to release on of the existing 25 to accommodate him.
I hindsight is a wonderful thing, however we knew three of our six CB’s were very vulnerable to injuries. Fry, Lenihan and Ayling. As for Harley Hunt, I believe he has also had a run of injuries stopping his progression.
As for Lenihan, there has been a strong rumour that it is doubtful if he plays again.
It will feel like an eternity until the lad in America can join us.
Numbers dwindling in defence…. I thought injures were Carrick’s fault?
@pedro 100% agree, it is a real worry. has been for a number of seasons now and doesn't seem to be going away any time soon.
I fully understand we have the players who can adapt into positions ( Ayling, Targett etc ) but successful teams often have a core, settled centre half pairing in the very least.
Let's hope the Borges move doesn't come back to bite us, is there a recall clause in there if it gets any worse ? Could we not have kept Borges until at least January when Malanda arrives ?
There is also something about our other emergency centre half, in Johnny, leaving us too which reduced the numbers in that area even more.
We have a lot of momentum, a lot of feel good at the moment, let's hope that can carry us through whilst we await the injury situation easing.
@andy-r It's a strange one isnt it that Carrick was to blame by some but yet it seems injuries have been a constant thorn for season after season, I can recall Wilders first interview when he said he wanted to get to the bottom of why the club was seeing so many injuries.
I mean, yes, all clubs get injuries, its a part of modern day football and the sports science that comes with it which seems to make injuries go on for longer ( ie the injury is not fully recovered yet ), gone are the days when cortisone injections were handed out on the pitch like bottles of lucozade, but we do seem to get more than our fair share ( especially in defence ! ).
I think McCormick could well be an important player for Boro in the next three months - although he has only played predominantly as a left-back for the first team, he's actually a centre-back by trade so would be a very useful player to have on the bench and also getting some minutes as centre-back.
On the Borges issue, he was the victim of needing to move on players who didn't make the 25-man squad - though given our attacking options, perhaps choosing an unfit Riley McGree instead of another centre-back may have ultimately been the wrong option - plus we also now have 3 left wing-backs in the squad too with Luke Ayling being the only real senior cover for right wing-back.
OK, if Fry gets fit soon then the problem is eased but if this is a problem after six games then you would expect the probability after 15 games would be more defensive injuries if the same 3 or 4 players are having to play every game.
@werdermouth didn't know that about Mcormick being a centre back by trade, that adaptability again coming to the fore which is what the club have worked on recently with their signings.
He may well become important over the coming months.
Nypan been sick all week so on the bench today apparently
OFB
Do we actually have more injuries than other clubs, or does it just seem that way because we know more about our team/squad than we do about our rivals?
Every game is a big one at the moment, but I reckon a win today would be a huge marker to put down. Even a draw would be a positive in keeping our run of not losing in place. I think we might sneak it 1-2.
@martin-bellamy so true and a valid point, I wouldn't know, for example, what injuries Coventry, Ipswich, Leicester etc have or when they last had a sickness bug amongst their squad.
I guess it just feels like its all we hear about for our own team.
Take a point and run today.
Hopefully a win today and preferably a draw between Preston and Bristol City that could open up a 7-point gap to 3rd if Stoke don't beat Norwich but since they visit the Riverside on Tuesday it could see that gap if we beat them.
One change as Whittaker comes in for NypanStarting XI: Brynn, Ayling, Edmundson, Jones, Brittain, Morris, Hackney, Targett, Whittaker, Strelec, ConwaySubs: McLaughlin, McCormick, Browne, Kante, Silvera, Nypan, Burgzorg, Hansen, Sène
Is that wise?!!!
CJ's analysis of the selection:
One change from Rob Edwards then.
Whittaker returns to the starting line-up at the expense of Sverre Nyan, who drops to the bench. Potentially a squad management aspect to that, with the games that follow next week in mind. In what could be a tight game, perhaps the quality of Whittaker's set-pieces are [sic] in Edwards' thinking too. If Boro can nick a 1-0 win with a goal from a corner, we'd all take that, wouldn't we!?
As expected, Edmundson is still at centre-back after recovering from that nasty eye injury suffered against West Brom. Interestingly, though, with Alex Bangura playing for the U21s last night, George McCormick is the only defender on the bench. Should any change at CB be needed, though, you'd expect it would be Silvera coming on at wing-back and Targett going to CB, as was the case in that West Brom game.
So my source for the rumoured team selection was correct for the second week in a row !
Spooky !
OFB
A pre-match stat quoted by CJ that doesn't augur too well:
- no Championship player has created more chances this season than Ryan Manning (14)
Alfie Jones booked in the 24th minute. 0-0 after 35 minutes. I'll take that scoreline at full time...
A first half littered with errors that could have proved costly on another day as Boro came off second best but in truth it wasn't a high bar. Boro seem to lack an out ball with Southampton playing a high line and wouldn't be surprised to see Hansen and Sene come on - Strelec hasn't had much joy and Whittaker playing wide-right offers very little and is easily brushed off the ball.
But it's the errors in passing from defence and midfield that has been the main problem with Morris being one of the biggest offenders. Southampton don't look a great side and it wouldn't take much to get on top in this game.
As difficult match as expected. One goal will deside the winner.
Let's hope we start the second half better but Soton have played well so far.
Up the Boro!
Unlucky with Targett free kick, Southampton haven't over threatened us but Armstrong always looks dangerous alongside Fellows trying to pull the strings.
Morris has been a little iffy with the ball at his feet and some sloppy passing.
Wonderful to see Azaz blaze his excellent opportunity over the bar.
Will still take that point.
A first half littered with errors that could have proved costly on another day as Boro came off second best but in truth it wasn't a high bar. Boro seem to lack an out ball with Southampton playing a high line and wouldn't be surprised to see Hansen and Sene come on - Strelec hasn't had much joy and Whittaker playing wide-right offers very little and is easily brushed off the ball.
But it's the errors in passing from defence and midfield that has been the main problem with Morris being one of the biggest offenders. Southampton don't look a great side and it wouldn't take much to get on top in this game.
CJ would seem to agree:
Tough first half for Boro that. Very sloppy in possession today, wanting too much time on the ball and inviting pressure on themselves. Southampton not been clinical to punish them though. Boro's forward three have barely seen the ball as Boro struggle to get it through the line to them.
Boro very poor so far with our midfielders and defenders caught on the ball or giving it away far too easily. Morris and Hackney especially prone to getting caught in possession and the so-far -admirable- this- season Jones having a nightmare presenting the Saints with some good chances as well as getting booked for an ill-judged tackle. Targett hit the post from a free-kick but S'ton missed two sitters, one squandered by Azaz. The irony is that the Saints look short of confidence and eminently beatable but we need to release longer balls much quicker and get behind their high line.
We have been awful, but I think we will win this if we pull our finger out and get at them
Strelec booked in the 51st minute - CJ:
He wins the free-kick but then waves the imaginary card and gets himself booked. Silly.
Saints take the lead through Armstrong in the 61st minute.
Browne & Nypan on for Brittain & Whittaker in the 62nd minute.
Azaz subbed in the 64th minute, Burgzorg, Hansen & Sène on for Morris, Conway & Strelec in the 71st.
Jones directs straight to Armstrong, a great strike.
Sène equaiises in the 77th minute, assisted by Ayling!