Strelec booked in the 51st minute - CJ:
He wins the free-kick but then waves the imaginary card and gets himself booked. Silly.
HH booked in the 87th minute, Boro's fourth yellow of the match (Conway in the 50th was the other).
Relief as the whistle goes - 1-1. I would obviously have preferred all three points but a draw at Southampton is not to be sniffed at and Boro remains clear at the top of the league.
Always good if your team doesn't play as well as it can, yet still comes away from a game with something. Job well done.
Hackney & Morris didn't sound as though they had their best game but these things happen. There will be other games where they dominate and when this team will destroy the opposition.
Not a great performance but once again Edwards made a telling substitution with a triple change that changed the dynamic and put Southampton on the back foot - which ultimately led to the equaliser. Just about a deserved point that keeps Boro unbeaten and still 4 points clear at the top - and most importantly ends my run of 9 successive defeats on my preview 🥳
It would appear contributors to BBC Tees agree with me in the post-match comments and analysis.
Probably our poorest league performance to date, with Southampton a poor side who we made look slightly better due to some poor passing/defensive errors.
If we had been at our best then three points were there for the taking.
We played more on the front foot in the second half and with some telling substitutes earned a good point in the end.
Delighted to see Werder has finally broken his duck! 😎
It's not quite broken just slightly quacked...
@k-p-in-spain - Hopefully Werder can go on a successful run from here!
@martin-bellamy I think the issue is that we had ongoing injuries last season and the season before with our CB’s. We still have those injury prone players, only they are a year older.
OK, one can say we have signed Jones, and hopefully he will play more games the VDB did. Then we have signed Malanda, but obviously to win the deal we have had to loan him until January.
Given our signing of Forwards, I would have sacrificed one of the fringe players for Borges.
Still, another comeback, and a point at Southampton is a worthy point.
@forever-dormo Both the midfielders worked their socks off, however as werder said earlier, Morris was once more guilty of poor passing and trying to beat his man in dangerous areas. HH is going through a slightly “below his standard” spell.
But, all players do, with this being compensated for by a TEAM togetherness.
@pedro - Long may it continue!
Ironically they score when we were having our best spell of the game and were on top and looking like we could score at any point.
Once again, the desire, commitment and not easily beaten attitude shines through with the equaliser.
Not sure i agree with some comments that we were poor today, that Southampton are a poor side etc - Southampton are a good championship side, yes still finding their feet with a new manager and lots of changes but I would be shocked if they are not in the top six come the end of the season. They competed very well against Liverpool in midweek at Anfield and were unlucky to lose and they competed very well today too, I think a point is a very good point.
Follow it up on Tuesday with a win against Stoke and we really are motoring along, if we arent already !!
Let’s be honest the championship is a grind to get out of. If Boro can win all their home games and pick up a hard fought draw away we will go up simple as that ! Thought the ref was poor ! Booking strelec for snowing an imaginary card and not even booking the Southampton Player. Roll on Tuesday who’s going ???
OFB
@original-fat-bob I will be there OFB, hopefully see us break the 20pts barrier.
Another toughie though, who would have thought at the start of the season we would be saying our game against Stoke would be top against third.
Robins is doing a really good job but I think we can take them down.
So folks, what's everybody's thoughts on MOM today.
For me it has to once again go to Ayling, what is this man eating, he is up and down that right side like a 20yr old and just looks to be having the time of his life right now.
Got to also give a mention to Edmundson though, been out in the cold for a little while, has a cracking shiner from last week but really got stuck in and didn't do anything wrong in my eyes.
Didn't see match but to quote she who must be obeyed who did
Poor in first half, passing left a lot be desired
A lot better in 2nd half
Ref stank the place out
Yes I'd agree, Ayling was the standout player for Boro today both in defence and in an offensive capacity - two wonderful crosses with one Stelec should have done better and the second one a goal for Sene. He looks a bit leaner and fitter this season too and full praise to him as I was one of those who thought his legs had gone last season but he definitely has come back stronger this season as almost a Chris Wilder-style overlapping centre-back - plus he reads the game very well and adds some drive out of defence. Not to mention being king of the game management tricks, nods and winks!
Ironically they score when we were having our best spell of the game and were on top and looking like we could score at any point.
Once again, the desire, commitment and not easily beaten attitude shines through with the equaliser.
Not sure i agree with some comments that we were poor today, that Southampton are a poor side etc - Southampton are a good championship side, yes still finding their feet with a new manager and lots of changes but I would be shocked if they are not in the top six come the end of the season. They competed very well against Liverpool in midweek at Anfield and were unlucky to lose and they competed very well today too, I think a point is a very good point.
Follow it up on Tuesday with a win against Stoke and we really are motoring along, if we arent already !!
I agree with @presidentjump. I thought that it was a good game, particularly in the second half. Southampton were solid and I can see them climbing the table with their squad depth.
I have been in London for a few days and we managed to get three tickets right in middle of the Southampton fans. Thus, my reaction comes from having my first live sight of the Boro this season. The first half was to and fro without much real creation of chances. Targett hit the post with an excellent free kick, Conway had a reasonable half chance and Azaz should have scored for the Saints. It felt like a game that needed a change.
it was clear that Edwards had been into them at half time. We came out much faster and were on top when Saints scored with a slightly lucky goal. There was a ricochet in the box and Armstrong hit a strong volley that could have gone anywhere.
Edwards reacted immediately. Plenty of changes and plenty of positives. Browne looked classy at the base of midfield and the attack changed totally. What impressed everyone at the ground was the way that Boro went after their equaliser. It felt as if there was total belief in the tea, that we would keep our run going and so it worked out.
Ayling was definitely MOTM but I’d put in a word for Jones and the rest of the defence in general. Jones had a bit of a sloppy first half but the second half was excellent. Edmundson was a rock and the two fullbacks battled like crazy. We may have a problem if Brittain‘s foot is serious. The midfield and attack battled hard but it’s still not quite clicking. However, my feeling is that it’s coming as they get to know each other.
I’m doing the Stoke intro and will post it on Sunday afternoon before I head back to Oz.
UTB
@werdermouth Re: Ayling
I think he relieved last week or so, that he was in pain and had minor injuries last season. But because of injuries to other defenders, he needed to play through the pain barrier to help out the team.
So we are seeing the same Aylind we did, when he was on loan from Leeds to us. You can see when a player is not 100 % fit. So well done for Ayling last season.
And I agree he was good yesterday.
Up the Boro!
PS. Werder, so finally the duck was broken. Well done, Boro and you.
@original-fat-bob - I will be there for Stoke on a cold Tuesday evening...
So what do Boro and Forest Green have in common?
They are both unbeaten so far this season.
There are no other teams in the top Divisions unbeaten now that Liverpool have lost.
What I’m really liking is the early substitutions and changing the formation by Edwards. It also gives most substitutes time on the pitch - it can’t be much fun travelling all the way to eg Southampton and sitting watching all afternoon.
Hoping for a win on Tuesday watching Boro on sky tv
philip of Huddersfield 👍😁😁
@selwynoz. Thank you for your “at the match” report and have a safe journey home. 😎
@Philip I think Crystal Palace and Coventry are still unbeaten like Boro.
It is also nice to see "smaller" clubs being succesfull in the EPL. Like Palace and Sunderland (!). A story about promoted Premier League clubs in here:
https://www.bbc.com/sport/football/articles/ckgyl1v44m8o
We better get up one day. Up the Boro!
I know yesterday’s game wasn’t our best this season but when I look at our results so far I can’t be anything but impressed, 3 home wins out of 3 (Swansea, Shef Utd, WBA) yes we have draw 2 of the 4 away games (PNE (bogey away team) Southampton) wins at Millwall and Norwich (2 difficult away venues). In the 2 draws we have come from behind 3 times, they say good teams when playing badly find a way of not being beaten, I reckon that makes us a good team that will only get better when our recent arrivals settle into the team and championship.
Come on BORO.
Thanks , obviously I didn’t do my homework.
I just looked at the team which is top of the various Leagues and forgot to check for the likes of Coventry and Crystal Palace.
philip👎😔
Thanks for your thoughts
Stoke intro has been posted. I'm sorry if it's a bit long but I found that I had a lot to think about as this great start continues.
Best to all
UTB