A typo in my post about Sheffield Wednesday.
The administrators must wait for more bids as the rules state that 28 (not 298) days are needed to be waited before deciding the prefered bidder.
A great result for Boro on Friday. We must now do our job at Watford. Up the Boro!
Coventry goalscoring form continues but they couldn't stop Moore from getting through the back door, fortunately the bar we used to put across our back door saved us lol.
Can we take advantage today and draw level at the top, I think it is a big ask, it will be a tough one which I am sure the majority of us would take a point right now but who knows, defensively we are looking solid, can we break away a couple of times and have our goalscoring boots on.
I have a feeling today will be the day we see the return of Riley with some pitch time.
Well that was an unexpected surprise to hear Wrexham were responsible for Coventry's first defeat of the season - hopefully Boro can take advantage and win at Watford to draw level on points - though they'd have to score more goals today than they've so far managed all season to actually go top!
@werdermouth we go 3 up inside the first ten minutes, Watford go down to nine men after fifteen minutes.
Come on have faith in the lads haha.
@stircrazy - So your cheeky tenner isn't going on a Boro win 17-0 at Watford to allow the team to charge back to the top of The Championship, then? Honestly! Where is the belief...?
Back home in Scotland now and I have just read through this entire thread from AndyR's superb opener through to Werder's observation above, concerning Coventry's humbling last night, via a stream of excellent and intelligent posts from a host of contributors.
I shall simply echo what so many have said already, that it is always a pleasure to read this blog. So thank you to everyone.
I am a bit late to the discussion about formations, but as I was reading through, a couple of things came to my mind.
I too like Brown, but I also like Morris. I get the observation about him tending to recycle backwards or sideways, but I do feel that as a team we are not fast enough off the ball and we do at times relax into the control the ball game that Carrick liked to play. If we could be sharper in moving without the ball, we would open up more opportunities for him to play more offensive passes. I like the idea of starting three in midfield... Morris, Brown and Hackney, in front of a back three.
I also agree that Conway and Strelec should start
Both Taggert and Britain have the ability to deliver good balls from wide, but I would like to see more effort getting outside and behind the opposition full backs. I also hope we have McGree back in the starting eleven soon and given the freedom to roam across the pitch to be able to deliver those telling through balls into the feet of Conway or Strelec from any direction.
There is a host of options then on the bench to change things around and to introduce energy when the opposition is tiring a little.
I too was disappointed when Carrick left, but I think Rob Edwards has shown us the difference between a coach who is fixated on a single way to play and one who is proactive during a game to make changes when plan A is not working. He has also (just like Jack Charlton before him) made sure the foundation (i.e. the defence) is solid. So, yes it is great to be entertained by swashbuckling football, but there is more to the game than that. To be fair to this coach (RE) and team, we still see some scintillating play, but we have also been consistently getting the results.
Finally, while we might have been a little disappointed with our performance against Wrexham, last night's result might just put our result against them into perspective.
It will be a tough game today. Most games in the Championship are going to be tough. I am confident that however tough it is going to be, this Boro team will keep it going to the very end. Our hitherto problems in making and converting chances to one side, I am sure we will come away with at least one point, but three points is a realistic hope. Maybe today is a day we see Boro3 put in an appearance...
Thanks for the link, Martin. The extracts attached about Brian Clough also kept me happily entertained for most of the morning, even though I had seen them all before. Incidentally, as a lifelong Clough fan, I could see how brilliant he was when playing for the reserves at the age of 18,.I also saw both of his international appearances at Cardiff and Wembley, taking time off from lectures to do so, something I've never regretted
@martin-bellamy so I get my Brown, Morris, Hackney midfield, my three at the back with Targett and Brittain and then Conway up front, but Burgzorg, not Strelec. Interesting. I wonder that RE is going to use Burgzorg as a central target?
The team today looks quite defensive with 5 defenders, 3 midfielders and Burgzorg and Conway as the most attacking players.
I hope Edwards has something up his sleeve with his formation - logically Hackney will play a more advanced role.
Will the 2 attacking players combine ? - I have visions of them rarely within 20 yards of each other assuming Conway plays his usual game of being all over the pitch. I regret to say Burgzorg was never considered as a centre forward solution whilst at Huddersfield. Perhaps today will prove me wrong.
Looking forward to an improved performance compared to some recent games.
philip of Huddersfield 👍🤗
Let's hope the manager knows what he is doing up front, that he has drilled the players during this last week, and that Boro has a touch of fortune this afternoon at Watford. Of course, there is the Bench and we know RE isn't shy about making early and big decisions.
I am hopeful. But ANY win will do. That may be the motto all season!
I don't think I have ever seen a Boro side going into a game with nothing even faintly resembling what we used to call a forward line
Looks definitely as if it's a setup to avoid losing - probably win 3-0 😉
Kanté has apparently had a hernia op:
That was definitely old Boro as Watford score with their first real attack as the defence followed the ball and left the runners free to tap home!
And now it is Watford 2-0 Boro (!!!)
Did I say Boro were set up to avoid losing? 2-0 with Watford's second shot on goal 🙁
RE's thoughts on Riley McGree:
Now 2-0. 🙁
Well has Edwards got it wrong for the second game in a row. Looks as though he has picked a team not to lose, with little up front though.
Then having to attack with the full backs we twice lose the ball and in transition Watford score two more or less two unopposed goals.
We would have done well to score two in reply, three, no chance. In fact we look beaten already.
To be fair, Boro played some good football going forward and looked dangerous and in control of the game but Watford scored on the break against the run of play but the their second has really left Edwards with needing to twist.
Can't see how Burgzorg will remain on the pitch for the 2nd half and either it's a switch to a back four or Morris is replaced with a more attacking player.
Sat in away end at watford and all I can say very poor, too slow no width or creativity
Again can't break teams down and they score two very similar goals all very disappointing
Yep, 2 shots, 2 goals, pace up front catching us twice, I still feel we can get a point from this though, changes to be made.
Burgzorg has been offside more times than they have had shots.
Mcgree ? Nypan ? Strelec ?
That was a very strange first half. I don't think that we are playing badly. Watford are playing like the away side, defending deep and hitting us twice on counter-attacks. We are using Brittain almost as a winger in what turns into a 4-3-3 and Targett is also trying to get well forward. However, we are short of targets in the penalty area. Conway is playing vey well but he is not getting much help from Burgzorg who is almost invisible and should be replaced.
The Boro set-up of a three man triangle in midfield was presumably intended to stop Watford playing through. Now that we are 2-0 down, RE may well sacrifice Browne or Morris for an extra forward. Maybe Conway up top with Srelec and Nypan behind him.
We can get back into this as Watford could get very nervous if it goes to 2-1.
UTB
We've not played badly and if we can get the next goal I would still fancy us. Watford have had two chances and have taken them both.
Burgzorg has done little apart from giving away free kicks but in truth who do we have who can be a reliable out ball and offer a wide threat?
Both goals came from us not getting tight on the left. Jones failed to come out to close down the Watford wide man, something we saw a lot of last season.
By contrast a lad called Bola hasn't put a foot wrong as their left back. Given our historical problems in that area, we might put him on our watch list
The Hornets are buzzing/running riot: 3-0 - no changes at half-time.
Unfortunately they get the next goal...
It will be some come back from 3-0 ....
Has the bubble burst?
This game is proving to be a nightmare.This is Boro’s biggest test to see how they respond
philip of Huddersfield 👎☹️
Hard to see where Boro can go now - hopefully they get the next goal...
Will questions be asked about Rob Edwards?