Late Coventry Climax
As we now enter the frantic schedule of “pile em up” games along come Coventry in an attempt to avoid a swift return from whence they came and for Boro to get a vital three points to build on the feel-good factor of hope after the “Pulgate” gloom.
The Sky Blues seemed to have started the season reasonably well but have struggled since so a long midweek trip North after a four-nil thumping at “home in Birmingham” to mutual ex-manager Mogga’s Rovers hopefully wasn’t going to provide much solace. Having said that I do hope they survive as their fans have endured terrible uncertainty for years. They deserve a break just hopefully not tonight.
Sky Blues manager Mark Robins had Gustavo Hamer available again after a suspension along with Fankaty Dabo, recovered from an injury that had kept him out of their last two matches. They would have to manage without CB Michael Rose who was sent off against Blackburn.
Chuba Akpom was missing for Boro due to an illness so Britt was the only fit striker. Roberts started with Johnson and Bola both dropping to the bench and Spence coming back in.
The referee for tonight's encounter was David Webb who got proceedings underway with Coventry kicking off, hitting the ball straight out of play for a goal kick to Boro. The opening five minutes were slow, to put it mildly with little action to speak of and neither Keeper really involved. Morsy was, however, getting niggly with Sheaf in the middle of the pitch but that was as exciting as it got.
Boro looked to be playing a 3-5-1-1 set up with Britt up top and Roberts behind. Coventry set up 9-1 or at least the opening period felt like that as they sat deep, hanging onto the draw. Ten minutes in and we won a free-kick which Britt called rank over and sent Paddy packing. From thirty yards out the Boro Captain managed to hit it high and wide.
So far Roberts seemed a little bit lost as to what his role was, getting outbattled and then on eighteen minutes he cut in from the right, passed to Saville who played in Tav setting up a Britt opportunity saved by Marosi in the Coventry goal and ending up with Morsy who blasted his effort wide. That was the closest Boro had come. It was heartening to see Roberts beginning to influence something and creating. This was an unusual encounter for this season to date in that Boro were having all the possession for a change which may have been a factor in us tactically struggling to break down the opposition.
In fairness to Coventry they looked calm and composed in possession, playing the ball around rather than hoofing it clear but the longer the game went on the more the “Typical Boro” worry was creeping in. Dael Fry had to be strong as Godden was set to take advantage for the Sky Blues as a result of Bettinelli hesitating on thirty minutes. A corner resulted in the following passage of play along with set pieces as Coventry had momentarily sprung to life.
Tav then came close with Roberts closing as Marco Marosi did well to parry the ball back out. Meanwhile, Spence and Tav had switched flanks seeking to exploit an opening in the Sky Blue wall. A great run from McNair ended in a corner as he linked up well with Morsy but the ball looked to be on his wrong foot. Paddy took the corner but it was straight at the front post and easily cleared by Hamer on thirty-five minutes.
Ostigard had to be sharp and block an effort as Boro linked up well between Howson and Roberts. Slowly by the finest of margins, the signs were that Boro were maybe getting closer. Coventry had struggled to put up a credible threat yet Boro despite making slight inroads seemed incapable of putting the visitors to the sword in what was an extremely boring, dull and uninspiring display from both sides. Britt seemed to be be heavily laden with his Captaincy responsibilities as his performance was subpar and unnoticeable apart from when he was on his backside complaining.
McNair worked a semi-decent opening from twenty-five yards but put it out to Tav and the momentum just died as was the story of the evening so far. It was a night when reruns of Eastenders would have been a far better option for anyone unfortunate enough to be viewing. Thankfully only one single minute was added onto the forty-five minutes of the first half as the fourth official showed mercy and as Britt was making a rare challenge the whistle went ending what could best be described as schoolyard, attack versus defence football.
Warnock had his work cut out as to how he was going to gee up his side during the interval. There were too many who had simply been anonymous in the opening forty-five minutes. Too many who had simply not been good enough and apart from Howson, Morsy, Fry, McNair and Tav the rest needed an almighty kick up their collective backsides. So far Coventry had dragged us down to their level and Boro lacked the nous to do anything about it or conversely, Coventry were outdoing Boro at being Boro. Mark Robins would have been the happier of the two Managers as his side stuck to their gameplan frustrating Boro, shutting up shop and hoping to maybe nick a goal against the run of play.
Boro started the second half in the hope that we could improve on the nil-nil which sent many to sleep or at least to the off button on their Radios and TV’s. Almost immediately Coventry came close showing some real promise in the opening seconds. They then earned themselves a free-kick, launched into the Boro box which McNair headed clear, then headed back in towards Godden but Bettinelli claimed it. In reply, Howson had a shot well off target down the other end when Tav sent him through and the excitement dipped as normal service was resumed.
Dijksteel ran into the box but failed to get a shot off and as Coventry came out a poor pass allowed Roberts this time to break back into the box but he hit it well over. A Howson cross was pushed away by Marosi but it was met by Morsy who hit the crossbar in what was Boro’s closest effort of the night. McCallum then caught Fry in a challenge leaving Dael feeling the after-effects, he was looking to be struggling, laid out on the turf receiving treatment. Wood was being warmed up but the question was whether it would be for the injured Fry or the up till now desolate Assombalonga.
Thankfully Dael was able to resume with ten minutes of the half now elapsed. In all honesty, Boro looked no more likely to unlock this Coventry rearguard as they had throughout the first half. Cutting in from the right Tav hit a fine shot which took Marosi two attempts to smother. Roberts then tried a curled effort from the corner of the eighteen-yard box but the ball just wouldn’t come down.
Another lengthy break in play ensued to permit some attention to Sheaf as Mark Robins warmed up his subs but like Fry before him, Sheaf was able to rejoin the action, well I say “action” but more from a perspective of creative artistic licence. Just over sixty minutes now gone and Coventry came close but for Tavernier getting in an impressive last-minute tackle to save blushes. A warning shot if ever the Boro bench needed one.
A fluffed Coventry free-kick gave the ball away cheaply to Boro who in a Chuckle Brothers “to me, to you” routine comically returned the compliment via Saville. So far Tav was looking the liveliest player in a red shirt since his switch to the right but Spence who had been poor previously on the right had now become almost anonymous on the left.
A hard clash of heads saw Ostigard and Tav both down and looking pained as both Managers considered their substitution options. Tav did then came off presumably as a precaution with Coulson coming on and Browne simultaneously coming on for Roberts. The two of them had been Boro’s only real sparks and we actually needed more rather than a swap. Coulson took over from Tav with Browne taking on the Roberts role with seventy minutes now elapsed.
Coventry then made a change of their own and took Giles off for Dabo as the game stuttered and spluttered back into “action”. A slick passage of play started by McNair involving several red shirts ended with a blocked Saville effort which Coulson then failed to control. Dijksteel then was undone and Godden was unlucky not to be able to put the Sky Blues one up. With Coventry caught in a rare foray up field Boro then broke with all the pace of a Sloth on ten cans of Stella. At this stage, it looked like Coventry had sensed that Boro couldn’t score in a weekend bender in the Bongo.
Fifteen minutes remained, this was one of those typical, dark and windy Tuesday nights at the Riverside. A break involving Britt and Howson ended up with Britt getting an opportunity eight yards out from goal but headed it well off target which summed up his evening With both sides taking slightly more risks a poor clearance from Boro allowed Allen to get a shot off but his finishing and accuracy was no better than Boro’s had been.
Walker then came on along with O’Hare for Shipley and Allen in a cheeky move from Robins to try and nick the game. Ten minutes of this experience remained and purgatory wouldn’t have done the spectacle justice, could someone yet steal the game however?
On eighty-one minutes a perfectly weighted ball down the middle of the pitch from Morsy allowed Britt Assombalonga to redeem himself after what had been a woefully inept performance all evening. The Boro Captain slotted it past Marosi, one-nil to Boro. The Sky Blues would now have to come out and attack, hopefully leaving gaps. Boro would have to keep it tight at the back as those added minutes for injuries would now bring some considerable added time.
Coulson faced the ire of Ostigard after going down rather unconvincingly in the eyes of the Sky Blue defender but the Ref ignored things and let the game go on with five minutes of the ninety remaining. Coventry were looking more creative than they had all evening while Boro needed to be careful they didn’t get too comfortable too soon. Spence was then booked for time-wasting in the eighty-ninth minute as six added minutes came up on the fourth official's board.
Teesside nails were now being anxiously bitten, Saville set Spence up but instead of keeping possession, he crossed and skied it over, not surprisingly he didn’t look over towards his technical area. Britt then pulled an opponent back to take another yellow card as we looked anything but comfortable.
At every opportunity, Boro were now using every trick in the book to delay further any stoppage in play. McFadzean’s arm came across Browne who went down eating up a few more of those seconds. As Marosi launched it long Fry headed it clear, the ball came back in and after a nervy moment, we countered with Browne finding Spence with Marosi advancing out of his goal, Djed hit it clean and firm to put the game beyond Coventry making it two nil to Boro on the night with just seconds now remaining of added time.
It was awful to watch, painful in fact but somewhat ironic that the two poorest performers on the evening from Boro were the ones that scored the two goals. MOM was Fry for me, McNair was good as usual as was Tav before he went off but Fry just got one or two decisive challenges in that edged the merit for me. Howson and Morsy had also looked a mean act in the middle. So there it was, three vital points, a clean sheet and moving up the table which should be a cause for celebration rather than relief but that was a few hours of my life I will never get back. Thankfully we got those points in the end and in terms of the League table that is possibly all that matters but it oh dear it was hard to witness.
Great report as ever from RR.
The strengths of the team continue to grow. Fry, McNair and Dijksteel have formed a real understanding. Howson, Morsy and Saville likewise. Tav appears to have nicked the Energiser bunny's batteries. Britt may "not have done much" apart from score the goal that won the game but if every game he sits on his ass all game only to score the goal that puts us in front, I'll take that.
Browne looks like a real player. He looked dangerous in a way that Roberts didn't. Roberts seems to have Pulis-era Traore issues: he keeps running with the ball but no one else in the team is on the same wavelength.
Spence, for me, is the only player with significant game time to have gone backwards under Warnock. Maybe it's a confidence thing and the goal will help.
Although we struggle to attack with any kind of pace and understanding, we work hard, are disciplined and do the basics (apart from the throw-ins) effectively. It may not seem a lot but it was really rare to see a mis-placed pass or player out of position.
I see RR is still reporting wins so that is a good sign. It was late here and I really wanted to go to sleep but then I hoped and hoped we would score.
The report says it all, I cant imagine how RR kept himself awake and alert - but well done in that department. Reports are excellent even if the football is dire.
I enjoyed the last 10 minutes, I half expected both goals to be missed - and wouldn't have been surprised if it ended 0-0. So there's another 3 points on the board.
Play offs anyone?
Thanks RR for another excellent report on a dire football match.
Regretfully I fear we will see more of the same during the season as more teams visiting the Riverside come and park the bus and we struggle to break them down.
We need to find a way to play at home as we do when we are away. We also need to reduce the number of back passes and long kicks by Bettinelli which invariably end up with an opposition player or being pumped straight back.
Having gone through a period where we struggled to match teams who play football we now appear better equipped to compete and beat them, so fingers crossed that Forest turn up and leave the bus in the car park.
As you say, it is ironic that the two worst players ended up being goal scorers and match winners. I thought that Britt would have been taken off and was surprised that it was Tav. MoTM I agree was Fry with McNair and Howson close behind.
Another example of never mind the quality but look at the result and league position on limited resources. Well done the team both on and off the field. 😎
Thanks RR. A very fair reflection of the game that looked set to end 0-0 though we did deserve to win overall.
Picking up these points whilst we have a near full-strength squad is so important as you feel that injuries will hit at some point and we'll need points on the board then.
It's a very good point from KP above that as we continue to progress, more and more teams will come to frustrate us / play us at our own game and we will need to find a way to overcome that if we want to keep in the mix at the top end of the table.
Can NW risk playing Coulson as the left wingback and Tav as the right to give us more going forward, and can he risk giving Wing a go as a more attacking option in central midfield? Perhaps a risk that only needs to be taken if we fall behind, as I suspect Warnock will be quite happy to keep scores low and keep accruing points at this stage, even if it's draws.
For now though, three more important points.
Redcar Red,
Thank you for the report, Coventry Climax, loved the title. Boro won again and I, for one, am delighted. Pre- Mr Warnock that was a game tailor made for a home defeat or if we were lucky a draw.
Well done Boro, well done to the management team and let's hope hope Mr Warnock can 'grow' a few of the U23's, or even one, to be an on the premises striker. I just hope Akpom is OK.
Stay safe everyone, and I hope that result made Ken and OFB feel better.
UTB,
John
I was very relieved to find that RR found the game very nearly unwatchable, I thought that I was being unfair in thinking the same. I see that the rocket corner to the near post at head height, which we found effective recently has been rumbled by our players, we still send it in, but now our players do not stand there, maybe we hope the opposition will score for us. You do despair, Roberts still dribbling, and so are we. Fry still great, the clash of heads was an assault, but unpunished. Luckily their keeper forgot to cover his near post and Britt scored. Significant that the goals came after changes
Lovely match report, thank you.
Bar the goal I’ve seen nothing of the game, but Britt’s cool finish reinforces what many of us on here have said, he’s at his best when the ball is played into his feet as he bears down on goal and given minimal thinking time.
There won’t be a time when I won’t be happy with a 2 nil home win. And I’m encouraged by being able to win while playing badly. If inspiration is lacking then it’s a great habit to fall back on discipline and hard work. And it’s nice to support a team which seems to have rediscovered those habits.
"I wish I had painted this room today", said my wife at half-time.
"Why's that?"
"So I could have watched it dry".
Summed it up really.
And when I told her later that Warnock's half-time message had been for the lads to show a bit of patience:
"If that lad on the right (Spence) had been any more patient he would have fallen asleep".
The Sky red-button presentation was appalling. A single camera placed so far away from the action that it was almost impossible to identify the Lowry-like figures running around the field. Redcar Red's account was far more illuminating than watching this version of the match.
What I could discern was a first half devoid of either interest or entertainment value. Only the most dedicated fans of either team could have refrained from switching channels.
I hesitate to make more specific judgments, but it was apparent that Fry put in an imperious performance, whilst Tavernier's last ditch tackle to prevent a tap-in was, for me, the game's most memorable moment.
M-o-M: Fry.
I don't disagree with that and your wife is welcome to join us any time for a bit of caustic wit!
I've been critical of dour tactics and performances from Boro in the past - towards Karanka especially of the most recent managers - but am inclined to give Warnock much more slack given the current circumstances. We do have to remember that the squad was "Pulised" for a few years and has since sold off any player for which we've received a bid, and released most of the rest for whom we didn't get a bid.
How Warnock has so quickly got this minimal and somewhat deskilled group to be so competitive is a minor miracle. If we finish in the top six I'd be prepared to upgrade that to its full biblical proportions.
We're primarily a spoiling team, most suited to frustrating better sides than ourselves. I'd like to think that that's a short(ish)-term, necessary measure. Last night Coventry came to out-Warnock us and nearly managed it - no wonder it was such a poor encounter.
Expect the same at the weekend. I'm already calling it as a 0-0 (sorry OFB). And I don't mind that nearly as much as when we were a force in the Championship transfer market and still only managing a couple of shots on target.
Agree with that, Andy.
As for my wife, I won't pass on your gracious invitation. It will only encourage her.
My daughter has inherited her genes. In spite of my making sure she was kitted out in a Boro babygrow from birth, and delighting that her first coherent sentence was "Up the Bubba" she says she is a Liverpool supporter on the utterly flimsy grounds that she happened to be born in the Liverpool Women's hospital, and that they play what she describes as "proper football".
Loyalty and principle, it appears, cannot automatically be passed on.
I do not think we played that badly but it was a bit frustrating to watch, I must admit. But we have to remember that it was often like that in the Karanka era. The teams coming to the Riverside take their team bus to the field and park it in their penalty area. Just like Coventry did.
And hey, this was our second home win this season, and possibly all year. So a real improvement and the last six matches has been two points per game. And we have played against the top teams. Not bad.
Up the Boro!
Late Coventry Climax
PS. The headline was brilliant. I am in the automotive business and old enough to remember the legendary engines. RIP.
Up the Boro!
Thanks for another winning report RR. We were early in bed last night and I must confess to turning over and going to sleep at half time.
So, delighted to wake this morning to see we had scored twice without reply. My first accurate prediction this season.
Success begets success. So the more we can keep winning ugly, the more we will also win convincingly in the future. Let's keep this moment tum going now with another RR report on a winning team at the weekend
Thanks again to RR for the match report and finding some 'action' to describe in the first hour or so - it was certainly first half in need of a fresh coat of paint. Incidentally, for the benefit of Len's wife, here's a link to the Dull Men's Club website that has a special paint drying section that has some useful links - including 'The Official Paint Drying Webcam'.
Given that Coventry have been charged with parking the bus, it was a paradoxical performance that saw Boro defenders singled out for performing well - I've normally not observed the attacking threat of a parked bus so we've at least seen a metaphor develop if nothing else.
Still, it was all about the three points cliche yesterday as how many times have we seen Boro snatch defeat from a toothless broken jaw of a goalless victory. Perhaps it's a sign that under Warnock his teams don't give up and somehow find a way to get a result - we shouldn't forget few would have had this season down as a potential promotion challenge so it's good to see a work in progress actually show progress for a change.
Interestingly, I read Mark Robbins post-match comments where he argued that the promoted clubs from League One have been quite disadvantaged this term as they had last season cancelled and didn't play football for six months - whereas Championship clubs were quickly up to speed after just a five-week break. It may explain why Coventry, Wycombe and Rotherham have just two wins between them.
It's nice to be able to post this link as a positive after what has seemed for years now as a stick to whip the club with:
https://www.footballwebpages.co.uk/middlesbrough/form-guide
The football may not be great (just yet) but grinding out results and not getting beat is a far better feeling than this time last year.
Lotus Elite Mk1 in the late 60's with a ZF Straight Cut Gearbox and a Coventry Climax Engine. Fantastic.
UTB,
John
I can top that, try the Reliant Robin, only three wheels, but they were all top class, unfortunately top class bicycle wheels, they met an unfortunate end when cornering too quickly on the Wilton site, quite who put the concrete wall in that particular spot is unknown, but appreciated at this distance in time.
It's nitpicking I know, But i smiled (After I'd cheered the goal) when I realised that Britt had gone for his favourite near post shot, still some keeper had to fall for it.
Thanks for the link. A great zen-like website, which we all thought was both funny and profound.
I’m finding it difficult to type at the moment for as well as my accident to my face my right hand is also bandaged up, not broken but a ‘bloody’ mess. I have tried to type wearing disposable plastic gloves but it’s difficult, and trying to post left handed is a bit difficult. However I wanted to say thanks for every one’s concerns and best wishes. I must add that I agree with Redcar Red’s report of the match; I actually thought it was our worst first 45 minutes of the season. It wasn’t helped by the red button providing a good picture but no sound, so I watched on tv whilst listening to the radio tees commentary, but that was disconcerting as it appeared not to be synchronised with the Sky picture as was most notable when the commentators were celebrating Britt’s goal a good 10 seconds before it appeared on the tv screen. I’m not happy with the football served up by Boro, but needs must as the results are acceptable. However our academy teams can’t stop scoring goals, so am pleased about that. I’m also well pleased with Castleford’s performance yesterday even though they lost. I’ve just watched a recording of the match. Rugby League has been a sham this season with clubs playing on neutral grounds with no crowds of course just to fulfil obligations to Sky. At one time Cas had 14 players either injured or suffering from coronavirus, but on Monday were missing only 4 or 5 players although for 50 minutes had to play with 12 players as one player was red-carded yet only lost the match in the final 7 minutes. It has been confirmed since that 12 players from the match have tested positive with coronavirus so the next match against Huddersfield has been cancelled. What I have noticed though is the camaraderie between the players of both Cas and especially Boro. I like to listen to Neil Warnock’s press interviews as he seems to have a good relationship with the media that I didn’t think Pulis ever had. I’ll sign off now as I’m too slow trying to write with my left hand. But thanks again to everyone for your concern.
RR appreciate your dedication in sticking with it!
liked your prose
quote
Sloth on ten cans of Stella. At this stage, it looked like Coventry had sensed that Boro couldn’t score in a weekend bender in the Bongo.
unquote
brilliant !
Fry and McNair mom
OFB
Yes, Ken. Hope you’re ok. I’ll give you a ring later this week for a quick catch up.
Your report is a wonder, RR. It beautifully describes what was a truly awful game until the last ten minutes.
At 70 minutes, I found myself thinking how fortunate it was that my brother and I had somehow been unable to travel the 130 miles up to The Riverside. I would have been absolutely dreading the drive back if it had ended as it promised to. After a tedious draw or an ignominious defeat, the car echoes for 15 minutes while we rant and rage, but then the rest of the journey is passed in an atmosphere of numbness and despair. On occasions like these, we seriously question why we are stupid enough to keep on making this journey for so little pleasure and reward. That has too often been the case in recent seasons.
Thankfully, Boro put it right in the end. Credit to Britt, who so often misses one-on-ones. Like Djed, he took his goal really well. Credit to all of Fry, McNair, Dijksteel, Tav, Morsy and Howson for their battling, driving performances. Johnny Howson just keeps getting better and better. And credit to NW, who has instilled this rather ordinary and very thin squad with a sense of belief and a compelling will to win.
Finally, although I don’t like time-wasting, especially as it always means the ref adds more time on so is counter-productive, and it increases the yellow card count, I do admire the way in which Warnock’s side now manages out games. It’s been done really effectively in all 3 of our most recent games. Players go down ‘injured’, they dawdle for throw-ins or pass the ball to a teammate, they saunter around at a snail’s pace. This is not very pretty and is certainly not edifying, but it’s so much more professional and effective than some of the naive tactics we saw from Woodgate and others, where too often we would give infuriating late goals away.
Does anyone know what barbeque sauce they used at Reading this summer?
I know that they finished only 3 points above Boro last season and now they have won all the other matches this season except the draw at the Boro. And they are seven (!) points clear at top now.
So they and Boro have been the most improving teams this season. We also see that the promoted teams look like struggling and a reason might be that they haven't played for half a year before the season started as their season was halted by the COVID-19.
So does anyone know what happened at Reading in the summer?
Up the Boro!
NW has been worried about Boro being the lowest scorers of goals last season. We scored 48 goals in 46 matches. The average was 1.04 goals per game in the 2019/20 season.
This season it has been 8 goals in 8 matches. I think everyone can calculate the average - but I can tell you it is lower than last season (just).
I hope that will improve. But at least the goals against column has improved tremendously now. Last season it was 61 goals and an average of 1,3 per match during the 46 match season. This season there were 5 against in eight matches (average 0,63). So only 50 % of last season's goals against!
So I hope NW will get Roberts ticking soon. And we need Akpom back soon - any news about his COVID test on Saturday?
Still looking forward to the Forest game on Saturday. Up the Boro!
Ken and Bob
It's inspiring to everyone else that you are both managing to post in spite of such major difficulties.
This blog is about so much more than football. It's a kind of model online community- sadly all too rare these days-in which mutual respect is a far more important than even major differences of opinion, and where you get to understand why people think the way that they do and ultimately to comprehend that we are all far more than the aggregate of our views.
What also makes this blog so special is the selflessness, commitment and sheer hard work of so many who contribute to it. Along with Werdermouth and Redcar Red you have both been mainstays of the blog and shining examples of these qualities over many years.
Best wishes to you both for a speedy recovery. Stay safe and keep on posting. It's appreciated.
Ken and Bob
It's inspiring to everyone else that you are both managing to post in spite of such major difficulties.
This blog is about so much more than football. It's a kind of model online community- sadly all too rare these days-in which mutual respect is a far more important than even major differences of opinion, and where you get to understand why people think the way that they do and ultimately to comprehend that we are all far more than the aggregate of our views.
What also makes this blog so special is the selflessness, commitment and sheer hard work of so many who contribute to it. Along with Werdermouth and Redcar Red you have both been mainstays of the blog and shining examples of these qualities over many years.
Best wishes to you both for a speedy recovery. Stay safe and keep on posting. It's appreciated.
Len, And say all of us.
brian.
UTB