Boro at the double
The Tykes returned to the Riverside in just under three weeks since their triumphant Carabao Cup victory. It was argued back then that NW perhaps didn’t take the competition seriously enough but after Barnsley’s six nil thumping at Stamford Bridge maybe it was a blessing in disguise. Despite that humiliation, Gerhard Struber was in demand, being heavily linked this week with a transfer to New York. I’m sure the Austrian will have struggled with the dilemma of a stroll in Barnsley Town Centre’s Redcar “namealike” Locke Park or Autumn strolls in Manhattan’s Central Park. Whatever he decides he was still around this afternoon to take his place in the away dugout in what was thought to be his last game as Barnsley boss.
Before this afternoon, Barnsley were one of just three sides who have yet to score in the Championship this season, the other two being Forest and Wycombe. With a stat like that those of us of a certain vintage could be forgiven for being somewhat concerned. Cometh the hour of Kick Off the Teesside skies were grey and sodden, providing a thoroughly miserable atmosphere for the game. The return of NW in the Boro dugout saw three changes with Morsy, Bola and Fry coming in for the injured Hall and the dropped pair, Spence and Johnson.
We lined up with a back three as usual, consisting of Dijksteel, Fry and McNair. Tavernier was the right-sided wing-back with Bola on the left. Howson, Morsy, and Saville took the midfield berths with Akpom and Assombalonga up top.
Barnsley commenced proceedings but it took a few minutes for the game to splutter to life after a Howson challenge on Woodrow left the Barnsley attacker looking upset at his upending. A few minutes later Tav was booked by Referee Oliver Langford in what looked like a harsh decision after a challenge that seemed to be influenced more by the conditions than wilful intent in what was only his first challenge of the game. Other than that it was a very quiet, unassuming opening ten minutes with a very poor Bola cross the only thing of note.
Fifteen minutes in and Boro eventually came to life when Chuba Akpom had a fantastic opportunity provided by Britt but he put it well past the opposite post in a very disappointing piece of finishing. Up until this point Barnsley had been the more attack mided side in a game that had only been bettered by the weather front in terms of depression.
A Boro free kick on eighteen minutes was taken by McNair and led to his fellow countryman Saville getting a header in towards goal requiring Collins to make a save. A weak penalty appeal by Tav was waved away on twenty-five minutes as the excitement level struggled to reach three out of ten. Morsy then collected a yellow in conceding a free-kick after having expressed displeasure in the direction of the Referee just minutes earlier.
Styles put the Barnsley kick over the wall but it was never threatening Bettinelli’s goal. Thirty minutes in and it wasn’t difficult to see why Barnsley had yet to score in the Championship this season and why Boro hadn’t recorded a Home win in twelve games and possibly setting a club record in the process.
Barnsley came close after a build-up on the left resulted in a curling shot that had Bettinelli worried albeit only briefly. Bola did well to set up Akpom with his first real piece of the action on thirty-five minutes. That was a warm-up for the new Striker as seconds later Morsy unleashed a shot that deflected off Akpom and hitting the back of the Barnsley net but unfortunately, Oliver Langford consulted his assistant who had flagged for an offside.
A dramatic dive by Ritzmair in a feeble attempt to win a penalty should have earned a yellow card but inexcusably Oliver Langford didn’t see the blatantly obvious and the Austrian escaped punishment. The Ref so far seemed to have been very keen on booking Red Shirts but very generous when it came to any offence by the visitors in Yellow.
An Akpom effort from Boro’s second corner after a one-two between Bola and McNair went over the crossbar. Immediately Barnsley had Bettinelli ruffled with the ball eventually going out for a throw-in with only two minutes of the half remaining. A very poor quality game, in an empty desolate Riverside, made much worse by an eccentric Referee who seemed to be interpreting the rules of the game as, when and how it suited him, summed up the opening forty-five minutes.
The half ended surprisingly on a high note with a Boro free-kick. With only seconds of the added two minutes, remaining Tav walloped the ball, coming off the crossbar, dropping into the six-yard box for Jonny “on the spot” Howson to volley it home from close range. One-nil to Boro! Oliver “the whistle” Langford sounded the restart and almost simultaneously to end the half. It was awful, it was a dirge but we managed to go in ahead, and with that, hope that we wouldn’t set an unwanted Home record after all.
Adeboyejo came on for Frieser at Half Time in the only change by either Manager. Morsy made a plea for a free-kick at the start of the half but unsurprisingly Langford didn’t want to know. Morsy didn't let that get to him, quickly back in action as Boro pushed forward with Tav again unleashing a rocket which Barnsley keeper Collins couldn’t keep hold of and Akpom alert to stab it home for Boro’s second.
Styles was then booked after a challenge on Dijksteel. McNair sent the free-kick across goal and Helik had to be alert to clear. Bola put it back in for Helik again to block. Morsy then put it across to Howson who found Row “Z”. Ritzmaiar then went off for Ludwig as Struber tried to get his side back into the game
Howson found himself in the book for a challenge to prevent a quick Barnsley response to Akpom’s goal. Adeboyejo cleared the wall and Bettinelli’s crossbar much to the relief of Boro. Barnsley went to sleep at the back when a back header almost allowed Britt to latch onto the prize but Keeper Collins went down earning the favour of Oliver Langford once again.
Barnsley now looked to be losing their shape, leaving themselves open trying to peg one back. McNair launched a free-kick into the Barnsley box towards Fry but Collins was able to collect. Sixty minutes elapsed and Boro now looked to be adding to their two goals with Barnsley looking vulnerable.
Saville fed Akpom though and just failed to connect cleanly to beat Collins. Another yellow then followed after Woodrow went down to a challenge from McNair and Oliver “the card” Langford was happy to reach into his pocket yet again. A deflected shot off George Saville saw Barnsley take a quick corner which ended in a confused messy offside conceded by Woodrow.
A slip by Anderson allowed Boro to threaten again with Britt forcing Helik to concede a corner as Boro looked to add a third. The corner came in, flicked away by Woodrow to McNair but Boro just couldn’t get the ball to land where they wanted and it came to nothing. Sixty-five minutes now gone as Spence was warmed up but it was Barnsley who made their third change with Thomas going off.
Saville was next to enter Oliver’s book albeit this time justifiably for a rash challenge. Barnsley sent the kick in by Mowatt to clear the wall and the bar with Bettinelli collapsing into the Boro net in a bizarre incident. Whether he twisted a knee or just simply slipped he was deemed OK to carry on after a few wipes of the magic sponge.
Twenty minutes now remained and Bola broke, played in Britt requiring Helik again to get a touch and Collins scrambled to prevent an own goal. Despite the three substitutions Bettinelli still hadn't made a save with Boro looking more likely to add a third. Britt was blocked a minute later after good build-up from Morsy as the Boro Captain seemed determined to get off the mark.
A cross looped into the Boro box as Bettinelli was grateful to be involved in the action, perhaps over dramatising his collection. The game was starting to dip a little as Barnsley struggled to make any headway and Boro looking more comfortable and confident as the game went on. A McNair corner was delayed for Langford to speak to Saville and Adeboyjo, the corner ended in a Boro throw and Tav driving towards the box but this time Barnsley managed to block his run.
A Howson shoulder charge was adjudged to have been a foul and concerns that the Ref might find another yellow and with it an early bath. The Free Kick came in and met by Helik at the back post who headed over as Bettinelli clattered into him. Akpom then went off for Coulson with three minutes of normal time remaining with Barnsley protesting about Bettinelli’s “assault” on Helik.
Dijksteel lost the ball allowing Sollbauer to put it into the box and a Howson trip on Woodrow resulted in a penalty that allowed Woodrow to score Barnsley’s first goal of the season and suddenly it was the visitors looking rampant and Boro nervous. On the restart, McNair and Bola resorted to hoof and hope clearances as five additional minutes came up on the fourth official's board. A Boro free-kick was delayed by Bettinelli to eat up seconds and in doing so added to the card count with a yellow of his own.
It was Barnsley who now looked the more likely as Boro looked to absorb pressure and run down the clock keeping the Tykes pegged back in their own half. With the five minutes added time almost up a long Bettinelli clearance cleared the length of the pitch to go out for a Barnsley goal kick. Collins launched the goal kick back upfield but the final whistle sounded for Boro to record their first win in twelve Riverside games and their first win of the season.
The first half was terrible for both sides, the second saw a much improved Boro performance and even looking comfortable until that late penalty. It was ugly but its three points and that was the important result. McNair was solid again, Howson and Morsy both scrapped and battled, Fry stood up to his task but Tav was the game changer so he gets the MOM award.
Boro at the double
The first half was terrible for both sides, the second saw a much improved Boro performance and even looking comfortable until that late penalty. It was ugly but its three points and that was the important result. McNair was solid again, Howson and Morsy both scrapped and battled, Fry stood up to his task but Tav was the game changer so he gets the MOM award.
RR, a good report.you were right for the best players there.
To add, I like to say that Bola was better than expected. He looked better as a defender than Johnson recently. Bola had a couple of his first crosses going terribly wrong, but then had a few centrees well taken. Not a bad performance.
I also like Dijksteel more and more. He looks so composed and not in a hurry as a defender.
McNaIr and Fry were excellent. So in all our defence is starting to look good. Next we could improve the forward play a bit and then are a decent side.
As I said before the season started, we could still fight for the places between tenth and sixth in the league. The league is not that strong. I do not think Reading to be above us in May, even they have had an excellent start to the season. Bristol might be stronger than the Royals but let's see.
So congrats to NW for winnig his 1500th league game (excepting the play-offs) in the profesional game. Up the Boro!
Thanks for the report. I thought Fry, Dijksteel and McNair were excellent with Fry possibly having his best game in about 18 months.
There was an interesting article about Guardiola and Bielsa today which mentioned that Guardiola likes to have midfielders for centre backs so maybe that's what Warnock's aiming for...
I reckon that was Tav's best game of the season. I think maybe he gets a bit lost with a free role but he has the endurance and pace to play as an attacking wingback. Bola offered a bit more defensively than Johnson.
Britt is working really hard for the team, possibly to his own detriment and Akpom has an eye for goal. I think Morsy gives Saville and Howson some confidence.
Fundamentally, the best thing about the game was the result. Barnsley were awful; you can see their confidence is shot especially with Strueber leaving. We are nothing special but Warnock is gradually moulding us back into a competitive team. Interesting also that he is prepared to drop players you don't expect.
Thanks for the report, RR. Top job.
Special mention for GHW who I remember some time ago musing that Tavernier might make a good wingback. I couldn’t see it myself but on today’s evidence that was an astute bit of scouting.
Not the greatest game but a solid enough performance in the end and a very welcome - and important - three points.
Completely agree about Morsy being good for Saville. He’s taken the pressure off Saville thinking he has to do everything in midfield allowing him to concentrate on his own game. I spotted him in Barnsley’s box on several occasions. With a bit more freedom I can see him getting a few goals this season.
He did well today, hopefully the boo boys will get off his back. It’s hard to pick out an MOM with Fry Tavernier and the rapidly improving Dijksteel, but I’d have to give it to Paddy McDe Bruyne.
Honourable mentions for Bola and Saville particularly for Bola as I expect there were a few groans when the team was announced.
Baby Steps, under the radar play-off contenders.
@Andy R
I think Tavernier benefits from having a set role to play. He could be equally good on either wings.
I think Morsy will be a very important player for us. He was involved in quite a bit and although a different type of Player I get that Grant feeling about him. Not the most technically gifted player on the pitch but influential with his composure added to a nice bit of grit.
Akpom seems to drift in and out of the game but he seems to have that Slavenesque habit of popping up in the right spot at the right time. A nice habit to have and two in two is testimony to that. If he can continue in that vein he could be that Striker we have always coveted but struggled to find.
Redcar Red,
hank you for the report, we won. A collector's piece, a rare Boro home victory and I got my prediction correct. That's about as rare as a Boro home victory. Hesitantly are Boro beginning to like more of a team?
Stay safe everyone.
UTB,
John
Excellant alternative match report RR, thanks for that.
Not the best game to watch, but we certainly look better than 12 months ago. I am still disappointed with the midfield, especially in the first half when we were second to the ball, left big gaps for Barnsley to move and pass in and were poor in our own passing. And no disrespect, it was only Barnsley.
Second half we improved, but we still look disjointed at times and still little creativity. Will Roberts give us something extra and who will he replace? Let’s see on that one.
For the Boro, Fry, Dijksteel and McNair again and Tav more like his old self. He put a shift in and I would not argue with RR over his MOtM award. Still need a couple more players in with that something extra.
RR
Thank you for the match report appreciated as ever for the time taken to write on behalf of the blog for us all to enjoy.
i Agee with most bloggers views of those players who performed but it was interesting after the game that at the presser NW had got the dressing room to applaud Fry for his performance on the day.
I must admit I was dubious about NW appointment but listening to him wished we had had him as manager for the last 15 years and we might be somewhere now in the Premiership.
He could have been the mentor that Woodgate needed who seems to have completely disappeared off the radar despite Steve Gibson saying he wanted Woodgate to stay at the club in some capacity.
it was nice to see presentations of framed photograph of NW pitchside signed by both teams signed by both teams and handed to NW by SG. Britt also gave him a Boro shirt emblazoned with “GAFFER” and bearing the number 1500 to show their respect for what he has achieved in the game.
A poor game a great result and if we can keep grinding out results and three points then who knows where we will end up !!
Tav ***
Fry **
Dirk Van Dijksteel *
special mention to McNair who oozes quality whoever would have thought he would turn out like this? He looked like a former Man United player !!
OFB
Thanks RR for another great report. I often as not do not get to see the game, but somehow after reading your reports I can convince myself I did.
Pleasing result in what sounds like a bit of a game of two halves as they say. Winning was the most important thing, especially when you might not have played well. One or two more of those and the self belief in the team will grow and grow and we will have won more matches than not before even stepping onto the pitch.
I think I agree with Once Fat Bob that how things might have been different if we had had NW's services earlier. Let's hope he stays fit and well and can guide us through at least a couple of seasons.
Thanks RR for another spot on report. Not the best of matches and as far as we were concerned, definitely a game of two halves. At the end of the day it is the result and league position that counts and I for one feel that we have achieved better than expected in our first four games.
As Maddo said, you can't play free flowing football week in and week out and there are times when you have to grind out results and NW has turned the team into one which is beginning to show it can do that. Let's just hope we also see some free flowing football in the weeks to come.
I thought Fry was back to his best and just shows what can be done when you play players in the right position and when they are fully fit. McNair was impressive again but I still believe that he could do more for us in midfield but I am content to go along with playing him as part of a back three whilst he continues to replicate his recent performances and the midfield continues to function.
I have, in the past, been a critic of Saville but felt that in the last two games he really has put in positive shifts and appears to be gelling with Morsy who, as you say, has the makings of GL about him. I said before the game that Tav looked better when he was played for part of the QPR game in the wingback role and he improved further on that performance yesterday; perhaps his true value/position to the team has been uncovered.
So far a positive start to the season which indicates to me that we should be capable of staying clear of the drop zone, how far further we can go remains to be seen and will depend, in part, on making further additions to the squad via the loan market. 😎
Its very early days yet but there is an entirely different feel to the team from this time last year. Already I would be astonished if we were fighting relegation. Play Offs may be optimistic but certainly realistic based on the individual improvements with the likes of McNair, Dijksteel and now Saville seems to be finding his feet. Bola too did OK yesterday in what was his best game for us since arriving, small incremental gains in all areas.
Warnock's man management skills and team building expertise will yield more points due to the synergistic value. Talking sense instead of delusional Bull faeces is refreshing in today's football.
"... Talking sense instead of delusional Bull faeces is refreshing in today's football."
Spot on RR
Excellent report.
It’s clear that NW and his team are having a real effect both on the team as a whole and on the players as individuals. For anyone who hasn’t watched it, I would recommend seeing NW’s post-match press conference on MFC.co.uk. So much good sense and plain talking. It’s a pleasure to listen to him. We are lucky to have him.
We just look more organised now, the players seem to know what they are supposed to be doing and subsequently we are harder to break down. Tav had a very good game at RWB, he really could play pretty much anywhere in the team so it will be good for him to nail down a role.
@borophil. "the players seem to know what they are supposed to be doing".
I would agree with that Phil with the exception of throw ins where we invariably seem to give the ball back to the opposition. Our defending of opposition throw ins is also wanting at times.
Corners and free kicks have been better of late so NW and his team now need to work with the players on throw ins in my view. Bettinellis distribution also needs improving. 😎
The dissapointing thing about us is the lack of tactical nous, as the game changes and can be seen to change on the silver screen, we plod on, not with the wrong tactics but with no particular tactics. You do not need an olagy to see that the high pressing game is shot. As witness the thrashings handed out to the giants this weekend. If your opponent insist on camping on your halfway line, then a chip over the top to a very fast player and it's bellows to mend. As we used to suggest when we had Traore. I wonder what will replace the High press?
Redcar Red thanks for the very good report, if I can just give a mention for the assist by Saville when Tav's free kick came off the crossbar he headed it across goal for Howson to volley in.
Come on BORO.