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Match Report: Rovers 0 - 0 Boro

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Beleaguered Rovers blunt Boro


Atop the Form table, a Boro side bristling with confidence headed across the Pennines this evening to tackle Boro Legend Mogga’s Rovers. Aynsley Pears will no doubt have been desperate to prove a point to his former boss Neil Warnock. Rovers seemed to have enjoyed a reasonable start to the season but lately, it has been all downhill with only one win and four defeats in their last six games.

With no fresh injury concerns and Sam Morsy presumably calmed down it would be interesting to see if NW went with the side that started on Saturday or the one that finished having used all three of his subs effectively. Dael Fry would possibly be deemed fit after recovering from his stomach upset but the level of Nathan Wood’s performance on Saturday meant that NW was under no pressure to rush him back too soon.

Unsurprisingly for Boro fans, Dani Ayala has missed Rover’s last three games with a groin problem and hasn’t trained with their squad last week so he would be unlikely to face his former teammates. Free agent Stewart Downing yesterday agreed on another deal to link up again with them but he would be short on match fitness.

There appears to somewhat of a dichotomy for the Rovers defence and Pears at the minute with Mogga preferring his Keepers to step out and sweep up whilst at Boro Aynsley was more protected by a deeper backline. Having conceded six goals in two games Boro would be looking to exploit that weak defensive link at the back. Darragh Lenihan and Derrick Williams have been struggling for form lately so hopefully, NW would have done his homework and try and unsettle them early on. Conversely, Adam Armstrong is the League’s joint top scorer so nothing could be taken for granted, that is if he managed to shake off his hamstring problem from Saturday which as matchday came around was looking unlikely.

There were two changes for Boro from Saturday with Fry and Spence coming in and Morsy and Wood missing out. Morsy was injured apparently and Wood just making way for the returning Fry. Mogga also made the same amount of changes with Dolan and Gallagher coming in for Corry Evans and Adam Armstrong. Harry Chapman had a seat on the bench for the home side while Downing was sat in the stands. Judging from the line-up Boro looked to be setting up with four at the back, Spence and Coulson on the wings and Tav pulling strings in front of Saville and Howson just behind Britt.

Both sides wore their “proper” strips with Boro going for red shorts to stand out against Rovers white ones with their traditional blue and white halved shirts. Boro kicked off under David Webb’s whistle and immediately won a corner with Coulson and Bola linking. Pears flapped at the Corner but Howson’s reactionary shot straight back in gave the former Boro Keeper a chance to redeem himself. Good start from Boro.

Gallagher and Dolan combined to play Nyambe in but his cross ended up harmlessly in the arms of Bettinelli off an innocuous header. Five minutes gone and Boro had looked comfortable, Blackburn meanwhile had set up in a 4-2-2-2 formation with Boro 4-2-3-1. Approaching ten minutes and Rovers were passing the ball around but not really going anywhere with Boro playing their patient game and keeping things tight.

A cross to Britt saw a tangle with Lenihan and a swiveled shot saw a corner awarded to Boro. A downward header meeting the corner from Fry at the back post was deemed to be a foul. Boro seemed to favour launching corners into Pears’s danger zone hoping for an error as we knew that dealing with high balls into the box wasn’t his strong point.

Dijksteel was uncharacteristically nutmegged but recovered and was strong in forcing Dolan off the ball and was then fortunate to see a slip given as a free-kick against Elliott on fourteen minutes. Trybull was then booked for a challenge on Coulson with the free kick on the corner of the Rovers eighteen yard box. McNair dummied the kick and then Tav put it in for a deflection off Bola’s effort earning another Boro corner. Tav sent the corner in which reached Coulson and it went out for yet another corner from which Britt headed over, getting underneath it as Boro looked to be creeping closer.

Down the right, Nyambe took Coulson down on twenty-one minutes for free-kick. The ball was delivered in from McNair, half cleared and then cleared out for a throw-in which in turn came in towards Saville and Britt but Britt got in front of Saville who was better placed and put it past the upright. The misses were racking up as Boro were becoming exasperating in the eighteen-yard box.

In a rare foray for Rovers, Brereton rounded a slipping Dijksteel but his shot was from twenty-five yards out and well over never troubling Bettinelli.

A Saville shot rebounded back out to Coulson whose cross was blocked for yet another Boro corner. The corner was a near-post effort that was headed clear but as Boro came back there was a half-hearted claim for a penalty with Tav going down. Twenty-seven minutes in and the pressure was building, a low cross to Spence saw his shot blocked in Pear’s six-yard box. Despite opportunity knocking, Boro lacked that clinical finish.

Mogga switched his side around on the half-hour mark to what now looked like a 4-1-4-1 in reply to the growing realisation that Boro continued knocking on the door but Rovers had little in reply. Slick Interplay between Coulson and Bola saw a pass to Tav but it was intercepted in the eighteen-yard box as the gracefulness of the move broke down. Rovers responded with Dijksteel having to put out a dangerous low ball from Elliott for Rovers’ first corner. When delivered it was partially cleared then ended up in the back of the stands from Elliott thirty-five yards out on thirty-five minutes.

Arriving late Gallagher clattered into Bettinelli from a looping cross letting Boro’s Keeper know that should the occasion allow he wouldn’t think twice about doing it again and in doing so conceded a free-kick. A quick-fire set of shots from Tav and Coulson meeting a Spence cross trying their luck just wouldn’t break Boro’s way as the ball deflected yet again out for a throw-in on thirty-eight minutes. After several half clearances, the ball went out to Coulson who tried his luck with a hanging cross that narrowly drifted out for a goal-kick on forty-one minutes.

A late but long-range effort from Williams saw it fly well over Bettinelli’s bar. Two minutes came up on the fourth official’s board as Boro won a throw in the Rovers half thanks to Dijksteel pushing up. Rovers won possession and from that Gallagher broke down our right but Fry shielded him even winning a goal kick in the process, hitting the ball off his shin near the by line. That ended the first half which saw Blackburn pass the ball around but Boro dominate the important stats in the danger areas and really should have been at least one goal ahead. Rovers had been lacklustre and poor, probably the worst Rovers side I had seen in some time.

The game resumed with Rovers starting the second half and Rothwell coming on for Dolan. Boro kept things the same which wasn’t surprising considering how comfortable they had looked in the first forty-five. An early free-kick for Boro saw it cleared and then a low cross came in from which Britt and Saville got their legs tangled up in it and deflected out for another Boro corner.

 

Rankin-Costello then went into the book for a foul on Spence. The resultant free-kick came in from McNair, bounced through to the far side, chested down by Howson bringing out a good reaction save from Pears on fifty minutes. Another deft touch from Pears saved from Tav after Spence, Howson and Dijksteel all combined. Blackburn still looked disjointed, surely Boro had to make these chances count soon with fifty-three minutes now elapsed.

Corry Evans then came on for Tom Trybull after struggling to recover from a challenge on Spence a minute earlier. Derrick Williams then had to be careful not to score an own goal dealing with a fierce Boro cross. The resultant corner ended up with a free-kick for Blackburn for an unintentional handball off Howson’s arm. Then the moment we dreaded came, a great cross from Elliott evading Spence saw two blue and white shirts with the best chance of the game for Rovers. Brereton and Gallagher just failing to connect with a ball dancing across an open Boro goalmouth. A warning sign if ever there was one with sixty minutes now gone.

A link-up between Britt and Coulson saw Lenihan take him down just outside the Rovers box. Saville, Britt and Tav then all jostled to see who was going to take it. Pulling rank, Britt recklessly fired it over the bar in a terrible free-kick that was driven by personal ambition. Awful decision making and execution from the Captain.

In the aftermath, Rovers then exerted themselves for their best spell on Boro’s defence with Williams launching a raid ending in a corner. With Rovers now discovering lost confidence, McNair was booked for a blatant challenge on Elliott. The free-kick was headed out by Britt in his own six-yard box but Rovers kept up the pressure and a corner delivered in by Holtby was only cleared out to Rothwell and as the dangerous cross came back in Boro were relieved to see the offside flag. That shocking free-kick from Britt had fired up Rover. In response, NW introduced Johnson, coming on for Coulson on seventy minutes.

Boro had let the game slip since that free-kick, confidence obviously dented and frustration setting in. A McNair free-kick was floated in but Blackburn kept their line and cleared without any real threat. A sloppy ball down the flank from Johnson trickled out of play on seventy-three minutes indicating the lack of ideas. Wharton then came on at seventy-five minutes for the hamstring knacked and prostrate Derrick Williams, collapsing after an innocuous looking pass.

Akpom entered the fray for Britt while Lenihan was simultaneously booked for a challenge on Britt. The free-kick was frustratingly aimless, Boro really needed to get their “A” game back for the final thirteen minutes. The magic eighty-first minute that had brought rewards in the last two fixtures crept up as Bettinelli launched it long. The ball was cleared and then Howson won a corner from a deflected long-range pass. McNair fired the ball in, it bounced tantalisingly and Fry was just inches away at the back post, seemingly put off by the bounce. Close but not close enough despite goodness knows how many set-piece opportunities squandered.

Sub Wharton then took Tav out in the middle of the park and another yellow card entered Ref Webb’s book. Five minutes remained plus added time. From the free-kick, the ball went out to Johnson who was fouled but in doing so allowing a much better angle for McNair to launch another ball into the Rovers box. Pears came out and collected with ease as Boro looked to be going home with a solitary point, on the night scoring just seemed beyond those in Red.

A late Spence cross was blocked and came back out to Dijksteel who put it back in only to see it prodded out for yet another Boro corner. Tav took the corner with Pears flapping and Fry once again failing to get something on it. Frustrating stuff from Boro. Five minutes added time came up.

A low Bola cross towards Akpom was cut out for a throw-in. Nyambe blocked the following effort putting it out for another throw but Johnson scuffed his ball and Holtby complained about Saville impeding him and in doing so increased the yellow card count. A late Dijksteel cross was headed clear for another Boro corner. Pears shoved Saville over in the box with the Ref having to intervene and McNair, therefore, having to delay taking his corner kick. When it arrived we saw Dijksteel send his shot into orbit.

Spence took on three defenders earning a throw-in with just seconds remaining. From the throw, Spence sent in a tempting low cross to Saville which came off Dijksteel’s midriff going out for a goal kick and with it the game-ending 0-0.

A good display from Boro except where it counted, great opportunities created and plenty of them but our finishing was worse than terrible. It was one of those Britt performances that have been all too common over the years and tonight it cost us. There were however plenty of positives to take from the youngsters Bola, Coulson, Dijksteel and Spence all made their mark.

My MOM was Howson who was his usual high standard as was McNair inevitably. Bettinelli once again had little to do but oh dear our sharp end was hapless. Club captain or not Britt has to offer far more than he currently does, a mere armband cannot make him indispensable. Overall a composed, controlled performance from Boro and at least we didn’t get beat but if Britt was clinical and kept away from set pieces it could have been so much better.

Team Line-ups, Substitutions and Match Stats


Selwynoz
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Very fair report.

Apart from that one cross late in the second half, our defensive structure looked really solid and even when Blackburn were trying to work attacking triangles straight from the training ground our defenders stood up, perfectly executed the defence and never looked like being beaten. Dijksteel is really strong on the right but the nicer surprise from game to game is the performance of Bola who looks more and more like a top class Championship fullback and seems to have a very good linkup with Coulson.

One question that occurs to me to ask is just how does NW see Roberts. After so much attacking and so many crosses, one could have suggested Roberts as a different approach, challenging the Rovers defence on the ground. Maybe he can’t find room for Roberts and Tav in the team when we’re playing away. What will happen when Watmore is added to the mix?

Anyway, we certainly looked like a quality team in what was our most polished performance of the season. This game saw us reach the ‘ten game assessment’ moment and 17 points taken from fixtures including a lot of the top teams is an excellent start. Nothing is simple maths but it suggests that something over 70 points is not impossible. 

Another 0-0 On Saturday and a two week rest would be a good outcome.

UTB

 

 

 


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Thank you RR for an excellent report and particularly your final paragraph which summarised it perfectly.  

If only we could sharpen the front end we would be contenders to win the league; unfortunately we are seeing what we have seen for many years and what TP used to bang on about, the number of chances created but fail to take!

That being said, it was so refreshing to see us taking the game to the opposition and dominating.  In the last two games we have made the opposition look very average and let's hope that continues. 😎


   
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Redcar Red,

As always thank you for the fine report and as you correctly say 'at least we didn't get beaten', as for Britt well I still think he needs hypnosis treatment so that he can calm down in front of goal.

The blazed free kick? That was just Roy of the Rovers gone wrong and off script. For me he is not a captain.

Two points dropped but we didn't loose. It's still an improvement on last year, and some.

Stay safe everyone,

UTB,

John

 


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Thanks once again to RR for the match report and all his countless attempts to describe a goal. By all the measures Boro battered Blackburn - 20 shots to 6, 12 corners to 3 and 39 crosses to 6 - but perhaps the stat of 3 shots on target to 1 is what meant the goals stat remained equal.

I'd agree with concerns over whether Britt should be guaranteed a start, let alone be captain with perhaps the sight of him desperately pulling rank on a free-kick only to send it sailing way over the bar may be a good enough reason to hand the armband to someone like Howson, who once again lead by example and was deservedly given the MOM accolade.

Nevertheless, it was a good performance by the team and there are signs that Boro are looking better at going forward and linking up - it's just that quality on the final ball in crossing and shooting that is stopping Boro going to the next level. Still 5th place after 10 games is way beyond pre-season expectations and if Neil Warnocks's side continue to improve then we should get used to seeing them near the top of the table.


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Thanks RR - a detailed and very fair report of the sort we’ve become used to but do not take for granted.

Britt’s record overall isn’t terrible - about one goal in every three appearances, quite a lot of which (20/25%?) have been from the bench. The real problem, like many others, has been value for money, which isn’t his fault. We simply - vastly - overpaid and therefore expect more like one in two. Given how poor we’ve been creatively during his time at Boro, one in three stands up pretty well. The nature of the misses works against him as does the fact that many have had an impact on the result, given the lack of scoring opportunities generally.

Not last night though. Last night we were creative, just as we were against Forest - probably the most creative we’ve been, certainly in consecutive games, since Karanka, maybe even further back. Fletcher remains the best finisher at the club and we missed him last night.

Going forward, we know that Britt is at his best when running onto through-balls so perhaps the answer is to go to a 4-2-3-1 with Roberts as the 10 to provide those balls and draw players towards him, creating space for Britt. Tav and Coulson as the wingers alongside Roberts probably gives us our best chance to make the kind of chances Britt will score from, whilst we no longer have reason to worry that such a line-up would make us vulnerable defensively.

Very pleased to see the reemergence of Coulson and the turnaround in Bola is astonishing. A great credit to Warnock and the coaching staff.

I’m with Selwynoz: another 0-0 at the weekend will be just fine.

This post was modified 3 years ago by Andy R

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The kind of honest reporting we've all come to expect, RR.  Thank you - & thank God the fare currently being offered by the team on the pitch is now more palatable!  😊

Very brief clips of Britt's early miss & Dael Fry's late on are available on AV's Twitter page for anyone who cares to click on this link & scroll down a bit:

https://twitter.com/untypicalboro?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor


   
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I think to play the sort of balls that Britt likes to run onto the opponents have to give us space behind them. I don't think the lack of space last night was tactical by Mogga, it was more down to us battering them and keeping them pegged back. My problem then with Britt is that in those circumstances he has to adapt his game or the Manager needs to make a substitution and play someone who can play in those circumstances.

Set pieces and Britt have been a constant gripe for me during his time here. He lacks composure and therefore shouldn't be allowed anywhere near them but his urge to try and boost his scoring stats means he wants to be involved. Understandable, but immature and unprofessional in my book.

If you watch Ronaldo as an extreme example of someone who has perfected free kicks to almost an art form, his concentration, focus, composure and delivery before even approaching (or should that be addressing) the ball is intense. Last night it was like a playground tussle deciding who would take it. That is unforgivable at this level and a sure sign of poor leadership (and that does include NW). The same goes with conversions in Rugby, players weigh up wind direction and speed, distance, angles, trajectory required and power as well as accuracy. Its more a mathematical problem than a sporting conundrum. It is treated with serious respect.

Set pieces should be pre-planned, controlled and organised on the training ground. Hitting the crossbar or just over by six inches, hitting the upright or even the keeper pulling off a save is one thing but this blasting way over the crossbar is purely down to attitude, a lack of technique and ability.

It may be that Bola, Spence or Fry for arguments sake have a better technique, I don't care who it is but calling rank rather than calling on the most suitable player for the distance and angle involved or the planned second phase if its not going to be taken directly should not be left to an excitable individual with little self control.

NW and his Coaches have worked miracles with this squad, they now need to tweak and fine tune the  minutiae to get the maximum return. Set piece planning should not be randomly left to arguably one of the least sentient players in the squad.

I don't know the individual personalities well enough but from appearances Howson would be my pick to organise such opportunities. Not necessarily to take them but the responsible person in charge out on the pitch, basing decisions upon the likelihood of providing the best return at any given situation. A curling ball into the top corner may fit Tav best, a rocket shot aimed straight at the wall then Paddy, a sideways tap then a quick shot, lob or cross then someone else, say Saville for arguments sake. There should be at least ten scenarios, rehearsed at Rockliffe, practised and drilled  until the cows come home. Fine margins will make a big difference come the end of the season. In the meantime keep Britt well away from set pieces.

 


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Thanks RR for a very good and descriptive match report.

on another day amd a more observant referee we could have had two penalties!

Two you say from an opinion of an ex referee? Shocking statement to make I know!

I felt that Tavernier was fouled and he was played before the ball and was in a goal scoring position 

with the benefit of close up tv (available in the premiership) Fry was deliberately obstructed at the corner and the defender  had an armful of his shirt in his hand preventing him getting the right angle on the ball.

Thanks again roll on Saturday 

 

OFB


   
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Thanks Redcar Red for your report confirming how we dominated the game but continue to have a big problem in scoring. In recent seasons I haven't usually felt disappointed when we gained an away point. Some credit must go to Blackburn for blocking shots before they could trouble Pears. Like lots of clubs nowadays we are desperately missing a natural striker who is in the right place when the ball is bouncing around near the goal when we are putting in so many crosses. Credit to NW for the man management which is getting so much improvement from the players.

 I expect a lot harder test from Brentford.


   
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Ken Smith
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I certainly concur with OFB on the hands-on obstruction of Dael Fry. As soon as I saw the replay I thought the same but with such a congested penalty area  the obstruction went unnoticed. VAR surely would have spotted that, but I was surprised that Dael didn’t complain. As for Britt taking free kicks from just outside the penalty area, I can remember in the 50s Peter McKennan being in a similar position. He blazed the ball just over the bar but was lucky enough to find himself in a position slightly further out with about 5 minutes remaining. I remember his eyeing the situation up but anticipating that the defenders might jump to head it clear, struck a thunderbolt along the ground to score the only goal of the match. I’ll have to check my records to see who the opposition were, but that cunning piece of deception has always stayed in my memory.

This post was modified 3 years ago 2 times by Ken Smith

   
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@redcarred

Spot on analysis of the free-kick situation.

Even truer- with knobs on- when it comes to penalties.

Nothing wrong with a bit of selfishness from strikers, but captaincy entails putting the interests of the team above your own stats.


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From the Gazette ref Patrick Roberts.

But there was no Roberts for Blackburn and it's highly likely that's due to caution over the forward, bearing in mind what Warnock revealed pre-game.

After Coventry last Tuesday Warnock had expected Roberts back in training with everyone else on the Thursday. Instead, the sports scientists' tests revealed muscle fatigue in his leg, which was down 60%. Had he trained, Warnock said, he likely would have pulled his hamstring and might have been looking at a lengthy absence.

It's highly likely that's the same reason he wasn't used against Rovers.

And while it might have cost Boro two points here (which is admittedly conjecture, at best), it's more reason to be optimistic. Boro are fifth and looking good, and yet they still have a quality player like Roberts to get up to full speed - fit and firing. Boro potentially have another level to upgrade to even still.


   
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@andy-r

The Britt thing? His goals are simply not good enough, pitiful though they are, they include penalties(yes I know he misses most of them) but he costs us points every time he grabs the ball, last night it was a second class penalty, on the front edge of the box, defenders had to be ten yards away, opponents were disheveled to say the least, plus we were utterly dominent. How he could insist that he take that kick, with his lack of any talent for dead balls defeats me? Looking very carefully at the entire affair, he cost us the three points, I loved the lean back as he swung his foot at the ball, I loved even more the grin as the ball disapeared into the stand. I see one of the giants has had to sort itself out over this ego thing, shock horror, one of their stars has had to be told to leave the ball to the penalty taker or else.     


   
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@ken smith

I have been wondering whether you ever met my late brother who can be found on the internet as the "Middlesbrough Memory Man". While only being an occasional football/Boro supporter, one of his memory feats was to name all the players in the teams that ever had contested the FA cup finals (and the referees!).

This post was modified 3 years ago by David in Cumbria

   
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@malcolm

What you say about the match is true enough, but to me it appeared that we were utterly dominant, and that means that we missed a golden chance of three points, what disappointed most was the endless short passing as they stood in their box watching us, we loved ourselves to bit's, no one was watching for the gap between players and really thumping in a shot, only another (beautiful) pass.


   
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RR you have disappointed me, immensely.

I honestly believed that you had turned the corner and understood your important role in life to report on Boro goals and victories. How I could have allowed myself to be so wrong 😉.

As usual a great report, thank you. 

I have to agree with the consensus in here about Britt. It could be that NW's psychology in making him captain isn't paying off. Certainly that behaviour is what you would expect on Clairville Common, not in professional football. I too would like to see Howson given the job, based on form, attitude and seniority.

Brentford will be a tough fixture. I will be happy that we come away from that with a point as well. All to play for this season after all. Happy days.

This post was modified 3 years ago by Powmill-Naemore

   
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Ken Smith
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Posted by: @david-in-cumbria

@ken smith

I have been wondering whether you ever met my late brother who can be found on the internet as the "Middlesbrough Memory Man". While only being an occasional football/Boro supporter, one of his memory feats was to name all the players in the teams that ever had contested the FA cup finals (and the referees!).

Afraid not, but that’s some feat by your brother. I used to remember the clubs in every Cup Final from 1948 to the 1980s but not the players though Ive forgotten them now. The 1948 final was the first I remember listening to on the radio as most neutral fans wanted Blackpool to win and for Stanley Matthews to earn his first Cup Winners medal. However though they led 2-1 at halftime to Manchester Utd they eventually lost 2-4, and Matthews had to wait another 5 years for that elusive medal. I do remember that Harry Johnston was Captain of Blackpool in 1948 and that the forward line was Matthews, Munro, Mortenson, Dicks and Rickett but none of the rest of the team. But Man Utd were the first club to beat First Division opponents in every round of the Cup without needing a replay -  Villa, Liverpool, Charlton, Preston and Derby and their Cup Final team rolls off the tongue :-  Crompton; Carey, Aston; Anderson, Chilton, Cockburn; Delaney, Morris, Rowley, Pearson and Mitten. Funny thing is I’d have to think hard to recite Boro’s winning Carling Cup team of 2004. Long term memory, but short term forgetfulness!

This post was modified 3 years ago by Ken Smith

   
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This might not be the right forum but I see Shef Wed have had their 12 point deduction halved by the EFL, which I think is a joke.

 Come on BORO.


   
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Ken Smith
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I mentioned Peter McKennan this morning, but the only match that fitted that profile was in 1949 against Newcastle. It was the day of Boro’s record home attendance of 53,802 when 3 or 4 men somehow climbed onto the roof of the Holgate End on the day after Boxing Day. That also was the same season that Boro lost 1-5 at home to the Pompey side which included the first black footballer I had ever seen Lindy Delapenha, before he signed for Boro in the following close season.


   
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Ken Smith
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Posted by: @exmil

This might not be the right forum but I see Shef Wed have had their 12 point deduction halved by the EFL, which I think is a joke.

 Come on BORO.

Quite agree. I realise the circumstances are different, but had Boro not had their 3 point deduction in 1997 who knows where Boro might have been today. And think about poor Wigan; after their wonderful fight back last season they finished only a win short of preserving their Championship status albeit with a points deduction for this season instead of last, and now find themselves bottom of Division 1 and a fight against another relegation.

This post was modified 3 years ago by Ken Smith

   
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@redcarred

Can only agree with that, but it cannot be right to play someone who is manifestly not up to it, it is not on for us to be some sort of rehabilitation station just because we paid way way over the odds for him. The correct action was to get rid a.s.a.p. As for the free kick, against a team weakened by injuries, it was a colossal chance to score. we have players who can shoot and are unselfish, we even have a dead ball man who was allowed to take free kicks when they were more than thirty yards out, and hit the foot of the post twice to my knowledge, no one capitalised on the rebounds, but one would expect that. i do not think that Britt with a run on goal of twenty or more yards would be a good bet to score, after all he failed with a gift from about ten yards one match ago. We will of course not comment on his heading abilities.    


   
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I did a quick google on percentage of direct free kicks that result in a goal. Far from conclusive and varying data sets, but the answer I concluded was 5 - 6%. Some of the data was a few years old, but C Ronaldo's percentage was in that bracket as well.

I agree entirely with RR's analysis but think that free-kicks aren't that reliable as goal scoring opportunities overall, especially when you consider that the best forwards have around a 30% conversion rate from all chances.


   
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Posted by: @andy-r

I did a quick google on percentage of direct free kicks that result in a goal. Far from conclusive and varying data sets, but the answer I concluded was 5 - 6%. Some of the data was a few years old, but C Ronaldo's percentage was in that bracket as well.

I agree entirely with RR's analysis but think that free-kicks aren't that reliable as goal scoring opportunities overall, especially when you consider that the best forwards have around a 30% conversion rate from all chances.

"But think that free-kicks aren't that reliable as goal scoring opportunities overall".  Andy I think you should have added, particularly when BA is taking them! 😎


   
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@k-p-in-spain

Correct! Though as we see in Martin’s link, even an absolute specialist will score from little more than 1 in 10.

Am I right in recalling Britt scoring one against Sheff Wed at the back end of last season? If so, he’ll probably get another in about 15 attempts time!


   
Liked by K P in Spain
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