Managed to discreetly (I believe) keep half and eye on the muted live feed on the laptop yesterday while trying to engage in the post-dinner conversation with our house guests.
Thought it looked like another nil-nil until Sporar's clever finish and then it looked like it was only a matter of time before Blackpool scored but relaxed once the 90 minutes were up - only to glance at the laptop to see Blackpool celebrating an added-time equalisers.
I was gutted but was just glancing at the laptop again to see if the final whistle had gone only to see the Boro players going crazy with the supporters and a 1-2 scoreline at the top of the screen. Unbelievable, I almost spilled my glass of wine and this is surely a sign of a team that has developed a winning mentality.
So 16 points out of the last 18 at a points per game of 2.7 - I think I remember when Chris Wilder took over I calculated that Boro were going to perhaps need nearly 2 points per game just to make the play-offs - I hadn't contemplated Boro would be aiming for one of the automatic spots with the new man in charge!
I will limit myself to simply saying "WOW!" after that last-gasp win at Blackpool. Neil Maddison's voice rose 4 octaves and only dogs were able to hear him after that. I assume he won't be able to speak for a couple of days whilst his vocal chords recover.
I must say I do have some sympathy for Neil Critchley as Blackpool deserved a point. Nevertheless nobody showed any sympathy for Boro when they were deducted 3 points in the 1996/97 season.
I must say I do have some sympathy for Neil Critchley as Blackpool deserved a point. Nevertheless nobody showed any sympathy for Boro when they were deducted 3 points in the 1996/97 season.
I think Neil Critchley is a really good Manager and probably destined for a bigger Club unless of course he overachieves with the resources he has at Blackpool (which I think he is doing already). Seems to be a straight talker rather than a bullshine merchant and was seemingly determined that last nights match went ahead unlike some other Clubs who seem to be almost desperate to get games called off.
@deleriad A good summary deleriad ask begs some answers from your “questions”
Siliki looks to be going to the AfCon, won’t get much game time and will return possibly, not even to the bench.
What is it that CW sees in Payero, that does not fill him with the confidence to give him any game time?
We are crying out for more creativity from the midfield and without it could fade away as deleriad suggests. We cannot expect to keep clean sheets or only score one or sometimes two goals to win matches.
Is our supposed new striker (Connolly) going to be better than Iche?
Having failed with a fair number of the summer incoming players, can we be confident of bringing better than we already have in January?
Answers please. Why was Peltier preferred to Taylor on the unbalanced left?
What is wrong with Howson?
@ken given the dog eat dog nature of football sympathy is in short supply, I still cant believe the Leicester equaliser in the cup final all those years ago
A good three points last night which I think many of us thought were a possibility after the impressive display against Forest.
It was, however, probably the least impressive/controlled display since CW arrived and the performance was more akin to that of a NW team which could just as easily have lost but clearly speaks volumes for what CW and the team are capable of doing by going on and winning in added time.
Sorry to be the the spoil sport but whilst what we are now seeing is a revelation on what has gone before, we should not get carried away as we have seen purple patches before, 3 wins in a row but quickly followed by 3 defeats!
The fact that we won, as we did, and the atmosphere created by the away support is more akin to the promotion seaon under Aitor and long may it continue.
Best wishes to all DIASBORO, particularly for a safe and healthy 2022, and for a top six finish for our beloved team. 😎
@pedro: I think Taylor was rested to have him available for the “harder” match against Shef Utd, don’t forget he hadn’t played a competitive game for quite a while before Forest game, I think that was clever player management by CW. Howson may have been subject to a Civid positive test or someone he has been in contact with has proved positive, on the other hand he may have picked up a knock, take your pick.
Come on BORO.
A point about last night’s performance not being on par with the Forest game, CW has said, on more than one occasion, there will be two steps forward one step back at times and don’t forget how long he has had to change mindset, physical fitness and tactical approach. This management team is a long term project which will take 3/4 transfer windows to assemble the squad they require to sustain in the Premiership. Let’s not get too carried away too soon besides the fact we still won last night while not playing particularly well, against a team that seemed to be a bogey team recently.
Come on BORO.