Meanwhile, I see the Geordies are looking for a new manager. I’m not having any of this Geordie over-hyped twaddle about getting in Conte, Zidane or Gerard. I think a dream team would be Jonathan Woodgate as manager, with Tony Pulis as Director of Football. Or better still, vice versa.
😂😂😂
Come on BORO.
@werdermouth - I agree about Payero. If a player is good enough to get a game for Argentina, he should have something to offer a lower-mid table Championship team like Boro (which doesn't have a lot of options in the "skilful player who might show a little bit of magic/put in a good ball to a player in a scoring position" stakes). I mean, it's not Mongolia or Chad - it's Argentina. One cap for them must be worth a sackful of caps for Andorra or the Cook Islands, and should really mean that he's too good for us but, since we have him, please let's play him!
@exmil - You really don't like Newcastle, do you...?
@jarkko - I really hope you are right, Jarkko. 9 degrees C here in North Yorkshire and after a grey and damp/rainy day, the sun has come out from blue skies for the last hour before sunset (17.56hrs tonight, here). I have NO IDEA what sort of game we will see. I have to say that if the score had been 0-0 on Saturday against Peterborough (in other words, had it not been for the penalty on 85 minutes and Coburn's last minute goal), there would have been loud boos.
There had been discussion in the West Stand Upper during the second half as to whether or not to bring a book to read for the Barnsley match.
Fingers crosssed though.
Thanks AndyR for the opening salvo and to everyone that has commented about the Peterborough game and in this thread too. I have been out of circulation for the better part of a week, enjoying some long overdue down time with my family. I have to be honest and own up to the fact that it is far easier for me today to switch of from Boro than ever before. But always do my best to catch up with what everyone is saying in here.
So, I have no real idea of what to expect tonight so I'm taking a free hit that it will be Typical Boro that Tackles the Tykes tonight and we will miss the opportunity to win back to back and, Perish(er) the thought but I fear it will be OFB's eyeballs in the sky...
Sadly Marske United’s FA Cup dream ended last night as they lost 2-3 at Gateshead but as yet I’ve not been able to find a match report. Nevertheless it seems a close score. However Hartlepools won their first away win of the season 3-1 at Valley Parade against Bradford City thus ending the Bantams unbeaten home record. Strangely no team in the EFL’s 3 divisions have yet won more than 4 successive league matches this season so far during the first quarter of the season. Could Boro be the first? Well, you never know because on paper it looks possible. However the last time that happened was in the promotion season of six years ago when Boro actually won 6 in a row. The longest ever run of consecutive wins was in 9 in 1974 from 16th February to 6th April. One can but dream!
I’ve just had a look at the Championship Table and I reckon if we win 5-0 tonight we’ll go up to 9th. Easy eh?
Taking some novels to the match might be a good idea.
How about Great Expectations before the kick off
The Invisible Man when you find out that Payero is on the bench
Things Fall Apart in the second half
And The Sound and the Fury ("a tale told by an idiot...signifying nothing") for the manager's post-match interview
Team News...
As expected Pelts returns but Payero and Jones also start!
If we can't win with that line up then what hope is there! CoB 😎
Well done Neil. Not surprised to see Peltier for Ikpeazu but definitely surprised to see Jones for Hernandez.
I think John won't like the sound of that hope bit even if he can still hear you above the noise of his Whale-song CD...
@jarkko - I really hope you are right, Jarkko. 9 degrees C here in North Yorkshire and after a grey and damp/rainy day, the sun has come out from blue skies for the last hour before sunset (17.56hrs tonight, here). I have NO IDEA what sort of game we will see. I have to say that if the score had been 0-0 on Saturday against Peterborough (in other words, had it not been for the penalty on 85 minutes and Coburn's last minute goal), there would have been loud boos.
There had been discussion in the West Stand Upper during the second half as to whether or not to bring a book to read for the Barnsley match.
Fingers crosssed though.
Excellent post, Dormo. And as good a reply by Sir Len. I am priviledged to have met the two gentlemen 😊.
I hope Martin (not Payero but Bellamy) is right about the result. But that sounded a bit optimist! He will surely shout a lot on the East Stand tonight!
I hope for the three points. So something to celebrate after the match in the local for Dormo. No need for him to go to work in the morning, mind. Up the Boro!
I haven't really thought much about tonight's game as I've been busy this week preparing for my long-postponed visit to Teesside - two years now since the last and first since Brexit.
*******
Werder, how many matches you are going to see while at Boro? And please pass my regards to your sister and her son. Seen each other a few times in matches - in Derby at least.
Up the Boro!
If we can't win with that line up then what hope is there! CoB 😎
Quite right KP. I am now having second thoughts about my goalless score prediction....
Boro take the lead in the 19th minute through Šporar, assisted by Paddy.
After a very shaky opening ten minutes or so Boro have been good here. We just need to improve that final ball as Tav and Jones have both wasted good positions. Encouraging though.
Howson has been excellent at right back whilst Crooks and Payero have been good in central midfield.
A second goal for Boro will settle this and a bit more composure in the final third is all that’s needed.
Bloody hell! I reckon we’ve missed 6 good chances! We’re playing so much better - completely dominant after the shaky first few minutes. Our long ball over the top of the defence is paying dividends. Must kill Barnsley off early second half, then go on to boost the goal difference.
As Andy said, Boro have recovered well from their shaky start and have looked quite a well-balanced team that has offered a threat going forward. Perhaps Boro have found the best option at right-back with Howson who looks ideal in that position - especially with the Crooks-Payero partnership looking to be blossoming. With Sporar and Watmore looking lively up front and Tav and Jones providing width - could be a good combination. Would probably also be better with Bola as left-back.
Sadly it's only the briefest of visits since my unvacinated 11-year old has to quarantine on return to Germany before school restarts so won't be seeing any games.
Thanks, I'll give my regards to my sister from you and her son - who incidentally had his first child in the summer - a boy who you'll be pleased to know has already got his first Boro kit!
I just woke up from my siesta, missed the first 15 minutes or so, turned round to fill my wine glass, and missed the goal, and of course there were no play backs. Typical!
Matt Crooks finally makes it 2-0 in the 87th minute following free kick.
TWO WINS IN SUCCESSION!
Up the Boro!
So onward and upwards - another three points that put Boro just three points off the play-offs that really should have been put to bed long before Crooks' header ensured the win - Watmore no doubt relieved after his unmissable miss. Possibly the first time I could say that Boro have looked a coherent unit this season - though still room for improvement with the passing and definitely with the shooting. Also still just 40% possession so Boro need to keep hold of the ball better.
The one worry was Sporar going off injured with what looked like a groin strain - that could be a problem as we don't really have a similar replacement as Ikpeazu is more adept at holding the ball rather than running on to passes. Let's hope it's not too serious. Good to see Payero improving and getting up to speed and Crooks also putting in a very good display. I'm also encouraged by Howson's performance at right-back, which seems to have solved another problem.
A deserved win and a good performance overall. We should have scored a few tonight but there again we could easily have been two down after ten minutes.
Howson, like McNair, continues to look better in defence than midfield and played very well tonight especially in the first half. Bar his unfortunate slip, Bamba was very good again as well.
Tav needs to find his shooting boots and Jones could release the ball a bit earlier for me and not wait for defenders to come to him but drive at them. That said, both were a handful at times.
Payero is improving all the time but Crooks was probably MotM as he continued his deeper role.
A positive team selection backed by a positive display. You feel it hasn’t quite clicked yet but there’s something there to build on.
Interestingly, only West Brom and Bournemouth have concided less goal than Boro this season.
Have we conceded one since Sol Bamba was drafted in?
This is getting exciting now. Only the top three looks strong and too far for the Mighty Boro.
I got the result and the other goal scorer correct before the match. But we should have scored a few more. Good summary above by Andy.
Up the Boro!
Three wins from the last 4 is much more encouraging. Three 2-0 wins as well. Apart from one or 2 nervy moments, we absolutely battered Barnsley. A shame it dropped off a bit second half, and how we missed 8 good chances (Duncan! How could you?), I’ll never know! But there are no complaints from me after that performance.
Now, in Cardiff and Birmingham we have two more distinctly winnable games. Let’s go for it!
Vic's verdict:
FT 2-0. Rocky start, but Boro took control, scored then ripped into Barnsley with some mercurial movement in final third, but golden chances spurned made for a nervy final phase until sealed it late on. Great result, very enjoyable display for long spells.
Boro showed attacking intent, industry and persistence. Some real battling and grit as well as neat movement. With a sharper edge they would be battering teams like this (Barnsley are in big trouble). Still, two on the spin. Another clean sheet.
*** Crooks - battled, recycled, scored
** Bamba - solid, crucial tackle
* ???
The final one is up for grabs: Howson effective at RB, McNair steady at the back & kept the ball alive to help set up both goals, Payero wriggled and wrestled. You decide.
@forever-dormo I was just quoting Clive Hurren, but yes they are not my favourite team 😂.
Come on BORO