I do not think that it is a question of Bamba playing to a high standard. His value is far greater as an on pitch coach, and he should certainly not be running about a lot. Keeping clean sheets is the answer to most of our problems.
fair comment. The real test may be coming in the next few months when NW has players to choose from.
It had all been quiet here for the last 24 hours or so. I hope it isn't anxiety building for today's fixture.
I am still confident to stick to my prediction that Troy Deeney will net for Brum, but Boro will run out convincing victors, maintaining the (current) habit of finishing with a two goal difference.
CoB
Perhaps after three straight wins leading to a place in the top six, there’s an air of general, albeit tempered, satisfaction around the blog. That sort of thing doesn’t always spark conversation.
I think we’re all waiting to see if Boro are now genuine contenders or whether it was just a run against straightforward opposition. A win today might not answer that but a defeat will.
@Andy R
Three days ago I wrote about Boro’s fine home record against Birmingham even though we lost to them at the Riverside last season. However I should also have mentioned that Boro have not suffered successive home defeats to Brum in league matches since 1935. So should that take a defeat out of the equation today, or will I regret mentioning that statistic?
@powmillnaemore. I have to confess that whilst I have predicted a 1-0 win for us I am getting a little bit anxious; a result of years of hope and anticipation being dashed too often.
It would be refreshing to see us win again and for the team to continue to progress and for this season be one where we are remembered as a force to be reckoned with again. CoB. 😎
Here’s a forecast of the lineup for the team today
OFB
Nothing to do about football, but I just thought I’d take a peek at the BBC Cricket website to check on the T20 World Cup score to see how England are performing against the Aussies (am I still allowed to call Australians Aussies in this political correct world?) Anyway the main headline was and I quote “Sri Lanka lose 2 wickets for one run against SRI LANKA”
However it has since been corrected to “Sri Lanka lose three quick wickets against SOUTH AFRICA”. Even respected journalists sometimes make mistakes, or is it all down to predictive texting?
Well, a combination of Ken's statistics, KP's anxiety and Powmills all-round tension means I'm going back to the rear of the couch with all the usual accessories in place, curtains drawn and the whale song primed.
The beer is in the fridge ready for celebration when I emerge like Ben Gunn. Now there's an assumption, celebration, and the score. 3-1 to Boro with George Friend scoring for Birmingham.
UTB,
John
@john-richardson. 3-1 to Boro with George Friend scoring for Birmingham sounds like the perfect day to me. 😎
@original-fat-bob. I can't agree more, why change a winning team if you don't need to.
We will need some physicality when defending set pieces if Troy Deeney plays and the inclusion of Uche will be helpful in that respect. 😎
I thought about changing my avatar taken in Budapest 2 years ago, but having had to renew my disabled card with a new photo I’ve decided against it. Wouldn’t want to frighten the horses!
Amazing story about Matt Crooks suffering from epilepsy and being able to play football. It’s very rare for sportsmen to be able to do that. The only other sportsmen I can recall are former cricketers Tony Grieg and Jonty Rhodes both South Africans although the former became England’s captain, Wally Lewis the Australian Rugby League player and athlete Jo Joyner though there must be others.
Let's hope that NW can continue with his recent Managerial master class. Playing Payero, cutting out his foulmouthed theatrics on the touchline and playing Howson at RB, Peltier LB, bringing in Bamba and pulling McNair out of midfield along with Howson to play at the back.
I'm sure all those injuries were coincidental and he had planned it all along. Now all he has to do is carry on with the upturn in form, ride the wave of positivity and prove his doubters wrong. No better standard of opposition to continue the run of wins against than Birmingham this afternoon.
@stircrazystircrazy And quite a strong bench, too. Up the Boro!
@redcarred Where have you been? We have missed you and hopevyou have seen the last few matches, too. UTB!
Hi Jarkko, just been incredibly busy with work and struggling for some "me time". Just had a read and catch up this morning over the last two weeks near enough. Glad to see the blog is as strong as ever!
Do you think NW has been reading the posts on Diasboro and taken note !
OFB
I think there has been a series of unfortunate and coincidental events that has worked out well for all concerned 😉
Not a huge surprise to see an unchanged team - I might have played Jones or Watmore instead of Hernandez as he didn't really impress last time out - but not too many options for the first eleven. Let's hope Boro get any early goal!
Boro started the game the game on the back foot and have struggled to impose themselves in the first half. Birmingham look a bit quicker to the ball and have pressed Boro high up the pitch - Boro's passing as usual hasn't been too great but have still crafted a few decent opportunities that could easily have been converted with better finishing. Ikpeazu going off has altered the game plan somewhat but Boro need to show a bit more energy and composure so they can keep hold of the ball.
Disastrous and proof that our recent wins were only achieved against poor opponents. Play a team who are organised and show some grit and we revert to type with appalling defensive mistakes. 😎
Well, it was 2-0 all right, but unfortunately the two goals were scored by the opposition! 🙁 Boro had NINE corners to Brum's 0!
Pretty poor display all round today with very little quality on show - Boro didn't do enough from the start and Birmingham didn't need to do too much and just accepted the gift from Lumley and follow-up from a misunderstanding between Bamba and Peltier. That's what happens if you start slowly and makes the game harder to get into - Boro's passing was simply not good enough and lacked energy or creativity. Back to mid table as the winning run ended with a whimper!
Well that’s it I stopped watching ten minutes before the end !
OFB
Why revert to Howson in midfield when it’s shown the best way is for him to continue at right back?
Very disappointing!
OFB
Yes, a whimper indeed. What a let-down just when a little bit of optimism was starting to appear after three wins but I suppose we old hands should have half expected a “typical Boro” result and they certainly delivered one.
Today highlighted yet again that one of Boro’s fundamental flaws is their chronic inconsistency. The club has a decent squad of players now but until the inconsistency is fixed they will never be anything better than a mid-table Championship side. It is clear that NW isn’t capable of fixing it so I hope the Chairman is working hard on finding a manager who will.