While Boro's continued excellent defensive record is an indication that the players have been thinking properly inside their own box, Tuesday is probably the time for some Sky Blue thinking outside the box with the arrival of a Coventry side to the Riverside that are seemingly short on ideas when it comes to keeping out the opposition. It's possible that Neil Warnock may have spent the last few days brainstorming with his coaches on how best to unleash his player's inner creative minds as he imagines picking up another three points.
Still, I suspect few on Teesside will be sparing a thought for Coventry, who appear to be struggling to adapt to life in the Championship after gaining promotion as Champions from League One last season - although, it wasn't actually that long ago that they were down in League Two, when in 2018 they were merely play-off hopefuls under current manager Mark Robbins.
The former Manchester United striker, who had come through the youth ranks at Old Trafford, is in his second spell in charge of the Sky Blues where he's now guided them through two promotions in three seasons. The fifty-year old has now accumulated over a dozen seasons of experience at what would be regarded as unfashionable small clubs such as Barnsley, Rotherham and Scunthorpe - where he has usually specialised in elevating relegation-threatened teams up into mid-table and beyond.
This season looks like being another challenge for Robbins as his side have currently the second-worst defensive record with 14 goals conceded in the opening seven games, which is only one better than the only team left in the Championship with a 100% record in Wycombe Wanderers (albeit a losing one). Although, the main reason Coventry suffered a 4-0 defeat last time out against Blackburn was perhaps due to going down to ten men after only 14 minutes when defender Michael Rose was shown a straight red after conceding a penalty. Rovers boss and Teesside's very own Tony Mowbray admitted rather worryingly after the win for those back home anticipating an easy win: "They're a really decent football team and if we'd have played against 11 for 90 minutes it would have been really tough for us".
The question for Grandmaster Warnock and his so solid crew when they cross the white line on Tuesday evening is whether they'll be able to wrap up victory and further dent the Sky Blues goals-against column. Although, when it comes to emulating hip-hop culture, Boro's east-coast collective have not exactly been notorious in recent games for shooting from the hip as it's been more the team's strength of avoiding getting caught on the hop that has kept them tight on the play-off pack. Still, the high-energy soundtrack this season has left many on Teesside feeling quite upbeat in contrast to the rhythmless blues experienced under the repeated soulless displays of Woodgate.
Nevertheless, this should be a game for the homies with the Boro manager revealing this week that he's been keeping a keen eye on the muscles in the squad. He explained the day after the Bristol game: "When we had a loosener, Paddy went for a swim. I knew then we couldn't use him." Thankfully, those weren't gangster euphemisms by the boss and Patrick Roberts wasn't being acquainted with the fishes after a few stiff drinks with Warnock - it appears the club now test the players muscles after games to see how fatigued they are and whether they are recovered enough to play in the next match.
Having a small squad, Warnock is being cautious with his players with the emphasis on avoiding long-term injuries over short-term risks with fitness. He knows that he has limited options in most positions and it's likely only the wide players will be rotated - though he was concerned that his midfield engine room has had no rest and we may possibly see Lewis Wing get some more pitch time with another four games in the next ten days.
The shift to a back four at Cardiff may well be repeated as both Dijksteel and Bola looked more than comfortable again in standard full-backs roles, which offers an extra place for more attacking wide players where Boro seem to have plenty of options with Tav, Roberts, Spence, Johnson and Coulson. As to which of those will get the nod on Tuesday is never certain but it would be a surprise to see both Tav and Roberts missing out if they're fit and ready to go. Indeed, if Boro are to progress to the next level then it's not just creative thinking in the team selection that is needed - it will be the delivery of that creative expression on the pitch and better clarity of thought in front of goal. Another win will make it harder not to start thinking the unthinkable!
Thanks Werder. I enjoyed that.
I’m not one for predictions, but I will be very disappointed if we don’t beat Coventry by two clear goals. Anything less than a home win would bring on a definite dose of the Sky Blues.
With Boro’s new found crew mentality, it could be....Get three points or die trying...
Thanks Werder. Always appreciate you taking the time to write an opener for us and always an enjoyable read.
I suspect this game might be tougher than it appears but at least there will be no crowd to get on the players backs if it’s still 0-0 at 60 minutes! Like us, they’ve had quite a tough set of opening fixtures including Bournemouth, Brentford and Swansea.
I’m also expecting another 4-3-3 formation which might help with dealing with Coventry’s threat from the flanks. Defensively they’ve been poor but they have scored a few goals.
It would be nice to see Roberts and Tav on the flanks but I think NW is still wary of exposing Bola and he may opt for the more disciplined Johnson again to provide a little more protection. I doubt any of the midfield three will be rested but perhaps if we do manage to establish a comfortable lead, Wing might be given a run out possibly in a move to a 4-2-3-1.
Something in my waters makes me feel like this one might not go so well, however. Maybe it’s our six game unbeaten run, maybe it’s just the curse of typical Boro having picked up points where we didn’t expect them. Yet there’s no logical reason to doubt us at the moment.
We’ve only managed more than one goal once this season so you feel that if we can get two, the points will be ours. Hopefully they come early so we can relax a bit, try to keep the ball a bit better and save our legs with the luxury of some subs to give one or two a well-earned breather.
All in all, with a peculiar nagging doubt, I’m going for Boro 2-0 Cov.
Gulp.
I love the Championship as there are so many matches to look forward to. And I can see all of them either on Riverside Live or on TV. Especially enjoyable now when we have the COVID-19 and there is not so much to do as normally.
Not a single match is easy in the Championship, so I do not expect a big win. I think the most important thing is to keep the unbeaten run going. And I am hoping a bit more entertaining match after two tough away matches. It is a pity there in no crowd at the Riverside.
Let's hope we score a couple of goals. And that Asombalonga gets a goal or two tonight. I wouldn't be surprised to see Browne to get some minutes this week. Possibly Roberts to start today, and Browne on Saturday.
Up the Boro!
Cheers Andy and I'm sure you're not alone in having that nagging feeling in the back of your mind as on paper this should be a win for Boro. OK, Coventry have scored as many goals as Boro but three of those six came in their second game that saw them beat QPR 3-2 - since then it's been just two goals in five games. I expect Boro will play 4-3-3 as Coventry have normal played with a lone striker (the one exception was in the 2-0 defeat against Brentford). I also agree two goals would probably secure victory given our defensive record but can Boro create enough to score two?
Werder,
Thanks for your preview, entertaining as always, a lovely management speak opening paragraph.
Here's hoping the midfield and forwards can join the dots and improve our 'goals for' bottom line. I'm going for a highly optimistic 3 - 1 to Boro. What have I said?
Stay safe everyone,
UTB,
John
Thanks, Werder.
Appreciated the stylistic elegance, as ever. The gangster euphemisms were priceless.
I rate Mark Robbins as a manager, the only 'mark' against him as a player being his saving of Ferguson's job.
I think we might be surprised by Coventry's quality and their willingness to get the ball down and play, but I see the game following a similar trajectory to the Barnsley match and will go for a relatively comfortable 2-0 win
I might have to curtail my contributions to this forum for awhile as I had a bad fall in Redcar yesterday and spent 3 hours in James Cook A & E into the wee small hours of this morning as it had taken 6 hours waiting at home before the paramedics arrived and too late for them to stitch me up. I couldn’t remember much about the fall or how I managed to drive home, but eventually after using half a kitchen roll to stem the bleeding to my chin, parts of the day’s events became less vague. Suffice to say I surprisingly passed a concussion test at A &E, was stitched up like Jack in the nursery rhyme although not with vinegar and brown paper, but still confused as to have I managed to drive home after the fall, but have just checked in my garage, and indeed confirmed that my car is there. Advised not to shave or shower for at least a week, but luckily have enough food and provisions to see me through my convalescence.
Best wishes, Ken. Very sorry to hear about your fall, and that you had to wait so long to get any attention.
Falling is a big thing in one's 80s and can really shake you up.
Hope you're up and about again soon.
Take care and stay safe
For UK viewers it looks to me as though the Boro match will be available on the Sky red button tonight. If so it will save you the normal £10 streaming fee.
Worth checking
Sorry to read that, Ken. Hope you are recovering well and all the best.
On the plus side, permission not to shave or shower for a week doesn't sound too bad!
Ken, if gravity works against you, you're in trouble so stay safe and think of it as research time. Sounds like you'll have a bit of a Heidelburg duelling scar after this.
All the best,
UTB,
John
@ken Yes, take care of yourself and take it steady.
I hope you are able to pop in and read some of our thoughts. Let's hope you are back fitten than ever. And back much sooner than Fletcher. You are a sportsman of different calible to the young Fletcher, though.
All the best. Up the Boro!
Sorry to hear your news Ken.
Hope you recover quickly and we look forward to seeing a revised pen-picture of you sporting a full set!
Take care Ken and a speedy recovery - hopefully you can avoid another close shave!
@ken take care and stay safe. I know how busy it’s been in A&E locally as I too was taken in a few days ago with wildly erratic heart rate ranging from 28! Up to 200! They sedated me and sent me home too after 10 hours as they said they were only admitting life and death cases! I suppose both you and I felt not much alive after the experiences. My only hole is getting my pacemaker fitted when is anyone’s guess! Make sure you carry a stick with you at all times even going to the loo to prevent any further falls. Hopefully the Boro will win tonight to cheer you up. OFB
Werder
Thanks for the Boro preview appreciated as always and a masterpiece
OFB
oh and I’m going for ⚽️⚽️
surprise surprise !
Thanks for another great starting piece Werder. All that blue had me humming away imaginatively on a a Mr Blue theme....
Hey there Werder you
Write so well you know you do
Before our game against Sky Blue
Ev'rybody smiles with you
This is one to win tonight, and I think we will.
2-0 to us, but after having to work hard for it.
CoB
I do not think that it is a myth about the lack of a home crowd affecting home advantage, too many giants have come a cropper already this season. It seems to have affected the refs too, they are spotting an awful lot of offences by the giants, even penalties, shock horror, even sending off's, even more shock horror! It could be that the away side still think that they will not win away(and therefore try harder) whilst the home side think it's a practice match and start at half speed. We shall see, but I do hope that we collect the six points on offer this week because I think it would put us in the shake up, which would be nice.
@original-fat-bob and Ken
Just catching up with the blog after a few days absence. I, too, was in A&E at JCUH on Sunday to resolve an unpleasant problem, the details of which I won’t go into as the solution was also unpleasant but my condition was not life threatening so I had many hours to witness the pressure the staff were under. I’m ok now, apart from a bout of sciatica which came out of the blue and is giving me a bit of gip, so I won’t be jumping up and down whilst watching the match tonight. Suddenly, I don’t feel 21 anymore!
Best wishes Bob and Ken. Hope Boro can give us a bit of joy tonight.
Mistaken identity, I think, Plato. Haven't expressed any views on the effect of the lack of crowds.
Best wishes, Bob. Watching the Boro is the perfect recipe for avoiding excitement. Hope you enjoy the game
I’ll be at 35,000ft whilst the game is being played, all-though there’s a possibility I might see one of Betinelli’s kicks going past my window....
@original-fat-bob Ken & Steeley. Sorry to learn that too many of us are paying hospitals visits of late. It's two weeks today since I had to take Mrs P to A&E on GP's advice, as she had a fever and sever abdominal pain. Within 24 hours she had had her gallbladder removed. I am pleased to report she was released after 48 hours and is making a good recovery.
Best wishes to OFB, Ken and Steely, I hope you are all soon fighting fit and have received all the necessary procedures you are waiting for, shortly.
Thanks Werder for a musical and whimsical piece. I am of the view that this is a match which on paper we should win but it's not played on paper and I suspect that Coventry will not be as easy a game as their previous results might suggest.
I am sticking to a ⚽️ - ⚽️ in the hope that this will prove to be a worst case scenario and that we might in fact get a win to build upon a promising start to the season. CoB 😎
Thanks Powmill and for many Boro supporters it seems the sun is shining in the sky and there ain't a cloud in sight...