The fact that Derby are in contention to recover from a 21 point deduction to remain in the Championship is a credit to Wayne Rooney's ability as a young manager - plus his decision to turn down Everton to try and finish the job is also to his credit.
This is exactly what I meant when comparing Rioch and Rooney. The latter has done a great job at Derby this season.
I did not compare the two managers as persons. Just saying that Rooney is doing well with the resourses he has at a club in administration.
But today Boro is hopefully better. Up the Boro!
As usual I would be pathetically grateful to be rescued from my state of pitiful intellectual ignorance and gross moral turpitude by any hints the brains trust can offer on streaming possibilities for this afternoon's crunch match.
Thanks in advance.
One more statistic to gladden the hearts of Boro supporters? Scoring first this afternoon is almost a foregone conclusion of a Boro win as Derby have lost 19 of their previous 21 matches away from home when conceding the first goal, the other 2 being draws. What could possibly go wrong? I know what some of us are thinking though “it’s Boro they’re playing”.
By the way I had one disappointment last night with my favourite Super League team Castleford Tigers losing at home to Salford 16-26 in their first game of the season before a sellout crowd of 10,500. Surely the gods wouldn’t be so cruel as to inflict successive disappointments on me at the Riverside this afternoon!
I’m anticipating a difficult and low scoring game today as Boro don’t score many and Derby have something like the sixth best defensive record this season.
Also, Derby have proved in recent weeks that they can beat the best teams in the League, are set up to attack on the break and never give up - eg scoring two goals in added time recently .
I watched them recently against Huddersfield and although the score was 2-0 to Huddersfield, Derby played 87 minutes with 10 men, were the best footballing team and could have won. Huddersfield scored a fluke goal 15 minutes from the end which changed the complexion of the game.
The Boro forwards have a chance to prove themselves today against ageing centre backs. It should suit Watmore and although I think he should start I also think that to bring him on after say 60 minutes he could cause more havoc.
We are now into a really testing time of the season with two games a week and can expect lots of changes to League positions from the top to around twelfth position. So the morale of supporters can be up and down like a yo yo.
Difficult game for the locals today - Huddersfield v Sheffield United on Sky from 12.30. Huddersfield are unbeaten in their last 12 games and Sheffield are on a role. I’m hoping for a draw.
…….And Boro to squeeze out a win.
Philip of Huddersfield
I will keep it short: Boro to win today before a bumper crowd and quite a bit of "banter" in the stands.
Main concern is the walk to and from the ground from where the car is parked. The weather forecast is 7C, gusty winds of 42mph and 25% chance of rain at 2pm increasing to 32% at 5pm as I walk back. Let's hope the memories of the game keep me warm as I return to the car.
Streams for non-televised games are much harder to find but there's a possible link being touted that may or may not work - I won't know until the game starts so I'll check it out at kick-off and post the link if it works.
By the way I had one disappointment last night with my favourite Super League team Castleford Tigers losing at home to Salford 16-26 in their first game of the season before a sellout crowd of 10,500. Surely the gods wouldn’t be so cruel as to inflict successive disappointments on me at the Riverside this afternoon!
I, on the other hand, enjoyed the Warriors result at HKR, so a double for me would be win-win.
You will naturally be freesing, Dormo if you go to a match in shorts, again. It is winter time, but I know you love shorts and some barbeque in February, too. The latter tomorrow to celebrate the Boro win, of course. Up the Boro!
Team News: Crooks has been stitched up and starts but Watmore and Sporar on the bench as Balogun and Connolly start
If the defence set about their with the right attitude and the forwards 'click' Boro should win and I can't believe they won't have had one of Mr Wilder's motivational speeches. On that basis I'll go for a 2-1 to Boro.
Let's hope it doesn't get too feisty on or off the pitch. Banter is OK, violence is not. Hopefully if the weather is like Norfolk the hotheads will be kept cool.
UTB,
John
Reports of a few incidents in town apparently
You got your wish with a nil-nil draw between Huddersfield and Sheff Utd!
We just need Boro to win now and then Forest to lose at home to Stoke and QPR to lose at Barnsley!
OK, the unofficial link I mentioned earlier appears to be working - hopefully it continues after kick-off - though I'll be watching with my MFC subscription...
Such much for OFB’s prediction! 😉
Played better in other games and not scored three goals! CoB finish it off. 😎
Well that was an explosive end to the first half - Boro appeared to be coasting at 1-0 after Jones once again forced a defender to kick it into his own net after stealing the ball. But a long range snapshot from Derby fired through the crowd of players appeared to catch Lumley unsighted as it bounced and made it into the corner of the Boro net.
Against the run of play was probably an understatement but before we had time to ponder if Boro had let Derby back into the game, Connolly pounced on the ball turned and shot - and as I was appealing for pen after it appeared to hit a Derby arm it deflected into the net. Still, Boro were not satisfied with regaining the lead on the stroke of half time and Jones once again terrorised the Derby defence and put in another dangerous cross that this time was converted by a Boro player as Crooks notched his 8th of the season.
Can't remember the last time Boro scored three before the break - our game seem to be action-packed at the moment - Let's hope for more in the second half!
Such much for OFB’s prediction! 😉
Played better in other games and not scored three goals! CoB finish it off. 😎
And I was saying 2-0 with a Fry clean sheet ... 😋
Up the Boro!
Jarkko
Ditto just shows we can be wrong sometimes!
OFB
So we win confortably by 4-1 tonight. Back to sixth place with two games in hand over Huddersfield, who are one point in front of us.
And four points above WBA!
Excellent time to be a Boro fan now. Let's enjoy the ride. Up the Boro!
A more controlled second half sprinkled with moments of magic - including that fancy shuffle and backheel from Balogun to set up the 4th for Watmore. McGree also showed us that he's got some quick feet and skill too as all of a sudden there look to be plently of options for Chris Wilder. If that wasn't enough, the other results also went our way today with the early nil-nil between the Terriers and the Blades, followed by QPR losing to Barnsley and Forest drawing at home - all of which means that Boro are now in the top six, just 4 points behind Blackburn in 3rd with a game in hand. Exciting times and more importantly exciting football to watch with 9 shots on target today and four goals!
Good win today.
Most other results went our way.
Pity Forest equalised in the last minute and Bournemouth with a late winner.
Still, as long as Boro do what they have to , then the other teams and their results don’t matter.
Philip of Huddersfield
Thanks Werder. The link worked fine after some early glitches. Grateful to see such an enjoyable game and another fine Boro performance.
Very good management from Wilder to give both Connolly and Balogun almost the full game to bring up their fitness levels, and boost their confidence with well-earned standing ovations when they were finally subbed.
In truth they contributed little in the first half hour as if to confirm many fans' early doubts but Connolly's deflected goal gave him some much needed extra energy and confidence and he had a good second half. Balogun similarly showed some promising touches as the game developed rounding off his afternoon with an exquisite back-heeled flick to lay on Watmore's final goal and secure a comfortable and well-earned victory.
Another excellent all round performance then with that solid midfield of Tav, Howson and Crooks providing the cornerstone of the victory, Jones the killer final balls and the back four all very sound.
As an additional bonus McGree, subbing for Crooks midway through the second half, showed good skill, awareness and quick feet. He will provide good cover for what is currently an irreplaceable midfield four.
M-o-M for me was Tav, continuing his improved form, closely followed by Howson. But as with our previous two games there were no weak links amongst our outfield players, in what was a genuine high quality team display.
Well done lads and roll on the next game.
4 goals, jones 3 assists, Connolly gets off the mark and back in the top six, other results went for us, the crowd were really into it, a good day all round. I may partake in a glass of the @Jarkko coolaid tonight UTB........
@Len Lumley did not make a single save in the match. So toothless was Derby. UBT!
Ps. I hit my 1 000th post one minute before Werder's 1 000th (see above) 😂
Jarkko
Congratulations to both you and Werder on the landmark posts. Stalwarts both.
Good game to watch and another excellent team performance.
I agree with all the comments above and only have one criticism, I am not happy having to wait another week to see them play again! 😉😎
I hadn't noticed I'd joined the Diasboro 1000 club with my last post - I did notice a week ago I was in the late 900s but haven't checked lately. Anyway, congratulation Jarkko for your long solid service!
Well done Werder we are grateful for the blog that you conceived and ran so well
UP THE DIASBORIANS
OFB