Blimey! 3-0 (Marvin Johnson, 83')! 😀 The Clarke OG is available on AV's Twitter feed (link above).
At last a good quality goal from M J.
We have played better in other games and not won. Tonight we have plugged away and done what is required when playing an inferior side and got our just desserts.
Well done to all involved and to NW and his team with some astute substitutions.😎
Many thanks OFB and I just had a look at AV's Twitter feed to see what he's launching - it could well be of interest to those on Diasboro who enjoyed his work if they've got a quid or two a week in loose change to spare.
Anyway, here's the link to AV's new blog with a free introductory piece if anyone is interested...
btw I see Jarkko is already onboard 😉
Werder, I am not leaving from here. I just want all the info available about Boro. And we are mates, he even brought me tickets for away matches. So nice to keep in touch with him. I love his writing, too.
BTW, a great win today. Any win is good in the Championship. Especially after a loss.
Up the 'Borough!
First half was scrappy but we never looked as if we would concede a goal. Second half, Derby gave it a go and had some half chances. The substitutions were absolutely right. Roberts hadn't really found space to run into - as Neil Maddison said in commentary, he was caught between a midfield role and a free forward role. Watmore is still finding his legs. He worked hard and will be a lot better for the game. When they came on, Spence and Johnson were extremely good - quite surprisingly good in fact - and we suddenly found a way forward.
However, the success of the team is still built on the superb organisation of the defence with Fry, McNair and Howson chopping off everything and Dijksteel and, particularly, Bola having another really good game. On top of that, Saville was everywhere and seems to be getting better and better by the game. Is he our new Grant Leadbitter?
Very strong team performance and one thing is for sure - nobody will find us easy to beat.
UTB
Well three goals for the first time this season and more importantly three points that have lifted Boro up to seventh and just one point outside the top six. When Warnock made that double substitution with half an hour to go, taking off Roberts and Watmore, I thought it was all about game management to protect the 1-0 lead. However both Johnson and particularly Spence were a revelation going forward and indeed it was Marvin who had a role in both goals - the third was a superb strike that was worthy of winning any game. Spence looked like he was fired up and proved to have discovered an end product that he's lacked in recent games. Perhaps the competition for places has made a few rethink.
Although Derby looked like they'll struggle to escape the drop on that performance as the Championship won't allow a team that doesn't work hard to easily win points. Still good performances from our back four and midfield but I'd probably give MOM to Saville as he was putting his body on the line all over the pitch and simply wouldn't be beaten to the ball. Boro back on a winning run!
Just read one of those spooky coincidences that Diego Maradona died at 60 on the 15th anniversary of the death of George Best on 25th November 2005, who was 59.
Interesting game, frustrating at First, but just getting the goal eased the pressure (caused by the defeat on Saturday). Derby are a team that is learning to play in a certain way, and will settle down to be a decent member of the Champ, (which, of course, is not their aim). We seem to be moving on, Roberts, under instructions to cut out the dribbling, was certainly more value for money and may become an important player. Just to prove nothing in particular, Britt scored a difficult goal at the near post (and then some) After missing a chance to be the hero of the evening when bearing down on goal from right of centre, went for the nearpost shot, just missed, Great move. Great shot!