Even for those die-hards on Teesside who often prefer to view the world through their vintage rose-tinted spectacles, life for Boro supporters appears to have more than just an optimistically pink tinge to it at the moment. OK, this rare burning glimmer of hope that has unexpectedly illuminated the season is perhaps not quite as persuasively pink as the 'ember glow' branded Chelsea third kit - which I'm legally obliged to state is officially described as light red.
However, another victory on Saturday may possibly encourage the trademarking of 'Warnock Wild Orchid' or even 'Play-off Puce' as the preferred colour of choice for viewing the table. Though, before we get too carried away from our recent mundane monochrome existence, there's a small matter of negotiating a fixture against those Tricky Trees, where three points are seldom expected to be garnered - indeed Boro haven't won any of their last four against Forest with just five victories out of the last 20 encounters.
A few weeks ago this fixture was perhaps looking a lot less daunting than usual as the East Midlands club were struggling under Sabri Lamouchi after opening the campaign with four straight defeats. Perhaps not the start many had expected for a team who only just missed out on the play-offs but it was similar form to how last season ended as Forest threw away a top-six finish after failing to win any of their last six games. So after ten games without a win it was goodbye Lamouchi and instead hello to the Championship-experienced Chris Hughton, who had been without a club since being sacked by Brighton back in May 2019.
The now 61-year old Republic of Ireland man has steadied the ship on the Trent and is so far unbeaten in his four games with a win and three draws - though it's been a binary set of results with a 1-0 and the rest being 1-1. A lack of goals would seem to indicate that this weekend's fixture may well follow the tight pattern of Boro games so far this term and it may well be one that requires patience for both players and online viewers alike.
Talking of a lack of goals, Boro captain Britt Assombalonga finally opened his account this season against the Sky Blues after being put through on goal by Sam Morsy late in the game. It was in fact a landmark goal that made him Boro's leading scorer this century with 43 as he moved clear of Mark Viduka. Although, some in the local media have gone further and given him the accolade of not just being the club's top marksman this century but rather superlatively of this millennium too.
For the eternally optimistic Boro faithful looking forward to a thousand years of Boro goals, I should perhaps remind everyone that the longevity of such a record may be short-lived given we're only just two percent into that particularly eon - especially as the club itself has not yet existed for 150 years. However, the battle to become the most prolific striker of the last 20 years has perhaps not been the most keenly contested competition witnessed on Teesside.
Nevertheless, it was an important strike that was beginning to appear like it was never going to come and put Boro on their way to three valuable points, which would likely have been viewed as something of a setback if they hadn't been banked against a struggling side. Scoring is still the main issue facing Neil Warnock's team but he was at least boosted by the news that striker Chuba Akpom has tested negative for Covid and only has a heavy cold so he could feature at the weekend - though his team-mates will probably be wise to opt against hugs and kisses should he score!
The selection issues for the Boro manager will possibly once again revolve around tinkering with his wing-backs or even full-backs should he opt for a back four. Bola should return on the left as neither Tav not Spence looked comfortable in that role against Coventry. Otherwise, most of the team is still picking itself as options are limited with Grant Hall now not likely to be fit until after the international break.
So Boro go into the game in a positive frame of mind after rising to second in the six-game form table and unbeaten since that 1-0 opening defeat at Watford. Perhaps the the prospects of a promotion campaign can no longer be deemed as rose-tinted and even Neil Warnock now fancies his team's chances this year - it seems a change of manager has revived the patient and Warnock's team are now looking in the pink of health!
Ah Werder, thank you for another colourful opening... blue, red, pink, whatever next....I could sing a rainbow!
Forest up next then and, as you point out our recent history against them is not good. But, not only is it autumn, so as the tricky trees shed their leaves, their branches open up and the route is clear for the Boro. It is also All Hallows Eve tomorrow, so a good time for the team to celebrate with the spirits of Ayresome goal fests past and to harem scarem them into submission.
I am optimistic. With Apkom back beside Britt, and him having remembered where the net is, I think he will impress against his old club. A brace for Brit, with one apiece for Apkom and Robert's. 4 to 1 for the Boro.
CoB
Thanks Werder. You’ve tickled us pink with your opener as the Boro rise like a salmon up the Championship stream.
That said, I think this one has got 0-0 written all over it. Highlighted in pink, of course.
Thanks Werder for a bright and colourful pre match opener.
It's a ⚽️ - ⚽️ for me on the basis it's worked so far. I am conscious, however, that the Trees have to win sooner or later and given our poor record against them and that our unbeaten run has to come to an end I am feeling uneasy about tomorrow. CoB 😎
Thanks Werder for another splendid opener.
I'll be interested to see what Hughton has done for Forest in the short tome he's had, as I'd touted him as a possible replacement and more creative option for Pulis before Woodgate's appointment.
Forest were my second team for many seasons during the glorious Clough years when I worked and lived in Nottingham, so I still have a soft spot for them. And you're right our record against them over the years has been dire. Even before Clough's arrival when Forest were in the lower reaches of the old Second Division and playing terrible stuff they still managed to beat Jack Charlton's all-conquering Boro heroes 5-1.
So for me any kind of win will do. I'll try to emulate my 2-0 prediction from last Tuesday with a streaky 2-1 for tomorrow.
A bit off topic, but I’ve just seen that Nobby Stiles has died. Another one of the ‘66 team gone.
Steady on there, Forest are in what is known as, New manager romance, and they are powerful things, the non tryers try, and the non strikers strike. It may not last long, but while it reigns, watch out.
Werder, thank you for highlighting some of the desperate strips that we see but they are at least cheerful, anyway since I'm feeling in the pink about Boro I think Forest's run will come to an end tomorrow and I'm going for 2 - 1 to the Boro. Boro's glass is brimming with confidence and there appears to be some real self belief in the side and I cannot see Boro losing.
Right, it is now time for my medication and after that outburst the nurse had better double up on the dose, draw the curtains and not open them until Sunday morning.
Stay safe everyone, particularly Ken and OFB.
UTB,
John
So much about struggling to beat Coventry I see they burst the Reading bubble by 3-2 tonight.
Come on BORO.
Thanks Werdermouth for the witty introduction, though although I’d rather be in the pink than in the red financially speaking, both Boro and Forest’s home strip is actually red though never sure in Boro’s case what shade of red. Apparently there are 100 shades of red including carmine, carnation, cerise, cherry, claret, cochineal, coral, crimson, fuschia, garnet, henna, magenta, maroon, mulberry, pink, plum, pomegranate, puce, raspberry, rose, ruby, salmon, scarlet, strawberry, vermilion and wine most of these can be discounted in Boro’s case.
Anyway if one considers blood red and the fact it is hallowe’en, in the last decade Boro have won all three matches played on the the 31st October and in the two of those played at the Riverside didn’t concede a goal either. I also remember in my National Service days watching Boro beating Forest 4-0 away with Brian Clough scoring a hat trick so my memories of Boro v Forest matches are happier than most. Now all this superstitious nonsense can have no bearing on today’s result, or can it remembering Roald Dahl’s ‘Tales of the Unexpected’ ?
Thanks Ken and glad to see you're feeling fit enough to post - though a hundred shades of red sounds like it could be the title of a sado-masochist novel about life following Boro...
btw Hopefully the game today is not too scary and Boro ghost into the top six!
Let’s hope for Ghouls galore as the trickies treat us to lots of chances when the Boro strikers come knocking.
Brit to haunt his old club...
4-1
Decided to do the Saturday shop earlier than usual, went to the butcher first but it was closed for some reason so went to the supermarket and that was also closed. All very strange and began to wonder if we'd gone into a lockdown so rang Mrs Werder to ask if she'd heard anything - she asked me what the date was and then suddenly remembered it's a public holiday today. Why is there a public holiday for Halloween I wondered but of course it's also Reformation Day, which was introduced as a public holiday in northern Germany three years ago to commemorate the 500th anniversary of 1517 and the publication of the Ninety-five Theses by Luther. At least I've got enough beer to last the weekend but looks like it will be some improvised meals this weekend!
Improvised meals Werder?
Would that be a Diet of Worms then?
Very good but not unless I'm convinced of my error - btw I wasn't alone as the local radio station has been broadcasting from a Bremen supermarket carpark to chat to everyone who has turned up wondering why the shops are closed!
@ken You mentioned Brian Clough.
Did you see his mate, Lindy Delapenha, play? I have read about him earlier and now there was a story about him in here :
https://www.mfc.co.uk/news/blackhistorymonth-the-legacy-of-lindy-delapenha
Up the Boro!
Thanks for the review Werder you’ve really shaded this one and with a tint of magic!
You’ve got the whole spectrum and colour of the event to be played out this afternoon but and I mean but I’m not too hopeful of a good game this afternoon in the wind and the rain with no crowd to urge the players on.
Two good managers to face each other this afternoon and tactically will probably cancel each other out.
ive posted on rumours of players of a striker who has been training at Rockliffe all week have a look and see who it is.
Thanks again Werder and I’ll go for the eyeballs 👀 in the sky for today’s result.
⚽️⚽️
OFB
Thanks OFB - I can't say I'm expecting a high-scoring treat today but the trick may be for Boro to score first.
btw Saw your post on the striker that's been training with Boro but at just 5 foot 9 inches he probably sounds more of winger - plus he hasn't scored that many goals with just six in the last seven years. Do we need another wide player or can he play as a striker? He sounds like someone who was a promising young prospect who has lost his way - maybe Warnock can get him back on track!
Just before the team is announced, I wouldn't be surprised to see Wing given a start today.
Well, there are a couple of surprise starters but it's not Wing - Wood is one and it seems Fry is injured as he's not even on the bench - the other is Coulson, who starts instead of Roberts - plus Bola returns as expected. Could be a 4-3-3 but you can never tell and a back three may be less risky without Fry.
Well, I doubt that anyone forecast that team. Bola, Tavernier and Coulson all in the starting eleven. What do we reckon? Tav at right wing back? It’s a bench with some options on it.
I suppose a draw wouldn’t be the worst result but it would be nice to think that we can sneak another win with Britt scoring again.
UTB
I'm probably leaning towards 4-3-3 as a back three would probably mean Coulson supporting Britt in attack.
Prediction: I'm still not convinced that Boro are ready to score many and Forest have been tight under Hughton so I'll hope for a 1-0 win.
Interesting line up hope wood can settle down and Coulson step up to the mark.
it was inevitable that we would have injured players with so many games to play
come on Boro
OFB
@werdermouth yes he’s a winger but had rave performances while playing in the premiership
I seem to recall NW considering playing Coulson as a No 10 at one time recently. Perhaps it’s something they’ve been trying in training. Interesting....
You’re probably right. It could even be a 4-3-3 with Coulson and Tav both getting forward on the wings and Saville from midfield. Another example of how much NW has added flexibility to the squad without losing the basic structure