let’s face it PM has always been a class player and I’m sure that Woody has been putting in the extra hours with him and Fry (and hopefully the goalkeepers!) this week in the training ground
I’ll stick to my 2-1
OFB
I am sure you are correct about Woody and the defence. I just hope that he is doing something different as based upon our clean sheet record, what they have been doing is not working. I also acknowledge what you say about PM, but he is not an upgrade or an equivalent of DL in that position in my view.
Fingers crossed that your prediction is correct although I would be happy to settle for a scrappy 1-0 which we must be due sooner or later. I am getting a bit tired and can't get used to these comfortable wins and lack of nailbighting finishes/late goals! 😉😎
Thanks to everyone for your support. I don’t want to go into too much detail, suffice to state that the news was devastating at the time, although I suppose that in view of my age and the fact that I have survived not only prostate cancer now for more than 13 years but with my other health problems, I should be grateful that I’ve been able to visit so many new places during that time and had the finance to do so. Also so grateful for all the support from my friends at Age UK Teesside branch and neighbours who have done the shopping for me since I have been housebound for the last couple of years. Thanks.
Just like KP I am uneasy about the Millwall game, mind you I've always been uneasy about any Millwall game, if there's a team to spoil the party it's Milwall and they enjoy and relish doing it too. Hopefully Mr Carrick has refocussed the squad away from the Brighton result and they are totally on their game and this game. I'm not going for a prediction just don't concede Boro and score a couple.
I know we're down a defender but I'm sure his replacement will desperate to impress. I lost one of my midfield Terriers yesterday, poor old Barney, my avatar, had to be put to sleep at just over 17 and a half years old. It's strange how big the space is that's left behind. Boy is it quiet, he was the only Jack Russell we've had who never drew blood from me!
Come on Boro cheer me up.
UTB,
John
@john-richardson. Sorry to hear about losing Barney. Sounds like he had a good innings given his age and a good life I am sure as part of the Richardson family.
Fingers crossed that Boro can alleviate some of your pain. 😎
Sorry to hear about Barney, John. I know from your posts on here how much he meant to you. There's nothing quite like a walk in the country with a Jack Russell, so I know how much you will miss him.
Thanks KP and Len, He just went suddenly downhill on Wednesday, got all wobbly with his back legs so it was time for the Vet. Thankfully she agreed with the decision hard though it was. I have to admit I was destroyed. That was a lot of years of unquestioning friendship.
UTB,
John
@john-richardson So sorry to hear about Barney. It is often the back legs that give in first. We had a 18-year-old sheltie that one day was not able to walk. And he meant everything for my daughter (then 26).
Take care of your health. I hope you find another terrier to accommondate your other terrier for the walks in Norfolk.
Talking about terriers, I see that George Saville will return to Riverside today. I hope our young midfield terrier in Hayden Hackney will be quicker and more aggressive than Saville, an old dog.
Hence I hope at least a narrow win for the Mighty Boro by 1-0. Up the Boro!
@john-richardson Sorry to hear about Barney. People who don't live with pets don't understand just how huge a part of your life they become.
This feels a bit like the start of the next step for the Carrick Evolution. We've had an initial honeymoon but the last 4 matches have been 2 wins and 2 losses. The losses against Burnley and Brighton show how we need to improve. We've now got matches coming up against 6th, 8th and 4th in the league. These are teams who can look at how Burnley and Brighton beat us, and aim to repeat the approach. Especially Mowbray at Sunderland who showed the league how to beat Wilder's Boro last season.
If we come out of this spell with 6 points or more, then we are looking the real deal. It does seem more likely that we'll end up with something like 4 points (w, l, d). That won't be the end of the world but it will show that we still have a way to go. Any less than that will be disappointing but we are due are poor run at some point.
I feel reasonably confident. I suspect Millwall would be happy with a draw while we will be looking to make a statement with a win.
Thank you, believe me I know how your daughter felt. Jack Russells aybe a small breed but they are gifted with a huge personality, in fact the farmer said Barney thought he was as big as a barn, we have some great memories. I also agree with your comments about Milwall.
Here's hoping for some incisive and fruitful football from Boro.
UTB,
John
@john-richardson - I reccognise that losing a pet who has been with you for many years will feel like losing a close family member. Many sympathies. Boro winning might lighten the mood somewhat.
Having said which, Millwall is a very decent team that many predict will be in the play-offs at the end of the season, so today's game will be difficult. Finger's crossed...
And I like the phrase used by deleriad, above. It's not a Revolution under Michael Carrick but an Evolution. Not just one gigantic change of direction, where the crew of the boat has been jettisoned, but an occasional gentle touch on the tiller, one or two alterations here and there, each of which might not be a game changer but which, when taken together, steadies the ship and makes it easier for the crew to operate efficiently so that future improvements can be added seamlessly. It doesn't depend on today's result (though that would help!) but I have the feeling that we now have a good man-manager in charge and one who can read the charts like a Master Mariner. But again, fingers crossed as I don't want to jinx anything.
The last skipper Boro had on the tiller sailed pretty close to the wind creating turbulence and brewing up a few storms.
Fortunately for the fans he met up with hurricane Gibson who emptied his sails and burst his bubble and made him walk the plank.
Hopefully there will be no mutiny and we shall see the bounty of promotion to the Premiership sailing into the sunset!
OFB
@forever-dormo I think that the days of wild swings in form (and results) are over. One of the talents most in demand in the game is reliability and steadiness, as all fans know and value, even performances are the gold dust of the game, as they should be.
No Rodrigo Muniz or Isaiah Jones on the bench.
Otherwise same eleven staring as last weekend.
Up the Boro!
McNair retained, Archer & Hoppe on the bench:
We have played the way we normally do - so well done. We could have scored a couple and have had a lot of possesion.
So normal play resumed after the Brighton set back.
First half, we had 70% of the possesion. But we need to score. Usually, we play even better in the second half. Up the Boro!
We have played the way we normally do - so well done. We could have scored a couple and have had a lot of possesion.
So normal play resumed after the Brighton set back.
First half, we had 70% of the possesion. But we need to score. Usually, we play even better in the second half. Up the Boro!
Vic's assessment of the first half:
HT: 0-0. Boro bossing it. Bright start, lively finish. Lots of patient passing, picking & probing and a few fluid flashes. Two good efforts, several almost moments & nearly forced an OG. They’ve had 1 shot from distance & header over. Plenty of time. It’ll come
1-0 - Forss bags his fifth goal of the season in the 54th minute.
1-0 - Forss bags his fifth goal of the season in the 54th minute.
Boro currently up to third, ahead of Luton on GD, but the Hatters have played one game fewer.
Boro’s development striker progressing nicely.
Did so well to get to Howson’s ball and outmuscle the defender. Deserved the lucky ricochet back to him because of that. Confident left-footed finish.
Gerrin.
Archer on for Forss in the 72nd minute, Watmore for Crooks in the 77th following an injury (Crooks also booked for hand ball just before half-time).
1-0. At last! A clean sheet!
Yellows: Boro 2 Millwall 4!
The game played out exactly as it appeared it would.
Millwall direct, organised, physical and determined but lacking in quality and the killer touch.
Boro classy at times, dominating the ball and filling awkward spaces to defend against. Not many big chances created but we took the only one we needed. And took it well.
Fair play to McNair. I’m not a fan of his unless playing in a back three but he showed up really well today.
Blimey - a clean sheet!
From the Beeb:
FULL-TIME
Middlesbrough 1-0 Millwall
Marcus Forss' second-half strike makes it four straight league wins for Boro, who move up to fourth [because Watford won & Luton lost] in the Championship.
It's also seven wins in eight for Michael Carrick's men, who are real promotion contenders on this form.
Millwall's four-match unbeaten run comes to and end.
Enjoyed the match, few grumbles around me about slow build up, if this is the way Carrick wants us to play so be it. Few heart in mouth moments with our passing across the back but e got away with it.
Brighton 3 Liverpool 0. Puts last weekend into perspective.
Great result today to keep us moving up.
@powmillnaemore A good comment about the Brighton match.
BTW, Dael Fry was making his 200th appearance for his hometown club, Boro. Has he played that long? I needed to google his age.
Dael was born in Middlesbrough on the 30th August 1997 - so he is 25 now. Up the Boro!
No Rodrigo Muniz or Isaiah Jones on the bench.
@stircrazy Carrick has shown that he is ruthless. If your standards drop you get dropped. It is the other side of supportive management.
I think Jones will come back stronger. This is his first real down swing since he joined us. It is possible that he'll just fade away, Alan Moore style. I don't think so; I think he's got some steel in there and will come out of this.