Strange to say the least. He's been told he's not good enough, to find another club, speak to your agent then he's expected to put a shift. I'm surprised he was even on the bench.
Whatever the psychology it didn't work, somewhat ridiculous I think.
UTB,
John
Yes, the Akpom the substitution was a very strange choice. I can only think that NW thought he had a bit more pace than Coburn going up some tired legs.
Despite the result and the disappointment at missing a real opportunity for a win, there were plenty of positives from the game.
Going forward we looked as good as we have in quite a few seasons and you'd have to think that will only improve as Tavernier returns, Jones (hopefully) gains more experience and Ikpeazu and Crooks continue to settle in. That front four looks a handful on paper at this level.
The fullbacks continue to impress as well and we look to have nailed down those slots with Bola and Djiksteel, whilst in normal circumstances Fry and Hall ought to be a reliable pairing.
Strange really, that after most of us felt central midfield was the one area where we were well stocked that it's that area that looks unsettled.
Still, there's definitely something to build on.
Really disappointed with the way the team performed against 10 men in the 2nd half last night ( I will exclude Issiah Jones MOM). Especially disappointed with McNair and in what universe is Akpom the answer
Sad really, but I think it’s time to cash in on Dael Fry.
One of lifes mysteries, the decision by Warnock to put Akpom on. It really was 10 against 10.
Regardless of who is fit and who is available for Derby I would hope that Akpom is left out of the squad as it was clear last night that he has already emotional departed.
I can't say I blame him after the disparaging comments made by his Manager but I can't understand why he would be included other than a forlorn hope that he might have impressed in a short cameo and secured a move away. Seemed all very desperate to me.
Many good posts, lads and lasses, accurately summing up the game. I would add two further comments:-
After Crooks equalised at 2-2 (and what a goal that was, by the way!), I thought Boro lost their heads. Suddenly, we began rushing round like headless chickens, as if we thought we had only a minute or so left in the game, when in fact there was plenty of time. I said to my neighbour that we needed to calm down. We just appeared to lose our discipline and our shape. Sure enough, two minutes later, QPR scored their third. No way back from that.
Secondly, whilst I appreciate that our focus here is on Boro, quite rightly, I’m very surprised that none of you has mentioned QPR’s disgusting time-wasting antics. We’ve all seen sides do it for many years, including Boro, but I can honestly say I have never seen any side - not even some of the South American teams - take it to the extent Rangers did. I was really hoping that they would get their come-uppance when the ref awarded 10 minutes of added time. That was only what they deserved for spoiling the game so badly. Sadly, Boro couldn’t take advantage. What irks me even more is that QPR are obviously a fine side, passing and retaining the ball slickly. But after last night they have become one of my most-detested teams and I hope they go down.
@clive-hurren. Regrettably QPR are no different than any other side in the league as far as time wasting/running down the clock is concerned. It is difficult to be critical when Boro have also made a fine art of it under NW.
What did surprise me was their physicality, virtually from the start they committed a series of fouls and it was surprising that only one of them ended up being double yellowed. 😎
I just lost a long post replying to whether to cash in on Fry (I think I got logged out by my Browser and the posting failed).
Anyway, the gist was that much will depend on whether a club makes a serious offer that could be deemed a reasonable valuation and whether Fry himself was open to the move. If the club said no and Fry wanted to go then there's always the risk he'll struggle with his head and not play at his best.
Fry currently has two years left on his contract so he's probably at his maximum value and at the end of the season will be entering his final year and could end up seeing out his contract like Ayala and leaving on a free if the club are not careful.
Clubs like Southampton always managed to sell their home-grown players at the top of the market and brought through the next crop to replace them. Boro should seriously think about doing the same and perhaps make sure Nathan Wood is ready to step into the gap.
OK, if the aim is promotion then Fry is a key player but only if he's on his game. Unfortunately, clubs sometimes have to make decisions they'd rather not make and if a serious offer is made then it may be hard to say no on the gamble of promotion this season as funding another Championship campaign will be tricky.
We should also consider that Ben Gibson made his reputation playing in front of keepers like Dimi, Randolph and Given with defensive shielding from Leadbitter and Clayton. How will the value of Fry hold up this season playing in front of Lumley with a waning Howson and McNair shielding the defence?
Perhaps it's a decision that will wait until January but nevertheless it's a decision that will need making at some point.
Just to add on the Fry issue - I read that it's now 13 games since Boro have kept a clean sheet - that's not a reputation builder for any centre-half!
I agree that Boro seemed to lose composure given how much time they had to score a winner after equalising at 2-2. We need a midfielder who can get hold of the ball and boss the game - a leader who points and shouts and makes sure people are focused - a bit like Leadbitter use to do. Howson as a captain seems too quiet as is McNair - I thought Warnock was keen on having leaders on the pitch but other than Bamba there's been no sign of bringing one in. I think Boro need a big figure in midfield to dictate the play if they are to mount a serious promotion challenge - not sure who though!
I see Warnock has been criticised for arguing with the referee and was disrespectful.
If refs want to pose around in short sleeves and built up muscles saying look at me they deserve criticism if they don’t do the job.
Terrible decision to book Jones as he clearly got the ball first.
All three officials missed the head butt so it could have been 9 men.
Very poor
OFB
@redcarred Please keep in mind that Akpom has not trained for ten days as per COVID-19 isolations. Not his fault he was ordered to play yesterday. I would have preferred Coburn but wasn't he also isolating a bit earlier.
Tricky to a manager now at Boro with a lot of situations dictacting who will play or not. Up the Boro!
Clubs like Southampton always managed to sell their home-grown players at the top of the market and brought through the next crop to replace them. Boro should seriously think about doing the same and perhaps make sure Nathan Wood is ready to step into the gap.
This is the key thing. If we are prepared to sell players like Fry and Tav when they are at the top of their market value we need to have a replacement ready to step in who won't weaken the team. We could have done that with Fry stepping in for Gibson if Pulis hadn't blown most of the fee on Flint. Right now, Wood doesn't look ready to replace Fry and there's no obvious replacement for Tav. (I can see why we're looking at van Bergen because he's a right winger and could fill in for Tav there: same with Olusanya.)
I hope that a big part of Scott's appointment is about managing this progression. If we don't get promoted this year I do expect Fry and Tav to move on. The year after that if Bola and Dijksteel progress, they may be at their peak value.
I don't have a problem with that approach but it only works if you have gold class recruitment and a gold class academy along with a manager who buys into the process.
I bet nothing can be done retrospectively about Carlie Austin's head butt. Where's Brian Philips or Dickie Rooks when you need them? The ref didn't see it?
UTB,
John
The QPR player should be suspended and the ref should officiate his next game at the Riverside starkers or apologise over the PA system from the centre circle.
After watching the highlights and seeing the Austin headbutt, does anyone think the EFL has enough about them to take retrospective action.
Come on BORO.
@redcarred Please keep in mind that Akpom has not trained for ten days as per COVID-19 isolations. Not his fault he was ordered to play yesterday. I would have preferred Coburn but wasn't he also isolating a bit earlier.
Tricky to a manager now at Boro with a lot of situations dictacting who will play or not. Up the Boro!
I haven't trained for over thirty years but I reckon I could have huffed and puffed a little more 🙂
Exmil, somehow I doubt it but I'm prepared to be amazed. What about the referees panel as well? I see that some referee's charity is ranting about Mr Warnock's behaviour too. Smokescreen and defensive fire I think.
UTB,
John
Exmil, somehow I doubt it but I'm prepared to be amazed. What about the referees panel as well? I see that some referee's charity is ranting about Mr Warnock's behaviour too. Smokescreen and defensive fire I think.
UTB,
John
Problem for me with Warnock in this is that two wrongs don't make a right and any "influencing" he may have wanted was long gone as the game had already finished.
He should have made his point in his after match interview where he could have raised the issues of Jones being booked, Ikpeazu being bundled over in the box and the obvious headbutt and shaking his head asking how a Manager is supposed to manage those things.
His point would have been well made with the Press hearing every detail to report. No doubt he may have been called into question by the FA but he could have simply said he wasn't being disrespectful just asking honest open questions that fans would also have been asking. Job done, damage inflicted and point well made. Then before the next game where an Official or the Opponents themselves may have "previous" with regards to Boro he can mention it in passing the same way that Fergie, Mourinho or Wenger would sow seeds before a ball was kicked.
Didn’t see that result coming. A team scoring two goals wouldn’t expect to lose.
Whilst the emphasis has been on getting attacking players , any team which hasn’t kept a clean sheet for 13 games has a problem defending.
I seem to remember that last season the team conceded very few goals in the early part of the season but towards the end of the season we’re conceding too many soft goals.
This season has started where last season finished.
Whilst there was a clear head butt I have to say it does NW and M.F.C. no favours to see him ranting and raving at the referee as he is leaving the field.
I’d much prefer him and the Club to do through the official channels to complain. I’m also left with the impression that NW sometimes does this to deflect criticism from him and the team when they play badly , or, in this case make basic defending mistakes.
Hopefully the defending will improve for the next game.
As for the result, I’ve no idea which way the game is likely to go.
Philip of Huddersfield
Fully agree, RR. There is a way to air your frustrations and from what I saw, Warnock got it wrong.
Sure, Jones' yellow card wasn't even a foul and ultimately did lead to QPR's equaliser and the headbutt was missed by the officials so the manager had a right to be frustrated, angry even, but there's a line that shouldn't be crossed and a basic amount of respect that should be shown to anyone (almost). I couldn't hear what Warnock was saying but the obvious shouting and finger-pointing looked disrespectful to me and did him and our club no favours in my view.
Mistakes or poor performances generally come about through a lack of skill or a lack of will. If someone isn't trying then a rollicking can be one way to address it if you think the recipient will respond in the right way to that kind of "conversation". Shouting at someone who lacks competency will achieve nothing. I don't think Warnock was questioning the ref's level of effort and was really just taking out his frustration which is poor of a man of his experience.
Ultimately, whilst those refereeing decisions affected the game they didn't cost Boro three points. What did was how open we were through the middle and how easily QPR got at our centre-halves. If Warnock feels the need to rant and rave at someone it should perhaps have been himself.
@exmil it's
Unfortunately we haven't a clue about running a game, as they had played every trick in the book(and then some) it seems obvious that when you are head butted you go down, backward! You must be clear that the ref must know you have been head butted, and that you are hurt, so you stay down. Ref's want to be lovely people, so if you tell him that 'it was nothing ref' he will quote you to the press. They had a policy of taking out anyone who was going to hurt them, even when they were on a yellow! We looked like scoring so he grassed our player, he will have got away with it many times. We haven't a mean bone in our body, and whilst we are on the subject, can we stop this wild celabration. When we score,
Didn’t see that result coming. A team scoring two goals wouldn’t expect to lose.
Whilst the emphasis has been on getting attacking players , any team which hasn’t kept a clean sheet for 13 games has a problem defending.
I seem to remember that last season the team conceded very few goals in the early part of the season but towards the end of the season we’re conceding too many soft goals.
This season has started where last season finished.Whilst there was a clear head butt I have to say it does NW and M.F.C. no favours to see him ranting and raving at the referee as he is leaving the field.
I’d much prefer him and the Club to do through the official channels to complain. I’m also left with the impression that NW sometimes does this to deflect criticism from him and the team when they play badly , or, in this case make basic defending mistakes.
Hopefully the defending will improve for the next game.
As for the result, I’ve no idea which way the game is likely to go.Philip of Huddersfield
Spot on analysis Phillip, particularly relating to the defending and the way in which last season has continued into this one with goals conceded, erratic displays and poor defending.
I also agree about NW using deflection tactics to cover up poor displays/basic mistakes and that his actions could end up with a disrepute charge if he continues.
In the end his rantings will get ignored and put us at a disadvantage when we have a genuine case. 😎
I think it was said in the commentary that if the referee didn't mention the incident in his report (i.e. he didn't see it) then the EFL could take retrospective action if it was brought to their attention. If the referee merely judged it as a coming together then that would be the end of the matter (i.e. he saw it). All a bit of nonsense really to avoid undermining officials whether they were right or wrong.
Surprised you didn't mention his hair cut as well. you would never have seen George Courtney or Pat Partridge with a haircut like that. Just seen that Warburton thought that the penalty was ridiculous so he wasn't happy with the ref either.
i knew Pat Partridge very well and he gave me a set of his yellow and red cards which he signed for me.
A lovely guy, great referee and a great raconteur who was great as after dinner speaking
OFB
My parents met him on a cruise and he gave them red and yellow cards which I still have
it was his trademark giving red and yellow cards away (even if you didn’t want them !)
OFB