@ken. I agree it is right to condemn the mindless vandals who attacked Rob’s transport but I think it is unfair to blame Cas supporters until such time as the culprits are apprehended.
Whilst your assumption may in fact be correct, the perpetrators may also not have any association with the club at all.
I think it would have been be fairer on all Cas supporters to have withheld your suspicions until they are confirmed or not as the case may be. In the event that it was Cas supporters then they should be named and shamed. 😎
I finished the six continuous weeks of radiotherapy last week but apparently the effects can continue for two or three weeks as the treatment continues to work. Now it's just a case of believing each day is better and easier than the one before.
I wonder if it helps control 'Boro nerves'? I'll let you know...
UTB,
John
That empty seat in the West Stand Upper is me though I am there in spirit as my season ticket means I am counted in the full house!
Boro 1 - 0 Forss from Watmore cross
The commentary sounded like, although we have had 63% possession, Wigan have too often had chances to shoot, though only one on target so far. Another Boro goal(s) please early in the second half.
My wish came true. Boro 2 - 0 Akpom
My wish came true. Boro 2 - 0 Akpom
That's Akpom into double figures for the season. 🙂
Vic's view:
Great goal. A superb well weighted pass by Hackney through a gap let Giles skip behind and square for goal machine Chuba Akpom to score his 7th goal in 10 games. (2-0, 49 mins)
Mowatt on for Howson at the start of the second half, JH having been injured at the end of the first.
I did ask for goal(s). 3 - 0 Akpom
Goal for Wigan! Good thing we had scored the third.
Akpom gets a second in the 59th minute to make it 3-0. 🙂
Akpom gets his second in the 59th minute to make it 3-0. 🙂
Hackney involved again - as seen by Vic:
Hackney ball in clips a defender but CHUBA AKPOM reacts to adjust his run and slot an angled effort home (3-0, 60 mins
That said, the Latics pull one back two minutes later:
Aasgaard scoops home at the far post after a deep cross sails over the entire defence. Consolation. (3-1, 62 mins
McGree now on for Watmore.
Akpom again! Boro 4 - 1. I wish I had been there. Maybe I should have stayed in a hotel over Christmas
Hat-trick for Akpom, who restores the three-goal advantage in 90+3, from a Giles cross. 🙂
Vic's view:
Giles plays a one-two with McGree on the left then floats in a cross for goal machine CHUBA AKPOM to complete his hat-trick. That's 9 in 12 now. (4-1, 90+1)
Boro now 10th with 33 points from 24 games & a GD of +5.
Again from Vic:
FT: 4-1. Ruthless. Efficient. Entertaining. Boro put Burnley blip behind them with an emphatic dismantling of woeful Wigan. Chuba hat-trick. Some superb passing & movement. Defended well when needed. Merry Bloody Christmas
And an interesting stat that'll save everyone from having to search the old memory banks:
Akpom's hat-trick was the first since Patrick Bamford Beast From The East rampage against Leeds in March 2018
Impressed with Hackney today and a goal every two matches Akpom
Akpom again! Boro 4 - 1. I wish I had been there. Maybe I should have stayed in a hotel over Christmas
Disappointed you couldn't get to see, but we won
@john-richardson I hope the 4-1 win today has been good therapy for you John 😊
Great result but a shame about the 2.00am kickoff. I couldn’t quite manage that. It comes across as the perfect Christmas present after the disappointing last half hour at Burnley.
I hope that everyone had a happy and safe Christmas and I wish you all a great 2023. To those struggling with illness, all the very best for the new year and, hopefully, a bit of Boro success will help us all feel better.
Thanks to all of the Diasbloggers and best wishes from Sydney where it’s a nice warm 25degrees (centigrade that is :).
utb
@john-richardson I hope the 4-1 win today has been good therapy for you John 😊
Yes, all the best wishes to John. Take care and enjoy the result.
Life is nice with Boro at the moment. Let's enjoy it as long as it continues. But above all, take care of yourself, John. Up the Boro!
Only Burnley and Sheffield Utd hve scored more than Boro this season. And Akpom is the top scorer in the Championship.
I think we have averaged about 2 points per a match since we have had super Michael Carrick on board. Happy days. Up the Boro!
A very enjoyable match yesterday with some good football played, especially the passing and interplay between players which was a joy to watch, coupled with four well taken goals.
Forss had his best game since arriving and Mowatt his best half in a Boro shirt.
Hackney would have been my man of the match had he not been pipped by Akpom's deserved hattrick.
We shouldn't get carried away as Wigan are a poor side and will do well if they avoid relegation. Having got ourselves up to 10th the hard part starts now as we need to start beating teams above us; we have played all nine above us but only managed two wins and one draw with six defeats. Most of these games were before MC arrived, which I believe bodes well for a turn around in fortunes against the sides above us.
Let's hope that we can start improving that record on Thursday, with a win at Blackburn. CoB 😎
Powmill and Jarrko,
A great result, in fact a Boxing Day treat despite the Wigan consolation goal due to a little ball watching and snoozing at the far post.
Never mind I finally had a beer to celebrate. I may have to have another today to celebrate celebrating.
UTB,
John
I agree with your analysis in that last post, KP, especially regarding MoM, Hackney, Akpom and Mowatt. Hackney had a brilliant game - I think we already have Howson’s replacement when Jonny does finally retire!
Marcus Forss also had the best game I’ve seen him play. I also thought Hoppe had a good few minutes at the end, offering a bit more drive than Jones had given us. Isaiah got some pelters on Radio Tees after the game; I did think he was our least effective player, particularly going forward, but I am impressed with the amount of defensive covering he does. It was noticeable that if Tommy Smith went forward, Isaiah filled in for him at the back.
I also agree that we shouldn’t get carried away after this good and entertaining win. Wigan got into our box and into strong shooting positions far too often, especially first half: we could have been a couple of goals down before Forss struck. Amazingly, as Jarkko said, we are the third highest scorers in the league, after Burnley and Sheffield United, who, of course, occupy the top two positions. Unfortunately, we have also conceded the most goals of any side in the top 14. MC and Jonathan Woodgate definitely have more work to do to tighten us up at the back.
Still, am I a happy bunny? You bet! UTB.
Well, folks, that was an enjoyable Boxing Day present, wasn't it?
A full stadium apart from the empty blocks surrounding the Wigan supporters. The weather was kind. An open game and a 4-1 win! A really excellent performance from Hayden Hackney (I find it difficult to believe he was rubbish 4 months ago but that he has suddenly beccome an accomplished player since then. Was CW actually watching the players in training or was he blind? I mean - it's not as if MFC is a club awash with talented players who look as if they've graced the field for seasons despite their lack of previous appearances). Giles looked good going forward. The two centre backs looked good and, of course, Duncan Whatmore and Chuba Akpom are more than a handful for Championship defences. So good to see a Boro hat-trick as the cherry on the cake.
Wigan created some chances and although they are 2nd bottom in the table at present, I didn't agree with Dana Malt on BBC Tees that they are a poor team. I don't think our manager agreed, either. I thought their goal was a good one.
It was, all in all, a good afternoon and a very pleasant way to spend a couple of hours. Let's hope we can carry on in the same vein at Blackburn at a game which I THINK may be covered by SkyTV.