NW pre match presser.
Yes, it is nearly as good as the match itself. Not when he or we win, mind. Up the Boro!
I liked it when NW said football supporters didn’t like him when he was manager of other clubs but loved him when he managed their own clubs !
His mastery of press conferences shows a man who is very content within his own capabilities and I’m enjoying the ride
OFB
I've been absent a few weeks, so have much reading to catch up on.
Thought up this little Christmas themed ditty though and though to share it, even if a little earlier than usual....
The First Neil (to a well known tune)
----------------------------------------
The first that Neil won at Boro this year
Should have been a good cause for the fanbase to cheer
Manager of the month, though the fans all agree
Did destroy the good form of our team rapidly
Ne-il, Ne-il, Ne-il, Ne-il
No more awards till we’re top of the tree
Boro lookèd up and saw Norwich afar
Sitting top of the Championship on level par
But really they’re not far ahead in the mix
And they’ve still got to play more teams in the top six
Ne-il, Ne-il, Ne-il, Ne-il
Let us have more games in which we score three
The festive games give the Boro a chance
To practice more often their victory dance
And all of the clubs that are chasing the dream
Will stumble before us cos we’re the form team
Ne-il, Ne-il, Ne-il, Ne-il
Leading us onwards to victory
Ne-il, Ne-il, Ne-il, Ne-il
Boss of the season most hopefully
As posted on the previous thread, Boro are becoming a bit of a Jekyll and Hyde side in terms of home and away form. The good news is that we face Luton at home.
They ought to be a stiffer test than Millwall but nevertheless I’m backing us to win 2-0 with goals from Watmore (who else?) and one from Britt after he comes off the bench.
No reason to change the line-up.
Another set of results last night that defy all logic with Millwall getting that 2-0 away win that I incorrectly forecast against Boro. Bournemouth struggling to beat Wycombe 1-0 at home after scoring 5 against Huddersfield, and Barnsley now above Boro after a trio of 2-1 wins following that 0-4 home defeat to Bournemouth, not to mention tonight’s opponents beating Preston 3-0 who beat Boro by the same score.
But the lower Leagues threw up some surprises too, with Rochdale losing 4-1 at the weekend then winning 5-0 away to Wigan, Shrewsbury beating both Hull and Lincoln away in successive matches, Sunderland still throwing points away at home following a 4-0 win at Lincoln. In Division 2 who would have envisaged Harrogate after 5 successive defeats in League and Cup matches winning at Exeter who had just walloped an in-form Tranmere? Covid 19 must have something to do with it as some clubs lose players because of this dreadful pandemic whilst other clubs welcome back players recovering from the coronavirus systems.
Neil Warnock is right about warning players to be sensible especially over Christmas and how difficult it is especially living alone when Christmas Day is just another day when one can’t even meet up with one’s family because of covid restrictions. I myself should be used to spending Christmas alone but there was always the first 3 months of the new year to look forward to in the Algarve but I’m too weak now to travel abroad. I’m not complaining or asking for sympathy, (it is what it is) although I’ve been able to avoid coronavirus it’s the lethargy and fatigue due to self-isolation and cancer which becomes more wearing. However I’ve been very lucky to have visited so many places since my wife died, but miss my hobbies of gardening, visiting the theatre and climbing up Roseberry Topping and Cringle Moor, but grateful for the fact that I still have a good singing voice and can sing with my usual gusto when watching Songs of Praise which is one of the few TV programmes that keeps me awake.
But back to football, how can anyone predict football results at the moment. It’s not only Boro who are unpredictable but practically most clubs, both Manchester clubs included. I think OFB is wise to predict his usual goalless draws where Boro are concerned, beating Luton will be almost euphoric but lose and it’s almost tragic, so I think I ought to be satisfied with 0-0.
On this day in 1978, Micky Burns was the star of the show as Boro stuck seven goals past Chelsea. He scored four goals in the 7-2 win.
I wonder how many Boro players have scored four goals in a league match since 1970's. Perhaps Ravanelli vs. Hereford but in a Cup game.
So during the time I have been a Boro fan. Before that there must be many like Cloughie etc.
Up the Boro!
@ken I think Sunderland had many players ill with COVID now after the earlier 4-0 win. Perhaps hence only drawing yesterday. Up the Boro!
As I wrote last night only Craig Hignett making 12 in the history of MFC.
I think this one is likely to be more difficult than the Millwall game and can't see us scoring three twice in a week but who knows!
Luton have scored a couple less than us but conceded six more and they have struggled on the road.
I will go for a ⚽ - ⚽ and hope that I am wrong and would take a 1-0 now.
Injuries apart, I can't see any reason for changing the team that started on Saturday. CoB another quick start please and three points! 😎
As I wrote last night only Craig Hignett making 12 in the history of MFC.
Noted, Ken.
Yes, you surely did. So you answered before I was able to ask. Up the Boro!
Games are coming thick and fast. Preston easily beat Boro 3-0 then lost by the same score to Luton, so tonight’s result is straight forward ...... !!
But where did Barnsley come from ? Storming up the table with a new manager and now above Boro. Just re-emphasises the importance of a good manager.
Talking of managers sorry to hear about Houllier - probably the most liked and respected of all managers by referees during his era. Some of the others regarded as nice were nothing of the sort behind the scenes.
Philip of Huddersfield
ps very important to get a better result tonight than my Huddersfield Town supporting cronies !
Well, after checking the goose entrails, the split teabags and the terrier footprints on the ground in the orchard I'm compelled to go for Boro 2-1 Luton. Or maybe an OFB eyes-in-the-sky special. No a narrow home win it is, I think, anyway I've got the Boss to bring my dinner to the panic room and there I await the result of a typical Boro performance.
Stay safe everyone.
UTB,
John
Same starting line-up as on Saturday, according to Vic. No idea how GHW does his graphics, so:
Well very little football on display and Boro struggling to get to grips with Luton's style/formation. Luton have picked up most of the second ball. Boro being out Boro'd!
Johnson's crossing has been poor and little involvement for Watmore and Akpom.
Might be time to give Roberts a half to see if he can unlock the Luton defence.
I am just slightly worried that if Luton score first we will struggle to get back into the game. Come on NW sort them out at half time. 😎
Well very little football on display and Boro struggling to get to grips with Luton's style/formation. Luton have picked up most of the second ball. Boro being out Boro'd!
Johnson's crossing has been poor and little involvement for Watmore and Akpom.
Might be time to give Roberts a half to see if he can unlock the Luton defence.
I am just slightly worried that if Luton score first we will struggle to get back into the game. Come on NW sort them out at half time. 😎
That's pretty much as Vic saw it:
HT: Very 0-0. "Not One For The Purist: Vol 17" Luton well drilled. Doing a good job on Boro, quick to press & close, winning 2nd balls, dropping deep out of possession. Boro struggling to find space or impose shape & tempo.
Boro need to a way to find a way to unpick Luton. Going long not working, Watmore can't find space to work in. Ideal opportunity for Roberts to do something different.
A first half utterly devoid of interest, energy and skill.
What happened to the dynamic start of just four days ago? Our torpid start typified by Bettinelli"s dawdling and time-wasting from the very start.
One thing that has happened since the last game is that NW has spoken at length about our bare bones squad, avoiding injuries, lasting out the season, complemented by rollickings to those players running unnecessarily when the game was won against Millwall.
The message the team seems to have taken from this is to play well within themselves, and conserving energy, a mistaken tactic, since moving up a gear can be easier said than done.
Much more running and effort needed in the second half or Boro are there for the taking in a game we should certainly be looking to win.
1-0 - Akpom (at last!), assisted by Marvin. or, as Vic puts it:
Watmore touched into path of Tav, drove into box from Right, slotted to left for Johsnon to drill across face of goal and Akpom stabbed home (1-0, 52mins)
That should do Akpom's self-confidence a world of good.
PENALTY - for Luton. Morsy sent off. Betinnelli save, hits Morsy's arm.
Penalty - Collins - DOUBLE TOUCH! - ref awards goal - Boro players protesting
RULED out. Exactly the same as Tav's that was disallowed against Norwich. Still 1-0 to Boro.
https://twitter.com/untypicalboro?ref_src=twsrc%5Egoogle%7Ctwcamp%5Eserp%7Ctwgr%5Eauthor
And breathe... *prays*
And it finishes 1-0. They had to see out SEVEN minutes of injury time! 
Boro came out for the second half with the required higher tempo and got the goal they needed.
Bettinelli"s spillage of a routine shot led to Morsy's red card, but it was the keeper's persistence that persuaded the officials to rescind the converted penalty for a Zenden/ Tav double kick. Bettinelli further redeemed himself with a fine late save.
Credit to our 10 men for a highly disciplined rearguard action to see out the game.
A night to forget and hard to pick out a M-o-M. Morsy was as competitive aa anyone until his dismissal, but any one of the back four would be a worthy candidate. I'll go for the majestic Dijksteel.
That's payback for Tavernier's penalty that was disallowed earlier in the season. Morsy was a bit unlucky to get sent off as his arm was underneath him and not outstretched.
Savile was immense in the second half and particularly after we were down to ten men. Also kudos to the back four and who are looking better and better.
A poor advert for Championship football with a dire first half by both teams with both teams aimlessly kicking the ball in the air with no shots on target or, was it no shots at all.
Second half was a bit better with more intensity and Boro scored a decent goal but didn’t push on for a second goal.
The sending off seemed to take everyone by surprise but it wouldn’t have happened if Bettinelli hadn’t fumbled a shot. Massive confusion when the referee disallowed the Luton goal.
Assombolonga made an appearance ( I’m being kind ) and proceeded to commit 3 fouls and got himself booked. No sign of leadership when play was stopped for around a minute - he should have been urging his team to hold on.
Felt a bit sorry for Wing brought on as a defensive midfielder which he’ll never be.
At least Bettinelli partly redeemed himself in the last minute- but you could say he was only doing his job.
If the above is all negative then there was a good plus point - the back 4 hardly put a foot wrong and played in a confident manner as a unit.
Philip of Huddersfield
Does anyone who actually watched the match feel that Boro will/should appeal against Morsy's red card?
Morsy was tackled and he fell down. Hard to see if it hit his hand in replays, but difficult to see why he got a red card. Perhaps a penalty but never a red car. Should appeal, me thinks.
A good win though. Up the Boro!
A night to forget and hard to pick out a M-o-M. Morsy was as competitive aa anyone until his dismissal, but any one of the back four would be a worthy candidate. I'll go for the majestic Dijksteel.
Great words, loved the majestic Dijksteel. I like him the more I see him play. Up the Boro!