NW’s pre-match presser....
Howson out, Bolasie back on the radar, still not “ Taking a knee” and not surprisingly a downbeat and bit subdued manager.
To try and deflect from the media storm about fans booing players kneeling and in light of today’s sad news about Dame Barbara Windsor, MFC’s players will line up clad only in shorts and specially designed yellow training bibs.
On the subject of our poor goal scoring record, how many of the top earning strikers in the PL would you want in our lineup?
A sober and realistic assessment from the manager. Small squad, playing resources over-stretched, key players out, can't buy a goal either from set-pieces or open play, shouldn't judge the players too harshly, a young, inexperienced squad who are doing their best etc.
Hard not to be sympathetic. What can we do with such limited attacking and creative ability in midfield and non-firing strikers?
We all need to recalibrate our expectations from the relative euphoria of less than two weeks ago because things are not going to improve any time soon.
I was despondent before the kick-off when I saw the team selected at Preston. Couldn't see where a goal was going to come from with Britt as our main striker, no Tav, a plodding midfield, and too much onus placed on Watmore, whom we should be nursing back.
And so it proved in a first half in which we presented so little attacking threat that we immediately handed the initiative to a team hitherto lacking in confidence. When we went to twin non-strikers in the second half the game was up.
Millwall are always tough opponents, but we have to be more proactive in midfield tomorrow. I'd hope to see Tav start and both Roberts and Watmore on for the second half if we are not leading by then.
We should be taking the knee if only for tomorrow's game. It's an essential riposte to the explicit racism of the Millwall boo-boys. Not to do so would be to hand them a victory, if only in their own eyes. And who wants that? One of the advantages of this gesture of respect is that it makes the racist minority easier to identify, deal with and finally expel from a sport that they have disfigured for far too long.
Quick question. How long is this 'taking the knee to go on' it's already clocked up how long? A year? Since then how many people have been seen off by any means possible in how many countries? A strange situation. Just who in how many countries are performing this ritual? Is American sport? Is any other activity in any other country? How about actors before every performance? bull fighters before the kill? That should do to be going on with.
We've stopped doing it already. After a few months.
For how long is it to go on? How about until the racist abuse by a tiny minority has been rendered unacceptable and banished from our grounds.
It was the Black Lives Matter debate on the Political Forum that caused me to close it down so I think any subsequent discussion on the matter should proceed on the basis that I presume all members on Diasboro are opposed to all forms of racism.
Personally, I'd rather see a return to 'Kick it Out' as the campaign within football to rid the game of racism rather than trying to incorporate the clumsy out-of-context Black Lives Matter movement that was started to protest against the extra-judicial killing of black men in the US.
I think any campaign should have a defined end goal that it sets out to achieve and can subsequently measure progress being made. I wouldn't want to see those Millwall thugs being able to hide behind the ambiguity of line being drawn between the anecdotal political aims of the BLM movement so that they feel empowered to oppose what was meant to be an anti-racist gesture - even if it was out of context.
I think it goes without saying that the vast majority of people are totally opposed to racism. I found this both illuminating and informative.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000pzpr
As someone who has experienced racism you may be interested in my view of BLM in the UK. I was born in India and came to the UK as a baby. A DNA test I had out of curiosity a few years ago indicated that I am 46% Indian and 54% European. I have been called names, been spat at (the last time was in York in 2004) and had stones thrown at me. My parents never spoke about the racism they experienced. I suspect that having lived as British citizens in India they were shocked to face racism in the UK in the 1950s.
When Black Lives Matter became prominent I looked at the aims of BLM UK. They said they were formed in 2016 and assured their followers that all the organisers were black African or West Indian. That seemed to me to be racist as they were only interested in racism against their particular grouping! Amongst their aims are the overthrowing of capitalism. They also claimed that the UK police are too racist to be reformed and should be replaced by a new force which would be unarmed. There would be a lot of armed criminals and terrorists who would be delighted by this.
I am sure that Marcus Rashford and all the others who take the knee etc are not supporting this BLM group's aims but they should be more careful about what their demonstrations can be associated with. I would prefer any on field demonstrations to just stick to the "Kick it Out" campaign. The demonstrations around the world seem to suggest that racism is solely a problem of white people but I am sure that all races can be prejudiced about another race wherever they are living.
Interesting post and as you are someone who has been on the receiving end of racism it is also interesting that you feel BLM doesn't necessarily speak for someone of your heritage.
I think that's where the whole BLM movement becomes confused between so-called political aims that derive from the US movement and other associated movements set up in other countries.
For example, there are different 'official' websites set up in both the US and the UK, which are independent of each other - plus there are unofficial websites that hook into the BLM movement that also have different aims.
The blacklivesmatter.uk website carries a disclaimer on their home page...
Disclaimer: We are NEITHER associated or affiliated with @ukblm, recently registered (Sep 2020) with FCA under the name 'Black Liberation Movement UK' nor are will affiliated to BLM USA and or any other political group, party here in the UK or abroad.
Which probably reinforces my view that football needs to be in control of its own campaign and own messaging as there is always the danger of being undermined by a perceived radical political message that doesn't actually exist in the context of taking the knee before a game. Although, I'm sure many who take the knee do relate to the wider issues raised.
Therefore, I'd go back to having a message and aim that is clear and unambiguous with perhaps some specific aims like not tolerating the kind of racist abuse that sometimes appears at some clubs on the terraces and getting better representation of black people within the governing bodies and ensuring that there is no discrimination in career pathways in coaching and management.
You only change the world by first changing attitudes of those in your own sphere of influence and for that you probably need to avoid the risk of being confused with wider issues that may not have the same context in your own country. For example, defunding the police in the US has got traction because of the clear and obvious killing of black people by a police force that doesn't treat them in the same way as they do white people. Though, I don't know whether overthrowing capitalism is also one of their aims but good luck to them in pulling that one off.
Anyway, moving back on to the actual game today - I expect it's going to be another hard watch, especially with Howson out who was our most creative midfielder. I'd like to see Wing come back in as he is at least a player who tries to play forward passes even if they don't always come off. If Wing plays then so should Tavernier and since we're obviously lacking in creativity then why not start with Roberts too.
Watmore hasn't lived up to his first performance but I think he was actually playing on the left in that game and linked up well with Johnson. He has subsequently started on the right and not really had the same connection with Spence so perhaps something to ponder.
Like Len, I don't think it really matters which striker we start with as it's pretty much the same result - perhaps I'd reluctantly opt for Britt as he at least does seem to get into the box occasionally even if it's only to miscontrol the ball. With McNair still one booking away from a suspension then he may be playing slightly within himself but without Dijksteel it's better he isn't out of the equation completely.
Prediction: Can't see beyond 0-0 I'm afraid and another drab offering - I'll be working flat out until kick-off so will be in need of some kind of break from watching paint dry. At least given it's a three o'clock kick-off I shouldn't fall asleep at half time - though it may be tempting!
For my two penneth on the issue, I’m very much in favour of a powerful demonstration against all forms of racism.
I appreciate that there may be elements of the BLM movement that we may want to disassociate ourselves with but frankly I don’t think the majority of the viewing public - a global audience at Premier League level - are particularly making that connection. I think they are seeing prominent athletes of all backgrounds making a positive statement.
Rebrand it under Kick It Out by all means but don’t lose the power and visibility of the statement.T-shirts during warm-ups don’t carry anything like the same weight.
Onto the Boro and the loss of Howson is a concern. I think it should probably herald the return on the back three and wingbacks. Having had a little run of scoring a few more goals since going to four at the back, we’ve seemingly lost the defensive base that underpinned us, though I appreciate that formation isn’t the major reason.
If Djiksteel isn’t fit to return, I see no reason why Bola can’t operate on the left of a back three, with Morsy and Saville patrolling in front.
I’d be tempted to stick Roberts ahead of those two to link up with and support the striker. I’d like to see the wingbacks pushed on as much as they can be with Tav and Roberts getting around Akpom/Britt.
However, it most likely needs to be a back-to-basics scrap today and I’ll go for 0-0.
The latest injury resulting in the loss of Howson shows up how stretched our small squad is. When NW said he would probably have played Wood against Millwall I assume he meant he would have been forced to play with a back 3 to strengthen the defence and cover for Howson's absence rather than move McNair into midfield. If Morsy and Saville are covering Howson's defensive duties who will be the attacking midfielder (who NW will also expect to play a defensive roll when needed)? I don't think there is anyone left in the squad who can play the role. I am probably in a small minority who think Wing could be in the team from the start but he has to be a mainly attacking midfielder playing balls for others to run on to and shooting when he is in/near the penalty area. Playing in a deeper role or coming on in the last few minutes has made him ineffective. I also think Tav's defensive work is underestimated.
I see that Millwall haven't won any of their last nine games. Argh!!!
I’m a bit conflicted about the taking of the knee before games but I’m definitely not offended by it. For fans to boo in the way that Millwall did can only mean one thing for me - they’re racist. If players choose to take a knee I see no reason to stop them. As a white, 65 year old man, it will never be possible for me to totally understand how being subjected to racism feels but I’ve got enough empathy to realise it must be awful.
Anyway, back to today’s game. I very nearly didn’t pay my £10 to watch the live stream after the debacle against Preston (not helped by Preston being the nearest team to me and lots of my neighbours being Proud Prestonians), but I’ve decided to stick with it, as one of the few benefits of COVID has been the opportunity to watch games live.
I don’t normally do predictions but I think (hope) that NW will fire them up to a 1-0 win.
They haven't won any of their last nine!?! Now that worries me for all the usual reasons...
I think this will be a fighting, scrapping battle and the 'eyes in the sky' is almost nailed on. I hope Mr Warnock has got the psychology working and gets them fired up but with Jekyll and Hyde character of Boro when they're out of sorts you just don't know.
Perhaps the big question is which will turn up. Lethargic start and we'll all be worried sick, and possibly one goal will win it but I'm on a 0 - 0. We need to make ninth or eighth position our own.
Stay safe everyone.
UTB,
John
I wouldn’t be surprised to see Wing get a start today. With Howson out, NW is unable to play three defensive midfielders. Playing him just behind either Assombalonga or Akpom is a possibility.
Millwall come to The Riverside on a bad run, and under normal circumstances that would have most fans reaching for their typical Boro cliches, but the absence of fans is possibly working in our favour.
2-0
I go for an untypical Boro (no pun intended) result. A clear 3-0 win for us. Britt scoring a brace, and taking a knee after each goal. Djed taking the third. Zero attendance + Gibbo and her daughter.
Up the Boro!
I think the result of today’s game is difficult to call whether home win, away win or draw. What is easier to forecast is Boro will create few chances and not scoring is a strong possibility.
Team selection will be interesting in the offensive parts. I’d like to see Robert’s start the game even if brought off later, and for Wing to play behind the main striker. Unfortunately teams know his strengths and close him down when he gets anywhere near shooting range and when the team have to defend he is easily bypassed and chases shadows. But the time has come to give him a chance when our attacking play is so abysmal.
I think Tavernier is worth his place because of the physical effort he provides. As for the strikers I suppose Assombolonga gets the nod only because he gets in the box when needed.
So, what about Watmore and Apcom - perhaps a substitute role. And the fringe players such as Coulson ?
Also throw into the mix how the players have trained following Wednesdays match and whether to tweak the formation given that we are playing Millwall recognised as a difficult team to play against.
So there you have it
I’ve just demonstrated how difficult it is to be a manager !!
Roll on full time to put us out of our misery!
Philip of Huddersfield
Beware of the 9 match run of no wins, it can also work in reverse as 9 unbeaten matches. I’m going for a 2-0 win for Millwall but won’t be listening to the commentary anyway as there’s a terrifically exciting Golf tournament going on in Dubai anyway and it brings back happy memories for me when I last visited this venue
I am finding it difficult to see anything positive about the side at present and having gone on a non losing run earlier in the season I can now see us going on a non winning/scoring run just as easily.
Given our injury situation and thin squad coupled with a game against opposition who have not won for nine games and who normally do well on Teesside then this has all the potential for another "typical Boro" performance.
I am with Ken on this one and fear a 0-2.
Given NW's pre match comments it looks as if Roberts will start, probably Tavernier and possibly Wing. I can't say I am looking forward to it with any anticipation. 😎
Team News
I thought Betinelli should have saved at least two of the goals at Preston
What time does the MFC stream usually start?
Us
According to Vic, Paddy's been handed the captain's armband.
Yes! He certainly should. His habit of wandering off his line, presumably so that he can see what is happening on the front edge of his box, is costing us dear. If you are four yards up field then your reaction time is very much reduced, as it was for the First goal at Preston, even with a deflection it was only one yard wide of him, so an easy stop, if he had been in the centre of his goal and on his line. No First goal and probably no other goals.
Team selection as good as it could be under the circs.
Roberts for Watmore after an hour I'd imagine.
2-1 to us