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Bournemouth vs Boro
 

Bournemouth vs Boro

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Bournemouth v Boro

So, it’s a fun packed good Friday as the Boro go cherry picking against a former manager who will be spitting his pips out at our team. Its basically the same set of players who so nearly got us relegated this season and whilst they have often blown hot and cold, the shoots of recovery have blossomed at times. Even though we are still not flourishing in the pink, it has been a better season for even the most petulant of fans and let’s face it there’s always next year to look forward to.

Our opponents Bournemouth will be aiming to bounce back from their recent FA Cup defeat to Southampton when they face Boro on Friday at the Vitality Stadium. After being sacked by Steve Gibson last year as relegation loomed on the horizon, the Cherries manager Jonathan Woodgate now has the chance to get revenge on his former players who have proven that they do have the skills necessary to get into higher positions in the league than last season’s performance.

As one Bournemouth news report quotes “With both clubs pushing for a place in the play-offs this season, it could turn out to be an enthralling affair later this week.” This statement obviously shows that they obviously haven’t watched any Boro games this season as not many matches this Middlesbrough side have played could be called “enthralling.” Bournemouth are three points adrift of the playoffs with a game in hand, while Boro are three points further back and cannot afford to lose this match.Currently seventh in the second-tier, Bournemouth will leapfrog Reading in the standings if they beat Middlesbrough and Veljko Paunovic's side slip up against Barnsley.

Bournemouth's form like Boro has been very inconsistent of late, having drawn, lost and won their last three league matches. However, their last league game ended in a 3-0 win over high-flying Swansea City thanks to goals from Philip Billing and Arnaut Danjuma, either side of Joel Latibeaudiere's own goal. Bournemouth's promotion hopes are now in their own hands thanks to a superior goal difference on Reading in sixth place, and they have a favourable set of fixtures to see out the campaign.

Friday's visit of Middlesbrough will hopefully be a tough test, though, against a side ‘Hot’ or even ‘Luke Warmon their heels in ninth place. Boro have now lost back-to-back away games, although Bournemouth's home form is not much better, the Cherries losing three of their last five games at the Vitality Stadium in all competitions.

An interesting statistic is that Boro have never won an away league game against Bournemouth in seven attempts, with this being our first-such encounter since a 4-0 loss in the 2016-17 Premier League campaign. Neil Warnock has won none of his last four away league matches against Bournemouth since leading Huddersfield Town to victory in the 1994-95 season, something both he and Boro will be eager to put right here.

One of the players who is expected to be involved against us is Cherries goalkeeper Asmir Begovic. Since returning from his loan spell at AC Milan last season, the 33-year-old has established himself as Bournemouth's first choice shot-stopper ahead of Mark Travers and Will Dennis. Despite making 36 appearances in the Championship this season, Begovic's current deal with the Cherries is set to expire this summer and he has yet to agree fresh terms with the club.

Speaking to Calciomercato.it (as cited by Sport Witness) about his Cherries future, Begovic said: "For now, I'm focused on doing my best with Bournemouth, we'll see what happens next.

"As I said, it's no secret that I would have liked to continue playing for Milan, and I love Italy and Italian football.

"I love Italian football and Serie A is a challenge for every player, so I wouldn't rule out anything.

"Everything is possible."

Due to the problematic congestion of fixtures this season both sides have suffered Injuries to key personnel. If Marcus Tavernier had played every game, If Johnny Howson had been available for every moment this season, If Britt………..sorry I was carried away there for a moment!

Both Neil Warnock and his opposite number Jason Tindall have questioned the timing of this Good Friday fixture, which comes only two days after the final set of March internationals has taken place.

Bournemouth's Chris Mepham and Shan Long represented Wales and Republic of Ireland respectively on Tuesday, the latter travelling to Hungary for that match. Middlesbroughhad Paddy McNair and George Saville as part of the Northern Ireland squad taking on Bulgaria in a crucial World Cup qualifier on Wednesday evening.

If you take into consideration the amount of time taken traveling by the players from these fixtures it could give both managers a major selection problem, though Warnock and Tindall will of course be keen to get their best players on the field from the start.

Bournemouth will definitely be without midfielder Lewis Cook for this match, while Junior Stanislas, David Brooks, Lloyd Kelly and Adam Smith are all doubtful.

Danjuma should be fit to start, though, as he looks to score for the fourth league game running, having also assisted in each of the last two.

Anfernee Dijksteel and Marcus Browne are of course both long term injuries from Boro's perspective and Britt is probably in limbo.

Bournemouth possible starting line-up:


Begovic; Stacey, Carter-Vickers, Cook, Rico; Lerma, Pearson; Riquelme, Billing, Danjuma; Solanke

Middlesbrough possible starting line-up:


Bettinelli; Hall, Fry, Bola; Spence, Howson, McNair, Johnson; Tavernier, Fletcher, Mendez-Laing

So come on Boro its make or break and I, going for a feisty 1 0 win for us what do the rest think???

 

OFB

 

 


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Great preview OFB for the start of the Easter make or break weekend! 


   
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Thanks for the preview OFB. If there was a month between fixtures I might have been able to compose one myself.

I don't think Spence has shown enough when picked to justify him starting. He is weak defensively and just seems to run upfield until he loses the ball. I would have to go for Fisher even though he is just a defender. Don't know whether Tav will be ready to start a match but would have him in if available. Johnson doesn't seem to be in NW's choices for the starting lineup though his goals and assists would justify it provided we had a couple of strikers ready for his crosses. I thought Kebano had shown enough to start ahead of Bolasie but NW didn't think so against Millwall.

I will be ready with a bottle of Rioja and a Greek takeaway to celebrate a good Boro win or drown my sorrows.

 

 


   
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@david-in-Cumbria

if you ever fancy having a go at a preview then just let either me or Redcar Red know it’s good to see things from another perspective and it’s open season as far as we are concerned.

The more the merrier !

 

OFB


   
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jarkko
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Thank you,  Bob for opening the debate for tomorrow's match. You indeed got carried away with Britt, but that was the crerry on the top of the preview.

As we have nothing to lose, I will second to you, Bob. A 0-1 win for us with a 76th min strike from sub Assombalonga!  A surprice there for you all.

I hope Fisher is fit as well as Tavanier. In other positions we have cover and right people available. Interesting to see who starts up-front, though. I hope Flecther. Up the Boro!


   
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Really good intro, Bob.

Informative, well-written, excellently sourced and funny.

Terrific.

Well done and many thanks.


   
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Excellent intro there. 

This is a very unpredictable match. My feeling is that Warnock will go with a fairly compact 4-3-3 line up and keep McNair back for Watford. My prediction

Bettinelli

Fisher Fry Hall Bola

Howson Morsy Tav

Kebano Fletcher Bolasie

Does depend on fitness and injuries naturally. 

I agree that Spence seems to have gone backwards but young players usually do in their second season.


   
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jarkko
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Paddy McNair and George Saville both featured as Northern Ireland picked up the first point of their World Cup qualification campaign against Bulgaria.

The Boro pair were alongside each other in the centre of a five-man midfield for Ian Baraclough's side, Saville playing 74 minutes and McNair the full 90. Also involved in the centre of the park was Steven Davis, earning a British record 126th international cap.

So Paddy played two and half matches of international football during the break.

Must be needing a rest but I wouldn't be surprised to see him starting at Bournemouth tomorrow. 

Up the Boro! 


   
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@lenmasterman

Thanks Len 👌


   
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Many thanks OFB.

I haven't quite switched back into Boro mode yet but your opener has brought me back around.

I'm pretty certain that Fisher will start. Gut feeling is that McNair will too - like at Boro he played one game in midfield and another at centre-back for N. Ireland (I think) so he may not be as fatigued as we think.

I'd expect Bettinelli, Fry, Hall, Bola, Howson and Morsy to join them, the rest is anyone's guess.

Big game.


   
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@andy-r

Im starting to get excited for tomorrow!

The dream is still alive......

OFB


   
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Great opener thank you OFB.  Regrettably I am not as optimistic as others and I think our outside chances of top six will be well and truly brought to an end tomorrow.

It's difficult to know who will play, as NW has indicated a number of players have picked up knocks in training this week and that he may have to play PM and GS when he would have preferred to give them a rest.  This may indicate that one of the regular defenders and midfielders will not be available but who knows, it could all be mind games.

This to my mind is a must win game but unfortunately Boro have a reputation of failing to deliver when they need to.  I hope I am wrong and this is a "typical boro" performance of the unexpected kind that leaves us still in with a shout next Monday; if so, I will need to consider if I should play golf as I normally do on a Monday or stay home to watch the Watford game!

CoB give us an Easter present of a win! 😎

  

This post was modified 3 years ago by K P in Spain

   
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I'm in the KP camp in terms of expecting a "Typical Boro" "no show" in a big game. Having said that there is always the "Warnock effect" in that he does know how to rattle some sides.

A lot will depend upon individuals turning up and then them all turning up together. We can't afford a disinterested or non committed party and whilst that may seem to be aimed at Britt is definitely isn't. I doubt very much if Britt will be involved but there are others in the squad who have too many "off days" and a few who for reasons best known to themselves have underperformed of late. It's all or nothing now and the effort has to be 100%.


   
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Powmill-Naemore
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Great opening OFB. Really well written, topical and amusing. Thank you.

I have to agree with KP and I can't see past Boro being sent packing from the South Coast with nothing to show from a typically underwhelming performance that makes JW look really good.

The season ends for us tomorrow and the serious rebuilding and preparation for the next campaign can begin.

I expect McNair will be rested. I expect Bettinelli will gift Bournemouth at least one goal. I expect Boro to lose by 2 clear goals. I dont expect, but I hope, I am so so wrong.

CoB


   
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@powmillnaemore

Thanks Powmill I’ve got a strange feeling about this game.......

Or it could just be my pacemaker stuttering ! Keep going you fool !

OFB


   
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Selwynoz
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Posted by: @original-fat-bob

@powmillnaemore

Thanks Powmill I’ve got a strange feeling about this game.......

Or it could just be my pacemaker stuttering ! Keep going you fool !

OFB

I’m with you OFB and keep that battery charged. I think that we’re going to see a good Boro performance. I admit that I’m generally on the optimistic side. If we lose, I’m disappointed enough and I don’t want to make it worse by anticipating bad news before it happens. I accept that others like to expect a poor showing so it doesn’t feel so bad when it happens.

to each their own

utb


   
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Powmill-Naemore
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@original-fat-bob

That's what my wife says to me as well Bob, "Keep going you fool!"...

Let's hope I'm well wrong and Boro "keep going" and keep us all teased with the lingering hope of finishing 6th!!

 

 


   
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OFB,

I get the feeling that Boro will turn up for this one, pretty well everybody thinks they'll lose and they probably would if they were playing a team fighting for survival or a team with nothing to play for so I'll go for Cherry Bs 1-2 Boro. There that's put the hex on it, hopefully Boro will chase the 'Black Dog' away.

OFB, that was a nicely paced and written leader article too, good work.

Stay safe everyone.

UTB,

John


   
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I suppose this weekend could turn out to be a "Typical Boro" one in that they beat Bournemouth convincingly and build up all of our hopes only to then lose on Monday against Watford! 😎


   
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Selwynoz
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Just saw the team news. No Fry, no Tavernier. I’m beginning to feel that my optimism might have been a bit misplaced. It’s an attacking formation but I’m not really sure who is going to manufacture the chances for the front players to take. Still, one can but hope.

UTB


   
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Looks like the midfield and defence could have their work cut out, I hope not but it looks a bit unbalanced to me.

That being said, NW said he would go for it and be prepared to get beat in doing so. Hope he is not right and it turns into a rout for them! 😎


   
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Looks like an attacking 4-2-3-1. I think that will suit Morsy and Howson with a clearly defined role.

Fry is a huge loss but Hall has looked fine in recent weeks and no real concerns about Paddy alongside.

The key is the front four. There’s pace and talent there but it only seems to click intermittently.

I wasn’t optimistic about today but think if that front four gel and especially if we start well (big if) Bournemouth might feel some pressure.

I’ll go for 1-1 but hoping we can win it and am not ruling that out.

This post was modified 3 years ago by Andy R

   
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Ok, now I can rule it out.


   
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It appears that my interpretation of going for it seems to differ from NW's with the Bournemouth keeper not being called upon to make a save.

There has been little quality from us and it all looks disjointed.  It's all hit and hope without any clear intention/creativity.  Bournemouth are no great shakes but have more intention about them when they get near our box. 

It looks like I will be playing golf on Monday if this display continues! 😎


   
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Selwynoz
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The lack of creativity is killing us. The only route seems to be down the wings. There is nobody who can pick a pass through the middle and we pass it back to Bettinelli far too much. We have to take some risks on the ball and try to move it forward but I'm not sure that we have the skills. It shows just how much we need Tavernier. 


   
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Game over.

Season over?


   
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Considering the stakes pre kick off, that Boro performance had all the hallmarks of sombrero’s, beach balls and sangria’s all over it. A mixture of some age-related effort, loanee’s seemingly not bothered about the outcome with a sprinkling of tactics that clearly stifled any desire that may have once lay deep within. That was a tough watch and I have to admit to being distracted in the first half on a few occasions such was the lack of desire, direction and passion.

It was “Typical Boro” and even more “Typical Boro at Bournemouth”. I hope SG cancelled the flight back to Teesside and made them travel back courtesy of a 1966 Bedford Bee Line Coach which would be the perfect accompaniment to the sluggish, spluttering and smoke belching low energy output from those in White shirts this afternoon. As we have said on here many times previously getting beat isn’t a problem as such it’s more the manner of it.

Back in August if someone had told me that we would be finishing the season with Kebano, NML, Bolasie, and Watmore I would have been salivating at the prospect of seeing some attacking flair and intent. Those four at Championship level are the equivalent of Maserati, Lamborghini, Ferrari and Porsche but Warnock has them looking like Lada, Trabant, Minor and Polski.

Where was the spark, the energy and desire from those “flair” players? I saw a flat insipid and tepid display with far too many mistakes. It’s bad enough when mercenaries don’t give their all but when the likes of Bola, Howson and Morsy are error ridden it killed off any chance we ever had of even getting a point.

The only positive I can take from it is that it gives Warnock time to start his planning for next season early. Bringing Coulson on was perhaps indicative of that thinking but based on his short cameo I would file him with Spence on that shelf marked “could’ve, should’ve, would’ve”. Warnock has a major rebuild in the summer, but he needs to ensure that we are not burdened by high earning luxuries that don’t deliver. He also needs to ensure that he does not feel a responsibility to offer a contract to any of the current incumbents who find themselves without a club. I make it nine or ten players required and on the basis of what I have seen since the turn of this year there are not many I’d bust a gut to keep hold of.

One position which seems noticeably clear is that of goalkeeper, if Bettinelli is between the sticks next season then this weekend of Easter is perhaps a timely warning to what will verbally happen once the fans are allowed back in. If social media are spitting feathers then 20,000 plus at the Riverside venting their spleen will make their treatment of Bad Guzan seem like a day at the seaside which is very apt considering where Boro heads where this afternoon.

This post was modified 3 years ago by Redcar Red

jarkko
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Hoofing the ball all the time without a big centre forward. WHY?

Wingers (occatinally at least) centering the ball for big centre forward that is not there.

We lost about 80 % of the high balls. But we keep on trying to win them. No idea why we keep the ball high.

Well, the season is practically over after two successive defeats. Up the Boro! 


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Posted by: @jarkko

Hoofing the ball all the time without a big centre forward. WHY?

Wingers (occatinally at least) centering the ball for big centre forward that is not there.

We lost about 80 % of the high balls. But we keep on trying to win them. No idea why we keep the ball high.

Well, the season is practically over after two successive defeats. Up the Boro! 

Don't forget about our proficiency at set pieces!

Paddy's devastating free kicks, Bola's blaster and and our sedentary throw ins. Not to mention that most dynamic of all tactics, the famous back pass to the Keeper to hoof it back up the pitch to the big Centre Forward who doesn't exist.


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@redcarred   Totally agree with every word RR. That was as bad as it gets. It was that grim I too was distracted, found myself looking at emails, weather forecast's, newspapers on line, facebook, travel websites, my online medication, amazon and occcasionally flicking back and forward to the match to find the players were equally distracted and disinterested.

NW has one helluva of a job to get a team ready for next season, starting with the goalkeeper and working his way on from there.


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