After Boro's resounding victory over Derby in midweek saw them rise up the Championship table to just outside the play-off places, it was tempting to argue that the faithful on Teesside were now in Seventh Heaven. Though on reflection, now is probably not the time to risk introducing and explaining a complex tiered system of happiness as most have barely got to grips the three new tiers of Covid restrictions that await them. Furthermore, since Seventh Heaven is normally deemed as the highest obtainable, it would leave little room for expressing any pending state of bliss should Neil Warnock's team get a result at the John Smith's Stadium and rise to the next level.
Before Wednesday, the worthy virtue of keeping clean sheets had been tempered by the complete abstinence at the other end of the pitch. Similarly, religious scholars have long pondered over whether a life-long celibate who had done some evil would first need to work it off in purgatory before ascending to heaven. As it came to pass, Boro atoned for their three-game barren run by showing some rare potency in front of goal as they hit their first treble of the season.
It was captain Britt Assombalonga, whose selection had been in a state of limbo for several weeks, that showed his striking instincts to poke home the opener - the simplicity of which was much admired by his manager after he proclaimed: "I love strikers who get tap-ins and off the back of their heads or their backsides to score". In contrast, others were instead singing the praises of an immaculately conceived goal of beauty by Marvin Johnson, who curled the third past the keeper and into the corner of the net to wrap up the three points.
Whatever the level of ascent, most could possibly agree that Boro have perhaps gone a little bit Bob Dylan and are at least knockin' on heaven's door. As to whether anyone will answer will depend on the continued wisdom of Neil Warnock as he attempts to turn his side into one that delivers at both ends of the pitch. Nevertheless, a team that hardly concedes a goal and also scores is only going in one direction - Boro now have quite a healthy goal difference, which for all the goal-shy talk is now the fifth best in the league at plus six and only one behind leaders Norwich and playoff hopefuls Swansea.
The next test up for Boro is the trip to Huddersfield, who are perhaps a typically unpredictable Championship mid-table side that are now managed (or even head coached) by the rather youthful 37-year old Carlos Corberán Vallet. The Spaniard was a goalkeeper in his playing days, a career that never transcended beyond the fourth tier of the Spanish system. He started his coaching career as a fitness coach and got his first managerial appointment in Cyprus, where he took the somewhat obscure Ermis Aradippou FC up to the first division and then saw them finish in seventh place. Such achievements caught the eye of Marcelo Bielsa, who subsequently appointed him head coach of Leeds under-23 team and later part of the first-team coaching setup. Clearly he's impressed enough to be given the number one role at Huddersfield but will he be able to out-think a man with 34 more years experience?
The Terriers followed up their ding-dong 4-3 defeat at Stoke last weekend with a more understated 0-0 at Wycombe Wanderers, which only received a 'match excitement rating' of 2.3 compared to the 8.8 received for the game at the Potteries - the second highest this season. While perhaps unsurprisingly none of Boro's games feature in the top 20 most exciting games this campaign, Neil Warnock can now look forward to entertaining supporters back at the Riverside in the near future - albeit with just a few thousand offering audible support.
This welcome development has the potential to alter the dynamics of what have so far been non-atmospheric affairs and it will be interesting to see how players re-adapt to real-time feedback and whether the concept of home advantage returns. Indeed, will the return of fans to the Riverside also see the return of impatient murmurs of frustration once the novelty of seeing live football wears off - though it should at least be mainly the encouragement of the die-hards among the initial few thousand in attendance.
As for team selection this weekend, Neil Warncock will have to decide whether to start once again with Roberts and Watmore as he looks to add more positivity going forward. The Boro manager regards Watmore as a player whose natural instinct is to support the striker and it will be interesting to see his contribution as his match-fitness improves. Patrick Roberts had a slightly different role in midweek but his quality on the ball going forward is what could ultimately be decisive - though he will need to learn the art of being a Warnock player when the team are out of possession if he is to retain a starting berth.
Both Johnson and Spence may feel unlucky if they start from the bench again after impressing in midweek but if they can both play as such effective impact substitutions for the last 30 minutes of games, I'm sure Neil Warnock won't be in a rush to start them. Besides, with two games a week on the agenda, most players will be getting plenty of pitch time as the Boro coaching staff attempt to coax their tight squad through the winter. An injury to any of the key players like Bola and Dijksteel would certainly create a strain on the squad and most will be keeping their fingers crossed that they can cope with workload.
Neil Warnock appears to have been the answer to the Boro faithful's prayers and has certainly shown there is an afterlife for Boro since former local naughty-boy Woodgate proved not to been the Messiah his chairman had hoped. If the old wise sage and his team continue to knock on the door then surely at some point that entrance to the top tier will hopefully be opened wide enough to at least have a look around.
A great opener again, Werder. Thanks and keep on going ...
I hope we can continue where we leff off against the Rams on Wednesday. So I will go for a rutine 0-1 win for the mighty Boro. Roberts scoring one.
But I hope we could also score more from corners, roo. Fry is due a goal soon. Hopefully tomorow or latest on Wednesday. Up the Boro!
Werder,
Many thanks as always for the witty introduction piece. I suppose the selection problems you mention are of the sort that managers dream of when they're at the bottom of the table but even just outside the play-offs the decisions are no easier in selection terms.
One great bonus is that all the players want to be picked so they'll just have to temper their disappointment at being a mere substitute. What happens when Morsey and Hall are both back and ready to get going? At least it's positive problem, and anyway didn't Fairclough at Liverpool make his name as a 'Supersub'?
I'm going for a 0 - 2, confidence must be rising. Come on Boro make us even happier please.
Stay safe everyone.
UTB,
John
Superb topical opener, Werder. Many thanks. Your work is really appreciated.
I'm still in a Trump-like sulk.
Having gone out on a limb, at great personal risk to my international reputation, and predicted that Boro would score 4 against Derby, something they haven't achieved in a league game for almost 6 years, I feel badly let down by the lads.
A courageous, confidence-boosting tip ruined only by the failure of our forwards to live up to it.
For tomorrow, Huddersfield 1 Boro 0
Serves them right.
Never mind the matches, I am enjoying NW's pre match presser's, it seems to turn into a Good old chat about football between friends, and all the better for it. Just watched the latest ten minutes ago, Great. Had plenty of remenicences, of times and players past, old teams, old players, all very laid back, and interesting. He spoke at length about the number of games in a short time, and let us know that no player who was showing the strain physically would be allowed to get on the pitch until he was satisfied that the player was recovered from his efforts. Good man!
Thanks John and surprised to see you don't fancy the Terriers tomorrow 😉
Thanks Len and looks like there's hell to pay for those who don't live up to your predictions 🙂
Watched Fry on Wednesday night, that Young man is now playing like someone who is in full control, both of the opposition and his career. He now looks the part, having grown and filled out, playing in the center of the park is his position, and he is not going to find many who can boss him.
Werder,
Many thanks as always for the witty introduction piece. I suppose the selection problems you mention are of the sort that managers dream of when they're at the bottom of the table but even just outside the play-offs the decisions are no easier in selection terms.
One great bonus is that all the players want to be picked so they'll just have to temper their disappointment at being a mere substitute. What happens when Morsey and Hall are both back and ready to get going? At least it's positive problem, and anyway didn't Fairclough at Liverpool make his name as a 'Supersub'?
I'm going for a 0 - 2, confidence must be rising. Come on Boro make us even happier please.
Stay safe everyone.
UTB,
John
I asked the question about who would people drop to fit Hall and Morsy in, once they are fit at the end of the Huddersfield match report but unfortunately no responses.
Come on BORO.
Watched Fry on Wednesday night, that Young man is now playing like someone who is in full control, both of the opposition and his career. He now looks the part, having grown and filled out, playing in the center of the park is his position, and he is not going to find many who can boss him.
One of the many praises of Fry’s current form, which is brilliant but with worries for January for any Premiership team with defensive problems, through injuries or form to come sniffing around.
Come on BORO.
I don’t think its a matter of NW dropping players, more rotating different players if injuries/suspension/tactics, dictate.
Im of the “ if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” brigade. Hall and Morsy are useful back ups in a very thin squad. At the moment the core of the team picks itself, its the peripheral wide positions where NW seems to be tinkering.
His judgement has been impeccable so far, and long may it continue.
Thanks Werder for you pre match opener, another good read interweaving some of the current issues both on and off the field.
As far as Exmil's question is concerned, I would suggest that when Hall returns, which may be some way off given the latest news, he will be stuck on the bench until such time as an injury or suspension occurs to either McNair or Fry.
In so far as Morsy is concerned, either one of Roberts, Spence or Whatmore would have to make way unless NW reverts to a back three (unlikely) when it would be Bola to drop out.
We should be capable of at least a point tomorrow and even three but I would be content with a ⚽️ - ⚽️ to keep the unbeaten run going. CoB 😎
@exmil. Given the current climate it may well be that SG's hand is forced if a decent offer comes in for Fry, especially if Hall returns to full fitness and we can also count upon Wood.
Given a choice, I would prefer to keep him but have to accept that at times needs must.
Let's continue to enjoy him whilst we can and hope that it's for a few more seasons. 😎
Tomorrow’s game will be interesting as Huddersfield play a similar pressing style of play to Boro and are regarded as one of the fittest teams in the League as a result of their new coach. They are particularly good attacking down the left with one of the best left backs in the League.
They score goals ( although not on Tuesday) but have a habit of scoring first and then losing - eg 3 out of the last 7 games. They also quite often play a different formation from game to game.
Boro are capable of winning but I’ll not be too disappointed with a draw but not a defeat as my friends here are keen Town supporters and I don’t want them ‘lording it over me ‘ !!
Philip of Huddersfield
@philip-of-huddersfield. Thanks for the heads up. It sounds like it could be an interesting game with perhaps a different challenge for us. 😎
Although Boro have only scored 3 away goals this season they have conceded only 3. Huddersfield seem to have difficulty in scoring at home with only 5 goals but twice as many away from home. It has all the makings of a goalless draw as indeed the Terriers only scored 26 goals at home last season to Boro’s 28 away goals. At the moment Boro don’t look like conceding at all so I’ll be surprised if either team scores tomorrow. Nevertheless recent results do favour Boro with 5 wins and only 1 defeat from the last 8 encounters at Huddersfield, so whether that will have any bearing on tomorrow’s match is open to conjecture.
Thanks for the heavenly prologue Werder. Since I noticed this forthcoming fixture a few weeks ago I have looked at it as a difficult one. Hopefully it is just my now long distanced pessimism returning and NW will continue to to work miracles with his small squad.
Werder
Appreciate the game preview many thanks for the Humour, thought and effort you put into each article.
Warnock is full of quips and today at the presser told the young Gazetter reporter who said that promotion could be on the cards “ Now don’t get carried away son” and everyone laughed !
OFB
Watched Fry on Wednesday night, that Young man is now playing like someone who is in full control, both of the opposition and his career. He now looks the part, having grown and filled out, playing in the center of the park is his position, and he is not going to find many who can boss him.
We must remeber that Fry was injured during the summer of 2019. So he missed the pre-season and then played catch up all season. And when back he came to a losing and confidence missing team.
So well done this season but the team is different now. And he is fit again. Up the Boro!
Check behind the couch and down the side of the couch. If they aren't there you might find some nuts. Peanuts that is.
UTB,
John
It would be a huge gamble if a struggling Premiership side pinned their hopes of staying up on a young Championship defender with no top level experience to speak of. I'd suspect that McNair rather than Fry would be the coveted one.
Battle of the Badges
@grovehillwallah The terriers have two - one integrated into the other. Quite difficult when small. Up the Boro!
What you say is correct, but it's not the struggling clubs we should be worried about. An awful lot of very successful clubs are in deep trouble with their central defenders and make no secret of the fact. It is very possible that they would pounce just to beat their fellow giants to the punch, money really is no problem to these people.
Get in 0-1 should be 0-3! 😎