Bettinelli made a fine save to deny Michael Morrison late on. So the whole team played exceptionally well today. Well done. Up the Boro!
Very solid all round performance from the Boro today.
Sometimes the game seems very simple: we go back to three centre-halves - the formation we’ve looked most comfortable in not just this season but for the past two or three seasons - play two lads up front who know where the goal is and have movement, and have added a little gem in Kebano who can receive the ball and move it on in tight situations. Hey presto, we look a team again.
Fry was superb and credit to Morsy who had his best game for a while.
I said it after the Huddersfield game: the blueprint is there for the rest of the season and the more we play to it the better we’ll get at it.
Strange feeling with Boro winning two games in succession and especially so away to Reading who they more than matched. Elation is mixed with if only they could have done this against the Championship's lesser side.
The return of Dael Fry made a huge difference at the back although and Grant Hall could consider himself unlucky to be dropping to the bench after a solid display against Huddersfield in midweek. The composure and class from the young CB oozed alongside McNair who looked more settled having his soulmate alongside. Boro coped well in the opening stages and indeed surprised their hosts by being far more adventurous than the five at the back may have looked on paper before kick off.
A free kick just over the half way line was launched by the reprieved McNair and met by Fry halfway through the first half as the returning CB headed the ball across the six yard box for Fletcher to take advantage of the perfect set up to give Boro a deserved lead. That's two goals in two games now for the forward who had just eased himself back into the side after a lengthy lay off further boosting his confidence. Three returnees all combining effectively to put the pre kick off favourites on the back foot.
Just a few minutes later Watmore collected a throw with aplomb and turned it cleverly to Morsy and the indefatigable Midfielder barged rather than dribbled his way across the Reading eighteen yard box holding off a series of challenges to spot Bola lurking on the edge of the box and cut the ball into his path for the left back to unleash a rocket that effectively sealed all three points with only a third of the game complete.
Beforehand Rinomhota had clattered Watmore (who needed a fresh shirt afterwards) and then came close to opening the scoring for the Royals with an effort on ten minutes but his shot went wide of Bettinelli's far upright.
Joao was expertly martialled by Fry and McNair and never looked the danger that his goal tally this seasoned threatened. He had come close to pulling then scores level in between the Boro goals but that was as much as he offered as his shot went wide.
Behind Lucas were the lively and slick Semedo, Ojaria and Olise who all showed their class in testing and teasing but Boro with Morsy impressing contained them with ease. The first half was one of a confident Boro playing good football and threatening the Royals which was probably the exact opposite of what Reading Manager Paunovic expected.
McNair almost made it three before the end of the half but Rafael in the Royal's goal got down to it to spare his sides blushes. The second half as expected saw a switch both in personnel and intensity from Reading as they pushed to get back into the game. They came closest with Olise who saw his effort ruled offside as Boro reverted to a strong defensive showing conceding possession and keeping things tight and looking for counter attacks. Bettinelli had to pull off a good save from a strong drive but it was straight at him and his tendency to push the ball straight back into play caused a twitchy few seconds.
Watmore was replaced by Marvin Johnson who made the most of his opportunity to ensure that he doesn't become a forgotten man with several neat touches and good runs. It was a result very few of us would have dared hoped for but one that sees us close in on Bournemouth and Swansea after they slipped up and of course Reading themselves.
If Fletcher can keep fit he looks more capable of leading the line than either Britt or Chuba. Fry and McNair look solid once again and Bola just continues to leave us scratching heads after his ignominious start to his Boro career. Could we be seeing the dawning of a late Boro surge? It's the hope that kills us every time.
It was a result very few of us would have dared hoped for but one that sees us close in on Bournemouth and Swansea after they slipped up and of course Reading themselves.
I was one of the few. I said 0-2 before the game but got Bola's goal wrong. Happy days now. Up the Boro !
I’m pretty convinced that three at the back suits us best, particularly for McNair but I think main difference is the make-up of the midfield. Morsy looks more comfortable with just Howson beside him and a more defined role and Kebano is light years ahead of Saville in terms of passing and technical ability.
Nothing against the hard-working George Saville but it’s just too samey with him, Howson and Morsy and the choice should always be two from three.
So yes, definitely more adventurous with five at the back but I think that’s due to the composition and better balance in midfield.
Redcar Red
I thought the match officials were very poor today as per previous games we have seen in the championship
As per your comment:
“Beforehand Rinomhota had clattered Watmore (who needed a fresh shirt afterwards) “
So why didn’t the referee not issue a card for the obvious foul.
Also in the first half the side closest to the camera a Reading player pushed McNair who went down and the ball went over the line. The assistant referee near to then awarded a corner and no foul. Even the Reading match commentators said it was a clear foul.
The referee just wanted to smile and get on with the game
Pure theatrics
OFB
@original-fat-bob I think I have become almost immune to Championship Referees and their assistants. It's got to the point now where an average to good Official would really stand out. I think we are all seeing the lack of crowds even up the perceived home advantage with sides but it's clearly showing just how much the crowd really do influence decisions from the officials. The lack of howls of derision or screaming and shouting is causing an atmospheric vacuum which I suspect the Officials fed off in making their decisions and without that are reduced to guessing at best or wildly speculating.
Rob Stewart's report from The Sunday Times, for what it's worth:
Neil Warnock’s Middlesbrough men confirm promotion intent
Reading 0 Middlesbrough 2
At the end of a week that began with Neil Warnock receiving his first Covid-19 vaccine, the Middlesbrough manager’s promotion hopes were given a timely shot in the arm at the Madejski Stadium. The 72-year-old saw his team step up their pursuit of a play-off place with an impressive win over Reading thanks to first-half goals from Ashley Fletcher and Marc Bola. It capped quite a week for Warnock, whose side bounced back from defeat by lowly Derby County to beat Huddersfield Town at the Riverside. This was a real statement of intent against promotion rivals.
“That has to go down as the best display since I came to Boro so I’m really chuffed,” said Warnock, who is chasing his ninth promotion. We were totally different from the side that lost at Derby. The lads did everything we asked of them and more. I really enjoyed watching what was a really good performance against a good side. We were right in the mood and tactically very good.”
Reading had the upper hand early on thanks to fluent attacking play. Andy Rinomhota, the midfielder, almost put his side in command after good work by Michael Olise, but shot narrowly wide. Lucas João was then left cursing his luck when he headed Olise’s corner just over.
The visitors looked there for the taking, but Warnock’s players held firm, took the lead on 22 minutes and never looked back. Fletcher was on target for the second time in five days after his winner from the penalty spot against Huddersfield, thumping the ball home unmarked from close range after Dael Fry headed Paddy McNair’s free kick across goal.
Reading had gone into the game with one of the poorest defensive records in the Championship and Middlesbrough took maximum advantage in the 29th minute, Bola beating goalkeeper Rafael with a fierce rising shot after Sam Morsy led Reading’s defence a merry dance.
Warnock’s men dominated after the break and Fletcher was denied a second thanks to Rafael’s smart save. Veljko Paunović, the Reading manager, whose side have lost three home games in a row, said: “This is unacceptable. We must bounce back immediately but we can’t become bitter and throw things at each other.”
Star man: Paddy McNair (Middlesbrough).
Reading (4-2-3-1): Rafael 6 – A Yiadom 6, M Morrison 6, T McIntyre 5, O Richards 5 (L Gibson 46min, 6) — A Rinomhota 6, J Laurent 6 — M Olise 6 (S Aluko 86), A Semedo 6 (T Esteves 46, 6), O Ejaria 6 (G Puscas 78) — L Joao 6. Booked: Richards, Rinomhota.
Middlesbrough (3-5-2) Bettinelli 6 — Dijksteel 6, D Fry 6, McNair 9 — Fisher 7 (N Mendez-Laing 78), Howson 6, S Morsy 6, N Kebano 6 (G Saville 78), M Bola 8 — Fletcher 8, Watmore 6 (M Johnson 66, 6). Booked Howson, Fletcher.
Referee D Webb.
Interesting the Times gave Paddy 9 and Fry / Morsey 6 it’s not what I and a lot of other Boro fans thought. Or perhaps we are taking Paddy’s performances for granted these days.
I must confess I prefer the look of the team without Saville.
OFB
I must confess I prefer the look of the team without Saville.
OFB
I think to be fair to Saville that the team is better with 2 midfielders and 2 attacking wing backs which means you're picking 2 from Howson, Morsy and Saville. That then leaves a front 3 where you can pick from (when all fit) Fletcher, Bolasie, Watmore, NML, Kebano, Tav, Browne, Johnson, (and Akpom and probably someone else who knows).
From out of nowhere that looks, on paper at least, like a lot of powerful attacking options.
I have just posted a new thread Boro v Bristol which is showing as a private post for some reason and not sure what that means.
If it is not visible for everyone to read then please let me know and I will post again.
Apologies for the mistake in the last sentence, for "Reading" read "Bristol" - spotted the error after posting but too late to edit. 😎
I have just posted a new thread Boro v Bristol which is showing as a private post for some reason and not sure what that means.
If it is not visible for everyone to read then please let me know and I will post again.
Apologies for the mistake in the last sentence, for "Reading" read "Bristol" - spotted the error after posting but too late to edit. 😎
I saw it when you first put it up, KP, but it now seems to have disappeared! 😯
The game seems very easy when some thought is given to tactics, plus endeavor, plus talent. We looked good, but of course we had the right players in the right positions, and when that changes so will our winning percentage. We will refrain from forecasting Tuesdays result (tempting fate) but I am optomist.
There were a couple of moments when I was reminded of how good some of our previous strikers have been.
When Paddy had his shot saved just before half time and then the keeper saved Fletcher’s shot near the end, I realised just how confident I would have been about Boksic, Yakubu or Viduka sticking the ball in the back of the net.
Hapoy days...