Reach is injured I think hence him missing.
Our Midfield has been shocking, failing to play balls to Watmore and Johnson when they set off on runs, instead just recycling possession and going back to Bettinelli. Wednesday's weakness all season has been their woeful midfield yet we can't capitalise on it.
Its as though the Boro players are full of Christmas Turkey and thought that Wednesday would simply roll over.
Wing not effective, Britt not putting their defence under any pressure. McNair and Fry are playing as though they never met before this evening. Warnock needs to read the riot act at half time and make three changes, Wing off, Tav on, Watmore off, Roberts on, Britt off and Akpom on. Failing that leave Wing on and bring Tav on for Watmore and Akpom for Britt as a minimum.
Boro the better side with far more of the ball, and Bettinelli not having a save to make, but two poor pieces of defending by McNair and Dijksteel gift Wednesday two goals.
There is still something in this for us, but since the second goal we have lost our cool with those two recidivists, our manager and Morsy, along with skipper Britt leading the way. Apparently NW is incapable of learning that the ref will give us nothing in the second half, but more cards if he persists with his current complaints
So we stand in danger of squabbling away the game instead of concentrating on the job in hand.
We need coolness and composure to win this one, but where is that going to come from.
The commentary team seem to think that Britt has played well. In fact he has given away free kicks, continuously moaned, and missed a sitter. Neil Maddison said he had done everything right in trying to get to Watmore's tempting cross. In fact had he gone for the ball with his weaker left peg he would have reached it. A bad miss in my book.
We've played quite well with Watmore outstanding.
There's nothing to beat here, but the team can't afford to be distracted by the manager's antics
One goal pulled back: Watmore in the 49th minute, assisted by Morsy!
Tav on for Wing in the 64th minute, Akpom for Britt a minute later. McNair given the armband.
A bad defeat in a game we dominate and should have won. Poor team selection cost us. We missed Tav in the first half. As soon as he came on in the second half he was instrumental in linking defence to attack, prodding, probing and creating some good chances which were squandered.
Some uncharacteristically poor defending, and a piece of inspiration from Bannan gave them a two goal safety margin that we could not recover from in spite of having 21 shots at goal.
A plodding midfield left all of the creative play to Johnson and Watmore in the first half with nothing coming from the right side of our attack.
Dijksteel still looked less than fully fit and offered little offensively. Spence might have been a better bet.
Our lack of a half decent striker did not help us.
Watmore was our best player, and in addition is already our top scorer. We need to hang on to him as a top priority and should make him as attractive a contract as we can afford.
Wednesday were a very poor side. This was three points thrown away.
Wing or Assombalonga not for me. Subs disappointment. Roberts should have come on. End now in sight for him.Shame.
Well that was a really poor showing from both the Manager and from the Players. I think that was the first time Wednesday had scored two goals at home and they done that within forty five minutes.
Our midfield were really poor, Wednesday fans have been complaining on Social Media that their midfield is atrocious and has been their weak spot all season. We didn't dominate and Morsy, Saville and Wing looked like strangers.
Watmore was a solitary threat whilst Assombalonga meandered through the game in second gear. He can't challenge for headers so stays on the ground backing into defenders. He collected the ball once and put on a spurt to find Johnson for a shot that was saved by Westwood and apart from that one passage of play Britt was anonymous.
Warnock needs to identify why we had a complete inability to find a wide or attacking player from our midfield and instead just passed backwards, inevitably ending up with Bettinelli against one of the worst teams in the Championship. Wednesday didn't play well, we were abysmal.
That was one of Warnock's worst displays since he arrived here. He sent out a team devoid of any energy and as soon as the first goal went in due to sloppy arrogance there was no fight back except against the Ref at half time. The Ref was poor but probably to be expected from a Mackem but the man with the whistle wasn't to blame for a tactical car crash right from the off.
I don't know what went on over Christmas but clearly minds were not focussed on football to put on such an insipid display.
One step forward, two back? *shakes head*
Hugely disappointing. We had 15 crosses in the first half, but Opta rated just two of them effective. Far too many were blasted over the top of the few players we had in the box.
Once we’d scored early in the second half, I expected a Boro onslaught, but instead we got 25 minutes of nothingness, with Wednesday apparently very comfortable. It was only late on - too late - that we started to put them under some pressure.
I absolutely agree with RR. The constant passing back to Bettinelli as the game wore on was deeply frustrating. He either belted it long for Wednesday’s big defenders to nod clear or else passed it out to McNair, who, surprise, surprise, belted it long for Wednesday’s big defenders to nod clear. We’ve seen Boro use this long-ball stuff before when they’re chasing a game. But I can recall very few occasions this season or last when a long-ball over the top has enabled one of our forwards to run onto the ball, even to shoot, let alone score. Surely a manager of NW’s calibre and experience must realise that for Boro this has not been an effective tactic in recent months?
I can’t help thinking that if only we’d played more football on the ground, passing the ball crisply to red shirts, as Bola and Johnson often did down our left, and putting low balls through the defence, then we might well have had more success. We saw a bit of evidence of this kind of effective movement when Tav came on. But not enough. And why didn’t we use Spence’s pace and trickery down the right? He surely would have caused Wednesday more problems.
It’s 3 points lost for me in a game that was there for the taking. I expect a strong reaction at Wycombe.
In his post-match comments NW wouldn't "name names " for the defensive mistakes that cost us the game.
Fair enough.
Yet he had no hesitation in saying that Tav missed our best chance.
The "chance" that Tav missed was self-created, involving two give-and-goes with Johnson and then Watmore, beginning on the far left touchline and then a driving run into the Wednesday box.
It was our best move and a rare piece of creativity, one that involved something more than a hopeful cross into the box.
Not for the first time the manager failed to give due credit to the performance of our most talented young player.
Not for the first time that player failed to make the starting line-up.
The two players whom NW was reluctant to name for their all-too-evident mistakes were players whom he has consistently designated as his favourites.
I do not quarrel with his not naming names.
But it's fair to point out that this seems to apply to some names but not others.
That's a pity and something the manager may well wish to reflect upon
@lenmasterman. Spot on Len a perfect example of poor man management, not treating his personnel equally and fairly, added to which he got his team selection wrong by not including Tav from the off and bringing on Roberts when we were chasing the game.
I think that was the final message from NW to PR to go back to City.
A poor defeat and three points given away. 😎
As a constant in our continuing season is the problem of Britt. We leave him out and score 4 goals away. We start with him and get nothing, we introduce Wing, and enjoy a romp, he combines with Tav. And our opponents struggle, we drop Tav. and bring back Britt, and practice passing back for 90 minutes, and get what we deserve, nothing. I suppose that we have proved that Wing is useless, his two goals being converted into 'own goals', we will not even mention having as captain a non striking striker, with ambitions as a dead ball specialist, hhhm!
The fact is that any side can beat any other side in this division, in fact it applies to all 5 divisions except for Torquay in the National League. Let’s not forget that the Owls beat Bournemouth in early November before Pulis arrived. What concerns me more is that the protocols for handshakes seems to be alien to many footballers, not particularly at Boro where Britt set a good example by wearing gloves. Why isn’t this mandatory; it’s not as if the weather is too warm? Also it’s no surprise to me that the number of cases of coronavirus is spreading following a one day relaxation on Christmas Day. I can envisage another season being voided as some people, not just footballers , are so irresponsible. If Sam Allardyce is worried about catching coronavirus at the age of 66 what chance have people in their 80s surviving? The strain of coronavirus can affect people in different ways, just ask Greg Norman about his experience. I’d opt for euthanasia if I caught it.
Just adding to my post. Why do sportsmen need to spit? That surely is against the NHS advice as well. A filthy habit indeed.
In his post-match comments NW wouldn't "name names " for the defensive mistakes that cost us the game.
Dear Len, I understood NW was referring to the defending mistakes that he was not naming names.
And when he mentioned Tavarnier, I presumed he got our best chance. I think that was merit to the young midfielder rather than saying he was bad.
Ok, my English is not very good. But I did not understand he was naming Tav for the miss. I think the player was very good.
Communication is often difficult. We understand it differently. Up the Boro!
I see NW has blamed the pitch for Boro booting the ball long all the time! Now come on Neil! We may be naive as fans, but we’re not stupid!
We all love you, Neil. You’re doing a fantastic job against the odds, and we love how you deflect criticism from the team with some great excuses. The one about the Stoke dressing rooms was a belter! But this one about the pitch is an excuse too far. Boro showed when Tav came on that it was perfectly possible to play good football.
So come on, let’s admit that the long ball tactic from the back is being overused and is 99% ineffective!
On a more positive note, Boro got two free-kicks in dangerous positions just outside the box. Britt didn’t take either of them! Perhaps NW has had a word in his ear?
Rumours abound that Roberts will rejoin Celtic. Can't understand why NW won't give him a game especially when we could have done with him last night. NW you will never know how good he is if you don't give him a chance. After all you keep giving chances to a certain player who doesn't deserve one.
@plato. I am no fan of Britt but to be fair to him he actually played and scored in our 1-4 win at Birmingham. 😎
Ultimately a disappointing result but mainly because we've got used to winning more games than last season or than around this time last year. The dreaded re-cycling midfield play needs to be stamped on by Mr Warnock, that's a level of tedium and fruitlessness that Boro do not need to return to.
Not long ago Boro won 1-4 at Birmingham, did the selection for that game need to changed? I think in the days of Mr Strachan Boro won with five goals(?) at QPR and it was all change the next game. Is this selections for the opposition because we're worried about them? Or should we be letting them worry about us?
Mind you totally typical Boro, as much as they ever are a gift in front of us if we go out with the right attitude but the charm of watching Boro is who turns up. Perhaps they should have all had a pint at half time or before the game.
Stay safe everyone,
UTB,
John
The sad part of this whole comedy is that Wing gave Britt an easy opening goal on a plate, before Wednesday had time to realise that we were there for the taking. What he was doing sliding along the ground trying to score with his wrong foot when his left foot was in the perfect position to tap it in for an easy goal? perhaps that was the trouble, he likes to hammer them into the net, even from two yards. We had Wing on the park, and we leave Tav. On the bench. I despair. They were pitiful, we flung away three points, I do not forgive the defence, who conceded two goals that were never on, our Keeper seems to specialise in gifts, the First one was a special, very slowly bouncing over the line , and the second was little better, largely formation standing around by our defence. It would be interesting to find out why we changed the team after the (very pleasant) romp in our last fixture followed by an (unplanned) rest. Why on earth did we change the team that finished the romp. Does our Captain get special priveleges. It was still three easy points against an unstable outfit who will certainly be cannon fodder from now on in. And, worse than that, it is becoming a habit.
It seems to me that Mr. Rolls Royce was at fault for both goals and the goalkeeper dived over the ball whereas if he’d stayed on his feet he might have had a chance of saving the shot.
Having got back into the game early in the second half the game was there to be won and so disappointing that they had so few shots on target.
Watmore is becoming the most important player and whereas I thought he’d be quick to sign, then the longer nothing is said then the more likely he’ll go somewhere else. NW is so right saying the most important thing is for him to play games.
Also Tavernier gives the team a spark that others seem incapable of.
The next game against the bottom team is a must win.
Philip of Huddersfield
@philip-of-huddersfield the next game is a big test of Warnock's ability to get their collective heads out of their backsides. Being Mr. Nice backfired on him before when he let "the lads" have a nice round of Golf instead of training, then he lets them have Christmas Day off and they repaid him both times with performances that had as much backbone as a Member of Parliament.
Clearly being fair and reasonable doesn't work with the squad for whatever reason. perhaps the days off creates a false illusion that makes quite a few of them think they are Barca instead of Boro. Time for a few teacups to be flung around the changing rooms and a few home truths amongst a few of them who looked like they would be better suited to Conference football rather than European nights.
Last night was an opportunity to get us back into the Play Off places but the performance fell far short against a team that are the joint lowest scorers in the Championship and had put two past us before half time. Blame Pitches or blame Dressing room pre fabs but the truth is there is no excuse for weak, confused, disinterested, heartless and spineless performances.
Players need to be played based on form not face fitting and there are two or three that should be nowhere near the first team right now. That they are at the very back and at the very tip of the team doesn't help.
i know whom you mean by ‘the very tip of the team.’ But are you referring to Bettinelli at the other end? I have to admit I have some concerns about him. Was it Preston where he made 2 serious bloopers? And last night again I thought he was slow getting down for the first goal. But I suspect that Stejanovic is at least as accident-prone, so I can see why NW sticks with Bettinelli.
I don’t really share your view that last night’s performance was spineless or disinterested. I do think all the lads tried hard. It’s just that we weren’t very good, making a couple of daft mistakes at the back and failing to put away several good chances. The midfield was generally sluggish and despite Johnson’s efforts down the left we didn’t really start to play properly until Tav came on, belatedly. Even Britt worked hard, I felt, but obviously not to very good effect. He didn’t really get much service, but he did spend too much time on the deck moaning to the ref.
Just a thought for the New Year.
If - in a real Woody kind of way - we would like to attck in 4-3-3 formation with Fletcher, Assombalonga and Watmore up front, who would you pick in the middfield? We can think that Howson would be fit by the time, too.
Would it be Saville, Morsy and Howson, perhaps? I know that Tavarnier has a lot of fans over here, too but would this formation suit him? I doubt.
I personally think that Assombalonga needs more support up front and we have missed Fletcher badly this Autumn. I really look forward to seeing him in the next couple of weeks.
And we need to sign Watmore next. He should be willing to do that after his injury problems.
Up the Boro!
I wouldn’t play those three up front together as they’re all strikers really and you need better balance and some creativity in the wide areas.
If and when all are fit and well I’d go to a 4-2-3-1:
Bettinelli
Djiksteel Fry McNair Bola
Howson Morsy/Saville
Tav Watmore Johnson
Fletcher
There’s plenty of movement and energy in that front four to help us open sides up whilst retaining a solid base.
To be honest, unless there’s a good keeper available on a permanent deal I wouldn’t bother with any January signings. With Bettinelli going back to Fulham and Britt likely leaving, we’re going to need a couple of strong additions next summer so I would keep our powder dry until then. The only signing I’m bothered about right now is retaining Watmore who could be that elusive goalscoring no. 10-type we’ve sorely missed since Gaston’s meltdown.
I think Fletcher has been good on the left before. And Watmore can play anyware in front three but especially on the wing. And I would love to see Fletch and Britt on the field together. They like to play together.
No more Britt isolated on the top - alone. I rate Britt much higher than Akpom.
I think the front three of Fletch, Britt and Watmore would be deadly in the Champioship. Better than the strike force at Brentford, for example. We need goals me thinks.
What do others think about a 4-3-3 system?
Up the Boro!
@jarkko. Sorry Jarkko but Britt does not do enough to justify his presence in the team. The sooner we get him off the books the better.
As for Watmore, it looks to me as if it will be a case of money talking and unless we can match what is on offer from elsewhere, which I doubt, then he will be off. 😎
Our problem is a complete lack of positive thinking, we can't score goals in any significant numbers, because we Cannot and will not shoot at goal, we very rarely adopt an aggressive approach and try to dominate a match, standing around is endemic in this team, and if you want an example, study the First goal at Wednesday. A team in despair, without much hope, just had an enormous stroke of luck curtesy of Britt. Got the ball out wide, wandered in towards our goal from the left, unchallenged, still no sign of any intent, got too close to the dead ball line, our keeper decides he'd better help wanders outside his goal towards the ball, we have a spare player in the box who should have moved to the goal line as our keeper had abandoned it, he stood watching, the 'attacker' decided that he had better have a 'shot' so he scuffed it past our keeper and the ball crawled and bounced and wobbled towards, and eventually over the line. And I believe that no First goal, no second goal.
@redcarred. I agree with much of what you say but can't accept that the other night was a "disinterested, heartless and spineless performance" by the team.
It was, unfortunately, a "typical Boro" display of poor defending and the age old problem of lacking composure and an inability to score when opportunities present themselves or are created. As a consequence three points which should have been ours were lost.
The stats said it all for me, 60% possession, 21 shots but only 3 on target as opposed to SW who had 40% possession and 5 shots with three on target of which they scored 2 goals.
I think none of us likes losing but find it more palatable if the team has given its all but are outplayed or beaten by a better team on the night; sadly on this occasion we lost to a poor side who were there for the taking.
If NW really believes we are capable of top six then in my view he needs the team to start beating teams below them starting with Wycombe on Saturday. 😎