I must say that I was disappointed that Middlesbrough FC decided to adopt the trend of a minute’s applause for David Armstrong when a minute’s silence would have been more appropriate and surreal. Why not give a minute’s applause for former Boro players whilst they are still living, maybe on their 50th birthday for example?
I agree Ken, watching it on the live stream it actually appeared a bit messy as everyone started clapping while the stadium announcer was reading out his tribute, which he was probably expecting to read and then ask for the applause. Besides, I think when the time is so close after someone's premature passing then clapping and cheering feels odd rather than having a minute of silent reflection.
Just relaxing on our first full day in Dalyan Turkey. Always a pleasure to keep up with DiasBoro and the amazing contributors. Might be asleep when tonight's match kicks off. 2 hours ahead here but when I get up for a wee lol I shall check the score and see what you have to say tomorrow. UTB
esbrough are currently in talks with Brentford regarding a loan deal for Frank Onyeka, according to an update on Twitter from Sky Sports reporter Lyall Thomas.
The Teesside outfit are still on the prowl for a midfielder and a striker to finish off what has been a productive transfer window at the Riverside, with the potential arrival of the Nigerian addressing the former department.
Celta Vigo are close to reaching an agreement with FC Groningen for Jørgen Strand Larsen.
The deal will exceed €10m.
I thought our last rejected bid was €11m (£9.46m).
Come on BORO.
Thanks Andy for another great piece to introduce this thread.
Needless to say, because we haven't enjoyed even a mini run of consistent performances this season yet, it is impossible to imagine what we will witness tonight. The only thing I am certain about is that I will be watching through my fingers, at least for the first 15 minutes, hoping we get a decent start, but anxious it could be the opposite.
No prediction, just that I will be content with a draw, but hope we do better.
CoB
I must say that I was disappointed that Middlesbrough FC decided to adopt the trend of a minute’s applause for David Armstrong when a minute’s silence would have been more appropriate and surreal. Why not give a minute’s applause for former Boro players whilst they are still living, maybe on their 50th birthday for example?
I agree Ken, watching it on the live stream it actually appeared a bit messy as everyone started clapping while the stadium announcer was reading out his tribute, which he was probably expecting to read and then ask for the applause. Besides, I think when the time is so close after someone's premature passing then clapping and cheering feels odd rather than having a minute of silent reflection.
I hear what you both are saying, but we are not privy to what Spikes family might have preferred. I am sure (well I sincerely hope) the club had been in contact with them. While one thing might not be what I might choose, what someone else would like to be done in memory deserves my respect.
@powmillnaemore. Excellent point. It is not about what we want, in such a situation the family’s wishes are paramount. 😎
Yes if that is what the family asked for then that is what they should have but I would suspect that the club probably only told them that there would be a minute's applause in his memory before the game as I don't recall seeing a minute's silence at a football game in recent times.
I think the trend towards applause replaced a minutes silence because it prevented hearing the few idiots who would often shout out things while everyone was observing it. The best thing about everyone clapping is that the idiots are no longer heard but still I would have liked to have been able to hear the eulogy to David Armstrong before the game but I couldn't make out what the stadium announcer was saying because everyone started clapping as soon as he began speaking.
At least the applause was enthusiastically undertaken by what looked like everyone in the ground so David Armstrong's family would have witnessed the rousing acknowledgement he deserved. Football just rarely does poignant anymore, it has instead opted for a show of tribute.
Team News...
So only one change from the team that lined up against Swansea with Muniz starting instead of Watmore who as we know rarely starts two consecutive games.
Still no Steffen in goal:
Team News...
So only one change from the team that lined up against Swansea with Muniz starting instead of Watmore who as we know rarely starts two consecutive games.
...but is on the bench.
It will be interesting to see if Forss gets on the pitch tonight - much will depend on how Muniz performs and whether wilder prefers Watmore's spanielling...
Just clocked the respective goal differences and realised that a win tonight would put us above Watford. Doesn’t seem right after the start we had whilst they’re in 7th but that’s the Championship!
Looking forward to seeing Muniz.
Come on Boro.
Carnival atmosphere at Vicarage Road. Commentators giving out stats of Boro not winning in last 10 against Watford. Also mention of Boro’s poor defensive record and lack of clean sheets.
Oh well!!!
Muniz bags his first goal for Boro in the fourth minutes, ably assisted by a cross from Ryan Giles. 🙂 *pray*
Honours even after 45.
Boro competing pretty well with the added physicality of Clarke, Mowatt, Crooks and Muniz apparent when compared to a few weeks ago.
Ryan Giles should never have been allowed to cross early on but what a ball when he did to set up Muniz. Those two have been Boro’s best.
I don’t know what McNair was doing when he allowed Joao Pedro to drift past him and the ball ended up in our net seconds later. Sloppy.
Decent couple of saves from Roberts with Boro under pressure following the equaliser. He could be staking a claim.
Momentum shifted firmly to the hosts. Boro’s central midfield is quiet and not creating much but the side is looking a little more solid overall than earlier in the season, which is just as well as Watford’s front two are dangerous.
Well an open and entertaining first half with us initially very much on the front foot and 1-0 up after just four minutes.
It all looked very promising for the first 20 mins with Boro looking the better side but Watford gradually got back into it and equalised with a well worked goal, in part assisted by McNair failing to get his tackle in and, if necessary, take one for the team.
Both sides have had chances since and still all to play for but we need to be tighter at the back against a potent attack. CoB 😎
The perfect start with a goal in the first few minutes and Boro on top for 10 minutes. Then Watford took over and Boro were repeatedly stretched and no surprise at the equaliser. McNair poor in their build up to the goal. He is not a solid defender. His two fellow central defenders at times are flat footed and Howson is off the pace. So, still no clean sheet.
The pluses are Giles who is an attacking threat and Muniz is a vast improvement so far to last years forwards.
I can’t see Boro holding their skilful and fast forwards for the whole of the second half and so I’d take a draw now.
Philip of Huddersfield
Great start from Boro and just what Muniz needed to give him confidence - Boro looked sharp in those first 15 minutes but you can see that Watford have a few players with PL quality. Indeed, the game has been played at almost PL pace but perhaps it was that lack of pace in defence from McNair that left him more a spectator for their equaliser - which was very smartly converted.
A good contest but maybe Howson is struggling and we may see McNair move into midfield with Dijksteel getting an opportunity to show his credentials for the right centre-back position. I wouldn't fancy getting anything out of the game if Watford score the next but if Boro do then who knows...
Good goal by Boro, an even better one from Watford.
Boro struggling to cope with Watfords pace and movement. McNair just did not have the speed to handle Pedro or does the majority of the defence and midfield. Howson is struggling and needs to come off.
I just hope this guy from Brentford we are supposed to be interested in has some.
Typical Boro alive and kicking! 😎
We were robbed. We deserved at least a point.
Muniz is very good and Fry played as well when he came on. We had our chances even to win.
A good entertaining match. Watford had quality players.
Up the Boro!
Bugger.
Boro worked hard tonight and a draw would certainly have been a fair result but the half chances didn’t go our way when we were on top for much of the second half.
Muniz’s 50yd effort was daring and spectacular but not the breather Boro’s tired legs needed late in the game - about the only thing he did wrong all night. He does look like he could be the one.
McNair a little guilty again for the winning goal as once more he did a half-charge at his man and was too easily beaten.
Gutting but a decent performance in a tough fixture.
Sigh.
Boro got on top midway through the second half and should have scored but then the inevitable in added time - Watford scored - sloppy defending.
Mowatt - hardly noticed him apart from out thought by the Watford goal scorer for their equaliser.
Too many bookings - was it 5 ? , the same as last Saturday.
Apart from Muniz, other pluses for Boro ? - the goalkeeper who made a couple of decent saves, good to see a proper defender in Fry and the team looked dangerous at corners.
Overall a decent performance but it’s another defeat.
Until the team learn to keep clean sheets then the supporters will have many disappointments.
Philip of Huddersfield
Typical Boro indeed.
Poor decision making with profligate shots not even on target. Should have taken 3 points, but in the end didn't convince that they could.
Very flat here.
They look really good moving the ball at times. Hope CW can get them to be more productive with it again Sunderland.
That was another late sickener, thought their winner looked offside at first glance but my dodgy feed ended before the replay. Boro deserved at least a draw from the game and better finishing from some long-range chances could have won it. In the end it 50 percent possession each and 14 shots on goal each - good game but bad result that leaves Boro still down the table.
Boro's midfield lacking at times with Mowatt below his best and McNair still off it - maybe his injury in pre-season has left him short of match fitness but Chris Wilder needs something a bit extra in the engine room.
Was pleasantly surprised by how good Muniz's all-round game was and he led the line well, held the ball and gave their defenders problems - plus got his goal. Giles looked the pick tonight with his deliveries but Boro linked up well at times but always looked vulnerable when defending Watford's pace - Fry did well when he came on and Dijksteel looked more dynamic at right centre-back than McNair did. Boro probably ended the game with my first-choice back three - but still lost the game!
Boro deserved more, but then Wilder has been saying that since the start of the season. I am sure he will say more of the same tonight.
McNair the enigma that he is, partly at fault for both goals. Not a defender, not a midfielder. Although Howson took a knock early on, I thought generally we look better without him. The midfield still needs a top class player, which I doubt we will get by Thursday night.
I agree with Werder, if Fry can keep fit, the three that finished are our best three. Muniz looks a handful and worked tirelessly, not something he will be able to do week in week out. I was also pleased for McGree, possibly his best game for me.
The team really needs a confidence boost with a couple of wins on the trot.
Sunderland now virtually another must win and with Mogga in charge who bet against another loss.
It really is time for Wilder to start getting points on the board or the doubts will start to surface.
Werder
Replays showed that Bayo was a couple of yards onside.
Wilder and his team must sort the defence out. Twelve goals against in 7 games is not promotion form.
Just another 'Typical Boro' game. We were good but not great and Watford had a lot of class in their team, particularly up front but we had held our own and should have gone ahead in the second half. Sadly two chances came first to Jones left foot and then to Clarke's right foot and neither of them really picked their spot with any conviction. Then a Watford forward screwed his shot wide and it fell perfectly for their winner. You can't really blame Dijksteel who was moving to block the shot.
Learnings
- McGree has to learn to get his shots on target or else he will lose the number ten slot.
- Muniz looks like a strong acquisition.
- Fry is still a top class defender but he's best when he has someone to battle with in the centre, not out on the sides.
- McNair may well not be quite good enough to hold down any particular position. Cover for Howson is the most important target for the transfer window.
- Jones and Crooks are still a good combination. Mowatt and Giles haven't quite clicked yet.
- Roberts looks good. Couldn't be blamed for either goal and stood up well other than that.
I honestly don't know whether I'm still optimistic for the season or thinking that it's a two year task to get the squad into true winning shape. At times we look as good as anyone in a very level division but can we put the results together.
UTB