Middlesborough Player Ratings

[Bettsj2]

Please

[Leicester Lass]

Schmeichel 7 Had a couple of routine saves to make. Didn't even move for their goal.

De Laet 6 Got forward well but struggled at the back.

St Ledger 8 Solid. MOTM.

Morgan 8 Some vital blocks.

Konchesky 7 Getting back to his best.

Marshall 5 Really poor again. Only seemed to put the effort in when he knew he'd be getting subbed.

Drinkwater 7 Another good performance. Some great defensive work at the end of the game.

James 5 Just not very good. King needs to start now.

Knockaert 7 Tries to do too much at times. Most exciting player we've had for years.

Vardy 7 Probably his best game for us. Good to see him score.

Nugent 6 Wasn't really on it today.

Moore 7 Poor in the first half but really stepped it up second half and defended well.

King 7 Missed a glorious chance but lead our attacks very well.

Dyer 7 Bonus point for the worst shot I have ever seen because of the hilarity of it. Got lucky for the goal, but can't begrudge him of that.

[Bert]

Kasper 5 - might seem harsh but he had little to do today, didn't even make any attempt for their goal.

RDL 5 - great going forward but very suspect at the back.

Konchesky 6 - links up well with whoever is on his side, defended better than he has been.

SSL 8 - Rock solid. Can't recall them really getting in behind us, up against a tricky player.

Morgan 8 - see SSL.

James 4 - woeful. No surprise the game changed when he went off.

Drinkwater 6 - tidy, without really impressing.

Marshall 5 - poor, offered little did next to nothing.

Knockaert 7 - we're gonna struggle to hold into him. Gave them all sorts of trouble.

Vardy 7 - worked ever so hard, not just attacking, but defending too. Deserved a goal.

Nuge 7 - a deceptively decent outlet. Unlucky to hit the post in the first half, certainly did his bit for the team.

Moore 6 - added a bit more strength to the defence, started off a bit dodgy but got better as the game went on.

King 7 - changed the game for me. Boro failed to pick up his runs so many times, could've scored albeit a great save from Steele.

Dyer 7 - won us the match with a heavily deflected goal. Very direct and again caused Boro problems. One shot that went out was particularly terrible, mind.

[acooling08]

Didn't go but looks like the trend of the last 2 home matches has continued.

Marshall and James were poor, Knockout is God.

[MGLCFC]

Disagree Bert

I think Drinwater and James played well as a midfield pair and I didn't see him as woeful. However, I do think King had a greater impact on the game. I sat in the Boro end as I was up there with a work mate who's a Boro fan. He was impressed with how our midfield denied Boro any time or space to penetrate our defence. My main concern is Marshall's form. Perhaps if he swapped sides with Vardy.

[Bert]

Disagree Bert

I think Drinwater and James played well as a midfield pair and I didn't see him as woeful. However, I do think King had a greater impact on the game. I sat in the Boro end as I was up there with a work mate who's a Boro fan. He was impressed with how our midfield denied Boro any time or space to penetrate our defence. My main concern is Marshall's form. Perhaps if he swapped sides with Vardy.

That's fair enough, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just think James had no effect on the game, no influence. Within 5 minutes of king coming on the change in how we were was fantastic.

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Kasper - 6 did okay, as others have said didnt even attempt to save their goal

De Laet - 6 steady again, not the best defender but good going forward

St Legend - 7 good game, played well

Morgan - 8 good game again, best defender we have currently

Konchesky - 7 played well to be fair to Konch

Marshall - 5.5 poor game again by his (last season) standards

James - 6 marginally better than Marshall but not by much

Drinky - 7.5 Engine in that midfield, gets everywhere but distribution lets him down sometimes

Knocky - 8 MOTM for me, a little gem, poor distribution first half mind, 2nd half the dogs danglies again

Nugent - 7 Chased everything but not his game today

Vardy - 7.5 impressed me today, lots of running and looked dangerous

SUBS

Moore - 7 Steady game for the Loughborough lad

King - 7 definate improvement from James

Dyer - 7 made some great runs after coming on, shocking shooting, got a lucky deflection for his goal but deserved the luck for his effort

[MGLCFC]

That's fair enough, everyone is entitled to their opinion. Just think James had no effect on the game, no influence. Within 5 minutes of king coming on the change in how we were was fantastic.

But affecting the game can be in a defensive role by stopping the opposition midfield operating. He's useful at mopping things up. I do agree with you that King had an impact as an attacking force and we looked more dangerous once he was introduced. I like the idea that James keeps it tight first half and King exploits the space after about 55 - 60 minutes. Just my take on the game.

[Bert]

But affecting the game can be in a defensive role by stopping the opposition midfield operating. He's useful at mopping things up. I do agree with you that King had an impact as an attacking force and we looked more dangerous once he was introduced. I like the idea that James keeps it tight first half and King exploits the space after about 55 - 60 minutes. Just my take on the game.

I think James is very similar to King in the way they play. Of course after Sunday there was no reason to change the team and I was happy with the team selection. But for me, James just didn't cut the mustard.

[Jimmy]

Alan Young seems to think James is still short of fitness, I've said in another thread about James he is Andy King without the goals

[MGLCFC]

I think James is very similar to King in the way they play. Of course after Sunday there was no reason to change the team and I was happy with the team selection. But for me, James just didn't cut the mustard.

Fair enough - I do think King will be back before too long.

As I said earlier, Marshall's form is worrying. Even his free kick was woeful

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Fair enough - I do think King will be back before too long.

As I said earlier, Marshall's form is worrying. Even his free kick was woeful

i think Marshy will get a jammy deflected goal soon and then go on a bit of a run (formwise)

[Bettsj2]

Cream rises to the top.

No need to worry about Marshall.

[Corky]

We've seen with Nugent that form can change, he got a bit of luck against Burnley and the confidence came back.

Marshall needs something similar.

[Large Frank]

Schmichael 7 Don't know what happened with the goal but otherwise sound

De Laet 6 Ok until injured

Konchesky 8 Had a good game and got forward well. Was talking to a Boro fan in my local who was at the game who thought he was stand out.

St Ledger 9 Excellent game

Morgan 7 Looked a bit lost at times, but a sound performance

Knockhart 8 a constant threat, and will improve as he makes better choices about passes and ball retention

Drinkwater 9 A really good strong midfield performance

Marshall 6 Looks a bit out of sorts

James 7 Reminds me of King of last year. Needs time to develop, but has potential

Nugent 6 Could have had a couple of goals. A bit of a frustrating performance.

Vardy 7 A bit deeper than he needs to be to be really effective, but 100% effort and a goal

Moore 7 Looked comfortable at right back

King 8 Looked good after coming on and made a positive difference

Dyer 8 As above for King. Coming on as sub is the best way to utilise Dyer

[Dan]

Schmeichel - 5. Think he's got some blame to take for their goal, to not even move when it's not been near a deflection is pretty shocking goalkeeping for me. Made a couple of decent saves though.

De Laet - N/A

Morgan - 8. Solid, beast.

St Ledger - 8. MOTM for me. Said it in the other thread but he had a really good game today I thought, handled Jutkiewicz with ease and if he can be consistent I'll be delighted. He was also ridiculously unlucky not to score.

Konchesky - 6. Pretty quiet today I thought.

James - 4. Really shit today. Didn't look up for the game at all.

Drinkwater - 7. Can't fault his effort today.

Vardy - 8. Unspectacular but his work rate and the fact he scored alone makes him that high for me, he's an asset and a far better striker than Beckford for us. There I said it.

Knockaert - 7. I thought today was one of his worst games for us and he was still good. Says it all really. We need to go up because there's no way he'll be staying in this league another year, I really do think he could play right at the top, superb player.

Marshall - 5. He was crap and he has been for a while.

Nugent - 6. Didn't really happen for him today, should've scored.

Subs;

Moore - 6. Utterly clueless going forward but I can't fault his defensive work, filled in well enough.

King - 7. Impressive and a far bigger impact than James, should've scored.

Dyer - 8. I don't rate Dyer as a player but there is no player at this club currently who has single handedly given me so many mental goal celebrations away from home, he pops up so often on the road it's quality and to do it at Boro again. That goal was the perfect topping to a solid display and I love the man. He made a real impact today and Marshall needs to seriously up his game.

[Dan]

Alan Young seems to think James is still short of fitness, I've said in another thread about James he is Andy King without the goals

I'm not really surprised, I think that's the biggest problem with James really and I think Pearson may have actually made a mistake. I hope he can make something of himself because he's not a bad player but he seems one of these who's very injury prone.

I'm sure Man Utd said that he'd be in their team now if it wasn't for his injuries. Shame really because he comes across as a determined lad and he's not a bad player, I just think so far he's been very average and it appears to be down a reason that won't go away.

But fingers crossed, he's got years to go.

[Dan]

We've seen with Nugent that form can change, he got a bit of luck against Burnley and the confidence came back.

Marshall needs something similar.

Marshall's been very similar to when we signed him - extremely average. One screamer against Chelsea and his confidence absolutely rocketed.

His confidence strikes me as pretty low, he's not hitting nearly as many long shots this year and that's a real shame. Like I say, one big moment for him and we'll see the re-emergence of his class again.

[Jimmy]

I'm not really surprised, I think that's the biggest problem with James really and I think Pearson may have actually made a mistake. I hope he can make something of himself because he's not a bad player but he seems one of these who's very injury prone.

I'm sure Man Utd said that he'd be in their team now if it wasn't for his injuries. Shame really because he comes across as a determined lad and he's not a bad player, I just think so far he's been very average and it appears to be down a reason that won't go away.

But fingers crossed, he's got years to go.

He meant general and match fitness not anything to do with injuries

[davieG]

Despite the difference of opinion on James he's received 2 MOM votes ???

[marbelladave]

Marshall's been very similar to when we signed him - extremely average. One screamer against Chelsea and his confidence absolutely rocketed.

His confidence strikes me as pretty low, he's not hitting nearly as many long shots this year and that's a real shame. Like I say, one big moment for him and we'll see the re-emergence of his class again.

Marshall is at his best when, like Knockeart, he is being given freedom to roam......

This season it would appear that he has been required to play out wide, first on the right, now even less effectively on the left. he needs to me more involved, he's isolated and starved of the ball.

Despite the difference of opinion on James he's received 2 MOM votes ???

Did not see yeaterdays game but midweek he was excellent in a calm, understated manner......

[bald reynard]

Schmeichel - 7: most of what he did was fine, but he didn't move for their goal

De Laet - 6: not on for long enough to make a mark; but again better going forward than defending

Morgan - 7: usual competent self, but a bit 'lost' at times (seemingly not knowing who he was supposed to be marking)

St Ledger - 8 (MotM for me): one of the best games I've seen him have; he had Jutkiewicz (or however he's spelt !) in his pocket

Konchesky - 7: OK going forward and defending

Marshall - 5: again poor; playing in a 'roving' role (on left and right) doesn't suit him - he needs to go back to being a straight-forward right winger (but then they couldn't properly accomodate Knocky !)

Drinkwater - 7: as hard working as ever, good defensively and breaking up opposition breaks, but can't offer that 'killer pass' or make a mark in attack (can't see him ever scoring !)

James - 5.5: just what does he do - wanders about a bit, does a few passes - nothing that really contributes though

Knockaert - 7.5: loses his way a lot, is greedy and holds on to the ball when he should pass more - but real skill and makes such a difference (I'd say a 'new David Ginola' !). He was really 'up for it' - geeing up the crowd and a proper showman. I reckon he'll be a legend for us !

Nugent - 6.5: such a quiet game, didn't seem to know what to do/where to be; worked hard for others, but never really looked like scoring

Vardy - 7: mainly quiet up front (as Nugent), but far more mobile, defended well when De Laet was injured (playing right back for 10 minutes) - and did score the goal

Subs:-

Moore - 6.5: OK, but never really comfortable at right back (seemed a bit 'lost') strange as that WAS his position - perhaps too used to being in the centre now

King - 7: made a difference in midfield, though never looked like scoring. There's no way James should be in ahead of a fit Kingy

Dyer - 7: typical Lloyd - ran around a lot (mainly on the right), lost the ball / lost his way a lot - but really worried their defence with his pace - and scored a (fluky !) goal. Much better than Marshall at the moment / in this formation (with Knocky in 'the hole' / roving around) - should start against Huddersfield.

For next match ?:-

St Ledger to right back (can't see De Laet being fit) and young Moore seems to have lost his way for now

Whitbread in the centre

King for James

Dyer for Marshall

[hornyhollthefox123]

Just to defend Marshall slightly. He broke up with his Mrs a few weeks ago who he'd been with for 7 years or something, and that's coincided with his loss of form.

He'll be back on form soon.

[smudger63]

Marshall is at his best when, like Knockeart, he is being given freedom to roam......

This season it would appear that he has been required to play out wide, first on the right, now even less effectively on the left. he needs to me more involved, he's isolated and starved of the ball.

Did not see yeaterdays game but midweek he was excellent in a calm, understated manner......

This.

[seenitall]

Just to defend Marshall slightly. He broke up with his Mrs a few weeks ago who he'd been with for 7 years or something, and that's coincided with his loss of form.

He'll be back on form soon.

Amazing - aaaahhhh, even though we are only paying him £112.50 a week because he's 'young and hungry' (tm. Foxestalk), he can at least try to be a pro