Middlesbrough (A) Match Thread

[jmono84]

1 minute ago, Tommy Fresh said:

You highlight the quality and how we should be putting teams to bed earlier, but isn't that the exact reason we actually don't. Because sides for the most part set up to counter us, teams like Rotherham know full well if they come at us they'll probably get a slapping.

Yea we’re struggling against these deep blocks but our guys have been over hitting simple passes and should be doing better. They need to show quality and delicate touches, especially KDH if he thinks he’s a higher level.

[beepee1984]

A lot has been said about us scoring late goals and the fact we have scored a lot in the last 30 minutes (and not conceded a single goal) so we have to believe - 13 wins from 15 still speaks volumes

 

However it has started to look like we play just expecting a late goal and not actually forcing them to defend. We are keeping the ball, but I don't think we are moving teams about and wearing them down like we did at the start of the season - but a 2nd half to prove me wrong would be most welcome

 

 

 

[Tuna]

No subs.

[Suzie the Fox]

1 minute ago, lgfualol said:

Cant watch, we the better team?

Yes we are edging it, but need to step it up in this half if we want to win 

[cruzFOX]

Gears need changing and put boro to rest asap!

[TJB-fox]

2 minutes ago, cityfanlee23 said:

Because that is where we should be. This squad should be putting games to bed with quality, week in week out we go into the final 10-15 mins where teams are a goal away from taking points. 
Every single football club in the top 8 is already putting plans in place for if they potentially get promoted, we all expect to go up, so why would we not be looking 6 months into the future? The earlier we can prepare for the premier league the higher chance we have of staying up. 

You can bet your bottom dollar the club are making plans for next season and the premier league, just relax.
 

An average 45 minutes away at Middlesbrough and suddenly the club are without any strategy and we’re already doomed for next seasons premier league  all the groundwork we’ve done pre season under Enzo is suddenly out the window. Crikey

[splinterdream]

It's weird when you know it's pointless thinking we should change our shape or bring on an extra striker etc, because in your head you know that will never happen, so all you can do is suggest a personal change.

[Guest Sideshow Faes]

There's a reason I've called for more attacking talent in January. What we have isn't enough. Another quality number 8 required also. 

[cityfanlee23]

Just now, Dahnsouff said:

This needs to stop as we, like every team, are where we deserve to be, with no rights to be anywhere else. We shouldn`t be a Premier League team but we all hope, maybe expect that will be an actual Premier League team next season

Fair enough, yes we deserved to go down, but with the squad we had we massively underperformed and realistically would still be there if we had no held on to Rodgers for so long. But given the table we should still be preparing the club for potential promotion both off and on the field. We have some very glaring issues imo. 

[SafewayFox]

Totally agree that we’re scarily missing Ndidi as that 8 BUT also think Doyle and his progressive passing/natural left footer playing is a HUGE loss.

[Chrysalis]

3 minutes ago, lgfualol said:

Cant watch, we the better team?

No, we had spells of possession, but boro looking far more dangerous.

[Jattdogg]

In maresca we trust the process 

[cityfanlee23]

Just now, TJB-fox said:

You can bet your bottom dollar the club are making plans for next season and the premier league, just relax.
 

An average 45 minutes away at Middlesbrough and suddenly the club are without any strategy and we’re already doomed for next seasons premier league  all the groundwork we’ve done pre season under Enzo is suddenly out the window. Crikey

It's the vast majority of first halves this season, please don't strawman my position. 

[The Doctor]

It's petty but I really hate how we kickoff and the 5 taps between the two defensive midfielders. Just pointless stat padding

[trabuch]

I think if we last the next ten minutes without conceding we'll win it.

[cityfanlee23]

2 minutes ago, Tommy Fresh said:

But for the most part this season it's the opposition that flounder as they simply can't keep it up for 90 minutes. We've won 13 from 15, I don't think you can say it gives false security and doesn't work, as the results show it has.

And I agree, we have the quality to see the 90 minutes through, but should we get promotion and continue making very poor defensive mistakes and wasting good attacking chances, we will be punished by top tier teams. It works in the final 10-15 minutes yes, but for the first 75 we are a mistake away from conceding, premier league teams won't often waste the chances that championship clubs do. 

[TJB-fox]

Just now, cityfanlee23 said:

It's the vast majority of first halves this season, please don't strawman my position. 

Regardless of the squad we have if you genuinely expect us to turn up and slap teams 4-0 every week in the championship then you need to reassess your expectations. 
 

There’s clearly room for improvement I’m not disputing that but bloody hell, the negativity you’re spouting is really boring.

[Izzy]

5 minutes ago, lgfualol said:

Cant watch

It’s really not that bad

[ARTY_FOX]

What ever happened to 'keep the faith' Jesus christ. People acting like we're Sheffield Wednesday 

[Tielemans63]

A few lads with a point to prove in the second half 

[egg_fried_rice]

KDH with a terrible shot when he should've slipped stephy in

[trabuch]

OH KDH. Keep your head over it son.

[Simonb]

Would rather have kept riccy in his position and pushed choudhury further forward   too much shuffling... cue a Ricardo goal 

[Supergray22]

17 minutes ago, ChrisFilter said:

We’ll be much better second-half. 

I hope so. I don’t get why fantasy is not playing today. Him and winks were our best players against Leeds. I do like mcateer but fatawu would do well against this team. 

[JimJams]

Should score.