Borough individuals assesment.

[Tommeh]

Weale - 8 I called this game as the Chris Weale show and was right, another top display.

Morrison - 6 -big improvment on the recent Neilson performances I've seen.

Hobbs - 7 - usual stuff

Brown - 8 - huge improvment from the warrior

Berner - 8 - standard showing from the leagues best left back.

Gallagher - 5 - never really got in the game or offered a threat.

Oakley - 6 - very sloppy at times, great compute and vision to set up Dyers goal.

King - 6 - did well to carry on after earlier knock but fairly anonymous throughout.

Dyer - 7 - goal a big help but also did ok going forward. Only real attacking outlet 1st half.

Fryatt - 5 - never appeared out of David Weaters pocket

Yann - 5 - Didnt offer much at all.

Spearmint Steve - 7 - gave Weater a serious problem physically and woke us up as an attacking threat.

Waggy - 7 - more energy shown in 25 than fryatt and tann together in 65. Impressive.

Adams 6 - ran the line and worked well till the end.

Pearson - 8 good selection to shake things up and excellent timing of forward substitutions.

Middlesborough - 0.5 - complete dive.

Night out - ????

[Thracian]

Weale 8 (Man of the match for a couple of splendid saves, particularly a full-stretch one-handed effort by his right post but also for his otherwise near-faultless handling in what was by some way his best performance for the club in what has been a sound career for us so far).

Morrison 6 (So nice to witness his solid no-nonsense presence around our defence again and the reward of our first clean sheet in nine and one that was thoroughly deserved and fought for).

Hobbs 7 (Made his point defensively in the best possible way by allowing Boro's talented attackers next to no leeway and very few clear-cut opportunities).

Brown 7 (The other half of an effective, no-nonsense centre-back partnership).

Berner 7.5 (Focused and alert. This was surely Berner's best outing for City).

Gallagher 5.5 (Given little opportunity to shine).

Oakley 5.5 (Although he made Dyer's goal Oakley put us under unnecessary pressure by giving away two free kicks right on the edge of the box which Boro thankfully wasted. Worked hard enough but was generally disappointing).

King 6.5 (King's positional discipline provided so much of the glue that held out performance together. Gone were the gaping holes that have appeared when people ran hard at the centre of our defence or the massive gaps that have appeared behind people. Suddenly our team looked organised and aware of what it was trying to do).

Dyer 7.5 (Dyer's goal won the match. The guy had one big chance and took it on the back of a lively general effort and one which provided at least some of the pace we've so sadly missed on the counter attack).

Fryatt 5 (Rightly subbed because he was firmly shackled throughout).

Kermogant 5 (Provided no great influence. We still have a serious striker problem)

Subs:

Howard 6 (Put himself about quite keenly but never looked like scoring).

Waghorn 6.5 (Lively and positive. Disturbed Boro's composure although one speculatie backheel wasted what might have been our second best scoring chance after their keeper spilled the ball near his left-hand post).

Adams 6 (Added a bit more pace and purpose to our later efforts as Pearson took the initiative by introducing new faces and new problems for Boro in a finally rewarded effort to pinch all three points).

Pearson 9 (It was hard to fault the guy tonight. He might easily have copped out of making changes wth the teams still level but instead he made positive changes which finally rewarded what was a well considered approach to the game and the challenge of winning against such an obviously capable side).

[clazkel]

Weale - 8.5

Morrison - 6.5

Hobbs - 7

Brown - 7

Berner - 8

Gallagher - 7

Oakley - 6.5

King - 6

Dyer - 7

Kermogant - 6

Fryatt - 6

Howard - 7

Waghorn - 7

Adams - 7

Great subs by Pearson, at the time when he swapped 2 strickers i thought it could be a mistake but proved to be the right move. Weale made a cracking save towards the end of the game

[Collymore]

Weale - 9

Morrison - 6.5

Hobbs - 7

Brown - 6.5

Berner - 8.5

Gallagher - 6

Oakley - 6.5

King - 6

Dyer - 6.5

Kermogant - 5

Fryatt - 5

Howard - 6.5

Waghorn - 7

Adams - 6.5

[davieG]

Weale's save as much as anything earned us those 3 points to make him MOM. Apart from that I don't think anyone stood out more than anyone else. It was down to everyone giving their all for 95 minutes - A team effort supreme, we rode our luck when they were on top for a period in the 2nd half but apart from that we never once relaxed.

Also top marks for NP for having the balls to make significant changes both at the start and with the substitutions - thanks for the 3 points.

Weale - 8

Morrison - 7

Hobbs - 7

Brown - 7

Berner - 7

Gallagher - 7

Oakley - 7

King - 7

Dyer - 7

Kermogant - 7

Fryatt - 7

Howard - 7

Waghorn - 7

Adams - 7

That was their lowest gate since they moved to the Riverside

[Guest Mee-9]

Weale - 8.5

Morrison - 7

Hobbs - 7

Brown - 7.5

Berner - 7.5

Gallagher - 6

Oakley - 6.5

King - 6

Dyer - 7

Kermogant - 6

Fryatt - 6.5

Howard - 7

Waghorn - 7

Adams -7

[SamL]

Weale 8

Morrison 7

Brown 7

Hobbs 7

Berner 7

Gallagher 5

Oakley 7

King 6

Dyer 7

Fryatt 5

Kermogant 5

Subs: -

Howard 7

Waghorn 7

Adams 6

[Jimmy]

Weale 8 - world class save at the end to keep the 3 points capped a great display

Morrison 8 - MOTM, played superbly and was never in that much trouble, also very VERY cool under pressure, playing his wy out of trouble instead of just smashing it away

Hobbs 6 - Solid

Brown 6 - as above, muh improved

Berner SEVEN

Gally 6 - looked better on the right but still not great

King 6 - put in a great defensive display and put his body on the line, he and Oakley actually looked like they could play together

Oakley 7 - looked as if he knew what his roll was for a change

Dyer 7 - Scored the winner, worked hard and always gave McMahon problems even if he didn't create all that much

Kermorgant 5 - never really go going, but tried hard

Fryatt 5 - was kept quiet by St Ledger

Howard 6 - looked more energetic and as though he had a point to prove

Waghorn 6 - his pace caused them problems but never got a clear cut chance

Adams 6 - looked a little more dangerous then Gallagher, but didn't get long, did play a part in the build up to the goal, was just as calm as Morrison at the end when they decided to play their way up field before putting Waggy in the corner

[surrifox]

thanks to all the contributors in this thread- some commonality in the marking and the measured reporting that away travellers tend to provide rather than much of the hysterical nonsense and rating at home games

[Fez of Mahrez]

Weale 8

Morrison 7

Hobbs 8

Brown 7

Berner 8

Gallagher 5

Oakley 6

King 7

Dyer 7

Fryatt 5

Kermorgant 5

Waghorn 6

Howard 6

Adams 6

[Guest]

Weale 8

Morrison 7

Hobbs 8

Brown 7

Berner 8

Gallagher 6

Oakley 6 - After giving the ball away lots during the first half, he more than made up for it for making that pass to Dyer when frankly, he could've blasted it himself

King 7

Dyer 7.5 - Hero!

Fryatt 6

Kermorgant 5

Waghorn 6.5

Howard 6

Adams 6.5

Honestly, I'd probably start with the same team against Cov except putting Howard back up with Fryatt to start

[leicesterfox86]

Weale's save as much as anything earned us those 3 points to make him MOM. Apart from that I don't think anyone stood out more than anyone else. It was down to everyone giving their all for 95 minutes - A team effort supreme, we rode our luck when they were on top for a period in the 2nd half but apart from that we never once relaxed.

Also top marks for NP for having the balls to make significant changes both at the start and with the substitutions - thanks for the 3 points.

Weale - 8

Morrison - 7

Hobbs - 7

Brown - 7

Berner - 7

Gallagher - 7

Oakley - 7

King - 7

Dyer - 7

Kermogant - 7

Fryatt - 7

Howard - 7

Waghorn - 7

Adams - 7

That was their lowest gate since they moved to the Riverside

Awful, awful fans in my opinion. Watch them come crawling back if they manage to go up. Which on last nights showing, there is every chance they won't do.

won

[lou]

Weale 9 (MOTM)

Morrison 7

Hobbs 8

Berner 8

Brown 7.5

Gallagher 6.5

Oakley 6

King 6

Dyer 7

Fryatt 5

Kermorgant 6

Howard 6.5

Waghorn 7

Adams 7

[David Guiza]

Weale-9- Some top saves, and a great punch towards the end.

Morrison-7- Did a good job against Johnson when he was on the side wasn't helped by Gallagher a great deal.

Brown-6- Stood off Aliadiere and we nearly conceeded from it but apart from that decent game

Hobbs-7- Didn't really do alot wrong and did a good enough job on Lita when he came on.

Berner-7- Same as Morrison plus some good tackles/interceptions

Gallagher-6- Looked a little more affective on the left and made a quality tackle on Johnson but other then that didn't do anything

Oakley-6- Didn't get a pass right for about 75 mins but good vision for the goal, thought he was going to shoot though .

King-6- To lightweight but good enough

Dyer-7- The goal helped but same as Gallagher really

Fryatt-6- Didn't see him away from Wheater the whole game

Kermo-6- Some good flicks but didn't see alot of the ball

Howard-7- Changed the game when he came on held the ball up

Waghorn-7- Great running held the ball up as well.

Adams-6- Did more then Gallagher in 10 mins.

[Lillehamring]

Weale 8

Morrison 7

Hobbs 8

Brown 7

Berner 8

Gallagher 6

Oakley 6 - After giving the ball away lots during the first half, he more than made up for it for making that pass to Dyer when frankly, he could've blasted it himself

King 7

Dyer 7.5 - Hero!

Fryatt 6

Kermorgant 5

Waghorn 6.5

Howard 6

Adams 6.5

Honestly, I'd probably start with the same team against Cov except putting Howard back up with Fryatt to start

i'd like to see the same side start, not much point changing things for one game, winning it and then going back on yourself, by all accounts howard did well, but perhaps this is more to do with only having to play 30 minutes instead of 90, and having something to prove...

by the sounds of it, last night was not a game for strikers, with both ours and theirs seemingly in the pockets of the defenders - now NP has made the commitment to change, it would make sense to stick with it for a few games, especially if we are winning away games as a result

[Thracian]

i'd like to see the same side start, not much point changing things for one game, winning it and then going back on yourself, by all accounts howard did well, but perhaps this is more to do with only having to play 30 minutes instead of 90, and having something to prove...

by the sounds of it, last night was not a game for strikers, with both ours and theirs seemingly in the pockets of the defenders - now NP has made the commitment to change, it would make sense to stick with it for a few games, especially if we are winning away games as a result

Howard did little to state his case or otherwise last night. Being fair, our team had enough to contend with at the other end for much of the time he was on and, while Pearson did make sure we still had runners when we gained possession (Dyer and Waghorn in the closing stages) the demands of the evening meant that there was never going to be an army of City attackers to help him and provide the chances he needs.

However the brutal truth is that it was the quick and lively Dyer who plundered the winner from the scraps of scoring opportunities to be found and Howard who completed yet another game without scoring.

I do think there's some sense in perhaps using Howard as a substitute but I'm still no clearer who should partner Fryatt from the off.

In all honesty no-one stands out but finding a solution has to be our top priority.

[maddog]

Don't give Kermo too low rating it was his first start and he's hardly played.

Would like to see him given at least 4 more starts to prove his worth.

[Muz]

Weale 8

Morrison 7

Hobbs 8

Brown 7

Berner 7

Gallagher 5

Oakley 5

King 7

Dyer 7

Fryatt 5

Kermorgant 5

Waghorn 6

Howard 6

Adams 6

[hackneyfox]

But is he truly fit yet?

And I don't mean match fitness, when he first signed I thought a couple of people believed he was carrying an injury.

[Thracian]

Don't give Kermo too low rating it was his first start and he's hardly played.

Would like to see him given at least 4 more starts to prove his worth.

What has a rating got to do with how many games a bloke has played?

If the guy's selected it's fair to presume that the manager thinks he's fit enough and good enough.

His rating, at least as far as I'm concerned, should reflect his performance on the day.

[marbelladave]

The players did well to get the result, but this was primarily down to better organisation and players working hard at their assigned roles.

I would, in the main, give the players who got the points another go, making just the one change. If he is 100% fit I would replace Yanni with Wellens.

Three man midfield with Gallagher and Dyer pushed up either side of Fryatt.

Memo to Wayne Brown: Try and keep the ball on the floor and find one of our midfielders. Should not be too hard, there are 3 of them!

[flanimal]

Weale 9 - Has been good all the time, but at least three brilliant saves worthy of any league.

Morrison 7 - Solid.

Hobbs 7 - Another good performance.

Brown 6 - Better, still a few moments of 'what are you doing?'

Berner 8 - Quality.

Gallagher 6 - Tried, but he is not a winger.

Oakley 6 - Pretty reasonably, but sloppy pass, and fouls were crap. Better from capt.

King 6 - Just OK.

Dyer 7 - Provided sppeed, got the goal, supported attack. But unsure of whether he is genuine Championship quality.

Fryatt 5 - Didn't do anything, the injury didn't help his efforts.

Kermorgant 6 - He has quality, did well early, but when Middlesbrough took over, he faded. Probably not match fit.

Subs:

Waghorn 6 - Inexperience showed when he should just run the clock down.

Howard 5 - Like always.

Adams 6 - Aggressive, and hungry.

[Lillehamring]

What has a rating got to do with how many games a bloke has played?

If the guy's selected it's fair to presume that the manager thinks he's fit enough and good enough.

His rating, at least as far as I'm concerned, should reflect his performance on the day.

i think he's suggesting that people should take into account the fact that he is relatively new to the side and so might find it harder to interact, also making your debut in a game like that, he's probably going to be tense...

but i know what you're saying, and most people seem to have judged him about the same....

[lcfc_jme]

Weale - 9. Outstanding, definitely could've been beaten heavily were it not for his saves at crucial times in the game.

Morrison - 6.5 - Took a while to get settled, looked very nervous and almost made a couple of costly errors in the opening stages. That said, he won't be up against a better winger all season, so can take heart from his performance.

Hobbs - 7. Won more than he lost in the air, looked reasonably assured and wasn't too troubled. Does lack a yard or two of pace and that could cost us at times.

Brown - 7. Couldn't tell that he'd been short of form coming into this game. Defended like an ox on steroids, never troubled physically, didn't panic and ultimately did what he had to do. Does need to encourage instead of moan, though.

Bruno - 8. The guy is an animal. Honestly, if he shrunk and blacked up, he'd be reminiscent of a young Chris Powell; I can pay him no higher compliment.

Gally - 6. Again, glimpses of quality, but just is NOT a winger, plain and simple. Doesn't track back enough, and gives the ball away needlessly through trying fancy flicks in awkward areas.

Oakley - 6.5 - Bundles of energy to continue trying to break forward as well as sit in. Does seem to give the ball away too often and appears a little hesistant at times, but tries to make things happen.

King - 6.5 - Did ok, nothing special, sprayed a few decent passes, tried to put himself about (and feign injury after every challenge he made ). Appears to lack stamina and strength, but should develop the more he plays.

Dyer - 7. Only for the goal though, mind. Otherwise, just the same as King and Oakley. He's still too predictable as he never cuts inside with the ball. His pace is a great asset, though. Was double, and even triple, marked at times last night in the second half.

Fryatt - 5. Did nothing all game. Wheater did to him what King did to Delph. 'Nuff said.

Kermo - 5. Woefully short of first team experience, needs to play more games. Tried putting himself about but looked pretty lightweight, and his hold-up play was poor as it mainly resulted in them getting a throw.

Subs:

Spearmint Steve - 7. Gave Wheater a huge problem, something which he didn't have marking Fryatt and Waggy. I think he only lost one header when he came on, won a couple of freekicks and also played a part in our goal. Makes much more sense bringing him off the bench in my opinion. Definitely needs to start chipping in with goals, though.

Waggy - 6.5 - Bags of energy, great turn of pace, looked to make things happen, and was a great outlet for us when trying to relieve the pressure late-on.

Adams - 6. Didn't have much time to do things, looked to break forward when he could, also helped out in defence as well.

Nigel - 10. Muchos minerals shown to freshen the side up, got his substitutions bang on and ultimately did what was needed to get a positive result.

Stewards - Should be taken out the back and shot. Well, all apart from the one lass.

Middlesborough - Words fail me.

Ben Stapleford - Gareth Bail.