Middlesborough Game Player Ratings

[Salieri]

Shit the bed, even Thracian's happy.

[ozleicester]

Weale - 5 - Couple of mixups and less than confident at times

Neilson - 7... to me, he never looks comfortable on the ball, but made good positions, a little too much hoof

Moreno - 8.. ..Tight game, very composed, terrific distribution

Hobbs - 8 ......back to quality, just a couple of nervous long ball moments.

Berner - 7...... in control as usual

Dyer - 7.... ran alot, but didnt seem to provide a lot of options

Oakley - 8... bossed midfield, very tidy

Wellens - 7... worked hard, looked good on the ball

King - 6 - .. lots of work but didnt really shine for me

DJ - 9 ............ first time ive seen DJ...workrate brilliant.. always a threat... made soem great runs and chances

Howard - 8 .... A typical howard day out.. full of effort some great touches, unlucky

Lamey - 6 - Early to tell, commited early to the tackle.. but won them so looks positive.

Gally - 5 .. disapointing

Matty - not long enough

[Bert]

Weale 6 - Flapped on one cross, only really had one save to make.

Neilson 6 - Played ok, he can't go a game without kicking the ball out of play for no reason though.

Berner 6 - Standard, still looks worryingly unfit though.

Moreno 7 - Nice to have someone who looks composed bringing the ball out of defence, decent performance.

Hobbs 7 - Perfect way to put to bed a few bad games, solid performance.

Oakley 8 - Fantastic game today, won plenty of tackles, kept the ball and passed it well.

King 7 - Unlucky to have had his goal ruled out.

Wellens 7 - Glad he started, his presence on the pitch is massive for us.

Dyer 6 - Too predictable but very dangerous nonetheless.

Howard 7 - Another famous big Steve shift, such a key player when we're under the kosh.

Campbell 8 - After a slow start he was immense, the 'boro back line were shittin their pants every time he ran at them, another day DJ has himself a hat-trick. Shown a pleasing work rate and willing to win the ball back when he lost it too.

Gallagher 5 - Meh

Fryatt 5 - Meh

Lamey 5 - Meh.

The ref was a twat, bordering massive twat to be fair. Typical Premership ref - wanted the game to be about him. Fuck off back to the op flight.

[Nickfosse]

It was a 4-3-3...

King-RCM

Oakley-CM

Wellens-LCM

Dyer-RF

Howard-CF

Campbell-LF

Someone correct me if i'm wrong...

Correct, except Dyer and Campbell occasionally switched wings. Good knowledge though.

[Bert]

Correct, except Dyer and Campbell occasionally switched wings. Good knowledge though.

Knowledge? I thought it was just eyesight! Clear for everyone to see!

[Guest]

Weale - 6 barely anything to do

Neilson 6.5 another good game

Berner - 6.5 occasionally left too much space on that side but I do love a bit of Bruno pegging it forward for the attack

Moreno - 7

Hobbs - 8 back to his regular very high standard again

Oakley - 7.5 couldn't understand his selection to start but I enjoyed a fully justified portion of humble pie

King - 7 should have been a goal

Wellens - 7

Dyer - 6.5

Big Steve - 7

DJ - 7

The ref was a twat, bordering massive twat to be fair. Typical Premership ref - wanted the game to be about him. Fuck off back to the op flight.

Spot on

[Nickfosse]

Knowledge? I thought it was just eyesight! Clear for everyone to see!

I meant good knowledge that we were playing 4 3 3 (4 5 1 without the ball). Very few of my fellow spectating companions knew that, but perhaps that says more about who I sit with.

[milan_foxes]

Correct, except Dyer and Campbell occasionally switched wings. Good knowledge though.

Knowledge? I thought it was just eyesight! Clear for everyone to see!

Ssh Bert, someone's calling me clever for no reason!

[Nickfosse]

Ssh Bert, someone's calling me clever for no reason!

Am I the only one who prefers friendly banter to the usual abuse that gets dished out on this site? (and I can already guess what you are typing in response)

[buzzy]

i fogot that most of you on hear are top class managers get over your selves

[savedave]

Weale - 6.5 (Didn't have much to do)

Neilson - 6.5 (Bit shaky at the start

Moreno - 6 (A couple of dodgy decisions early on, but otherwise OK)

Hobbs - 9 (World class defending in the first half)

Berner - 6.5

King - 7

Oakley - 6

Wellens - 7

Dyer - 8.5

Howard - 7

DJ - 9.5 (Did everything but score and made the match more enjoyable to watch)

Sousa - 7 (Lots of passion from the sidelines. Picked the right starting XI, but making the double subs towards the end was pointless, especially because the team had so much momentum. Why bring off DJ?)

[Bryn]

Weale 7 - Fine, no complaints. Did everything required of him.

Neilson 7.5 - The best former SPL player on show. An excellent game from the much-maligned fullback, who appears to have started the season very strongly. Solid and reasonably composed at the back, willing going forward.

Berner 7 - Very solid, a couple of mistakes but I think he recovered on both occasions. Was always going to leave space when going forward but I think the team covered well for this.

Hobbs 7.5 - A couple of moments where he didn't look 100% with the zonal marking to my eyes - most graphically the occasion in the second half where he called for Berner to close down the wing and then moved himself out of position - but he is generally rock solid. Commanding and aerially resolute.

Moreno 6.5 - Slightly iffy in the air, made a couple of errors but like Berner recovered more often than not. Very willing to bring the ball down and play it, which will be an asset. Looks like he'd make a top defensive midfielder.

King 6.5 - A fairly quiet game for King but I think we were well in control in the middle, so I won't be marking him down. Great control to take the ball around the keeper for his 'goal' - I don't yet know whether the offside decision was correct.

Oakley 7.5 - Ran the show in the midfield in my opinion, was mopping up every loose ball and his passing was efficient and effective.

Wellens 7 - Somewhere in between King and Oakley in terms of effect, bustling display in the middle and set up some good moves.

Dyer 7.5 - I'm not a huge fan of him on the right but he worked his socks off today and created some moves out of nothing, very strong in possession. Always an outlet.

Howard 6 - Hit and miss in the air today, but was a constant presence and should have earned a blatant freekick on the edge of the box.

Campbell 7.5 - Very lively performance, slightly lacking in edge, but he was a nuisance for the defence. In terms of his body language, I wouldn't say he looked passionate about playing for the club right now, but he was certainly professional which is all you can ask. Fabulous freekick was well saved.

Subs - Gallagher never got in the game. Lamey looked bright, Fryatt didn't have long enough to make an impact - I think Campbell tired a while before we brought him off.

Boro fans - Shit

Referee - Shit

L1 (the stand near the away fans, I've got that right?) - Good noise, well done

Sousa - Good starting XI, perhaps could have been more responsive with changes but we were on top so I won't complain. The style is easy on the eye, it was an entertaining 0-0, and if he can really get that style to stick over the next few years I will accept a lower league finish for an improved style and progression in the future quite happily.

[Ricey]

Weale -7 - Not a lot to do

Neilson - 7 - Thought he was solid today, much improved over last season

Hobbs - 8 - Rock solid

Moreno - 7.5 - Looked composed

Berner - 7 - Mr Consistent

King - 7 - Very quiet but did a few things of note

Oakley - 7 - At his best today

Wellens - 7 - Typical Wellens, combative and direct

Campbell- 8 - Tried to do too much of sometimes, but made things happen and looked dangerous

Howard - 7 - Did he best but he lost the aerial battle

Dyer - 7 - Did well but I wish he'd move out wide more, especially with Howard on the pitch

Subs:

Lamey - 6 - Looked a bit uneasy

Gallagher - 6

Fryatt - 7 - Worked his socks off

[Corky]

Weale- 6

Neilson- 8

Hobbs- 9

Moreno- 7

Berner- 7

Dyer- 7

Oakley- 7

Wellens- 7

King- 7

Campbell- 7

Howard- 6

[shiv]

Weale -7 - Not a lot to do

Neilson - 7 - Thought he was solid today, much improved over last season

Hobbs - 8 - Rock solid

Moreno - 7.5 - Looked composed

Berner - 7 - Mr Consistent

King - 7 - Very quiet but did a few things of note

Oakley - 7 - At his best today

Wellens - 7 - Typical Wellens, combative and direct

Campbell- 8 - Tried to do too much of sometimes, but made things happen and looked dangerous

Howard - 7 - Did he best but he lost the aerial battle

Dyer - 7 - Did well but I wish he'd move out wide more, especially with Howard on the pitch

Subs:

Lamey - 6 - Looked a bit uneasy

Gallagher - 6

Fryatt - 7 - Worked his socks off

sums me up really! although i'd add that Fryatt didn't do much as he didn't have enough time on the pitch and Moreno won nothing in the air!

[JimmyB]

Weale - 5 - No idea what's happened to him, flaps at crosses, pushes everything straight back out into play, i've lost all confidence in the bloke.

Neilson - 7 - Steady, defended well and was always an outlet.

Berner - 6 - Decent display, understandibly seemed to tire in the 2nd half, was surprised Neilson was replaced and not Bruno.

Moreno - 6 - Looks good on the ball, relatively quick, a few impressive tackles but aerially, he was poor today.

Hobbs - 9 - Awesome for the first time this season.

Oakley - 8 - Was impressed with him today, seems to win the ball back alot more often this season and nowhere near as wasteful as we have been used to.

King - 7 - Always looking to get forward, linked midfield and attack well at times.

Wellens - 7 - Quality, just wish he could shoot.

Dyer - 8 - Looked a real threat playing from the right today as well as against Palace, runs around like an absolute nutter, could be a huge player for us this season.

Howard - 7 - Had a tough battle up against the beast, held the ball up well and chased everything.

Campbell - 7 - Was a real threat for the first hour but faded quite badly, liked his running at the defenders in the 1st half but there was never really any end product, wasted a few good chances.

[Unabomber]

I thought Weale was very solid today

[Corky]

I thought Weale was very solid today

He had a flap at a cross and one hesitation when Hobbs helped him out, but yes, he looked solid today and his distribution pretty much spot on.

[JimmyB]

I thought Weale was very solid today

He had a flap at a cross and one hesitation when Hobbs helped him out, but yes, he looked solid today and his distribution pretty much spot on

Sorry to disagree, he had next to nothing to do, but there was the cross that he slapped straight onto the head of Wheater who should have scored. Only other times I can remember him being called upon were two shots in the 2nd half, one of which was a free kick I think, but both were straight at him and both he parried back out into the danger area.

I agree though, very nice to see him playing short balls out to the defenders more often than not.

[milan_foxes]

Weale - 7.5

Neilson - 8.5

Hobbs - 9

Moreno - 8

Berner - 7

King - 7

Oakley - 9.5

Wellens - 7

Dyer - 8.5

Howard - 8.5

DJ - 9.5

SUBS;

Gallagher - 8

Fryatt - 7

Lamey - 9

[reynard]

Weale 5 He didn't have much to do but some of what he did was poor. 1 early kick went straight inot touch,he flapped at 3 crosses and two shots he saved he parried back into the danger area.

Berner 6 Steady but faded badly after the hour mark. Possibly need a more athletic full back to play with this style.

Hobbs 8 Good performance.

Moreno 7 Not great in the air but composed on the ball which helped Hobbs I believe.

Neilson 8 He played well today and though he is limited he had generally a good first touch and got forward better than Berner. At times he was our only wide outlet which is something that we need to address.

Oakley 7.5 I thought he had a good steady game playing just in front of the back four.

King 7 Generally did well. The new style ought to suit him.

Wellens 7 A lot of effort but not real quality.

Dyer 6 Ran around alot but didn't really offer very much. For a supposed wide player did he deliver one decent cross from open play?

Howard 5 A lot of effort but his lack of mobility really showed today.

DJ 7 Some of what he did was brilliant but some of what he did was very average. His first three passes went to the opposition. He has pace but he never really used it to great effect. Sometimes tried to do too much but did look a threat though I thought he faded in the second half. Looks our most dangerous striker at the moment. I thought his reaction to his free kick and a shot which was saved/blocked was interesting. Really looked like he didn't care. I'm still not sure he really wants to be here.

Gallagher 5 No impact at all. Looked lost playing instead of King. Not sure what his best posisiton is.

Other subs not really on long enough to make an impact.

Generally pleased but we need that first win soon or we will find ourselves playing catch up.

[Karljohn]

Weale 6 - Not a great deal to do but still too quiet commanding his penalty area, Hobbs had to knock the ball out for a corner as Weale should have gathered and one flap at a cross that he just about redeemed himself with by getting a hand on it to ensure the Boro lad didnt make a great connection.

Berner 6 - Are we sure its not Bruno thats just given birth and not his wife?

Hobbs 9 - Jack Hobbs is back, superb. Great anticipation.

Moreno 7 - Looks very steady and settling in quick, doesn't like a header though.

Neilson 7 - Better, but only looks better because he was so abysmal last year, I hope I am still giving him 7s and not 4s in a months time.

Oakley 6 - Not sure what the fuss was about on RL about him being MOM, way too slow to pick a pass in the 2nd half, his passing is "too safe" at times, Paolo speaks of making better decisions and Oakley chose the wrong ones in the 2nd half.

Wellens 6 - "right foot richie" was anonymous first half, stamped a little more authority in the 2nd half but Oakley cramps his style, its the championship version of the England Gerrard/Lampard problem.

King 6 - Unlucky hitting the bar, and with the goal, I felt we reduced our chances of pinching it 1-0 when he was subbed.

Dyer 5 - Offers very little, not gifted with a footballing brain, too narrow breaking forward and reminds me of Franz Carr and Aaron Lennon blessed with fantastic pace and no end product, just seems to need telling what to do all the time.

Howard 6 - Spent too much time on the deck a la Heskey, would still rather have him on our side than an opponents.

DJ 7 - Great energy, wayward passes, unlucky with the free kick and 2nd half header just wide, good competition for Fryatt.

[sdb]

was Hobbs back on his favoured side yesterday??

[Nickfosse]

was Hobbs back on his favoured side yesterday??

No, he played left side central defence (Moreno right) and played very well.

[Fox92]

Weale - 6 - Flapped a couple of times, slow off of line at times and hardly communicates. Never looked confident.

Neilson - 8 - Great performance again. Settling in now.

Moreno - 7 - Looked sound on the ball.

Hobbs - 10 - Won everything and prevented two Middlesbrough goals.

Berner - 7 - Looked unfit, having not played most of pre-season.

Dyer - 9 - Never stopped running. Constant threat.

Oakley - 8 - Looking better in his natural position. Another thing Pearson got wrong.

Wellens - 8 - Awesome as usual. Got stuck in and his passing is excellent.

King - 7 - Sits in well, good passing and great forward runs. But, it wasn't his best game.

DJ - 9 - Massive threat.

Howard - 9 - Won a lot in the air, almost scored. Pulled all over the place, as usual!