Middlesboro - Pre Match Prattle

[blueblood88]

I find it absolutely hilarious that Florist are in the shitters, and it make me content

So make a new thread called 'let's all laugh at forest' or something then, disabled <_<

[Happy Fox]

But his point was, it has nothing to do with Middlesbrough v Leicester City.

Yes I am aware of that, just thought it was funny to see our rivals in the doldrums, possibly posted in the wrong thread, but their isn't a "Florist are Shit thread" is there?

[Happy Fox]

So make a new thread called 'let's all laugh at forest' or something then, disabled <_<

I think I will , chill out it was only light hearted , apologies should of posted on the Football and General Sport.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

In my opinion, Nugent and Beckford would be excellent up front. Vassell on the left and Dyer on the right. The two central midfielders is a hard decision, but thats what Sven gets paid for.

Wont happen. Sven needs to accomodate all his central midfielders too, just two of King, Abe, Wellens, Fernandes, Danns, etc, wont do for him.

I dont think Vassell as a left mid would be that good. He isnt a winger and everyone says his best games are when he is up front. Plus on a side note, what annoys me is that Dyer never gets played on the left any more, he is left footed and looks better outon the left than when he cuts inside.

[Fox92]

Yes I am aware of that, just thought it was funny to see our rivals in the doldrums, possibly posted in the wrong thread, but their isn't a "Florist are Shit thread" is there?

Ok, fine. But I don't personally find it that funny as not long ago we were in that position.

[Fox92]

Wont happen. Sven needs to accomodate all his central midfielders too, just two of King, Abe, Wellens, Fernandes, Danns, etc, wont do for him.

I dont think Vassell as a left mid would be that good. He isnt a winger and everyone says his best games are when he is up front. Plus on a side note, what annoys me is that Dyer never gets played on the left any more, he is left footed and looks better outon the left than when he cuts inside.

The central midfield position is hard because we have so many, I still wish we would have got a right winger in instead of one of the central midfielders. I know Dyer is left footed, but I used to like it when he used to cut inside - he scored against Reading like that last season under Sousa. Another wide midfielder option is Danns. He has been dropped to the bench, but I thought he was excellent out wide (left I think it was) against Nottingham Forest.

[Guest Col city fan]

I hate the fact that those sheepshaggers are occupying 2nd at the moment, hope we thrash the b******ds on Saturday.

I think we will Happy Fox...for me. the shaggers are the 'charlatans' of the division so far and their position has been derived from their good start and the momentum this gives. However, compare our squad with theirs and, of course, you'd take ours any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Their lack of quality will tell ultimately and I reckon we could give them a bit of a spanking on Saturday. Don't forget, form is temporary, class is permanent. I've stated on here a few times that I'm dissapointed with some of the football we've been playing and, honestly, expected better. BUT I still expect it to come right...

I'd be surprised if that improvement begins tonight though... for me, Borough could well be the real deal...tonight a draw would be an excellent result.

[Happy Fox]

I think we will Happy Fox...for me. the shaggers are the 'charlatans' of the division so far and their position has been derived from their good start and the momentum this gives. However, compare our squad with theirs and, of course, you'd take ours any day of the week and twice on Sundays. Their lack of quality will tell ultimately and I reckon we could give them a bit of a spanking on Saturday. Don't forget, form is temporary, class is permanent. I've stated on here a few times that I'm dissapointed with some of the football we've been playing and, honestly, expected better. BUT I still expect it to come right...

I'd be surprised if that improvement begins tonight though... for me, Borough could well be the real deal...tonight a draw would be an excellent result.

Here is hoping

[Bob Weasel Fox]

Big game tonight, hope this could be a good result for City

[Karljohn]

No more talk of players gelling! tonights the night, plenty of slip ups yesterday, need to take advantage and take 3 points at what is usually a good ground for us. only 9 games after tonight but 20% of the season gone already, time to start banging in some goals.

Beckford will get off the mark tonight, 3-1 win.

[Master Fox]

We'll win tonight,

Johnson & Gelson in the middle, Beckford & Nugent up front with Danns & Vassell wide. Too much.

[Guest Col city fan]

We'll win tonight,

Johnson & Gelson in the middle, Beckford & Nugent up front with Danns & Vassell wide. Too much.

The last two posts on here demonstrate our fan's periodic 'over-optimism' of our chances. 'The Borough' are a tough, well organised team and have pace. It would appear that Emnes will play.

Of course, three points would be lovely... but THIS is the type of game where we need to go and graft-out a good draw.

I could be wrong, and we may go up there and put in a super performance... but be realistic.... I'd be happy with a draw tonight and then three points against Derby cum Saturday.

[Heart-Shaped Fox]

The central midfield position is hard because we have so many, I still wish we would have got a right winger in instead of one of the central midfielders. I know Dyer is left footed, but I used to like it when he used to cut inside - he scored against Reading like that last season under Sousa. Another wide midfielder option is Danns. He has been dropped to the bench, but I thought he was excellent out wide (left I think it was) against Nottingham Forest.

Compared to when he was on the left, Dyer has not been as quite as threatening. Teams know he is very left footed and force him wide, making him play a poor ball on his right.

The diamond we play is very narrow and lacks width, it may be doing all right at the moment, but long term I'm not sure if it is good. Really need proper wingers in our team I think.

[davieG]

Boro OS

Boss Warns Of City Danger

TONY MOWBRAY has warned his players their unbeaten record faces its toughest challenge yet when Sven Goran Eriksson's fast-improving Leicester City visit the Riverside tonight.

The Foxes are unbeaten in five league games since back-to-back home defeats to Reading and Bristol City in mid-August made it a stuttering start to the season.

And from what Mowbray has seen of them, they have the talent to become the first team to defeat his team if his men are not on their game.

"I've watched Leicester, studied them and they're a bit like Ipswich really," said Mowbray.

"When you look at the depth of their squad and the permutations they've got there, they've got some pretty good players to come off the bench and change games for them.

"They had a difficult patch earlier in the season but they seem to have found a formula that suits them.

"They play a similar type of formation to Ipswich, they've got good ball retention and it's going to be a good test for us.

"I said to the players this morning, this is probably the toughest challenge of the season so far. But we're looking forward to it."

Mowbray is keen to see his own side build on their own home form after three draws and just one win in their first four games.

"Any team that's very, very successful and at the top of tables will generally pick up the majority of their points at home and we have to make sure that as the season unfolds, that's the case for us," he said.

However, the Boro fans might have to be patient and stay behind their side even if the quality of the opposition calls for a cagey start to the game.

"We're looking for the right formula," said Mowbray. "Both Ipswich and Leicester found it difficult to find that formula at the start of the season.

"However, they came about the diamond formation they're playing and it's bearing fruit for them at the moment."

Eriksson's last two visits to the Riverside have seen goal-filled matches, an 8-1 defeat for Manchester City in his final game with the club and a 3-3 draw with Leicester last season.

"Sven is a really nice man and a very respectful guy who treats everyone with respect," said Mowbray.

"He's also a very good football coach and a fantastic football manager. His record speaks for itself and he's won titles and cups in different countries. It's a great credit to Sven that he's taken on a challenge a lot of other managers wouldn't."

Boro have fitness worries over left-back Joe Bennett (knee) and in-form top scorer Marvin Emnes (ankle), whose absence would be a particularly heavy blow.

"Marvin's got mobility, he's got fast feet and he's clever with the ball and he's scored goals this year," said Mowbray. "He's a big plus for us so let's hope he makes it."

[Callabinho]

Im praying that Emnes is out! he is lethal at the moment, I'm going for a sneaky 0-1 to us, Vassell with the goal.

Schmeichel

Peltier

Mills

Bamba

Konchesky

Wellens

Fernandes

Johnson

King

Vassell

Beckford.

[Super_Fox_Boy]

I'm thinking 1-3 to us. I really think tonight could be the night we properly click into gear plus the fact we seem to be getting rid of everyones unbeaten records at the moment.

[Fox92]

I know Johnson and Nugent are pushing, but I don't want either of them to be rushed back into the team. Anyway, we're unbeaten so I'd stick with the same team that played Cardiff. If Sven wants to change anything, I'd look at playing another striker to partner Beckford.

Compared to when he was on the left, Dyer has not been as quite as threatening. Teams know he is very left footed and force him wide, making him play a poor ball on his right.

The diamond we play is very narrow and lacks width, it may be doing all right at the moment, but long term I'm not sure if it is good. Really need proper wingers in our team I think.

I suppose you are right about Dyer. Although I call for him to be played, he sometimes annoys me because he'll come inside too much but he does offer a bit of a threat. Defenders don't like it when they are run at.

I agree with your second bit, I was hoping we signed a real quality right winger but we have been linked with Kebe in the past.

[Master Fox]

It's a great credit to Sven that he's taken on a challenge a lot of other managers wouldn't."

People should remember this^

[Socks]

3-2 to borough

we will be drawing and chuck it away in last few mins and break under the pressure

or if Sven plays the wrong formation and tactics, which he is more likely to do, then we wil just get battered like the red scum did last night

i like sven and think hes a good manager but he often makes the wrong choice in those areas

i still believe he doesnt understand championship football

cant see us winning

possibly drawing

but i could be proven wrong of course

[Corky]

Even if Emnes does play, it seems like he won't be near full fitness so hopefully won't be as sharp as usual.

[Master Fox]

I really hope Johnson starts tonight ahead of Wellens.

[Happy Fox]

Boro are a better team than Cardiff, we will have to be on our game for the full 90 minutes, here is hoping we win

[ealingfox]

I'm calling 1-2, Beckford and Bamba

[Tommy G]

People are dreaming if they think MJ will play instead of wellens, abe will be dropped I reckon

[vandamman]

I think it will be a draw but not a bore draw and I would take that right now.

I think Johnson could be the key tonight, against Cardiff there were a few signs he could go back to his former self. Not a fan of dropping Wellens cause his corner delivery is usually pretty good.

I would like to see Nugent back when he was playing he looked like the only player who was going to score for us, maybe a game to bring back Danns too.