2plus2

For what it's worth, i actually think there's a strong chance we'll lose to Watford on Friday. And I'm braced for the inevitable avalanche of "typical Boro" comments that follow. But with a few solid additions there's enough potential for us to at least not be a million miles away from top 6. It's not a strong division this year. Just so happens that Watford are likely to be one of the stronger ones.

Yay, some positivity! I agree. We're short of a few bodies, but there's a good basis of players for Warnock to get the best out of a 352. Goalkeeper, DM and backup strikers the most obvious shortcomings - but I think we can all be fairly confident that Warnock has identified these as key areas to work on. Perhaps one more defender also, but Hall, Fry, Wood, Dijksteel, McNair and Stubbs are hardly 6 terrible options. All we need now is a bit of KM or Neverbefore to log-on and do their usual best to dampen the spirits.

🙏

I will add one trough of negativity though. I'm not convinced by Fry's suitability for this system. Not either side of the central CB anyway.

Aha. Well, last time I was there the toilets needed a good clean. Probably a few job vacancies to fill. Not after I used it, may I add.

But - flip the coin - and 9 goals in 2 games. Not saying it's time to get out the scarves and plan a trip to Wembley. Or that those games are anything to shout home about. But it's not like we've just been touched by the Grim Reaper.

I'll give you that. But I'd rather stare at that mullet 24/7 then read 99% of your posts right now! Not that you're not entitled to moan away. We all love a good whinge.

Some of it right. But nonetheless painful to read every 30 seconds. Sometimes you've got to claw out some of the positives - at least now and again! It's not like we've lost every pre-season game and have absolutely no promise whatsoever.

Jesus Christ, your negativity is a mirror image of KM atm.

Blast from the past right there, had forgotten about that place.

Look, either way he's from foreignland, let's leave it at that.

Think our formation was 3-5-2 / 5-3-2 in the recent friendly (so I read). Didn't someone else on here suggest Warnock would opt for this formation also, as it'd lessen a complete squad overall vs opting for his favoured 4-3-3. At this point - with the squad how it is, the types of full-backs we have and the first game around the corner - I'd be surprised to see any formation but this. Either that or 4-3-3 with 3 primarily defensive CMs.

This.

Very fair points and difficult to argue with! Would still be a very valuable option for the season though imo.

Would much rather keep Assombalonga through to the end of his contract. He may not be a Warnock-style striker, but he's guaranteed goals. Him and Fletch did alright together in spells last season. IF we brought in Moore he'd still need competition (Fletch might be seen as one of the "off-the-striker" options slightly wider). And, not that I think we're a likely promotion candidate, but Assombalonga could be the difference between a squad that competes during corona and a squad that doesn't - we probably need 2 for every position more than ever. Can also see him staying. He'll be able to c

When does the window close? Isn't it something mad like early Oct?

You're reading waaay too much into this bud, your imagination is off the charts - what did they slip into your tea this morning? My point doesn't extend past the millions that have sat in his bank after he has returned next to nothing on said investment. I don't expect him to get out a chart and weigh up the pros and cons of deontological morality.. and of course he is entitled to say no. But there are certain companies/bosses in my past, or jobs where I have been paid more than others, where I'd probably expect myself to give a bit more back - regardless of whether or not it's 5pm on the

HA. I literally never said he didn't work. Or that he didn't try to recover from injury. Or that he sat on the sidelines trying not to play. Or that he should extend his contract 'just because'. And if you think he's had absolutely nothing but abuse from the club, then you're really not that clever. 💵💵💵 He doesn't owe us anything, contractually. But I do think that morally he did. But I guess morals mean v little in this day and age. In fact, I'm actually a bit worried that if I drive into work tomorrow I might get a puncture and it'll cost me a buck to get fixed. Think i'll give it

Depends how you look at it. If we have solid CBs (Hall and Gibson) behind 3 gritty [ish] CMs (Howson, Saville, McNair), then you could hypothetically look to play Spence and Coulson (both a little weak defensively but decent pace offensively) if a 4-3-3. We'd basically be the Championship version of Liverpool 😉 But I agree that Coulson and Spence do look suited as wing-backs in a back 5.

Not gunna happen.

You could be right. Though just found this from a few months back. https://www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk/sport/football/middlesbrough-fc/middlesbrough-boss-jonathan-woodgate-provides-aynsley-pears-contract-update-after-impressive-leeds-united-display-2004029 So, unless already activated, Boro have the option.

What about Pears? Isn't he out of contract? Friend and Johnson offered new deals, others acknowledged as released. Yet no mention of Pears it seems. Odd. Joe Hart anyone? I have a feeling this is one of the PL standard signings Warnock would be keen to improve. Definitely worth a punt on a free imo. And if there were goings-on behind the scenes, would make a little sense as to why Pears (fall-back?) isn't mentioned.

Don't agree with what Gestede did / said. I half understand the logic of why he's asked for a 6 month extension should he get an injury - it's a protection policy. And I get why some of the other players elsewhere have refused to extend contracts, especially those who have their careers ahead of them and haven't had a stellar deal to date - a footballers career is short. But, end of the day, how much had the club already ploughed into Gestede's pocket - when he's either been unavailable or sh*te prior. He should have given something back to the club that has given him so much, even if that inv

Thought he had played as CB prev? Confess, I know v little about the guy.