Boro Badger

Monk's system doesn't appear to rely on wingers. The plan is Assombolonga and the 'B Team' revolving around/behind/supporting (Baker, Bamford, Braithwaite) with Gestede as cover or another option when needed. 3 at the back (1 left sided CB in Gibson, 1 right sided CB in Tisserand/Shotton) with Clayts dropping in as the full backs advance (Dynamo Kev, you called it!) If it clicks, which I think it will in a few weeks, we will smash the league! (has anyone said that yet?!) ------------------ Randolph ------------------ ---------- Tisserand ---- Gibson ------------ Christie -------- Cl

This. Think Howson will be lucky to keep his place over Forshaw but we've spent £6mil on Howson sooo...... Yes, I think this will be the lineup too. Could be some great interplay between Bamford and Baker. With Baker supplying, hopefully Assombalonga can get behind their lines. If they drop deep to cover this, we can target Gestede. Howson can supply Baker, rather going square/backwards to the full backs. We've got options going forward, we just need the balance in midfield. We saw how quickly Baker came into the fold, we can take it that he's the missing link for Monk. I'm at odd

^ This. Wilshere Is no Merse - no thanks!

If Steve Gibson delivers?! He doesn't owe anyone anything. If anything, we as fans need to deliver by turning up and creating a good atmosphere.

If you had the money and Gibson was willing to sell, would you buy Middlesbrough Football Club? If so, what would you do? Or would the perks be outweighed by all the general hassle and occasional negativity, and you'd watch the Boro from afar from the comfort of your luxury yacht?

because in the augsburg game and wolves game clayton spent the majority of both games splitting ayala and gibson making a back 3. Interesting point, but I see it as more advanced full backs, with a deep holding midfielder, not Clayton/Shotton in the role Luiz plays for Chelsea.

Not sure about some posts suggesting we may try 3 at the back Conte style - I don't think we've even attempted it once in pre-season! Shotton is just for cover.

Ojo has a LEFT FOOT can you believe it

Nice one Beardy! Forshaw definitely in for want-away De Roon. Bamford in for Fletcher. -------------------- Randolph -------------------- -- Christie -- Ayala -- Gibson -- Friend -- ------ Howson -- Clayton -- Forshaw ----- --- Bamford ----------------- Braithwaite --- ---------------- Assombalonga ---------------- 3-1 Boro Assombalonga '31 Braithwaite '44 Sharp '68 Bamford '89

The €13M +€2M reported looks like we were holding out for €15M. One of those deals that are good for both sides. Hopefully it means a more quality attacking midfielder incoming.

He was called up to the last two squads (I think :s) why would that suddenly change? He won't get in the squad playing in the Championship

Gibbo > 3 x £10M players My thinking anyway

Gibbo would be perfect on the left side of a back 3, which would suit City/Spurs - and maybe England if they setup that way

If we sell Gibson for £30M, what are we going to do with the money? Buy a £10-15M replacement and pocket the change? I wouldn't sell him for less than £45M because he could be the difference between promotion success and play-off failure.

The wife and I are expecting our first little Badger, due in October, so hopefully at some point further on in the season - I'll let you know!

Sounds like we've given it a go at the end at least We learned a lot today- we'll get better

4 mins - let's go Boro

I think if the masses picked the team we'd play 442 with mostly academy players and we'd be in league two. Players get their chances in training and U23 matches. They're not suddenly going to surprise everyone and be much better than management thought just because 'they get a chance' in a tough Championship match. Our management do kinda know what they're doing.

All this Jota love - do people see him playing left or centrally for us if we did make a move? He's played his best on the right, so I find the Jota lust a little odd

Quite amazing to think that Downing still has two years left on his contract, with Harry Redknapp describing them as 'Premiership wages'. He'll be 35 when it runs out - he'll be slower than Avril then! https://mobile.twitter.com/Middlesbruhh/status/892478770963247106/photo/1 I think this and Shotton will play out for a good while yet. Brinkmanship on both sides, with us forced to give Downing some kind of payoff to move eventually. Whereupon the Gazette will be getting all the scoops from the midlands - maybe they'll move the paper there.

The important thing is there's not too many changes in the defence. How many games have Friend, Ayala and Gibson played together? LOADS LIKE. And the other important thing is we have a different forward line, which is good, because our last forward line was terrible. Plus our manager is going to set up for a win, rather than a narrow 0-1 defeat. I said it as he signed - Fletcher is going to be a star for us and grab the headlines on Saturday. We're not going to play convincingly well, but we're going to smash 'n grab a 2-1 and never look back. We'll play half decent but win, a real Champ

Am I the only one (other than Maz) who really doesn't care!

Fletcher is going to be a star for us. With so much pace and movement, Assombalonga, Trarore and Fletcher are going to torture Championship defences. Not sure on Braithwaite yet but can't wait to find out.

Couldn't disagree more with you there Foogle. For me, Downing slows play down by passing sideways or backwards all too often. Personally, I don't think that was all down to Karanka's instructions or the players around him either. We could debate those things, but one thing I think is beyond debate is how Downing hid in games last season. He didn't go in for tackles or even jump for headers. I found it really hard to watch and for those reasons I hope he leaves. The club wanted rid in January and it was the same message again as soon as Monk joined. I don't think he's anywhere near the cl

Just trying to keep up to date - have I got the first team squad right below? And I may have missed it, but has there been any news recently on Downing, Mejias or Guedioura? I can't remember hearing anything at all on Guedioura. Randolph Ripley Konstantopoulos Mejias Fabio Roberts Christie Fry Friend Ayala Gibson Baptiste Clayton Howson de Roon Leadbitter Forshaw Guedioura Braithwaite Traore Downing Ramirez Assombalonga Bamford Gestede