Weasel 965 Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 Middlesbrough vs Birmingham Saturday 16th December – 12:30 pm (Sky Sports) Riverside Stadium The current standings: Boro find themselves in a healthy 7th position, 1-point shy of the playoffs and 7 points shy of an automatic spot. Birmingham on the other hand are having a disaster of a season, currently on a freefall into the relegation zone after 4 losses and 1 draw in their last 5 games. Evidence would suggest that this should be an easy Boro win, but we all know that’s not the Middlesbrough way. What do the stats say? Boro have the fifth highest Expected Goals (xG) in the championship, as well as the lowest Expected Goals Against (xGA). These statistics bode extremely well for Boro as we're creating lots of chances coupled with having arguably the best defence in the league. Birmingham on the other hand are well, a bit of a disaster really. None of us would expect a Karanka team to be high up in the expected goals stats, but to find themselves 22nd in expected goals is a worrying sign. Even more worrying though is that they're ranked 8th for Expected Goals against, if a Karanka team can't keep clean sheets and grind out wins, what can it do? These statistics coupled with the fact we beat them 4-1 away from home, would suggest this should be an easy Middlesbrough win. However we've all followed this team and league long enough to know there's no such thing. Expected Birmingham lineup (according to the fans at https://wewilljourneyon.proboards.com ) Quote Quote Quote Quote Question time: 1. What are your top 3 favourite moments/memories from the Karanka era? 2. Do you think we'll have any incomings/outgoings by the time this game comes around? 3. You have to choose any Boro player for each of the below scenarios, who are you choosing for each one?- Surviving a zombie apocalypse with:- Dinner date: - Trapped on a tropical island with: - Prime minister: - Future Boro manager: 4. Who has been your top three players of the season so far? 5. Is Twix a chocolate bar or a chocolate biscuit? 12 Link to post Share on other sites
TLF10 4,440 Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 Excellent post my man. Top 3 Karanka moments for me all came in promotion winning season. The 3 nil win at Brighton, the Return of AK v Hull and that last minute winner by Nugent (i went mental) and of course the final day (will live long in the memory). I dont think we will before Saturday. In all honesty if we dont lose anyone i think we only need one fast direct winger. Albeit I ideally want Britt moved on and replaced with someone Warnock can use more effectively i dont know if you meant any boro player or just current ones. I will assume former. Festa, Friend for a date, JFH on a island. Mogga for PM and erm return of Woodgate? Dijksteel, Paddy and Fry. Honourable mention to Bola n Tav for being much improved. But first 3 make a huge difference when they in the team. Should be a biscuit but in my head its a chocolate bar. If they stop selling it as a single item and in a pack i think it would not be seen as a chocolate bar. I know u did not ask but my team for Saturday: Bettinelli Dijk Fry Paddy Bola Tav Morsy Sav Marv Watmore Akpom Or 4.2.3.1 with Tav Watmore and Marv behind Akpom. Hopefully bench will be boosted by return of Howson. I got a feeling AK gonna screw us over but i will go with heart over head. 2 nil to us with Akpom and Sav on score sheet. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Smogzilla 7,385 Posted January 11, 2021 Share Posted January 11, 2021 (edited) Wow what a great opening post! Hope the team put in as much effort into the game on Saturday as you have here.👍👍👍 Link to post Share on other sites
Downsouth 6,175 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Very well done Weasel terrific op! Link to post Share on other sites
Uwe 3,543 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 Great opening post Weasel 👏👏👏 1. What are your top 3 favourite moments/memories from the Karanka era? i) Final Match day v Brighton ii) Beating Millwall 5-1 Vossen Hattrick iii) Beating Man City 2-0 2. Do you think we'll have any incomings/outgoings by the time this game comes around? No, this window is going to be a long, difficult slog - Surviving a zombie apocalypse with: Mad Dog Pogatetz- Dinner date: Gazza- Trapped on a tropical island with: Gorgeous George- Prime minister: Neil Warnock- Future Boro manager: Gorgeous George 4. Who has been your top three players of the season so far? Paddy, Watmore, & Tav 5. Is Twix a chocolate bar or a chocolate biscuit? It goes well with a cup of tea, therefore it’s a biscuit Link to post Share on other sites
DanFromDownSouth 1,706 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 10 hours ago, Weasel said: Question time: 1. What are your top 3 favourite moments/memories from the Karanka era? 2. Do you think we'll have any incomings/outgoings by the time this game comes around? 3. You have to choose any Boro player for each of the below scenarios, who are you choosing for each one?- Surviving a zombie apocalypse with:- Dinner date: - Trapped on a tropical island with: - Prime minister: - Future Boro manager: 4. Who has been your top three players of the season so far? 5. Is Twix a chocolate bar or a chocolate biscuit? 1. Brighton at home in the promotion season, Brighton away in the promotion season and Brentford at home in the play-off season. Honourable mentions to City away, Bamford's feint away and goal against Ipswich and the team goal we scored when we turned into 'Boro'celona for a minute (Bamford vs Millwall).2. No, think we'll see more movement at the back end of the month.3. Barry Robson (Apocalypse) I reckon he'd fight about 30 zombies at a time, Southgate (Dinner Date) seems an intelligent bloke so conversation would be decent, Gascoigne (Tropical Island) you'd never have a dull moment, George Friend (PM) seems a sensible bloke and Ben Gibson (Future Boro Manager) I can see Ben coming back to the club in some capacity and we know Uncle Gibson loves local lads.4. Dijksteel, Bola and McNair would be my top 3. But there are others that have upped their game too, Saville, Johnson and Fry.5. I reckon it's a chocolate biscuit, hasn't it got biscuit in it? Link to post Share on other sites
TeaCider24 12,401 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 1. What are your top 3 favourite moments/memories from the Karanka era? Number one is unquestionably the 1-1 against Brighton, I don't think we'll experience an atmosphere like that again for a long time. Amazing day. Then I'd have to go for the ultimate scrappy Forshaw last minute winner against Reading, followed by the 2-0 over Man City in the Cup. 2. Do you think we'll have any incomings/outgoings by the time this game comes around? Yes, I think 1 will come in, though I'm going off gut rather than anything solid. 3. You have to choose a Boro player for each of the below scenarios, who are you choosing for each one? - Surviving a zombie apocalypse with: - Dinner date: - Trapped on a tropical island with: - Prime minister: - Future Boro manager: 1. Sam Morsy, he seems like the hard man of the squad now. 2. Lewis Wing, cheeky trip to Nandos in Teesside Park. 3. Assombalonga, always got a smile on his face so he might stave off the madness for longest. 4. Duncan Watmore, seems like the most high brow member of the squad and would seem the least out of place in politics. 5. Howson, oldest member and he'll be retiring soonest. 4. Who have been your top three players of the season so far? Dijksteel, McNair, Bola Honourable mention to Marvin Johnson. 5. Is Twix a chocolate bar or a chocolate biscuit? Chocolate bar Link to post Share on other sites
GrimsbyBoro 1,959 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 If there is ever a team you want to play when you are on a terrible run it’s Boro. Think I might put the mortgage on a Brum win although Warnock vs Karbala sounds like a nil nil snooze fest. Great post op does anyone dunk a twin? Link to post Share on other sites
Uwe 3,543 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 3 minutes ago, GrimsbyBoro said: If there is ever a team you want to play when you are on a terrible run it’s Boro. Think I might put the mortgage on a Brum win although Warnock vs Karbala sounds like a nil nil snooze fest. Great post op does anyone dunk a twin? No. But I do not the ends of the twix then use it like a straw. The tea melts the caramel so when you it eat, it’s a taste sensation 😋 I URGE ALL TO TRY IT 👍 2 Link to post Share on other sites
GrimsbyBoro 1,959 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 8 minutes ago, Uwe said: No. But I do not the ends of the twix then use it like a straw. The tea melts the caramel so when you it eat, it’s a taste sensation 😋 I URGE ALL TO TRY IT 👍 I am a professional fat ***. It has already been done 😂😂😂 2 Link to post Share on other sites
TheJew 2,886 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 It doesn't get much easier than this. Karanka will be after revenge and I still vividly remember his Forest side dismantling us here. Many looking at this expect a Boro win, but surprisingly all I see is defeat! Clearly back on a roll with predictions, I'm going for a 3 nil away win. 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Brunners 7,952 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 25 minutes ago, GrimsbyBoro said: If there is ever a team you want to play when you are on a terrible run it’s Boro. Think I might put the mortgage on a Brum win although Warnock vs Karbala sounds like a nil nil snooze fest. Great post op does anyone dunk a twin? Ah yes just like that 0-0 snooze fest the other week.. Link to post Share on other sites
wilsoncgp 9,230 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 2 minutes ago, TheJew said: It doesn't get much easier than this. Karanka will be after revenge and I still vividly remember his Forest side dismantling us here. Many looking at this expect a Boro win, but surprisingly all I see is defeat! Clearly back on a roll with predictions, I'm going for a 3 nil away win. Cup game is over with, we're back to normal procedure now. 2 1 Link to post Share on other sites
AnglianRed 6,229 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 (edited) Question time: 1. What are your top 3 favourite moments/memories from the Karanka era? Jeez...I can't remember that far back! Um...getting promoted? Apart from that its all rather hazy now... 2. Do you think we'll have any incomings / outgoings by the time this game comes around? Given the rumours surrounding Britt's impending departure, I'd hope we have a replacement for him signed up. 3. You have to choose any Boro player for each of the below scenarios, who are you choosing for each one? - Surviving a zombie apocalypse with: Sam Morsy looks like he'd be happy to charge hordes of the undead with a chainsaw and flamethrower. - Dinner date: What are you trying to suggest, like...that I'm into fellas? Okay, I'll go with the obvious choice - George Friend. - Prime minister: Gareth Southgate...a born leader of men (and women) if ever there was one. - Future Boro manager: Not necessarily management material, but I think a spell under Ravanelli would be fun. Would also love to see how we'd turn out under TLF. 4. Who has been your top three players of the season so far? Tavernier, McNair and Dijksteel 5. Is Twix a chocolate bar or a chocolate biscuit? Chocolate bar...with biscuit in, much like the biscuit & raisin Yorkie bar. Edited January 12, 2021 by AnglianRed Link to post Share on other sites
BillyWoofs_shinpad 1,884 Posted January 12, 2021 Share Posted January 12, 2021 (edited) 1. What are your top 3 favourite moments/memories from the Karanka era? The away match at Brighton when Stuani scored and The Special One watched from the stands. The FA cup match against Man City when we used to actually care about such things. That Boro-celona goal against Millwall. 2. Do you think we'll have any incomings/outgoings by the time this game comes around? I wouldn’t have thought so. Surviving a zombie apocalypse with: Tony McAndrew, He’d keep going even if his limbs were falling off. Dinner date: Branco, we’d get through a lot of food as he told me stories about the classic 80’s Brazil players. Trapped on a tropical island with: Jim Platt very reliable and quite quiet. Prime minister: Jordan Rhodes, he must be good at something, surely! Future Boro manager: Jimmy Floyd, he’d sort out our forward line. 4. Who have been your top three players of the season so far? Howson, Dijksteel and Johnson 5. Is Twix a chocolate bar or a chocolate biscuit? Undoubtedly a chocolate biscuit. Link to post Share on other sites
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