Pre Season Friendlies - ALL DONE - REAL FOOTBALL FROM NOW ON

[Denzel Zanzibar 8,120 15.5k]

28 minutes ago, "KM" said:

Same old mistakes every summer don’t get why fans get so wound up when it is pointed out. Is it because it’s actually true and the truth hurts? 
 

Was actually expecting SG to back MC this summer, I know the window isn’t closed yet, but we’ve still got a hell of a lot of work to do to get anywhere close to last season.

Crazy that the club appeared to put all its eggs in one basket with plans to bring Giles, Archer and Ramsey back. We haven't adequately replaced them as I said earlier and other suitable replacements have gone elsewhere.

There's still time to bring those players in but my worry with us waiting until the end of the window for PL loans is that they'll take time to adjust and we can't afford to start the season slowly again.

Really does seem a lot of our planned signings were dependant on us selling players which we haven't done. McNair would have probably left, now Smith is injured that's unlikely to happen and if reports about us needing to sell him to fund Giles were true that's pretty worrying when it comes to bringing in another striker.   

[DevKWat 3,003 3k]

I’m not sold on Barlaser at all, everytime I’ve watched him he gives the ball away so often in dangerous areas that leads to big chances.

Yes it’s part of how we play but he’s very careless at times

[LBP 4,207 6.8k]

Watched the highlights of the game 

Think there'll be a few games first few weeks that may play out like Stoke away last season, the better team playing the better football but we need 10 clear cut chances to score 1 goal and it costs us points

Need a striker signed and Chuba back or his replacement signed to win the games we won last season

I said it recently but I really hope we get a DM signed too, we concede a lot of our goals in transition, 2 more yesterday

Barlaser loses the ball and we're immediately in a 2v3 and they win a pen

McGree loses the ball in midfield, 1 pass later and we're in a 2v3 again

Happened very early in the Betis game once or twice too although we didn't concede

That's too dangerous a sequence to happen so often just from losing possession in midfield, just feels like there's not enough physicality, recovery or defensive screening in there with a 2 of Barlaser Hackney or even if it's Hackney Howson 

[ladyspite 725 5.6k]

59 minutes ago, Denzel Zanzibar said:

Crazy that the club appeared to put all its eggs in one basket with plans to bring Giles, Archer and Ramsey back. We haven't adequately replaced them as I said earlier and other suitable replacements have gone elsewhere.

There's still time to bring those players in but my worry with us waiting until the end of the window for PL loans is that they'll take time to adjust and we can't afford to start the season slowly again.

Really does seem a lot of our planned signings were dependant on us selling players which we haven't done. McNair would have probably left, now Smith is injured that's unlikely to happen and if reports about us needing to sell him to fund Giles were true that's pretty worrying when it comes to bringing in another striker.   

Isnt it the last year of the ffp cykle? Then I suppose the real push for PL will be next year when we can splash more money?

[Guffie 1,665 2.8k]

From watching yesterdays game, it’s a shadow of what it was last season in my opinion. McNair will do for right back for now, lenihan and fry were sound. Dieng looks comfortable on the ball. Some people rated coulson first half, I still think we need a replacement in him. We are crying out for a striker 

[Brunners 9,051 25.5k]

27 minutes ago, ladyspite said:

Isnt it the last year of the ffp cykle? Then I suppose the real push for PL will be next year when we can splash more money?

FFP works on a rolling cycle, not a set 3 years

[northriding 74 44]

14 hours ago, AllBoro10 said:

Anyone see Akpom at the game or Howson? I never seen them 2 so not sure if they were there but did see Coburn 

Howson was definitely there. Saw him early doors with a group of young fans wanting pictures.

Didn't see Chuba.

[Tom 3,445 8.9k]

Man United have only just secured Hojlund after chasing him most of this year. Bayern still aren't anywhere near Kane, despite him being their top target.

These are two of the best resourced clubs in the world. It's really not just Middlesbrough who have to be patient, wait and negotiate to bring in targets.

[Guffie 1,665 2.8k]

44 minutes ago, northriding said:

Howson was definitely there. Saw him early doors with a group of young fans wanting pictures.

Didn't see Chuba.

So seen Chuba at darlo station. Didn’t see him get on the train to boro mind

[ladyspite 725 5.6k]

51 minutes ago, Brunners said:

FFP works on a rolling cycle, not a set 3 years

Allright then 😀

[Denzel Zanzibar 8,120 15.5k]

34 minutes ago, Guffie said:

So seen Chuba at darlo station. Didn’t see him get on the train to boro mind

Hasn't he been working with his personal trainer in London?

[Denzel Zanzibar 8,120 15.5k]

Highlights

 

[Guffie 1,665 2.8k]

1 hour ago, Denzel Zanzibar said:

Hasn't he been working with his personal trainer in London?

No idea mate. He could of headed that way

["KM" 2,300 15.4k]

3 hours ago, Denzel Zanzibar said:

Highlights

 

First thought that sprang to mind…we didn’t look clinical enough!

[Denzel Zanzibar 8,120 15.5k]

10 minutes ago, "KM" said:

First thought that sprang to mind…we didn’t look clinical enough!

We weren't. Rogers isn't a centre forward, i'd prefer we played him on the wing because he is a nuisance.

Coulson should have buried that chance on the stroke of half time, too