Bruce 2,368 2k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 26 minutes ago, Johnmfc81 said: I'd try something a bit different and go with a 433, possibly this line up. Dieng VDB Fry Lenihan Bangura Barlaser O'brian Hackney Jones Forss Latte Lath I agree as I have been arguing for 4-3-3 for some time. Realistically, I don't see how we could change shape at a moment's notice and we also do lack an overlapping right back. I would be tempted to go with Dieng Jones - Fry - Lenihan - Bangura Hackney - O'Brien - McGree Forss - Lath - Greenwood/Rogers It's a bit of a pedal to the metal approach but maybe that's what we need right now. Desperately need to change the tempo we play at. We have been trying and failing miserably to copy deZerbi-ball which plays with quite a low, gentle press in order to spring high-speed counter-attacks. I think our players are mostly front-foot players. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RiseAgainst 4,553 3.8k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 (edited) Hi all, I haven't posted on here since the play-offs, which put me off football completely for a few months. I've been trying to rekindle my love for the Boro this season, but I feel curiously detached from it all, after investing so much hope and energy into last season, only to watch us s*** the bed like Spud in Trainspotting. I can't help wondering if elements of the club and squad could be similarly burnt out, after failing to capitalise on a unique opportunity for promotion. Yes, the transfer window was poor and pre-season didn't help, but we had 11 of last season's players in the squad on Saturday - not that you'd have known it from the performance. Tomorrow's the first time I'll actually be following a game live this season, and I really hope we get a result to save Carrick's job. Since beating Hull back in April, everything he's done has seemed off - Saturday's lineup had defeat practically written in the margins - but I'm hoping there's been a moment of clarity over the last couple of days. All he has to do to effect improvement (however incremental) is start putting round pegs into round holes. It doesn't seem too much for a supposedly intelligent young manager to do. 4 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erimus 63 546 3.2k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 We'll have to wait and see what sort of team Carrick picks. Another unusual line up and he's he playing it's my way or the highway. 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnmfc81 924 2k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 25 minutes ago, Bruce said: I agree as I have been arguing for 4-3-3 for some time. Realistically, I don't see how we could change shape at a moment's notice and we also do lack an overlapping right back. I would be tempted to go with Dieng Jones - Fry - Lenihan - Bangura Hackney - O'Brien - McGree Forss - Lath - Greenwood/Rogers It's a bit of a pedal to the metal approach but maybe that's what we need right now. Desperately need to change the tempo we play at. We have been trying and failing miserably to copy deZerbi-ball which plays with quite a low, gentle press in order to spring high-speed counter-attacks. I think our players are mostly front-foot players. I get that, but I think I would stick with forss down the middle just because I feel he's the best natural finisher we have in the squad just now, and I thing LL would do better coming in from wide positions, possibly from the left, onto his right foot. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bruce 2,368 2k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 15 minutes ago, Johnmfc81 said: I get that, but I think I would stick with forss down the middle just because I feel he's the best natural finisher we have in the squad just now, and I thing LL would do better coming in from wide positions, possibly from the left, onto his right foot. TBH you are probably right. I'm not sure LL is a "natural finisher" though it might just be Ricard syndrome.* I think the pressure of playing #9 may be getting to him so putting him out wide in a three. Forss did struggle a bit as #9 when Carrick started but it was masked by Akpom's goals and he eventually seemed to get the measure of it before being moved out wide to replace Jones. There's a very good argument for a front 3 of Forss - Coburn - Latte Lath The #9 in a front three needs to do a lot of donkey work and make the ball stick. Coburn is possibly the best at that of the three of them and he will be desperate to show what he can do. The width in a 4-3-3 comes from the full-backs so having Forss and LL running the channels would give defences a lot to cope with. *I wonder if ELL is more of a Joelinton type who will do better if not expected to be the main goal scorer for a team. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Erimus74 4,287 4.4k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 My 2nd ever away game, 18th November 1972 Boro winning 1-0, Platty saving 2 penalties, final result, losing 2-1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Golden God 477 300 Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 Big win for us here. I can feel it in my bones. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redcar Rioja 7,760 7.6k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 23 minutes ago, Bruce said: TBH you are probably right. I'm not sure LL is a "natural finisher" though it might just be Ricard syndrome.* I think the pressure of playing #9 may be getting to him so putting him out wide in a three. Forss did struggle a bit as #9 when Carrick started but it was masked by Akpom's goals and he eventually seemed to get the measure of it before being moved out wide to replace Jones. There's a very good argument for a front 3 of Forss - Coburn - Latte Lath The #9 in a front three needs to do a lot of donkey work and make the ball stick. Coburn is possibly the best at that of the three of them and he will be desperate to show what he can do. The width in a 4-3-3 comes from the full-backs so having Forss and LL running the channels would give defences a lot to cope with. *I wonder if ELL is more of a Joelinton type who will do better if not expected to be the main goal scorer for a team. I'm beginning to wonder if he is more of an Akpom type, lousy when he has the main responsibility to score but let him drop deeper into the 10 and use his skill to win the ball and spring attacks, arriving late in the box himself to finish off the stray opportunities. Carrick's formation needs a number 10 to link it all up and make it work, without Chuba it just isn't functioning at all. Where do you fine one of those Players for peanuts i the Championship and as we have found out you can't! Having said that I'd much prefer a 442 or a 532 but it seems like Carrick is prepared to fall on his 4231 sword. 2 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nunthorpered 2,236 2.9k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 Sheff Wed 6-0 Middlesbrough 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SouthernSmoggie 4,870 6.6k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 (edited) On-the-spot sacking if O'Brien doesn't start in centre midfield. We can talk number tens and moving forwards around all day... But it's irrelevant if we keep giving up huge chances and getting skewered through the centre every game. Saturday was bad but it could have been so much worse. They missed an open goal after what, two minutes? Several huge saves by Dieng. On another day we get pasted by five or six. Our goal was offside too, very fortunate. Need to tighten up tomorrow. 4-3-3 with pace up top - Lath will be better as an inside forward imo. Forss is a better finisher. I'd bin the no 10 position - we've tried several there and nobody can do it. Would benefit more from an extra body in midfield. Edited September 18, 2023 by SouthernSmoggie 3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
estonpidge 1,661 6.2k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 Dieng Smith Fry Lenihan Bangura Jones Hackney O’Brien McGree Rogers Latte-Lath Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Denzel Zanzibar 7,667 14.8k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 Take Lath out of the firing line and play Forss up top. If Bangura is injured (Haven't listened to any post match from the Blackburn game) then reluctantly play Engel or Coulson *shudders* 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Redcar Rioja 7,760 7.6k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 Where is Coulson now, with Engel having a sore foot surely Coulson should have been on the bench or is he injured again and out for another few months? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guffie 1,411 2.4k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 Has to be 4-3-3. Mcgree left wing. Howson sitting, o’brien and hackney just ahead. Forss or jones right wing. We need to be on the front foot against these and press. Blackburn got too much respect and time on the ball. Hopefully our season starts tomorrow, but bit of me think it’s going to be “typical boro” Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
AnglianRed 7,249 17.1k Posted September 18, 2023 Share Posted September 18, 2023 Talking Points - Talking of points, will we ever get any ever again? - Why do so many teams have animals in their badges? Animals can’t even play football. Its a historical thing (I think) that goes as far back as the ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Romans. Certain animals have always been associated with various qualities, such as speed, strength, cunning, wisdom etc. Hence animals initially featured prominently on military insignia. When we eventually started proving our superiority over others by playing competitive sports, instead of bloody battles, it was a natural step to associate the same kind of animals with sports teams. I propose a new animal for Boro's crest until such time as we start playing decently again: - Will McGree start? If he doesn't, I propose a pitch invasion... - Do you agree with Michael Carrick that our performances haven’t been that bad? Sounds like Woody's been helping MC with his press conferences as well. Flashbacks to "the table is lying...". I mean they haven't been unremittingly bad, but they are a long way from being good. - At least Leeds aren’t doing very well eh?! I dunno. I'd give...quite a lot...for Boro to be in Leeds' position. 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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