2-1 to Boro.

Crooks if fine as far as I'm concerned, he, McGree and Jones are great in combination.

Loan in January I'm not sure about, but especially if Lewis O'Brien is out for an extended period, I would like to see Cam Devlin from Hearts signed, a very dogged defensive mid,  still think  there's a weakness defensively in the middle there and he could be rotated with Howson or Hackney when required.

Do we know when the following players return from injuries? 
O'brien, Bangura, Lenihan, Clarke and Dijksteel? 

16 minutes ago, SmogDane said:

Do we know when the following players return from injuries? 
O'brien, Bangura, Lenihan, Clarke and Dijksteel? 

I don't "know" but from what I hear and see, Clarke and Dijksteel are on their way back and playing in reserve games.

Bangura I believe has pulled a Hamstring but under Carrick the Club seems to be focused on getting Players 100% fit rather than risking them coming back too early but with O'Brien looking doubtful they may have to rush Bangura if they don't trust Engel. Coulson I believe has also been silently injured somehow but may be back soon, to date he looked more trustworthy than Engel at LB so to the dismay and horror of many he may get an opportunity to claim LB for himself.

No definite news on O'Brien yet, the worst is that he could be out for the season but he was walking/limping so its maybe just a tear or bad strain (optimism on my part). either way I don't think we can count on him for some time.

11 hours ago, marvin said:

WTF?

It is very important to take care of the patient, the patient will be followed by the patient, but this time it will happen that there is a lot of work and pain. For to come to the smallest detail, no one should practice any kind of work unless he derives some benefit from it. Do not be angry with the pain in the reprimand in the pleasure he wants to be a hair from the pain in the hope that there is no breeding. Unless they are blinded by lust, they do not come out; they are in fault who abandon their duties and soften their hearts, that is toil.

 

Wise words indeed.

We'll win 2-0

Questions:

1. What's your score prediction?

I'm worried...I have a good feeling about this one!

But whenever I feel like Boro will win and predict as much, we invariably lose. Cardiff are also in a good run of form at the moment and our "recent" home form is fairly evenly split between wins and losses...so I'm gonna say it'll end in a draw.

MIDDLESBROUGH 2 - 2 CARDIFF

2. How do you feel about Crooks' current position in Carrick's setup?

Despite being much-maligned last season and in the first few games of this one, Matt does seem to be growing into the role MC wants him to play. I was really impressed with him on Saturday. If he can maintain that kind of form and effectiveness I see no reason to swap him out (except to rest him).

3. If you had the ability to loan a player in January, who would you get in?

Either a proper LB so O'Brien can play where he's supposed to, or a decent CB to try and shore up our creaky defence.

 

OVERALL:        W24    D13    L34

HOME:            W16   D8      L11

LAST 10 (H):    W5     D1      L4 (back to 11th December 2010)

Boro have a fairly mixed home record against the Bluebirds, winning just a few more than they've lost. Our more recent track record, going back to 2010 also reflects that. We don't seem to draw many...which could mean we are due a share of the spoils. With both teams finding some good form at the moment, it could well be they cancel each other out. Boro managed 14 goals in the last 10 home fixtures, and Cardiff 13.

While I'm fairly optimistic about our chances in front of a slightly fuller (and hopefully more raucous) Riverside, Cardiff clearly aren't fazed by the long trip to Teesside. Wouldn't be too disappointed with a draw if I'm honest, but Boro do need to maintain their unbeaten run.

 

Edited October 2, 20232 yr by AnglianRed

1 hour ago, Redcar Rioja said:

I don't "know" but from what I hear and see, Clarke and Dijksteel are on their way back and playing in reserve games.

Bangura I believe has pulled a Hamstring but under Carrick the Club seems to be focused on getting Players 100% fit rather than risking them coming back too early but with O'Brien looking doubtful they may have to rush Bangura if they don't trust Engel. Coulson I believe has also been silently injured somehow but may be back soon, to date he looked more trustworthy than Engel at LB so to the dismay and horror of many he may get an opportunity to claim LB for himself.

No definite news on O'Brien yet, the worst is that he could be out for the season but he was walking/limping so its maybe just a tear or bad strain (optimism on my part). either way I don't think we can count on him for some time.

Just to add to this, coulson and Clarke both played 90 mins on Friday for the u21s. Would indicate that coulson hasn't been injured because if he was on the come back he would have been subbed I reckon. 

Dijksteel also made his first appearance since his injury, completing 45mins.

No word of any adverse reaction to any of them so seems they came through fine. 

Lenihan was ill so fingers crossed he's back for Cardiff

 

1 hour ago, Denzel Zanzibar said:

It is very important to take care of the patient, the patient will be followed by the patient, but this time it will happen that there is a lot of work and pain. For to come to the smallest detail, no one should practice any kind of work unless he derives some benefit from it. Do not be angry with the pain in the reprimand in the pleasure he wants to be a hair from the pain in the hope that there is no breeding. Unless they are blinded by lust, they do not come out; they are in fault who abandon their duties and soften their hearts, that is toil.

 

Wise words indeed.

We'll win 2-0

Yeah I translated it too and thought… WTF?

Questions:

1. What's your score prediction?    2- 1

2. How do you feel about Crooks' current position in Carrick's setup?    He's done the job in the last game so earned his shirt

3. If you had the ability to loan a player in January, who would you get in?   Messi, GOAT!

Dracones e terris celticis australibus ad ripas fluminis septentrionalis interficientur. Nullus denique rigidas sapor potest salvare eos etiam crinkle conscidisti bubulae saporem relinquere eos inanis. Bellator flava crine eos ante solis ortum in vallibus interficiet.

ad quem victor il coraggio!

Questions:

1. What's your score prediction?

This will be a tough one. Cardiff have had a great start to the season. However, they're missing quite a few players. I reckon we might scrape a 2-1 win.

2. How do you feel about Crooks' current position in Carricks setup?

I know WHY he's there, but Christ, he's frustrating to watch sometimes. My biggest bugbear is that he's often so careless in possession. Its seems to me like he's often too busy thinking about what he's gonna do next that he doesn't give due care to what he's doing in the present. Like making a simple pass accurately. He causes chaos (for us and the opposition)

3. If you had the ability to loan a player in January, who would you get in?

I fear we may need another centre mid if LOB is properly crocked. Hope not like.

I've not had an issue with Crooks' performances during the last few games, but only up until around the 70 minute mark. It's been clear as day that he's on his last legs, he's wasted a couple of late opportunities when he's made the wrong decision, probably due to being knackered. 

He'd done his job against Watford, probably more than done his job, just can't see why Carrick leaves him on the pitch when we've got options on the bench to freshen things up in that position. 

20 minutes ago, Redcar Rioja said:

Dracones e terris celticis australibus ad ripas fluminis septentrionalis interficientur. Nullus denique rigidas sapor potest salvare eos etiam crinkle conscidisti bubulae saporem relinquere eos inanis. Bellator flava crine eos ante solis ortum in vallibus interficiet.

ad quem victor il coraggio!

Is 12 the correct answer🤔

I don't know how they have been playing this season, but assuming they still have their usual robust and pragmatic approach I can see our attack being too much for them and perhaps even, dare I say it, we might get a clean sheet?

 

I'm going to 2-0.

25 minutes ago, Redcar Rioja said:

Dracones e terris celticis australibus ad ripas fluminis septentrionalis interficientur. Nullus denique rigidas sapor potest salvare eos etiam crinkle conscidisti bubulae saporem relinquere eos inanis. Bellator flava crine eos ante solis ortum in vallibus interficiet.

ad quem victor il coraggio!

Victor Coraggio sounds like a January signing from a Serie B club to give us defensive cover. 😁

1 hour ago, marvin said:

Yeah I translated it too and thought… WTF?

FYI, Lorem Ipsum is boilerplate text used when designing the layout of a document or webpage. Why he posted it, I have no idea.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lorem_ipsum