Boro v Preston 4-0 (Jones (2) Van Der Berg, Bangura)

[KeithLambsFaxMachine 846 500]

18 hours ago, Neverbefore said:

So what is everyone's take on the left back battle?

I feel that engel is a better passer and crosser. But he seems quite slow and has a mistake in him. From the limited amount I've seen of bangura, he seems to have better recovery abilities, a bit more pace and physicality. 

Tough choice so far.

I’ve warmed to Engel quite quickly, not least because he has a mild version of Pogatetz’ crazy-eyes, and Pog was my all-time favourite left back. 
 

He’s not, as far as I’ve seen, picked up a football and started savaging it yet, but he’s young and there’s still time. 

[TeaCider24 18,300 23.4k]

10 hours ago, TLF10 said:

Really? Only 3 results reallt concerned us. Games involving Blackburn, Bristol and Sunderland. And 2 out the 3 lost.

Leeds, Ipswich and Leicester games were not really on my radar as our first aim is to break in top 6.

Bristol City lost, but they lost to Southampton who are in the play-offs and are now 7 points above us.

[Borodane 7,946 27.6k]

11 hours ago, TLF10 said:

Really? Only 3 results reallt concerned us. Games involving Blackburn, Bristol and Sunderland. And 2 out the 3 lost.

Leeds, Ipswich and Leicester games were not really on my radar as our first aim is to break in top 6.

Was also looking at the teams that played on Tuesday. 7 teams above us also won which was a bit annoying 😀

[LinoJo3 5,785 13.6k]

It’s weird that reading different things online and even on here on a few occasions that the top 2 teams seem to be as good as promoted. I looked at the table for the first time in ages yesterday and Leeds and Southampton are quietly closing the gap on Ipswich, even Leicester are only 9 points clear. 
 

Not saying I think we’ll catch them just that it’s far more open than I thought, a weeks worth of games can change everything in this league as we know ourselves.

[Downsouth 8,153 39k]

12 hours ago, LinoJo3 said:

It’s weird that reading different things online and even on here on a few occasions that the top 2 teams seem to be as good as promoted. I looked at the table for the first time in ages yesterday and Leeds and Southampton are quietly closing the gap on Ipswich, even Leicester are only 9 points clear. 
 

Not saying I think we’ll catch them just that it’s far more open than I thought, a weeks worth of games can change everything in this league as we know ourselves.

Yes the "saints" seem to be quietly getting on with things without any notice being given to them

[SouthernSmoggie 5,306 7k]

13 hours ago, LinoJo3 said:

It’s weird that reading different things online and even on here on a few occasions that the top 2 teams seem to be as good as promoted. I looked at the table for the first time in ages yesterday and Leeds and Southampton are quietly closing the gap on Ipswich, even Leicester are only 9 points clear. 
 

Not saying I think we’ll catch them just that it’s far more open than I thought, a weeks worth of games can change everything in this league as we know ourselves.

I didn't realise WBA were having such a good season, they're right up there too. 

I still think the relegated three will be the top three over the course of 46 games. Their squads are all stacked for this level.

It'll be a tougher play offs to get into this year for sure, let alone win.

[Rob 6,410 9.8k]

46 minutes ago, SouthernSmoggie said:

I didn't realise WBA were having such a good season, they're right up there too. 

I still think the relegated three will be the top three over the course of 46 games. Their squads are all stacked for this level.

It'll be a tougher play offs to get into this year for sure, let alone win.

as long as they are still in the mix of promotion in january you would think at least one of them if not all of them double down and bring some extra top end players in january as well, WBA probs drop off, most teams outside that top 2 are not consistent and it will constantly change with form teams replacing others, but them 3 are in a decent position if they want to bring another top player or two into the squad, 

whats the odds each of the relegated 3 are all in for some 8 figure players in jan

[Brunners 9,063 25.5k]

47 minutes ago, SouthernSmoggie said:

I didn't realise WBA were having such a good season, they're right up there too. 

I still think the relegated three will be the top three over the course of 46 games. Their squads are all stacked for this level.

It'll be a tougher play offs to get into this year for sure, let alone win.

The funny thing is I was reading the post game reddit thread for Leicesters game midweek and a lot of them HATE how they play and think they're where they are basically through luck.

[Humpty 5,144 10.6k]

My prediction is for Leicester and Leeds to breakaway mid February. Southampton, Ipswich, West Brom and Boro (but could easily be Watford, Hull, Norwich, Blackburn or Sunderland) in that last spot.

[p_mards 1,880 8.5k]

You can only beat what's in front of you so I won't let Preston's poor performance downplay the positives of Tuesday night. After the slight dip in form, our ever increasing injury list and our upcoming tough fixture list, we really needed to win so I'm delighted. When I saw the teamsheet without Hackney I was fearing the worst as we usually really struggle without him. Hopefully it isn't a long-term injury as that could really hinder our play-off push. We made the most of our few moments of quality and managed the game well to not let Preston get any encouragement - which is something we've been very poor at this season - so it was a very productive performance and result. It was a solid team performance with no poor individual performances. Considering we were without so many of our likely starters like Smith, Fry, Lenihan, Engel, Forss, Hackney, O'Brien & McGree, Carrick is doing tremendous to not let it negatively impact performances and results. The strength in depth of young talent is really impressive, especially considering the difficult financial landscape that we have to operate within. 

I can't remember Dieng having a save to make but he was tidy with the ball as always. He actually started the build up for our first goal with him stepping forward into our right-sided CB position. You could tell Dijksteel was a bit rusty, but that's to be expected in the circumstances as he's barely played. I really like the look of Bangura. You can see he's an excellent athlete with a good brain on him so there's a solid base to develop him from. Berg was great too. I can't believe he's only just turned 19 year old as he's already a very good player and has so much more potential. McNair was also very good alongside him.

Howson and Barlaser did what they needed in midfield and carried the ball forward very effectively to exploit the gaps left by Preston's two number #10's leaving huge midfield gaps in their 3-4-2-1 formation. In them moments our two CM's were well primed to step into that area cut through their structure with such ease. It was stupid tactics by Lowe to leave Preston's defensive structure so exposed.

Rogers played very well. He was probably the stand out performance of the night as he showed huge signs of encouragement. If he starts against Leeds and performs well then he could very easily break into the team ahead of Greenwood. I much prefer him moving infield from the LW than the #10 role. It suits him much better as he has a lot more space to move into with the ball at his feet and can drift unmarked into dangerous areas for cutbacks. In the #10 role he struggles with playing with his back to goal and having to be technically good with one or two touch play - in time that will come but at the moment he just can't do what Crooks can there. I really liked how Rogers went drifted into the CB area to clear a dangerous cross when McNair was caught out of position. It showed loads of good traits. I've been saying it ever since we signed Rogers but he's got a scary amount of potential. Regarding Greenwood being on the bench instead of starting at LW, I'm assuming part of the logic was that in the past few games he's been greedy and took pot shots on the edge of the box instead of releasing the ball to players who are in through on goal. For example, the pass that Rogers slipped through to Jones for his second - I wouldn't have been confident in Greenwood having the vision as I think he'd have had a pot shot instead. Our forward 4 positions relies on teamwork and not being greedy so it's an area that he needs to improve on.

Jones took his two goals really well. He has very poor technique striking a ball from distance, but he's getting much better at getting into them positions to score from close range so that's added another notch to his game. Crooks impressed also. His assist for Jones' opener was perfectly weighted and he works incredibly hard off the ball with his pressing and getting back into shape when we're stretched. 

Lath was a nuisance for Preston. Our big chances didn't fall to him so it's hard to judge him against his usual biggest weakness of poor finishing. There was only one where his shot was blocked from being played in 1-on-1 which led to the corner that Berg scored from. His speed and workrate gives him so much that a lot of strikers don't have so hopefully we can see progress with him developing his raw edges as there's good potential there.

Edited December 1, 2023 by p_mards

[SouthernSmoggie 5,306 7k]

53 minutes ago, Brunners said:

The funny thing is I was reading the post game reddit thread for Leicesters game midweek and a lot of them HATE how they play and think they're where they are basically through luck.

Yeah and a bad result this week. Other way of looking at it... Top of the league while playing poorly! Could be unstoppable if they click or change to a better suited manager.