5 hours ago, sanddancer said:

Well it's finally sunk in. We have a club a team the town can afford. I am not being disrespectful by any means it's finally dawned on me not to expect anything more then championship mid table and anything more is a bonus. Its just another season of hope and a playoff at best but this season its preaty much a fight to get a win and three points. It's not fancy football its a battle for points. Who knows how the season may pan out but it's not relegation for sure. 

We are three points of the playoffs got back to back away games against sides at the bottom end of the division. We could end the  2023 in the playoffs and in the semi final of the cup before we add some more stardust in janaury to push on for glory in 2024 

Edited December 25, 20232 yr by DurhamRed

 

19 minutes ago, TLF10 said:

I can see Clarke, Bangura and Crooks coming in for VDB, Engel and Silveria. Crooks as the CF.

Think McGree might start v Coventry a week today and come off the bench for next 2 games, He got 15 mins v WBA so hopefully can add to that over next few games.

Mcgree is going to dubai on the 1st of janaury for the aussie Asian cup build up. So I reckon Mcgree be starting these next two. 

2 hours ago, DurhamRed said:

 

Mcgree is going to dubai on the 1st of janaury for the aussie Asian cup build up. So I reckon Mcgree be starting these next two. 

Hopefully that means we have him for Coventry game and he flies out after the game.

With the tight fixture list I'm expecting some changes, likely with adding some physicality like Berg moving to RB and Clarke coming in at CB. Maybe even Crooks in for Silvera in strike. Carrick said a few weeks ago that Hackney will be back after Christmas so hopefully he's at least on the bench as that would be a huge boost.

Considering we're a club that's leading the way in English football to give Australian players an opportunity to establish themselves at a good level with the likes of McGree, Silvera and Glover all in our first team picture, it's in the Australian national team's interest to be flexible and look at the bigger picture with their Asian Cup commitments. I'm possibly reading too much into it but I wouldn't be surprised if Australia have left Glover out of their international squad because they know he wouldn't have got many minutes for them, but given Dieng is away at the AFCON, it'll be a fantastic opportunity for him to establish himself in the Championship for a good spell of games. He's consistently been in their international squads - so I feel like the unique circumstances has led to him essentially being omitted by them; It'll be very sensible if so. There's also the Meulensteen and Carrick link to keep a good relationship with them.

Likewise, given McGree's unique circumstances of him being very short of match sharpness after a nasty injury, I'm assuming they'll see a lot of logic in him staying here until slightly later so that he can get some minutes for us before heading to the Asian Cup more match sharp for Australia.

8 hours ago, Denzel Zanzibar said:

We're three points off the playoffs mate

Exactly. 

I said I'm not being disrespectful just realistic.

A club that's tailored through investment to compete in this league. Mid should be expected, comfortable with upper or playoffs being somewhat a success. 

17 minutes ago, sanddancer said:

Exactly. 

I said I'm not being disrespectful just realistic.

A club that's tailored through investment to compete in this league. Mid should be expected, comfortable with upper or playoffs being somewhat a success. 

I like it that you're keeping your feet on the ground. There is no reason for over excitement yet. We live in hope though.

10 hours ago, Borodane said:

This game is actually live on TV in Denmark. I’ll be looking forward to it. Hope we can get the third win on the spin. Think we will see one or two changes here with Bangura and McGree coming in. It’s two positions where we actually have some depth and games are coming quick these days. 

Just hide that kitchen knife you showed us all recently!😫

Feeling pretty optimistic about today, fingers crossed the lads didn't overdo it on the festivities!

Would have been nice to be at home today. Much prefer going to a game boxing day rather than new years day. 

Anyway, should be a fairly routine win today (cue eggnog on my face). 3-0 Boro. 

2 hours ago, Downsouth said:

Just hide that kitchen knife you showed us all recently!😫

I’ll be preparing all food before the match today😂

I'd guess there will be some heavy rotation (where possible lol) either today or against Huddersfield on Friday. May be more likely on Friday so we could put a stronger team out on New year's day v Coventry.

10er on Rotherham, so let's make it 3 out of 3 wins! UTB

13 hours ago, DurhamRed said:

We are three points of the playoffs got back to back away games against sides at the bottom end of the division. We could end the  2023 in the playoffs and in the semi final of the cup before we add some more stardust in janaury to push on for glory in 2024 

Problem is we dont win against the bottom teams... 😜 

Not on the red button today afterall, sadly.

Should still be able to get a stream though

we have a mackem for a ref ffs. kitchen. on the millers forum they were moaning about the ref coming down on our bus, probably without realising durham is mackem land. i'm sure he usually screws us over when he gets the opportunity.