I think we played with a little more intent and tempo early on tonight but we just recycled possession and never troubled their Keeper. It was certainly an improvement from some recent poor showings but it counted for nothing and even when they scored we still didn't look like threatening them despite all our our dominant possession. Running into blind alleys, crowded out, shots blocked on the edge of their box.

In fairness to Carrick his half time team talk seemed to spark something and we looked re-energised, up for it again and deservedly got the goal but once again our defence crumbled as they got their second using a bit of quick movement and pace getting up the pitch. Pace and movement are just a few of the things that we are missing. We are playing the same play it out from the back and build it up as last season but compared to last season it's like watching it in slow motion. We don't have any intuitive understanding or speed of thought, instinctively knowing where our players will be because their roles were drilled in and out of possession.

There is no Giles with energy and threat down the left, Thomas tonight was OK but zero difference for me compared with Engel, just more of the same. No Chuba to hold the ball up and thread killer passes to an Archer, Ramsey or Forss, not to mention arriving into the box to get on the end of things that just don't happen now because there is no Giles and besides we will have passed it back to Glover in any case. No bloody Striker, even if it's not Archer, therefore all the things that made us tick before the end of last seasons capitulation is missing. Added to that the ponderous movement and decision making is fricking annoying, one, two, three and even four touches and then a swivel, likely passing it sideways or back because the opponents have closed us down and then repeat. It doesn't even give the feeling that there is hope of it working and despite wishing it wasn't so it is head shaking seeing repetition after repetition.

I enjoyed watching us last season but this season it's painful and ineffective. It just isn't working and despite PNE looking poor tonight we still couldn't raise our game enough because we had already raised it from recent poor showings, despite the willingness there was no Viagra left in the  Boro cupboard.

We need to make the most out of these last few months to figure out what our plan is actually going to be. It should be seen as an opportunity but I fear it will end in more of the same then that turning to animosity, arguing and ultimately tears without some tough and hard decisions being made and soon.

Surely that’s the last time we see Djiksteel - That was as bad a cameo as you could wish to see.

we are a “nearly” team at the moment but the lack of a fit forward has again killed us. I also think Jones has been a big miss. He is inconsistent as hell but his pace at least gives us an option. 

You would think that is the playoffs done now but we keep the faith and pray for a miracle.

Azaz looks a good buy though. We just need a lot more. Big big summer ahead.

2 minutes ago, Redcar Rioja said:

I think we played with a little more intent and tempo early on tonight but we just recycled possession and never troubled their Keeper. It was certainly an improvement from some recent poor showings but it counted for nothing and even when they scored we still didn't look like threatening them despite all our our dominant possession. Running into blind alleys, crowded out, shots blocked on the edge of their box.

In fairness to Carrick his half time team talk seemed to spark something and we looked re-energised, up for it again and deservedly got the goal but once again our defence crumbled as they got their second using a bit of quick movement and pace getting up the pitch. Pace and movement are just a few of the things that we are missing. We are playing the same play it out from the back and build it up as last season but compared to last season it's like watching it in slow motion. We don't have any intuitive understanding or speed of thought, instinctively knowing where our players will be because their roles were drilled in and out of possession.

There is no Giles with energy and threat down the left, Thomas tonight was OK but zero difference for me compared with Engel, just more of the same. No Chuba to hold the ball up and thread killer passes to an Archer, Ramsey or Forss, not to mention arriving into the box to get on the end of things that just don't happen now because there is no Giles and besides we will have passed it back to Glover in any case. No bloody Striker, even if it's not Archer, therefore all the things that made us tick before the end of last seasons capitulation is missing. Added to that the ponderous movement and decision making is fricking annoying, one, two, three and even four touches and then a swivel, likely passing it sideways or back because the opponents have closed us down and then repeat. It doesn't even give the feeling that there is hope of it working and despite wishing it wasn't so it is head shaking seeing repetition after repetition.

I enjoyed watching us last season but this season it's painful and ineffective. It just isn't working and despite PNE looking poor tonight we still couldn't raise our game enough because we had already raised it from recent poor showings, despite the willingness there was no Viagra left in the  Boro cupboard.

We need to make the most out of these last few months to figure out what our plan is actually going to be. It should be seen as an opportunity but I fear it will end in more of the same then that turning to animosity, arguing and ultimately tears without some tough and hard decisions being made and soon.

If you look at our forwards tonight we had McGree, Azaz, Greenwood and Forrs. 3 of those 4 are all the type who like to come deeper for the ball, it’s no surprise we recycled the ball a lot as only Forrs would have the first thought to try and make runs in behind. 

4 minutes ago, Redcar Rioja said:

I think we played with a little more intent and tempo early on tonight but we just recycled possession and never troubled their Keeper. It was certainly an improvement from some recent poor showings but it counted for nothing and even when they scored we still didn't look like threatening them despite all our our dominant possession. Running into blind alleys, crowded out, shots blocked on the edge of their box.

In fairness to Carrick his half time team talk seemed to spark something and we looked re-energised, up for it again and deservedly got the goal but once again our defence crumbled as they got their second using a bit of quick movement and pace getting up the pitch. Pace and movement are just a few of the things that we are missing. We are playing the same play it out from the back and build it up as last season but compared to last season it's like watching it in slow motion. We don't have any intuitive understanding or speed of thought, instinctively knowing where our players will be because their roles were drilled in and out of possession.

There is no Giles with energy and threat down the left, Thomas tonight was OK but zero difference for me compared with Engel, just more of the same. No Chuba to hold the ball up and thread killer passes to an Archer, Ramsey or Forss, not to mention arriving into the box to get on the end of things that just don't happen now because there is no Giles and besides we will have passed it back to Glover in any case. No bloody Striker, even if it's not Archer, therefore all the things that made us tick before the end of last seasons capitulation is missing. Added to that the ponderous movement and decision making is fricking annoying, one, two, three and even four touches and then a swivel, likely passing it sideways or back because the opponents have closed us down and then repeat. It doesn't even give the feeling that there is hope of it working and despite wishing it wasn't so it is head shaking seeing repetition after repetition.

I enjoyed watching us last season but this season it's painful and ineffective. It just isn't working and despite PNE looking poor tonight we still couldn't raise our game enough because we had already raised it from recent poor showings, despite the willingness there was no Viagra left in the  Boro cupboard.

We need to make the most out of these last few months to figure out what our plan is actually going to be. It should be seen as an opportunity but I fear it will end in more of the same then that turning to animosity, arguing and ultimately tears without some tough and hard decisions being made and soon.

Didnt listen to any of the game tonight Redcar, on nights but was hoping to catch some minutes on the radio, didnt get my 1st break till long after full time, mind it sounds as if I didnt miss anything 

1 minute ago, TheJew said:

Surely the ST sales will be good though?

Especially at the new bargain prices.

Good news the deadline has been extended to March 31st.............................................................

 

 

2025!

2 minutes ago, Erimus74 said:

Didnt listen to any of the game tonight Redcar, on nights but was hoping to catch some minutes on the radio, didnt get my 1st break till long after full time, mind it sounds as if I didnt miss anything 

It was another lap dance, a bit of mildly exciting early tassle twirling from McGree and a Peach from Azaz mid routine but once Howson put his teeth back in and pulled his fishnets up you just knew there would be no happy ending.

I'm actually concerned we lose Carrick, can't see many managers stepping in to develop players then watch them get sold. He's on a hiding to nothing, hard enough for a seasoned pro to manage this situation, let alone someone learning everything. Although it's a year and a half now so you'd expect something to be forming in it's infancy at least.

I understand the new model, but conceivably we could lose McGree, Hackney, VDB, Jones in the sumner, We NEED to lose howson I feel, and so that's another huge 'rebuild' when we are only 10% the way through the current rebuild.

And I can't see how it's going to work in reality if we buy 10 players then let go of the best ones (albeit for a profit) and are left trying to build something around those that remain. 

The playoffs are beyond us now and even if we got there can't be anyone thinking we'd manage to get promoted. I've felt the whole season playoffs and promotion dreams were premature due to the new process we are trying to implement, but while the theory is sound and we have uncovered a few gens, if we sell them straight away I can't see how we'll actually make progress in the league.

Lots of questions and no answers feels like we are in a kind of purgatory, and as a Boro fan the best quality is going to be patience for a while. In the meantime I'm just going to keep enjoying what good comes and not worry too much about the bad. 

We will overcome one day!

UTB

Caught the last 30 minutes of that one. Awful. We have some good build up play but give it away so cheaply and it causes so many problems. Greenwood is an awful striker, surely he would be better off on the right and Forss up top?

Think it’s a massive summer ahead. I want to see Gibson back Carrick properly and give it a good go, there’s money there and if he’s serious about taking us back he’ll spend it. 

I don’t think Carrick will walk, not with 1 year left on his deal. He hasn’t really achieved anything and it will be a bad look for him if he leaves when the going gets tough. If someone comes and poaches him or he leaves at the end of his contract then fair enough, I think he’s a good manager and Scott can identify the right players, Gibson just needs to spend some of this money we’ve racked up.

We all know what happens next don't we...

 

Leicester 0 - 1 boro, get your house on it 

1 hour ago, Changing Times said:

We weren't put under pressure as such for either goal tonight though.  We had the ball and gave it away twice leading to goals.

Yeah but there was some - relatively tame - pressure, hence the stray pass and then it's in our net. 

We will not drop a single point next season 

@bmt. Thomas is ineligible for Leicesrer game.

Front 4 with Forss up top is defo better.

Swap McGree and Greenwood. Greenwood is non existant on right hand side but decent on left.

McGree is obv better on left too but can still effect game coming in off the right.

57 minutes ago, Blanco said:

I’m glad that you can see that we need Pulis back CT. Thanks for the support. I’m fairly sure that @Neverbeforewill be on board shortly 👌

Daft Welsh bugger.

19 minutes ago, HolgateHero said:

I'm actually concerned we lose Carrick, can't see many managers stepping in to develop players then watch them get sold. He's on a hiding to nothing, hard enough for a seasoned pro to manage this situation, let alone someone learning everything. Although it's a year and a half now so you'd expect something to be forming in it's infancy at least.

I understand the new model, but conceivably we could lose McGree, Hackney, VDB, Jones in the sumner, We NEED to lose howson I feel, and so that's another huge 'rebuild' when we are only 10% the way through the current rebuild.

And I can't see how it's going to work in reality if we buy 10 players then let go of the best ones (albeit for a profit) and are left trying to build something around those that remain. 

The playoffs are beyond us now and even if we got there can't be anyone thinking we'd manage to get promoted. I've felt the whole season playoffs and promotion dreams were premature due to the new process we are trying to implement, but while the theory is sound and we have uncovered a few gens, if we sell them straight away I can't see how we'll actually make progress in the league.

Lots of questions and no answers feels like we are in a kind of purgatory, and as a Boro fan the best quality is going to be patience for a while. In the meantime I'm just going to keep enjoying what good comes and not worry too much about the bad. 

We will overcome one day!

UTB

What players is he developing that are getting sold? Just because there’s one extreme example you can’t act as if it’s the norm.

Just now, Changing Times said:

Daft Welsh bugger.

He won’t like you calling him that CT 🤷‍♂️