Not that disappointed it was after al a good game and one which by fine margins we could have won very much like the Southampton match.

There is always going to be a next season one I think Boro can handle very well

Anyway done and dusted here are the highlights

https://www.skysports.com/football/hull-city-vs-middlesbrough/report/485202 

8 hours ago, TheJew said:

It's done is that. As in done deal.

Well if its a done deal he gives the impression of not giving a toss. He will become the worst ever signing and most hated Boro player ever. I really cant understand the clubs thought processes if its true.

Carrick's thoughts on the match.

I'm still fairly satisfied with the point last night, even after sleeping on it.

It was a fair result and an enjoyable watch.

I understand why Carrick's still bigging up the fact we're in with a chance, as it's mathematically there, but I'd be absolutely gobsmacked if Norwich dropped 8 points from the remaining 12, even pretending we won all 4.

Edited April 11, 20241 yr by TeaCider24

9 hours ago, TheJew said:

It's done is that. As in done deal.

Wondered why he was still getting played. 

Edited April 11, 20241 yr by nunthorpered

10 hours ago, Erimus74 said:

No win in the first seven games, poor results against teams in the league, Rotherham, Stoke, Pymouth, beat those & we're in the top 6

A good end to the season as, along with Leeds, form teams of the league, so credit to Boro as after the Stoke game all loked dead & buried. At the end of the day we just havent been good enough

100% - it's the horrendous start and results against bottom six sides that have cost us.

The good news? That's easier to fix than if we were being hammered by every good side we played. And surely we can't be as bad at the start of next season. There'll be some turnover, sure, but not to the same extent. 

3/4 decent transfers, couple of quality PL loans, last season's signings settled in, plus the likes of McGree, Hackney, Forss, back in the mix... No reason we can't have 10-15 more points on the board this time next season. 

9 hours ago, TheJew said:

It's done is that. As in done deal.

I don't think it is

1 minute ago, boro-unger said:

I don't think it is

Yeah neither do I. He obviously has talent, but he looks like a player who doesn't know where he is going to be next season and that is playing on his mind. Does he go back to Leeds without a future, do Boro want him but can't afford him, is the matter all up in the air. It can't be that easy not knowing where you are in 3 months and whether you have a future at the club that owns you. There is bound to be something mentally going on. I think he's got a higher cieling than he is showing, but we obviously can't carry passengers and with the injuries we have it's hard to only use him as an impact player. His direct competition is Silvera and he is even further away quality wise. If, and it's a big if, we sign Greenwood I think there is a fair chance we will see a different player. But if I had to make the discision I'd probably pass.

26 minutes ago, thatoldchestnut said:

Well if its a done deal he gives the impression of not giving a toss. He will become the worst ever signing and most hated Boro player ever. I really cant understand the clubs thought processes if its true.

That’s harsh. He’s struggled during his time here but I don’t think I’ve ever questioned his desire or work rate.

1 minute ago, BoroSmoggie said:

That’s harsh. He’s struggled during his time here but I don’t think I’ve ever questioned his desire or work rate.

Easy criticism for people to make when people are off form, even when what's happening on the pitch completely contradicts what they're saying. The exact same accusation got leveled at tav when he was struggling, despite him putting more yards in than anyone. 

Worst of it is, Greenwood isn't even in bad form. He was as bad as anyone last night but his last two games he's been good. No one had a whinge when he was in the starting lineup last night and that's because he's played well recently. Soon as he dips he's the worst thing ever again. 

1 hour ago, TeaCider24 said:

Carrick's thoughts on the match.

I'm still fairly satisfied with the point last night, even after sleeping on it.

It was a fair result and an enjoyable watch.

I understand why Carrick's still bigging up the fact we're in with a chance, as it's mathematically there, but I'd be absolutely gobsmacked if Norwich dropped 8 points from the remaining 12, even pretending we won all 4.

They only have to drop 7 😉

Greenwood has had some decent games but unfortunately they are few and far between and nowhere near consistent enough to be picked regularly. Silvera is our own player and whilst coming up short in many areas out of the two for me it's a no brainer. There is obviously something at play that we aren't aware of which is why he is getting game time because it's not what he offers to the team.

He does have a set piece in his kit bag and maybe that is the hope that keeps Carrick persisting but it's nowhere near enough to warrant a starting position even with the current level of injuries. He get's dispossessed, he doesn't dribble, rarely nowadays does he get a shot in and apart from running around like a headless chicken and lunging in in areas of the pitch where it isn't required I really struggle to see what he brings to the party. 

Last night the Gazette gave him a 4 and to me that was as generous as they could be "Really poor performance. The game just passed him by and he was regularly the guilty party when attacks broke down, with his touch and pass just not there. A young player, he looked bereft of confidence and in his short time on the pitch, Silvera offered more of a threat."

There is now a dedicated thread on FMTTM on the lad which isn't going to help his confidence but a Manager should have pulled him out of the firing line before it's got to this stage. I could understand at the peak of the injury crisis and having little option but there are alternatives now and I struggle to see the point of playing a lad who is devoid of confidence and belief. Moreover he doesn't even seem to be enjoying his football, his body language looks to me like he is being played as a punishment.

I hope we haven't signed an obligation to relieve ourselves of £1.5m (and who knows what on wages) because if he does end up here permanently next season the knives will be sharpened before he even kicks a ball as an official Boro player. Excess to requirements at Leeds I can see him maybe out on loan to Sunderland next season which may help him develop and be able to put his heart into the game again. Failing that he looks a prime candidate to end up at Celtic or Rangers, bossing games against minnows and clattering into opponents during the Old Firm derbies. Right now it looks like Boro and Greenwood are a poor mix and that's not beneficial to the Club, the fans and most importantly to a young lad who has probably another 12 plus years ahead of him in the game.

42 minutes ago, Redcar Rioja said:

Greenwood has had some decent games but unfortunately they are few and far between and nowhere near consistent enough to be picked regularly. Silvera is our own player and whilst coming up short in many areas out of the two for me it's a no brainer. There is obviously something at play that we aren't aware of which is why he is getting game time because it's not what he offers to the team.

He does have a set piece in his kit bag and maybe that is the hope that keeps Carrick persisting but it's nowhere near enough to warrant a starting position even with the current level of injuries. He get's dispossessed, he doesn't dribble, rarely nowadays does he get a shot in and apart from running around like a headless chicken and lunging in in areas of the pitch where it isn't required I really struggle to see what he brings to the party. 

Last night the Gazette gave him a 4 and to me that was as generous as they could be "Really poor performance. The game just passed him by and he was regularly the guilty party when attacks broke down, with his touch and pass just not there. A young player, he looked bereft of confidence and in his short time on the pitch, Silvera offered more of a threat."

There is now a dedicated thread on FMTTM on the lad which isn't going to help his confidence but a Manager should have pulled him out of the firing line before it's got to this stage. I could understand at the peak of the injury crisis and having little option but there are alternatives now and I struggle to see the point of playing a lad who is devoid of confidence and belief. Moreover he doesn't even seem to be enjoying his football, his body language looks to me like he is being played as a punishment.

I hope we haven't signed an obligation to relieve ourselves of £1.5m (and who knows what on wages) because if he does end up here permanently next season the knives will be sharpened before he even kicks a ball as an official Boro player. Excess to requirements at Leeds I can see him maybe out on loan to Sunderland next season which may help him develop and be able to put his heart into the game again. Failing that he looks a prime candidate to end up at Celtic or Rangers, bossing games against minnows and clattering into opponents during the Old Firm derbies. Right now it looks like Boro and Greenwood are a poor mix and that's not beneficial to the Club, the fans and most importantly to a young lad who has probably another 12 plus years ahead of him in the game.

Silvera for me has been even worse than Greenwood and he himself had to be taken out the firing line as he was so bad when starting games earlier in the season - Carrick must feel he's not ready. Greenwood for his flaws has a lot more experience of top level English football and I honestly think Carrick sees him as the only real option we have there right now. 

That attacking left position is nailed as McGree's on the rare occasions when he is actually fit. We had Rogers who could do a decent job there too before he was sold, even though he preferred the central spot. 

Next season that left attacking spot needs to be McGree plus someone who can push him for competition and comfortably replace him in the starting XI if these injuries persist - another Ramsey would be nice. 

 

Edited April 11, 20241 yr by SouthernSmoggie

5 minutes ago, SouthernSmoggie said:

That attacking left position is nailed as McGree's on the rare occasions when he is actually fit. We had Rogers who could do a decent job there too before he was sold, even though he preferred the central spot.

That spot was roughly where Azaz played for Plymouth and it had been Rogers best position. The problem has really been #10. Azaz has moved there with mixed results. Greenwood has been worse at #10 than out left. Rogers was getting better at #10 but it's noticeable that Villa have been playing wide left. O'Brien is also good there. Ironically we have no lack of players for the wide left forward but the player who is most used to it, Azaz, is being shoehorned into the middle. If we didn't play with a #10 I think we would be fine.

When we play Leeds, Ayling won't be available so I guess we'll be playing 3 at the back with Jones as a wingback due to a lack of right backs. I can't help thinking that reverting to 3 at the back for the rest of the season might be the way forward.

Of our new signings who have played a good amount (2,000+ minutes in the Championship) Greenwood is the only one who looks to have got worse over the season. People go over the top but for me both him and Engel are weak points. Main reason you can't say Engel has got worse is that he started so badly. (Engel is also one of those odd players whose stats seem to be better than how he looks when playing so it might by that some of his problems are caused by the formation rather than him.)

Dieng for Santa 

Greenwood is a donkey 

Leave Engel alone, he is way better than Thomas 

Howson had one of the rolling back the years games 

Clarke is doing pretty well for someone who's career ended with a terrible back injury ... 

Azaz starting to show what he can do ...

 

2 minutes ago, Bruce said:

That spot was roughly where Azaz played for Plymouth and it had been Rogers best position. The problem has really been #10. Azaz has moved there with mixed results. Greenwood has been worse at #10 than out left. Rogers was getting better at #10 but it's noticeable that Villa have been playing wide left. O'Brien is also good there. Ironically we have no lack of players for the wide left forward but the player who is most used to it, Azaz, is being shoehorned into the middle. If we didn't play with a #10 I think we would be fine.

When we play Leeds, Ayling won't be available so I guess we'll be playing 3 at the back with Jones as a wingback due to a lack of right backs. I can't help thinking that reverting to 3 at the back for the rest of the season might be the way forward.

Of our new signings who have played a good amount (2,000+ minutes in the Championship) Greenwood is the only one who looks to have got worse over the season. People go over the top but for me both him and Engel are weak points. Main reason you can't say Engel has got worse is that he started so badly. (Engel is also one of those odd players whose stats seem to be better than how he looks when playing so it might by that some of his problems are caused by the formation rather than him.)

Interesting about Azaz, I always thought he was more of a central player. I guess if he goes left then we just have the same problem in a different position, where Greenwood becomes the only real option at 10! Agree that the players we currently have at our disposal seem better suited to the 3-5-2.