I couldn’t watch the game today but out of interest did we look better with Ayling at LB?

I know it does suit crossing but I was just thinking from a tactical point of view he may be the best option there? My thinking is Having superior ability to execute ‘the system’ could out weigh what we lose in crosses, not that we seem to get much from that side anyway. Just a thought, he could have been terrible for all I know.

I thought today was a case of battling through until the floodgates opened. I thought both teams were scrappy, in a good way kind of. A bit wasteful at times but the intent was there and both teams were contributing a lot of graft to try and work something out.

Then one classy set-piece opens the door for us to steamroll them. It was no longer a case of scrapping, we had our tails up and hoo boy did we take our chances today when we got them.

Lath was exceptional. I mean, considering he has struggled with finishing chances this season, he's always been pretty handy as a presence on the pitch, I'm sure most defenders that have gone up against him this season breathe a sigh of relief when he comes off. But the goal and assist from him today were special, a reward for his hard work. The goal especially, just wow.

Glad to see Burgzorg come up with something, too. He's a real mixed bag of tricks, is Burgzorg. I don't know what to expect from him when he plays. Perhaps whilst he was having to stand in for Lath up front we lost something of what he can really bring as an attacker, it's a very different role.

And Azaz, this lad is going from strength to strength this season. It feels like the games where I'm saying "This is the Azaz I want to see every week" are becoming much more frequent. Consistency feels like it's been the difference between him being special and not, and I think he's actually finding that consistency now.

1 minute ago, LinoJo3 said:

I couldn’t watch the game today but out of interest did we look better with Ayling at LB?

I know it does suit crossing but I was just thinking from a tactical point of view he may be the best option there? My thinking is Having superior ability to execute ‘the system’ could out weigh what we lose in crosses, not that we seem to get much from that side anyway. Just a thought, he could have been terrible for all I know.

I wouldn’t say better but I wouldn’t say we suffered for it either. My thoughts pre-match were that I would have gone with McCormick to try and have round pegs in round holes but it’s a credit to him that he’s been asked to play a position I’m not sure he’s ever had to play before and he’s not put a foot wrong.

4 minutes ago, LinoJo3 said:

I couldn’t watch the game today but out of interest did we look better with Ayling at LB?

I know it does suit crossing but I was just thinking from a tactical point of view he may be the best option there? My thinking is Having superior ability to execute ‘the system’ could out weigh what we lose in crosses, not that we seem to get much from that side anyway. Just a thought, he could have been terrible for all I know.

I really thought he didn't look out of place at all. I was kind of shocked actually how well he did there but then Borges often drifts inside with the way we play now too. This isn't the Boro requiring a Giles in it any more, it's really different in that area of the pitch and I think Ayling proved today a mix between the system and the player that this could work if necessary. I'd still prefer Ayling on the right and Borges on the left, myself, but with Borges out, we didn't look at a loss at all really.

The problem for me with it is more about who steps in for Ayling on the right. Dijksteel had a good day again today so I'm not trying to dig into the lad too much but he has blown hot and cold during his time here, particularly at right-back in a 4. He's had plenty of great matches for us, he's also had plenty of stinkers. If he loses concentration as he has sometimes been known to, we could end up in a difficult situation. Long may performances like today continue for Anf.

Just had a quick look at the match stats and the one that stands out is that we had a total of 18 touches in the Luton box, yet scored five goals. Think that four of the assists were inside the box, so is this evidence of a more direct approach. Similarly a decent return from six shots on target from a total of eleven. As TJ said, maybe speeding game up is paying dividends 

So satisfying, another brilliant performance and we get the rewards we deserve this time. 

Been playing really well most of the season, so happy mc and the lads stay calm, stick to their guns and believe in what they are doing, despite the angst and despair some people who watch Boro try and spread. 

The truth is if you can't get behind this Boro then you are very very special. 

Loving the Boro through the ups and downs is a beautiful thing, makes you enjoy the ups so much more and better able to cope when there are downs. 

Pretty big up the last two games, enjoy it Boro supporters, there will be more to come. And we won't hear "wHeN wIlL wE SaCk ThE MaNaGeR" for a couple of weeks at least... Oh, and it turns out Azaz is quite good in fact. The joy.

UTB

8 minutes ago, wilsoncgp said:

The flares thing was one of their red lines whilst they were in MSF. They wouldn't support anti-flare messages.

I will say with the greatest of respect for them that at least they knew that they disagreed with everyone else in the room on matters like this and respectfully left knowing full well that they would rather not pursue challenges on things like this and bring MSF into disrepute at the same time.

But at the same time, it was made pretty clear to them at all points that it is illegal. You're free to hold the opinion that the law is wrong and that you should be allowed to use flares in a football ground in this country. But the law is fact until it isn't. If indeed it is a protest, protesting against the club because of this is childish and pointless. The club works with the police on all kinds of matters, as they should, they are a vital security presence trying to keep people safe. What were they expecting the club to do on this occasion, sweep it under the rug?

They have worked relentlessly to improve the matchday atmosphere when the team and the Stadium was flat for many years but of late it appears they've started to believe their own hype sadly.

Flares burn at temperatures which if in contact with human flesh will burn to the bone in a second, causing life changing injuries and possible death. Had their banner burst into flames when they were hiding the culprit then heaven knows what carnage could have ensued with injuries to who knows how many fans and then the likely crowd surge in response and the consequences of that. I'd like to think that they are just thick as pig muck rather than knowingly went ahead with such thoughtless, self centred, entitled dangerous actions.

Bringing flares into a packed Stadium is not only illegal but selfish and irresponsible especially when you consider fellow supporters that will have asthma or lung problems, common on Teesside because of our Industrial "Heritage". Then again who knows why they are absent because they haven't said anything which in itself probably indicates an admission of guilt by association rather than having a genuine grievance against the Club who don't control the courts.

It's a shame, hopefully they will start to come back in bits and pieces over time, wiser and better informed.

yes we were more direct today, didnt fanny about in the corners passing side to side for 5 minutes everytime we got into the final third. burgzorg and doak are not the sort to fanny about really. morris seems to be everywhere hes class. 

 

my only complaint ism when we went 4-0 up we started to play around at the back and stopped passing forwards. we could of had a load more goals there. we let them off the hook. 

6 minutes ago, Old Codger said:

Just had a quick look at the match stats and the one that stands out is that we had a total of 18 touches in the Luton box, yet scored five goals. Think that four of the assists were inside the box, so is this evidence of a more direct approach. Similarly a decent return from six shots on target from a total of eleven. As TJ said, maybe speeding game up is paying dividends 

I think Doak makes us so much more direct. It’s everything that Jones is fully capable of but I just want to see it more consistently. When Jones is well up for it he’s a nightmare for the opposition, but then there are games where for whatever reason he’s reluctant to get at his full back and happy to just tap it around with edge of the 18 yard box.

Doak seems to just consistently take the game to the opposition. Maybe it’s the fearlessness of youth but even in games like Watford where his opposite number is getting the better of him, he doesn’t let it deter him in the same way that I feel Jones sometimes does.

35 minutes ago, Redcar Rioja said:

At least we got the type of scorelines this week we should be getting against bottom feeders. Just need to make sure we don't relapse now to old habits. I was a bit concerned when we took our foot of the gas this afternoon and they scored, hopefully another lesson learned and at least it didn't cost us as it has in previous games.

Luton was not the normal bottom feederw though

Its suicide to play that high def line when you face Latte and Doak....

Just now, ladyspite said:

Luton was not the normal bottom feederw though

Its suicide to play that high def line when you face Latte and Doak....

Yeah, they totally ***Ed up their tactics here. Know a lot of people wanted him as manager instead of Carrick so it's nice to see our man so decisively destroy him tactically. 

I thought you were sh1te for 34 minutes after your 4th. 🤣🤣🤣

Seriously lads, brilliant display. 👍

Edited November 9, 20241 yr by Georgewhitt

Did Carrick really change to a more direct approach or is that just how he actually wants to play and it worked this time? Everytime we’ve played well we play like that.

3 minutes ago, Georgewhitt said:

I rhought you were *** for 34 minutes after your 4th. 🤣🤣🤣

Seriously lads, brilliant display. 👍

Have to say I was delighted when Coventry equalised, then felt a bit sorry for you and a mild tinge of guilt crept in (only for a second though). 😁

What a result that was today to go with the performance. These last 2 games are encouraging in the fact things are clicking up front. All forwards in the last 2 games have either scored or have an assist or both. If only we were putting away these chances in the first few months of the season.

It's a shame the IB is here as it fab be a momentum killer. That said I feel we have 3 very winnable games and I'd say 6 points minimum from them. They could be vital as the 1st 2 games in December are Burnley and Leeds away. These next 5 games could define our season with us getting back into the automatic race or whether we will just be battling for the playoffs.