Coventry v Boro 2-0

[SouthernSmoggie 5,244 6.9k]

52 minutes ago, LinoJo3 said:

That’s the thing, we can all see pretty big faults with the starting 11 and bench players. 
 

Is RB really that great? Only 2 top 6 level CMs for a whole season, No proper #10 which is vital for Carricks system, Dieng had a nightmare of a season, Burgzorg and Forrs the only real ‘options’ to switch up our attack. McGree can’t seem to function, Doak got a bad Injury, Lath sold, you could argue that’s 3/4 of a first choice front out the window.

BUT Then you have the other side, did we not bring in an extra cm because Carrick liked Barlaser/wanted to give Howson another year?

Is Carrick totally blameless in the Lath fiasco given he apparently opted for Iheanacho himself? Same story at the back, Carrick apparently wanted Edmundson and decided we didn’t need any more CBs.

So yes Carrick hasn’t had a great squad to work with this season for various reasons, but was that totally out of his hands or did he play a big part in that?

It's definitely both. Carrick is a flawed coach but the squad is also a bit cack and probably around where it should be. And it's about to get worse if we sell Hackney.

So we either improve the squad, as we've seen Carrick produce good stuff with top players. Or we get a top coach who can make this squad more than the sum of its parts.

[LinoJo3 5,505 13.2k]

15 minutes ago, SouthernSmoggie said:

It's definitely both. Carrick is a flawed coach but the squad is also a bit cack and probably around where it should be. And it's about to get worse if we sell Hackney.

So we either improve the squad, as we've seen Carrick produce good stuff with top players. Or we get a top coach who can make this squad more than the sum of its parts.

My point was more did Carrick also have input on making the squad the way it is? I mean if it’s true he turned down another cb in January would you put it past him saying no to a cm in summer and sticking with Howson instead?

[mendieta420 1,215 2.5k]

29 minutes ago, LinoJo3 said:

My point was more did Carrick also have input on making the squad the way it is? 

he chose iheanacho, giles and edmundson

thats all you really need to know

[Erimus74 5,259 5.4k]

In Tuesdays evening gazette MC will the following

“Michael Carrick promised to lift his Middlesbrough players & ensure they head into a vital final-day showdown with Coventry City in as positive a mood as they can be.

A (must win) draw with Norwich City in their final home game means that Boro’s play-off fate is no longer in their own hands on the final day. They simply have to beat top-six rivals Coventry at the CBS Arena, but will also be relying on two of Bristol City, Millwall & Blackburn to lose,  Bristol City lost at Leeds United on Monday evening too”

If your HT talks & recent talks before games against Swansea & Norwich are anything to go by Michael please don’t say to much, say as least as possible in fact

[Neverbefore 14,736 29.2k]

8 minutes ago, Erimus74 said:

In Tuesdays evening gazette MC will the following

“Michael Carrick promised to lift his Middlesbrough players & ensure they head into a vital final-day showdown with Coventry City in as positive a mood as they can be.

A (must win) draw with Norwich City in their final home game means that Boro’s play-off fate is no longer in their own hands on the final day. They simply have to beat top-six rivals Coventry at the CBS Arena, but will also be relying on two of Bristol City, Millwall & Blackburn to lose,  Bristol City lost at Leeds United on Monday evening too”

If your HT talks & recent talks before games against Swansea & Norwich are anything to go by Michael please don’t say to much, say as least as possible in fact

Not quite true, we're relying on Millwall and Blackburn to not win. If they draw and we win were above them. 

[Erimus74 5,259 5.4k]

12 minutes ago, Neverbefore said:

Not quite true, we're relying on Millwall and Blackburn to not win. If they draw and we win were above them. 

Just quoting word for word, except my words  (must win) thats printed in the gazette, can't quote the gazette then change the wording to suit 

[thomas 612 2.7k]

My enthusiasm for this game is rock bottom you just know there's no way we are turning up to even give it a go and Coventry be right up for this. I think we got to be as bold as we can be with this selection be pacey and aggressive. 

 

                    Travers 

Dijksteel  Fry  Borges  Iling-Junior

              Hackney  Morris 

    Burgzorg/Forss   Azaz   Giles

                    Conway 

Bench without Barlaser and Ịheanachọ please, 2 academy kids to take their places who are hungry/deserve their chance.  For me Azaz needs to go back in cam position as that's his better position and Giles needs to take his spot to run at players with freedom and put some good balls in box to feed Conway. Giles for me cant play lb, he's bad defensively we need to put someone behind him to give him freedom to do what he does well offensively. Burgzorg again pacey and direct, Forrs would be a different but I do think in that position he has the most quality and can get goals so I am torn. 

[ChipBarrington 362 1.2k]

13 hours ago, Blanco said:

I know it’s probably a clever plan to help people miss the game @OldManGravzbut the kick off is 12.30 not 3pm

Sadly I think he was letting you know what time Boro will turn up....

On paper I think 4231 is our best formation but it's just not getting results. Wouldn't be against 532 with

Dijk Fry Howson CB

SIJ Giles WB

Morris Hackney Azaz mid

Conway Burgzorg up top

I think Burgzorg, although lacking in quality, is difficult to play against and when he plays centrally does actually sees to get shots off. If we go 4231 then stick him LW Azaz Cam Whittaker RW. I can see results going our way but us going ahead then getting pegged back and not getting the win needed. I also think even if we somehow win the playoffs, Carrick might be given the boot for someone we see as having a realistic chance of keeping us up, harsh as it may seem.

[SouthernSmoggie 5,244 6.9k]

2 hours ago, LinoJo3 said:

My point was more did Carrick also have input on making the squad the way it is? I mean if it’s true he turned down another cb in January would you put it past him saying no to a cm in summer and sticking with Howson instead?

Hard to know what went on behind closed doors. But if some of the rumours on here are true (like wanting Nacho) then it doesn't sound great for Carrick. 

[LinoJo3 5,505 13.2k]

17 minutes ago, SouthernSmoggie said:

Hard to know what went on behind closed doors. But if some of the rumours on here are true (like wanting Nacho) then it doesn't sound great for Carrick. 

They aren’t rumours from here, they were in the gazette or echo can’t remember which. Doesn’t mean it’s fully accurate though still.

[edinboro 1,430 2.2k]

From the training pictures I would expect Edmondson to be playing. He seemed to be fully involved.

[SzilardNemethsCurtains 3,907 4.4k]

9 hours ago, edinboro said:

From the training pictures I would expect Edmondson to be playing. He seemed to be fully involved.

We are saved

[Robin Johnson 1,570 2.3k]

Honestly can't see the point of offering any transfer funds to Carrick.

He has proved many many times his strict and rigid set up of his teams largely fails. His intransigence to change a failing system is all too apparent.

New approach under a new man at the helm is to me the only answer......

[Downsouth 8,142 39k]

Just who will be fit and available both starting 11 and the bench based on the assumption that non available players will not simply be bench warmers!

[AnglianRed 7,876 18.1k]

On 4/29/2025 at 7:30 AM, Blanco said:

I know it’s probably a clever plan to help people miss the game @OldManGravzbut the kick off is 12.30 not 3pm

No flies on you, eh? 

You busted OMG's cunning plan to make us all miss the game and do something enjoyable / productive instead. 😆