Duvel 2,446 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 I am in the school of thought that says if we aren't creating anything then that is the time to worry at this stage of the season. Lets be honest Norwich did a Boro (AK version) on us last week but we should still have been talking about the game as a draw at worst if you look at the missed chances. Braithwaite has been a huge miss as he looked in pre-season someone who would get you 15 goals to support your 20+ man (Britt) I would be tempted to keep Baker in and drop Johnson instead , simply because he also could benefit from Brathwaites inclusion but I could just as easily see him playing Bamford in that 10 role but interchanging with the others for some variety I think it will be a win - 2-0 after maybe a stodgy start (again) but Britt and Brathwaite getting the goals Baker isn't doing enough for me, on Tuesday the game completely passed him by. Playing as our number 10 he should be involved in virtually every attack, as a number 10 he's pivotal in that system and needs to do a lot more. Look at the good number 10s for us over the years and their position on the pitch. You expect that type of player to be available to pick the ball up off the defence or CM's and turn and start attacks and link the play. On Tuesday Baker's positioning just never looked right, he wasn't supporting Assombalonga at the top end of the pitch but he wasn't available enough to start attacks in deeper positions either. He was just on the periphery of everything. We can't afford a passenger in that position otherwise we'd be just as well having Bamford in there who'd at least pose more of a goal threat. Link to post Share on other sites
sanddancer 1,967 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 I believe this game will tell us a lot more about ourselves. It’s crunch time and anything but a win and a decent run does not bear thinking about. We are close to 25% through the season and we have been slow out the blocks, very much like most games. The dust is settling and mistakes are many to suggest we are anywhere close to, hate to use the term, gelling. Teams have already labbled us and play a strategy that’s been so far reasonably effective. I believe we will hammer someone by a cricket score but we won’t be consistent and fighting for a play off a reality. I believe you are wrong. It's an important game and three points we should be getting but it's not the end of the world if we don't. 3/4 of the season still to go. Go on a 10 game unbeaten run after christmas and almost any team can propel themselves into the top 4 What you say makes no sense. How would you know 10 wins will take us top when we don’t how far ahead opponent will be. What makes you think we can do a ten run unbeaten, run. Can’t remeber the last. Why not put together 10 match unbeaten run now because Xmas has always been BORO worst period. Link to post Share on other sites
richmfc 41 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 I believe this game will tell us a lot more about ourselves. It’s crunch time and anything but a win and a decent run does not bear thinking about. We are close to 25% through the season and we have been slow out the blocks, very much like most games. The dust is settling and mistakes are many to suggest we are anywhere close to, hate to use the term, gelling. Teams have already labbled us and play a strategy that’s been so far reasonably effective. I believe we will hammer someone by a cricket score but we won’t be consistent and fighting for a play off a reality. I believe you are wrong. It's an important game and three points we should be getting but it's not the end of the world if we don't. 3/4 of the season still to go. Go on a 10 game unbeaten run after christmas and almost any team can propel themselves into the top 4 What you say makes no sense. How would you know 10 wins will take us top when we don’t how far ahead opponent will be. What makes you think we can do a ten run unbeaten, run. Can’t remeber the last. Why not put together 10 match unbeaten run now because Xmas has always been BORO worst period. I don't know but I'd be suprised if a ten game unbeaten run doesn't get uss there. I don't know how far behind we will be either but I don't think we will be far away we have just put in a nine game unbeaten run by the way. Yes better to do it all now but I'm just saying nothing is a MUST DO this early in the season Link to post Share on other sites
akadave 2 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 After Christmas Rich? We are always dire after Christmas. Hmmm good point well put Well how about an unbeaten 10 match run from Easter as long as that includes our Cup Final appearance Link to post Share on other sites
richmfc 41 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 Britt has shown he is a top championship forward but isn't quite on fire yet Baker was fantastic in holland and Chelsea rate him highly also he has shown in the odd game how good he can be but again isn't reall firing yet Braithwaite has also shown he could be a great player but hasn't had a chance yet Howson has been one of the best championship midfielders the last few seasons but has been hot and cold so far So yes this could continue until the end of the season but I'm betting most if not all of those guys will come good at some point and we will have some team Link to post Share on other sites
OldManGravz 1,350 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 Off topic but DS what's the order for the MDT authors after this Link to post Share on other sites
Blanco 4,917 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 Juninho is staying for the next 25 games because we are going to win them all Link to post Share on other sites
Rioch's Braves 711 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 Britt has shown he is a top championship forward but isn't quite on fire yet Baker was fantastic in holland and Chelsea rate him highly also he has shown in the odd game how good he can be but again isn't reall firing yet Braithwaite has also shown he could be a great player but hasn't had a chance yet Howson has been one of the best championship midfielders the last few seasons but has been hot and cold so far So yes this could continue until the end of the season but I'm betting most if not all of those guys will come good at some point and we will have some team Got to agree with you, and I've no doubt Howson will come good and we'll realize why both Leeds and Norwich were upset at losing him. Link to post Share on other sites
mendieta420 1,007 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 I'd like to see Baker play in midfield where he can get on the ball more, with Clayton and Howson in there we have no one capable of passing the ball. I have a feeling he might go back to the 433 system we started the season with. Link to post Share on other sites
diggerlad07 3,695 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 I'd like to see Baker play in midfield where he can get on the ball more, with Clayton and Howson in there we have no one capable of passing the ball. I have a feeling he might go back to the 433 system we started the season with. I fu**ing hope not! Sysyem did not work and teams knew how narrow we were so let their full backs bomb forward at every opportunity. For me we play at our best in a 4-4-2 formation, although we don't play this formation until we are up against it. Monk isn't brave enough to start with this formation Link to post Share on other sites
boro-unger 3,870 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 Like the intro Juninho. If we lose, we can just rage quit and load our last save right?! Got to be winning games like this at home, and I think we will. Despite the fact that most were slating GM after the Norwich game, I thought he did well. Picked a good team to start with and made good positive changes that should have got us the win, or at least a draw. I have faith he can outwit brentford Link to post Share on other sites
ChipBarrington 315 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 4231 Randolph Christie Fry Gibson Johnson Baker Howson Traore Braithwaite Bamford Assombalonga Just play all our best attackers and go for it My worry is we keep saying "we havent gelled yet..." but what if we have? Link to post Share on other sites
mrlahhh 15 Posted September 29, 2017 Share Posted September 29, 2017 Shotton, Braithwaite and Leadbitter in for Fry, Howson & Baker. Link to post Share on other sites
Denzel Zanzibar 6,972 Posted September 30, 2017 Share Posted September 30, 2017 Absolutely no excuse tomorrow to not pick up 3 points. I'd like to see us hammer them but I'll settle for a professional 2-0 win. Link to post Share on other sites
juninho9 35 Posted September 30, 2017 Author Share Posted September 30, 2017 *Boots up laptop* *Opens Middlesbrough Save* What are your predictions then guys and girls? Team line up? Score? FGS? Link to post Share on other sites
Recommended Posts