BearSmog 1,382 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Introduction. The last time I authored a matchday thread there was a sense of optimism on the forum after a positive, attacking performance away at Luton.. Unfortunately, since then that excitement has dissapated into a sense of frustration not seen since the days of Pulis-ball.. Luckily we have a nice easy home game coming up next against.. Oh.. Fulham Last night, whilst we were slogging out a dour 0-0 with the terriers, Fulham were scoring things called goals in a 3-2 win over Luton. They even have a striker who can not only hit the target, but actually scored 3 times! Whats worse is that we actually almost signed Mitrovic a couple of seasons back.. BearNews In response to fans frustration, Assombalonga and Fletcher take part in some extra target practice. Saville and McNair give their view on whether I'll be doing the next matchday thread.. Tony Pulis gives his reaction after watching last night's epic encounter.. The Big Questions What do you think it will take to stop the rot? Do you genuinely think Woodgate knows what he is doing? Britt and Fletcher's form: lack of confidence or lack of ability? What is our best formation using what we have available? Score Prediction I'm going for Boro 0-2 Fulham with two goals from Mitrovic. What do you think? 5 2 Link to post Share on other sites
AnglianRed 6,320 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 (edited) Brilliant post BearSmog! God knows we need something to cheer us up. The Big Questions What do you think it will take to stop the rot? Or failing that, a competent manager & coaching staff. Do you genuinely think Woodgate knows what he is doing? Don't want to be too harsh on him though as he is a rookie (but he needs to start learning - fast). Britt and Fletcher's form: lack of confidence or lack of ability? Well they say form is temporary and class is permanent. They've both shown they have ability, so I'm going with lack of confidence. What is our best formation using what we have available? I think Chelsea's old "Park the Bus" tactics from the Mourinho days might serve us best... Score Prediction Tough one IMO. Fulham have shown they are fallible...but that depends on which Boro turn up. If its the same one that played against West Brom I believe we could snatch a win. However, as you said, Fulham are in good form right now so realistically I don't see Boro getting anything from this. A familiar "defend well for 80 minutes, then concede a late winner" scenario. BORO 0 - 1 FULHAM 4 Link to post Share on other sites
BoroAbroad 321 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 Great OP and follow up by AR. I'm not clever enough and nor do I have a good enough net to embarrass myself by trying to follow them. 🤔 So I will just get on with it. What do you think it will take to stop the rot? A miracle. Other than that I think it would actually do us the world of good if we scored!! That just might put a bit of a spring in the heels. Do you genuinely think Woodgate knows what he is doing? I think our league position and form answers that. But I am hoping he can learn quickly. Britt and Fletcher's form: lack of confidence or lack of ability? A mix of both. Of course the more chances they miss the more the pressure increases and so on. What is our best formation using what we have available? Against Fulham I think AnglianRed has it spot on!! I am a little more optimistic about this one. Yes Fulham are up there but I think the penny has dropped with our lads now (not before time) and they realize they have a real fight on their hands to stay out of the drop zone. I would like to see the same team. Maybe Brit for Fletch though there's not much to choose between them at the mo. I am going for another goalless draw. Play it safe and try to counter. Right now any point is a good point but damn do we need a win. 3 Link to post Share on other sites
SmogDane 4,057 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 What do you think it will take to stop the rot? Just a bit of luck... Honestly it has been pretty absurd with the bad refs, missed pennas, and missed sitters.. Like a curse .. But it will go away and the variance will even out. maybe even against Fulham. We might get a point (or 3) when nobody expects us to get any. Do you genuinely think Woodgate knows what he is doing? Ofc he does. He will come good. I won't judge this early .. In my eyes he is a hero, for trying his utmost best with the odds against him.. thin squad without any flair players, no playmakers and too many "workers", not creators. Britt and Fletcher's form: lack of confidence or lack of ability? A mix - out of the two i consider Fletcher to be the best finisher, but his mind is so very fragile... I would start R. Burrel against Fulham, to get them two expensive buys realize, that THEY must man up and believe instead of fearing not scoring... What is our best formation using what we have available? Like the last 2 games - but with burrel as the striker .. He has 5 goals in 8 games for the U23 team! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
sanddancer 1,967 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 (edited) I like the thread honest and funny. I can’t think of anything positive that would be taking serious, so I’m hoping by some devine intervention we manage a draw, or there is a call off for bad weather. Unfortunately I think we will drop into the bottom three sooner, rather than latter. Such is the demise of the club expectations are very low, but I believe we will manage a mid table finish. Edited October 24, 2019 by sanddancer Link to post Share on other sites
Rioch's Braves 711 Posted October 24, 2019 Share Posted October 24, 2019 (edited) I can't see Fulham not scoring with their fire power, Mitrovic has scored as many goals as our entire team, and along with Caveliro, Knockaert and Cairney, and a few others I could name, me thinks we're in a bit of bother. So I'll go for a comfortable 3-0 Fulham win and pray I've got it totally wrong Link to post Share on other sites
Downsouth 6,328 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 This has all he hallmarks of being an away win but sometimes surprising things happen and this could be the day a "shock result" happens. One point at this time could be seen as a good point but I know we are better than that so going to go for a Boro win! Goal coming from someone in midfield! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
Borodane 6,301 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 Think Fulham will come here and completely outplay us and comfortably win at least 3-0. They will have absolutely nothing to fear and will have a field day against our crap defensive shape. There is a good possibility that we will end the weekend in the dropzone. As for Woodgate I don't think he has a clue about what to do about our situation. He had a vision before the season started and said the right things but that was quickly discarded and now we are just looking like a rudderless ship sailing into a typhoon. Our squad on paper is much better than 4th from bottom and lowest scorers in the league. Link to post Share on other sites
AnglianRed 6,320 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 (edited) Quite honestly I would be happy with a point, over the moon if we win and not overly disappointed if we lose (but play well). Just for giggles I put together a possible team & formation, with the idea of trying to nullify Fulham's firepower, while still giving us some attacking options (if the spacing looks odd, its because thats how the site assigns certain field positions): Edited October 25, 2019 by AnglianRed Link to post Share on other sites
Denzel Zanzibar 6,972 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 (edited) Strong gif game OP, I like it 🙂 Think Fulham will be too strong for us but I expect us to put up a fight at least. Boro 0 Fulham 2 Link to post Share on other sites
SmogDane 4,057 Posted October 25, 2019 Share Posted October 25, 2019 12 hours ago, AnglianRed said: Quite honestly I would be happy with a point, over the moon if we win and not overly disappointed if we lose (but play well). Just for giggles I put together a possible team & formation, with the idea of trying to nullify Fulham's firepower, while still giving us some attacking options (if the spacing looks odd, its because thats how the site assigns certain field positions): Merry Christmas! The old Christmass tree formation 😉 1 Link to post Share on other sites
HoyteForLeftBack 194 Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Game day!!!! urgh Link to post Share on other sites
BearSmog 1,382 Posted October 26, 2019 Author Share Posted October 26, 2019 It's match day.. 2 Link to post Share on other sites
Downsouth 6,328 Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Yep the big one England V New Zealand oooops wrong thread! Come on England and Come on Boro! 1 Link to post Share on other sites
SmogDane 4,057 Posted October 26, 2019 Share Posted October 26, 2019 Game Day Come on Boro!!! Link to post Share on other sites
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