I do think that too Cabbies but Boro will be low on confidence and the team could get something from this game. Good that we have players coming back too but the last thing we need is lots of games .
All through this poor run, we've still been scoring goals, can we keep them out though?
Randolph missing for them is a big loss. I really rate him, and he's had a much better career than most of our other former keepers, a lot of which have bench warmed for years, happy to pick up the money
I believe if we can get a draw, Taylor maybe gets 20 minutes and come though unscarred, then a great day will be had in the industrial wastelands of Teeside. Even better if 3 points come along but it's difficult to see that with yet another enforced change in defence.
Lockyer's booking was predictable but a weekend off for Tom after playing nearly every game for Charlton and Wales recently may be important with games coming thick and fast.
Things may get worst before they get better but the rub of the green and a decent ref wouldn't go amiss.
As long as it's not Texit in January now under the new ownership, Lyle can put his cross where ever he wants ? On Bonne head would be good for starters or the monster raving loony party. In a democratic country like Britain which is not a one party state unlike Russia and China etc the choice is, we have a choice, long may it last.
Dijksteel out for three months. Move has not turned out well for him as the fans don’t rate him. I have a feeling we can get at least a draw here. Hats off to those hardy souls making the trip.
If we want to go for it a bit, and Oztumer is fit then diamond with:
Dills
Solly Pratley Pearce Purrington
Deji
Morgan Gallagher
Ozzy
Leko Bonne
Sols and Purrington at fullback as I think they are our best two defensively. I think Pratley has played well in a back four before and Deji's athleticism in midfield will be helpful.
or
If we want to be a bit more conservative 3-5-2 with:
Dills
Deji Pearce Sarr
Matthews Pratley Morgan Gallagher Doughty
Leko Bonne
Deji in the back 3 as he's more comfortable dropping into the full back positions and Pratley can help guide Morgan through the game. Matthews and Doughty as wing backs as neither Sols or Purrington look comfortable or offer enough in attack.
Not confident at all. Even with players coming back they will only be on the bench & would prefer to start with Taylor & take him off after 30 mins than him to try & rescue something from the bench. Boro will nick this one....
A real 6 pointer. Not a ground we relish going to and really we must look at it as a chance to get a result at last. Cannot see it happening. 2-0 to Middlesbrough. Just hope we can fill the bench.
Would take a draw but if we could scramble 3points somehow then do the same v Hudds (neither team is great), then with players returning, a takeover and some money to spend maybe we could start to dream upwards again!
Comments
A defeat will see us firmley entrenched in a relegation battle.
and we are back...
I've gone for 1-0 CAFC in the CAST preview:
https://www.castrust.org/2019/12/boro-on-saturday-be-positive/
Randolph missing for them is a big loss. I really rate him, and he's had a much better career than most of our other former keepers, a lot of which have bench warmed for years, happy to pick up the money
Even better if 3 points come along but it's difficult to see that with yet another enforced change in defence.
Lockyer's booking was predictable but a weekend off for Tom after playing nearly every game for Charlton and Wales recently may be important with games coming thick and fast.
Things may get worst before they get better but the rub of the green and a decent ref wouldn't go amiss.
My record this season is shocking, 2 draws and 4 defeats in the 6 games I've been too. By contrast in the 3 games I've missed, we've won 2 and drawn 1
I apologise in advance for those going to QPR
Maynard-Brewer, Solly, Sarr, Ledley, Aneke, Taylor + only the 1 youth player.
not including sub GK AM-B of course
https://www.theguardian.com/football/2019/dec/06/the-fiver-middlesbrough-v-charlton-woodgate-v-bowyer
2-1.
2-1 to Boro
I'd be pleased with a draw and I'll go an optimistic 1-1.