We can moan all we like but the fact it we don’t have the quality or players to stay up .
The new owners gambled by not gambling in the transfer window . Whether that’s because that was the plan or they have no money is up for debate ( I think the latter ) but I really can’t see us staying up if the last three games are anything to go by .
Weren’t they going to spend £1m on Maddison? Haven’t they given Bowyer a new contract?
They didn't spend anything on Maddison or anyone else, just wages to journeymen loan players. Extending Bowyer's contract on similar money to what he's already on costs very little. They have spent more on black Range Rovers for the senior management team.
If Boro could shoot, it would have been embarassing. We had a bit of a flurry second half when we went long, but it doesn't look good at all. Williams had a bad day, and we desperately miss Gallagher, hence very little creativity on show. No goals in three games against struggling teams tells its own tale really.
I hate that we allow the away team to dominate the first ten minutes. Remember that all too distant first half agains Forest at the start of the season? Now we are so scared to go on the front foot from the off.
When you can’t do the basics of a ten yard pass like Purrington today then, this season has shown us, we will get punished. Shame we don’t take advantage of opponents’ mistakes in the same way.
I think we need to go 4-4-2 for the rest of the season. We need two up top with the midfield and defence as it is at the moment. Play off scraps if need be. I though Bonne was good when he came on.
Hull is a vital game. I think if we lose then we are gone and that is the first time I’ve thought that this season.
There is a massive hole in our midfield where Gallagher used to be. That is on ESI for me. I was vocal enough in January, but Southall either showed that he wasn't up to the job or ESI showed they are a bunch of chancers. Hopefully it is the former and he learns from this and we are not definitely down yet.
I thought the ref was pretty fair to both sides really and neither can claim to have been more harshly treated than the other in my opinion.
I always judge the egality of referees by whether the yellow cards for each side are in a similar ratio to the fouls committed. There were very few career threatening fouls by either side but quite a few professional fouls, a push here and a shove there but the yellow card tally did not reflect the fouls.
Boro by far the better team with quality in all positions. We were up against from minute one. Which goes to show how far off we are in terms of staying in this league. I couldn’t even get excited with the half chances we created today. The only chance we stay up is if we get in some sort of form but on recent performances ( even against Luton ) we have flattered to deceive.
There is a massive hole in our midfield where Gallagher used to be. That is on ESI for me. I was vocal enough in January, but Southall either showed that he wasn't up to the job or ESI showed they are a bunch of chancers. Hopefully it is the former and he learns from this and we are not definitely down yet.
Oh yes, and five year plans in football are complete bullshit btw.
Sheffield Wednesday, Huddersfield and Middlesbrough.
3 games, 3 defeats, 0 goals scored.
Simply pathetic.
All lies with Bowyer too. He's setting us up far too negatively and making reactive changes when it's far too late. Second half was better but, let's be honest, they were still carving us open every time they had the ball.
It this, and it's been this for quite some time. Even at the start of the season we were setting up to hit teams on the counter, but we were tight at the back. Teams have figured out that a simple 1-2 on one of the flanks results in the chance to walk into the box. Whatever formation we play, 4-1-4-1, 5-3-2, or 4-4-2 diamond, you can just overload against us on the flanks and get a free pass. We had the same problem last year to a lesser extent, and we don't seem to have figured out how to deal with it.
Beyond that, we just play it long and hope it falls for an attacker with pace. Cullen at times tried to play through midfield and Pratley was ok at times on the ball but he and Lapslie aren't good players on the ball at this level.
Yes we've had injury problems, but at no point have Bowyer and Jackson been able to set us up to be competitive and get points on a regular basis. It's been two steps back, one forward, one back.
We look out of our depth in every aspect. We seem to think that hard work will get us out of it. And unto itself, it won't. We need calm and creativity and possession. We currently have two players, Williams who seems half fit and Cullen who seems off the pace at times, capable of that.
I just don't see how we change our approach and patterns of player and improve our focus at this point. We had a week to learn from Hudds. We didn't.
What a waste of time it all is. We were done for in the transfer window and thats when it became clear that this bunch are up there with the Spivs, Roland and Sunley as rubbish owners. Was Mouthall there today?
Ridiculous comment to be making, even considering the poor form we're in.
Ridiculous perhaps, but could well be true! Probably the most avoidable relegation ever experienced. Only fools would go out and buy something they can not afford to run, thrashing their acquisition within days of taking it on. Seems quite a ridiculous thing to do, does it not?
So would have been better to have kept Roland in January then?
I wonder what our business would have looked like had that happened
Well it couldn't have been much fucking worse could it?
What a waste of time it all is. We were done for in the transfer window and thats when it became clear that this bunch are up there with the Spivs, Roland and Sunley as rubbish owners. Was Mouthall there today?
Ridiculous comment to be making, even considering the poor form we're in.
Ridiculous perhaps, but could well be true! Probably the most avoidable relegation ever experienced. Only fools would go out and buy something they can not afford to run, thrashing their acquisition within days of taking it on. Seems quite a ridiculous thing to do, does it not?
So would have been better to have kept Roland in January then?
I wonder what our business would have looked like had that happened
Well it couldn't have been much fucking worse could it?
It isn't supporting/defending Roland to say that. It is just a fact. January was a terrible window.
In terms of the game today the most disappointing aspect for me was the fact that Bowyer lined us up to match Middlesbrough with Green in Midfield when in my eyes it should be the opposition doing that (Unless its a team towards the top)
Felt the squad selection was right, nor was I the only one happy with that so would love to have the hindsight that a lot of people now have for calling Bowyer out on his selection etc.
Goal of course like so many was totally avoidable and ironically came from a throw-in which has been a complaint from many fans this season - Funnily I felt our throw-ins second half were really good for one spell because quite simply we didnt dick about and got straight on with it
Bonne for Lapslie was the correct substitution in my eyes at half-time and appeared to be working
Unfortunately that impetus was lost when Williams had to go off (not surprising really) yet Middlesbrough did well to contain him
Game of course became stretched with us chasing the ball, it allowed Middlesbrough more space to attack when they had the ball and their failure all afternoon in front of goal confirmed why they're struggling and wont simply get out of this battle (like Stoke will)
Doughty coming on for Williams sadly changed the game back in Boro's favour, we went from running at them with the ball to a more long ball approach which made our chances even less frequent
Pratley certainly frustrated me today with his involvement in the box, showed how we'd missed him as Defensive Midfielder but three times stole the ball from attacking team mates in good positions today
Taylor I felt was ineffective and an idiot, maybe should have had a penalty but he also could have been clear on goal, instead he checked back and let the Middlesbrough Defender take him down which for me was why the booking was given (still the incorrect decision)
Even before that moment I had a feeling that the officials would prove to be weak today, let far too much go (even by normal standards) - Just had no bottle to make a decisive decision for the large part which made him inconsistent
In terms of the game today the most disappointing aspect for me was the fact that Bowyer lined us up to match Middlesbrough with Green in Midfield when in my eyes it should be the opposition doing that (Unless its a team towards the top)
Felt the squad selection was right, nor was I the only one happy with that so would love to have the hindsight that a lot of people now have for calling Bowyer out on his selection etc.
Goal of course like so many was totally avoidable and ironically came from a throw-in which has been a complaint from many fans this season - Funnily I felt our throw-ins second half were really good for one spell because quite simply we didnt dick about and got straight on with it
Bonne for Lapslie was the correct substitution in my eyes at half-time and appeared to be working
Unfortunately that impetus was lost when Williams had to go off (not surprising really) yet Middlesbrough did well to contain him
Game of course became stretched with us chasing the ball, it allowed Middlesbrough more space to attack when they had the ball and their failure all afternoon in front of goal confirmed why they're struggling and wont simply get out of this battle (like Stoke will)
Doughty coming on for Williams sadly changed the game back in Boro's favour, we went from running at them with the ball to a more long ball approach which made our chances even less frequent
Pratley certainly frustrated me today with his involvement in the box, showed how we'd missed him as Defensive Midfielder but three times stole the ball from attacking team mates in good positions today
Taylor I felt was ineffective and an idiot, maybe should have had a penalty but he also could have been clear on goal, instead he checked back and let the Middlesbrough Defender take him down which for me was why the booking was given (still the incorrect decision)
Even before that moment I had a feeling that the officials would prove to be weak today, let far too much go (even by normal standards) - Just had no bottle to make a decisive decision for the large part which made him inconsistent
Positives
We are reaching for the nothing to lose stage and that is where managers look in the draw where they lost their balls. Hoping Bowyer finds his. If we go down fighting, fair enough.
Sarr does make a massive difference to the way we play. We look better offensively when he starts.
We win next week and we are out of the bottom three. I said win Lee - don't go holding out for a draw. The way to beat Hull is to go at them from the start.
On a positive note I thought we were much better and everyone seemed a lot more confident in the 442 formation, I think only Bowyer knows who was playing where in the first 30 minutes
Seem to remember another occasion when Chelsea fucked over our season... We miss what Gallagher brought to the team so painfully, the rest of them sparked off Baby Beckham.
I err on the side of pessimism when it comes to my football club, that's why we suit each other so nicely but if this new lot are the real deal then paint my arse blue and call me Neil Arris. To think that the shit-cnuts are due up soon for our ritual humiliation fills me with utter dread.
In terms of the game today the most disappointing aspect for me was the fact that Bowyer lined us up to match Middlesbrough with Green in Midfield when in my eyes it should be the opposition doing that (Unless its a team towards the top)
Felt the squad selection was right, nor was I the only one happy with that so would love to have the hindsight that a lot of people now have for calling Bowyer out on his selection etc.
Goal of course like so many was totally avoidable and ironically came from a throw-in which has been a complaint from many fans this season - Funnily I felt our throw-ins second half were really good for one spell because quite simply we didnt dick about and got straight on with it
Bonne for Lapslie was the correct substitution in my eyes at half-time and appeared to be working
Unfortunately that impetus was lost when Williams had to go off (not surprising really) yet Middlesbrough did well to contain him
Game of course became stretched with us chasing the ball, it allowed Middlesbrough more space to attack when they had the ball and their failure all afternoon in front of goal confirmed why they're struggling and wont simply get out of this battle (like Stoke will)
Doughty coming on for Williams sadly changed the game back in Boro's favour, we went from running at them with the ball to a more long ball approach which made our chances even less frequent
Pratley certainly frustrated me today with his involvement in the box, showed how we'd missed him as Defensive Midfielder but three times stole the ball from attacking team mates in good positions today
Taylor I felt was ineffective and an idiot, maybe should have had a penalty but he also could have been clear on goal, instead he checked back and let the Middlesbrough Defender take him down which for me was why the booking was given (still the incorrect decision)
Even before that moment I had a feeling that the officials would prove to be weak today, let far too much go (even by normal standards) - Just had no bottle to make a decisive decision for the large part which made him inconsistent
Positives
We are reaching for the nothing to lose stage and that is where managers look in the draw where they lost their balls. Hoping Bowyer finds his. If we go down fighting, fair enough.
Sarr does make a massive difference to the way we play. We look better offensively when he starts.
We win next week and we are out of the bottom three. I said win Lee - don't go holding out for a draw. The way to beat Hull is to go at them from the start.
Yeah Lockyer / Sarr being back makes me hope we'll be better as those two are comfortable at passing the ball out from the back especially the latter
The other positive in a strange way is how we saw Charlton setup against Doncaster at the Valley for the Play-Offs - Bowyer on that showing (and times this season) isnt very good when he's got to try and protect a position that we're in, it all goes tits up and as we've seen so often, we tend to lose
Well Bowyer is now in a position where he has to go for it, protecting our position and being defensive will only see us go one way now
Past caring now. We are going down. Been saying it week after week, Bowyer is far too negative. 4 man midfield with 3 of them non attacking players. Only when Bonne came on did we look anything like a "team".
Is it me or has football changed from when I first started going to games (mid 70's). It might have been kick & rush but at least you had 2 players up front & a midfield who would run with the ball (wingers I think 2 were called). Players like Paddy Powell, Carl Harris and even John Robinson. Now we pack the midfield with players whose only job is to pass it 5 yards sideways to their mate. No creativity at all. No-one running with the ball, no one getting down to the byline & putting a cross in & certainly no-one opening up a defence with a slide rule pass. We play shit football & will go down unless something changes.
And mods......if you want something about the match itself :
Dont have a free kick inside their half and pass backwards.
Dont have a throw in our half & throw it back to a player 5 yards away.
Try getting your left footed player to cross with his left; not cut inside onto his very poor right foot.
Gah......I'm done. Lumping everything on a Hull win next week.
Comments
The club today were absolutely class to me and my kids today off the pitch......however the team were the total opposite on it sadly
When you can’t do the basics of a ten yard pass like Purrington today then, this season has shown us, we will get punished. Shame we don’t take advantage of opponents’ mistakes in the same way.
I think we need to go 4-4-2 for the rest of the season. We need two up top with the midfield and defence as it is at the moment. Play off scraps if need be. I though Bonne was good when he came on.
Is Morgan injured?
Yes - no worries
No - what the fuck are we playing at
Beyond that, we just play it long and hope it falls for an attacker with pace. Cullen at times tried to play through midfield and Pratley was ok at times on the ball but he and Lapslie aren't good players on the ball at this level.
Yes we've had injury problems, but at no point have Bowyer and Jackson been able to set us up to be competitive and get points on a regular basis. It's been two steps back, one forward, one back.
We look out of our depth in every aspect. We seem to think that hard work will get us out of it. And unto itself, it won't. We need calm and creativity and possession. We currently have two players, Williams who seems half fit and Cullen who seems off the pace at times, capable of that.
I just don't see how we change our approach and patterns of player and improve our focus at this point. We had a week to learn from Hudds. We didn't.
I'm off to have some toast.
Felt the squad selection was right, nor was I the only one happy with that so would love to have the hindsight that a lot of people now have for calling Bowyer out on his selection etc.
Goal of course like so many was totally avoidable and ironically came from a throw-in which has been a complaint from many fans this season - Funnily I felt our throw-ins second half were really good for one spell because quite simply we didnt dick about and got straight on with it
Bonne for Lapslie was the correct substitution in my eyes at half-time and appeared to be working
Unfortunately that impetus was lost when Williams had to go off (not surprising really) yet Middlesbrough did well to contain him
Game of course became stretched with us chasing the ball, it allowed Middlesbrough more space to attack when they had the ball and their failure all afternoon in front of goal confirmed why they're struggling and wont simply get out of this battle (like Stoke will)
Doughty coming on for Williams sadly changed the game back in Boro's favour, we went from running at them with the ball to a more long ball approach which made our chances even less frequent
Pratley certainly frustrated me today with his involvement in the box, showed how we'd missed him as Defensive Midfielder but three times stole the ball from attacking team mates in good positions today
Taylor I felt was ineffective and an idiot, maybe should have had a penalty but he also could have been clear on goal, instead he checked back and let the Middlesbrough Defender take him down which for me was why the booking was given (still the incorrect decision)
Even before that moment I had a feeling that the officials would prove to be weak today, let far too much go (even by normal standards) - Just had no bottle to make a decisive decision for the large part which made him inconsistent
We are reaching for the nothing to lose stage and that is where managers look in the draw where they lost their balls. Hoping Bowyer finds his. If we go down fighting, fair enough.
Sarr does make a massive difference to the way we play. We look better offensively when he starts.
We win next week and we are out of the bottom three. I said win Lee - don't go holding out for a draw. The way to beat Hull is to go at them from the start.
And don't say today clever clogs.
I err on the side of pessimism when it comes to my football club, that's why we suit each other so nicely but if this new lot are the real deal then paint my arse blue and call me Neil Arris. To think that the shit-cnuts are due up soon for our ritual humiliation fills me with utter dread.
Apart from that I am chipper!
The other positive in a strange way is how we saw Charlton setup against Doncaster at the Valley for the Play-Offs - Bowyer on that showing (and times this season) isnt very good when he's got to try and protect a position that we're in, it all goes tits up and as we've seen so often, we tend to lose
Well Bowyer is now in a position where he has to go for it, protecting our position and being defensive will only see us go one way now
Is it me or has football changed from when I first started going to games (mid 70's). It might have been kick & rush but at least you had 2 players up front & a midfield who would run with the ball (wingers I think 2 were called). Players like Paddy Powell, Carl Harris and even John Robinson. Now we pack the midfield with players whose only job is to pass it 5 yards sideways to their mate. No creativity at all. No-one running with the ball, no one getting down to the byline & putting a cross in & certainly no-one opening up a defence with a slide rule pass. We play shit football & will go down unless something changes.
And mods......if you want something about the match itself :
Dont have a free kick inside their half and pass backwards.
Dont have a throw in our half & throw it back to a player 5 yards away.
Try getting your left footed player to cross with his left; not cut inside onto his very poor right foot.
Gah......I'm done. Lumping everything on a Hull win next week.