Sad Day For Middlesbrough Football Club

Last night the news broke about Tony Mowbray leaving the club after 3 years in charge. When Mogga was appointed he was the fans choice and it was a dream partnership with our chairman Steve Gibson both fans with club at heart in charge of our club. Sadly it has not ended that way and has left me personally gutted at the news.

After the previous manager we had who tried to rip everything Middlesbrough out of it. It was great to have appointed Tony Mowbray as our manager, he lived and breathed the club he was one of us. Telling us how he use to go the Holgate with his dad and could smell the Bovril, talking about the steel works, he understood what Teesside meant to people and the football club is a big part of people lives in this area. It’s sad that Mogga will not be the one to take us back to the Premier League. He wanted that more than anyone, no one can question his commitment to the cause.

He is one of the nicest guys in football. He always tried to play the game the right way, always spoke to the media after games he never hid and should be respected for that. A lot of other managers would have refused. When Tony took over from Gordon Strachan he was left with a big mess to sort as the team looked like heading for League One. Plus a big wage bill to reduce and no transfer funds as the previous manager had used it up. Mogga gave us a team to be proud of again as we finished 12^th in the league.

The next two seasons would see Boro have a good first half and a poor 2^nd half sliding down the table. We finished 7^th and 16^th after promising starts. It was always important after last season’s dreadful end of season to start this campaign well. Looking back at the games we had 3 shockers away at Ipswich, QPR and Barnsley. We should have had more points on the board in games at home v Sheff Wed, Bournemouth, Huddersfield and away at Wigan and Nottingham Forest.

I have been very critical of Dean Whitehead so far as I don’t think he offers much in games. He is not very mobile apart from putting two good balls through that resulted in goals I don’t think he has done much for a player with so much experience. One of his best games was at Wigan where he must been near to 100% pass rate til late on when he conceded a sloppy freekick which resulted in us getting a point instead of three. He is not the only one through there have been plenty of individual mistakes and basic errors have proved costly this season.

One thing for sure is Mogga has left the club in a much better shape than when he took over reducing the wage bill massively. Plenty of work has been done behind the scenes getting a scouting system in place. He has left a decent squad of players that should be able to compete for a place in the top 6. Watching us this season we didn’t look far away from cracking it and  getting the balance right but sadly we leaked too many goals. Results were not taking us anywhere.

It’s a sad way for a Boro legend to depart from the club. It’s painful. The same can be said for Liverpool with Kenny Dalglish that didn’t work and he’s now rejoined the club as part of the board room. Maybe one day Tony Mowbray can return to the club in some capacity. For now I like to thank him for his efforts and give him the respect he deserves. There’s Only One Tony Mowbray!

(FMTTM Column Doncaster 25-10-13)

2013 A Year To Forget!

2013 has been a year to forget so far for us Boro fans, only winning two league games both of them at home v Leeds and Cardiff. I don’t know quite what has happened since that great Blackpool display at home at end of year. It was one of the best games I’ve seen under Mogga, passing, movement the lot plenty of energy in the side great to watch.

The bad form in my opinion is a number of factors. First, Marvin Emnes was our top scorer last season with 14 league goals. Marvin made a huge impact last season but for whatever reason he’s not looked interested in this campaign. Jonathan Woodgate has not been available for enough games since the turn of year due to persistent injury niggles.

These stats are from before the Hull game but say a great deal. We have had 25 different back four combinations and 17 of them have come in last 19 games, Shipping 29 goals in 2013. Injuries haven’t helped, Steele has been only one ever present this season in back five. All in front of him have had spells out injured. Hoyte with hip injury, George Friend with his hamstring, Bikey with a hamstring and Woody  with a hamstring. This is before I talk about others in the team that have suffered with hamstring strain/injuries.

They must be an investigation in the summer to find out what’s gone wrong and why we had so many hamstring type of injuries. Even with the injuries the defence should be good enough to do job, after all none of them are young kids coming in to the side. I’m sure Steve Gibson and Tony Mowbray will sit down and analyse the season. Questions that I would like to see asked  are do we have enough experience? Do we have enough leaders? Do we need change the way we play and be more nasty?

When look at league appearances there are four players that have played over 30 games for us in championship this season. Steele 41, Leadbitter 39, McEachran 35 and Friend 34. That’s not many. On positive note three of those players will play a big part for us again next season, with Josh going back to Chelsea.

Too many key players have struggled for form this season. Rhys Williams, our captain, has only just started to look himself  again in the games against Peterborough and Hull. Rhys needs to settle into one position and play at centre back. We have looked more solid in last few games but are now struggling at other end to put our chances away. It was pleasing to get a clean sheet v Peterborough at home and hugely frustrating that we couldn’t capitalise on our chances and put one of them away! I actually fancied us to get the win on Saturday I thought the pressure was off and we would nick all the points. But yet again we struggled to put chances away and an error from Steele saw us come away empty handed again sealing our 20th defeat.

It makes very grim reading and puts us 8 pts of the playoffs with only five games to go.  With the dreaded goal difference it is like an extra point. It’s not mathematically impossible for us to reach the playoffs though we would be heavily relying on results elsewhere and for us to win all our games. We have not managed to put back to back wins together this year and so now we are probably left to build for next season.

In the next five games I would like to see us play a few of the youngsters, the likes of Adam Reach and Richard Smallwood who hasn’t really featured too much this season. We are going to need them next season so let’s give them some minutes on the pitch. Three of the Five games that are left are at home, two of them this week. It is massively important that we play well, with the season ticket deadline is approaching fans will want to see encouraging signs for next season.

I am personally looking forward to the new Riverside layout next season with the Red Faction taking the south stand providing us with Boro fans behind both goals. This means that away fans will be housed in the east stand. Leeds apart, away followings have only been a few hundred for majority of championship games this season. Change can be good and it could revive the Riverside. The family area is new for next season which is really postive idea by the club, getting the youngsters involved is important for the future of the club. The prices are really good value in that section and I’ve been encouraged at what club are doing off the pitch with both next season ticket deals and match deals this season. The club are taking on board fans feedback and certainly doing everything right off the pitch we just need to get right on the pitch!

 (FMTTM Column Brighton 13-04-13)



Sticky Patch For Boro!

It was a disaster start from Boro yesterday with Barnsley taking an early lead when Jim O’Brien shot took a massive deflection of George Friend and Past Steele. After that it was painful watch and looked like being a long afternoon! No question about it confidence is low in camp right now. We looked fragile, passes going astray, panic clearances hoofed up field. Looked out of ideas, no organisation it was chaos! The Juke was upfront on his own, he was starved of any service. We were out muscled of ball far too easy.

Second half was an improvement it had to be, getting in the lead with goals from Carayol + Main who replaced The Juke at half time. Yet again from our own doing we make mistakes that lead to Barnsley levelling when a Rory Delap throwing wasn’t dealt with in the box. It got worse when Hines passed ball back to Steele he slipped and ended up handling ball. Resulting in an indirect free kick. Scotland put Barnsley into the lead and apart from Leadbitter chance we didn’t look like scoring.

The last 2 games against Ipswich and Barnsley the lowest scoring teams in league is not good reading conceding 7 goals. It took me till late last night to check the results and league table. I feared the worst. Luckily we are still in a playoff place 6th after our bad start to 2013 with 5 league defeats. It’s a tough patch we need dig deep and get ourselves out of this mess. Get back to being hard to beat, be brave and stand up to challenges ahead.

Leeds up next we owe them for last season poor show please not again! The pressure is building like it does with any team that going through a bad spell. Arguments in stand, suggestions of Mogga out it not a great place to be right now. I know Mogga made some decisions that have raised some questions marks. Taking the Juke of and confirming after game he wasn’t injured being one of them. I would say this if anyone witnessed the game v Blackpool at end of December it was a joy to watch. That is what we all want to see. Passing, movement, organisation it had a lot of things we didn’t see enough of yesterday. It simply wasn’t acceptable. We have to get back to standards we were playing at start of the season.

It is a sticky patch the players, fans need dig deep and stay together to get our season back on track it’s only way. No time for passengers we need all players on that pitch up for cause 16 cup finals left, the sooner the next win comes the better for everyone it will be a relief to everyone connected with club. Hit 50 point mark and push on. We need a 90 min performance v Leeds. No better time to beat Leeds at Riverside than Tuesday night. Its massive it could be vital point that turns our season round!

Come On Boro! Let’s be as one and beat Leeds!

Boro Aiming High

 

 

Ledesma

Emmanuel Ledesma started against Sheff Wed at home, arguably his best game in a Boro shirt. He was lively, his range of passing was superb, playing some delightful through balls, one set up Justin Hoyte to score a beauty! Another set up Scott McDonald who tucked a low shot under Kirkland, Miller was taking no chances and pounced to make sure it went over the line to claim the goal. Two assists for Ledesma and his all round play was brilliant going forward and racing back into tackles to win possession back. The midfielder hasn’t started or featured much since the opening day v Barnsley, where he was frustrating to watch giving the ball away cheaply. Since then I think there has been great management by Tony Mowbray making Ledesma watch from the sidelines and learn the way we are playing. Since his recall his all round game has been very impressive, more of these performances and he will be a fans favourite.

Top Crowd

What a great Friday night it was at Riverside against Sheffield Wednesday the build up to game was so much better with a big crowd, a packed train to Middlesbrough I could hardly hear the BBC Tees commentary! You sensed the buzz in the town, even more so when got in the ground a big attendance makes such a difference, it looks amazing and the noise generated makes the match day experience a million times better. The club reacted after we hit our lowest league attendance at Riverside against Derby 13,377. Well done to the club for putting the deal on which was half price tickets starting from £12 + £7. To get 28,229 for a game that was Live on SKY surprised me to be honest, fair play to the local public the Riverside was bouncing like them big nights in Europe. In the game we won to go top of the league great for everyone involved with club. Let’s hope this is the start of something special. I was a proud season ticket holder on Friday night. We can achieve so much more as a club together!

Ticket Deals

After Friday’s ticket sales success v Sheff Wed, the club announced a 2nd deal – 2 for 1! This means if you buy a ticket for the Bristol City game you get the Huddersfield game free. Another great deal by the club, at a time when there is not a lot of money on Teesside and with Christmas round the corner. I always said it is hard for walk up fans to afford 2 home games in a week and so they are more likely to pick one. I’m expecting another bumper crowd at the Riverside for these 2 games hopefully some fans that were at the Sheff Wed game come back. We are in great form at moment and the more fans the better to help drive the team on. If we build on Sheffield Wed game keep spreading the word on the Boro, this could be a special season to follow Tony Mowbray Red and White Army!

Unbeaten Run comes to an end

The run had to end sometime but to end how it did on Saturday away at Cardiff was gutting. Cardiff took the lead from their first corner of the game, an unmarked Matthew Connolly heading in from the back post. A frustrating goal to give away yet the reaction and performance from going behind deserved something from the game. We battered them 2nd half with plenty of really good chances to get back in the game, it was one of them days our finishing let us down. On another day we would have won comfortably. The performance was very encouraging and one we can take heart from for the rest of the season. It has been a fantastic run which has seen Tony Mowbray deservedly win the Manager of Month award for October with 1 draw v Derby, 4 wins against Watford, Brighton, Hull, Bolton and not forgetting our fantastic cup win at Sunderland in the league cup! After the cup win at Sunderland we went to Charlton and won comfortably 4-1 our highest score so far this season. Following that a trip to the City Ground where we don’t have a good record getting a point after not playing brilliant it was a gritty, determined display which limited Forest to a few chances. A pleasing point on our travels and one we may look back as having been valuable at the end season. Now we have 2 games at home to start another unbeaten run. Come on Boro!

The Return of Matthew Bates

Matthew Bates will be returning to the Riverside this Saturday after joining Bristol City late last week. Matthew played his first game for Bristol City at weekend v Blackpool his first competitive game since doing his 5th Knee cruciate ligament injury last March away at Ipswich. To come back from 1 or 2 serious knee injuries shows great determination/character but to come back from 5 major setbacks fair play to the lad like Mogga says he made of the real stuff! I hope Matthew gets a good reception from the Boro fans he was key player for us last season and always give 100%. Since he got injured a lot of things have changed at theclub we have brought in Bikey and Woodgate. From being our captain last season Matthew was always going to be well down the pecking order and in order to be guaranteed first team football I think he made the right decision. I wish him well with Bristol City after Saturday of course!

 

Season Preview

As the new football league season approaches this is our 4th campaign in the Championship. After coming so close to a playoff place last season. I really fancy us get back to the premier league, I feel this is strongest team and squad depth we had for some time. The Championship is a very competitive league and one I see wide open. Any out of 12 teams could be in with chance of promotion. The team I fancy to get promoted is Bolton with mix of these in top 6: Boro, Birmingham, Wolves, Cardiff and Blackburn.

It’s a demanding league the games come quick and fast with 3 games in a week, we start new season on Saturday against Barnsley, Then our first home game v Burnley on Tuesday Night and another home game against Crystal Palace following Saturday. It not a bad start we have avoided the teams that have got promoted from league 1 who normally start the new campaign well.

A new season brings extra expectation and a renewed optimism which as fan I can’t wait for us to get started. I believe this could be our year my prediction is 2nd/3rd, maybe that is my heart and my head prediction! The squad we already had plus the additions Mogga brought in, I think we will cope with the demands of this league better this season and learn the lessons that costed us last season.

The squad has never had so much cover in each position, Joe Bennett now has some competition for left back spot which he didn’t have last season. We have added much needed creativity to the squad in Ledesma and Winger Carayol. The return to 7 subs is great news for us and the youth talent to make a breakthrough in the first team. The likes of Luke Williams and Adam Reach have been ones that have impressed in pre season friendlies. Then we have Park, Smallwood and Main who I think will see feature a lot this season.

With all the new faces it takes time for squad to gel that’s why good for players to get a game in league cup under they belt before the big league kick off this weekend. It was all about getting into the next round, though some of the play was great at times. Leadbitter had at least 3 good chances I can see him getting a good 8-10 goals from midfield this season. Carayol a winger we have been crying out for, is what we need a player who gets the ball and goes for it taking players on and crossing ball at byline. Great to watch! Ledesma showed great link up play at times and got his first goal for Boro following in Bailey shot that was pared by Bury Keeper.

Our new captain Rhys Williams Was announced last week, he been with the club 8 years now I’m really pleased he has been given the armband. Rhys knows club inside out, what means to the fans, he fan too supporting the Boro at Derby while out injured at back last season. He well respected by his team mates, I hope this responsibility drives Rhys and all team on and gets up back to Premier League. That where our new captain deserves to be he’s top player who signed a new deal not long ago stating his ambition to play at top level with Middlesbrough.

Kevin Thomson has spoke well in pre season stating he will win the Boro fans over, I really hope it works out for him. It’s a big if, after his Boro career has been disrupted by injuries meaning he not had rapport with the fans like has done at previous clubs Hibs and Rangers. If can play first 10 games this season I think we will see best of Kevin Thomson in Boro shirt, he can help dictate the midfield and slip decent balls through to forwards.

There seems a good mix of experience and youth in squad this season, all top teams spread goals in team that’s what we need to do and not rely on Emnes all time to get the goals. I think with squad we have we will see goals chipped in from defence and midfield this season, looks like Bailey will get more forward role this season, Defenders chip in with few from set pieces. I do think see more goals from midfield this season with likes, Bailey, Leadbitter, Carayol, Ledesma, Reach and Park.

It first time since been back in championship that we have started league campaign with an away game, the performance of last season game against Barnsley will take some beating it was great watch Boro play great football one best displays of season. Passing was sublime! I be happy for us to just get the points on board tomorrow! I cant wait for season to start tomorrow at Oakwell, over 3,000 Boro fans travelling to game going be a great atmosphere lets hope winning start! COME ON BORO!

CLUB FOOTBALL IS BACK!

This summer has been a busy one jam packed with sport, Euro 2012 followed by Wimbledon then the London Olympics. The new football season seems to have crept up fast with the Boro playing their first competitive game of season tomorrow v Bury in league cup.

What’s impressed me this summer is the way Tony Mowbray got his signings in early. Helps new signings get full pre season with their new club, get to know new team mates and settle in the area. Boro stepped up pre season training with a trip to Portugal, it sounded like a successful trip, a hard work out for the players doing 3 sessions a day. Good for players to go away helps the team bond and get that understanding, as going into the new football season the games come quick and fast in this league.

Boro new signings

Grant Leadbitter was first to sign for the club on a free transfer after his contract at Ipswich had expired signing a 3 year deal, meaning a return to North East for the former Sunderland academy player. A midfielder good on ball, breaking up play who will chip in with goals. If you told me a few seasons ago we would have Grant Leadbitter at Boro and Sunderland would have Lee Cattermole I would laughed. That’s the Football world always full of surprises. This brings me on to the next signing …..

Jonathan Woodgate well this signing came as a big surprise the news broke out quite late on a Thursday evening with Anthony Vickers breaking story on twitter. I remember replying ‘really? Big player if can stay fit, Prob best debut I seen had Henry in his pocket’ He rejoined the club on a free transfer after his Stoke contract expired signing a 3 year deal. Jonathan come back to his home town determined to help get us back to premiership, at 32 plenty of experience and if he can play 25-30 games for us I’ll be happy. We know his background from in past. I’m sure he’s more sensible off pitch now and will turn out great signing for us one that young players can learn from and look up too.

Emmanuel Ledesma another free transfer who was released from Walsall signed on 3 year deal. A creative midfielder/forward who can play in a number of positions will be a useful addition to the squad. We have been crying out for creativity especially in our games at home where we struggled to break the opposition down last season.

Christian Burgess is a promising centre back who signed on a 2 year deal after been spotted in university football. The 6ft 4ins defender will start football for club in development squad.

Stuart Parnaby rejoined the club signing a 2 year deal with a further one year option. The right back had season out game having talks with numerous clubs coming to nothing. Be good having Stuart back at the Boro he is a versatile player who can play in midfield if needed and another experienced player.

George Friend signed from Doncaster on a three year deal, the 24 year old defender can play centre back and left back. The former Doncaster captain was voted fans and players player of year last season. This signing gives the squad good competition for places especially at left back, since Andrew Taylor left been no real competition for left back spot for Joe Bennett.

Mustapha Carayol signed from Bristol Rovers on a three year deal, the 23 year old is lightening fast winger after watching little clips of him on YouTube. Looking forward to watching him in a Boro shirt Mustapha wasted no time in discovering our own Teesside dish a Parmo after asking fans on twitter where best place to go try one in the Boro! Central Park was place he tried first parmo and said he be recommending them to his friend! Already a Boro legend!

Justin Hoyte rejoined the club signing a new two year deal. Last season he had his best season at club, I put that down to Mogga. He took pay cut and sees Boro as 2nd home now after settling in area. Tipping him to shut the boo boys up and have another good season.

Overall I think Mogga done great job in the transfer market with little money signed some good players. A much stronger squad than last season cover in all outfield areas which should help us cope with injuries to the team. Signed some creative players in Ledesma and Carayol a winger that been crying out for which should excite the fans. The signings of Leadbitter, Parnaby and Woodgate give us experience you need that in this league.

Players left Club

Barry Robson and Tony McMahon are main two who have left the club that played regularly in first team. We knew about Barry Robson leaving after he agreed contract with Vancouver Whitecaps before end of last season. Tony McMahon was offered a deal and for whatever reason a contract couldn’t be agreed by club and player. With a new wage structure in place it has to be right for the club. Only the player can say if it was the money or not been guaranteed first team football. Either way I wish both players well you could never question their commitment always giving 100%. They are also players that used to take the set pieces often arguing who would take them, so new set piece takers for new season with Ledesma and Leadbitter I reckon.

I wish all players that have left the club well. A lot of former Boro players are in League one you can always go and watch when there is an international break.

The summer ins and outs

Ins

Mustapha Carayol, Emmanuel Ledesma, Stuart Parnaby, Jonathan Woodgate, Grant Leadbitter, George Friend, Justin Hoyte, Christian Burgess

Outs

Barry Robson (Vancouver Whitecaps), Tony McMahon (Sheff Utd), Danny Coyne (Released), Jonathan Franks (Hartlepool), Jonathan Grounds (Oldham), Malaury Martin (Released), Bart Ogbeche (Released)

Bad Day At Riverside!

It was a day to forget at the Riverside, we didn’t get going from the start, giving Leeds far too much space and time. Leeds were much quicker, organised and more up for the game than we were. Winning the majority of 50-50’s, Becchio was winning a lot of headers. There were two errors at the back for the Leeds goals even then there was plenty of time left in the match, it was just like when we played Burnley at home this season. We seemed to fizzle out with the team lacking any real belief to get back in to the game. Overall a terrible display, simply not good enough on the day to deserve anything from.

 

It wasn’t an end of season game with nothing to play for, there was so much more at stake. We had our strongest team possible out there with only Scott McDonald missing through injury. We are in the top 6 as we have been all season. I am not sure why we weren’t up for the game but there is no time to dwell on it now. We could have done without it especially when the game was broadcasted on national TV. It was an ideal opportunity to try and put on a display to get fans back to the Riverside. We need attendances like this and against Hull and Sunderland at every home game this season. It’s all part of the match day experience; a decent atmosphere and getting Riverside Rocking again.

It was a bad defeat to take but no defeat is nice. The performance wasn’t acceptable and we will need to be on our game in the last 11 games. Let’s hope we get an instant reaction, after a good week of training to help bounce back against Birmingham and West Ham on the road. We have 2 away games before we come back to the Riverside, with Plan B against our next opponents Bristol City.

I don’t understand the way we’re set up at home by having forwards out wide and so distant from each other. We don’t seem to attack in numbers at home like we do away. We are too goal shy at the Riverside at times and that needs to change if we are going to stay in the top 6. I’m sure Mowbray will be thinking of ways to mix it up. We have played 3-5-2 this season with our full backs pushing on which has worked well away from home. I’m not sure that’s the way to go when we have got Adam Hammill on the wing and I would like us to give Adam Reach a run out on the other wing. He looked good when he came on against Sunderland and he could be a good option for us while Robson is suspended for the next 3 games.

It is vital we come away from Saturday’s game v Birmingham with at least a point. With Cardiff winning at the weekend they are only 2 points behind us and we are looking over our shoulder a bit now. Birmingham and Hull have a game in hand over us having played 34 games. They are not far behind us now, a win for Birmingham would put them level with us on points plus a game in hand. We need to get back on form for every one of the 11 games is a cup final.

Boro have been in the top 6 all season and it would be a shame to miss out and crumble. Sunday’s game was a wake up call maybe on the 28th April it’s one we can look back on and say we kicked on and finished the season well with a playoff place. Let’s hope so! Saturday’s game v Birmingham won’t be easy they have only lost one game at home, though they are similar to us at home in having drawn 7 games. We are better on the road, so it should be an interesting contest.

On that note please Let the Real Boro Stand UP!

COME ON BORO!

Oh Nicky Bailey!

Against Peterborough on New Years Eve Nicky Bailey didn’t come out for the 2nd half. We later found out that he had been subbed after picking up a knee injury in the first half. In the early stages of the game he took a nasty knock. He is one of those players who every time he comes of the pitch, he must be bruised and battered!

After the game Mogga said Bails would miss the Blackpool game and then be assessed hoping that he would be back in 2 weeks. This week it was announced after his scan that the damage was worse than first thought and Bailey would miss 4-6 weeks with a medial knee ligament injury. A massive blow to us! Our Boateng Our Mustoe type of player and I don’t say that lightly when Mustoe my all time favourite Boro player.

His impact has got us where we are, pushing the team towards the top of the table. For me it’s between Bailey and Robson for the player of the season. Bailey plays his role well and makes our team tick. Playing in front of the defenders sweeping up play, been a nuisance to opposition, winning possession and mixing his passing range long and short. We will miss his leadership qualities too he is always communicating with the team. With his passion, determination and never give up attitude he has become a fans favourite. The goal against Cardiff is one of my favourites of the season. Bailey released Hoyte down the flank who found Scott McDonald who Volleyed home from 6 yards. A great team goal.

It’s now a big chance for Richard Smallwood, he never let us down last season playing consistently and getting his first goal away at Cardiff. A different player to Bailey he wins procession and plays the simple pass. It has been a frustrating time for Smallwood who has struggled to get a place on the bench this season following the new 5 man bench rule introduced this season. It is such a bad move! He has made three starts this season against Walsall and Crystal Palace in the cup and away in the League at Blackpool just this week. Step forward Smallwood it’s your big chance to shine in the first team! It’s a test for us as our squad has become stretched with midfield players out, yet we coped without Emnes while he was injured with a hamstring strain recently and won at Cardiff and at home to Hull.

If Mogga can buy a different style centre forward to what we currently have and Smallwood carries on his form from last season, there should be no reason why we can’t stay in the top 3 or 4. I wish Nicky Bailey a speedy recovery to come back for the last part of the season and hope he can help push us to gain promotion.

Well done Mogga on winning December Manager of Month, well deserved for closing the gap on the top 2, with fine form in December, 4 wins and 1 draw. Who thought that would happen after the West Ham game at the end of November?!

UTB!

Home V West Ham

The three injury doubts before the game were Barry Robson, Scott McDonald and Marvin Emnes. The team news was announced that our forwards would make the game and Robson missed out through injury.

On to the game, I sit in the North Stand and never like it when we lose the toss and have to swap ends! Meaning we are shooting towards the North in the first half rather than the second half! Boro had a shaky start with passes going astray, bad control by a number of players and by the way we started I would have liked all the players to go off and change their boots!

The way we started the game it was only a matter time before we got punished, West Ham put the ball in from the left and Piquionne headed in from six yards. We weren’t at the races and you need to be to play the top teams in the division. As the half went on we got better and had a few good chances through Scott McDonald and Haroun had a good chance that lacked real power. Any power and it would have been a certain goal.

2nd half we had a lot of possession without creating a clear cut chance despite three corners in quick succession they all coming to nothing as there wasn’t enough Boro shirts attacking the ball. We were certainly missing Barry Robson’s drive, determination, runs forward and another leader on the pitch. I thought the game was crying out for a winger and a centre forward, hopefully it may be possible to do a bit of wheeling and dealing in this department. Haroun on the right won a lot of headers though they was no one for the knock downs and he doesn’t really have the pace to beat people out wide.

When four minutes of injury time go up, it gives you a bit of hope getting a chance to grab an equaliser. Not this time, West Ham were keeping the ball in corner and when the game was just about up Matthew Bates pass back to Jason Steele was short and Carlton Cole latched on to the ball and had an open net to make it 2-0.

It was the manner of the defeat for me against West Ham and away at Southampton, we never really played to our full potential and started so poorly. That is the disappointing and frustrating thing. I like to see us at our best against these sides and I’m sure we would take at least a point. I felt we had the more clear cut chances and West Ham weren’t that good. You really need to start a game well against any team with plenty of premier league experience.

I would like to see Curtis Main get a chance to come off the bench between now and January, he could offer us something different until we can do something in the transfer window. Since the news came out about Rhys Williams not signing a new contract while he was on international duty he has not been the same player.

That was our first home defeat since February when we lost to QPR, a great record and real progress. Time to start another home run starting against Brighton, before then we go to Bristol City and need to get a result. The main thing is we are still in a good position and must go put a decent performance in at Bristol City this weekend. As long as we keep collecting point to keep within the top 6 we are in with a chance of promotion. There will be plenty twists to come in this league and it’s important we bounce back quickly from this defeat.