Duncan Watmore - key man as Wilder attempts to lift Boro [Eric Paylor]

r00fie1

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Duncan Watmore still key man as Chris Wilder attempts to lift Middlesbrough​

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Chris Wilder must keep the faith with Duncan Watmore. The lively striker is currently the team’s biggest hope of leading Boro out of this annoyingly frustrating spell.

True, Watmore should have scored twice against Rotherham and set up another two goals. But he was the only man making things happen and, on another day, the ball would have ended up in the onion bag.

Watmore displayed a positive, go-for-goal attitude which most of his nervy teammates were unable to match.

In general, he epitomises the practical approach which needs to spread through the rest of the team if Boro are to shake themselves out of this lethargic spell. If there’s a worry, it’s that only Watmore is displaying the natural instincts which we expect to see from forwards.


It’s not something new. Two seasons ago Watmore was top scorer and last year he was arguably still the best of Wilder’s five-man pool of attackers.

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The other four men are no longer at the club, yet we have yet to see the replacements indicating that they fit the bill. Chuba Akpom offered promise with his bright start to the campaign, but the former Arsenal man is injured.

Rodrigo Muniz has scored two good goals since arriving on loan from Fulham, but the Brazilian failed to do himself justice against the Rotherham defence.

Muniz has been forced to play a lone role up front while Wilder opted for an orthodox No.10 system. Yet with the effervescent Watmore alongside, he was unable to find much in the way of space for himself.

With Marcus Forss described as a work in progress and Matthew Hoppe not yet involved, the manager’s options up front are strictly limited at the moment.

God forbid then, that Watmore should pick up a knock in the near future. He needs to be wrapped in cotton wool.

Once again we saw very limited service from Isaiah Jones and Ryan Giles. That’s mainly because opposition teams have sussed Boro’s main strengths.


I thought initially that Boro might not miss Marcus Tavernier too much. Now it’s clear that they are missing him a lot. Tavernier advanced in leaps and bounds under Wilder’s tutelage last season and, as an attacking midfielder, made things happen.

Without him, the Boro midfield has looked pedestrian at times, particularly in the last two games. If there’s a positive note, it’s that Boro recorded their second clean sheet of the campaign.

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Defensively Boro were very strong to the extent that Rotherham never had a sniff. Dael Fry has needed to wait to prove himself again this season but is getting back to his best, while it was great to see Anfernee Dijksteel come back in and produce a solid performance.

Paddy McNair had to sit out the game as a result of the team changes. It’s reasonable to assume he will have the bit between his teeth when he returns. Whether it is at centre-back or in midfield remains to be seen.

Overall, the next two weeks will probably drag as much for Wilder and his players as it will for the fans. However it’s an opportunity to work on new ideas on the training ground.

It’s fair to see that Boro do not look like a team which has much chance of finishing in the top six. Indeed the first task is to steer well away from the bottom three.

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As ever, confidence remains the key. We hope and believe that Boro can win games when they are firing on all cylinders. The job in hand is for the players to get rid of their inhibitions and run out with a bit of fire in their bellies.

In this respect a lot of responsibility now rests on Wilder’s shoulders. The manager must lift morale within the squad and instil fresh hope and ideas.

 
I like Watmore, he always puts in 100% but he should be a squad player at best for a club who supposedly have aspirations of promotion.

It highlighted how poor things are at the moment that he more or less looked like the only player who looked like scoring or making something happen vs Rotherham.

This is the same player who Wilder didn't seem to fancy last season - choosing to start Connolly ahead of him for the most part.
 
He is the only player we have who is capable of taking on players and finding space to shoot.

Muniz looks promising but he doesn't have Watmores grit and determination to stay on his feet.

Muniz should end up top scorer but I would wager that Watmore won't be far behind.

Agree that his not the most prolific, but if he was, he would not be here.
 
Watmore is a wide man. He doesn't really have a natural place in a Wilder side but is doing a decent job. His lack of being a natural finisher is all too evident though. Funny that with all Wilders talk of round pegs in round holes he continues with a non striker up front. Then again mcgree isn't any better. Can only hope Akpom is fit again and continues his resurgence.
 
Despite signing a couple of strikers, Duncan is still Boro’s biggest danger man.
Doesnt say much does it.
What were the "Recruitment Team" doing - buying "projects" when we needed experienced battling strikers?!
Dont get me wrong - Forss will be something worth reckoning with and Hoppe appears to have the quality.
Muniz always played second fiddle to Mitrowotshisname.
If Delph is still around - to sort out the midfield - an theres other freebies who could do a job upfront - we may have to mix n match, patch an mend, before the transfer window opens.
What a state to be in?
 
“I thought initially that Boro might not miss Marcus Tavernier too much. Now it’s clear that they are missing him a lot. Tavernier advanced in leaps and bounds under Wilder’s tutelage last season and, as an attacking midfielder, made things happen”

Sit down Eric Paylor.. YOU ABSOLUTE WHOPPER!!
 
Really ??? As I was saying all summer selling him would all but end our season. As the rest of em don’t run there’s just no pace or movement in there.

He was integral to our mf people are now seeing just how much.
I know it was Eric Paylor who said that. Im not so sure. Its settled now though because hes gone.(y)
 
I like Watmore a lot, a player out of time really. Beardsley type, skilful and only scores worldies, and of course works like the butcher’s dog.

Don’t know what the injury he is dealing with and presume it’s chronic, but man does he put in the work when he’s on the pitch. Massive respect to him for playing through and despite of it.

If he could play 90 mins and was a more consistent finisher he’d be massive asset to us. As it is, he’s a great player anyway and way better than what I thought we were getting on a free from the Mackems.
 
I like Watmore a lot, a player out of time really. Beardsley type, skilful and only scores worldies, and of course works like the butcher’s dog.

Don’t know what the injury he is dealing with and presume it’s chronic, but man does he put in the work when he’s on the pitch. Massive respect to him for playing through and despite of it.

If he could play 90 mins and was a more consistent finisher he’d be massive asset to us. As it is, he’s a great player anyway and way better than what I thought we were getting on a free from the Mackems.
If he could play 90 minutes and was a more consistent finisher then he'd be in the Premier League.

I like the sentiment but not really seeing the Beardsley comparison, very different players (and levels).
 
The fact that Watmore - who I like and admire - is the key man just emphasises what a failure our summer recruitment has been.

Muniz is an upgrade yes but we are still relying on the ginger Messi as the 2nd striker (Forss and Hoppe seem increasingly bizarre buys given their game time)

Midfield is a disaster

Defence is stronger on paper but weaker in reality

Are we 3 players away from a good team or 13???
 
Incredibly disappointing that a "key man" in a team with supposed promotion aspirations is a striker that's best quality is running around a lot trying to win the ball back!
 
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