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'Has to take some of the blame': Boro fans question Warnock's tactic after Millwall defeat
Middlesbrough missed the chance to close the gap on the Championship play-off places after a 1-0 defeat at Millwall – and fans were quick to react on social media.
www.hartlepoolmail.co.uk
'Has to take some of the blame': Middlesbrough fans question Neil Warnock's tactic after Millwall defeat
Middlesbrough missed the chance to close the gap on the Championship play-off places after a 1-0 defeat at Millwall – and fans were quick to react on social media.
By Joe NicholsonSunday, 21st March 2021, 7:00 am
A first-half own goal from Grant Hall was the difference between the two sides as the Teessiders slipped six points adrift of the top six.
The result was made even more frustrating after play-off rivals Reading and Barnsley dropped points, and that Boro came into the game following back-to-back wins over Stoke and Preston.
Warnock heavily criticised his side’s attacking players after the match, while some supporters questioned the manager’s tactic after making three changes to his starting XI and altering the formation.
Here’s how some fans reacted to the result:
@smoggyontour86: I think Warnock needs to look at the team he put out. Has to take some of the blame here
@CorkingNeil: Fluffed our lines yet again, great opportunity with Barnsley and Reading dropping points but this squad are too inconsistent. Let’s stop the play-off talk, as that’s total nonsense and let’s use what’s left of the season to see who we want to keep for next season
@Cruiseylee: Feel we went a bit too negative on team selection. Kebano should have started. Didn’t agree with Spence starting.
@THEREALBORO: Awful team selection, approach was all wrong, play-offs are gone
@jackbruin8: Huge opportunity missed. Absolutely huge
@FerretSqueaks: Just not good enough today. Couldn't control the midfield, couldn't keep possession and were sloppy at times defensively.
@Dann23MFC: Team selection all wrong. Why Warnock changed our whole formation and plan to deal with Wallace is ridiculous. Losing to an own goal is also unfortunate.
@NoahRobson13: Team selection was poor today. Not brilliant all game, sums our season up. See you next year.
@ashstone37: Frustrating game to watch, we had a lot of the ball but just didn’t create enough clear chances and tbf they defended quite well so credit where it’s due
@mfctom97: No need for Fisher, Morsy and Kebano to be dropped today. Big opportunity missed this.
@Jusher97: Literally did nothing with the ball apart from the first 15 mins of the second half
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Cant agree entirely with some other fans assertions: I agree, it would seem more sensible to persist with a winning formation.
But just watching the "forwards" and the rest of the team - we were like children afraid to pick up a hot cup of tea in the final third. We pussy-footed around the ten yard box and at times players looked scared to pull a shot off.
This isnt a new phenomenon - and we have to remember these are grown men who make decisions on the pitch. Only Watmore showed any invention or originality.
Not since Bamford, Stuani and Gaston have we had players with the balls to do something different beyond predictable "formation" play. Even the likes of Nsue, Forshaw, Nugent, Adomah, Tomlin - [non of whom were world class Champions League players] added delicious goals to the teams total.
There may be other reasons than a change of tactics in one single game - but its not Neil Warnock`s fault that those we have are not up to the mark. We`ve carried passengers on big salaries for the last four years whom I wouldnt employ to squeeze the oranges at half time.
Its a team performance and at the end of the day a team is only as good as the individuals within it. We all know the phrase about not making a silk purse out of a sows ear - Neil has inherited the core of the team which failed last year and the year before. We have loanees and players fresh in the side. All season has been about juggling a limited group to try and get the best out of a collectively average bunch.
Im certain Neil and his team are on the case for next season. Truth is - some have been around too long at The Riverside. Support Neil and our club - we havent seen anything yet. Im not sure we would be in the Championship if Neil hadnt arrived just in time. Careful what you wish for.
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