Leroy Lita Under the Cosh
- Thread starter Colin Warnek
- Start date
Zoophonic
Well-known member
Listening to that makes me very sad indeed and reflecting on the decision to sack Southgate was a seminal moment in the fall of the Club. I don't just blame Gibson for that decision I do point to the toxic feeling amongst the fans who also forced his hand at the time. Clearly Strachan's appointment is down to Gibson and Lamb and it was a disastrous choice.
the_dormouse
Well-known member
Went to Norwich away,never made one chance. Norwich were terrible too,beat us 1-0 nightmare long day.
atypical_boro
Well-known member
Wasn't there an infamous thread after we beat QPR 5-1 away, quite early in Strachan's reign, entitled "You're now seeing why Strachan is the man for the job"? Anyone owning up to that one?
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atypical_boro
Well-known member
The good old days:
A SUPERB display full of power and attacking endeavour brought Gordon Strachan his first win as manager and Boro their first ever victory at Loftus Road, writes MIKE McGEARY.
Loan star Dave Kitson opened the scoring in the first half before Leroy Lita took over with an excellent individual display, scoring two goals and setting up another for Gary O'Neil, before Mark Yeates added a late fifth.
Teenage forward Luke Williams was named among the Boro subs for the first time as Adam Johnson missed out due to a family illness.
If he had played, Williams, at 16 years and five months, would have been the youngest Boro player since Tom Murray in 1905.
Rhys Williams returned at right-back after missing the Peterborough game through suspension, while Gary O'Neil was back after injury, taking over the skipper's armband from club captain Emanuel Pogatetz.
Mark Yeates began the game on the left of midfield in place of Johnson, with Julio Arca operating on the right.
The home side made just one change after their 2-2 at home to Coventry last weekend, with Kaspars Gorkss replacing the injured Matt Connolly in defence.
Rain began lashing down shortly before kick-off on what looked to be an excellent playing surface.
Rangers put on the early pressure as they attacked the end housing the Boro fans, forcing two corners in the opening minutes.
The first clear chance came on five minutes when Adel Taraabt exchanged passes with Wayne Routledge before firing over the bar.
Rhys Williams set up a brief Boro breakaway with a fine tackle but soon the action swung back to the other end.
The lively Taraabt, on loan from Spurs, again fired narrowly over with the ball deflecting off Williams and Mikele Leigertwood heading over the resultant corner.
Brad Jones had to be alert to hold to a long-range snapshot from Gary Borrowdale on 14 minutes as Rangers continued to dominate.
Boro's first effort on target came immediately afterwards as Leroy Lita fired straight at Radek Cerny from just outside the box after being released by a beautifully-weighted Arca pass.
And Gordon Strachan's team came desperately close to opening the scoring on 21 minutes when Yeates unleashed a superb left-foot shot that bounced down off the underside of the bar and away to safety.
It would have been the former Colchester United forward's first Boro goal and he continued to show up well as Boro began to get a foothold in the game.
Boro had another great chance on 27 minutes when Lita did well to stay onside and delay his run before Kitson found him with a neat pass.
But with only the keeper to beat and Fitz Hall bearing down on him, Lita shot early and Cerny was able to smother easily.
The resurgence continued as Gary O'Neil cut in from the left and shot just inches wide of the left-hand post.
Hall was booked moment later after hauling down Yeates midway inside the Rangers' half on the half hour mark.
O'Neil stepped up to take the free-kick into the box and goal machine Kitson stuck out a leg to lash it into the roof of the net for his third goal in a week.
It was a just reward for some enterprising Boro play after the visitors had weathered the early Rangers' storm.
Yeates was next to threaten for Boro, releasing Lita with a delightful reverse pass, only for the striker to be stopped in his tracks by a crude tackle and a linesman's flag.
Wheater jumped highest to clear a dangerous Routledge cross from the right on the edge of the six-yard box during a now rare Rangers attack.
With five minutes of the half remaining, Boro came agonisingly close to scoring a second.
A Pogatetz throw-in was flicked inside by Kitson and O'Neil picked the ball up before curling a dipping shot towards the top corner of the net, only to see Cerny tip over.
Half-time: QPR 0 Boro 1
Boro doubled their lead with a penalty three minutes into the second half.
O'Neil's left-wing corner was headed towards goal by St Ledger and the referee spotted a handball and blew his whistle just before Wheater turned the ball into the net.
The effervescent Lita blasted an unstoppable spot kick into the roof of the goal.
Jim Magilton responded with a double substitution - and the decision paid instant dividends. Rowan Vine was the supplier for fellow sub Patrick Agyemang to score, both contributing with their first touches,
But Boro's advantage was restored on 59 minutes thanks to a fantastic strike from Lita, who cut in past two challenges and let rip a stunning, low drive across the keeper that nestled just inside the bottom right-hand corner.
It was the third goal in three games for the former Reading man, who had been booed with every touch by the home fans from the start of the game.
Boro's travelling army responded by singing the striker's name as he celebrated in front of them.
Rangers weren't beaten yet and Jones produced two smart parries before Watson fired over the bar from just inside the box.
The home side had an amazing let off on 69 minutes after a superb Boro breakaway.
The unstoppable O'Neil carried the ball half the length of the pitch and skipped past Hall as if the big defender wasn't there. With Lita also available on his right, O'Neil instead slipped in Arca, but his shot was saved and when the ball came back to the Argentinian he failed to get any power on his second effort.
However, Boro did score the fourth goal that put the game beyond Rangers' reach with just over 15 minutes remaining.
There looked to be little on when Lita attacked down the right before unleashing a cracking shot from just inside the corner of the box.
The ball smashed against the upright and rebounded to O'Neil, who steered the ball goalwards from a central position just inside the box. He then watched hopefully as it looped over the helpless defenders and into the net.
Boro continued to dominate proceedings and soon added a fifth goal through Yeates.
The Dubliner played a one-two with Kitson and drifted across the front of the box. He had options but only one thing on his mind as he released a low, curling shot into the bottom corner for his first Boro goal.
It rounded off a great day out for the fans and a game that provided a huge morale boost for Boro, who had given a mauling to a team sitting well above them in the Coca-Cola Championship table before the game.
A SUPERB display full of power and attacking endeavour brought Gordon Strachan his first win as manager and Boro their first ever victory at Loftus Road, writes MIKE McGEARY.
Loan star Dave Kitson opened the scoring in the first half before Leroy Lita took over with an excellent individual display, scoring two goals and setting up another for Gary O'Neil, before Mark Yeates added a late fifth.
Teenage forward Luke Williams was named among the Boro subs for the first time as Adam Johnson missed out due to a family illness.
If he had played, Williams, at 16 years and five months, would have been the youngest Boro player since Tom Murray in 1905.
Rhys Williams returned at right-back after missing the Peterborough game through suspension, while Gary O'Neil was back after injury, taking over the skipper's armband from club captain Emanuel Pogatetz.
Mark Yeates began the game on the left of midfield in place of Johnson, with Julio Arca operating on the right.
The home side made just one change after their 2-2 at home to Coventry last weekend, with Kaspars Gorkss replacing the injured Matt Connolly in defence.
Rain began lashing down shortly before kick-off on what looked to be an excellent playing surface.
Rangers put on the early pressure as they attacked the end housing the Boro fans, forcing two corners in the opening minutes.
The first clear chance came on five minutes when Adel Taraabt exchanged passes with Wayne Routledge before firing over the bar.
Rhys Williams set up a brief Boro breakaway with a fine tackle but soon the action swung back to the other end.
The lively Taraabt, on loan from Spurs, again fired narrowly over with the ball deflecting off Williams and Mikele Leigertwood heading over the resultant corner.
Brad Jones had to be alert to hold to a long-range snapshot from Gary Borrowdale on 14 minutes as Rangers continued to dominate.
Boro's first effort on target came immediately afterwards as Leroy Lita fired straight at Radek Cerny from just outside the box after being released by a beautifully-weighted Arca pass.
And Gordon Strachan's team came desperately close to opening the scoring on 21 minutes when Yeates unleashed a superb left-foot shot that bounced down off the underside of the bar and away to safety.
It would have been the former Colchester United forward's first Boro goal and he continued to show up well as Boro began to get a foothold in the game.
Boro had another great chance on 27 minutes when Lita did well to stay onside and delay his run before Kitson found him with a neat pass.
But with only the keeper to beat and Fitz Hall bearing down on him, Lita shot early and Cerny was able to smother easily.
The resurgence continued as Gary O'Neil cut in from the left and shot just inches wide of the left-hand post.
Hall was booked moment later after hauling down Yeates midway inside the Rangers' half on the half hour mark.
O'Neil stepped up to take the free-kick into the box and goal machine Kitson stuck out a leg to lash it into the roof of the net for his third goal in a week.
It was a just reward for some enterprising Boro play after the visitors had weathered the early Rangers' storm.
Yeates was next to threaten for Boro, releasing Lita with a delightful reverse pass, only for the striker to be stopped in his tracks by a crude tackle and a linesman's flag.
Wheater jumped highest to clear a dangerous Routledge cross from the right on the edge of the six-yard box during a now rare Rangers attack.
With five minutes of the half remaining, Boro came agonisingly close to scoring a second.
A Pogatetz throw-in was flicked inside by Kitson and O'Neil picked the ball up before curling a dipping shot towards the top corner of the net, only to see Cerny tip over.
Half-time: QPR 0 Boro 1
Boro doubled their lead with a penalty three minutes into the second half.
O'Neil's left-wing corner was headed towards goal by St Ledger and the referee spotted a handball and blew his whistle just before Wheater turned the ball into the net.
The effervescent Lita blasted an unstoppable spot kick into the roof of the goal.
Jim Magilton responded with a double substitution - and the decision paid instant dividends. Rowan Vine was the supplier for fellow sub Patrick Agyemang to score, both contributing with their first touches,
But Boro's advantage was restored on 59 minutes thanks to a fantastic strike from Lita, who cut in past two challenges and let rip a stunning, low drive across the keeper that nestled just inside the bottom right-hand corner.
It was the third goal in three games for the former Reading man, who had been booed with every touch by the home fans from the start of the game.
Boro's travelling army responded by singing the striker's name as he celebrated in front of them.
Rangers weren't beaten yet and Jones produced two smart parries before Watson fired over the bar from just inside the box.
The home side had an amazing let off on 69 minutes after a superb Boro breakaway.
The unstoppable O'Neil carried the ball half the length of the pitch and skipped past Hall as if the big defender wasn't there. With Lita also available on his right, O'Neil instead slipped in Arca, but his shot was saved and when the ball came back to the Argentinian he failed to get any power on his second effort.
However, Boro did score the fourth goal that put the game beyond Rangers' reach with just over 15 minutes remaining.
There looked to be little on when Lita attacked down the right before unleashing a cracking shot from just inside the corner of the box.
The ball smashed against the upright and rebounded to O'Neil, who steered the ball goalwards from a central position just inside the box. He then watched hopefully as it looped over the helpless defenders and into the net.
Boro continued to dominate proceedings and soon added a fifth goal through Yeates.
The Dubliner played a one-two with Kitson and drifted across the front of the box. He had options but only one thing on his mind as he released a low, curling shot into the bottom corner for his first Boro goal.
It rounded off a great day out for the fans and a game that provided a huge morale boost for Boro, who had given a mauling to a team sitting well above them in the Coca-Cola Championship table before the game.
Rofesleg
Well-known member
WBA beat us 5-0. Nobody beat us 4-0.
Southgate's record was P13, W7, D2, L4
GF 20
GA 13
We were 4th, 1 point behind WBA & Newcastle who were the top 2.
Cardiffdaffs
Well-known member
Remember the game very well and left Loftus Rd in shock at the performance as much as delight. Mark Yeates had a stormer that day
Cardiffdaffs
Well-known member
Think what the home fans were p1ss ed off about were poor home performances before that Derby game when we lost 3 on the trot to WBA, Leicester and Watford (2 of which finished in the top 6) but our away record was good up until then.
It finished 2-2 last time we played them in a competitive game believe it or not
TheYorkshireTerrier
Well-known member
I remember Strachan's first game, a 1-0 defeat at home to Plymouth, I had an absolutely stinking hangover from the Halloween party the night before and it really set the tone for his time here.
Other memorable moments. Getting smashed 3-0 at home to Blackpool, the defeat to QPR where I think he played Barry Robson at left back, the key signings of Isaiah Osbourne, Mikel Tavares and Jay O'Shea.
Other memorable moments. Getting smashed 3-0 at home to Blackpool, the defeat to QPR where I think he played Barry Robson at left back, the key signings of Isaiah Osbourne, Mikel Tavares and Jay O'Shea.
Otto42
Well-known member
Seemed strange to sack Southgate after giving him the summer to recruit and prepare for a promotion push and then replace him with a fella who didn’t particularly rate the players Southgate did. Especially when Southgate had been allowed to oversee the god awful previous relegation season.
Sacking Southgate when we did made absolutely no sense at the time. I would have understood if he was sacked in the January of the relegation season.
Beverleyred
Well-known member
We had a nice day out at the Stadion Alte Forsterei, home of Union Berlin, in a pre-season friendly when Strachan was in charge.
Rofesleg
Well-known member
I think Gibson panicked when the attendances dropped. For some reason the media all picked up on it as well, reporting it as a crisis with pictures of empty seats - as though we were getting about 5000 fans.
Colin Warnek
Well-known member
To distract from the Mugpies going down I think.
50000 screaming jawdees and all that.