Rate our CM’s from the last decade

1) Leadbitter- A proper leader who dragged us through games. A captain we could take pride in.

2) Clayton - Criminally underrated by some supporters. The best defensive midfielder in the Championship two seasons running under Karanka and one of the few players who didn't disgrace himself during the Premier League season. Clearly loved the club and the fans.

3) Crooks - Has the potential to become a cult hero. Brilliant after all these years to finally have a goal-scoring midfielder. Plays on the edge but I like that.

4) Howson - Couldn't warm to him initially as I was expecting a goalscoring midfielder. He's won me over since switching to the deeper role. His performance vs Spurs will always be remembered.

5) Robson - One of the few bright spots in a really dark period for the club. Would love to see him here now playing in a Wilder side.
 
DanBoro4499 said:
I've got to say, i'm surprised at the inclusion of De Roon. Apart from a couple of important goals, I thought he was extremely underwhelming.

He was brought in as a defensive mid to break up play etc, but he was quickly pushed further forward, almost as a number 10 at times. Scored 4 goals and 0 assists.

Don't get me wrong, he's obviously a very good footballer whos having a great career - really pleased for him as he seemed like one of the good guys that season.

I just expected a lot more.
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De Roon was clearly brought in to sit alongside Clayton, as one of two sitting midfielders in a 4231.

He picked up that injury vs Stoke on the opening day and by the time he came back into the team we'd switched to a 451, hence why he was asked to play either box-to-box or even as a no 10 at times.

If he'd been able to play as a sitting midfielder in a 4231 I think he could have been brilliant for us.
 
Are the people picking De Roon doing so based on his performances for Atalanta? Because he was massively underwhelming in his one season with us (not helped being played out of position). Feels like his reputation is clouding a few memories.

Forshaw looked more comfortable in the Premier League than he did. In fact was our best central midfielder that year (a low bar admittedly).
 
festa5 said:
Are the people picking De Roon doing so based on his performances for Atalanta? Because he was massively underwhelming in his one season with us (not helped being played out of position). Feels like his reputation is clouding a few memories.

Forshaw looked more comfortable in the Premier League than he did. In fact was our best central midfielder that year (a low bar admittedly).
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I think you’ll find there’s always been a few posters who liked de roon and what he was about everytime a thread comes up about him.

Like someone said, despite being played out of position he was head and shoulders above any midfielder we’ve had in the last 10 years.

He made players comeplete unforced errors, not everyone picked up that when assessing him, but like I said early that goes down to the average boro fan assessment of players.

We have fans absolutely lauding someone a limited uche, but the best midfield we’ve had at the club was slated week in week out, and people struggle to get their head around him getting picked for Netherlands.

I’d go as far to say people let the price tag cloud their judgement when assessing De Roon

Forshaw flattered to deceive. Retained the ball and that was about it. Not much in end product
 
I'd go:

Leadbitter
Clayton
Crooks
Ramirez
De Roon

Leadbitter needs no explanation, I wish he was still here, just a shame age got to him.

I debated having Clayton this high given how much he dropped off and how little he contributed beyond the halfway line, but for 2-3 seasons he was an excellent defensive midfielder who gave his all for the club.

Crooks has been one of my favourite signings in years, a real goal threat, surprisingly decent on the ball and most importantly a character who seems to enjoy being at the club.

Ramirez was exceptional for a year before he spat his dummy out, I'd have him higher if he hadn't really annoyed me.

De Roon was good in a shocking season, I think he'd have done ever better in a decent season.




Howson has been outstanding under Wilder, but I do think he's been a very underwhelming signing overall and his good performances before this season were in defence.
 
GazC_MFC said:
I think you’ll find there’s always been a few posters who liked de roon and what he was about everytime a thread comes up about him.

Like someone said, despite being played out of position he was head and shoulders above any midfielder we’ve had in the last 10 years.

He made players comeplete unforced errors, not everyone picked up that when assessing him, but like I said early that goes down to the average boro fan assessment of players.

We have fans absolutely lauding someone a limited uche, but the best midfield we’ve had at the club was slated week in week out, and people struggle to get their head around him getting picked for Netherlands.

I’d go as far to say people let the price tag cloud their judgement when assessing De Roon

Forshaw flattered to deceive. Retained the ball and that was about it. Not much in end product
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I bow to your superior footballing judgement and will keep my "average fan" assessments to myself in future then 😂
 
TeaCider said:
I'd go:

Leadbitter
Clayton
Crooks
Ramirez
De Roon

Leadbitter needs no explanation, I wish he was still here, just a shame age got to him.

I debated having Clayton this high given how much he dropped off and how little he contributed beyond the halfway line, but for 2-3 seasons he was an excellent defensive midfielder who gave his all for the club.

Crooks has been one of my favourite signings in years, a real goal threat, surprisingly decent on the ball and most importantly a character who seems to enjoy being at the club.

Ramirez was exceptional for a year before he spat his dummy out, I'd have him higher if he hadn't really annoyed me.

De Roon was good in a shocking season, I think he'd have done ever better in a decent season.




Howson has been outstanding under Wilder, but I do think he's been a very underwhelming signing overall and his good performances before this season were in defence.
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Agree with every word! That’s my list and reasoning too… but you can’t have Gaston, he’s a number 10 😁 So who gets the fifth spot?
 
I wouldn't give De Roon a second thought. I wouldn't put him in my top 10.

He's gone on to do well. Yet cost us a few quid and like everyone else we signed that summer fecked off.

That whole season in terms of on the pitch and especially signings is simply forgettable. It's almost like it didn't happen. Years trying to get into the prem then crashing out with a whimper and not even trying to win most games.

That was definitely the season of the 'mercenaries ' that made good money out of us. All at the expense of lads who won us promotion. I can only think of his header at city as a Boro 'highlight'. Again its not hard as frankly it was pretty much the only one of that season.
 
GazC_MFC said:
I think you’ll find there’s always been a few posters who liked de roon and what he was about everytime a thread comes up about him.

Like someone said, despite being played out of position he was head and shoulders above any midfielder we’ve had in the last 10 years.

He made players comeplete unforced errors, not everyone picked up that when assessing him, but like I said early that goes down to the average boro fan assessment of players.

We have fans absolutely lauding someone a limited uche, but the best midfield we’ve had at the club was slated week in week out, and people struggle to get their head around him getting picked for Netherlands.

I’d go as far to say people let the price tag cloud their judgement when assessing De Roon

Forshaw flattered to deceive. Retained the ball and that was about it. Not much in end product
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Nothing to do with the transfer fee just watched him with my own eyes and thought he was poor. Ran about a lot but always seemed a yard too slow to get a tackle in and his passing was atrocious (Dutch players stereotypically are usually very good technically). I'm convinced he thought the guy in the Boro shirt on row 1 of the East stand was on our team as he seemed to pick him out with alarming regularity.

I'm not saying he's a bad player as I've seen him play well for Atalanta and the Dutch national team, just don't think it ever worked out for him at Boro. We never saw him at his best and potentially the position he was asked to play could have contributed to that. Seemed a nice bloke though who connected with the fans when out and about.

I'd probably agree with @parmoboy 5, but perhaps a different order, as much as I like Crooks I think he needs to prove he can do it over a couple of seasons to cement his place in there (I should point out I see no reason why he can't on the evidence so far). Whilst Tav on recent form is unlucky to miss out on the 5, but should get in there if he continues in this vein of form.
 
jonny_greenings_sock said:
Agree with every word! That’s my list and reasoning too… but you can’t have Gaston, he’s a number 10 😁 So who gets the fifth spot?
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Somehow I'd not noticed it said CM in the OP, I'd just read it as midfielder.

Controversial to some on here but I'd probably have Saville as my 5th.
The price tag was like an anchor around his neck, but he did pop up with goals and assists, especially last season.

It won't have helped him that he played a good portion of his time here under Woodgate, though you could argue the same for Howson with a dash of Monk added in.
 
TeaCider said:
Somehow I'd not noticed it said CM in the OP, I'd just read it as midfielder.

Controversial to some on here but I'd probably have Saville as my 5th.
The price tag was like an anchor around his neck, but he did pop up with goals and assists, especially last season.

It won't have helped him that he played a good portion of his time here under Woodgate, though you could argue the same for Howson with a dash of Monk added in.
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That is controversial!
 
TeaCider said:
Somehow I'd not noticed it said CM in the OP, I'd just read it as midfielder.

Controversial to some on here but I'd probably have Saville as my 5th.
The price tag was like an anchor around his neck, but he did pop up with goals and assists, especially last season.

It won't have helped him that he played a good portion of his time here under Woodgate, though you could argue the same for Howson with a dash of Monk added in.
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Controversial!

I'd have Barry Robson at 5.

I think if this poll was done a few months ago, not sure Howson would get in many people's lists for all the reasons you mentioned. He's been brilliant lately, and imperious against Spurs, but recency bias at work here a bit I think.
 
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