Rate our CM’s from the last decade

Totally thought Robson was more than 10 years ago, turns out he left in 2012.

I’d have him in place of Tav, second behind Leadbitter
 
Leadbitter
Howson
Crooks
Tav
Clayton

If Crooks stays for a few seasons I can see him topping that list
 
Adi_Dem said:
Leadbitter, Clayton, Forshaw, Howson and Tav for me.

EDIT: If Robson is allowed then he goes in instead of Tav.
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Surprised to see Forshaw in there. Always felt he had so much more to offer than he ever did. Maybe he was just unfortunate to be beind Clayton and Leadbitter but whenever he did get a chance I felt he never imposed himself on games. Lots of nice touches but little overall impact
 
anth25 said:
Surprised to see Forshaw in there. Always felt he had so much more to offer than he ever did. Maybe he was just unfortunate to be beind Clayton and Leadbitter but whenever he did get a chance I felt he never imposed himself on games. Lots of nice touches but little overall impact
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I liked him. Thought he was very good for us and as a back up to the Clayton/Leadbitter axis was perfect. Would have started for most teams at that time. Think he is playing well for Leeds at the moment too. Plus, there aren't that many truly decent midfielders to choose from in that list!
 
In terms of footballing ability De Roon is head and shoulders above everyone in that list.

Otherwise, the usual suspects (Leadbiter, Clayton, Howson) for me as well.
 
On ability/ how much they effect the game, and including wide players:
Traore (wasn't his fault we had nothing else)
Jones (I know he's only played a few games, but I've seen enough)
Crooks (bargain)
Howson
Leadbitter
Tav (now he's played in his proper position, which is NOT as a goalscoring attacking midfielder)
Besic

I couldn't watch Boro with Strachan in charge, and it put me off football for a good few years (so missed most of Mowbray too), but Robson might have been in there if I did.

So anything from me in the above list is from Karanka onwards.

Wing had a good shot, but that was it.
Morsy could tackle, but that was it, and he was too slow.
Clayton could tackle (very well) but was too negative (maybe due to how he was asked to play by AK)
 
Hard to separate out the quality of the player from the team they played in
Leadbitter - most influential midfielder since 2005
de Roon- on paper our most talented of the last decade but underwhelmed because he was badly used and played in a team that was falling apart
Clayton - it was all about his partnership with Leadbitter for two fantastic years in the championship
Howson - his first four years read just like de Roon: underwhelming though always did the job asked. Since Wilder took over he has become the midfield general we've lacked since Leadbitter
Robson - stands out in in the grey years.

Tav & Crooks are already making a bid for this list but that's a reflection of how Wilder has them playing.
 
1. Howson, I haven’t seen a midfielder dominate a game for us like he did against spurs last Tuesday.
2. Leadbitter, true captain who led us to promotion.
3. Clayton, leadbitter’s scrappy doo 😂
4. Crooks, for his goal contributions and work rate alone, plus his hair is fine 😉
5. Tav, his form since he has genuine pressure on him and his place in the team has been immense, finally showing us the player we all hoped he would be, thriving under Wilder👍
 
Uweslovechild said:
1. Howson, I haven’t seen a midfielder dominate a game for us like he did against spurs last Tuesday.
2. Leadbitter, true captain who led us to promotion.
3. Clayton, leadbitter’s scrappy doo 😂
4. Crooks, for his goal contributions and work rate alone, plus his hair is fine 😉
5. Tav, his form since he has genuine pressure on him and his place in the team has been immense, finally showing us the player we all hoped he would be, thriving under Wilder👍
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I do think ability wise at their best Howson is the best of the lot. He’s some player when he’s on it, and thankfully since Wilder has been here he has been sensational. Needs a new contract.
 
I was so disappointed by De Roon when at our place.
He has done well however at a provincial Italian club and does seem to be a really good bloke too.
All the same, if we went up I would want him back about as much as he would like to come.

If we go up in the playoffs this season I'd be very keen to see a repeat of this poll.
 
indeedido said:
I was so disappointed by De Roon when at our place.
He has done well however at a provincial Italian club and does seem to be a really good bloke too.
All the same, if we went up I would want him back about as much as he would like to come.

If we go up in the playoffs this season I'd be very keen to see a repeat of this poll.
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Agree with that. Didn’t do enough to warrant marking out as a top Boro midfielder.

That said his headed equaliser against Man City at the Etihad in the last minute provided what I thought was the moment of the season for me in an otherwise awful season.
 
Did rhys williams not play centre mid?
Arca?
Butterfield?
Varga? (Wasnt he moved to right back?)
Did Tomlin play centre midfield?
Dean Whitehead? (Again moved to right back?)
Fabbrini?
 
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