r00fie1
Well-known member
For the final time this season>>>
Saturday 4th May 2024. EFL Championship. Boro v Watford. Riverside Stadium. KO 12:30 hrs.
It feels a long time ago when we lined up at home to Millwall at the start of this season. A nice warm day in front of 29,359 fans seemed a perfect platform to start our serious challenge to at least reach the play-offs, if not an automatic promotion spot. When we look at the team which started that day: two players departed half-way through the season. Forss, McNair, Fry, Lenihan, Hackney and McGree have been out for long periods with injury, including International duties, Barlaser has been mainly available throughout the season, Coulson has been out on loan, with Dieng perhaps being the most "consistent" player in the squad over the season. Aside from International duties, Dieng has been the mainstay between the sticks. It's fair to say we haven't had a consistent team since the first Kick-Off!
The subs, that day, make even more fascinating reading:
Van den Berg, Jones, Gilbert, Howson, Silvera, Coburn, Payero, Glover and Akpom!
Less than two weeks later, Akpom signed for Ajax and Payero departed for Udinese at the start of September. It was clear we had a "thin" squad, which contributed to Coburn`s proposed loan move to Plymouth being reversed in the final week before the season started.
It was the 23rd September and ten games later [including cups] before we won at home, against Premiership relegated Southampton! Incidentally, we lost 1-0 to a Millwall side which included our former "Ginger Ninja", Duncan Watmore. It was a foretaste of what was to come, certainly in the league.
Boro`s Cup Run.
Relief from poor league form was our run in the FA and Caraboa Cup competitions. the 3-2 victory at Huddersfield: Silvera, McGree and Jones not only got their names on the scoresheet, but Carrick gave his first team debut to a very young Finley Cartwright [at 16 and 161 days old]. It was also Jonny Howson`s 700th professional appearance! Up next at Bolton Wanderers in late August, a sound 3-1 win was backed by 3000 Boro fans, who were delighted with McGree scoring our third in injury time. A certain Emmanuel Latte Lath played 85 minutes, having played in the League against Huddersfield and was just finding his feet. A month later, we had been drawn against Bradford City at Valley Parade. On possibly the worst and most dangerous pitch in the Football League, we produced a fine performance and filled the away stand. Latte Lath and Rogers scored, and it was also the first time out for a certain Alex Gilbert. Our love affair with the South West began at St James Park, home of Exeter City, back at the end of October.
[Hayden Hackney sticks the ball in the net past the stranded Chelsea keeper in the Caraboa Cup first leg]
It was a night match, under the floodlights, a sell out gate and a lot of excitement. It was a pay-off day for Exeter and another win for the boys in red. Silvera, Rogers netted, with Latte Lath successfully slotting a penalty. 3-2 to the mighty Boro and into the next round! It was getting infectious and as the cup-run continued, our League form began to improve. Six days before Christmas Day we headed to the Potteries and Port Vale. At the time, there were signs that Vale were experiencing difficulties, which at the end of the season lead to their relegation. The ground was far from full, but our packed away section lit the place up as we romped past the 3-0 with goals from Howson, Rogers and Crooks.
Early January, we hit the ground running, with two top home games: against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on 6th January, followed by Chelsea on the 9th. Villa were second in the Premiership at the time, but we matched them every step of the way. It wasn't until a deflected Villa shot hit the back of Glover`s net, and we were out of the FA Cup. Against Chelsea, it was a different story. Over 32,000 packed into The Riverside, it had an atmosphere which some compared to Tottenham, the season before and even to our promotion game against Brighton. It was electric and we had to believe.
The hype was about us being a mid-table side, nothing special, and the usual "pundits" telling us we stood no chance. On the other hand, a faltering mid-table Chelsea side, costing the princely sum approaching 500,000,000’s, weren't exactly reaping the rewards of their investment. Hayden Hackney's goal, before the half-time whistle, set the tone of the match. Chelsea had their fans making a lot of noise, but their expensive group of individuals couldn't get a win. Cole Palmer, who has since become a football media celebrity, couldn't hit a cows backside with a banjo on the night. It was tough, it was exciting.
The Caraboa Cup run was a distraction from our poor league start, but it also gave Carrick time to find the best combinations and enable the young team to gel and gather strength and confidence. We were walloped at Stamford Bridge in the return leg, but it didn't matter. Little old Boro were back on the tele in the Cup, whilst the Toon and the Deckchairs were left watching on, as usual.
Rock Bottom.
[Darragh Lenihan salvages a point at Sheffield Wednesday. Boro were bottom of the Championship with 2 points from 7 games]
When we look at where we are now, we have to remind ourselves that we gave the rest of the league a seven game start! One dark, miserable night in September, seven league games already behind us, we managed to salvage a 1-1 draw with a Darragh Lenihan goal against a struggling Sheffield Wednesday side at Hillsborough. The problem was, we were "struggling" even more and were left at the bottom of the Championship, with two points from a possible twenty-one and a goal difference of -9, compared to the Owls -6. That was definitely the lowest point of our season. When you hit the bottom, the only way is up! Fans were still in shock that we could even be in that position, with a team nor firing, missing chances and looking like we were already heading for a relegation dog-fight. Sheffield Wednesday had a new Manager, Xisco Munoz, who had taken over from Darren Moor, who had got the Owls up via the play-offs the season before. They now have their third Manager in the season and appear to be doing better.
At the time, Carrick commented post-match:
"It was not an easy place to be in that dressing room at half-time when you've had a run like we have, but the players went out and faced the music and bounced back, so I'm really proud of them."
Winning Ways.
Four days later, we bounced two past Southampton in a 2-1 home win, through Riley McGree and "Captain Fantastic" Jonny Howson. It was the start of a "mini run", where the Boro got "the rub of the green", began converting chances and took the opportunities to get points on the board. It coincided with our successful cup run, even against lower league opposition, we began to show what we were capable of. There were times when we made howlers, but survived, but from now on the trajectory was upwards. It was our first league win [!] and saw us jump to third bottom, with Rotherham and the Owls below us. At the time Leicester were top, with Ipswich in second and Leeds in the play-off places. Southampton were in fifteenth place, well below what had been expected. The beating of Birmingham, Cardiff and Norwich followed, pushing us away from the relegation zone and easing our fears, but sandwiched in-between was that superb result in the Wear-Tees [non] "Derby" against "Rivals"[?!] Sunderland:
Sunderland 0 The Mighty Boro 4.
[Sunderland 0 Middlesbrough 4 ! What more can we say? Definitely a major highlight of a difficult season ;@))]
Has to be the result of the season in terms of bragging rights. It wasn't the only important victory of an improving season, but an emphatic statement of intent! It wasn't just a "victory", but our biggest ever on Wear side. Stuffed up in the attic of that big dusty bowl, our fans could be heard loud and clear as first Greenwood [Mackem born and bread] slipped the ball past Patterson for our first. Then followed "Big Tree" Matt Crooks for the second, followed by a superb right-angle turn between defenders and goalie by Isaiah Jones and a casual tap-in from Marcus Forss. Just like the fans at Bramall Lane the season before at their place, Sunderland fans were streaming out in droves, long before the final whistle, leaving more discarded pie-wrappers and empty water bottles on the seats than Mackems. Carrick recieved a few choice words from the sad supporters in red an white stripes behind him. Our favourite Geordie punched the air with the now familiar fist pump at the final whistle and saluted the Boro fans along with the whole team. It was a great performance and a great result.
At the end of October, our mini-run came to an abrupt end in a dire game against Stoke. It appears whover Manages them, we never seem to do well against them. We turned up at Plymouth and conceded two chaotic goals in the space of four minutes to cancel out Coburn`s opener, going in 2-1 down at Half Time. Coburn scored his second on the hour, then Greenwood four minutes later, but our defence went Plymouth Hoe, and ended up with a 3-3 draw. One of those Pilgrims goals was scored by Finn Azaz! We continued our inconsistent form into the new year, including a 3-2 reverse at Bristol City, thrashing Preston 4-0 at The Riverside, then losing to Leeds, Ipswich and Hull.
Six Points off League Leaders Leicester City - Twice!
[Victory over League Leaders Leicester. We were so good, we did it twice!]
Sandwiched between the chaos of Plymouth and defeat to Bristol City was the little matter of facing runaway Championship Leaders Leicester City at The Riverside. It was November 11th and the Foxes were eight points clear of Leeds in third, with Ipswich in-between on the same number of points but inferior goal difference. A third of the way through the season, Leicester were averaging over two points a game, having dropped only nine out of a possible forty-eight! We had risen to the heady heights of tenth, just two points behind Sunderland in the final play-off place. That was some achievement. So Leicester were a big challenge. They played a certain style of football, which meant they had the majority of possession [67%] but we thwarted their efforts with a solid defence and timely breaks. That free-kick from Greenwood, which eventually meant we took all three points, was a screamer and pin-point in its accuracy. It was one of those "moment". Not even sub, Jamie Vardy, could do anything to rescue the points.
It was even better when we watched with glee as we sailed past the League Leaders at King Power. Azaz and Silvera appeared to cythe through City defence like a knife through butter and O`Brien took off like an express train, threading the ball past Foxes inept mid-fielders. The whole team put in a shift and were deserved winners. Our defence held firm, with McNair, van den Berg and Clarke across the back with Ayling and Engel on opposing wings. Leicester`s only shot on target was Vardy`s late goal! Someone commented "this isnt supposed to happen" as the away corner bounced and outsang the departing deflated Foxes. Thanks lad for a good day out! They only came to see the Boro!
A Bridge Too Far.
Our season can basically be divided into three segments: the first was like pulling up weeds from a swamp. The start was really difficult for fans to watch and understand. For Carrick and his staff, the work to build a cohesive unit and an effective team was a tall order, because we didnt have the loanee stars or the star striker of the previous season. For the players, it was about resetting, working to build a team that could take its chances and win games. It wasnt easy was it?
The second segment saw the uplift in confidence and results, epitomised by our run in the Caraboa Cup and our excellent first game against Chelsea, and then the battling display against Villa in the FA Cup. we started to score goals, not least the four against Preston and Sunderland, and began to show grit and determination. No excuses. Injuries certainly played their part, but results didnt always reflect our performances, frustrating as that may have been. Even with "senior players" out, the trajectory continued upwards.
The third segment has seen us go ten games unbeaten in eleven. Thats at least play-off form. For at least two months we have been amongst the top six form-teams in the Championship, and on the majority of occassions above the likes of Leicester and Ipswich! Thats no fluke. It has coincided with a more settled side, even though we have senior players not returning untill next season. During that time we were within touching distance of a possible play-off place, but we had too much to do. We lost our grasp with the draws against Blackburn, Southampton, Hull and Ipswich. That wouldnt have sounded so bad back in August!!!! Realistically, we knew the play-offs was an aspiration, rather than an expectation. Teams like Norwich and Southampton were winning, the battle between the top three, Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds was permenantly on the boil and West Brom seemed embeded in the play-off places. Deep down, we all knew there was a lot more work to be done, before we were ready to take on the play-offs.
Key Players.
Our loanees seems a good place to start. Thomas, Greenwood, O`Brien and Ayling are different to those we had with us last year. Carrick has always maintained that "they are our players", just like the rest, whether they are the academy boys and Under-21`s or the First Team squad. Each of them is at a different stage of their career: Thomas is young and just coming back into his own, having been a key player in European and Premier League Competitions since a teenager with Leicester. Greenwood has had his moments, but like with all loanees, the question of finances, whether the club can afford them and what business is going on behind the scenes, may effect what happens to each of them. Forest`s position may mean a fire sale if they get relegated or even if they stay up, with possible points deduction next season. O`Brien is still a Premiership player. Could we afford his transfer fee and a Premiership salary? Luke "Bill" Ayling is probably the one whom most fans have warmed to, simply because he not only winds up the opposition, but he has that experience which shows in the way he keeps the ball, knows when and where to put in a tackle and how to get the ball up to the front men. What he lacks in pace, he makes up for in "nouse".
[Rav van den Berg has shown amazing maturity for his age this season. His excellent performances and development havent gone unoticed].
In terms of our regular players, special mention needs to go to the whole squad for coming through a tough and very challenging season. Matt Clarke has shown what determination and committment means, to getting back to match fitness and becoming a regular back in the team after a serious injury and a long time out. Rav van den Berg has been a star. At 19 he has shown maturity and understanding of the game of a player well beyond his years. Lukas Engel took time to adjust but has made steady progress and expect more to come from him. Alex Bangura has got it, you know what I mean. With time in the summer coming up to prepare and train for next season, we will see him flourish. Although injuries have interupted his season hes shown enough of just what he is capable of. Dan Barlaser, like almost every other outfield player has slotted in wherever he was needed and has played a key role. Hayden Hackney has been missed, but also showed he has more to learn in the game. Hopefully he will be back fully fit and on top of his game for next season. The same for Riley McGree. Before his injury he was showing the class we knw he has. Isaiah Jones. What to say about Isaiah? His pace is something we need and thats been highlighted at times when hes not been available. Hes maturing as a player and we must all be glad he`s recently signed a new contract. Finn Azaz has come on no end, probably quicker than we expected, since his arrival from Plymouth. Its not easy slotting in mid-season, but his goals and contribution has been critical at times. He appears to be growing in confidence and looks like we expect "big achievements" from him in the future.
Our "Forward" line has had mixed fortunes: Sammy Silvera has been away on International duty and has deputisded for injured colleagues over the season. Marcus Forss is a favourite, because what he does, he does well. We`ve missed his power and pace whilst he`s out. Josh Coburn litterally worked his wotsits off at the start of the season. He never gave up, even in the bad times. Carrick made a deliberate point to "manage" him and ensure his injuries didnt get any worse and wants to ensure he is prepared for the upcoming season. Alex Gilbert has kept tirelessly training, working out, pushed himself and focused entirely on being ready to take the opportunity when Carrick gave it to him. He`s had few minutes on the pitch and has more reasons than many to have just sat back and given up. If what we saw of his overall all-round game against Cardiff and his various cameo appearances, he has put himself centre - stage and will hopefully show us even more of what he`s capable next season.
[Sonny Finch scored the first in boro`s 2-1 victory over Sunderland U21`s]
Our Academy lads also deserve praise alongside those in the U-21`s, who have been working hard behind the scenes and grasping opportunities when they are offered them. Finlay Cartwright is now 17 and has made 5 appearances for the England U17`s in the last year. Law McCabe was called up in the last year to play with England U18s and has signed a new contract, having been with Boro`s Academy since he was nine years old. Charlie Lennon, A J Mathews, Sonny Finch, Max Howells and many others who I havent mentioned, have been out on loan, trained with the first team or signed on for extended periods with the club. The youngsters may be keen to get on the pitch with the first Team, but Carrick has explained many times, that getting amongst Senior players means gaining valuable knowledge and experience. Senior players are more like mentors to the young lads coming through.
He goes by the name of.
[Latte Lath scores his most recent goal: a superb header over the keeper from a sublime assist from Alex Gilbert]
Emmanuel Latte Lath epitomises this clubs ethos and everything it stands for. Having literally landed in the English championship, "Manny" has shown character, determination and sheer bloodymindedness at times. He arrived very "raw", but looks like he`s been training in his sleep and every waking minute. At first he looked erratic, slender, and slightly "chaotic". He`s fooled us all with his own unique style, pace and technical skills, which are already attracting speculation about his future. Turning "impossible" scenarios into goals, creating and taking chances, tackling back and hurtling in to help in defensive areas when needed. He`s a real team player and that "gem" we thought we would never find, without spending a small fortune. Despite his time out with injury, the time he`s needed to settle in and find his rythym, he`s our top scorer with 17 goals. It would be "nice" if he ended the season with a hat-trick against Watford to make it 20 for the season!
Our Captain
[Jonny scores one of our two goals in our first win of the season v Southampton at The Riverside]
Jonny Howson has been a miracle man in our midfield this season. Not only there, but hes deputised for others out injured, looked disappointed when forced to rest before coming off the bench. Being the unasuming man he is, he leads by example and has done that during this difficult year. whenever called upon he`s lead the lads, put in a shift, kept an eye on other players, lets them knows where he is and where he wants them to be. At times hes outshone players half his age and demonstrated the pace and football brain to exploit space and weakness`s in the opposition. Jonny deserves respect for what he does by the way he conducts himself and behaves. He`s a credit to himself, to others and to the club. At the time of writing, we do not know if he will be offered another year on his contract to help us towards success next season.
Watford
Watford Manager, Tom Cleverley apparently used to be the "runner" for Carrick at Manchester United as Carrick got older. By that, I assume he meant Cleverley did the hard work. Carrick wants to treat the game with respect and wants to finish on a high, going into next season. He sounded very positive about next season in today`s Media Conference.
Come On Boro!
r00fie1 02/05/2024
Saturday 4th May 2024. EFL Championship. Boro v Watford. Riverside Stadium. KO 12:30 hrs.
It feels a long time ago when we lined up at home to Millwall at the start of this season. A nice warm day in front of 29,359 fans seemed a perfect platform to start our serious challenge to at least reach the play-offs, if not an automatic promotion spot. When we look at the team which started that day: two players departed half-way through the season. Forss, McNair, Fry, Lenihan, Hackney and McGree have been out for long periods with injury, including International duties, Barlaser has been mainly available throughout the season, Coulson has been out on loan, with Dieng perhaps being the most "consistent" player in the squad over the season. Aside from International duties, Dieng has been the mainstay between the sticks. It's fair to say we haven't had a consistent team since the first Kick-Off!
The subs, that day, make even more fascinating reading:
Van den Berg, Jones, Gilbert, Howson, Silvera, Coburn, Payero, Glover and Akpom!
Less than two weeks later, Akpom signed for Ajax and Payero departed for Udinese at the start of September. It was clear we had a "thin" squad, which contributed to Coburn`s proposed loan move to Plymouth being reversed in the final week before the season started.
It was the 23rd September and ten games later [including cups] before we won at home, against Premiership relegated Southampton! Incidentally, we lost 1-0 to a Millwall side which included our former "Ginger Ninja", Duncan Watmore. It was a foretaste of what was to come, certainly in the league.
Boro`s Cup Run.
Relief from poor league form was our run in the FA and Caraboa Cup competitions. the 3-2 victory at Huddersfield: Silvera, McGree and Jones not only got their names on the scoresheet, but Carrick gave his first team debut to a very young Finley Cartwright [at 16 and 161 days old]. It was also Jonny Howson`s 700th professional appearance! Up next at Bolton Wanderers in late August, a sound 3-1 win was backed by 3000 Boro fans, who were delighted with McGree scoring our third in injury time. A certain Emmanuel Latte Lath played 85 minutes, having played in the League against Huddersfield and was just finding his feet. A month later, we had been drawn against Bradford City at Valley Parade. On possibly the worst and most dangerous pitch in the Football League, we produced a fine performance and filled the away stand. Latte Lath and Rogers scored, and it was also the first time out for a certain Alex Gilbert. Our love affair with the South West began at St James Park, home of Exeter City, back at the end of October.
[Hayden Hackney sticks the ball in the net past the stranded Chelsea keeper in the Caraboa Cup first leg]
It was a night match, under the floodlights, a sell out gate and a lot of excitement. It was a pay-off day for Exeter and another win for the boys in red. Silvera, Rogers netted, with Latte Lath successfully slotting a penalty. 3-2 to the mighty Boro and into the next round! It was getting infectious and as the cup-run continued, our League form began to improve. Six days before Christmas Day we headed to the Potteries and Port Vale. At the time, there were signs that Vale were experiencing difficulties, which at the end of the season lead to their relegation. The ground was far from full, but our packed away section lit the place up as we romped past the 3-0 with goals from Howson, Rogers and Crooks.
Early January, we hit the ground running, with two top home games: against Aston Villa in the FA Cup on 6th January, followed by Chelsea on the 9th. Villa were second in the Premiership at the time, but we matched them every step of the way. It wasn't until a deflected Villa shot hit the back of Glover`s net, and we were out of the FA Cup. Against Chelsea, it was a different story. Over 32,000 packed into The Riverside, it had an atmosphere which some compared to Tottenham, the season before and even to our promotion game against Brighton. It was electric and we had to believe.
The hype was about us being a mid-table side, nothing special, and the usual "pundits" telling us we stood no chance. On the other hand, a faltering mid-table Chelsea side, costing the princely sum approaching 500,000,000’s, weren't exactly reaping the rewards of their investment. Hayden Hackney's goal, before the half-time whistle, set the tone of the match. Chelsea had their fans making a lot of noise, but their expensive group of individuals couldn't get a win. Cole Palmer, who has since become a football media celebrity, couldn't hit a cows backside with a banjo on the night. It was tough, it was exciting.
The Caraboa Cup run was a distraction from our poor league start, but it also gave Carrick time to find the best combinations and enable the young team to gel and gather strength and confidence. We were walloped at Stamford Bridge in the return leg, but it didn't matter. Little old Boro were back on the tele in the Cup, whilst the Toon and the Deckchairs were left watching on, as usual.
Rock Bottom.
[Darragh Lenihan salvages a point at Sheffield Wednesday. Boro were bottom of the Championship with 2 points from 7 games]
When we look at where we are now, we have to remind ourselves that we gave the rest of the league a seven game start! One dark, miserable night in September, seven league games already behind us, we managed to salvage a 1-1 draw with a Darragh Lenihan goal against a struggling Sheffield Wednesday side at Hillsborough. The problem was, we were "struggling" even more and were left at the bottom of the Championship, with two points from a possible twenty-one and a goal difference of -9, compared to the Owls -6. That was definitely the lowest point of our season. When you hit the bottom, the only way is up! Fans were still in shock that we could even be in that position, with a team nor firing, missing chances and looking like we were already heading for a relegation dog-fight. Sheffield Wednesday had a new Manager, Xisco Munoz, who had taken over from Darren Moor, who had got the Owls up via the play-offs the season before. They now have their third Manager in the season and appear to be doing better.
At the time, Carrick commented post-match:
"It was not an easy place to be in that dressing room at half-time when you've had a run like we have, but the players went out and faced the music and bounced back, so I'm really proud of them."
Winning Ways.
Four days later, we bounced two past Southampton in a 2-1 home win, through Riley McGree and "Captain Fantastic" Jonny Howson. It was the start of a "mini run", where the Boro got "the rub of the green", began converting chances and took the opportunities to get points on the board. It coincided with our successful cup run, even against lower league opposition, we began to show what we were capable of. There were times when we made howlers, but survived, but from now on the trajectory was upwards. It was our first league win [!] and saw us jump to third bottom, with Rotherham and the Owls below us. At the time Leicester were top, with Ipswich in second and Leeds in the play-off places. Southampton were in fifteenth place, well below what had been expected. The beating of Birmingham, Cardiff and Norwich followed, pushing us away from the relegation zone and easing our fears, but sandwiched in-between was that superb result in the Wear-Tees [non] "Derby" against "Rivals"[?!] Sunderland:
Sunderland 0 The Mighty Boro 4.
[Sunderland 0 Middlesbrough 4 ! What more can we say? Definitely a major highlight of a difficult season ;@))]
Has to be the result of the season in terms of bragging rights. It wasn't the only important victory of an improving season, but an emphatic statement of intent! It wasn't just a "victory", but our biggest ever on Wear side. Stuffed up in the attic of that big dusty bowl, our fans could be heard loud and clear as first Greenwood [Mackem born and bread] slipped the ball past Patterson for our first. Then followed "Big Tree" Matt Crooks for the second, followed by a superb right-angle turn between defenders and goalie by Isaiah Jones and a casual tap-in from Marcus Forss. Just like the fans at Bramall Lane the season before at their place, Sunderland fans were streaming out in droves, long before the final whistle, leaving more discarded pie-wrappers and empty water bottles on the seats than Mackems. Carrick recieved a few choice words from the sad supporters in red an white stripes behind him. Our favourite Geordie punched the air with the now familiar fist pump at the final whistle and saluted the Boro fans along with the whole team. It was a great performance and a great result.
At the end of October, our mini-run came to an abrupt end in a dire game against Stoke. It appears whover Manages them, we never seem to do well against them. We turned up at Plymouth and conceded two chaotic goals in the space of four minutes to cancel out Coburn`s opener, going in 2-1 down at Half Time. Coburn scored his second on the hour, then Greenwood four minutes later, but our defence went Plymouth Hoe, and ended up with a 3-3 draw. One of those Pilgrims goals was scored by Finn Azaz! We continued our inconsistent form into the new year, including a 3-2 reverse at Bristol City, thrashing Preston 4-0 at The Riverside, then losing to Leeds, Ipswich and Hull.
Six Points off League Leaders Leicester City - Twice!
[Victory over League Leaders Leicester. We were so good, we did it twice!]
Sandwiched between the chaos of Plymouth and defeat to Bristol City was the little matter of facing runaway Championship Leaders Leicester City at The Riverside. It was November 11th and the Foxes were eight points clear of Leeds in third, with Ipswich in-between on the same number of points but inferior goal difference. A third of the way through the season, Leicester were averaging over two points a game, having dropped only nine out of a possible forty-eight! We had risen to the heady heights of tenth, just two points behind Sunderland in the final play-off place. That was some achievement. So Leicester were a big challenge. They played a certain style of football, which meant they had the majority of possession [67%] but we thwarted their efforts with a solid defence and timely breaks. That free-kick from Greenwood, which eventually meant we took all three points, was a screamer and pin-point in its accuracy. It was one of those "moment". Not even sub, Jamie Vardy, could do anything to rescue the points.
It was even better when we watched with glee as we sailed past the League Leaders at King Power. Azaz and Silvera appeared to cythe through City defence like a knife through butter and O`Brien took off like an express train, threading the ball past Foxes inept mid-fielders. The whole team put in a shift and were deserved winners. Our defence held firm, with McNair, van den Berg and Clarke across the back with Ayling and Engel on opposing wings. Leicester`s only shot on target was Vardy`s late goal! Someone commented "this isnt supposed to happen" as the away corner bounced and outsang the departing deflated Foxes. Thanks lad for a good day out! They only came to see the Boro!
A Bridge Too Far.
Our season can basically be divided into three segments: the first was like pulling up weeds from a swamp. The start was really difficult for fans to watch and understand. For Carrick and his staff, the work to build a cohesive unit and an effective team was a tall order, because we didnt have the loanee stars or the star striker of the previous season. For the players, it was about resetting, working to build a team that could take its chances and win games. It wasnt easy was it?
The second segment saw the uplift in confidence and results, epitomised by our run in the Caraboa Cup and our excellent first game against Chelsea, and then the battling display against Villa in the FA Cup. we started to score goals, not least the four against Preston and Sunderland, and began to show grit and determination. No excuses. Injuries certainly played their part, but results didnt always reflect our performances, frustrating as that may have been. Even with "senior players" out, the trajectory continued upwards.
The third segment has seen us go ten games unbeaten in eleven. Thats at least play-off form. For at least two months we have been amongst the top six form-teams in the Championship, and on the majority of occassions above the likes of Leicester and Ipswich! Thats no fluke. It has coincided with a more settled side, even though we have senior players not returning untill next season. During that time we were within touching distance of a possible play-off place, but we had too much to do. We lost our grasp with the draws against Blackburn, Southampton, Hull and Ipswich. That wouldnt have sounded so bad back in August!!!! Realistically, we knew the play-offs was an aspiration, rather than an expectation. Teams like Norwich and Southampton were winning, the battle between the top three, Leicester, Ipswich and Leeds was permenantly on the boil and West Brom seemed embeded in the play-off places. Deep down, we all knew there was a lot more work to be done, before we were ready to take on the play-offs.
Key Players.
Our loanees seems a good place to start. Thomas, Greenwood, O`Brien and Ayling are different to those we had with us last year. Carrick has always maintained that "they are our players", just like the rest, whether they are the academy boys and Under-21`s or the First Team squad. Each of them is at a different stage of their career: Thomas is young and just coming back into his own, having been a key player in European and Premier League Competitions since a teenager with Leicester. Greenwood has had his moments, but like with all loanees, the question of finances, whether the club can afford them and what business is going on behind the scenes, may effect what happens to each of them. Forest`s position may mean a fire sale if they get relegated or even if they stay up, with possible points deduction next season. O`Brien is still a Premiership player. Could we afford his transfer fee and a Premiership salary? Luke "Bill" Ayling is probably the one whom most fans have warmed to, simply because he not only winds up the opposition, but he has that experience which shows in the way he keeps the ball, knows when and where to put in a tackle and how to get the ball up to the front men. What he lacks in pace, he makes up for in "nouse".
[Rav van den Berg has shown amazing maturity for his age this season. His excellent performances and development havent gone unoticed].
In terms of our regular players, special mention needs to go to the whole squad for coming through a tough and very challenging season. Matt Clarke has shown what determination and committment means, to getting back to match fitness and becoming a regular back in the team after a serious injury and a long time out. Rav van den Berg has been a star. At 19 he has shown maturity and understanding of the game of a player well beyond his years. Lukas Engel took time to adjust but has made steady progress and expect more to come from him. Alex Bangura has got it, you know what I mean. With time in the summer coming up to prepare and train for next season, we will see him flourish. Although injuries have interupted his season hes shown enough of just what he is capable of. Dan Barlaser, like almost every other outfield player has slotted in wherever he was needed and has played a key role. Hayden Hackney has been missed, but also showed he has more to learn in the game. Hopefully he will be back fully fit and on top of his game for next season. The same for Riley McGree. Before his injury he was showing the class we knw he has. Isaiah Jones. What to say about Isaiah? His pace is something we need and thats been highlighted at times when hes not been available. Hes maturing as a player and we must all be glad he`s recently signed a new contract. Finn Azaz has come on no end, probably quicker than we expected, since his arrival from Plymouth. Its not easy slotting in mid-season, but his goals and contribution has been critical at times. He appears to be growing in confidence and looks like we expect "big achievements" from him in the future.
Our "Forward" line has had mixed fortunes: Sammy Silvera has been away on International duty and has deputisded for injured colleagues over the season. Marcus Forss is a favourite, because what he does, he does well. We`ve missed his power and pace whilst he`s out. Josh Coburn litterally worked his wotsits off at the start of the season. He never gave up, even in the bad times. Carrick made a deliberate point to "manage" him and ensure his injuries didnt get any worse and wants to ensure he is prepared for the upcoming season. Alex Gilbert has kept tirelessly training, working out, pushed himself and focused entirely on being ready to take the opportunity when Carrick gave it to him. He`s had few minutes on the pitch and has more reasons than many to have just sat back and given up. If what we saw of his overall all-round game against Cardiff and his various cameo appearances, he has put himself centre - stage and will hopefully show us even more of what he`s capable next season.
[Sonny Finch scored the first in boro`s 2-1 victory over Sunderland U21`s]
Our Academy lads also deserve praise alongside those in the U-21`s, who have been working hard behind the scenes and grasping opportunities when they are offered them. Finlay Cartwright is now 17 and has made 5 appearances for the England U17`s in the last year. Law McCabe was called up in the last year to play with England U18s and has signed a new contract, having been with Boro`s Academy since he was nine years old. Charlie Lennon, A J Mathews, Sonny Finch, Max Howells and many others who I havent mentioned, have been out on loan, trained with the first team or signed on for extended periods with the club. The youngsters may be keen to get on the pitch with the first Team, but Carrick has explained many times, that getting amongst Senior players means gaining valuable knowledge and experience. Senior players are more like mentors to the young lads coming through.
He goes by the name of.
[Latte Lath scores his most recent goal: a superb header over the keeper from a sublime assist from Alex Gilbert]
Emmanuel Latte Lath epitomises this clubs ethos and everything it stands for. Having literally landed in the English championship, "Manny" has shown character, determination and sheer bloodymindedness at times. He arrived very "raw", but looks like he`s been training in his sleep and every waking minute. At first he looked erratic, slender, and slightly "chaotic". He`s fooled us all with his own unique style, pace and technical skills, which are already attracting speculation about his future. Turning "impossible" scenarios into goals, creating and taking chances, tackling back and hurtling in to help in defensive areas when needed. He`s a real team player and that "gem" we thought we would never find, without spending a small fortune. Despite his time out with injury, the time he`s needed to settle in and find his rythym, he`s our top scorer with 17 goals. It would be "nice" if he ended the season with a hat-trick against Watford to make it 20 for the season!
Our Captain
[Jonny scores one of our two goals in our first win of the season v Southampton at The Riverside]
Jonny Howson has been a miracle man in our midfield this season. Not only there, but hes deputised for others out injured, looked disappointed when forced to rest before coming off the bench. Being the unasuming man he is, he leads by example and has done that during this difficult year. whenever called upon he`s lead the lads, put in a shift, kept an eye on other players, lets them knows where he is and where he wants them to be. At times hes outshone players half his age and demonstrated the pace and football brain to exploit space and weakness`s in the opposition. Jonny deserves respect for what he does by the way he conducts himself and behaves. He`s a credit to himself, to others and to the club. At the time of writing, we do not know if he will be offered another year on his contract to help us towards success next season.
Watford
Watford Manager, Tom Cleverley apparently used to be the "runner" for Carrick at Manchester United as Carrick got older. By that, I assume he meant Cleverley did the hard work. Carrick wants to treat the game with respect and wants to finish on a high, going into next season. He sounded very positive about next season in today`s Media Conference.
Come On Boro!
r00fie1 02/05/2024
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