* The Unofficial “Official” Boro v Stoke [03/24] Match-Day Thread *

Glad to see the back of Feb, shocking month for us apart from the Leicester surprise. First game in March and its away so suits us better I guess at the moment. Not gonna predict anything as its about this time that teams in the bottom 3 start to realise it and pull out some performances from nowhere. All I want is for us not to give the flippin ball away in our defensive third and immediately concede from it . That's not asking too much is it ? We'll see
 
lostinyorkshire said:
I actually find it a bit weird we are so reluctant to lift it even down the channels and mix it up. We are so intent on playing it around time and time again. It ridiculous how many pathetic goals we give away, its bad when even plymouth have sussed it to the point we could of conceeded 4 in the first half and had no complaints
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I understand the idea of standing defenders like two Greek columns, either side of the goalie and playing footsie — i.e. to bring their forwards out of formation, but it don't work. Often we put ourselves in a precarious situation and end up wasting time, knocking it into corners, giving it to the opposition on the edge of the box or just lumping it out of play.
Mmmmmm.
 
BlackHallRocker said:
unfortunately they have something to play for
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Love this narrative from football fans.

I remember when we had 'nothing to play for' under Mowbray at the back end of one season and we ended up going to Hull, Cardiff and not only winning, but destroying them....Cardiff were in the auto promotion hunt (and we effectively crushed their auto chances, in their own back yard).

File it in the football cliche's box along with all the other nonsense that is spouted.
 
Marvanelli said:
Love this narrative from football fans.

I remember when we had 'nothing to play for' under Mowbray at the back end of one season and we ended up going to Hull, Cardiff and not only winning, but destroying them....Cardiff were in the auto promotion hunt (and we effectively crushed their auto chances, in their own back yard).

File it in the football cliche's box along with all the other nonsense that is spouted.
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He does have a point though, Marv: If they lose, Stoke could be heading down the hole into the Third Division, which is pretty dire financially and a big problem keeping and attracting players. We certainly have “pride” to play for [as Carrick said on Thursday at his Media Conference]. We may still hold out for the miracle of the top six, but Stoke look likely to need more from the game than we do.(y)
 
r00fie1 said:
He does have a point though, Marv: If they lose, Stoke could be heading down the hole into the Third Division, which is pretty dire financially and a big problem keeping and attracting players. We certainly have “pride” to play for [as Carrick said on Thursday at his Media Conference]. We may still hold out for the miracle of the top six, but Stoke look likely to need more from the game than we do.(y)
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But all teams have something to play for.

It doesn't matter if it's for promotion, play offs, safety and survival or for pure pride.

Just because the points may seem more important to Stoke, doesn't mean they will play any better or with more dedication than if they were mid table.

In fact, them being lower down the table should effectively mean it's an 'easier' game for us, than if they were higher in the table.

It's just a very very lazy way of spinning a narrative
 
If Stoke are on the front foot and aggressive we should win as we good at counter attacking. It's when we have all the ball and have to break down sides we struggle. So I really do hope Stoke come at us
 
I think we can win it. We were poor last week but there was one fantastic move where we put about ten one touch passes together from one end of the field to the other and nearly scored. If Stoke come flying out at us we can pick them off. Hope Latte Lath is ready he made a massive difference. UTFB.
 
Marvanelli said:
But all teams have something to play for.

It doesn't matter if it's for promotion, play offs, safety and survival or for pure pride.

Just because the points may seem more important to Stoke, doesn't mean they will play any better or with more dedication than if they were mid table.

In fact, them being lower down the table should effectively mean it's an 'easier' game for us, than if they were higher in the table.

It's just a very very lazy way of spinning a narrative
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No. It's not about “narrative”. I certainly haven't suggested either Boro or Stoke have nothing to play for [cant speak for others], but threatened relegation for Stoke to the Third division is one hell of a driver when it comes to motivation. Already, Steven Schumacher, Stoke Manager, has spoke of being “aggressive” to steer away from relegation. Carrick mentioned playing for “Pride” in his own words in his Media Conference on Thursday. Those are his words. As for being further down the table making life “easier” — look no further than our two games against Rotherham.
 
r00fie1 said:
No. It's not about “narrative”. I certainly haven't suggested either Boro or Stoke have nothing to play for [cant speak for others], but threatened relegation for Stoke to the Third division is one hell of a driver when it comes to motivation. Already, Steven Schumacher, Stoke Manager, has spoke of being “aggressive” to steer away from relegation. Carrick mentioned playing for “Pride” in his own words in his Media Conference on Thursday. Those are his words. As for being further down the table making life “easier” — look no further than our two games against Rotherham.
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And Rotherham were easier opponents than most this season....1 off games can cause so many strange results, due to variance in 90 minutes, but over a season, the league rarely lies.

Look at our games against Leicester....we are nowhere near as good as them...and yet we've picked up 6pts off them.

And yes, it is about narrative. A very lazy narrative.

The fact Stoke are lounging in the bottom 3 indicates they're a poor team (especially after 34 games)....so it should be 'easier' than if they were in the middle of the table.

The managers can say whatever they like, aggression, pride, etc....the fact of the matter...we're 14th after 33 games and Stoke are 22nd after 34 games, so that suggests they aren't a good side.

Do they need the points more than us? Who's to say....but that doesn't mean they are up for the fight more so than us. Absolute tosh.
 
Not watching a stream today, off to watch Redcar Athletic instead.

Just like I did for the Leicester game. Thank me later.
 
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