* The Unofficial "Official" Boro v Blackpool Match-Day Thread *

r00fie1

Well-known member
Its that time again......
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"It can be dangerous in any game if you take your foot off the gas. You can get caught out...." [Michael Carrick].

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A week is a long time in football and particularly this last week with the closing of the January Transfer Window.
In his recent media conference, Michael Carrick said he was "delighted with the boys who have come in" this week and "we feel we are stronger as a group". He was frank and honest about the new lads coming into the team [more later] and was particularly careful to show his compassion and caring for the exit of Duncan Watmore to pastures new at Millwall.

So what of the "Transfer window"? Was he "happy"? "Yes I`m fine. we made it quite clear [as a staff team] what we wanted and that, if we didnt get that...we would still be happy with the squad and the players we`ve got now. So there are no dramas and we`re happy the way it went". The same reporter who answers his own questions asked again how Michael Carrick thought the window had gone (?). Michael repeated "it was alright". At this point, it was questionable what he expected Carrick to say, having already eloquently expressed his feelings about transfers and dead-line day.

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Duncan Watmore?

I think [the move] worked out in the end. "Nevertheless, its not easy when you see a good man go. What he brought to the group, the squad, how he trained and his attitude around the place, he was first class. So I wish him all the best for the future". He gave a clue as to what might have been one reason for Duncan chosing to move on: asked about his transfer, Carrick said "[football].....its all about people. Not everyone can be a big part of the team". "I was sad to see Duncan go. I like him a lot....how he behaved in the group and also with me. We had some really good conversations and I still wanted to do what was best for Duncan".

The new Boro?
Carrick is confident that Boro have the squad to move forward and take on the fresh challenges, including handling the "bumps in the road". Managing being on a "high" can be just as challenging as recovering from the "lows". "We`ve shown what we are capable of already"! He described the way the squad has integrated the new arrivals into the group already: "....the boys have been so good around the place, around the changing room, around the training ground and in training...", they have all given each other encouragement - whether its to those sitting on the bench or those who are out of the team at the moment.

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He was asked about the two Villa loanees [Archer and Ramsey] and repeated that both have "fit in really well" - he wants to help them develop as players and stand them in good stead for their future careers. Watching the initial interviews of Dan Barlaser, Aaron Ramsey and Cameron Archer....it is clear they already feel welcome and describe the buzz about the place and how they cant wait to "get on the pitch". Aaron Ramsey spoke briefly about how [on loan at Norwich] they "couldnt get hold of the midfield" when we beat them earlier in the season. He also highlighted the influence of "Danksy" [Aaron Danks] in his decision to join Boro.
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He knew him from Norwich and trusted his opinion. He also spoke about his interview with the Gaffa - being "surprised" he was so "calm" in his manner and his expectations for the future. Ramsey was on the mobile to Cameron Archer who basically told him to get his arze up here and recommended Boro "100%". Michael Carrick had been a "massive" influence on his decision and described Carrick`s career and reputation as "massive"! [It appears to be the latest buzz-word].

Carrick was inevitably quizzed about the new arrivals and was asked a pointed question about how he used to feel [as a player], with a new arrival, who also played in his(?) position? He had to deal with it and emphasised how "competition" for places is good for the squad. It means that players "can be pushed and push one another". "We want options in every position". As a player they can appreciate the "extra boost....to see good players coming in".

He was "delighted" to have Dan Bolaser join Boro, describing him as a "really, really good player". He also responded, saying that there was "no pressure" for Aaron Ramsey "to hit the ground [running] at 100 miles per hour" ?!. There was a wry smile from our Gaffa at that point.

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What of Rodrigo Muniz? "....the door is not closed to him....we believe in Rodrigo and....he will have a part to play". Sounds like Carrick still believes he has a chance and will have to earn his place like everyone else. But there was certainly no doubt from Carrick. Hoppe? Looking forward to him getting minutes to play and experience regular game time.

What did Carrick feel about his experience [so far] being "the Manager"?
"Its not just about me, being here for three months. It takes a lot of work. A lot of ability and skill [for any Manager]....to be in the game....for so long". He was his usual calm, collected, pragmatic self and certainly gave himself no pat on the back - doing the usual "its not just me" to emphasise that "management" is a team effort. "It hasnt changed my mind....I knew what I was getting into anyway". We`re glad you did mate!

The Tangerines?
It was "another challenge" and "just another game". We know what he is going to say. He answered one reporter, who asked whether he was influenced by the plight of Blackpool - at the bottom end of ther table, compared to last weeks performance against play-off chasers Watford? "Football is never like that! Never mind what league or game it is you`re playing". "It can be dangerous in any game if you take your foot off the gas. You can get caught out.....".

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Carrick described how he and his staff had looked at the recent FA Cup game between the Tangerines and Southampton and identified potential threats: with their new Manager, Mick McCarthy looking to turn Blackpool`s season around, Blackpool will be as much a threat as any other team. Interestingly, Michael Carrick has "never came up against him before".

The Championship Table?
When do you [Gaffa] start looking at the table ?
"NOT YET"!
"There`s a lot of football to go yet!"
"You end up where you end up".

Lets hope its where we all want to be at the end of the season!

Come on!

Up The Mighty Boro!!!

[r00fie1]
 
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STATS:

Boro / Blackpool Head 2 Head
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Blackpool - Boro League Record:
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Blackpool - Top Scorers:

Jerry Yates - 9

He was on Chris Hughton`s wanted list before Boro got him the sack at Forest.
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Gary Madine - 4

Gateshead-born Madine is known for being a "tough nut". Now 32, he is playing for his 11th team in his 17 year career.
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Theo Corbeanu - 3
The 20 year-old hails from Ontario, Canada and after making 17 appearances for Blackpool this season returned to parent club Wolves.
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Kenny Dougall - 2

The 29 year-old from Brisbane, Australia, plays as a defensive midfielder. He was called up to the Australian World Cup Squad and previous teams include Sparta Rotterdam and Barnsley.
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Charlie Patino - 2
The 19 year-old is currently on loan from Arsenal and has so far made 20 appearances for the Tangerines this season.
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Chris Hamilton - 2
After 142 appearances for Mansfield Town, joined Blackpool in 2020. Plays mainly as a winger. Also made 1 appearance for the Republic of Ireland in 2022.
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Shane Lavery - 2
Will be remembered by Boro fans as Blackpools solitary scorer at Bloomfield Road, when Sporar and Watmore sealed the 2-1 victory into injury time!
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Josh Bowler - 2
Still only 23, Bowler`s previous clubs include Hull City, Everton and QPR. Just before the end of the transfer window - he returned to most recent parent club, Nottingham Forest.
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From The Tangerines - Mick McCarthy

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Mick McCarthy expects a tough test against Middlesbrough but saw encouraging signs against Southampton last time out.

The Seasiders will take to the field at the Riverside Stadium on Saturday under the management of McCarthy for the first time in the Sky Bet Championship following his dugout debut in the FA Cup Fourth Round.

With 19 games to go, getting off to a quick start will be imperative and the Blackpool Head Coach believes tiny details will make the difference.
"It'll be a tough game, they're flying at the minute and they've just gone into the top six," McCarthy said.

"They're looking like promotion candidates now so they've had a really good run of games so it'll be a tough game for us, but they all are.

"We're going to play and try to take them on with our football, scrapping and everything we need to do to keep us in this league.

"It's about tiny little details, if they run 100 kilometres, we run 101, we match them in every way or better them."

The Seasiders tweaked their system to a back three against the Saints with debutant Charlie Goode playing his part in the heart of the backline.
Despite having limited time on the training field with his players, McCarthy is already seeing a reaction to the changes he is making and expects a similarly impressive performance here.

"Changing things to something completely different, I know we played three at the back and they hadn't been playing that, showed that they reacted well, we were really organised against Southampton and they all gave what we were asking for," McCarthy added.

"We've worked on it again this week so I'd expect to be better still. The two goals we conceded were awful and to be honest I said at half-time if we got the next goal to make it 1-1, we'd win because we had the best chance with Ian Poveda doing the old gloryhunting trying to chip him - just put it in the net.

"We've got the work rate, we've got everything else and if we can just add a little bit of quality, we'll be okay."


 
FLASHBACK:

Boro 4 Blackpool 2

Saturday 29th December 2012

A crowd of 18,164 witnessed 6 goals in a thrilling game.
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Ishmael Miller scored the first [14], followed by Richie Smallwood [36]. A 2-0 half-time score reflected play, but there were to be a further 4 goals in the second half! Blackpool`s Wes Thomas made it 2-1 on 59 minutes, but Scott Mcdonald hit the back of the net just three minutes later. Chris Basham gave Blackpool hope with 14 minutes of normal time to go, before Adam Reach put the game to bed with 2 minutes left of the 90.


Boro Starting Line-Up:
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Boro Subs Bench:
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Boro were up amongst the top 6 before the new year, but after thumping Blackpool, hopes faded quickly as Boro imploded before the end of the season: L15 D3 W3. McDonald[11] and Jutkiewicz[10] were the only players to reach double figures in the goal-scoring column. Boro conceded a total of 70 goals in the league that season(!) - which gave a clue as to the main problem area for the squad. Tony Mowbray couldnt stop the slide.

League Table at the end of the 2012 / 2013 Season:
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A game we should win, which makes me strangley nervous
Mick McCarthy has said he wants them to "scrap" for every ball. Hes going to try to stop us playing. Blackpool really need the points. I hope our quality overcomes Mick`s "at em" approach. Weve got quality all over the pitch. Reckon we could give them a real tonking tomorra (y)
 
Report:

West Bromwich Albion 1 Coventry City 0

Friday 3rd February 2023
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Albion bounced back from a duo of defeats to beat Coventry City 1-0 at The Hawthorns on Friday night.
Grady Diangana netted the deciding goal inside 15 minutes to ensure his side claimed an important Sky Bet Championship triumph.
The result lifts the Baggies up to 5th in the table ahead of this weekend’s other matches, and sees them win six consecutive home league games without conceding for the first time since 1977.
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The match was chosen as Albion’s Kick It Out fixture and also dedicated to club legend Cyrille Regis, with two of his most notable former teams going head-to-head the week before his birthday.


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The boss was forced into a change of goalkeeper as the injured Alex Palmer made way for David Button, and he also named new signing Marc Albrighton in his starting XI – while Nathaniel Chalobah was on the bench.
The Baggies made a blistering start in a rousing Hawthorns atmosphere, Jayson Molumby seeing an early shot blocked, Daryl Dike heading over and Jed Wallace smashing off-target.
Coventry caused panic when danger-man Viktor Gyokeres poked wide from close-range; other than that, though, it was Albion dominating play.
And they got their reward 15 minutes in, Wallace flicking Darnell Furlong’s long-throw to the back post, where Diangana was there to hammer home his fourth goal of the season.

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The hosts continued to have the better of the clash, but Wallace - despite two good efforts - couldn’t convert a clever corner routine or find the bottom corner with a fantastic curled finish, ensuring it remained 1-0 come half-time.

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Albion began the second period well and might have doubled their lead through Dike, however his side-footed volley was saved by Ben Wilson.
City then pressed for an equaliser, Button saving a Gustavo Hamer free-kick and Gyokeres sending a powerful strike into the Smethwick End.
And with time ticking away Corberán’s men kept holding firm. Dara O’Shea was on hand to brilliantly, and bravely, block another Hamer attempt – but the visitors didn’t really threaten again and Albion earned three important points.


Albion: Button; Furlong, O’Shea, Pieters, Townsend; Molumby, Yokuslu (Chalobah 67); Albrighton (Swift 74), Wallace, Diangana; Dike (Thomas-Asante 59).
Substitutes: Griffiths, Ajayi, Reach, Grant.
Attendance: 24,719

 
Hope this isn't an "after the lord mayors show" game. Im apprehensive. Apparently they played well at St Mary's last week and have a newish manager bounce.
 
McCarthy is a scrapper. We know that. His squad is very thin and hes been left with one forward. They`ve conceded 40 goals in 27 games. A number of players transfered out or returned to parent clubs in January. Its an unenviable task for McCarthy. I just hope we turn it on, tough it out and win 1-0.
 
Fancy us to turn them over, went to the away game and they had Madine and nothing else- Fry will have him in his pocket today, fancy 3-0.
 
I don`t for 1 minute think today will be a "Typical Boro" moment and we will win by more than 1 goal between the 2 teams
 
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