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

Strange kind of game - we seemed to be cruising, and Swansea looked like they’d turned up for a pre season game until the last quarter of the match. McGree gave the ball away cheaply in midfield in the build up to the shot they nearly scored from, then got the penalty from the resulting corner. McGree took his goal well but he gave the ball away far to often and he’s just not doing enough for me to be in the team. Clarke was easily MOM, and he made it look easy, he reads the game so well. Thought Crooks had a decent game, Howson was steady, whilst Mowatt was a bit meh, I’m expecting more from him tbh. Midfield is just lacking a little bit of spark, someone who can pick a pass forward and make some runs into the box.
Got to be two up front for me though, McGree has to be dropped when we hopefully get this extra striker in - Muniz and either Jakobson or Larsen would do nicely 👍🏻
 
I still can't work out what the penalty was for. Even after watching the replays on the Sky Sports app I can't work it out. I definitely couldn't see a handball.

As for the game, the result is all that matters. We needed to get a win and that's what we did. Clarke looks a great signing, Muniz looks like he's a perfect fit for Wilder's style of football.

It certainly wasn't the best performance, although I don't think the heat helped. Very hard for players to really perform at their best in those conditions. But all that matters after the start we've had is to get a win on the board, let's hope its the start of a good run.
 
M
Andy_W said:
Not sure if we will start McNair, Mowatt, Crooks and McGree next game, looked bloody hard to reorganise when we had to make midfield subs.

Seems one of the stronger setups, for keeping it tighter/ better structured mind.
Click to expand...
maybe a mistake to play Boyd-Munce in the U21s the night before. Expect to see him on the bench against Watford
 
Must admit, when I saw the team sheet I felt the same as when I saw it when we played Stoke. Shows what I know. I dont think anyone other than mcgree would have been in that position when possession turned over for our first. Good call again by the manager.
 
Funky_Chicken said:
Thought Crooks had a decent game, Howson was steady, whilst Mowatt was a bit meh, I’m expecting more from him tbh. Midfield is just lacking a little bit of spark, someone who can pick a pass forward and make some runs into the box.
Click to expand...
Wilder still looking at 2 midfield players, we're lacking a bit of stamina and it told in the last 10, we also lack that shield in front of the defence, Howson is never a CDM he's an 8....but he's also a bit too similar paced to Mowatt.

Crooks seems to not have the fitness levels he had 12 months ago, Mowatt not the quickest but tidy, McGree in and out of games, Howson can't keep the energy up every game. We definitely need a bit more in the engine room
 
BoroMart said:
Wilder still looking at 2 midfield players, we're lacking a bit of stamina and it told in the last 10, we also lack that shield in front of the defence, Howson is never a CDM he's an 8....but he's also a bit too similar paced to Mowatt.

Crooks seems to not have the fitness levels he had 12 months ago, Mowatt not the quickest but tidy, McGree in and out of games, Howson can't keep the energy up every game. We definitely need a bit more in the engine room
Click to expand...
I agree re Howson, but he is the best we have as a 6 atm - (and you dont know how hard it is for me to say that). Howson is playing well and I could certainly see him as competition / cover for Crooks if we cant get 2 midfielders in. I really like the look of Ampadu though. He looks really combative so would compliment what we have already. If we get him and a striker I think we are pretty much set. An extra midfielder would be a bonus.
 
Afre
BoroMart said:
Wilder still looking at 2 midfield players, we're lacking a bit of stamina and it told in the last 10, we also lack that shield in front of the defence, Howson is never a CDM he's an 8....but he's also a bit too similar paced to Mowatt.

Crooks seems to not have the fitness levels he had 12 months ago, Mowatt not the quickest but tidy, McGree in and out of games, Howson can't keep the energy up every game. We definitely need a bit more in the engine room
Click to expand...
I agree with you there - midfield is pretty one paced. For me Crooks should always be in there for his goals, arial threat, and link up play with Jones, which leaves one of Howson and Mowatt to make way for someone who can liven things up a bit. I think it should be Mowatt dropping to the bench personally but who knows what CW will do.
 
It must be just me, but I honestly cant remember seeing Crooks win a header outside the box. Its as if he has full on lead boots holding him down. Still, first midfielder on the team sheet for me.
 
BoroMart said:
Wilder still looking at 2 midfield players, we're lacking a bit of stamina and it told in the last 10, we also lack that shield in front of the defence, Howson is never a CDM he's an 8....but he's also a bit too similar paced to Mowatt.

Crooks seems to not have the fitness levels he had 12 months ago, Mowatt not the quickest but tidy, McGree in and out of games, Howson can't keep the energy up every game. We definitely need a bit more in the engine room
Click to expand...
Great summary 👍
 
BoroMart said:
M

maybe a mistake to play Boyd-Munce in the U21s the night before. Expect to see him on the bench against Watford
Click to expand...
I don't think he's ready, but I'm 100% basing that on I've never really seen him play. There are far more proven players in the squad where we can adjust to get the right midfield cover, would just seem a bit of a waste of some very good players on the bench if Boyd Munce was going to rotate in there every game.

We need a proven/ fresh midfield sub really, to play that starting XI, which is why I think we won't do that again. We could organise better so that when we make a change everyone know where to switch to etc, but it doesn't solve the freshness problem.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top