* The Unofficial "Official". Boro v Watford. Match-Day Thread *

Great performance. Can't single out anyone who wasn't great.

Forss set the tone with that epic tracking back and slide tackle. No coming back for Watford after that
 
Aaron Connolly has scored twice!
I've said it before, not a prem player, but he can score goals at a lower level like the championship. His record in the league cups shows that. He was just in the wrong head space when he was here, he worked hard for the first 8 games or so, then the crowd got on his back and his head went. He'll probably get 8 goals for Hull in half a season if his head is now right
 
We were brilliant at times in possession today. Some of the give-and-goes and third man runs were a joy, the absolute opposite to a Pulis, Warnock side. The attacking players were brilliant at finding pockets of space, Chuba and McGree dropping and Archer running behind, Forss stayed tighter to the line, but worked the fullback well, occupied him and kept him from getting forward.

Howson and in particular Hackney were so comfortable receiving the ball on the half turn and starting the attack.

If I had to be picky on a negative, yes Steffen was a bit wobbly a couple of times, but he also made 2 or 3 big saves to redeem himself. McNair maybe went into midfield for balls he couldn't get a couple of times too. But we didn't get punished.

Third in the table, onwards, I'm really enjoying watching us play right now.
 
I'm loving today for the simple fact that our game against Watford earlier in the season was so different. They looked streets ahead of us and today is showing just how far we've come.
I agree with you that we looked much better than Watford yesterday; and agree we've improved brilliantly since the away game. I don't agree that they were 'streets ahead' of us at their place though. At Vicarage Rd we started well, and then they came back strong, and by half time 1-1 was better for us than them. Second half we were the better team, and only one team deserved to edge it... and it wasn't Watford!! :(
 
Last edited:
I agree with you that we looked much better than Watford yesterday; and agree we've improved brilliantly since the away game. I don't agree that they were 'streets ahead' of us at their place though. At Vicarage Rd we started well, and then they came back strong, and by half time 1-1 was better for us than them. Second half we were the better team, and only one team deserved to edge it... and it wasn't Watford!! :(
They clearly had a lot of talented individuals, it was individual brilliance rather than a better team that won the day. I thought our team shape, discipline, tactics were better than Watfords, they just happened to have 4 or 5 really talented individuals up top including subs.
 
Great performance, have to pinch yourself to realise it’s the same team that started the season.
Exactly my thoughts, bar a couple of tweaks but excellent choices that have come into this side ... The work has barely begun yet for Michael Carrick in terms of making more signings and his own team eventually coming to fruition ..

Be interesting to see what players still start come the new season 23/24 ... if it is in the PL things could get very interesting. Though if we don't go up this year, makes you think if Carrick has got out of these players what he has so far, by the time he has more of his own playing and his team eventually comes together ... makes you think how far this guy could take us .. if he had been here from the start of this season I am convinced we'd be chasing Burnley, not Sheff Utd.

Next season will be mega tough given the looks of the sides likely coming down, think I would prefer promotion this season now (initially thought was too soon) but something tells me we have a chance of starting to worry Sheff Utd in the second place this season, we can avoid next year's super-rich relegated sides :ROFLMAO: .. especially if we win our next two and they wobble a bit before facing us. That match will be set up to be a cracker.

It is crazy, I have never experienced such optimism as a Boro fan. It is unreal what Carrick has done with so little, so far, really. He's been patient and made the lads feel like world-beaters from total losers overnight. Totally making Wilder look like a fool for sure. What a d*ckhead that man is, I really do wonder wtf went on at the club for it to get so bad. I remember thinking as soon as he had Fry etc out the side, I bet things start getting tetchy behind the scenes.

Just looking at Chuba Akpom is all you need to see what a special job Carrick and co. are doing. I can't believe that man is on course for 20 league goals this season. I wish I had stuck a few quid on that ha ha
 
With Archer we now have a foil and a potential partner-in-crime.
Add Forss and the other midfielders and the opposition wont know who to mark out the game.
 
Back
Top