r00fie1
Well-known member
Its that time again.......
Perhaps that 2-0 defeat at West Brom in February 2023, was the point at which the fuse started to burn out for Michael Carrick and his team? We were not far off Sheffield United [64 points] and could have closed the gap to just four points. It was a shock to the system, that`s for sure.
Remember this time last year, Wilder was on the verge of getting rid of our "development" players and was eager to exchange young prospects for some old stager`s on big money! Thankfully, Carrick eventually took over, steadied the ship and helped turn Chuba around from heading out the door to becoming the Championship`s top scorer! With the right approach we have the Coaching Team to do exactly whats required. Time to look forward and take with us what we have learnt from last season.
Perhaps that 2-0 defeat at West Brom in February 2023, was the point at which the fuse started to burn out for Michael Carrick and his team? We were not far off Sheffield United [64 points] and could have closed the gap to just four points. It was a shock to the system, that`s for sure.
But we let in two quick-fire goals in the first half, which meant we had our backs to the wall and werent allowed to get through the Baggies midfield. We had 70% possession, but the Baggies werent interested in giving us a sniff at goal. They closed us down whenever we looked dangerous. It was a really disappointing result as we thought we had enough in the tank to beat them comfortably. As it was, they cemented tenth place in the Championship, just above Coventry City [remember them] on goal difference.
We still had 12 games to go and with the third best goal difference in the Championship - behind Sheffield United and Burnley - there was still a lot of points left to win. We werent finished by any stretch. But West Brom were really difficult to beat. Our team that night included six players who have since moved on: Steffen, Giles, Akpom, Archer, Ramsey and Marc Bola.
Next up, we faced Reading at the beginning of March and thrashed them 5-0 at home. It was the perfect come-back. It was there that Chuba did his Bernie-Slaven [esque] impersonation in the South Stand: passing the 20 goal mark.
Today, Boro are a different beast, with nine new First Team players and three players back from loan [although Josh Coburn has reportedly today gone on loan to Plymouth]. Seven regular first-team players have left Boro since that game back in February. We are in rebuild mode - pushing players, working hard to build that team spirit and integrating players into the core of the squad. Carrick said Thursday he felt Lukas Engel had done more than "really well" in the game against Huddersfield and offered praise to Emmanuel Latte Lath - who proved a danger to the Huddersfield defence, with his darting runs and unpredictability. He came close on several occasions.
Its not easy to suddenly drop into a new team, in a different country and perform! But Carrick believes we have enough quality to take our chances and start notching up points on the board. We could certainly have beaten the Terriers if half of our chances had gone in - including that chance right at the end! It was our first goal of the campaign by "one of our own" Hayden Hackney - and what a goal it was. Carrick hinted that losing goal scorers doesnt mean we need to "replace" "like with like". He expects goals to come from all over the pitch.We still had 12 games to go and with the third best goal difference in the Championship - behind Sheffield United and Burnley - there was still a lot of points left to win. We werent finished by any stretch. But West Brom were really difficult to beat. Our team that night included six players who have since moved on: Steffen, Giles, Akpom, Archer, Ramsey and Marc Bola.
Next up, we faced Reading at the beginning of March and thrashed them 5-0 at home. It was the perfect come-back. It was there that Chuba did his Bernie-Slaven [esque] impersonation in the South Stand: passing the 20 goal mark.
Today, Boro are a different beast, with nine new First Team players and three players back from loan [although Josh Coburn has reportedly today gone on loan to Plymouth]. Seven regular first-team players have left Boro since that game back in February. We are in rebuild mode - pushing players, working hard to build that team spirit and integrating players into the core of the squad. Carrick said Thursday he felt Lukas Engel had done more than "really well" in the game against Huddersfield and offered praise to Emmanuel Latte Lath - who proved a danger to the Huddersfield defence, with his darting runs and unpredictability. He came close on several occasions.
Remember this time last year, Wilder was on the verge of getting rid of our "development" players and was eager to exchange young prospects for some old stager`s on big money! Thankfully, Carrick eventually took over, steadied the ship and helped turn Chuba around from heading out the door to becoming the Championship`s top scorer! With the right approach we have the Coaching Team to do exactly whats required. Time to look forward and take with us what we have learnt from last season.
Carrick is confident we have the men to do the job and start taking those chances. as of now - there is no sign of any other players falling through the roof-light or names rolling off Keith Lamb`s fax machine. Its not the time to panic. There is a long, long, season ahead of us and there will be many twists and turns along the way. Last season was something we`ve learned from and Carrick was clear that he recognises the issues relying on loan players - preferring to build the team on solid foundations - going into next season [!] as well as this.
Anyone who keeps an eye on the U21`s and U18`s will know we have a number of players knocking at the door to get first team and / or loan experience. Jack Hannah has been very impressive recently - carrying on from last season and there has been some excellent performances from Jack Stott [Gone to York City today on loan], Bryant Bilongo, Max Howells and Caine Sykes [Sorry I cant put all the names in here - you`ve not been forgotten].
Its early days also for the Boro Women`s Team who played out a 0-0 draw against Norton and Stockton Ancients last Sunday - in front of a near full house. Great start to the campaign. Its all about confidence. We need to support all of our teams [if we can!].
Forward to tomorrow at a sold - out away end at the Hawthorns. Michael Carrick has obviously been looking at ticket sales - having mentioned the sell out at West Brom and Bolton in the cup. He believes that "connect" between the team and the fans is a vital component to success. Behind the doors of Rockliffe, there`s been another week of hard work, pressure, physical and mental challenges......and may yet be more through the door.....who knows? The games are coming thick and fast. Time to get on with it!
Come on Boro - lets go and rob the "boing boing`s" of three valuable Championship points!
UTMB!
Anyone who keeps an eye on the U21`s and U18`s will know we have a number of players knocking at the door to get first team and / or loan experience. Jack Hannah has been very impressive recently - carrying on from last season and there has been some excellent performances from Jack Stott [Gone to York City today on loan], Bryant Bilongo, Max Howells and Caine Sykes [Sorry I cant put all the names in here - you`ve not been forgotten].
Its early days also for the Boro Women`s Team who played out a 0-0 draw against Norton and Stockton Ancients last Sunday - in front of a near full house. Great start to the campaign. Its all about confidence. We need to support all of our teams [if we can!].
Forward to tomorrow at a sold - out away end at the Hawthorns. Michael Carrick has obviously been looking at ticket sales - having mentioned the sell out at West Brom and Bolton in the cup. He believes that "connect" between the team and the fans is a vital component to success. Behind the doors of Rockliffe, there`s been another week of hard work, pressure, physical and mental challenges......and may yet be more through the door.....who knows? The games are coming thick and fast. Time to get on with it!
Come on Boro - lets go and rob the "boing boing`s" of three valuable Championship points!
UTMB!
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