* The Unofficial "Official" Preston v Middlesbrough [01/25] Match-Day Thread *

It would be nice to see us try something different.

Go 3 in CM or 3 CBs. That or just keep playing the exact same system every week hoping to keep the odd clean sheet.

That's what coaching is about.
Just having 3 CMs or CBs concurrently fit has been a stretch so far this season.
 
We are obviously still a work in progress, but this season is and probably will be one of the most frustrating in recent memory.
We're continually on the verge of looking good enough to go on a really impactful run until we find a way to undo all our progress. We either don't turn up and earn the right to play or we do something unbelievably stupid like today.
Injuries to key players don't help, but we should have more than enough in the squad to get through those periods.
I'm all for Carrick giving them the freedom to play, but at some point the players need to get it into their heads that they have to be able to dig in and contest games where we aren't out-playing the opposition. You'd hope someone on the coaching side would be getting into them and telling them that doing well in the Championship involves more than just being skillful.
We're as good as anyone in the league in terms of ability, but we're relegation fodder when it comes to being mentally strong enough to get through the season.
Work in progress ???

Almost 3 seasons in, we are the top spenders in the league in the summer and currently in this window.

We should expect and demand better. He ain’t learning sadly
 
His passes weren't at their best today, I agree. However when I made the comment he didn't have a 60%pass completiin rate, so not really relevant.

He created 5 chances and had 2 shots in the 80 minutes he was on.

You said he was vvank. Then you double up and say he was crap. If you lead with nonsense like that you will be challenged. Almost half of what we created went through him. That's a fact.

As for tackling, I don't really care. He is an awful tackler but it's not really why he is in the side.
We didn't have 5 chances all game despite what fotmob tells you
 
I’d rather feel we have inconsistent results while looking like we are about to break through, than what we had under Strachan, Mowbray, Warnock and Woodgate tenures. It’s an improvement, even if it’s is frustrating
Absolutely, but until the penny drops with the players then it won't change. Being given the freedom to play isn't an excuse to not do the basics. If we could just do that then we'd be miles better off.
I'd like to think Grant would be allowed to pull them all aside and lay into them.
 
I have heard this rubbish through the thread. Everyone looking for someone to blame. We didn't concede 2 goals because of azaz.

When I posted that comment he was the best player in our team. I can't be bothered repeating myself, so have a good laugh and enjoy your evening.
Maybe not but we may as well play with 10 men sometimes, he really is weak and doesn't help with the defensive side of the game
 
There were 3 of them at fault.
Morris fir a bad ball and Ayling most so.
But VDB was also bent over having a breather.
Sh1tshow.

Ayling was another who had a really poor game. Loads of people saying we've missed sh1thousery but he was embarrassing at times today and to be honest got outplayed down that side all game. Got lucky with a couple of freekicks he should never have had
He wasn't having a breather, there was a clash of heads!
 
I`ve already moved on

I expect another Jackal and Hyde performance against the Mackems, in which we beat them 2-0

UTB
 
It reminds me of the film Clockwise when things have spiralled out of control for John Cleese and he lies on the grass and says "It's the hope that really kills you".

Yep - Saturday afternoon as a Boro supporter.
 
It reminds me of the film Clockwise when things have spiralled out of control for John Cleese and he lies on the grass and says "It's the hope that really kills you".

Yep - Saturday afternoon as a Boro supporter.
yup the same for every football fan but without hope there pretty much no point following a team all part of the addiction and it is what helps make it so great a game
 
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