r00fie1
Well-known member
Its that time again>>>>
By r00fie1
Yet another crucial game. Another tough opponent. Another challenge for the lads. Another opportunity to close that gap on second place to just one point.
What a great win at Swansea at the weekend! Another record broken. Our history of success against the Welsh side at their place made depressing reading - until the final whistle on Satda. Although we played the better football in the first half, we didnt finish off our chances and it was fortuitous for Swansea that the ball deflected into the net for their only goal. But, there is one thing about this team - since that defeat against Preston, way back on October 29th, we have show spirit and grit, even when we go behind. Michael Carrick admits its not something he encourages, but the players belief and trust in themselves has come across to us fans. Although the little "Typical Boro" man [inserted in the psychi of all Boro fans] is still there - if we go a goal down we dont automatically assume its "game over". Its been an absolute delight to watch the way the team gets back on level terms, then goes for the jugular and frequently scores another not long after. Even then, the lads arent satisfied and get back on with the job. That "hunger" and "thirst" for success, is what Michael Carrick has described as a "fire" within.
The performance of all the players was commendable. Its getting more and more difficult to chose a Man Of The Match, which shows how far we`ve come since Carrick arrived:The two "midget gems" from Villa can only be described as "mint"! Seven goals between them already! They get better every game. One compliments the other. Dragging the opposition wide. Launching away from defenders like a rocket and slotting the ball past the keeper like he wasnt there. Equally, McGree shows how he can move and create chances. Johnny Howson gets younger each week and his distribution and control is incredible. Giles! What can we say? Marcus Forss - eight goals and four assist. Crooksy - six goals and five assists in 30 appearances - many from the bench. Haydn Hackney is a revelation - from Redcar to eternity! Just give the youth a chance. Its also important to note that some of the younger academy players are forcing their way onto the bench. Saturday was important for our 17 year-old Sonny Finch: it was his professional league debut, even though it was only for the final few minutes.
Carrick said he had been training hard was worthy of his place. It gives hope and energy to all the players that their chance is there if they step up to the plate and show they want the shirt. We have to mention Chuba of course, but he and Carrick both say [rightly] his performance is part of the team. Nevertheless, 23 goals in 31 appearances is absolutely phenomenal. His nearest rival, Gyokeres, has scored less than a goal every two games. Amazing. But the chase is hotting up and we need to expect a lot more from the lads over the final ten [official] league games.
The heat is certainly on right now.
The Marathon is rapidly turning into a sprint. That gap is now down to four points [we know] and theres no-one who hasnt worked out every permutation for the possibility that Boro could be in the second Automatic Promotion (!!) place by Saturday. Without getting too nervous or over-excited, this could be the most pivotal week of our season. Its hard to stop our imagination running away with us. From twenty-first to third in one hundred and thirty three days! But, Carrick says supporters should get excited, so long as the lads remain focused on the task in hand. Stoke are having a mini-revival and we are delighted they thrashed Sunderland 5-1. But today, we ask no favours and take no prisoners. As Carrick says: "Its time to start from scratch and do it all again".
Keep calm and Carrick on.
UTMB
Yet another crucial game. Another tough opponent. Another challenge for the lads. Another opportunity to close that gap on second place to just one point.
What a great win at Swansea at the weekend! Another record broken. Our history of success against the Welsh side at their place made depressing reading - until the final whistle on Satda. Although we played the better football in the first half, we didnt finish off our chances and it was fortuitous for Swansea that the ball deflected into the net for their only goal. But, there is one thing about this team - since that defeat against Preston, way back on October 29th, we have show spirit and grit, even when we go behind. Michael Carrick admits its not something he encourages, but the players belief and trust in themselves has come across to us fans. Although the little "Typical Boro" man [inserted in the psychi of all Boro fans] is still there - if we go a goal down we dont automatically assume its "game over". Its been an absolute delight to watch the way the team gets back on level terms, then goes for the jugular and frequently scores another not long after. Even then, the lads arent satisfied and get back on with the job. That "hunger" and "thirst" for success, is what Michael Carrick has described as a "fire" within.
The performance of all the players was commendable. Its getting more and more difficult to chose a Man Of The Match, which shows how far we`ve come since Carrick arrived:The two "midget gems" from Villa can only be described as "mint"! Seven goals between them already! They get better every game. One compliments the other. Dragging the opposition wide. Launching away from defenders like a rocket and slotting the ball past the keeper like he wasnt there. Equally, McGree shows how he can move and create chances. Johnny Howson gets younger each week and his distribution and control is incredible. Giles! What can we say? Marcus Forss - eight goals and four assist. Crooksy - six goals and five assists in 30 appearances - many from the bench. Haydn Hackney is a revelation - from Redcar to eternity! Just give the youth a chance. Its also important to note that some of the younger academy players are forcing their way onto the bench. Saturday was important for our 17 year-old Sonny Finch: it was his professional league debut, even though it was only for the final few minutes.
Carrick said he had been training hard was worthy of his place. It gives hope and energy to all the players that their chance is there if they step up to the plate and show they want the shirt. We have to mention Chuba of course, but he and Carrick both say [rightly] his performance is part of the team. Nevertheless, 23 goals in 31 appearances is absolutely phenomenal. His nearest rival, Gyokeres, has scored less than a goal every two games. Amazing. But the chase is hotting up and we need to expect a lot more from the lads over the final ten [official] league games.
The heat is certainly on right now.
The Marathon is rapidly turning into a sprint. That gap is now down to four points [we know] and theres no-one who hasnt worked out every permutation for the possibility that Boro could be in the second Automatic Promotion (!!) place by Saturday. Without getting too nervous or over-excited, this could be the most pivotal week of our season. Its hard to stop our imagination running away with us. From twenty-first to third in one hundred and thirty three days! But, Carrick says supporters should get excited, so long as the lads remain focused on the task in hand. Stoke are having a mini-revival and we are delighted they thrashed Sunderland 5-1. But today, we ask no favours and take no prisoners. As Carrick says: "Its time to start from scratch and do it all again".
Keep calm and Carrick on.
UTMB
