Match Day Thread Middlesbrough v Sunderland AFC – Monday 5th September 2022 - KO 20:00

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Your prediction:


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Better 2nd half as think neil n evans started to control the game but we were poor in the final 3rd.

Losing any player during the warm up is tough to deal with but when its your main man its so much worse.

Think on sat we need to switch formations n go with a 4231. Gives a couple days to work on that.

Alwaye disappointing to lose a game but always cant get too down just need to bounce back
It was a bit better 2nd half. At least Evans calmed down a bit. Him and Neil give us a lot of control, but Evans tonight was a real problem first half. Like you say, the lads up top lacked the quality to create a good opening. It was pretty comfortable for their defence all in all.

I am starting to get bothered by Pritchard. Is there a reason he cant play much beyond 65 mins? Every bloody game it seems. It is a problem that cant continue for long. Every game you have one arm tied behind your back if you know you need to make that sub.
 
We really ought to be realistic: the club's aim was and is for survival. That was always the case. If you still have notions that we should be pushing top 6 after 4 years in League One, give your head a strong wobble. You'll be setting yourself up for nothing but disappointment. The fact we only lost 1-0 on our worst performance of the season isn't something to get apoplectic over. Let's stick with the team this year. They're a young group of lads and mistakes will be made. Let them grow from it, don't crush them for it.

I'd still rather see this team with such high levels of potential for the future than a team of journeyman plodders who'll never progress.
 
Not true in my case mate, I really want him to do well.

I just don't see where he makes a big impression or does anything any decent midfield couldn't do.

I can't remember the last outsstanding thing he did tbh.
Fair enough, i thought he was really positive tonight when in possession - played forward mostly and moved the ball quickly.

Most cms dont stand out in terms of doing outstanding things. Hes 20 and was up against 3 experienced cms n id say he was the pick of them today.

He does need to impose himself a bit more throughout a whole game but do feel like thats coming
 
Absolutely. Think this is the only game we’ve fully deserved to lose. Unfortunately but hey ho. Mid table is where I want us. A comfortable season with no relegation worries is all I want

Mid table is NOT where I want us. I want us to win the league. We all do surely? Yes I know we need to consolidate but if you had the choice of 12th or top...don't worry about next season now.
 
Can anybody remember when Dan Neil last scored or had an assist?
 
The joys of football.
If Pritchard scores first half its a different game
Absolutely we pick ourselves up and move on. I’ve seen so many Sunderland teams that would have folded first half but we picked ourselves up This is a work in progress and there will be ups and downs but we have been competitive in every game miles ahead of where I’d hoped this team would be by now.
 
Think Neil will be, not sure Embo is good enough though.

I think this will turn out to be right, wouldn't be surprised if the new lads move ahead of Embleton in the pecking order.

Neil is doing ok, not brilliant but ok or good most games. My feeling is that give him time on the pitch to develop and he'll be a proper CM. He's already doing alright to be fair, the defensive side of his game has improved.
 
It was a bit better 2nd half. At least Evans calmed down a bit. Him and Neil give us a lot of control, but Evans tonight was a real problem first half. Like you say, the lads up top lacked the quality to create a good opening. It was pretty comfortable for their defence all in all.

I am starting to get bothered by Pritchard. Is there a reason he cant play much beyond 65 mins? Every bloody game it seems. It is a problem that cant continue for long. Every game you have one arm tied behind your back if you know you need to make that sub.
The usual excuse is that he leads the press, makes us tick etc. Then Bristol City gets mentioned.

He's a good player, but having him as. 10 compromises the team imo
 
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It was a bit better 2nd half. At least Evans calmed down a bit. Him and Neil give us a lot of control, but Evans tonight was a real problem first half. Like you say, the lads up top lacked the quality to create a good opening. It was pretty comfortable for their defence all in all.

I am starting to get bothered by Pritchard. Is there a reason he cant play much beyond 65 mins? Every bloody game it seems. It is a problem that cant continue for long. Every game you have one arm tied behind your back if you know you need to make that sub.
Agreed, dont think his fitness is great - he always works hard but sometimes he presses for no reason

Im intrigued to see when michut gets on the bench as he is a player that can unlock defences
 
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I do think Boro will do well this season though, poor start but will probably be up there come May
Their full backs are good, mcNair is quality and that no.9 looks the business but the rest of the team rank average

Having said that, we were ****e from defence to attack
 
It was a bit better 2nd half. At least Evans calmed down a bit. Him and Neil give us a lot of control, but Evans tonight was a real problem first half. Like you say, the lads up top lacked the quality to create a good opening. It was pretty comfortable for their defence all in all.

I am starting to get bothered by Pritchard. Is there a reason he cant play much beyond 65 mins? Every bloody game it seems. It is a problem that cant continue for long. Every game you have one arm tied behind your back if you know you need to make that sub.

Prichard has been off the boil for a couple of games for me, his passing and decision making poor and wants shafting for that miss first half.

I thought we were absolutely rubbish first half and decent second half, but it does show how shallow our squad is.
 
Biggest worry tonight is Stewart and Cirkin two massive players for us. Hope they are ok