That was a decent point. Rusyn is much better than Burstow, who really looked like he couldn't be bothered, Jobe was like a man off, and Ekwah looked like Burstow. Jack Clarke was his usual self and he was brilliant in setting up Rusyn for a deserved equaliser For chances created we probably should have won that Another thing . . . . Greenwood, who fouled Dan Neil to gain the freekick for their goal (how does that work ?), should have been sent off for multiple infringements (that the ref. warned him about, but obviously didn't mean it !) ages before that foul
Pleased with a point. We've got to find a way to solve the problem of going long periods in a game where we look like we could concede every time the opposition has a go at us though.
Watched the game live here. Rusyn did what any good striker should. Hit the target and see what happens. All credit to him. Some other thoughts. Patto don’t want to see the ball at your feet trying to dribble around two forwards. Keep it simple. If in doubt kick it out. O9 captains performance today. Hjelde impressive debut. Can see him and Clarke building something special. Ekwah first touch back. Young man you are built like a brick sh*thouse. Get the ball and run at them. As mentioned many times Bellingham needs taken out. Burstow not in the game enough. Clarke I wouldn’t accept looking at an offer under 30 million. Lad is top, top quality and seems to keep taking his game to higher levels. I would have liked to have seen our new speed merchant given 15 minutes at the end but his time will come soon. All in all take the point and move on. HTL!!!
You say that, but Boro had 2 shots on target the whole game. They did pass through us a lot, but other than the goal was Patterson ever troubled? I know the stats don't tell the full tale, but it's not like we were hanging on. Actually frustrated we didn't win.
Not a chance it was a free kick to them. I know it was given for Neil supposedly holding Greenwood back, but the foul should already have been given
Anyone see the carry on outside main entrance smoggies didn't want to know other than a big ginger geezer who tried it on and got a proper smack from a lad from Chester le Street
My team for the Boro 4/3/3 patto pembele, seelt ballard hume ekwah o/9 neil ba rus clarke Posted this before kick off and still stand by it
It's not a pop at Jobe, I really like the lad and think he's a talent, he proved that with his movement for the goal. However why is he undroppable. I thought he was poor today along with Ekwah, surely there must be a shout to take one off and give Adil some time in his favoured position, even if you want the other 2 to start if it's not working give Adil 20 minutes. The lad really has ability if he's played in the right position. Our midfield are the difference in how we play, they were second best today and we got over ran. That's my main criticism of Beale, he needs to make the changes that will make the difference, his only substitutions normally mean changing the striker and RW every game they are 2 changes that are made. Why did he think Roberts was going to improve us rather than taking Ekwah or Jobe off for Adil. Obviously the Rusyn change made a difference However he should have been on the pitch from the start.
I liked Beale's interview on safc, exactly what we were saying on here in terms of lacking aggression n poor 2nd half Now up to him n his team to get that message across on the training pitch as some big (winnable) games coming up
He wouldn't start that without Jobe, I think Styles will fit in to that 3 but have a feeling it will be Ekwah that's gives way. I keep preaching about the same thing but it's so rigid with the middle 3, changing that around during a game could be beneficial to us, Neil is different class but I wouldn't say the other 2 are changing or dominating games
He and Jobe are in the team for their mobility as much as anything. Beale made a tactical tweak against Stoke and carried it on here. In order for Ba and Clarke to play higher up and close to the striker, Jobe and Ekwah have to cover the wider positions when we're out of possession. There were a number of times today when it was one of those two closing down the Boro full backs. I'm not sure Aouchiche has the game to do that...
It was given for Neil grabbing his leg as he tried to get up I think bit how fast the ****ing ref was over was looking for a reason, while ingrowing the blatant foul for them both to be on the ground in the first place. Greenwood got away with a lot across the two matches!
There's not many will agree, but for me also O'Nien holding midfield with Neil and Ekwah ahead would give us balance and the protection the defence needs especially in tough away games. People will say he can't play on the half turn and needs the game in front of him or behind him whichever it is, but he seems to be able to receive the ball under pressure in front of our goal without giving it away, so I'm sure he could do the same a few metres further up the pitch. If it was only in certain games we're expecting to under the cosh in it'd also be a way to get Seelt games at CB and see how he does.
Just back from the game. I thought we did okay overall but we were absolutely lifting after half time until about the 70th minute. Really strange performance after doing well in the first half.
No problems with his post match here. But he has to get his team to be more aggressive. For large parts of the games under his management we have become boring.
We aren't a poor side though, there is plenty of ability in the team. Clarke is player on form so they are going to look to him because he causes havoc
