Great post Totally agree with o9 being 1 of our 1st choice cbs - hes earned it for sure n has got better n better. Lots to be excited about with this team, not just this season but for nxt season
There's been seasons when I've thought O'Nien wasn't the man for the job. He was today, did very well in a tough game when Ballard wasn't on top form. Also Hume did very well covering in the box and kept his cool after the booking.
Think if AA had been on last 15 minutes he'd of got on the end of one of JCs pull backs in the last ten.on He's that type of high energy players.
Yep. Thought Hume was very good as well. What I like about both of them is attitude. Dare I say both are perhaps not hugely gifted naturally - height and pace for both a bit lacking. But they have this sheer will to succeed and dominate their opponent. When we signed Pembele I was over the moon. The lad is a potential superstar. He is going to have to be a superstar to dislodge Hume though, he is an integral part of the side we are becoming.
Was concerned about Hume after he got booked early on but didn't put a foot wrong after that. Thought the defence was excellent to limit Boro to very little throughout the game, especially when they were on top. Two shots on target and one of them was the goal.
Maybe Beale's way of playing is starting to come to the fore. We're not as open as we were under Mowbray - not totally tight either but better than we were. Still a few tweaks needed and Rusyn just HAS to be given a run of games now. He caused more problems last week against Stoke and Boro didn't know how to handle him today. He might not be the biggest lad but by God he puts the effort in and got his reward with the goal. Bellingham waa doing my head in at times today, watching the game instead of making space to be found and needs a stint on the bench. I would've mind seeing AA taking his spot and then there's still Styles to come in. Thought the left back looked decent and offered another body to aim for in the box at corners. I think what's frustrating is that we're not too far away, whether we're good enough to get into the playoffs we'll find out. Oh and Boro **** themselves every time Clarke got the ball today and he tore them a new one in the last 20 mins!
Boro are a top 10 team, no where near top 6. We cancelled eachother out today i think despite them missing 2 key players. I dont think we are better or worse than them which also makes us a top 10 team, and not a top 6. Hopefully Styles and the new lad from Belgium change my mind but i doubt it. As it stands we'll both be playing eachother again next season.
Spot on mate imo. It is a conundrum. He has all the talent, but seems a bit to easy to play against at times. With his presence and ability he should be dominating the midfield. There was an instance today when the ball bounced up edge of the box and he made no attempt to even make it difficult for their man. I wish I could give him ONiens attitude and desire, he could be anything then. Still a bairn mind, only 1 season as a man, and he still has plenty of time and learning to do.
Any Striker as fast as Rusyn is a CB’s nightmare he’s lightning. I actually think he might be the fastest player in the squad. Hopefully under Beale teams don’t sit as deep and we can expose that but we really need someone in the middle of the pitch who can pick out the ball in behind.
Aye I may be being a bit harsh on him but he’s already shown us how good he can be, it’s frustrating when we know he can be a lot better.
I dont feel like him and Neil playing together does us any favours at all. Both will be high level players in 5 years but we should be playing either or in midfield with a proper CDM, but thats on Speakman now because he failed to deliver
I thought he was better after the yellow card, sometimes a bit rash but he couldnt be when on a card. Positionally got caught out a couple times early on but what i love about him is he adjusts quickly
I think they can play together mate, but Ekwah can do a lot better as we’ve already seen from him. Jobe was better when he first signed as well but I think it’s time to take him out and give someone else a chance.
Considering how long have Boro been in the championship finishing above them this season will be no mean feat in itself , but we could well do even better than that this with a few tweeks . Looking long term , I recon we could as you say be playing them again next season , that will be a truer yardstick of who is making progress, ideally I would like both of us go up and give the whole region a boost.
Yeah agree mate looking at the bigger picture that is true. Still very frustrating though which is something i lack massively and its obvious we are a decent CDM an goalscorer away from reaching the dizzy heights of this league
Some of the runs he made were top notch mind. Angry little bugger, and the ref should have been on his case, but he caused us problems with his movement. Finishing looks his weakness to me.
