In today's press conference the Gaffer spent some time speaking about Tom Cairney. He didn't put any timescale on his return but reading between the lines, it could be another 3 weeks away at best. His good news was that Rafa Soares was now training properly and will play for the U23s on Monday night. And Fonte is okay to start. For 'Boro, they are going to miss danger man Adama Traore who's still suspended. Gary Monk will also be withought Braithwaite and Gestede with longish term injury but he has been able to field a fairly settled team of late and they are on an unbeaten 5 match run. Including the comfortable 2-0 away to Villa in the Carabao Cup midweek. SuperBri has mentioned a good few times about Jokanovic's inability to change games with his substitutions. The Gaffer himself said at today's presser that he hopes to "find a solution to his (Cairney's) absence soon". Well, for this game, why not go straight to Plan B from the start: .........................Bettinelli.... ..............Kalas.......Ream....Odoi.... ...Fredericks.......McDonald.....Sessegnon... ...........Johansen................Norwood... ....................Kamarra....Fonte... But Jokanovic won't do that. It will be the usual formation and the usual group of players. The only choice for you is to pick one from four - Ayite, Ojo, Mollo and Graham - to partner Kebano and Fonte up front. PS If whoever plays LB for us let's Downing cut in and get a shot away with his left, I swear I'll swing!
The man in the middle today is Oliver Langford. please log in to view this image What's to say about Langford? Well, when we thrashed Reading 5-0 at the Cottage last season he took a definite dislike to their players. Booking 4 and giving 1 a red card. Three weeks after that game, on Boxing Day, he ref'd the 2-0 win away to Ipswich; handing out 3 yellows. Kevin Mac for us. Those games were the start of a wee bit of a roll for the team so let's hope Olly casts his charms over us again today. He's on a bit of a roll himself this season. In 8 games, he's got his tally of yellows up to 28.
Against this Boro side I'd prefer to see a more defensive team put out. For the first half at least no fullbacks bombing forward leaving gaps. Boro have run into a bit of form. It would be nice to see us try 442, but I doubt that will happen. I suspect Jokanovic will stick with his mantra, 'if we have the ball they don't'. Let's hope we get a result.
Having watched and read reports i am more convinced that Slavi is a one dimensional tactician,and I fear that the best we can hope for is a mid table finish.
Very Frustrating. That's Norwich, Cardiff and now Boro with late goals. we had at least two chances to clear our lines for their goal.
Agree super B 6 points lost in the last 10 minutes of 3 games, and as for that leaden footed clown in between the sticks ? 9 goals scored so far this season pathetic,we are now 11 points behind leaders, My prediction for mid table could be in jeopardy with many more performances like this.
Thought it was a good game against very decent opposition. First half we were a bit tentative. Not that we didn't play some nice football but what I mean is that we often seemed reluctant to play the quick through ball or shoot (as ever). Basically, the service to Fonte was zilch and his runs often missed. Sad to see Ayite again injured with what looked like another hamstring injury. Second half we were in better shape - in every sense of the word - and when Kamara came on to play in front of Fonte, blistering! That through ball to him from Fonte was perfection ... just a pity that AK, with only the goalie to beat, hit row Z from about 10 yards out. But boy did he make if for it with that leap to get his first goal - Obviously, have to be critical about then letting the points go and so late. Old problem of not doing the simple thing of clearing the ball - there was more than one opportunity to do so.. Also, a tad critical of some of our tackling, by some of the players. Okay 'Boro had the knack of falling over at the slightest thing, especially first half. However, we often lost out on the so-called 50/50s. Remain positive from that performance though.
We are so weak defensively at the death, it is almost unbelievable. You could see we were going to concede from that corner and throw away the points again. We were the much better team yesterday, with Boro playing for a point. Kamara looked great again and I am hoping that the confidence from his first goal will allow him to be more calm when through on goal in future (worth noting that it was his good play that allowed for the opportunity in the first place). Kebano was direct and skilful but I don't think Fredericks trusts Ojo yet. Sessegnon had a poor game, as Boro attacked him throughout the game. He came through with the cross for Kamara's goal and was good coming forward - I'd be inclined to play Odoi at LB against the better teams. Positive performance but infuriating defensive play. Again.