Boro Match Thread

[Man Friday]

We had more possession so everything's Ok.

Match Stats Middlesbrough: 46%PossessionMiddlesbroughReading54%46%90
minsShots
21 4
On target
9 2 Corners
3 6 Fouls
14 14

[Ouroboros]

We had more possession so everything's Ok.

This will never, ever stop being funny.

[mr_number]

More commentary on Tim Dellor's commentary in the future, please.

[Ouroboros]

alol

I'll see what I can do.

[Extended-Phenotype]

Seems Adkins has been a touch unfortunate in his tenure so far; very little money for him and the signings he has made have suffered injuries.

Performances have been uninspiring and progress is not really apparent which makes it difficult to argue that time will make a difference.

But we aren't in any danger of relegation so can't really see much point in rushing a decision. We are still in the mix and there is still time for things to click into place. Can't think of anyone we could bring in either, so I'm happy to let Adkins have the January window and the rest of the season (providing we do not edge into the drop zone) to get the team playing well.

Disappointed with the season so far but enough of it left to turn things around.

[Royal Rother]

Some fans forget it's not a disaster if we don't go up this year.

If Adkins can offload a few, bring some in who can play his way, integrate some more youngsters, then a mid-table finish should be viewed as a successful season by most sane observers.

[Vision]

Seems Adkins has been a touch unfortunate in his tenure so far; very little money for him and the signings he has made have suffered injuries.

Performances have been uninspiring and progress is not really apparent which makes it difficult to argue that time will make a difference.

But we aren't in any danger of relegation so can't really see much point in rushing a decision. We are still in the mix and there is still time for things to click into place. Can't think of anyone we could bring in either, so I'm happy to let Adkins have the January window and the rest of the season (providing we do not edge into the drop zone) to get the team playing well.

Disappointed with the season so far but enough of it left to turn things around.

Pretty much spot on. Only thing I would say is that Williams, Drenthe and Bridge are pretty high profile/wage signings and he's only had to lose Kebe & Mariappa from last season. This alone from a relegated teams point of view means he's actually been dealt a better hand than most relegated managers do. This squad even with the injuries should be capable of challenging for the play offs.

Which of course despite our woeful recent form, and the handwringing of many, we still are.

[P!ssed Off]

Some fans forget it's not a disaster if we don't go up this year.

If Adkins can offload a few, bring some in who can play his way, integrate some more youngsters, then a mid-table finish should be viewed as a successful season by most sane observers.

Successful? Certainly not.
Acceptable perhaps.
Probably not even that.

[Royal Rother]

Short-termism strikes again. It's not all about the current season.

[Doolittle]

Seems Adkins has been a touch unfortunate in his tenure so far; very little money for him and the signings he has made have suffered injuries.

Performances have been uninspiring and progress is not really apparent which makes it difficult to argue that time will make a difference.

But we aren't in any danger of relegation so can't really see much point in rushing a decision. We are still in the mix and there is still time for things to click into place. Can't think of anyone we could bring in either, so I'm happy to let Adkins have the January window and the rest of the season (providing we do not edge into the drop zone) to get the team playing well.

Disappointed with the season so far but enough of it left to turn things around.

Pretty much spot on. Only thing I would say is that Williams, Drenthe and Bridge are pretty high profile/wage signings and he's only had to lose Kebe & Mariappa from last season. This alone from a relegated teams point of view means he's actually been dealt a better hand than most relegated managers do. This squad even with the injuries should be capable of challenging for the play offs.

Which of course despite our woeful recent form, and the handwringing of many, we still are.

The team we had last year was comprehensively relegated (i.e. not even close), so we started from a baseline some way below that of obvious promotion candidates. The summer ins and outs didn't change the overall strength of the squad much. Then we brought in two more on loan (Baird and Sharp), but that was more than offset by the greater than normal list of longish-term injuries (Karacan, Bridge, Morrison, Drenthe, Leigertwood), and a lack of balance in the squad (surfeit of wide players and right backs; little or no LB or CB cover). So, yes we can be play-off contenders, but only with a more or less fully fit squad.

I'd say that our current position is about right, given where we started from, and the injuries we've had.

[RoyalBlue]

I don't get the 'we are a relegated PL team and therefore should be amongst the favourites for automatic promotion'.

People need to remember that last season we were a PL in name alone and never really in terms of squad strength and footballing ability. So it is silly to assume that the squad that Adkins inherited is stronger than others in the Championship merely because it was largely the squad that we had in the PL. Furthermore, the team that won us promotion largely did so through displaying tremendous fitness, energy, competitiveness and a never say die mentality. If Brian had been kept on, could he have achieved promotion this season in the same manner? Personally I doubt it.

Meantime Adkins, rightly IMO, is placing a greater priority on building a team that gets promoted by playing high quality football (by no means an overnight task for any manager!), which will give us a much greater chance of survival when we get to the PL.

[facaldaqui]

Some fans forget it's not a disaster if we don't go up this year.

If Adkins can offload a few, bring some in who can play his way, integrate some more youngsters, then a mid-table finish should be viewed as a successful season by most sane observers.

Adkins--even in highly apologetic mode--is still talking of the plan to get back to the prem, and he still means this year. Last week he was explaining his style of play as one being developed in anticipation of the prem. So it is not surprising he is being judged in those terms at the moment.

It may soon be the case that this becomes a mid-table, reduilding season; and when Adkins starts talking in that way, then we can all relax for a season and see how the progress goes.

In theory, anyway. The truth is there is no such thing as mid-table comfort. Mid-table is only just above the relegation zone, and so pressure could come from that direction. Another run like we have just had and we will have to start watching out for the trapdoor. I cannot be bothered to look it up, but I think Bullivant's team was about where we are at the moment at this stage in our last relegation season from this division.

[AirRaidSiren]

Some fans forget it's not a disaster if we don't go up this year.

If Adkins can offload a few, bring some in who can play his way, integrate some more youngsters, then a mid-table finish should be viewed as a successful season by most sane observers.

Adkins--even in highly apologetic mode--is still talking of the plan to get back to the prem, and he still means this year. Last week he was explaining his style of play as one being developed in anticipation of the prem. So it is not surprising he is being judged in those terms at the moment.

Instead of him saying that we're not good enough to be promoted and that isn't his aim, right? What the oxf*rd do you expect him to say?? He has a positive attitude and outlook, if he started a negative vibe, then all hell would break loose. The guy is in a lose-lose situation with some of you

[Royal Rother]

Indeed, you really really do not want players and fans relaxing for a season because the manager says we're not good enough to get promoted!!

[Vision]

I don't get the 'we are a relegated PL team and therefore should be amongst the favourites for automatic promotion'.

I can't be arsed to read the whole of HNA but I'm not sure anyone is saying that. Certainly not me. I'm merely saying that we should be challenging for the play offs. Which we just about are at present.

People need to remember that last season we were a PL in name alone and never really in terms of squad strength and footballing ability. So it is silly to assume that the squad that Adkins inherited is stronger than others in the Championship merely because it was largely the squad that we had in the PL. Furthermore, the team that won us promotion largely did so through displaying tremendous fitness, energy, competitiveness and a never say die mentality. If Brian had been kept on, could he have achieved promotion this season in the same manner? Personally I doubt it.

Meantime Adkins, rightly IMO, is placing a greater priority on building a team that gets promoted by playing high quality football (by no means an overnight task for any manager!), which will give us a much greater chance of survival when we get to the PL.

The bulk of this squad is still the one which won the Championship a couple of seasons ago. We were poor last season but were hardly the worst team to ever get relegated. We werent even the worst team last season according to the table. I can't think of many relegated sides whose genuine expectations the following season fell below having a good run at the play offs. Even those who have had to flog half of their team and have a massive overhaul in personnel are expected to challenge for Top 6.

Of course there are mitigating circumstances, Injuries,off-field uncertainties, a change in playing style etc but ultimately Adkins has to be able to deal with the circumstances he faces at this club. I'm not expecting overnighgt miracles but would expect to see some gradual improvement and a sign that the methods and style he's trying to instill are being taken on by the players. First few weeks of the season I could see what he was trying to do and more importantly the players seemed to be on board with it too.

Hand on heart can anyone honestly say we're further down the line towards Adkins supposed progressive style than we were at those initial weeks?

[mambo3]

where and who is the director of football and doesn't he share part of the problem?

[Man Friday]

We had more possession so everything's Ok.

This will never, ever stop being funny.

I beg to differ.

[MmmMonsterMunch]

Hand on heart can anyone honestly say we're further down the line towards Adkins supposed progressive style than we were at those initial weeks?

This is what concerns me a bit TBH. Performances have absolutely got worse since those opening fixtures where we looked good in parts. Now we never look good..

I reckon a lot of those players know they're not capable of performing in the way Adkins wants them to so they've lost all motivation as they expect to be sold within a year.

For people to say on here that Adkins isn't well liked is unfounded. He got back to back promotions so he can't be that bad can he?!

Besides - good managers don't need to be liked. They are there to manage. If the players don't like it then they can fcuk off.

At this point, I am all for a major squad overhaul. Just hope we get to see it.

[glass half full]

Some fans forget it's not a disaster if we don't go up this year.

If Adkins can offload a few, bring some in who can play his way, integrate some more youngsters, then a mid-table finish should be viewed as a successful season by most sane observers.

This makes sense.

Having had the pleasure of watching the up-and-coming young players working well to passing and movement style , I am confident that there are players who will step up to the challenge and responsibility.

A lot has been made in the past of our home-grown players identifying with the club and, if they show commitment and enthusiasm, fans will soon back them - 'boo boys' and those who enjoy being negative apart. There is very little to lose by encouraging more young players with involvement in first team action.

I may not have agreed with many of Nigel Adkins's actions and decisions recently but firmly believe that he will give young players with potential a chance.

[Cypry]

The bulk of this squad is still the one which won the Championship a couple of seasons ago.

I've read this a few times in a number of threads, but people must have extremely short memories. Take the team that beat Southampton away in the promotion year....

Feds - still here.
Cummings - still here
Pearce - still here
Gorkks - still here
Harte - gone
Kebe - gone
Tabb - gone
Mullins - gone
McAnuff - still here
Hunt - gone
Roberts - might as well be gone

McCarthy - still here
ALF - still here
Gunnarsson - gone
Afobe - gone
Church - gone

Add to that that both Leigertwood and Jaracan were key players that season, both now on the long term injury list, with the only other current squad member I can think of who played a role that season being HRK, and it's patently obvious that to say that the bulk of that squad is still here, and available for selection, is a complete fallacy.....