' Hardly a Shock/But the Manner of it '

Boro defeat hardly a shock, but the manner of it was.


Wednesday February 24, 2016

by The other Bob Wilson aka Paul Evans


Last night was one of those periodical away games that I don’t even get to listen to on the radio (I was out and so was only able to get away to catch up with things on my car radio for a few minutes at half time and then again after the match). Therefore, as most of you who get to read this will have seen and heard more of the game than me, I’ll keep this piece a lot shorter than normal and just offer a few general thoughts on our 3-1 defeat at Middlesbrough.

Firstly, while it’s frustrating that we were unable to follow up on that fine performance against Brighton on Saturday and recording successive wins seems as far away as ever, defeat to a team who had only lost twice at home in fifteen games during which they had conceded just four goals shouldn’t have come as a shock. Unfortunately, based on the snippets I’ve heard and read and the brief highlights I’ve watched, the same cannot be said about the manner of the loss.

Middlesbrough are one of a few sides (Derby and Sheffield Wednesday are others which spring to mind) who are challenging for promotion on the back of having spent very significantly on new players despite not being in receipt of relegation parachute payments – to me, it seems pretty certain that these sides have to go up if they are to escape sanctions under the FFP rules next season.

Besides the likes of Stuart Downing, Jordan Rhodes, Christian Stuani and David Nugent (who, according to some of the more conservative reports I’ve read, cost Boro something like £19 million between them), last night’s squad had a couple of players in it in Gaston Ramirez and Richie DeLaet who, surely, must be costing them a tidy sum in loan fees and wages.

Therefore, when you consider how we have been run this season in comparison to them, they should be beating us on their own patch really, but, should they be doing so by scoring three times while also affording to miss a penalty and what’s been described as a “host” of chances which fell to the expensive Rhodes (who, apart from a couple of goals for Huddersfield in a League Cup tie, has a pretty moderate scoring record against us)?

Truth is, that Boro owe their lofty position almost entirely to their vice like defence – the stats confirm my opinion that they have, by some way, the best defence in the Championship. However, despite all of their spending, they are hardly prolific in attack – we are one of ten teams in the division who have scored more goals than them this season. In fact, after a few big home wins at the start of the campaign, their recent goalscoring record at the Riverside Stadium was very poor, with only eight goals scored in their last ten matches in all competitions on their own ground – over the past four months, the tendency has been that away teams do not lose at Boro if they manage to score.

A third own own goal for Matt Connolly. Fans of Danny Malloy, a serial own goal scorer at the club in the late 50s and early 60s, say that he only scored so many of them because of a combination of his bravery and anticipation which took him into areas where it was likely he'd get the last touch on a ball destined for the net - I can see elements of this in Connolly's misfortunes this season and I'd still say that game in, game out, he's been our best defender this season.*

A third own own goal of the campaign for Matt Connolly. Fans of Danny Malloy, a serial own goal scorer at the club in the late 50s and early 60s, say that he only scored so many of them because of a combination of his bravery and anticipation which took him into areas where it was likely he’d get the last touch on a ball destined for the net – I can see elements of this in Connolly’s misfortunes this season and I’d still say that game in, game out, he’s been our best defender.*

So, when Fabio put us ahead with what was a superb first goal for the club, the opportunity was definitely there to feed on any anxiety in the home team and their supporters that had grown over a winless five game run. Sadly, City were prone to expensive individual mistakes all night which made it so much easier for their opponents to, first, get level quickly and then pull clear to record what was a big win by their standards.

Among the most culpable apparently were our usually reliable centrebacks. Matt Connolly may have been a little unfortunate when the ball rebounded off his knee on to his arm and then in to record his third own goal of the season to get Boro back on level terms, but there were unusual errors from him besides that, while Bruno Manga had one of those matches he is occasionally prone to where a player who normally makes plying his trade at this level look very easy, is suddenly sloppy in possession and unsure in his defending.

As for our left back, well, the word “enigma” could have been invented with him in mind. Scott Malone has been with us for over a year now, but I still never know what we are going to get from him from one game to the next.

When you see him at his best, those reports which claimed that Borussia Dortmund were interested in him last season seem almost believable – despite Fabio’s goal last night and his occasional quality in the final third, Malone, for me, is our best attacking full back.

Indeed, even though he was deemed worthy of only a four out of ten marking in Wales Online’s ratings for last night (not sure how reliable these were mind when you consider Fabio was given man of the match with a seven, yet David Marshall received an eight!), Malone still put over two lovely crosses which presented decent headed opportunities for Lex Immers and sub Kenneth Zohore. However, when you look at how feebly he lost possession, and then stayed down, in the build up to the equaliser, you begin to think that the marking was a fair one.

Certainly, although I heard criticisms of other City players in the snippets of Radio Wales’ coverage that I caught, Malone was copping the brunt of it. Now I know I shouldn’t really be too critical of any player after a game that I have so little knowledge of currently, but the truth as I see it is that, based on the evidence of the last thirteen months, Scott Malone is a player who can easily go from the seven or eight out of ten performance he turned in on Saturday to the four out of ten we got last night – it’s far from the first time it’s happened and I believe that he is too inconsistent to be the sort of full back a side that wants to put in a meaningful promotion challenge can afford.

So, City move on to a home game on Saturday with a Preston side that, Burnley apart, have to be seen as the Championship’s form team with seven wins and just one loss to show from their last ten matches. The Lancashire side must now be considered credible Play Off contenders, but we showed on Saturday that we are well capable of beating such a team – the problem we are no closer to solving is that does victory on Saturday preclude the same outcome happening when we travel to Bristol City in our following game seven days later?

What I could gather by listening to radio Wales Malone and Manga were the worst players on the field and immers was the best with his link up play hard to comment really by listening and not seeing but far too many mistakes that is for certain.

Only 1 team have had more attempts on goal or on target (Brentford) against Boro at the Riverside this season and it was only just over a month since we failed to have a single attempt on target away at Hull.

The result last night will not, in my opinion, define our season sadly the home points dropped against Fulham, Bristol City, Burnley, Sheffield Wed, Forest, Rotherham and MK Dons will do that.

But last night we did our best to take Boro on but sadly individual errors cost us dearly and with 15 attempts on goal and 5 on target we actually did more than 14 of the 15 teams to visit the Riverside this season.

Result apart there are clear indications that we are improving, comparison with the performance at Hull shows that, and until the fat lady sings anything is still possible.

If we are honest we all know we are just not good enough for the top six.

IMO we will never be with RS in charge, we will just tread water until he is replaced.

We need to keep our core best players and gain a few more in the summer under the stewardship of another manager. There are plenty out there who could do a better job and get us firing with a good budget (not over the top) which a few have proved.

Unless VT changes RS, (even though he likes him) nothing will change and his dream, as ours of reaching the PL will never materealize

The club are making signs as if they are starting to change but if they really want to get people back then RS has to go. Likeable bloke done a good job but should be driving a Skoda not a Jaguar

My big worry is that if we don't then we are going to lose a few of our best players as they wont waste time hanging around.

Would you

If we are honest we all know we are just not good enough for the top six.

IMO we will never be with RS in charge, we will just tread water until he is replaced.

We need to keep our core best players and gain a few more in the summer under the stewardship of another manager. There are plenty out there who could do a better job and get us firing with a good budget (not over the top) which a few have proved.

Unless VT changes RS, (even though he likes him) nothing will change and his dream, as ours of reaching the PL will never materealize

The club are making signs as if they are starting to change but if they really want to get people back then RS has to go. Likeable bloke done a good job but should be driving a Skoda not a Jaguar

My big worry is that if we don't then we are going to lose a few of our best players as they wont waste time hanging around.

Would you

Name some 'affordable' managers who would do a better job?

The manager position is an important role but at the end of the day it comes down to what he has to work with. Our squad is a good one for the division but that could be said of all the teams around us. I think there is mileage in stability and RS has been excellent value for money when all circumstances are considered.

I would prefer to give him a chance to build on what he has started and use the experience of the Championship he has gained since joining us. As stated by Castleblue our season has been defined by the dropped points at home in several vital games this season. I'm sure RS is aware of that and will move to put that right next season.

Weren't expecting anything but watching the highlights on SSN we were really good one minute when attacking but atrocious when defending..

A follow up performance from Brighton v Preston would be good and I think if we win it would be just as good as the Brighton win based on Preston's form.

If we are honest we all know we are just not good enough for the top six.

IMO we will never be with RS in charge, we will just tread water until he is replaced.

We need to keep our core best players and gain a few more in the summer under the stewardship of another manager. There are plenty out there who could do a better job and get us firing with a good budget (not over the top) which a few have proved.

Unless VT changes RS, (even though he likes him) nothing will change and his dream, as ours of reaching the PL will never materealize

The club are making signs as if they are starting to change but if they really want to get people back then RS has to go. Likeable bloke done a good job but should be driving a Skoda not a Jaguar

My big worry is that if we don't then we are going to lose a few of our best players as they wont waste time hanging around.

Would you

Name some 'affordable' managers who would do a better job?

The manager position is an important role but at the end of the day it comes down to what he has to work with. Our squad is a good one for the division but that could be said of all the teams around us. I think there is mileage in stability and RS has been excellent value for money when all circumstances are considered.

I would prefer to give him a chance to build on what he has started and use the experience of the Championship he has gained since joining us. As stated by Castleblue our season has been defined by the dropped points at home in several vital games this season. I'm sure RS is aware of that and will move to put that right next season.

Chris Hughton, Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche, Ian Holoway, Dave Jones. Do I need to go on?

He has been here over 16 months and has stumbled on success rather than built anything.

Well give him a chance, that's why thousands have walked. Get used to the empty seats around you and even more will vote with their feet this season, even with the ticket prices. Which by the way look good but still hit the Adults. There will be more kids and students next season but as we know they to are fickle and will come when it suits.

All in all if you are happy with a mid table finish for the next 3-5 yrs then good on you.

Thousands would rather spend their money on something else, as is Clubs are businesses now and treat their supporters as commodities. Then they cannot be surprised when people vote with their feet and spend their money as they please.

Diehards is old and archaic so maybe they will shut all the stands and sit them all in one block

If we are honest we all know we are just not good enough for the top six.

IMO we will never be with RS in charge, we will just tread water until he is replaced.

We need to keep our core best players and gain a few more in the summer under the stewardship of another manager. There are plenty out there who could do a better job and get us firing with a good budget (not over the top) which a few have proved.

Unless VT changes RS, (even though he likes him) nothing will change and his dream, as ours of reaching the PL will never materealize

The club are making signs as if they are starting to change but if they really want to get people back then RS has to go. Likeable bloke done a good job but should be driving a Skoda not a Jaguar

My big worry is that if we don't then we are going to lose a few of our best players as they wont waste time hanging around.

Would you

Name some 'affordable' managers who would do a better job?

The manager position is an important role but at the end of the day it comes down to what he has to work with. Our squad is a good one for the division but that could be said of all the teams around us. I think there is mileage in stability and RS has been excellent value for money when all circumstances are considered.

I would prefer to give him a chance to build on what he has started and use the experience of the Championship he has gained since joining us. As stated by Castleblue our season has been defined by the dropped points at home in several vital games this season. I'm sure RS is aware of that and will move to put that right next season.

Chris Hughton, Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche, Ian Holoway, Dave Jones. Do I need to go on?

He has been here over 16 months and has stumbled on success rather than built anything.

Well give him a chance, that's why thousands have walked. Get used to the empty seats around you and even more will vote with their feet this season, even with the ticket prices. Which by the way look good but still hit the Adults. There will be more kids and students next season but as we know they to are fickle and will come when it suits.

All in all if you are happy with a mid table finish for the next 3-5 yrs then good on you.

Thousands would rather spend their money on something else, as is Clubs are businesses now and treat their supporters as commodities. Then they cannot be surprised when people vote with their feet and spend their money as they please.

Diehards is old and archaic so maybe they will shut all the stands and sit them all in one block

Chris Hughton, Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche, Ian Holoway & Dave Jones. You didn't actually mention 'one' affordable alternative.

Dave Jones earned 8 times RS wage yet never got us much higher than where we are now. Chris Hughton has just had his arsed kicked 4-1 by RS so it's hard to see how he could get more out of this squad. Eddie Howe, Ian Holoway and Sean Dyche would all come with huge wage demands which are unrealistic at this moment in time due FFP.

But most importantly NONE would guarantee we would improve with the players at our disposal so it makes no sense to sack a manager and employ another who doesn't come with a worthwhile assurance of promotion.

I have seen slow but sure improvements in this team under RS. Yes there are set backs and not everything is perfect, but I believe we would be better off sticking rather than twisting.

As for the empty seats they will continue whilst the club is in the doldrums. It happens at every club who goes through the cycle of relegation from the Premier League. Even Hull who are challenging strongly for promotion have seen their gates fall.

If we are honest we all know we are just not good enough for the top six.

IMO we will never be with RS in charge, we will just tread water until he is replaced.

We need to keep our core best players and gain a few more in the summer under the stewardship of another manager. There are plenty out there who could do a better job and get us firing with a good budget (not over the top) which a few have proved.

Unless VT changes RS, (even though he likes him) nothing will change and his dream, as ours of reaching the PL will never materealize

The club are making signs as if they are starting to change but if they really want to get people back then RS has to go. Likeable bloke done a good job but should be driving a Skoda not a Jaguar

My big worry is that if we don't then we are going to lose a few of our best players as they wont waste time hanging around.

Would you

Name some 'affordable' managers who would do a better job?

The manager position is an important role but at the end of the day it comes down to what he has to work with. Our squad is a good one for the division but that could be said of all the teams around us. I think there is mileage in stability and RS has been excellent value for money when all circumstances are considered.

I would prefer to give him a chance to build on what he has started and use the experience of the Championship he has gained since joining us. As stated by Castleblue our season has been defined by the dropped points at home in several vital games this season. I'm sure RS is aware of that and will move to put that right next season.

Chris Hughton, Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche, Ian Holoway, Dave Jones. Do I need to go on?

He has been here over 16 months and has stumbled on success rather than built anything.

Well give him a chance, that's why thousands have walked. Get used to the empty seats around you and even more will vote with their feet this season, even with the ticket prices. Which by the way look good but still hit the Adults. There will be more kids and students next season but as we know they to are fickle and will come when it suits.

All in all if you are happy with a mid table finish for the next 3-5 yrs then good on you.

Thousands would rather spend their money on something else, as is Clubs are businesses now and treat their supporters as commodities. Then they cannot be surprised when people vote with their feet and spend their money as they please.

Diehards is old and archaic so maybe they will shut all the stands and sit them all in one block

Chris Hughton, Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche, Ian Holoway & Dave Jones. You didn't actually mention 'one' affordable alternative.

Dave Jones earned 8 times RS wage yet never got us much higher than where we are now. Chris Hughton has just had his arsed kicked 4-1 by RS so it's hard to see how he could get more out of this squad. Eddie Howe, Ian Holoway and Sean Dyche would all come with huge wage demands which are unrealistic at this moment in time due FFP.

But most importantly NONE would guarantee we would improve with the players at our disposal so it makes no sense to sack a manager and employ another who doesn't come with a worthwhile assurance of promotion.

I have seen slow but sure improvements in this team under RS. Yes there are set backs and not everything is perfect, but I believe we would be better off sticking rather than twisting.

As for the empty seats they will continue whilst the club is in the doldrums. It happens at every club who goes through the cycle of relegation from the Premier League. Even Hull who are challenging strongly for promotion have seen their gates fall.

It's your opinion and I respect that, most of the Managers I mentioned were signed up before they became bigger.

There are other options who could come in and do a far better job than RS. Most of his signings have been failures and I don't see it improving. If the club want to spend lesser amounts of money on cheaper players then carry on but more will leave than stay. That will be a fact

Most clubs will lose out on supporters as they are charging far to much to watch what's on offer.

Yes you are right under RS there has been a slow improvement, maybe to slow for supporters. Again your opinion to stick rather than twist but I have a feeling with smaller gates VT will be forced to once again change his mind as he has been forced to on a number of occasions.

As I have stated lots of times before, once people find something else to do it will be hard to get them back

If we are honest we all know we are just not good enough for the top six.

IMO we will never be with RS in charge, we will just tread water until he is replaced.

We need to keep our core best players and gain a few more in the summer under the stewardship of another manager. There are plenty out there who could do a better job and get us firing with a good budget (not over the top) which a few have proved.

Unless VT changes RS, (even though he likes him) nothing will change and his dream, as ours of reaching the PL will never materealize

The club are making signs as if they are starting to change but if they really want to get people back then RS has to go. Likeable bloke done a good job but should be driving a Skoda not a Jaguar

My big worry is that if we don't then we are going to lose a few of our best players as they wont waste time hanging around.

Would you

Name some 'affordable' managers who would do a better job?

The manager position is an important role but at the end of the day it comes down to what he has to work with. Our squad is a good one for the division but that could be said of all the teams around us. I think there is mileage in stability and RS has been excellent value for money when all circumstances are considered.

I would prefer to give him a chance to build on what he has started and use the experience of the Championship he has gained since joining us. As stated by Castleblue our season has been defined by the dropped points at home in several vital games this season. I'm sure RS is aware of that and will move to put that right next season.

Chris Hughton, Eddie Howe, Sean Dyche, Ian Holoway, Dave Jones. Do I need to go on?

He has been here over 16 months and has stumbled on success rather than built anything.

Well give him a chance, that's why thousands have walked. Get used to the empty seats around you and even more will vote with their feet this season, even with the ticket prices. Which by the way look good but still hit the Adults. There will be more kids and students next season but as we know they to are fickle and will come when it suits.

All in all if you are happy with a mid table finish for the next 3-5 yrs then good on you.

Thousands would rather spend their money on something else, as is Clubs are businesses now and treat their supporters as commodities. Then they cannot be surprised when people vote with their feet and spend their money as they please.

Diehards is old and archaic so maybe they will shut all the stands and sit them all in one block

very unfair to say he's stumbled on success! this year more successful than last season league position dictates that fact, small ammount fans left because of (slade effect) thousands walked because of prices and end of ticket promotion? and club re adressing that now so more returning than leaving is probable outcome next season! as for managers that is dictated by how much they want in pay and new player funds ffp is problem there,