Bring back Bryan wade!!
I wanna caravan for me ma
From those in attendance please
Can't comment as couldn't get no commentary.
With only 350-odd making the trip you might not get any proper replys on this
On poorly attended away games, sometimes people post some newspaper ratings.
Bridcutt, Ince, Sexy Pete 7. The rest get 5. Instantly forgettable game
Upson? Argus says he was man of the match
Was that the Argus or the match sponsors?
Great 3 points from a lacklustre performance. A draw was probably a fairer result, but we took our chance and Boro didn't. We started positively, hit the post and for about 20 mins it looked like we might take the game by the scruff of the neck. Boro looked poor. However we gradually seemed to lose concentration and the instinctive one touch footie we managed against Leicester seemed alien, although the conditions did not help. Boro gradually gained confidence and created several chances. Apart from a decent 25 yard shot from Ward that was tipped over by Given we showed little idea going forward in the second half and TBH our goal (well done Upson) was a surprise. We then had a late flurry of openings but the final balls were very poor. We still had to do some serious defending, often because we had given the ball away unnecessarily. A bonus to see Leo get 10 minutes on the pitch and although he looked understandably rusty, he did show a couple of great touches.
Both teams had to contend with a bouncy pitch and swirling wind which didn't help the one touch footie.
My player ratings are probably a tad generous, because of the result.
Brez: 7 - made a couple of good saves
Bruno: 6 - a mixed bag
Ward 6 - ditto. Caught out of position a couple of times which left space for their winger
El Abd 6 - did ok, his cross field distribution to Conway in the 1st half was almost Beckham-esque but gave away unnecessary fouls
Upson: 8 - another good game, received a nasty kick in the head but still got stuck in where it hurts, rewarded with a headed goal. My MoM.
Bridcutt: 6 - a mixed bag, his recent understanding with Ince wasn't there
Ince: 6 - a mixed bag, his recent understanding with Bridcutt wasn't there
Crofts: 6 - he works hard but tends to be invisible much of the time
Lopez: 4 - 1 shot on target otherwise a peripheral figure and bottled out of several challenges which allowed Boro to break forward
Barnes: 6 - it didn't happen for Ashley today, worked hard, got little service and the ball didn't run for him
Conway: 7 - Our most penetrative player, 1st half he saw plenty of the ball and caused Boro problems. OK he hasn't got stellar pace but is willing to take on defenders and is persistent.
Calde: 6 - did ok.
KLL: 5 - wasted a couple of really good openings at the end
Ulloa: not on long enough, but great to see him back.
I'll be interested to see how others rate the players because it was such a mixed performance
Bridcutt, Ince, Sexy Pete 7. The rest get 5. Instantly forgettable game
Great 3 points from a lacklustre performance. A draw was probably a fairer result, but we took our chance and Boro didn't. We started positively, hit the post and for about 20 mins it looked like we might take the game by the scruff of the neck. Boro looked poor. However we gradually seemed to lose concentration and the instinctive one touch footie we managed against Leicester seemed alien, although the conditions did not help. Boro gradually gained confidence and created several chances. Apart from a decent 25 yard shot from Ward that was tipped over by Given we showed little idea going forward in the second half and TBH our goal (well done Upson) was a surprise. We then had a late flurry of openings but the final balls were very poor. We still had to do some serious defending, often because we had given the ball away unnecessarily. A bonus to see Leo get 10 minutes on the pitch and although he looked understandably rusty, he did show a couple of great touches.
Both teams had to contend with a bouncy pitch and swirling wind which didn't help the one touch footie.
My player ratings are probably a tad generous, because of the result.
Brez: 7 - made a couple of good saves
Bruno: 6 - a mixed bag
Ward 6 - ditto. Caught out of position a couple of times which left space for their winger
El Abd 6 - did ok, his cross field distribution to Conway in the 1st half was almost Beckham-esque but gave away unnecessary fouls
Upson: 8 - another good game, received a nasty kick in the head but still got stuck in where it hurts, rewarded with a headed goal. My MoM.
Bridcutt: 6 - a mixed bag, his recent understanding with Ince wasn't there
Ince: 6 - a mixed bag, his recent understanding with Bridcutt wasn't there
Crofts: 6 - he works hard but tends to be invisible much of the time
Lopez: 4 - 1 shot on target otherwise a peripheral figure and bottled out of several challenges which allowed Boro to break forward
Barnes: 6 - it didn't happen for Ashley today, worked hard, got little service and the ball didn't run for him
Conway: 7 - Our most penetrative player, 1st half he saw plenty of the ball and caused Boro problems. OK he hasn't got stellar pace but is willing to take on defenders and is persistent.
Calde: 6 - did ok.
KLL: 5 - wasted a couple of really good openings at the end
Ulloa: not on long enough, but great to see him back.
I'll be interested to see how others rate the players because it was such a mixed performance