by KC Royal »
21 Aug 2006 09:26
I agree with most of the points in the initial post, but I disagree that Boro are usually a decent defensive side. Their defence was the main reason I thought we'd win before the game, and was why if we got a goal back before half time I knew we had a chance of getting a result. What happened was more amazing than even I expected! I know a Boro fan and he's really worried about the season ahead for them because they've got an inexperienced defence with a few players missing. I couldn't help feeling during the game that they were crying out for Southgate to be playing for them, he might have had more of an influence with his defensive organisation.
As for us this game confirmed what I already knew, we will score goals this season. Looking through our strikers before the game I knew that all of them could score in the Prem. Mates of mine weren't sure how we'd do but I said you don't score 99 goals in the Championship unless you're a good attacking team.
I still worry about our defence, and in particular our defensive cover though. The 2nd goal was a classic example, there were plenty of fans around me who were screaming for one of our players to go on the line for Boro's 2nd goal. There were just too many bodies in the wall and Hahnemann didnt deal with it too well. The player on the line probably would have cleared it away. But overall its more positive than it looked after 20 mins when I thought we were in for a long hard season.