BFI Follow Middlesborough

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winchester_royal
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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by winchester_royal » 15 Jul 2020 09:26

royalp-we It was awful - but we’ve just come off the back of 3 clean sheets. There’s a vast improvement in this side to 12 months ago, whatever way you wish to look at it.


There really isn't.

A few plucky, defensive, ground out wins does not change the fact that there's absolutely no pattern, tempo, or excitement to our football.

This team is simply nowhere near the quality to threaten even a top-half finish next season. Not to mention the football is beyond tedious.

Bowen has probably earned the chance to have this summer to turn things around, but he needs to.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by Westwood52 » 15 Jul 2020 10:14

Old Man Andrews
Westwood52 It would have been intriguing what would have happened if we had stayed with Gomez.Gomez wanted us to play like Barcelona,but he just didn’t acquire the players to play like Barcelona.Maybe that wasn’t his fault,maybe he wanted to play around Baker.But it was always pretty clear that Baker was not available.At least it was very clear what system and style Gomez wanted.
We now have Bowen,and I for one have not got a clue what in terms of playing style he is trying to achieve.To be effective Puscas and Meite need quick ball played into space;yet Swift and Ejaria and to a lesser extent Olise slow the ball down and try to create opportunities by being clever on the ball.So we have a front two totally at odds with their midfield.
Would we have gone down with Gomez .Most supporters think so.Bowens great achievement is keeping us up;but there is a nagging thought that next seasons performances will be just as bad as this.We are going nowhere like this.Yet if Gomez had taken us down it would have been a disaster;even if over time he had created something.

*Gomes

How do you get the most basic things wrong? How is it even possible?


Missed you.How did the course go ?

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by windermereROYAL » 15 Jul 2020 10:28

I read this morning that Bowen was quoted as saying he expected Puscas to score, so he pulled him because he didn`t then he expected Baldock to score, well no f*cking shit?
Wish I lived in his parallel universe where players can score goals with zero scoring chances being created for them.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by hughsies no.1 » 15 Jul 2020 10:33

For me it is abundantly clear what the key issue is.

Without a hold-up striker on the pitch we are not a threat.

Lucas Joao is such a key figure in this team and without him or someone that can hold the ball up to bring the 'ball players' in around him our game is completely different. You could see from the run over Christmas, and even the first 20 mins we had him vs Stoke at home what a difference a focal point makes to our team.

A priority for the summer window has to be signing another hold-up striker, if Joao has a hamstring like an elastic band we need cover - I left Craven Cottage like many other Royals really optimistic we are going for a Play Off push, then everything changed with Joao missing.

There are obviously other issues that need addressing across the pitch, but for me this is the most important one.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by Snowflake Royal » 15 Jul 2020 10:49

windermereROYAL I read this morning that Bowen was quoted as saying he expected Puscas to score, so he pulled him because he didn`t then he expected Baldock to score, well no f*cking shit?
Wish I lived in his parallel universe where players can score goals with zero scoring chances being created for them.

Olise break - failed to convert
Moore break - failed to pass
Swift - hit post
Puscas - failed to get on the end of a cross
At least one header that should have been on target can't remember who from
Olise - failed curler

More than enough chances presented themselves.


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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by Hendo » 15 Jul 2020 10:54

Snowflake Royal
windermereROYAL I read this morning that Bowen was quoted as saying he expected Puscas to score, so he pulled him because he didn`t then he expected Baldock to score, well no f*cking shit?
Wish I lived in his parallel universe where players can score goals with zero scoring chances being created for them.

Olise break - failed to convert
Moore break - failed to pass
Swift - hit post
Puscas - failed to get on the end of a cross
At least one header that should have been on target can't remember who from
Olise - failed curler

More than enough chances presented themselves.


The header was from Meite, just for completeness :)

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by RoyalBlue » 15 Jul 2020 11:05

royalp-we oxf*rd me reading this is depressing :lol:

It was awful - but we’ve just come off the back of 3 clean sheets. There’s a vast improvement in this side to 12 months ago, whatever way you wish to look at it.

This season our problem is that we simply do not create enough at home. We would be in the promotion race otherwise.

Our well overhyped midfield aren’t doing enough in the final third at the mad stad. And unfortunately, Bowen is on a hiding if he drops any of them too.

We do not play to the strikers strengths and admittedly we should have worked this out by now. But We need to give Bowen the summer to put his spin on things as he’s completely turned the team around.

.


Had he 'completely turned the team around' around we wouldn't have experienced such an appalling sequence of home performances and results (third worst in the league) and absolutely shyte performances like last night with just 1 shot on target! Under Bowen we are actually averaging fewer shots (both total and on target) per game than we were under Gomes.

He has avoided relegation with a large squad full of very talented individual players, the like of which many managers in our division can only dream of having on their books. In avoiding relegation the Bowen way, the long suffering supporters have had to endure largely dreadfully boring negative defensive games (was that 8 defenders on the pitch v Charlton?!). Yes, there have been a few entertaining exceptions but they have been very few and far between.

Bowen only appears to have a Plan A and that is built entirely around Joao, even when he's not in the squad! It beggars belief that after last night's game, and despite the fact that there is nothing left to play for, Bowen was still talking about the possibility of getting Joao to play again this season! Such is his dependence on that one player that he seems unwilling to play safe and give him until the start of next season to fully recover.

In his post match interview last night, the result and dire performance seemed to come down to everything and everyone bar Mark Bowen and his coaching staff! So just what is he getting paid for?

We're chasing the game, with 7 minutes left, despite having adopted such a negative defensive lineup and tactics at home, yet what does Bowen do? Bring on as much attacking threat as he has at his disposal on the bench? No, let's bring on McCleary and swap Blackett for Obita at left back!

He made two signings during the January transfer window. What was the point? Aruna has disappeared without trace (is he injured?) after what I thought was a promising debut. Masika gets given just a few cameo minutes when the game has pretty much gone to shyte and those around him on the pitch have largely lost the plot and/or any real desire to turn things around.

With this sort of entertainment value and home record under Bowen, the club won't have to worry too much about social distancing, if/when supporters are allowed back into the stadium next season.

Being made to look like an idiot will be a small price to pay if Bowen manages to turn us into an entertaining team pushing for at least the playoffs next season. I will then gladly eat humble pie. However, I think there is a greater chance that it will be more of the same and the fans and owners will lose patience with this management/coaching team.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by RoyalBlue » 15 Jul 2020 11:14

Snowflake Royal
windermereROYAL I read this morning that Bowen was quoted as saying he expected Puscas to score, so he pulled him because he didn`t then he expected Baldock to score, well no f*cking shit?
Wish I lived in his parallel universe where players can score goals with zero scoring chances being created for them.

Olise break - failed to convert
Moore break - failed to pass
Swift - hit post
Puscas - failed to get on the end of a cross
At least one header that should have been on target can't remember who from
Olise - failed curler

More than enough chances presented themselves.


Just how long do you think Puscas' leg is?! The reason he failed to get on the end of the sodding cross was that it was too far ahead of the two Reading players running in (any earlier and they would've been offside!). You can't count that as a chance. Likewise some of the other 'changes' e.g. there was still a lot of work to have been done even had Moore picked a better pass (maybe a proper midfielder, rather than a converted centre back would have done so).

Real chances (where a player receives a decent pass in a good position and fails to convert)? Swift's effort. Olise curler and possibly a penalty claim for Olise. That really isn't enough chances created.

Even taking the six that you claim, I suspect the average conversion rate in this division would've meant one goal scored from them - enough to get a draw at home.

BTW Middlesbrough, the away team, 13 shots, 6 on target, despite Bowen's negative setup and tactics.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by leon » 15 Jul 2020 11:23

Stranded
Snowflake Royal We all finished wetting the bed yet?


Cabral - 7 couple of good saves.
Osho - 6 ok
Blackett - 6 ok
Morrison - 7 quality
McIntyre - 6 less good game
Moore - 6 not even remotely a midfielder
Rinomhota - 6 subdued
Swift - 5 too slow and wayward for too much of the game, should be running the show
Olise - 6 great engine, trying most the right things but getting it wrong too often - that's what you get with young players, valuable experience
Meite - 6 didn't really get much
Puscas - 7 much better hold up play and work rate

Masika - 5 all pace no ideas
Baldock - 4 he just doesn't really add anything
Obita - 5 not the player he was
McCleary - 5 same, worth a start except he's leaving


We very much look like a team who doesn't know how to attack or how it will attack and our crossing is pretty terrible, as is our desire and ability to get into dangerous positions in the box.

Look forward to Bowen building something over the summer, shifting deadwood and putting more of his stamp on us. He's done a great job with the defence and away record. Home and attack now.


Really need to stop agreeing with you.

Attacking wise we need a massive overhaul in the way we do it, if not in personnel. This mini season really doesn't offer the time to do that. Hopefully the August break will.


err yes so what you're both saying is that you agree with most of the posts on here. That defensively we look better but we need to fix midfield to add creativity and get a striking partnership that can create but also convert.

Does that make you both bed wetters as well??


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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by Fox Talbot » 15 Jul 2020 11:24

windermereROYAL
Lower West Be little point in restarting the leagues until fans are allowed back in. Just not the same. Feels more like a series of preseason friendlies.


We`ve been shit at home for years, what makes you think fans would make any difference?



Just looked the stats up.

If we lose to Swans that'll be 12 home defeats in a season - a new club record.

We've lost 30 home games in the last three seasons.

We've lost 10+ home games in three of the last six seasons.

In the 1930s we lost just 10 home games in seven seasons FFS. If Elm Park was a fortress then, the Madstad's a gift shop today.

"There are no easy places to go in the Championship. Except Reading. Especially on a Tuesday night, when they do a 'as many points as you like' take-away special."

Got to do something about this - maybe shift all the players who are too used to home defeats?

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by tidus_mi2 » 15 Jul 2020 13:06

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windermereROYAL
Lower West Be little point in restarting the leagues until fans are allowed back in. Just not the same. Feels more like a series of preseason friendlies.


We`ve been shit at home for years, what makes you think fans would make any difference?



Just looked the stats up.

If we lose to Swans that'll be 12 home defeats in a season - a new club record.

We've lost 30 home games in the last three seasons.

We've lost 10+ home games in three of the last six seasons.

In the 1930s we lost just 10 home games in seven seasons FFS. If Elm Park was a fortress then, the Madstad's a gift shop today.

"There are no easy places to go in the Championship. Except Reading. Especially on a Tuesday night, when they do a 'as many points as you like' take-away special."

Got to do something about this - maybe shift all the players who are too used to home defeats?

The Madejski used to be a fortress as well, our terrible home form really only started in Adkins' second season

EDIT: Actually looking at our record, our home form wasn't even that bad until Stam's 2nd season but it does feel like it's been going on for longer.
Last edited by tidus_mi2 on 15 Jul 2020 13:11, edited 1 time in total.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by Lower West » 15 Jul 2020 13:09

RoyalBlue He has avoided relegation with a large squad full of very talented individual players,


In terms of the Championship few are outstanding. Probably why we struggled last summer to move many on.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by Hound » 15 Jul 2020 13:14

Lower West
RoyalBlue He has avoided relegation with a large squad full of very talented individual players,


In terms of the Championship few are outstanding. Probably why we struggled last summer to move many on.


they just aren't very talented individuals. think that myth has long since been busted


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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by NewCorkSeth » 15 Jul 2020 13:21

bad game.. not much else to say.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by Snowflake Royal » 15 Jul 2020 13:21

tidus_mi2
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windermereROYAL
We`ve been shit at home for years, what makes you think fans would make any difference?



Just looked the stats up.

If we lose to Swans that'll be 12 home defeats in a season - a new club record.

We've lost 30 home games in the last three seasons.

We've lost 10+ home games in three of the last six seasons.

In the 1930s we lost just 10 home games in seven seasons FFS. If Elm Park was a fortress then, the Madstad's a gift shop today.

"There are no easy places to go in the Championship. Except Reading. Especially on a Tuesday night, when they do a 'as many points as you like' take-away special."

Got to do something about this - maybe shift all the players who are too used to home defeats?

The Madejski used to be a fortress as well, our terrible home form really only started in Adkins' second season

EDIT: Actually looking at our record, our home form wasn't even that bad until Stam's 2nd season but it does feel like it's been going on for longer.

In the PL we won 4 home games.
In Adkins first season down we won 8 home games
The season Adkins was sacked we won 8 home games.

It's been since we got promoted bar 1 season under Stam.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by Westwood52 » 15 Jul 2020 13:48

Hendo
Snowflake Royal
windermereROYAL I read this morning that Bowen was quoted as saying he expected Puscas to score, so he pulled him because he didn`t then he expected Baldock to score, well no f*cking shit?
Wish I lived in his parallel universe where players can score goals with zero scoring chances being created for them.

Olise break - failed to convert
Moore break - failed to pass
Swift - hit post
Puscas - failed to get on the end of a cross
At least one header that should have been on target can't remember who from
Olise - failed curler

More than enough chances presented themselves.


The header was from Meite, just for completeness :)


Didn’t Osho drive into the box ,then screwed it up.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by Stranded » 15 Jul 2020 14:04

Snowflake Royal
tidus_mi2
Fox Talbot

Just looked the stats up.

If we lose to Swans that'll be 12 home defeats in a season - a new club record.

We've lost 30 home games in the last three seasons.

We've lost 10+ home games in three of the last six seasons.

In the 1930s we lost just 10 home games in seven seasons FFS. If Elm Park was a fortress then, the Madstad's a gift shop today.

"There are no easy places to go in the Championship. Except Reading. Especially on a Tuesday night, when they do a 'as many points as you like' take-away special."

Got to do something about this - maybe shift all the players who are too used to home defeats?

The Madejski used to be a fortress as well, our terrible home form really only started in Adkins' second season

EDIT: Actually looking at our record, our home form wasn't even that bad until Stam's 2nd season but it does feel like it's been going on for longer.

In the PL we won 4 home games.
In Adkins first season down we won 8 home games
The season Adkins was sacked we won 8 home games.

It's been since we got promoted bar 1 season under Stam.


Since relegation from the PL first time round, we have only manged to win more than 10 games at home in a season 3 times and we once managed 10 wins.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by leon » 15 Jul 2020 14:27

Stranded
Snowflake Royal
tidus_mi2 The Madejski used to be a fortress as well, our terrible home form really only started in Adkins' second season

EDIT: Actually looking at our record, our home form wasn't even that bad until Stam's 2nd season but it does feel like it's been going on for longer.

In the PL we won 4 home games.
In Adkins first season down we won 8 home games
The season Adkins was sacked we won 8 home games.

It's been since we got promoted bar 1 season under Stam.


Since relegation from the PL first time round, we have only manged to win more than 10 games at home in a season 3 times and we once managed 10 wins.


My numbers say 5 in 12. Including one in the PL?

The decline really is from after PL 2.

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by paultheroyal » 15 Jul 2020 14:35

Bowen has been a revelation since he came in and the results and league table position from October has been extraordinary.

However, suppose a bit like the McDermott years so many people are underwhelmed. Also I admit to many games have been dreadful.

I support Bowen and wish him well next season. My only bug bear last night and hope he learns from it for remaining two games is... do something different!! Try some wild and whacky formations. Play wingers. Etc etc. No good just serving up the dross which was before our eyes. Likes of Boye and masika should be given a run, but with the latter, he’s certainly no Antonio!

As an aside, I have actually enjoyed the return of football. The dead rubber games are pretty much that but where points have been needed I have found it enjoyable across all matches. I have also had similar passion shouting from the sofa than I have from Y24!

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Re: BFI Follow Middlesborough

by paultheroyal » 15 Jul 2020 14:38

winchester_royal
royalp-we It was awful - but we’ve just come off the back of 3 clean sheets. There’s a vast improvement in this side to 12 months ago, whatever way you wish to look at it.


There really isn't.

A few plucky, defensive, ground out wins does not change the fact that there's absolutely no pattern, tempo, or excitement to our football.

This team is simply nowhere near the quality to threaten even a top-half finish next season. Not to mention the football is beyond tedious.

Bowen has probably earned the chance to have this summer to turn things around, but he needs to.


Results from Bowen’s tenure says something different.

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