I don't know about you but I certainly feel like i'm sobering up after Tuesday's 4-0 thumping of Norwich. But why? We drew with top of the table? And we are still 3rd, just a point off top.
I think it's because the nature of the Boro fan. I know that me especially, as you've probably seen, have grown old and pessimistic during the 5 years we've in spent in the Championship (yes I know i'm still 17.) And I know that's not interesting to read so I'm trying to change my way of thinking, but I still sense this uneasy feeling around the Riverside, even when we go 1-0 up in a game, you sense our lead isn't safe until a 2nd or 3rd goal is scored, and it is very rare that occurs. It is something I can't put a finger on.
For we have a very solid goalkeeper in Dimi, who added to his excellent save on tuesday night with an amazing tip-over-the-bar from a Ritchie half volley and some of the very best championship CBs ahead of him. Ayala is growing in confidence every game he plays and his distribution is rivaled only by our central midfield due and Tomlin - who I feel has also been growing despite the fact he wasn't involved in the weekend's stalemate as I'd have wished (excluding his great runs in the opening miniutes.) Gibson is a great young talent and is performing at this level. And with Omeruo on the sidelines we have a very capable replacement, along with the injured Woody and Rhys, we look unlikely to concede. We are, infact, unlikely to concede now, with 8 clean sheets so far this season.
I think I'm allowing this pessimism to shroud my view on how good a coach Karanka is. He demands excellence and I can't see a slump similar to 2 seasons ago happening under his regime, but there is this 'typical boro' idea that I think won't allow me to think we will win the league, or believe we are behind Derby as the second most likely to go up.
In retrospect, however, when we look back at the game I think that it was a very good 0-0, if that is a thing. Reach was out best out let of the game with his thunderous strike nearly costing him a weeks wages so the bar could be replaced. Tomlin's early running in the game was our only other chances we really had, and that took its tole as Tomlin was struggling with a niggling hamstring for the rest of the game, which probably should've ended up in a half time substitution. Bamford looked a frustrated figure upfront, getting few touches on the ball and even fewer sights of the goal, this would probably end up in a substitution, most games if it hadn't been for Kike's fatigue (he could've started if not for that as I feel Lee works best with Kike in front of him.) Bournemouth's pressure amounted to little too, with Dimi equal to things thrown at him, along with the Defense, who seemed more air-tight than they did against Norwich.
An optomistic approach is what is needed as we go into this international break. The last one proved fruitful as the friendly vs Sunderland meant we came back refreshed and ready to take on the league. So perhaps we have missed a trick not arranging another one, perhaps with the geordies this time. But we will see how we play on the 22nd, as Boro fans (including myself) take their seates in the DW stadium and the teams come out.
Monday 10 November 2014
Friday 7 November 2014
No-four-lking way (get it like Norfolk, Norwich and we beat them 4-0)
It's back! And I don't just mean the blog.
The belief! I believe. No not that we can go up - i'm not there yet. But we can see that Karanka's team is in place. If it's not everyone, he has a vast majority of the players he wants in his team. And it looks as if that team is a successful one that will hopefully push us back in to the Premier League.
The Norwich game was one I was very much looking forward to 'cause of our win at Rotherham and good performances before the Wolves game. I do have to say, however, that I was one thinking 'here we go' so that we would all be let down. But, as the panto season is coming up, I have to say 'OH NO WE WEREN'T'
As early as the 5th minute we took hold of the game by the scruff of the neck, as Paddy slide in to latch on to an Adomah cross. The reasonably packed riverside (which was packed for a chilly tuesday in November) erupted with the 'eioh eioh' bouncing around the stadium.
Despite some pressure from the Norwich team, which was the same which performed poorly against Bolton at the weekend, they struggled to hit the target when they did, Gary O'Neil, the ex boro lad, only found the arm of Dimi clawing the ball away from the bottom corner.
The second goal came from the right boot of our top scorer GRANT. Admittedly I was in the concourse buying a burger so I missed the goal. I've been reliably told, by the guys who sit next to me at the game, the ol' georgie boy was pushed to the floor by Martin and after a few seconds of delegation, the ref pointed to the spot and Leadbitter dispatched with a cool demeanor.
Even the introduction of Hooper did little for a floundering Norwich team as an improvised looping header from Leadbitter hit the back of the net. From my angle in Block 38, it looked as if he was going for the spectacular bicycle kick, but no a firm header that put the points in the bag.
The 79th minute came and Norwich brought on their 4th Striker of the game in former Boro target Grabban, who - like those before him - did nothing. As opposed to our substitute, when they trotted on to the pitch they were looking for the net. And then a succession of corners came about when Leadbitter's shot was deflected and the impressive Fredricks' shot was tipped over the bar. When the next was floated in, he saw the ball pinging around in the box, he set his sights.... then he saw Yanic stand in his way and back heel the ball into the net. Poor Jelle. When will he score? But a great debut goal for Wildschut, and hopefully he will go on to be a great signing for Aitor.
The atmosphere was bouncing after the game with everyone talking about one thing. Bournemouth. The team we 'want to be'. Because our Carling Cup victory and adventures in europe were totally belittled by their victory in the 3rd divison in 2002-3 and promotion in 2013. We can make Howe eat his words and 'Howe' I want that to happen. Roll on Saturday Up The Boro
In Aitor We Trust and as always, There is only one Steve Gibson
The belief! I believe. No not that we can go up - i'm not there yet. But we can see that Karanka's team is in place. If it's not everyone, he has a vast majority of the players he wants in his team. And it looks as if that team is a successful one that will hopefully push us back in to the Premier League.
The Norwich game was one I was very much looking forward to 'cause of our win at Rotherham and good performances before the Wolves game. I do have to say, however, that I was one thinking 'here we go' so that we would all be let down. But, as the panto season is coming up, I have to say 'OH NO WE WEREN'T'
As early as the 5th minute we took hold of the game by the scruff of the neck, as Paddy slide in to latch on to an Adomah cross. The reasonably packed riverside (which was packed for a chilly tuesday in November) erupted with the 'eioh eioh' bouncing around the stadium.
Despite some pressure from the Norwich team, which was the same which performed poorly against Bolton at the weekend, they struggled to hit the target when they did, Gary O'Neil, the ex boro lad, only found the arm of Dimi clawing the ball away from the bottom corner.
The second goal came from the right boot of our top scorer GRANT. Admittedly I was in the concourse buying a burger so I missed the goal. I've been reliably told, by the guys who sit next to me at the game, the ol' georgie boy was pushed to the floor by Martin and after a few seconds of delegation, the ref pointed to the spot and Leadbitter dispatched with a cool demeanor.
Even the introduction of Hooper did little for a floundering Norwich team as an improvised looping header from Leadbitter hit the back of the net. From my angle in Block 38, it looked as if he was going for the spectacular bicycle kick, but no a firm header that put the points in the bag.
The 79th minute came and Norwich brought on their 4th Striker of the game in former Boro target Grabban, who - like those before him - did nothing. As opposed to our substitute, when they trotted on to the pitch they were looking for the net. And then a succession of corners came about when Leadbitter's shot was deflected and the impressive Fredricks' shot was tipped over the bar. When the next was floated in, he saw the ball pinging around in the box, he set his sights.... then he saw Yanic stand in his way and back heel the ball into the net. Poor Jelle. When will he score? But a great debut goal for Wildschut, and hopefully he will go on to be a great signing for Aitor.
The atmosphere was bouncing after the game with everyone talking about one thing. Bournemouth. The team we 'want to be'. Because our Carling Cup victory and adventures in europe were totally belittled by their victory in the 3rd divison in 2002-3 and promotion in 2013. We can make Howe eat his words and 'Howe' I want that to happen. Roll on Saturday Up The Boro
In Aitor We Trust and as always, There is only one Steve Gibson
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