* The "Welcome Back" to the new season. Boro v WBA. Match-day Thread *

Happy enough with that. The areas of the team that looked to be stronger before we started didn't disappoint, the parts where we know we need to strengthen less so, but who's surprised by that? Give it time and incomings...

Thought Giles and McGree started to link up well towards the end, very promising but McGree certainty isn't as strong defensively as Tav.

Would like to have seen Bola being more prepared to push forwards first half, but he's playing for his place, can see why he'd be a bit risk averse.

Forss would have done better first half than second, almost no chances created in the box so impossible to form an opinion yet.

Overall though, I think we're currently 60-70% of where we'll be in terms of squad strength compared to the end of August, so given the opposition i'd can that a perfectly acceptable start.
 
some Great moves and flashing balls across the box, especially Giles. Best move should’ve won us the game but mcGree shanked it out of play at the decisive moment.

+ keeper looks good
+ Howson still reads the game beautifully
+ Akpom could prove a useful squad member
+ Giles is a real find
+ Jones looks like he fancies it and will terrorise defences
+ Coburn looks physically stronger
+ Dijksteel looks in great shape
+ Forss could well be a real prospect

- We looked leggy compared to them, especially in midfield, even though they did all the chasing first half
- Crooks and McGree don’t seem up to speed
- Lenihan should lesd Things from the back, but let the more technically capable CBS hit those slide rule passes. He did get bullied by Dike, but got away with a couple
- The ref allowed them to leave a few on us, 1st half, then hauled us up for similar in the second

pall in all a decent opening point
Very good analysis of the game Tommo, but it was Watmore that shanked Giles cross 😏
 
McGree fine in the final third (though offered nothing there today) but offers next to nothing defending and in transition. Need 2 new CMs in my opinion. Jones looked woeful bar his goal. Just needs to get at his man and get a decent ball in.

Dijksteel best player today along with Giles. A new CM and striker will hopefully drastically improve us as I don't think we are far away from being a clinical side
 
Just back. Really enjoyed being back at a game, forgot how much I love it. Thought we were great at times first half, just needed a finisher. Second half they came out strongly and overun us on our left, not sure if Bola or Giles to blame, got a goal and it was dicey forr a bit but we survived that spell and could have scored toward the end. OK wioth the result. Think if we had had Tav we may have won but thats the way it goes.
 
A team that offers potential in the final third constantly passing back. May keep possession but takes a while to offer a cutting edge. With Giles and Jones we have potential winners - this is diluted with the constant outlet being a pass back! Others will disagree no doubt.
 
Enjoyed the game. First half we could have won the game. Watmore the sooner we get shot the better. If we can improve the squad in the next 14 days we will be chasing the top two. Super show in the South stand. UTB
 
Why is everybody on this board suddenly anti Watmore? One poor game and he becomes the new boo boy. It’s only the first game of the season, give him a chance to get up to speed.
 
Why is everybody on this board suddenly anti Watmore? One poor game and he becomes the new boo boy. It’s only the first game of the season, give him a chance to get up to speed.
I don’t think the majority of fans are anti Watmore but what is clear we neee a lot better than him if we have aspirations of promotion. He is a good bit part player but as harsh as it is as I really like the lad, he shouldn’t be starting games for us. We neee to get these new lads in the club as soon as.
 
Why is everybody on this board suddenly anti Watmore? One poor game and he becomes the new boo boy. It’s only the first game of the season, give him a chance to get up to speed.
Not anti Watmore. He is such a limited player, we need better up front if we want to move on. At the end of the day if we had not given him a life line he would of crashed and burned.
 
Just back. Really enjoyed being back at a game, forgot how much I love it. Thought we were great at times first half, just needed a finisher. Second half they came out strongly and overun us on our left, not sure if Bola or Giles to blame, got a goal and it was dicey forr a bit but we survived that spell and could have scored toward the end. OK wioth the result. Think if we had had Tav we may have won but thats the way it goes.
Not sure you can blame anyone. Lenihans pass was a bit short and they hit us on the break when our left side wasn’t set. Its gonna happen the way we play. I enjoyed today and on the way back, listening to Wilder just made it better. If the club can get his 5 players in we are going up.
 
Why is everybody on this board suddenly anti Watmore? One poor game and he becomes the new boo boy. It’s only the first game of the season, give him a chance to get up to speed.

I didn’t want us to sign him! He does alright in a limited side by virtue of running around, but if we’re serious about promotion he isn’t anywhere near good enough.
 
Why is everybody on this board suddenly anti Watmore? One poor game and he becomes the new boo boy. It’s only the first game of the season, give him a chance to get up to speed.
He’s always been poor, I don’t know why this board give him such an easy ride.

He hasn’t got double figures in a season throughout his career.
 
Why is everybody on this board suddenly anti Watmore? One poor game and he becomes the new boo boy. It’s only the first game of the season, give him a chance to get up to speed.
Who is everyone?
I've given Watmore nothing but praise since the day he walked through the door, seen more positive posts on Watmore than negative
 
Not sure you can blame anyone. Lenihans pass was a bit short and they hit us on the break when our left side wasn’t set. Its gonna happen the way we play. I enjoyed today and on the way back, listening to Wilder just made it better. If the club can get his 5 players in we are going up.
Mcgree was to blame
Didn’t track Swift back as Tav would have done.
 
Haven’t read all the posts as I’ve just got home from the match, but just wanna post a few of my thoughts:

Bola is the weak link in defence, he doesn’t seem to have the concentration to play that role, of the confidence like Dijksteel does.

Thought McGree looked better than most on here think, hope he and Giles can continue to form their partnership.

Akpom surprised me, won a lot of headers and obviously played a big part in the goal, not sure we’ll be sticking with him though.

Crooks was very average for me, seemed slow and sloppy, at least he didn’t get booked I suppose.

Steffen looks the real deal, thought he would struggle with corners given he’s not the tallest but very confident in himself and his punch.

Lenihan looked good to me but have seen a few saying his positioning was all over the place.

Forss looked nippy, think it will take him a few games to get going though.
 
Why is everybody on this board suddenly anti Watmore? One poor game and he becomes the new boo boy. It’s only the first game of the season, give him a chance to get up to speed.
It's not one poor game. It's yet another game where he missed a chance that would have given Boro some breathing space. But he missed, and predictably it cost two points.

I'm sure he's a nice guy but he just isn't good enough if there's any serious intent to be promoted.
 
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