* The Unofficial "Official" "Wear-Tees Derby: Sunlun v Boro Match-Day Thread *

Both teams were poor up to the sending off, which totally changes the game.

It wasn't even a free kick, let alone a pen and a red card. Stewart dived and conned the ref.
 
Poor performance today.. but we’ve had more good performances than poor of late.

We can’t win them all, although this is one we didn’t want to lose!

More big games coming up so let’s crack on.
 
Will not slag the team off:
Probably 70/30% with non making a 5 out of 10. We never got started against a team who were not great but wanted it more than we did. Seemed to clear and defend all game with very little action in their half. It is what it is, cannot win every game but overall we have been very, very, very poor.
 
The Makems have deserved it tbf. We played better after going down to ten men. Mowbray seems to have got has tactics right as our defence struggles with pace.
 
Not acceptable to have one of those days in a derby they were up for it we weren't absolutely fuming.
It was due though….
Hackney really isn’t ALL THAT…
This high tempo game proves that….
We’ve been terrible really, didn’t deal with the game in any way shape or form.
Should’ve 2-0 down at half time
 
Limitations are with the squad, playing a big lad who can’t run up front, a striker who can’t cross or dribble out wide and a winger who can’t tackle at left back (who also doesn’t seem to be able to cross today) was always going to come up short on occasion.

Another issue is playing 3 midfielders none of whom can tackle, howson is also half the player on a yellow, been caught dawdling on the ball today, age catching up with him.
 
Was that past Steffen at the near post again?
Not really, at least not in the sense it's usually meant. That's only a valid criticism if the player is coming in from a relatively narrow angle. When the player is in more towards the centre as he was here, as a keeper you can't stay right on one post because then you're leaving the other side wide open
 
Howson is the for me and today he looked lost off the pace.

Crooks up top doesn’t work
Same, Howson needs replacing in the first 11. He's never been brilliant and is weak as p155, the same as McGree and a few others.

Howson is a great pro, super fit, seems a calm and reassuring presence but he's not a leader, he has no pace, power, little fight, he doesn't organise or boIIock anyone. He hardly ever scores or assists either.

The fact we started this season barely owning two first team centre mids is ridiculous.
 
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