* The Unofficial "Official" Boro v Bristol City Match-day Thread *

[Duffman]

You said he couldn't be bothered? He ws OK going forward, put in 3 good crosses, but he was below his best going forward.

As I said, my response was addressing you saying he couldn't be bothered. Clearly he can.

You simply can’t ever accept any criticism of Jones can you.

 

[Duffman]

I think it's harsh to say he couldn't be be bothered. I think Jones is inconsistent. He's been like that since he broke into the first team. It's two games in a row hes gave the opposition a good chance through a sloppy backwards pass though. Got away with it in both games. I think he's best used as an impact player if we had someone else available but as it stands we don't. When Forss becomes fit I would like him back in

Jones has played two great games at the Boro - Hull at home last season, half time sub and Sunderland away this season - again against 10 men. Definitely exposes space he is given on the right but in too many games this season already he is a passenger or gives away daft free kicks in dangerous areas with stupid fouls. How does a winger get so many yellow cards? If we had a decent replacement I have no doubt like last season Carrick wouldn’t have him in the side but you could say that about 3 or 4 at the moment. Jones has been seen best working closely with Crooks and Smith down the right but that’s not available this season. Jones was poor yesterday but Greenwoid had one of his worst games. Fry was like deer in headlights. Howson just slowed everything down when he got possession and we lost all impetus when he got the ball. - Latte Lath was completely ineffective and Hackney too often tried too hard to win the game on his own. Hard for anybody to shine when half your team mates are stinking the place out. Not sure we have the depth and quality needed to shake things up particularly with injuries piling up.

 

[Redwurzel]

Conceding 3 goals against a team that is struggling to score many is a obvious weakness. They had 10 chances which is probably below average for a home team. It was the same at Plymouth 3 goals and 10 chances. In both games we at this level allowed free shots too close to goal. Yesterday we didn't clear the ball properly for their pen and the marking was poor at the corner. So at Plymouth and Bristol a goal conceded from a set piece.

I agree Jones at present is not doing enough good things to justify a place in the first eleven, but options are a bit limited with Forss and McGree injured.

 

[Laughing]

You simply can’t ever accept any criticism of Jones can you.

If thats your take, fair enough.

The comment that he couldn't be bothered was nonsense, thats a fact. He tracked back over and over winning possession back for us in dangerous positions.

He was less effective than I would have liked, but still put in 2 great crosses that I recall. Some sats from this season.

What I don't accept is criticism that is unfounded because someone wants to blame a boo boy. Greenwood was much much worse in posession than Jones, again a fact. Jones has been dispossessed, on average 0.75 times per 90 minutes played this season. His pass completion rate is 80.5%. He is poor at crossing with only a 46% success rate.

So no he can be bothered and he isn't useless. He retains possession, generally, very well and is poor at crossing the ball. Some facts, not opinion.

 

[Laughing]

Conceding 3 goals against a team that is struggling to score many is a obvious weakness. They had 10 chances which is probably below average for a home team. It was the same at Plymouth 3 goals and 10 chances. In both games we at this level allowed free shots too close to goal. Yesterday we didn't clear the ball properly for their pen and the marking was poor at the corner. So at Plymouth and Bristol a goal conceded from a set piece.

I agree Jones at present is not doing enough good things to justify a place in the first eleven, but options are a bit limited with Forss and McGree injured.

If you think back to the game, dieng had to make a few decent saves too. Bristol had less shots than us, but most of theirs were decent attempts that at least required the goalkeeper to work.

Brsitol were marginally the better team, and whilst they are goal shy, they are still cheek to jowl with us in the table and were at home and should have expected to get something from the game.

We were poor at the back too often as has been the case since carrick came. He isn't likely to change too much of that approach though he may tweak certain things. It doesn't matter who we have at the back, they will be exposed more in a boro team than most other teams. It's the way we play. It makes for entertaining games, but you will get debacles like yesterday and plymouth.

 

[Borokian1876]

I think we are realistically where we should be. For what we have at our disposal, we were on a great run but our form is now evening out to our ability. I still enjoy watching us, our style of play is value for money and we have a gem in carrick. That said, with our injury list it’s understandable. I’d like to see rogers thrown in. I have seen glimpses that he will do very well although tries to hard at times. I was initially hopeful regarding silvera but I just don’t think he’s anywhere near good enough sadly, we will stay in touching distance with the play offs and then all depends on January. We need a cf and a defender. The league is still wide open with carrick and a few additions we could go up. I am convinced Ipswich will fall away I think Leeds will take 2nd then it’s anyones. Just happy to have picked up form since carrick looked a goner in September. The recruitment team imo has still not done enough to get us challenging properly despite our upturn in results. But again, this could all change in January.

 

[r00fie1]

Conceding 3 goals against a team that is struggling to score many is a obvious weakness. They had 10 chances which is probably below average for a home team. It was the same at Plymouth 3 goals and 10 chances. In both games we at this level allowed free shots too close to goal. Yesterday we didn't clear the ball properly for their pen and the marking was poor at the corner. So at Plymouth and Bristol a goal conceded from a set piece.

I agree Jones at present is not doing enough good things to justify a place in the first eleven, but options are a bit limited with Forss and McGree injured.

Conceding 6 in three - including the Leicester game, is a worry.
Our defence hasnt lived up to expectations and we need to freshen up and a rethink.
Conceding 26 goals in 13 games just isnt good enough.
Thats one more than we`ve scored - 25 !