* The Unofficial "Official" Boro v Coventry Semi-Final 2nd leg. Match Day Thread *

[Decent_Left]

I think we've got quite a lot of headroom in terms of FFP to have a real go in the transfer market, we certainly will not be hampered by it.

That’s not the impression from comments on the Football Finance pod made by Keiren McGuire where he called out the Boro and Stoke as 2 to keep an eye on. Let’s hope this years finances are more healthy than the last 2seasons

The championship is a financial basket case

 

[Soutra]

Every season is incredibly difficult. We were relegation fodder after 17 games yet almost got promoted.

Why don't you try and see some positives eh?

There are a lot of positives, I agree. But saying Boro were 'almost promoted' is bending reality to Boris Johnson angles.

 

[Ipad1977]

Not at all. We’ve blown our chance. I fear next season will be incredibly difficult.

Aye, cos you only get one chance at promotion, ever.

Every year there's harder teams that drop down from the Prem btw. What happened to this year's, other than Burnley?

 

[r00fie1]

Tonight was a disgusting performance, we offered absolutely nothing and half the team now depart. We're absolutely nowhere and the start of next season will be a nightmare.

Carrick was found wanting tonight, it clearly wasn't working but we waited until after an hour to make changes and then brought Crooks on with minutes to go.

If Carrick is going to continue he has to learn fast from tonight, from what I could see his input consisted of drawing a circle with his right hand for most of the game - truly inspiring stuff.

I'm disgusted with the performance tonight, big games come and we choke, every single time, Carrick got it totally wrong tonight and didn't have a plan B - "It hasn't worked with our 18 crosses into the box but if we just try one more it's going to..."

Utter rubbish.
If you`ve nothing constructive to say. Dont bother.

 

[coluka]

This season has been full of ups and downs, expectation, hope, false promise. Heroes, villains, it has been a typical Boro rollercoaster of a journey with lots and lots of good memories.

We now though need to take stock, reflect on the good, the bad and the downright Wilder. There is no escaping the huge crevice that is opening up in the squad. Carrick eluded to it last night post match in making it clear it is a shame this group will never be together again.

. Steffen, loanee on high wages, I suspect he won’t be back. He matured as the season went on after a poor opening half of the season. He has said he wants regular football, I think he will get that from someone with more money than us anyway.
. Smith, largely a positive, brought tenacity and leadership and linked well with Forss, lacks pace and easily turned but would be good cover.
. Giles, Quality loanee when pressing forward, defensively weak, but has got better in that part of his game. His balls to the box will be a hard supply to replace. I hope we can do a deal, but can see a Sheff Utd or Burnley getting him permanently.
. Lenihan, love him great signing, great leader thank goodness he is at our club.
. Fry, good defender at our level, is becoming injury prone. I am worried about this, but he is likely to be aregular if overcoming his injuries.
. McNair is entering his last 12 months. I think he is a frustrating player hovering between excellence and poor. I think he may be sold to bring in money to fund purchases.
. Hackney, great breakthrough season, lots of potential, likely to be a regular again, well done Hayden.
. Howson, the peter pan of our team. You realise how vital he is in the Boro jigsaw when he is missing. Hopefully he has one more age defying season in him.
. Ramsey, Quality in the final third, the lad will be a superstar, but sadly not at Boro. Gutted we are not going up as I am sure we would have kept him for another year.
. Akpom, What a season chuba has had. It is noticeable though his goals dryed up when the injuries to key players came. He could be a one season wonder, or he could be a dream to re-sign and press on. Chuba needs the right caliber of player around hiim and i am not sure we will bring in that type again. I can’t call it because he is potentially our most saleable asset. I think we might sell if someone stumps up a decent enough offer. What a season, though if he did go I could see the logic for all.
. Forss, he has proved he has the knack for goals and someone with potential. I could see him pressing on, just not sure where positionally it will be.
. Archer, his form fizzled out to some degree like Chubas, I think the injuries to his supply chain affected the teams overall balance. He is quality and will be a premier league player next season. We can’t afford him now sadly, but was wonderful to watch a clinical striker in action, thanks Cameron and have a fantastic career.
. McGree has had a good season, tenacious, good engine, creative, always gives 100% generally a 7/10 every game.
. Jones far too lightweight, a poor mans dicky dancer sadly. I had such high hopes, but he flaters to deceive far too often. Sell for me
. Mowatt, I’d retain on a free, but WBA will want a sale
. Crooks not sure what to say really, part of me thinks keep and part says sell.

We are in a right old pickle looking to replace potentially a lot of creative genuine footballers.
We will likely need to replace:
Steffen, Giles, Ramsey, Mowatt, Muniz and Archer. Thats an awful lot of creativity, assists and goals.

Additionally, McNair may be sold and Bola and Djiksteel leave too. all would need replacing, then on top of that we were light at CB, we need 2 CB if Paddy and Jones both leave.

So i reckon a huge potential transition of players could be needed

1 x GK
1x RB
2x LB
2 x CB
2 x CM
1 x LW
1 x RW
1 x No10
2 x CF

I really don’t see the hype around Coburn returning as an option. I’d loan him out to a championship team if there were any takers and see how he did.

All in all, turnover will be huge, and expensive and as we know only too well, far from guaranteed. Anyone convinced we will be top 2 for nextt season is deluded, top 6 would be a big leap. Recruitment needs to be top drawer, fingers crossed it proves to be, but this season will live long in my memory for the many positives we witnessed. I have faith restored off the pitch too as well as on it, now lets press on.

 

[Laughing]

This season has been full of ups and downs, expectation, hope, false promise. Heroes, villains, it has been a typical Boro rollercoaster of a journey with lots and lots of good memories.

We now though need to take stock, reflect on the good, the bad and the downright Wilder. There is no escaping the huge crevice that is opening up in the squad. Carrick eluded to it last night post match in making it clear it is a shame this group will never be together again.

. Steffen, loanee on high wages, I suspect he won’t be back. He matured as the season went on after a poor opening half of the season. He has said he wants regular football, I think he will get that from someone with more money than us anyway.
. Smith, largely a positive, brought tenacity and leadership and linked well with Forss, lacks pace and easily turned but would be good cover.
. Giles, Quality loanee when pressing forward, defensively weak, but has got better in that part of his game. His balls to the box will be a hard supply to replace. I hope we can do a deal, but can see a Sheff Utd or Burnley getting him permanently.
. Lenihan, love him great signing, great leader thank goodness he is at our club.
. Fry, good defender at our level, is becoming injury prone. I am worried about this, but he is likely to be aregular if overcoming his injuries.
. McNair is entering his last 12 months. I think he is a frustrating player hovering between excellence and poor. I think he may be sold to bring in money to fund purchases.
. Hackney, great breakthrough season, lots of potential, likely to be a regular again, well done Hayden.
. Howson, the peter pan of our team. You realise how vital he is in the Boro jigsaw when he is missing. Hopefully he has one more age defying season in him.
. Ramsey, Quality in the final third, the lad will be a superstar, but sadly not at Boro. Gutted we are not going up as I am sure we would have kept him for another year.
. Akpom, What a season chuba has had. It is noticeable though his goals dryed up when the injuries to key players came. He could be a one season wonder, or he could be a dream to re-sign and press on. Chuba needs the right caliber of player around hiim and i am not sure we will bring in that type again. I can’t call it because he is potentially our most saleable asset. I think we might sell if someone stumps up a decent enough offer. What a season, though if he did go I could see the logic for all.
. Forss, he has proved he has the knack for goals and someone with potential. I could see him pressing on, just not sure where positionally it will be.
. Archer, his form fizzled out to some degree like Chubas, I think the injuries to his supply chain affected the teams overall balance. He is quality and will be a premier league player next season. We can’t afford him now sadly, but was wonderful to watch a clinical striker in action, thanks Cameron and have a fantastic career.
. McGree has had a good season, tenacious, good engine, creative, always gives 100% generally a 7/10 every game.
. Jones far too lightweight, a poor mans dicky dancer sadly. I had such high hopes, but he flaters to deceive far too often. Sell for me
. Mowatt, I’d retain on a free, but WBA will want a sale
. Crooks not sure what to say really, part of me thinks keep and part says sell.

We are in a right old pickle looking to replace potentially a lot of creative genuine footballers.
We will likely need to replace:
Steffen, Giles, Ramsey, Mowatt, Muniz and Archer. Thats an awful lot of creativity, assists and goals.

Additionally, McNair may be sold and Bola and Djiksteel leave too. all would need replacing, then on top of that we were light at CB, we need 2 CB if Paddy and Jones both leave.

So i reckon a huge potential transition of players could be needed

1 x GK
1x RB
2x LB
2 x CB
2 x CM
1 x LW
1 x RW
1 x No10
2 x CF

I really don’t see the hype around Coburn returning as an option. I’d loan him out to a championship team if there were any takers and see how he did.

All in all, turnover will be huge, and expensive and as we know only too well, far from guaranteed. Anyone convinced we will be top 2 for nextt season is deluded, top 6 would be a big leap. Recruitment needs to be top drawer, fingers crossed it proves to be, but this season will live long in my memory for the many positives we witnessed. I have faith restored off the pitch too as well as on it, now lets press on.

Maybe we got lucky with recruitment last season, or maybe we now have in place a great recruitment team, I dunno?

If it's the latter, the loans can all be replaced. The one I would like to keep hold of is steffen. Don't see how we do that though, without a lot of movement on cost and terms.

 

[Zoophonic]

This season has been full of ups and downs, expectation, hope, false promise. Heroes, villains, it has been a typical Boro rollercoaster of a journey with lots and lots of good memories.

We now though need to take stock, reflect on the good, the bad and the downright Wilder. There is no escaping the huge crevice that is opening up in the squad. Carrick eluded to it last night post match in making it clear it is a shame this group will never be together again.

. Steffen, loanee on high wages, I suspect he won’t be back. He matured as the season went on after a poor opening half of the season. He has said he wants regular football, I think he will get that from someone with more money than us anyway.
. Smith, largely a positive, brought tenacity and leadership and linked well with Forss, lacks pace and easily turned but would be good cover.
. Giles, Quality loanee when pressing forward, defensively weak, but has got better in that part of his game. His balls to the box will be a hard supply to replace. I hope we can do a deal, but can see a Sheff Utd or Burnley getting him permanently.
. Lenihan, love him great signing, great leader thank goodness he is at our club.
. Fry, good defender at our level, is becoming injury prone. I am worried about this, but he is likely to be aregular if overcoming his injuries.
. McNair is entering his last 12 months. I think he is a frustrating player hovering between excellence and poor. I think he may be sold to bring in money to fund purchases.
. Hackney, great breakthrough season, lots of potential, likely to be a regular again, well done Hayden.
. Howson, the peter pan of our team. You realise how vital he is in the Boro jigsaw when he is missing. Hopefully he has one more age defying season in him.
. Ramsey, Quality in the final third, the lad will be a superstar, but sadly not at Boro. Gutted we are not going up as I am sure we would have kept him for another year.
. Akpom, What a season chuba has had. It is noticeable though his goals dryed up when the injuries to key players came. He could be a one season wonder, or he could be a dream to re-sign and press on. Chuba needs the right caliber of player around hiim and i am not sure we will bring in that type again. I can’t call it because he is potentially our most saleable asset. I think we might sell if someone stumps up a decent enough offer. What a season, though if he did go I could see the logic for all.
. Forss, he has proved he has the knack for goals and someone with potential. I could see him pressing on, just not sure where positionally it will be.
. Archer, his form fizzled out to some degree like Chubas, I think the injuries to his supply chain affected the teams overall balance. He is quality and will be a premier league player next season. We can’t afford him now sadly, but was wonderful to watch a clinical striker in action, thanks Cameron and have a fantastic career.
. McGree has had a good season, tenacious, good engine, creative, always gives 100% generally a 7/10 every game.
. Jones far too lightweight, a poor mans dicky dancer sadly. I had such high hopes, but he flaters to deceive far too often. Sell for me
. Mowatt, I’d retain on a free, but WBA will want a sale
. Crooks not sure what to say really, part of me thinks keep and part says sell.

We are in a right old pickle looking to replace potentially a lot of creative genuine footballers.
We will likely need to replace:
Steffen, Giles, Ramsey, Mowatt, Muniz and Archer. Thats an awful lot of creativity, assists and goals.

Additionally, McNair may be sold and Bola and Djiksteel leave too. all would need replacing, then on top of that we were light at CB, we need 2 CB if Paddy leaves.

So i reckon a huge potential transition of players could be needed

1 x GK
1x RB
2x LB
2 x CB
2 x CM
1 x LW
1 x RW
1 x No10
2 x CF

I really don’t see the hype around Coburn returning as an option. I’d loan him out to a championship team if there were any takers and see how he did.

All in all, turnover will be huge, and expensive and as we know only too well, far from guaranteed. Anyone convinced we will be top 2 for nextt season is deluded, top 6 would be a big leap. Recruitment needs to be top drawer, fingers crossed it proves to be, but this season will live long in my memory for the many positives we witnessed. I have faith restored off the pitch too as well as on it, now lets press on.

I agree with you about Coburn. He hasn’t been consistent enough particularly in the second half of the season to make me believe he is the answer. Maybe the club have been watching him and think differently factoring in that he has been playing in a mediocre quality side.

 

[coluka]

Maybe we got lucky with recruitment last season, or maybe we now have in place a great recruitment team, I dunno?

I am not sure either, we can’t be sure either way. I do know the January transfer window was our best in a long while. The key signings of Ramsey and Archer in particular were huge and brought more out of what we already had to a degree i hadn’t witnessed for a long, long time. My first thought today was if only Ramsey hadn’t celebrated like he did in the Norwich game he may not have been clattered like he was and we’d be smiling this morning instead, hey ho, we’ll never know.

This summer is gonna be huge one way or another and we will be competing with some big teams coming down as well as some promoted. I genuinely think Sunderland will be much stronger too. If we can compete like this season it will be some achievement given the turnover likely. We have to keep the faith and everything crossed and trust in Carrick, Gibson and Scott to deliver all they can.

The other elephant in the room is the manager. I think he will stay and give us another season, I hope so, but if we were to lose him then we also lose a key part of why players might choose Boro over say a Sunderland. I hope that isn’t something we need to put in the mix too.

 

[r00fie1]

Trust Carrick and the recruitment team have a definite plan in place.
Have no doubt they have covered all bases for this possibility.