The Unofficial "Official" Boro v Reading Matchday Thread and Programme
- Thread starter r00fie1
- Start date
r00fie1
Well-known member
Who Was Ronaldo?
We may have the pleasure of entertaining Ronaldo in our forthcoming FA Cup 4th Round Game at Old Trafford.There are reports he has an "injury". His 37th birthday is the 5th of February [The day after the match!] - so its highly unlikely we will be facing his silky skills again.
Almost everyone of a Boro persuasion will either remember, or been told of, that unique James Morrison "tackle" on Ronaldo - by the touchline at the "Theater" of nightmares?! Ronaldo was taking the rise by tippy-tapping with the ball - so James decided he`d had enough and shot him on his arz.
Here is an article - published in December 2008 which is of particular interest to Boro fans. A weighty tract is dedicated to how he could usually skin us, but apparently we upset him - he accused Poggy of grabbing him around the neck!
You decide:
www.theguardian.com
Suddenly a script for the 2009 title race is beginning to take shape, and after an overlong preamble it could turn out to be a thriller after all. Sir Alex Ferguson says he is still worried about Chelsea just as much as Liverpool, but he would say that, wouldn't he?
What he is not saying is that goals and confidence are coursing through the league leaders at the moment, while Manchester United look less of a team than last season and more a collection of talented though disparate individuals.
There is a subplot as well. Old Trafford has been not-so-secretly hoping this will be the season that sees Liverpool's record of 18 league titles finally equalled. Ferguson would then ride off into a glorious sunset or, more likely, stay to set a new record and leave Liverpool not so much knocked off their perch as lying feet-up on the floor of the cage.
Though it had been envisaged that Chelsea, or perhaps Arsenal, might interfere with this grand design, no one was expecting Liverpool themselves to do anything about prolonging their numerical supremacy. Yet if Rafael Benítez and his players can raise the bar to 19, a challenge even Ferguson would surely find impossible, they would steal back much of the glory and quite possibly spoil an old man's happy retirement.
Ferguson still regards the title as in United's own hands. "Liverpool and Chelsea are both a threat but it is how we do our own job that will decide the title," he said after Monday's not entirely convincing defeat of Middlesbrough. With two games in hand and Liverpool still to visit Old Trafford that is fair enough, though it is perhaps unwise to assume too much about a meeting in March that directly follows the Champions League second-leg games against Real Madrid and Internazionale.
Anything can still happen, and all that can be said with certainty at the moment is that Liverpool have reliable goalscorers in Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard whereas far too many of United's chances fell to the less than clinical Park Ji-Sung. Even if Dimitar Berbatov was United's matchwinner against Middlesbrough, and at £31.5m so he should have been, one goal from 25 chances created tells its own story.
Berbatov was not outstanding, but then who was? Wayne Rooney was neat and industrious in the support phases but conspicuous by his absence as a focal point of the attack. Carlos Tevez, who often comes to the rescue when United are out of sorts, had been allowed back home to Argentina for family reasons, and Cristiano Ronaldo, as was perhaps inevitable after receiving the player of the month award for November before kick-off, was woefully short of the standard he himself has set.
Anyone can have an off day, but United must be worried by the transformation in Ronaldo since his summer dalliance with Real Madrid, a situation not exactly helped by a pre-season lost to injury. Last season he would have terrorised a team like Middlesbrough, either with his running, his finishing, or, let's be honest, his ability to rattle defenders and win contentious free-kicks.
He would have been a significant presence in some way, yet on Monday he was almost a passive spectator while the game went on around him. For just about the first time ever Middlesbrough dealt with him with relative ease. He rarely took on a defender and when he did, his touch let him down, he missed what presentable chances came his way and the only real threat he posed all evening was from long-range free-kicks.
Yet he did not miss the chance to act as referee when he felt Emanuel Pogatetz should have been penalised for grabbing him around the neck in the penalty area. Dissatisfied by Martin Atkinson's non-response Ronaldo took up the matter personally with the Boro captain as the teams left the field at half-time, leading to a mini-fracas in the tunnel.
Ferguson unsurprisingly defended his player, or at least refused to criticise him, but as with the self-substitution he performed a few weeks ago, the manager must long for the days when his star player concentrated on his game rather than his personal grievances.
At least the incident had subsided by the time police were called to the tunnel and no arrests were made. United will not have their attempts to make up ground on the leaders hampered by the local constabulary, which is just as well. Their supporters go into the new year hoping for a bit more pizzazz and a little less plod.
Have things changed - other than his age?
We will see
We may have the pleasure of entertaining Ronaldo in our forthcoming FA Cup 4th Round Game at Old Trafford.There are reports he has an "injury". His 37th birthday is the 5th of February [The day after the match!] - so its highly unlikely we will be facing his silky skills again.
Almost everyone of a Boro persuasion will either remember, or been told of, that unique James Morrison "tackle" on Ronaldo - by the touchline at the "Theater" of nightmares?! Ronaldo was taking the rise by tippy-tapping with the ball - so James decided he`d had enough and shot him on his arz.
Here is an article - published in December 2008 which is of particular interest to Boro fans. A weighty tract is dedicated to how he could usually skin us, but apparently we upset him - he accused Poggy of grabbing him around the neck!
You decide:
Premier League: Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United's fate is in their own hands despite the stuttering Ronaldo, writes Paul Wilson
Paul Wilson: Manchester United's travails in front of goal were evident again against Middlesbrough, and Cristiano Ronaldo's histrionics only compound matters
www.theguardian.com
Premier League: Sir Alex Ferguson says Manchester United's fate is in their own hands despite the stuttering Ronaldo, writes Paul Wilson
Manchester United's travails in front of goal were evident again against Middlesbrough, and Cristiano Ronaldo's histrionics only compound mattersSuddenly a script for the 2009 title race is beginning to take shape, and after an overlong preamble it could turn out to be a thriller after all. Sir Alex Ferguson says he is still worried about Chelsea just as much as Liverpool, but he would say that, wouldn't he?
What he is not saying is that goals and confidence are coursing through the league leaders at the moment, while Manchester United look less of a team than last season and more a collection of talented though disparate individuals.
There is a subplot as well. Old Trafford has been not-so-secretly hoping this will be the season that sees Liverpool's record of 18 league titles finally equalled. Ferguson would then ride off into a glorious sunset or, more likely, stay to set a new record and leave Liverpool not so much knocked off their perch as lying feet-up on the floor of the cage.
Though it had been envisaged that Chelsea, or perhaps Arsenal, might interfere with this grand design, no one was expecting Liverpool themselves to do anything about prolonging their numerical supremacy. Yet if Rafael Benítez and his players can raise the bar to 19, a challenge even Ferguson would surely find impossible, they would steal back much of the glory and quite possibly spoil an old man's happy retirement.
Ferguson still regards the title as in United's own hands. "Liverpool and Chelsea are both a threat but it is how we do our own job that will decide the title," he said after Monday's not entirely convincing defeat of Middlesbrough. With two games in hand and Liverpool still to visit Old Trafford that is fair enough, though it is perhaps unwise to assume too much about a meeting in March that directly follows the Champions League second-leg games against Real Madrid and Internazionale.
Anything can still happen, and all that can be said with certainty at the moment is that Liverpool have reliable goalscorers in Fernando Torres and Steven Gerrard whereas far too many of United's chances fell to the less than clinical Park Ji-Sung. Even if Dimitar Berbatov was United's matchwinner against Middlesbrough, and at £31.5m so he should have been, one goal from 25 chances created tells its own story.
Berbatov was not outstanding, but then who was? Wayne Rooney was neat and industrious in the support phases but conspicuous by his absence as a focal point of the attack. Carlos Tevez, who often comes to the rescue when United are out of sorts, had been allowed back home to Argentina for family reasons, and Cristiano Ronaldo, as was perhaps inevitable after receiving the player of the month award for November before kick-off, was woefully short of the standard he himself has set.
Anyone can have an off day, but United must be worried by the transformation in Ronaldo since his summer dalliance with Real Madrid, a situation not exactly helped by a pre-season lost to injury. Last season he would have terrorised a team like Middlesbrough, either with his running, his finishing, or, let's be honest, his ability to rattle defenders and win contentious free-kicks.
He would have been a significant presence in some way, yet on Monday he was almost a passive spectator while the game went on around him. For just about the first time ever Middlesbrough dealt with him with relative ease. He rarely took on a defender and when he did, his touch let him down, he missed what presentable chances came his way and the only real threat he posed all evening was from long-range free-kicks.
Yet he did not miss the chance to act as referee when he felt Emanuel Pogatetz should have been penalised for grabbing him around the neck in the penalty area. Dissatisfied by Martin Atkinson's non-response Ronaldo took up the matter personally with the Boro captain as the teams left the field at half-time, leading to a mini-fracas in the tunnel.
Ferguson unsurprisingly defended his player, or at least refused to criticise him, but as with the self-substitution he performed a few weeks ago, the manager must long for the days when his star player concentrated on his game rather than his personal grievances.
At least the incident had subsided by the time police were called to the tunnel and no arrests were made. United will not have their attempts to make up ground on the leaders hampered by the local constabulary, which is just as well. Their supporters go into the new year hoping for a bit more pizzazz and a little less plod.
Have things changed - other than his age?
We will see
r00fie1
Well-known member
Riley McGree
Welcome to the Boro
www.mfc.co.uk
The following season, Riley was loaned to Melbourne City, playing 30 times and scoring eight goals - making him top scorer, with one more than former Boro loanee Ritchie De Laet. Part of the City Football Group consortium that also includes Manchester City and New York City, Melbourne were defeated by Riley’s former club Adelaide in that season’s finals series.
UTMB
Welcome to the Boro
Get To Know... Riley McGree | Middlesbrough FC
A factfile on January signing number four...
A factfile on January signing number four...
- Riley was born in Gawler, South Australia on 2 November 1998.
- After playing for his local club Gawler Eagles for eight years, Riley’s professional career began with nearby Adelaide United in 2016.
- His A-League debut was on 19 March 2016, a late substitute in a goalless draw with Western Sydney Wanderers. Adelaide were champions that season for the first time in their history, though 17-year-old Riley did not make any further senior appearances that season, instead playing as a regular for the Reds’ development side.
- Riley scored his first goal in Adelaide colours on what was his second A-League start, a fierce strike from outside of the box in a draw with Wellington Phoenix in January 2017.
- Riley first came to Europe in 2017 to join Club Brugge, though he returned Down Under on loan with Newcastle Jets in December 2017 without making a senior appearance in Belgium
- Reaching that season’s A-League’s semi-finals, Riley gained international attention when scoring a scorpion kick which was nominated for the FIFA Puskas Award. He finished the loan spell with the Jets with five goals in a dozen appearances, featuring as the Jets lost out in the A-League’s grand final to Melbourne Victory.
The following season, Riley was loaned to Melbourne City, playing 30 times and scoring eight goals - making him top scorer, with one more than former Boro loanee Ritchie De Laet. Part of the City Football Group consortium that also includes Manchester City and New York City, Melbourne were defeated by Riley’s former club Adelaide in that season’s finals series.
- Ahead of the 2019/20 season, McGree returned home to Adelaide United in a permanent transfer. That campaign, he scored 10 league goals in the 3 goals in the cup, including one in Adelaide’s victorious FFA Cup final against his former club Melbourne City.
- As well as taking club’s golden boot for 2019/20, Riley received Adelaide United’s Aurelio Vidmar Club Champion recognition - effectively Player of the Year - and to date is the youngest player in Reds history to do so.
- On 5 October 2020, McGree was sold to newly-formed Major League Soccer franchise Charlotte FC, and was loaned to Birmingham City ahead of the 2020/21 season.
- Having made his Blues debut as a substitute against Sheffield Wednesday, Riley then scored two minutes into his first start against Preston North End.
- George Friend is a fan - he once said about Riley: 'every day in training [at Birmingham] he was arguably the best player. He has got a great temperament and personality - and most of all he is a talented footballer.'
- Quickly becoming a fan favourite at St Andrew’s, his loan was extended until January 2022. This season he has played 13 league games, 10 as starts, scoring twice and providing two assists.
- After starring for Australia’s Under-17 and Under-23 sides, Riley made his senior debut on 3 June 2021 as a late substitute in a 3-0 World Cup qualifying win against Kuwait. His first international start was a man-of-the-match performance, providing two assists in a 5–1 victory against Chinese Taipei.
- As well as representing Australia at the 2020 Olympics, Riley has been capped at full international level seven times.
UTMB
Last edited:
r00fie1
Well-known member
Matchday Info: Boro v Reading | Middlesbrough FC
Important info ahead of our Saturday's game against Reading (3pm)...
Important info ahead of our Saturday's game against Reading (3pm)...
Important info ahead of our Saturday's game against Reading (3pm)...
With COVID-19 certification requirements on entry the Riverside, we're urging supporters to please arrive early and allow plenty of time. The turnstiles open at 1.30pm.
Fans can also remain in their seats after the final whistle to allow the congestion to ease on exiting the stadium.
Be Prepared, Be Early, Be Safe.
We’re urging all fans who are planning to attend Saturday's game to be best prepared for COVID certification requirements.
Supporters aged 18 and over will be required to provide evidence of COVID status, through either vaccination or a negative lateral flow test result.
Vaccination eligibility is based on having received two doses (not necessarily a booster at this time) with the second at least 14 days before the game. The easiest way to provide proof of vaccination is by using the NHS COVID Pass.
Alternatively, negative lateral flow test result will be permissible. The lateral flow test must be taken within up to 48 hours of kick-off, ideally 12 hours before entry, and the result registered with the NHS - the text message or email confirmation received in return must be presented on entry to the stadium as evidence.
r00fie1
Well-known member
BORO
Transfer Window Ins and Outs:
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
Transfer Window Ins and Outs:
January transfer window: Middlesbrough FC sign Riley McGree as Onel Hernandez leaves - and others could follow
MIDDLESBROUGH have completed the signing of Australian international midfielder Riley McGree - with the club having also informed four players that they can leave the club.
www.yorkshirepost.co.uk
Middlesbrough FC sign Riley McGree as Onel Hernandez leaves - and others could follow.
Boro have beaten off rival interest from Celtic to land McGree, 23, who recently returned to MLS outfit Charlotte FC after a loan spell in England with Birmingham City.
He has now been officially announced as a Boro player ahead of the weekend's Championship game with Reading.
McGree's addition has followed on from the signings of Flo Balogun, Aaron Connolly and Bryant Akono Bilongo in what has been a busy first half of the transfer window for the Teessiders.
Middlesbrough FC boss Chris Wilder.
Meanwhile, in separate developments, squad players Uche Ikpeazu, Marcus Browne and James Lea-Siliki have all been made available for transfer, while another in Onel Hernandez has returned to parent club Norwich City and been loaned straight back out to Birmingham City.
Manager Chris Wilder had earlier confirmed that Browne, who is back to fitness after recovering from an ACL knee injury last January and Hernandez were in talks with clubs about moves.
Browne has been linked with Sheffield United.
Hernandez joined Boro on loan from Norwich City last August. His game time has largely come from the bench under Wilder, who allowed the 28-year-old to explore other opportunities as the Riverside chief plots more business in the January window and seeks to balance the books from a financial perspective.
Midfielder Lea-Siliki has failed to make an impact since joining on loan from Rennes, while Ikpeazu has had to largely settle for cameos from the bench since the arrival of Wilder.
The big striker - signed by former boss Neil Warnock last summer - has been linked with a return to old club Wycombe Wanderers, with Millwall having also been credited with interest.
Wilder said: “There are certain players that have been made available.
“Big Uche has been made available for loan and permanent transfer. His personality is fabulous.
“I think for maybe other styles and other systems, he would be suited but the way we want to play, and I’ve been open and honest with him, his game time is going to be very minimal. In terms of balancing the books, we’ve made him available.
“Marcus Browne is in talks with a couple of clubs on a permanent move. James Lea-Siliki has been informed that he’s available as well because of Riley coming into the group and Onel Hernandez is in talks with a couple of clubs.
“Onel has been great for me. Same as Uche, great attitude but he’s a wide player. He plays in a 4-2-3-1, he plays 4-3-3, he plays in a 3-4-3 as a wide player. He’s done a job for us down the middle and he’s give it a right go.
“I’ve got to say for a lad who’s come on loan and we’re making this decision, he’s one of the best pros I’ve worked with. He’s been a joy to work with. He’s another one and from a financial point of view, it’s quite a big number for what we are paying for somebody with game time now at the top of the pitch will be limited."
Meanwhile, left-back Neil Taylor has signed a new contract extension.
He has now been officially announced as a Boro player ahead of the weekend's Championship game with Reading.
McGree's addition has followed on from the signings of Flo Balogun, Aaron Connolly and Bryant Akono Bilongo in what has been a busy first half of the transfer window for the Teessiders.
Meanwhile, in separate developments, squad players Uche Ikpeazu, Marcus Browne and James Lea-Siliki have all been made available for transfer, while another in Onel Hernandez has returned to parent club Norwich City and been loaned straight back out to Birmingham City.
Manager Chris Wilder had earlier confirmed that Browne, who is back to fitness after recovering from an ACL knee injury last January and Hernandez were in talks with clubs about moves.
Browne has been linked with Sheffield United.
Hernandez joined Boro on loan from Norwich City last August. His game time has largely come from the bench under Wilder, who allowed the 28-year-old to explore other opportunities as the Riverside chief plots more business in the January window and seeks to balance the books from a financial perspective.
Midfielder Lea-Siliki has failed to make an impact since joining on loan from Rennes, while Ikpeazu has had to largely settle for cameos from the bench since the arrival of Wilder.
The big striker - signed by former boss Neil Warnock last summer - has been linked with a return to old club Wycombe Wanderers, with Millwall having also been credited with interest.
Wilder said: “There are certain players that have been made available.
“Big Uche has been made available for loan and permanent transfer. His personality is fabulous.
“I think for maybe other styles and other systems, he would be suited but the way we want to play, and I’ve been open and honest with him, his game time is going to be very minimal. In terms of balancing the books, we’ve made him available.
“Marcus Browne is in talks with a couple of clubs on a permanent move. James Lea-Siliki has been informed that he’s available as well because of Riley coming into the group and Onel Hernandez is in talks with a couple of clubs.
“Onel has been great for me. Same as Uche, great attitude but he’s a wide player. He plays in a 4-2-3-1, he plays 4-3-3, he plays in a 3-4-3 as a wide player. He’s done a job for us down the middle and he’s give it a right go.
“I’ve got to say for a lad who’s come on loan and we’re making this decision, he’s one of the best pros I’ve worked with. He’s been a joy to work with. He’s another one and from a financial point of view, it’s quite a big number for what we are paying for somebody with game time now at the top of the pitch will be limited."
Meanwhile, left-back Neil Taylor has signed a new contract extension.
r00fie1
Well-known member
Hope you`ve got your tea-leaves ready
I`l go for 1-0.
Either that or we trance them
Laughing
Well-known member
Already done the analysis. I won't spoil it for you, but I'll post the tea leaves for all the champo games tomorrow. What I will say is its saying under 2.5 goals, and I can see why. However sooner or later we are gonna twank a team. Someone will mention to tav what the white frame is for, sporar runs will be spotted and bang, bang, bang it will be 5 nil.Hope you`ve got your tea-leaves ready
I`l go for 1-0.
Either that or we trance them
r00fie1
Well-known member
Aussie View:
[Fox Australia] https://www.foxsports.com.au/footba...p/news-story/801b5b9b468986fddf9824518ab1b3a4
Postecoglou, who brought the now seven-cap Socceroo into the senior Australian camp for the first time back in 2017, attempted to reunite with the attacking midfielder in Glasgow but fell short in a reported three-way transfer fight.
Now McGree will line up with innovative manager Chris Wilder at a club firmly in the hunt for promotion to England’s top flight, the Premier League.
23-year-old McGree made his name as a youngster in the A-League Men with Adelaide United, Melbourne City and Newcastle Jets, before signing for MLS expansion franchise Charlotte FC in October 2020.
But the American club are not due to play their first game in the competition until the 2022 season begins next month. Charlotte immediately loaned McGree to English Championship side Birmingham City.
While he has sometimes struggled for regular game time under multiple managers, McGree showed plenty of promise and became popular with fans for his creativity and workrate.
After three goals in thirty appearances over a year and a half, the second-division club tried to turn the Australian’s loan move permanent last month but could not meet the American club’s asking price.
The news sparked a three-way bidding war between fellow Championship sides Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest and Ange Postecoglou’s Scottish giants Celtic.
Celtic reportedly made a £2.5 million offer to Charlotte, while Middlesbrough offered a fee that could rise from £3m ($5.7m AUD) to as high as £5m with add-ons.
As for McGree himself, the The Daily Mail reported the Socceroos’ wages would be around £14,000 ($26,500 AUD) a week, with other reports putting the figure as high as £20,000-a-week.
Postecoglou was not bothered by the failed deal, saying: “It’s no big issue for me. There are plenty of footballers who would love to come to this football club. They are the ones I’m looking for.”
Birmingham City currently sit 18th in the Championship, while McGree’s new club Middlesbrough are in the hunt for the promotion to the Premier League in seventh place. The top two teams are automatically promoted while the teams ranked third to sixth play off for the third promotion spot.
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"Get In ! Ya Big Aussie"!!!!
www.socceroos.com.au
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Boro are led by Chris Wilder, a gifted young manager with a sterling reputation for developing talented players and consistently winning promotion. On a shoestring budget, Wilder guided Sheffield United from League One to the Premier League – and a ninth-place finish in their maiden season back in the top flight.
Wilder joined a misfiring Boro in November, and quickly reignited their promotion charge with an unbeaten December which earned him the Manager of the Month award. He has lost just one of nine games in charge so far, with McGree joining the promotion-chasers at an ideal time as he hopes to become Australia’s next Premier League player.
Wilder said of McGree’s signing: “We’re delighted to bring Riley into the club. He’s another good young player who wants to do well, and he will fit in well with us.
“He did well during his loan at Birmingham, we’ve been looking at him for a while, and when the opportunity came up for us to bring him to the club we jumped at it.”
[Fox Australia] https://www.foxsports.com.au/footba...p/news-story/801b5b9b468986fddf9824518ab1b3a4
The next Aussie PL star? Socceroo snubs Ange’s Celtic with massive move to promotion hunters
Australian rising star Riley McGree has secured a blockbuster move to second-tier English team Middlesbrough, after former Socceroos manager Ange Postecoglou failed in a bid to bring the player to Celtic.Postecoglou, who brought the now seven-cap Socceroo into the senior Australian camp for the first time back in 2017, attempted to reunite with the attacking midfielder in Glasgow but fell short in a reported three-way transfer fight.
Now McGree will line up with innovative manager Chris Wilder at a club firmly in the hunt for promotion to England’s top flight, the Premier League.
23-year-old McGree made his name as a youngster in the A-League Men with Adelaide United, Melbourne City and Newcastle Jets, before signing for MLS expansion franchise Charlotte FC in October 2020.
But the American club are not due to play their first game in the competition until the 2022 season begins next month. Charlotte immediately loaned McGree to English Championship side Birmingham City.
While he has sometimes struggled for regular game time under multiple managers, McGree showed plenty of promise and became popular with fans for his creativity and workrate.
After three goals in thirty appearances over a year and a half, the second-division club tried to turn the Australian’s loan move permanent last month but could not meet the American club’s asking price.
The news sparked a three-way bidding war between fellow Championship sides Middlesbrough and Nottingham Forest and Ange Postecoglou’s Scottish giants Celtic.
Celtic reportedly made a £2.5 million offer to Charlotte, while Middlesbrough offered a fee that could rise from £3m ($5.7m AUD) to as high as £5m with add-ons.
As for McGree himself, the The Daily Mail reported the Socceroos’ wages would be around £14,000 ($26,500 AUD) a week, with other reports putting the figure as high as £20,000-a-week.
Postecoglou was not bothered by the failed deal, saying: “It’s no big issue for me. There are plenty of footballers who would love to come to this football club. They are the ones I’m looking for.”
Birmingham City currently sit 18th in the Championship, while McGree’s new club Middlesbrough are in the hunt for the promotion to the Premier League in seventh place. The top two teams are automatically promoted while the teams ranked third to sixth play off for the third promotion spot.
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"Get In ! Ya Big Aussie"!!!!
Riley McGree signs for Middlesbrough FC
Socceroos midfielder Riley McGree has signed for Middlesbrough FC in the English Championship. The 23-year-old joins the club on a three-and-a-half year deal from MLS expansion club Charlotte FC. He is no stranger to the Championship, however, having spent the last 18 months on loan with...
www.socceroos.com.au
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Boro are led by Chris Wilder, a gifted young manager with a sterling reputation for developing talented players and consistently winning promotion. On a shoestring budget, Wilder guided Sheffield United from League One to the Premier League – and a ninth-place finish in their maiden season back in the top flight.
Wilder joined a misfiring Boro in November, and quickly reignited their promotion charge with an unbeaten December which earned him the Manager of the Month award. He has lost just one of nine games in charge so far, with McGree joining the promotion-chasers at an ideal time as he hopes to become Australia’s next Premier League player.
Wilder said of McGree’s signing: “We’re delighted to bring Riley into the club. He’s another good young player who wants to do well, and he will fit in well with us.
“He did well during his loan at Birmingham, we’ve been looking at him for a while, and when the opportunity came up for us to bring him to the club we jumped at it.”
r00fie1
Well-known member
Our preview of our longest away trip of the season
The Royals make the lengthy trip to the Riverside Stadium to take on Middlesbrough at 3pm this Saturday.We'll be heading to Teesside in search of three points against Chris Wilder's play-off chasers, who've won six on the spin in all competitions.
Having beaten the Boro at home earlier this season, we'll be hopeful of completing the double over our weekend hosts - but it won't be easy against the division's form side.
The opposition
Boro's fortunes have been on the up since former Sheffield United boss Wilder took to the helm at the Riverside.With six wins on the spin in all competitions behind them, the Boro are full of confidence, and currently sit seventh in the Championship, just a point behind Huddersfield in sixth.
Last time out, Boro confirmed safe passage to the Fourth Round of the FA Cup with a 3-2 win away at League Two outfit Mansfield.
While in their previous league outing, Duncan Watmore slotted in a 93rd minute winner at Blackpool to give Wilder's men another three points.
One to watch: Andraz Sporar
On loan from Sporting Lisbon, Slovenian international forward Sporar has made quite the early impression at Boro, helping them into play-off contention with his six goals so far this season.The 27-year-old, whose career began in his home city of Lubljiana, is playing in England for the first time after sealing a move away from Portugal for the campaign.
A two-time Swiss Super League winner with Basel, and also a champion in Slovakia with Slovan Bratislava, Sporar has enjoyed success across Europe.
Sporar has netted in all three of his previous league outings, scoring in wins over Blackpool, Nottingham Forest and Bournemouth.
Head-to-head
Alen Halilovic's winner back in late September sealed us a first win in nine over the Boro, and we'll look to continue to improve our record against the Teesiders this weekend.When we met earlier this season, it was the Croatian who applied the finish that sealed us the points with a 1-0 win in RG2.
Last time we headed to the Riverside Stadium, we played out a 0-0 draw, and we haven't won away at Boro since 2014.
There have been 38 meetings between us and Middlesbrough since 1927, of which we've won ten.
r00fie1
Well-known member
Middlesbrough + NE weather @ 07:07 hrs. Saturday 15th January 2022:
[1 degree centigrade]
Matchday Weather:
[1 degree centigrade]
Matchday Weather:
Middlesbrough (Middlesbrough) weather
Middlesbrough 7 day weather forecast including weather warnings, temperature, rain, wind, visibility, humidity and UV
www.metoffice.gov.uk
r00fie1
Well-known member
Beyond Our Wilderest Dreams
www.thenorthernecho.co.uk
By Matty Jones - Digital Sports Writer
MIDDLESBROUGH manager Chris Wilder has warned his players of complacency and urged them to be at ‘full tilt’ against an out of form Reading side this afternoon.
Boro go into the game off the back of a five-match winning run in all competition. Reading on the other hand have recently suffered a shock defeat to National League North Kiddersminster Harriers in the FA Cup and a 7-0 hammering against Fulham in midweek.
The Teessider’s form has seen an upward curve under Wilder with the manager losing just one game so far since taking over in November as he spearheads the club into promotion contention.
A win against the Royals this afternoon on home soil could see them climb into the Championship play-offs if results go their way. Although the fans will back them to win the game, the manager insists the Royals have big talents at their disposal.
Asked about the fans expectations, Wilder said: “I want them to every time they turn up. I want them to come and expect us to do well and to win but I think we all know the dangers of football.
“The dangers of arrogance and complacency, not just from the players, but supporters as well. They understand.
“It’s been a tough period for our football club over the last four or five years. It’s been quite a lot of downs as well as the occasional ups and we’ve showed we are on an upward curve but I’m definitely not taking anything for granted.
“I believe if that Reading bring their A-game to the Riverside on Saturday, if you look at the top of the pitch, Andy Carroll, Junior Hoillett, John Swift who is an outstanding player especially in the first part of the season. Danny Drinkwater.
“They’ve got some talented footballers that on their day can turn it on. If we’re off it by any little bit, we’ll get hurt.
“I don’t want us to get hurt. I want us to continue to momentum and a crowd to fully back us so the crowd have got to be patient as well and be with us because this isn’t a straightforward game.”
All the noises surrounding Boro’s form coupled with Reading’s relegation battle suggests a result is likely for Wilder’s side but the manager has been quick to remind his players of the dangers of complacency.
He added: “There will be days we are expected to win because of people like the media chucking 7-0’s at us and beaten by a non-league team. There is always another game for them to turn it around and they’ll be looking at the game on Saturday to kick-start their season.
“All the messages from me over the last 24 or 48 hours is that we’ve got to be right at it. We’re not good enough to turn up and be arrogant. If we turn up today and dip our toe in and maybe not make that tackle, try and shortcut stuff then we are going to get hurt.
“If we are at full tilt and we play in the manner that we play in like we have over the passed four to six weeks at home with a passionate support behind us, we give ourselves a good chance of getting a result but only if we are at full tilt and that’s the message from myself to the players.”
Elsewhere, Onel Hernandez has left the club after his loan spell was cut short to pave the way for a move to Birmingham City.
The Cuban winger made 18 appearances in a Boro shirt and scored one goal which came in their 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest back in September.
Chris Wilder complacency warning: Boss urges Boro to be at 'full tilt' vs Reading
Chris Wilder's complacency warning: Boro need to be at 'full tilt' vs Reading
Boro manager Chris Wilder has warned his players of complacency and urged them to be at ‘full tilt’ against an out of form Reading side this…
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MIDDLESBROUGH manager Chris Wilder has warned his players of complacency and urged them to be at ‘full tilt’ against an out of form Reading side this afternoon.
Boro go into the game off the back of a five-match winning run in all competition. Reading on the other hand have recently suffered a shock defeat to National League North Kiddersminster Harriers in the FA Cup and a 7-0 hammering against Fulham in midweek.
The Teessider’s form has seen an upward curve under Wilder with the manager losing just one game so far since taking over in November as he spearheads the club into promotion contention.
A win against the Royals this afternoon on home soil could see them climb into the Championship play-offs if results go their way. Although the fans will back them to win the game, the manager insists the Royals have big talents at their disposal.
Asked about the fans expectations, Wilder said: “I want them to every time they turn up. I want them to come and expect us to do well and to win but I think we all know the dangers of football.
“The dangers of arrogance and complacency, not just from the players, but supporters as well. They understand.
“It’s been a tough period for our football club over the last four or five years. It’s been quite a lot of downs as well as the occasional ups and we’ve showed we are on an upward curve but I’m definitely not taking anything for granted.
“I believe if that Reading bring their A-game to the Riverside on Saturday, if you look at the top of the pitch, Andy Carroll, Junior Hoillett, John Swift who is an outstanding player especially in the first part of the season. Danny Drinkwater.
“They’ve got some talented footballers that on their day can turn it on. If we’re off it by any little bit, we’ll get hurt.
“I don’t want us to get hurt. I want us to continue to momentum and a crowd to fully back us so the crowd have got to be patient as well and be with us because this isn’t a straightforward game.”
All the noises surrounding Boro’s form coupled with Reading’s relegation battle suggests a result is likely for Wilder’s side but the manager has been quick to remind his players of the dangers of complacency.
He added: “There will be days we are expected to win because of people like the media chucking 7-0’s at us and beaten by a non-league team. There is always another game for them to turn it around and they’ll be looking at the game on Saturday to kick-start their season.
“All the messages from me over the last 24 or 48 hours is that we’ve got to be right at it. We’re not good enough to turn up and be arrogant. If we turn up today and dip our toe in and maybe not make that tackle, try and shortcut stuff then we are going to get hurt.
“If we are at full tilt and we play in the manner that we play in like we have over the passed four to six weeks at home with a passionate support behind us, we give ourselves a good chance of getting a result but only if we are at full tilt and that’s the message from myself to the players.”
Elsewhere, Onel Hernandez has left the club after his loan spell was cut short to pave the way for a move to Birmingham City.
The Cuban winger made 18 appearances in a Boro shirt and scored one goal which came in their 2-0 win over Nottingham Forest back in September.
Laughing
Well-known member
The tea leaves are ready for todays championship games.
The 2 stand out selections are home wins for boro and fulham.
The boro game is expected to be under 2.5 goals and you will see why in a moment when I go through some stats.
Boro over the season have scoed 1.16 and conceded 0.96 goals per game. However over the last 8 games they have scored 1.125 and conceded a very stingy 0.5 goals per game. So our goal scoring has stayed consistent, and not very prolific over the season and defensively we appear to be getting better and better. This is the main reason, I suspect that the game has been highlighted as underr 2.5 goals.
Me, I think we might well play Reading of the park. Sooner or later, everything will click, and we will get a hatful.
On to Reading. Over the season they have scored, a quite respectable 1.26 goals per game. Over the last 8 games that is at 1.25, so pretty consistent at scoring. The do conceded a few though, over the whole season conceding on average 1.57 goals, with the last 8 games, that stat increases to 2 goals a game. To average conceding 2 goals a game is huge and almost double the league average of 1.28. Probably largely down to the battering they got from Fulham.
Prediction Boro win 2-0 but a really cosy 2-0.
The 2 stand out selections are home wins for boro and fulham.
The boro game is expected to be under 2.5 goals and you will see why in a moment when I go through some stats.
Boro over the season have scoed 1.16 and conceded 0.96 goals per game. However over the last 8 games they have scored 1.125 and conceded a very stingy 0.5 goals per game. So our goal scoring has stayed consistent, and not very prolific over the season and defensively we appear to be getting better and better. This is the main reason, I suspect that the game has been highlighted as underr 2.5 goals.
Me, I think we might well play Reading of the park. Sooner or later, everything will click, and we will get a hatful.
On to Reading. Over the season they have scored, a quite respectable 1.26 goals per game. Over the last 8 games that is at 1.25, so pretty consistent at scoring. The do conceded a few though, over the whole season conceding on average 1.57 goals, with the last 8 games, that stat increases to 2 goals a game. To average conceding 2 goals a game is huge and almost double the league average of 1.28. Probably largely down to the battering they got from Fulham.
Prediction Boro win 2-0 but a really cosy 2-0.
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Rofesleg
Well-known member
Look into my eyes, not around my eyes in my eyes......
I`l go for 1-0.
Either that or we trance them
JonnyHistory
Well-known member
I have a feeling we are gonna put on a performance today, players are rested, almost a fully fit and strengthened squad and confidence is high. Good day for someone to bag a hatful. UTB