* The Unofficial "Official" Boro v Stoke Match-Day Thread *

r00fie1

r00fie1

Well-known member
Its that time again.....

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For Chris Wilder, the "business end" starts from the first kick - off to the final whistle at the last game.
Preparation for every game is as important as the last and the next. Asked in his recent media conference if the Sheffield United match was "special" - he replied unequivocably "No"! What`s gone before is "history" - "we are in a new season". Did he think that Stoke was a "cauldron"? "No"!. They may have been previously, but they have been in the Championship for a while. Boro cant afford to let reputations effect their approach to games.

We know the club has been fighting to get deals over the line. But its not as easy as it seems. Wilder stated categorically: "we will not overpay" for players. Clearly, the club has a different mindset to financial management than previously. We may have liquidity following the sales of Spence and Tav - but the days of paying over-the-top have gone. Meanwhile - its good to see Hoppie and Mowatt wearing the red shirt. More incomings to follow no doubt?!

Stoke are in a total rebuild under Michael O`Neil - in 2021 he made 13 new signings and continues to bring in players to match his style of play [sounds familiar]. A number of new signings have arrived, with more to follow. O`Neil has already commented on the difficulties getting his targets through the door. In spite of that, he has brought in Newcastle reject Dwight Gayle, whom he is looking to strengthen his strike force.​
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Yesterday [Tuesday] Tarique Fosu arrived on a season - long loan from Brentford. Its unclear whether he will be in the starting line-up for tonight`s game.
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Amongst Stoke`s players are a number of well - worn faces known to us fans, notably the much - travelled Aiden Flint and former Boro loanee, Lewis Baker.
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A Potters View:

Screenshot 2022-08-17 at 11-12-39 Match Preview Middlesbrough.jpeg
The Potters squandered a host of opportunities against Huddersfield Town on Saturday as they suffered a 3-1 defeat at the John Smith Stadium.

However, in their one and only home match this season, Michael O’Neill’s side comfortably beat Blackpool 2-0 thanks for goals from Harry Clarke and Jacob Brown.
Whilst the Potters have already recorded a victory this season, Boro are still searching for that winning feeling after the first three matches in the Championship.

Score draws at home to West Bromwich Albion and Sheffield United sandwiched a 3-2 defeat to Queens Park Rangers. Chris Wilder’s side were also defeated in the first round of the Carabao Cup by Barnsley.

This evening's meeting will be the 103rd occasion that the teams have faced each other since the first clash in 1902 – a 2-0 win for Boro.

That win at the Victoria Ground is one of 43 that the North East side have recorded over City. The Potters have won 36 while 23 matches have ended all square.

Last season’s two fixtures ended in a goalless draw at the bet365 Stadium and a 3-1 win for Boro on Teesside.

​

TEAM NEWS​

Stoke City​

Michael O’Neill confirmed during his pre-match press conference that Harry Clarke is likely to be out of action for between four to six weeks with a shin injury. Josh Tymon and Josh Laurent featured on Saturday despite carrying knocks, so will be assessed. Nick Powell and Harry Souttar remain unavailable for selection.

Middlesbrough
Influential attacker Matt Crooks missed Sunday’s match against the Blades due to illness. Chris Wilder confirmed on Tuesday that he is optimistic Crooks will be available for selection tonight. Josh Coburn is sidelined with a knee injury.

* https://www.stokecityfc.com/news/2022/august/17/match-preview-middlesbrough/
 
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Beyond Our Wilderest Dreams
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"Get Ready! We`re gonna have a go!"

New Players
As a Manager I "have to be positive, because we are motivators"..."I believe in the team and I believe we will get better. I believe when we get more players through the door we will get stronger and add more depth to the group". He believes the situation around transfers is "hotting up" and that we`ve had to be patient as a club. "We will be in a better place" - when the window closes.​

What do you want from the players?​

"You need a big heart and a big character to play for me".​

This is "a big job" - "a big rebuild". Its not just shifting players in but also shifting players out. "We are facing competition from other clubs". He repeated confidently that those players he wants will be "through the door".

Chris also stressed that himself, Steve Gibson and the Management Team - have all agreed that the process of profiling players, with the right attributes, physicality, quality and attitude is crucial not just for now but into the future. There is an acknowledgement that there has to be continuity to go forward as a club and that means financial prudence and careful planning and recruitment.​

Alex Mowatt
Attitudes good, he knows how experience feels and "he will give us that quality and balance".​

Chuba
He`s worked hard and deserved his opportunity with us. Attitude "is the ultimate". He is enthusiastic and working for the group. "Did he want to be here"? "Yes". "I asked about him every day" whilst he was training with the under 23`s. ​

Dael Fry
"Dael will play a huge part this year".

Stoke
"Its a cauldron to play in dont you think?" [journo questions] "NO"! Things change once you are in the Championship. We intend to be a cauldron, "thats what we are trying to build here". Stoke, though, "is not an impossible place to go". They have to balance their books and adjust, just like we are. We play our game "but understand there will be periods [against Stoke] where we have to dig in" - "to make them suffer"!​

"I want a decent performance with the points we deserve". What matters to Chris is that Boro have conceded goals from "throws" and "counter-attacks", but still made "silly mistakes" which we need to cut out.

Fans
"We`re incredibly backed. "I loved the feel [of the game] ....on Sunday" [Sheffield United]. "I`ve been blown away since I walked through the door". At QPR "we didnt give the fans what they deserved through our mad 20 minutes". There is a definite connection between us and the fans. "People will walk away saying yea - there`s something to build on there". There will always be the cynics who are more "glass half empty"but..."the majority of fans are knowledgable and realistic". ​

It was commented that excitement at the club has already ramped up this season.

Chris Wilder:​

"Yeah. Get ready. We`re gonna have a go!"✊
​
UTMB
 
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Just bought my match pass. I hope this F***ing works as I can't see the link anywhere to watch the game. It's just asking me to subscribe again. Already missed one game because of the dodgy website.
 
I'm normally very optimistic but for some reason I think we'll lose tonight. I still think we'll be up there at the end of the season but I don't think tonight is where it starts. 1-0 Stoke after Boro dominate most of the ball
 
I’m really enjoying this season and not because the football is particularly enthralling yet. My natural affinity towards Boro is growing again after a few years of not really being that arsed. It’s cool.
 
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Stoke Fans Reaction after Potters 3-1 defeat to Huddersfield [Saturday 13th August]

"Absolute trash"​

Stoke City fans react after 'two steps backwards' performance in Huddersfield loss​

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Stoke City fans labelled their team's performance as 'absolute trash' following their 3-1 loss to bottom-of-the-table Huddersfield Town yesterday at the John Smith's Stadium.

A first half goal from debutant Yuta Nakayama saw the hosts take the lead but Lewis Baker struck back early in the second half following his penalty miss in the 21st minute. However, Huddersfield regained the lead through Danny Ward before Jordan Rhodes scored his 200th professional goal to put the game out of reach for the visitors.

Fans weren't happy with the performance, and while some were more positive than others, many questioned how long will it be before Stoke boss Michael O'Neill is shown the door.

Many fans took to social media to vent their frustrations at the team's performances and here's what some had to say on Twitter...

@vis_unita: Gonna be another loooonnnnng season.

@_lg_1972: Absolute trash. Time to ask questions.

@jackoc1312: Result doesn't reflect the performance at all.

@DevonScfc: if O'Neil isn't gone by tomorrow then the club is finished.

@Liamb1975: There’s a ready-made manager who’s a perfect fit for this football club. Sean Dyche. But again the club will be incapable of making a decisive decision and miss the boat.

@JDSCFC: Just sack him. One step forward and two steps backwards for the best part of 2 years. It’s not going to work. Get rid before we end up in a relegation battle

www.stokesentinel.co.uk

Stoke fans react after 'two steps backwards' performance in Huddersfield loss

The latest Stoke City news from StokeOnTrentLive as fans have their say about the 3-1 loss to Huddersfield yesterday
www.stokesentinel.co.uk www.stokesentinel.co.uk
 
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