*The Unofficial "official - "The Chase is on" - Boro v Stoke. Match-Day Thread*

Morning Roofie. It's great looking forward to boro games, and assuming, quite rightly, most of the time, that we will win.

It's been a while.

3 goals without reply tonight. Akpom gets our 1,000 goal with steffan getting his long overdue brace. I keep waiting for Zak to fulfill his goal scoring potential. He has been disapointing with this part of his game.
 
Laughing said:
Morning Roofie. It's great looking forward to boro games, and assuming, quite rightly, most of the time, that we will win.

It's been a while.

3 goals without reply tonight. Akpom gets our 1,000 goal with steffan getting his long overdue brace. I keep waiting for Zak to fulfill his goal scoring potential. He has been disapointing with this part of his game.
Click to expand...
Me thinks there might be an element of sarcasm? ;@))
Must win tonight.
Score once an we`ll score more!
UTMB ✊
 
I want Steffen to slot home the penner that puts us 3 up late on vs Coventry to pop the champagne on our promotion party. As the whistle goes he has a friendly chat with Bic Vic to persuade him to stick around...

Demanding? Moi?
 
Fattyfoggon said:
don't normally says this so early in the season but the game does feel massive tonight to keep the momentum going quite nervous to be honest
Click to expand...
Agreed.. A win tonight puts enormous pressure on Sheffield United to win at Sunderland tomorrow, especially with their weekend FA Cup game meaning we could potentially leapfrog them.

Massive week psychologically.
 
Carrick`s Call v Stoke


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"I keep driving them mad about never being satisfied"

Michael Carrick`s recent Media Conference revealed just how much he can now trust the boys to "work things out for themselves", when the team needs to adjust and tweak its performance. Commenting on the early goal for Swansea, Carrick was frank and honest: "We looked a propper team". What did he say to the players? "I think a lot of it comes from them [the players]. The lads have grown to trust and believe in themselves. There was a fire within them and I didnt have to say much".

Player options?
On Saturday, there were a number of absences and inclusions. On the other hand, 17 year old Sonny Finch made his debut for the senior team - even though it was only for a few minutes.

Carrick explained....."For me...it sometimes makes the job harder [having so many options available]. Because you`ve got to choose from really good players and really good people...and a lot of them deserve to play. Its a great place to have the options and trust in the players, whoever is on the pitch. The players are pushing each other all the time and that can only be good for each individual".
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He was asked specifically about Isaiah Jones and why he has been absent from the team sheet recently: "Its not easy to make changes. There are good people in the squad who work hard to get in the team". "In my casreer, you have times as a younger player and as an older player, where things go for you and sometimes they dont go for you so much. Every player in the squad will have had tha [experience] at some point. So thats just the challenge of having a career in the game". Its about " believing in yourself and working hard enough to play well, be at your best and trust in what you do".

"I have to say from day one, I`ve found a buzz and energy around the place [with] full backing from everyone, players and staff. All in it. Fully in it! Its great to see people coming into work....bouncing. They cant wait to get get here. [But] they have to work hard. Its not easy. Its not a holiday and we need to keep trying to be better". "There`s never anything perfect in football. You improve and you will like a lot of things about the way we are playing. But there`s always so much to strive for".
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Aaron Ramsey and Cameron Archer: "The boys have settled in well" since they arrived in the new year and we can expect better from them. "They have been great". Crooks? - coming along at the moment. Fry - may still not be well enough to play.

Assessment of Progress so far?
A reporter asked Carrick felt about his progress since day one. From 21st to 3rd?
"Thats a credit to the supporters as well. Of how they`ve backed us and always got behind us. It hasnt always gone to plan,....but they`ve been patient [when Boro have gone behind] and right behind us. The bonds [between players and fans] are growing all the time.

Leaders and Leadership?
Carrick elaborated: "We are fortunate to have some good characters and leaders within the group. We have leaders in different ways Some lead by example, like Jonny Howson. A model professional, great example of how to prolong your career. How to behave [and] how to bring out the best in yourself. He`s been a credit to himself since I`ve come and worked with him. He`s a real pleasure to work with".
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"Then you`ve got some of the other boys who are a little bit more vocal, but I trust them all. Thats the biggest thing for me. Sometimes they work things out for themselves, which is even better for me. The younger boys couldnt hope for a better group of senior lads to learn from and look up to".

Automatic Promotion? Top Two?
It was inevitable that those questions were going to crop up. With ten games to go and tonights match.....
"I cant hide from it, so of course I know [where we are in the table]. But in terms of shifting dynamics [within the team], it doesnt alter what we do day to day.
"We all know what the league position is and whats at stake. Of course we do. There`s no hiding from that, but there`s a way of going about it. What we feel maximises our chances of success. There`s a way of preparing for games.....of being in the right frame of mind for games and the boys have done that ever so well". "[I am] pleased with the mentallity and attitude of the players who have dealt with defeat and are not getting carried away. I keep driving them mad about never being satisfied"
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Supporters expectations and the chase to Promotion?
"Of course I understand. Its only natural and its fine. I expect those questions to be asked[about Sheffield United and automatic promotion]. There`s obviously a lot to play for and a lot for the fans to get excited about...and come [to games] with an extrra spring in their step and support the team."

Stoke:
"We are never disrespectful. The boys will be in a good frame of mind." "There`s a whole new challenge tommorrow night [v Stoke]". "We`ve just got to trust what we do and bring out the best version of us".



Lets get on the Blades shoulder and let them know Boro are ready to overtake - as we hit the sprint for the final lap before the finishing line.
Ten games......

Come On Boro!

r00fie1
 
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