Tonight’s man of the match

[Quicksilvera]

Dan Barlaser ***
Matt Clarke **
Manu latte lath *

Quality from the geordie Pirlo today

 

[Ravshoutsatbeck]

Barlaser***
O'Brien**
Howson*

 

[AytonMews]

Greenwood ***
O’Brien **
Barlaser *


Howson probably deserves a star, but tough

 

[Diego]

Barlaser.

 

[TeaCider]

Barlaser***
O'Brien**
Howson*

This for me too.

Thought Barlaser was superb and I was really pleased with O'Brien as well.

 

[TheYorkshireTerrier]

Hard to pick out one individual player, but I’d probably pick Barlaser as he had the most influence throughout the game.

O’Brien looked good today, as did Azaz.

Defence had nothing to do.

 

[B_G]

Greenwood was probably my POTM
Barlaser closely behind him

Greenwood ***
Barlaser **
Howson *

 

[theredrooster]

Barlaser is great when teams sit off him and give him time and space. It's a pity there's only the bottom 5 or 6 teams in the championship that'll do that.

 

[parmoboy]

Clarke ***
Howson **
Lath *

 

[Slipperutb01]

Barlaser had his best game for Boro Tod imho
Utb

 

[sadgit]

I thought Howsen had his best game for ages. Appeared calm and no stray passes

 

[Diego]

Barlaser is great when teams sit off him and give him time and space. It's a pity there's only the bottom 5 or 6 teams in the championship that'll do that.

Yeah, always shines in these games. But as you say they don’t come around too often unfortunately

 

[gravy173]

Disagree with Azaz getting any stars thought the game passed him by (again)

 

[AytonMews]

Problem with Azaz is he’s very one paced.

Even when he beats a man with a drop of the shoulder / change of direction, he never really gets away from them.

 

[parmoboy]

Disagree with Azaz getting any stars thought the game passed him by (again)

I thought he improved in the 2nd half. Tried a few interesting things which didn't quite come off but the signs are there that he's a good footballer - it just isn't coming off for him at the moment.

One criticism I have is that he needs to be stronger and look after the ball better, especially when he has his back to goal.

 

[Muttley]

Greenwood ***
Clarke **
Barlaser *

And if he is on the pitch let Greenwood take the corners, he delivered some absolute beauts today. Pen was unfortunate but he was the standout player for me (and I'm no fan of his at all, but credit where it is due)

 

[The Card Cheat]

Barlaser is great when teams sit off him and give him time and space. It's a pity there's only the bottom 5 or 6 teams in the championship that'll do that.

I think the formation we play makes a big difference. Whenever we play the 5 4 1 that we played today he looks good. Even against Chelsea at home he played very well in that system and they pressed us probably more than any championship club do.
In a midfield 2 in a 4231, he gets overran.

 

[changingman]

I don't think that role today suits him (Azaz). Under pressure from the second he receives the ball and I'm not convinced he has either the pace or technique to create space for himself.

His starting position should be wider and/or deeper for me.

 

[AytonMews]

I think the formation we play makes a big difference. Whenever we play the 5 4 1 that we played today he looks good. Even against Chelsea at home he played very well in that system and they pressed us probably more than any championship club do.
In a midfield 2 in a 4231, he gets overran.

We played 4231 today

 

[changingman]

I think the formation we play makes a big difference. Whenever we play the 5 4 1 that we played today he looks good. Even against Chelsea at home he played very well in that system and they pressed us probably more than any championship club do.
In a midfield 2 in a 4231, he gets overran.

Agree, helps having a deep out ball in Howson too. Must admit looked 3-4-3 to me today though. He was almost creating a double pivot with Howson in the defensive line at times.