Back from the Game - 'Boro

[Dave the rave]

Game seemed to go really quickly this weekend.
Boro were poor, we played well.
Leigertwood my MOTM.
My thoughts about Kanu was the first thing he did he did well. Seemed to hold him in good stead for the rest of the game. Anyone who plays/has played can attest to that. Usually he's first on my moan list.

Definate penalty and showed up what I think of Mills. I like him as a player but his temperament is suspect.
Lets himself get wound up too easily.
He shoved Lita over with a sort of 'we're 4 in front and I don't care if I give you a penalty' nonchalance.
Surprised he wasn't carded.

Sat in the North I had a Boro fan behind me. Didn't have much of an accent mind.
Good bit of banter first half. Didn't hear a squeak second. Thank you, reading.

[brendywendy]

did anyone else see brynn aim an elbow at their winger in the secondhalf?

most unlike him

[ZacNaloen]

What I liked about Hal Robson-Kanu was that for the first time he actually looked up for it. He's started other games before where he's seemed to go through the motions (scared to make a mistake?) rather than just been positive with his play.

On Saturday he was positive from the off and he had his best game since pre-season against Chelsea last year.

[Norfolk Royal]

did anyone else see brynn aim an elbow at their winger in the secondhalf?

Where did he get the elbow from?

[brendywendy]

he has a sponsorship deal with a local butchers

[Hoop Blah]

Not read more than a couple of posts on the thread but for me Saturday summed up a lot about this season. 'Boro were awful and we won at a canter without ever really playing that much good stuff. We were efficient and got rewards for good percentage play.

Harte joined in going forwards much more, presumably because we had the cushion of a two goal lead after his second free kick. His ball for Long's header was excellent and Long put away perfectly. He'd have missed that 9 times out of 10 earlier in the season!

Robson-Kanu had his most productive game for us but still looked like he didn't have enough about him. He kept the ball well though which was good to see, but his general end product is just lacking something.

Kebe was pretty poor again too. I'm not sure what to make of his poor form. Is he still injured or just low on confidence having seemingly been rushed back into the side originally. Whatever it is McDermott needs to address it quickly if we are to have any chance of stealing 6th place (which I don't think we can do).

Church. Oh dear. The lads lost all his confidence and he's getting worse by the game.

Everyone else played well without being outstanding and it just goes to show what an odd league it is that we can win so easily (should really have been by more) without playing especially well.

[LoyalRoyalFan]

Before some people start to jump on the Ian Harte bandwagon, Middlesborough didn't pose much of a threat down the wings.

[ZacNaloen]

Hoop, I actually thought that when Church came on he put himself about a lot more than he has done recently and had a better game that last I saw him. He just couldn't hit a barn door right now.

[Royal With Cheese]

Hoop, I actually thought that when Church came on he put himself about a lot more than he has done recently and had a better game that last I saw him. He just couldn't hit a barn door right now.

Just like Long couldn't up until a couple of months ago.

Here's hoping he can get through this barren spell. Perhaps Manset should start against City?

[Hoop Blah]

He put himself about? Not sure what you mean by that but I'd agree if you meant he got involved a decent amount, but then I'd say he always does.

He's never been the most prolific and personally I don't think he's quite up to this level of football (depending on what you want him to do of course) and it was cringeworthy watching him miss good chance after good chance. He could've had a hatrick!

I feel for him to be honest. He seems a nice lad and a willing runner etc etc, but when push comes to shove he doesn't seem quite up to the job.

[ZacNaloen]

I dunno I just felt he let his head drop these last few weeks, he seemed way more up for it yesterday than the last time he came on.

[Hoop Blah]

I dunno I just felt he let his head drop these last few weeks, he seemed way more up for it yesterday than the last time he came on.

I think he probably saw how bad 'Boro were and how much on top we were and thought 'here's my chance to get back amongst the goals' so was buzzing around hopefully of notching.